Currency identification system and valuable medium identification system

Abstract

To provide a currency identification system capable of accurately determining the propriety of inserted currency, and a valuable medium identification system capable of accurately determining the propriety of an inserted valuable medium.SOLUTION: A currency identification system (100) is provided with a currency identification device (1) and a server (3) which can communicate with the currency identification device (1), wherein the currency identification device (1) includes a device-side communication unit (6), a feature value acquisition unit (20) which acquires the feature value of an inputted currency, and a device-side control unit (7) which transmits the feature value acquired by the feature value acquisition unit (20) to the server (3) via the device-side communication unit (6), and the server (3) includes a server-side communication unit (30), a database (31) relating to the appropriateness of the currency based on the feature value, and a server-side control unit (32) which judges the appropriateness of the currency based on the feature value received from the currency identification device (1) via the server-side communication unit (30) by using the database (31) and transmits the judgment result relating to the appropriateness of the currency to the currency identification device (1) via the server-side communication unit (30).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a currency identification system and a valuable medium identification system, and more particularly to a currency identification system including a currency identification device and a valuable medium identification system including a valuable medium identification device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a currency identification device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic change dispenser including a banknote processing device (currency identification device). The banknote processing device includes a banknote processing unit that deposits and dispenses banknotes, and an automatic change dispenser control system. The banknote processing unit is provided with a banknote deposit slot. Banknotes conveyed through the banknote deposit slot are identified by a banknote identification sensor (feature acquisition unit) that serves as an identification unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-162412 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although not explicitly stated in Patent Document 1, the banknote processing device accepts inserted banknotes when the inserted banknotes are determined to be appropriate with a high degree of accuracy through validation by a banknote validation sensor. On the other hand, if the inserted banknotes are determined to be appropriate with a medium or low degree of accuracy, which is lower than the high degree of accuracy, or if the inserted banknotes are determined to be inappropriate with a high degree of accuracy, the inserted banknotes are returned for security reasons. Therefore, even if the inserted banknotes are actually appropriate, they may be returned as a result of validation by the banknote validation sensor (feature acquisition unit). Therefore, it is desirable to be able to accurately determine the appropriateness of inserted banknotes (currency and valuable media).

[0006] This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of this invention is to provide a currency identification system that can accurately determine the legitimacy of inserted currency and a valuable medium identification system that can accurately determine the legitimacy of inserted valuable medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a currency identification system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a currency identification device and a server capable of communicating with the currency identification device, wherein the currency identification device includes a device-side communication unit that communicates with the server, a feature acquisition unit that acquires features of inserted currency, and a device-side control unit that transmits the features acquired by the feature acquisition unit to the server via the device-side communication unit, and the server includes a server-side communication unit that communicates with the currency identification device, a database regarding the suitability of currency based on the features, and a server-side control unit that uses the database to determine the suitability of currency based on the features received from the currency identification device via the server-side communication unit and transmits the determination result regarding the suitability of currency to the currency identification device.

[0008] In the currency identification system according to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the device-side control unit in the currency identification device is configured to transmit the feature acquired by the feature acquisition unit to the server, and in the server, the server-side control unit is configured to determine the suitability of the currency based on the feature received from the currency identification device using a database related to the suitability of currency based on the feature, and to transmit the determination result regarding the suitability of the currency to the currency identification device. As a result, the server-side control unit determines the suitability of the currency based on the feature using a database that stores a huge amount of data related to the suitability of currency based on the feature, so the suitability of the inserted currency can be determined with higher accuracy than when the suitability of currency is determined solely based on the detection result of the sensor (feature acquisition unit) of the currency identification device. Therefore, the currency identification device can accurately determine the suitability of the inserted currency based on the determination result regarding the suitability of the currency transmitted from the server-side control unit.

[0009] In the currency identification system according to the first aspect, the device-side control unit is preferably configured to determine the appropriateness of the currency based on the feature acquired by the feature acquisition unit, and to transmit the feature to the server via the device-side communication unit when the appropriateness of the currency cannot be determined based on the feature. With this configuration, the device-side control unit does not transmit the feature to the server when the appropriateness of the currency can be determined based on the feature, thereby reducing the time required to determine the appropriateness of the currency when the appropriateness of the currency can be determined based on the feature. Furthermore, because the feature is transmitted to the server when the appropriateness of the currency cannot be determined based on the feature, the appropriateness of the inserted currency can be accurately determined based on the determination result regarding the appropriateness of the currency transmitted from the server-side control unit.

[0010] In the currency identification system according to the first aspect, the device-side control unit is preferably configured to dispense the inserted currency when it receives a determination result that the currency is inappropriate based on the feature quantities from the server-side communication unit via the device-side communication unit. With this configuration, the device-side control unit can dispense the inserted currency when it receives a determination result that the currency is inappropriate based on the appropriateness of the currency accurately determined by the server-side control unit.

[0011] The currency identification system according to the first aspect preferably further includes an intermediate communication device that communicatively connects the device-side communication device and the server-side communication device, the intermediate communication device including a monitoring device that monitors server failures, and an intermediate communication device-side control device that, when the monitoring device detects a server failure and the intermediate communication device receives a feature of the currency from the device-side communication device, does not send the feature to the server and sends information to the device-side communication device that the currency is inappropriate. With this configuration, when the monitoring device detects a server failure, the intermediate communication device-side control device does not send the feature to the server and sends information to the device-side communication device that the currency is inappropriate, so that the device-side control device can suppress delays in processing required to determine the suitability of the currency due to a server failure.

[0012] In this case, the intermediate communication device is preferably installed near the currency identification device and communicatively connects the device-side communication unit and the server-side communication unit. With this configuration, since the intermediate communication device is installed near the currency identification device, the communication time between the currency identification device and the intermediate communication device can be shortened.

[0013] In the above-described configuration in which the device-side control unit transmits the feature amounts to the server via the device-side communication unit when it cannot determine the legitimacy of currency based on the feature amounts, preferably, the currency is banknotes, the feature amount acquisition unit is configured to acquire feature amounts of multiple portions of the inserted banknote, and the device-side control unit is configured to determine that the banknote is unsuitable based on some of the feature amounts for each of the multiple portions of the banknote acquired by the feature amount acquisition unit, and when it cannot determine the legitimacy of the banknote based on other than some of the feature amounts for each of the multiple portions of the banknote, to determine that the inserted banknote is unsuitable without transmitting the feature amounts that cannot determine the legitimacy of the banknote to the server. With this configuration, when it is possible to determine that the banknote is unsuitable based on some of the feature amounts, the device-side control unit can determine that the inserted banknote is unsuitable without transmitting the feature amounts that cannot determine the legitimacy of the banknote to the server, even if there are feature amounts that cannot determine the legitimacy of the banknote. Therefore, when it is possible to determine that the banknote is unsuitable, it is possible to suppress delays in the processing required to determine the legitimacy of the banknote.

[0014] In the above-described configuration in which the device-side control unit transmits the feature values ​​to the server via the device-side communication unit when it cannot determine the legitimacy of currency based on the feature values, preferably, the currency is banknotes, and the feature value acquisition unit includes a plurality of different types of sensors, each configured to acquire feature values ​​of one or more portions of the inserted banknote, and when it cannot determine the legitimacy of the banknote based on the feature values ​​acquired by at least one of the plurality of sensors, it is configured to transmit to the server all feature values ​​detected by the plurality of sensors for the same portion of the banknote for which the feature values ​​that do not allow for determination of the legitimacy of the banknote were acquired. With this configuration, by transmitting all feature values ​​detected by the plurality of sensors for the same portion of the banknote to the server, the server control unit can determine the legitimacy of the banknote based on the feature values ​​that do not allow for determination of the legitimacy of the banknote, and can also determine the legitimacy of the banknote based on data combining the feature values ​​acquired by the plurality of different types of sensors. Therefore, the server-side control unit can more accurately determine the legitimacy of the inserted currency using a database based on both the feature values ​​that do not allow for determination of the legitimacy of the banknote and the data combining the feature values ​​acquired by the plurality of different types of sensors.

[0015] In the currency identification system according to the first aspect, the server is preferably connected to a plurality of currency identification devices so as to be able to communicate with them, the database is configured to be updated with respect to the suitability of currency based on a plurality of feature quantities acquired from the plurality of currency identification devices, and the server-side control unit is configured to determine the suitability of currency based on the feature quantities received from the currency identification device via the server-side communication unit using the updated database. With this configuration, the server-side control unit can determine the suitability of currency based on the received feature quantities using the latest updated database, thereby making it possible to more accurately determine the suitability of inserted currency.

[0016] A valuable medium identification system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a valuable medium identification device and a server capable of communicating with the valuable medium identification device. The valuable medium identification device includes a device-side communication unit that communicates with the server, a feature acquisition unit that acquires feature quantities of an inserted valuable medium, and a device-side control unit that transmits the feature quantities acquired by the feature acquisition unit to the server via the device-side communication unit. The server includes a server-side communication unit that communicates with the valuable medium identification device, a database regarding the suitability of valuable media based on the feature quantities, and a server-side control unit that uses the database to determine the suitability of valuable media based on the feature quantities received from the valuable medium identification device via the server-side communication unit and transmits the determination result regarding the suitability of the valuable media to the valuable medium identification device via the server-side communication unit.

[0017] In the valuable medium identification system according to a second aspect of the present invention, as described above, the device-side control unit in the valuable medium identification device is configured to transmit the feature acquired by the feature acquisition unit to the server, and the server-side control unit in the server is configured to use a database regarding the suitability of valuable media based on the feature to determine the suitability of the valuable medium based on the feature received from the valuable medium identification device and transmit the determination result regarding the suitability of the valuable medium to the valuable medium identification device. This allows the server-side control unit to determine the suitability of the valuable medium based on the feature using a database storing a vast amount of data regarding the suitability of valuable media such as a wide variety of coupons and gift certificates, or regional promotion coupons that can only be used within the issuing municipality, without storing a vast amount of data regarding the suitability of valuable media in the valuable medium identification device. Therefore, the suitability of the inserted valuable medium can be accurately determined in the valuable medium identification device based on the determination result regarding the suitability of the valuable medium transmitted from the server-side control unit. In this specification, the term "valuable medium" refers to a concept that includes media that are in circulation in a form similar to currency, such as vouchers, gift certificates, and regional promotion coupons, as well as currency such as banknotes and coins. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a currency identification system capable of accurately determining the legitimacy of inserted currency and a valuable medium identification system capable of accurately determining the legitimacy of inserted valuable media. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a currency identification system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic change machine including a currency identification device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a currency identification system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a graph illustrating the distribution of the amount of transmitted light for obtaining determination threshold data. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph illustrating the distribution of light transmission amounts stored in a database. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart for explaining the control of determining whether a banknote is valid or invalid by the currency identification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a currency identification system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram for explaining control of transmission of information indicating that a banknote is not appropriate, performed by an intermediate communication device-side control unit in the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart for explaining control by an intermediate communication device-side control unit in the second embodiment for transmitting information indicating that a banknote is not appropriate. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a currency identification system according to a first modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a valuable medium identification system according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] [First embodiment] (Configuration of currency identification system) A currency identification system 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0022] 1, the currency identification system 100 includes a currency identification device 1 and a server 3 that can communicate with the currency identification device 1. The currency identification device 1 is included in an automatic change dispenser 2.

[0023] (Configuration of currency identification device) As shown in FIG. 2, an automatic change dispenser 2 including a currency identification device 1 is connected to a POS (point of sales) register (not shown) in a store such as a supermarket or convenience store. The automatic change dispenser 2 has a flat top surface on which a POS (point of sales) register is disposed. The automatic change dispenser 2 includes a banknote processing unit 4, a coin processing unit 5, a machine-side communication unit 6 (see FIG. 3), a machine-side control unit 7 (see FIG. 3), an operation input unit 8, and a display unit 9. In the automatic change dispenser 2, the banknote processing unit 4 and the coin processing unit 5 are disposed adjacent to each other. The currency identification device 1 includes the machine-side communication unit 6, a banknote detection sensor 20 (see FIG. 3) included in the banknote processing unit 4, and the machine-side control unit 7. The banknote detection sensor 20 is an example of a "feature acquisition unit" in the claims.

[0024] The banknote processing unit 4 includes a banknote deposit slot 40, a banknote withdrawal slot 41, a banknote storage vault 42, and a plurality of banknote detection sensors 20 (see FIG. 3). The banknote deposit slot 40 is provided at the top front of the automatic change machine 2, and is a deposit slot through which banknotes are deposited. The banknote withdrawal slot 41 is provided below the banknote deposit slot 40, and is a withdrawal slot through which banknotes are dispensed. The banknote storage vault 42 is provided inside the automatic change machine 2, and is a storage vault that stores banknotes.

[0025] 3, the device-side communication unit 6 is configured to be able to communicate with the server 3. The device-side communication unit 6 is connected to the server 3 via a network 90 by wired or wireless communication so as to be able to send and receive information to and from the server 3. For example, the device-side communication unit 6 is connected to the network 90 by communication such as wireless LAN communication or wired LAN communication.

[0026] The banknote detection sensor 20 includes multiple sensors of different types. The banknote detection sensor 20 is configured to detect the size of a banknote inserted through the banknote deposit slot 40 and the light transmittance of multiple portions of the banknote. That is, the banknote detection sensor 20 acquires banknote information, for example, including the size of the banknote inserted through the banknote deposit slot 40 and the light transmittance of multiple portions of the banknote. Note that the banknote information is not limited to the above information and may include additional information. The banknote detection sensor 20 includes multiple sensors of different types. The multiple banknote detection sensors 20 include known sensors such as a visible light sensor 21, an infrared sensor 22, and a magnetic sensor 23. The number and types of the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 are not particularly limited. The multiple banknote detection sensors 20 are provided inside the banknote processing unit 4. Note that the light transmittance is an example of a "feature" in the claims.

[0027] The visible light sensor 21 included in the banknote detection sensor 20 is configured to detect the amount of visible light transmitted through multiple portions of a banknote. The visible light sensor 21 is, for example, a sensor including a visible light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and brightness value data received by the light receiving unit is sent to the apparatus-side control unit 7. The infrared sensor 22 included in the banknote detection sensor 20 is configured to detect the amount of infrared light transmitted through multiple portions of a banknote. The infrared sensor 22 is, for example, a sensor including an infrared light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and brightness value data received by the light receiving unit is sent to the apparatus-side control unit 7.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the coin processing unit 5 is configured to deposit and withdraw coins. The coin processing unit 5 includes a coin deposit port 50, a coin withdrawal port 51, a tray 52, a coin return port 53, and a coin storage box 54. The coin deposit port 50 is provided in the center of the front upper surface of the automatic change machine 2 and is a deposit port through which coins are deposited. The coin withdrawal port 51 is provided on the front left side of the automatic change machine 2 and is a withdrawal port through which coins are withdrawn. The tray 52 is provided below the coin withdrawal port 51 and receives coins discharged from the coin withdrawal port 51. The coin return port 53 is provided in the center of the front surface of the automatic change machine 2 main body and is a return port through which coins deposited from the coin deposit port 50 are returned. The coin storage box 54 is provided inside the automatic change machine 2 and is a storage box for storing coins.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the apparatus-side control unit 7 includes a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a memory 70 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The apparatus-side control unit 7 is configured to determine the legitimacy of an inserted banknote based on the amount of transmitted light acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20. The apparatus-side control unit 7 is also configured to transmit data on the amount of transmitted light acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20 to the server 3 via the apparatus-side communication unit 6. Specifically, when the apparatus-side control unit 7 cannot determine the legitimacy of an inserted banknote based on the amount of transmitted light, it is configured to transmit data on the amount of transmitted light acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20 to the server 3 via the apparatus-side communication unit 6.

[0030] The apparatus-side control unit 7 is configured to, when it is determined that the inserted banknote is not appropriate based on the amount of transmitted light acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20, discharge (return) the inserted banknote from the banknote withdrawal slot 41. Furthermore, when it receives a determination result that the inserted banknote is not appropriate based on the amount of transmitted light from the server-side communication unit 30 (described later) via the apparatus-side communication unit 6, it is configured to discharge (return) the inserted banknote from the banknote withdrawal slot 41. Details of how the apparatus-side control unit 7 determines whether the banknote is appropriate will be described later.

[0031] The operation input unit 8 is an input device for inputting various types of information. The display unit 9 is a display device for displaying various types of information.

[0032] (Server configuration) The server 3 is configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of currency identification devices 1 (see FIG. 1) via a network 90. ​​The server 3 is configured as a server 3 (information storage device) that stores information acquired from a plurality of currency identification devices 1. The server 3 is configured to communicate with a plurality of currency identification devices 1 via the network 90 (Internet), for example. The server 3 includes a server-side communication unit 30, a database 31, and a server-side control unit 32. The server 3 may be a cloud server.

[0033] The server-side communication unit 30 is configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of currency identification devices 1 (see FIG. 1). The server-side communication unit 30 is connected to the network 90 by wired or wireless communication so as to be able to send and receive information to and from each of the plurality of currency identification devices 1. For example, the server-side communication unit 30 is connected to the network 90 by wireless LAN communication, wired LAN communication, or other communication.

[0034] The database 31 is a database relating to the legitimacy of banknotes based on the amount of light transmission acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20. Specifically, the database 31 stores, for example, a distribution of light transmission in a predetermined portion of a banknote, which indicates the boundary (a fifth threshold th5 and a sixth threshold th6) between a fourth range r4 of light transmission in which the banknote is determined to be appropriate and a fifth range r5 of light transmission in which the banknote is determined to be inappropriate. As an example, the database 31 stores, for each of the multiple banknote detection sensors 20, a distribution of light transmission in which the boundary (a fifth threshold th5 and a sixth threshold th6) between the fourth range r4 of light transmission in which the banknote is determined to be appropriate and the fifth range r5 of light transmission in which the banknote is determined to be inappropriate, for each denomination of banknote and for multiple portions of the banknote. The database 31 also stores, for example, a distribution of values ​​relating to the legitimacy of banknotes, which are calculated based on multiple amounts of light transmission acquired by multiple different types of banknote detection sensors 20. That is, for each denomination of banknote and for each of multiple portions of the banknote, a distribution of calculated values ​​is stored that indicates the boundaries (a fifth threshold value th5 and a sixth threshold value th6) between a fourth range r4 of calculated values ​​for which the banknote is determined to be appropriate and a fifth range r5 of calculated values ​​for which the banknote is determined to be inappropriate. Details of the database 31 will be described later.

[0035] The server-side control unit 32 includes a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The server-side control unit 32 is configured to use the database 31 to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light received from the currency identification device 1 via the server-side communication unit 30, and to transmit the determination result regarding the legitimacy of the banknote to the currency identification device 1 via the server-side communication unit 30. The server-side control unit 32 is also configured to use the database 31 in which the legitimacy of banknotes has been updated to determine the legitimacy of banknotes based on the amount of transmitted light received from the currency identification device 1 via the server-side communication unit 30. Details of how the server-side control unit 32 determines the legitimacy of banknotes using the database 31 will be described later.

[0036] (Banknote information) The bill information includes, for example, the size of the bill inserted through the bill deposit slot 40 and the amount of light transmitted through multiple portions of the bill.

[0037] The light transmission amounts of multiple portions of a banknote are, for example, the light transmission amounts of multiple portions along the width direction of the banknote. The multiple banknote detection sensors 20 include a visible light sensor 21 and an infrared sensor 22. The visible light sensor 21 and the infrared sensor 22 alternately irradiate one side of the inserted banknote with visible light and infrared light, and acquire the light transmission amounts of multiple portions along the width direction of the inserted banknote. For example, each of the visible light sensor 21 and the infrared sensor 22 acquires the light transmission amounts of six portions along the width direction of the banknote.

[0038] The portions from which the amount of transmitted light is acquired are not limited to those described above, and may be portions along the longitudinal direction of the banknote, or other portions of the banknote. Furthermore, the amount of transmitted light in multiple portions of the banknote does not have to be acquired by both the visible light sensor 21 and the infrared sensor 22. For example, the amount of transmitted light in multiple portions of the banknote may be acquired by either the visible light sensor 21 or the infrared sensor 22. Furthermore, the number of portions from which the amount of transmitted light is acquired is not limited to those described above, and may be less than six or more than six, and is not particularly limited.

[0039] (Determination of legitimacy of banknotes by the device-side control unit) The device-side control unit 7 acquires banknote information including the size of the banknote and the amount of light transmitted through multiple parts of the banknote, which is detected by multiple banknote detection sensors 20 and is inserted through the banknote deposit slot 40.

[0040] The apparatus-side controller 7 acquires the denomination of the banknote based on the size of the banknote acquired by the plurality of banknote detection sensors 20.

[0041] The memory 70 of the device-side controller 7 stores determination threshold data 71, which includes a first threshold th1, a second threshold th2, a third threshold th3, and a fourth threshold th4 for the amount of light transmitted through a predetermined portion of a banknote. The determination threshold data 71 is data acquired based on a distribution of light transmission amounts in a predetermined portion of a banknote, as shown in Fig. 4, which shows a first range r1 of light transmission amounts at which the banknote is determined to be appropriate, a second range r2 of light transmission amounts at which the banknote is determined to be inappropriate, and a third range r3 of light transmission amounts that is set between the first range r1 and the second range r2 and cannot determine whether the banknote is appropriate or not. The determination threshold data 71 includes a first threshold th1 and a second threshold th2 that define the boundaries between the first range r1 and the third range r3, and a third threshold th3 and a fourth threshold th4 that define the boundaries between the second range r2 and the third range r3. The memory 70 of the device-side control unit 7 stores judgment threshold data 71 including a first threshold th1, a second threshold th2, a third threshold th3 and a fourth threshold th4 for each of the multiple banknote detection sensors 20, for each banknote denomination and for each of multiple portions of the banknote.

[0042] The light transmission amount acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20 is generally normally distributed, with banknotes whose light transmission amount varies in the direction of relatively increasing and banknotes whose light transmission amount varies in the direction of relatively decreasing. The determination threshold data 71, which includes the first threshold th1, the second threshold th2, the third threshold th3, and the fourth threshold th4, is set in advance when the currency recognition device 1 is shipped or installed. The first threshold th1, the second threshold th2, the third threshold th3, and the fourth threshold th4 differ depending on the denomination and part of the banknote. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents the light transmission amount acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20, and the vertical axis represents the number (frequency) of banknotes.

[0043] The device-side controller 7 (see FIG. 3) determines the legitimacy of a banknote inserted through the banknote deposit slot 40 based on the amount of visible light transmitted through multiple portions of the banknote obtained by the visible light sensor 21 and pre-stored determination threshold data 71 including a first threshold th1, a second threshold th2, a third threshold th3, and a fourth threshold th4 for each portion corresponding to the obtained banknote denomination. The device-side controller 7 also determines the legitimacy of a banknote inserted through the banknote deposit slot 40 based on the amount of infrared light transmitted through multiple portions of the banknote obtained by the infrared sensor 22 and pre-stored determination threshold data 71 including a first threshold th1, a second threshold th2, a third threshold th3, and a fourth threshold th4 for each portion corresponding to the obtained banknote denomination. The device-side controller 7 determines that a banknote is legit when the amount of light transmitted falls within a first range r1 that is equal to or greater than the first threshold th1 and equal to or less than the second threshold th2. The device-side controller 7 determines that a banknote is inappropriate when the amount of transmitted light falls within a second range r2 that is equal to or less than a third threshold th3 or equal to or greater than a fourth threshold th4. The device-side controller 7 cannot determine whether a banknote is appropriate when the amount of transmitted light falls within a third range r3 that is greater than the third threshold th3 and less than the first threshold th1, or greater than the second threshold th2 and less than the fourth threshold th4.

[0044] The device-side control unit 7 (see Figure 3) determines whether the amount of light transmitted through all of the multiple parts of the banknote based on the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 acquired falls within the first range r1, the second range r2, or the third range r3, based on the judgment threshold data 71 for each corresponding part that is stored in advance.

[0045] Then, based on pre-stored determination threshold data 71 for each corresponding portion, the device-side controller 7 (see FIG. 3) determines that the inserted banknote is appropriate if all of the light transmission amounts of the multiple portions of the banknote obtained by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 are within the first range r1. In this case, the device-side controller 7 is configured to accept the inserted banknote as deposit. In other words, the inserted banknote is received by the automatic change dispenser 2.

[0046] Furthermore, the apparatus-side controller 7 (see FIG. 3) determines that the inserted banknote is inappropriate if at least one of the amounts of light transmission of multiple portions of the banknote obtained by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 falls within the second range r2, based on pre-stored determination threshold data 71 for each corresponding portion. In this case, the apparatus-side controller 7 is configured to discharge (return) the inserted banknote from the banknote withdrawal slot 41. That is, the banknote is not accepted by the automatic change dispenser 2 and is returned from the banknote withdrawal slot 41.

[0047] That is, the device-side control unit 7 (see FIG. 3) is configured to determine that a banknote is not appropriate based on a portion of the light transmission amounts for each of the multiple portions of the banknote acquired by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20, and when it is not possible to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the light transmission amounts for portions other than the portion of the light transmission amounts for each of the multiple portions of the banknote, it is configured to determine that the inserted banknote is not appropriate without transmitting data on the light transmission amounts that cannot be used to determine the legitimacy of the banknote to the server 3.

[0048] For example, if the amount of light transmission acquired by either the visible light sensor 21 or the infrared sensor 22 in a part of the banknote falls within the second range r2, and the amount of light transmission acquired by either the visible light sensor 21 or the infrared sensor 22 in another part of the banknote other than the part mentioned above falls within the third range r3, the device-side control unit 7 (see Figure 3) will not send data on the amount of light transmission in the other part mentioned above that falls within the third range r3 to the server 3, and will determine that the inserted banknote is inappropriate.

[0049] Furthermore, if at least one of the light transmission amounts of multiple portions of a banknote obtained by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 is found to be within the third range r3 and all of the light transmission amounts other than the light transmission amount within the third range r3 are found to be within the first range r1, based on the pre-stored determination threshold data 71 for each corresponding portion, the device-side control unit 7 (see FIG. 3) transmits data on the light transmission amounts within the third range r3 to the server 3 via the device-side communication unit 6. At this time, the device-side control unit 7 also transmits data on the denomination of the inserted banknote and data on the portion of the banknote for which the light transmission amount was obtained, along with the data on the light transmission amounts within the third range r3, to the server 3.

[0050] Furthermore, when it is not possible to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of light transmission acquired by at least one of the multiple banknote detection sensors 20, the device-side control unit 7 (see FIG. 3) is configured to transmit to the server 3 all data on the amount of light transmission detected by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 in the same part of the banknote where the light feature that does not allow the legitimacy of the banknote to be determined has been acquired.

[0051] For example, if the visible light transmission amount acquired by the visible light sensor 21 for a portion of the banknote falls within a third range r3 and the infrared light transmission amount acquired by the infrared sensor 22 for the same portion of the banknote falls within a first range r1, the device-side controller 7 (see FIG. 3) will transmit both the data on the visible light transmission amount within the third range r3 acquired by the visible light sensor 21 for the portion of the banknote and the data on the infrared light transmission amount within the first range r1 acquired by the infrared sensor 22 for the same portion of the banknote to the server 3. At this time, the device-side controller 7 will also transmit to the server 3 data on the denomination of the inserted banknote and data on the portion of the banknote for which the light transmission amount was acquired, along with both the data on the visible light transmission amount within the third range r3 and the data on the infrared light transmission amount within the first range r1.

[0052] When the device-side control unit 7 (see FIG. 3) receives from the server-side communication unit 30 via the device-side communication unit 6 a determination result that the inserted banknote is appropriate based on the amount of light transmitted, the device-side control unit 7 accepts the inserted banknote into the automatic change dispenser 2. On the other hand, when the device-side control unit 7 receives from the server-side communication unit 30 via the device-side communication unit 6 a determination result that the inserted banknote is not appropriate based on the amount of light transmitted, the device-side control unit 7 ejects (returns) the inserted banknote from the banknote withdrawal slot 41.

[0053] (Database) The database 31 (see Fig. 3) stores, for each denomination of banknote and for each of a plurality of portions of the banknote, a distribution of light transmission amounts indicating the boundary (fifth threshold th5 and sixth threshold th6) between a fourth range r4 of light transmission amounts for which the banknote is determined to be appropriate and a fifth range r5 of light transmission amounts for which the banknote is determined to be inappropriate. The database 31 also stores, for each denomination of banknote and for each of a plurality of portions of the banknote, a distribution of calculated values ​​(not shown) indicating the boundary (fifth threshold th5 and sixth threshold th6) between the fourth range r4 of calculated values ​​for which the banknote is determined to be appropriate and the fifth range r5 of calculated values ​​for which the banknote is determined to be inappropriate.

[0054] The database 31 (see FIG. 3) stores distributions of light transmission amounts and distributions of calculated values ​​preset by a server administrator regarding the legitimacy of inserted banknotes. The fourth range r4 and the fifth range r5 in the distribution of light transmission amounts and the fourth range r4 and the fifth range r5 in the distribution of calculated values ​​are set based on multiple light transmission amounts obtained from multiple currency recognition devices 1. In other words, the fifth threshold th5 and the sixth threshold th6 in the distribution of light transmission amounts and the distribution of calculated values ​​are set based on multiple light transmission amounts obtained from multiple currency recognition devices 1. In the distribution of light transmission amounts shown in FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the light transmission amount obtained by the banknote detection sensor 20, and the vertical axis represents the number (frequency) of banknotes. In FIG. 5, the boundary between the fourth range r4 and the fifth range r5 (the fifth threshold th5 and the sixth threshold th6) is indicated by a dashed dotted line. In addition, to facilitate understanding, the boundary between the first range r1 and the third range r3 in the judgment threshold data 71 (first threshold th1 and second threshold th2) and the boundary between the second range r2 and the third range r3 (third threshold th3 and fourth threshold th4) are represented by dashed lines.

[0055] The database 31 (see FIG. 3) is configured to be updated by the server administrator after a predetermined time has elapsed or after a predetermined number of light transmission amounts have been acquired, regarding the legitimacy of an inserted banknote, based on the multiple light transmission amounts acquired from the multiple currency recognition devices 1. In other words, the database 31 is updated by changing the boundary (fifth threshold value th5 and sixth threshold value th6) between a fourth range r4 in which the banknote is determined to be appropriate and a fifth range r5 in which the banknote is determined to be inappropriate in the distribution of light transmission amounts in a predetermined part of the banknote and the distribution of calculated values.

[0056] (Determining whether a banknote is valid or not using a database by the server-side control unit) When the server-side control unit 32 (see Figure 3) receives from the device-side communication unit 6 via the server-side communication unit 30 the amount of light transmitted within the third range r3 acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20, as well as the type of the inserted banknote and the portion of the banknote for which the amount of light transmitted has been acquired, the server-side control unit 32 determines whether the inserted banknote is valid or not based on the amount of light transmitted within the received third range r3.

[0057] The server-side control unit 32 (see Figure 3) determines the suitability of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light received from the currency identification device 1 via the server-side communication unit 30, using the latest database 31 in which the suitability of the banknote has been updated by changing the boundary (fifth threshold th5 and sixth threshold th6) between the fourth range r4 in which the banknote is determined to be appropriate and the fifth range r5 in which the banknote is determined to be inappropriate.

[0058] The server-side control unit 32 (see FIG. 3) determines whether the banknote from which the received light transmission amount is obtained is appropriate based on the received light transmission amount and a distribution of light transmission amounts stored in the database 31, which indicates the boundaries (fifth threshold th5 and sixth threshold th6) between the fourth range r4 and the fifth range r5 of the corresponding portion of the denomination of the received banknote. That is, the server-side control unit 32 determines that the banknote is appropriate when the light transmission amount is within the fourth range r4, which is equal to or greater than the fifth threshold th5 and equal to or less than the sixth threshold th6. Furthermore, the server-side control unit 32 determines that the banknote is inappropriate when the light transmission amount is within the fifth range r5, which is less than the fifth threshold th5 or greater than the sixth threshold th6.

[0059] Furthermore, when the server-side control unit 32 (see FIG. 3 ) receives both the amount of light transmitted within the third range r3 acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20 for a portion of the banknote and the amount of light transmitted within the first range r1 acquired by a banknote detection sensor 20 of a different type for the same portion of the banknote, the server-side control unit 32 calculates a calculated value based on the multiple amounts of light transmitted by the multiple different types of banknote detection sensors 20, and determines whether the banknote from which the received amount of light transmitted is obtained is appropriate based on the calculated value and the distribution of calculated values ​​that indicate the boundaries between the fourth range r4 and the fifth range r5 (fifth threshold th5 and sixth threshold th6) for the corresponding portion of the denomination of the received banknote, stored in the database 31. That is, the server-side control unit 32 determines that the banknote is appropriate if the calculated value is within the fourth range r4. Also, the server-side control unit 32 determines that the banknote is appropriate if the calculated value is within the fifth range r5.

[0060] If the received light transmission amount is within a fourth range r4 in the distribution of light transmission amounts and the calculated value is within the fourth range r4 in the distribution of calculated values, the server-side control unit 32 (see FIG. 3) determines that the banknote from which the received light transmission amount is obtained is appropriate. Then, the server-side control unit 32 transmits the determination result that the banknote is appropriate to the currency identification device 1 via the server-side communication unit 30.

[0061] Furthermore, the server-side control unit 32 (see FIG. 3) determines that the banknote from which the received light transmission amount is obtained is inappropriate if at least the received light transmission amount is within a fifth range r5 in the distribution of light transmission amounts, or the calculated value is within a fifth range r5 in the distribution of calculated values. Then, the server-side control unit 32 transmits the determination result that the banknote is inappropriate to the currency identification device 1 via the server-side communication unit 30.

[0062] (Control of currency recognition system's determination of banknote legitimacy) Referring to FIG. 6, the control of determining whether a banknote is legitimate by the currency recognition system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0063] In step S1, the device-side control unit 7 acquires banknote information including the size of the banknote and the amount of light transmitted through multiple parts of the banknote, which is detected by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 and is inserted through the banknote deposit slot 40.

[0064] In step S2, the device-side controller 7 determines the legitimacy of the banknote inserted through the banknote deposit slot 40 based on the light transmission amounts of the multiple portions of the banknote acquired by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 and determination threshold data 71 including a first threshold th1, a second threshold th2, a third threshold th3 and a fourth threshold th4. If at least one of the light transmission amounts of the multiple portions of the banknote acquired by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 is within a second range r2 that is equal to or less than the third threshold th3 or equal to or greater than the fourth threshold th4, the device-side controller 7 proceeds to step S3, and if none of the light transmission amounts of the multiple portions of the banknote acquired by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 is within the second range r2, the device-side controller 7 proceeds to step S4.

[0065] In step S3, the apparatus-side controller 7 causes the inserted banknotes to be discharged (returned) from the banknote dispensing port 41.

[0066] In step S4, if at least one of the light transmission amounts of the multiple portions of the banknote acquired by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 is within a third range r3 that is greater than the third threshold th3 and less than the first threshold th1, or greater than the second threshold th2 and less than the fourth threshold th4, the device-side control unit 7 proceeds to step S5, and if none of the light transmission amounts of the multiple portions of the banknote acquired by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 is within the third range r3, the device-side control unit 7 proceeds to step S6.

[0067] In step S5, the device-side control unit 7 transmits data on all light transmission amounts detected by the multiple banknote detection sensors 20 in the same part of the banknote from which the light feature amounts included in the third range r3 were acquired to the server 3 via the device-side communication unit 6.

[0068] In step S6, the device-side controller 7 accepts the inserted banknotes.

[0069] In step S7, the server-side control unit 32 uses the database 31 to determine whether the banknote from which the received light transmission amount is obtained is appropriate, based on the light transmission amount received from the currency identification device 1 via the server-side communication unit 30 and the distribution of light transmission amounts and calculated values ​​stored in the database 31, which indicate the boundaries between the fourth range r4 and the fifth range r5 (the fifth threshold value th5 and the sixth threshold value th6) of the corresponding part of the denomination of the received banknote.

[0070] In step S8, the server-side control unit 32 transmits to the currency recognition device 1 via the server-side communication unit 30 the determination result regarding the legitimacy of the banknote from which the received light transmission amount has been acquired.

[0071] In step S9, if the device-side control unit 7 receives a judgment result from the server-side communication unit 30 via the device-side communication unit 6 that the banknote is appropriate, it proceeds to step S10, and if it receives a judgment result that the banknote is not appropriate, it proceeds to step S11.

[0072] In step S10, the apparatus-side controller 7 accepts the inserted banknotes.

[0073] In step S11, the apparatus-side controller 7 causes the inserted banknotes to be discharged (returned) from the banknote dispensing port 41.

[0074] (Effects of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0075] As described above, in the first embodiment, in the currency recognition device 1, the device-side control unit 7 transmits the amount of transmitted light acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20 to the server 3, and in the server 3, the server-side control unit 32 determines the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light received from the currency recognition device 1 using a database 31 related to the legitimacy of banknotes based on the amount of transmitted light, and transmits the determination result related to the legitimacy of the banknote to the currency recognition device 1. As a result, the server-side control unit 32 determines the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light using the database 31 that stores a huge amount of data related to the legitimacy of banknotes based on the amount of transmitted light, so the legitimacy of an inserted banknote can be determined more accurately than when the legitimacy of a banknote is determined solely on the detection result of the banknote detection sensor 20 of the currency recognition device 1. Therefore, the currency recognition device 1 can accurately determine the legitimacy of an inserted banknote based on the determination result related to the legitimacy of the banknote transmitted from the server-side control unit 32.

[0076] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the apparatus-side control unit 7 is configured to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20, and to transmit the feature amount to the server 3 via the apparatus-side communication unit 6 when it is not possible to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light. As a result, the apparatus-side control unit 7 does not transmit the amount of transmitted light to the server 3 when it is possible to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light, thereby reducing the time required to determine the legitimacy of a banknote when it is possible to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light. Furthermore, since it transmits the amount of transmitted light to the server 3 when it is not possible to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light, it is possible to accurately determine the legitimacy of an inserted banknote based on the determination result regarding the legitimacy of the banknote transmitted from the server-side control unit 32.

[0077] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the device-side control unit 7 is configured to eject an inserted banknote when it receives a determination result that the banknote is not appropriate based on the amount of light transmitted from the server-side communication unit 30 via the device-side communication unit 6. This allows the device-side control unit 7 to eject an inserted banknote when it receives a determination result that the banknote is not appropriate based on the appropriateness of the banknote accurately determined by the server-side control unit 32.

[0078] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the banknote detection sensor 20 is configured to acquire the light transmission amounts of multiple portions of an inserted banknote, and the apparatus-side controller 7 is configured to determine that a banknote is inappropriate based on some of the light transmission amounts of each of the multiple portions of the banknote acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20, and when it is not possible to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on light transmission amounts other than some of the light transmission amounts of each of the multiple portions of the banknote, to determine that the inserted banknote is inappropriate without transmitting the light transmission amounts that cannot determine the legitimacy of the banknote to the server 3. As a result, when it is possible to determine that a banknote is inappropriate based on some of the light transmission amounts, even if there is a light transmission amount that cannot determine the legitimacy of the banknote, the apparatus-side controller 7 can determine that the inserted banknote is inappropriate without transmitting the light transmission amounts that cannot determine the legitimacy of the banknote to the server 3. Therefore, when it is possible to determine that a banknote is inappropriate, it is possible to suppress delays in the processing required to determine the legitimacy of a banknote.

[0079] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the banknote detection sensor 20 includes a plurality of sensors of different types, each configured to acquire the amount of light transmission through one or more portions of an inserted banknote. If the legitimacy of the banknote cannot be determined based on the amount of light transmission acquired by at least one of the plurality of sensors, the banknote detection sensor 20 is configured to transmit to the server 3 all of the amounts of light transmission detected by the plurality of sensors in the same portion of the banknote for which the amount of light transmission that does not allow the legitimacy of the banknote to be determined. By transmitting all of the amounts of light transmission detected by the plurality of sensors in the same portion of the banknote to the server 3, the server 3 control unit can determine the legitimacy of the banknote based on the amount of light transmission that does not allow the legitimacy of the banknote to be determined, and can also determine the legitimacy of the banknote based on data (calculated values) that combine the amounts of light transmission acquired by the plurality of sensors of different types. Therefore, the server-side control unit 32 can use the database 31 to more accurately determine the legitimacy of the inserted banknote based on both the amount of light transmission that does not allow the legitimacy of the banknote to be determined and the data (calculated values) that combine the amounts of light transmission acquired by the plurality of sensors of different types.

[0080] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the server 3 is communicatively connected to a plurality of currency identification devices 1, the database 31 is configured to be updated with respect to the legitimacy of banknotes based on a plurality of light transmission amounts obtained from the plurality of currency identification devices 1, and the server-side control unit 32 is configured to determine the legitimacy of banknotes based on the light transmission amount received from the currency identification device 1 via the server-side communication unit 30 using the database 31 with the updated information on the legitimacy of banknotes. This allows the server-side control unit 32 to determine the legitimacy of banknotes based on the received light transmission amount using the latest database 31 with the updated information on the legitimacy of banknotes, thereby making it possible to more accurately determine the legitimacy of inserted banknotes.

[0081] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Unlike the first embodiment, the currency identification system 110 in the second embodiment is provided with an intermediate communication device 60 that communicably connects the currency identification device 10 and the server 3. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0082] (Intermediate communication device) As shown in Fig. 7, the intermediate communication device 60 is configured to communicatively connect the device-side communication unit 6 and the server-side communication unit 30. The intermediate communication device 60 is configured to receive data on the amount of light transmission from the device-side communication unit 6, and to transmit the received data on the amount of light transmission to the server-side communication unit 30. The intermediate communication device 60 is also configured to receive a determination result on the legitimacy of a banknote from the server-side communication unit 30, and to transmit the received determination result on the legitimacy of the banknote to the device-side communication unit 6. The intermediate communication device 60 is also configured, when it detects a failure of the server 3 and receives the amount of light transmission from the device-side communication unit 6, to transmit information to the device-side communication unit 6 that the banknote is not appropriate, without transmitting the received data on the amount of light transmission to the server-side communication unit 30.

[0083] The intermediate communication device 60 includes a message transmitting / receiving unit 61 , a router 62 , a communication driver 63 , a monitoring unit 64 , and an intermediate communication device side control unit 65 .

[0084] The message transmitting / receiving unit 61 is configured to be able to communicate with the currency identification device 10. The message transmitting / receiving unit 61 is connected to the currency identification device 10 by wired communication via a communication cable, for example, so as to be able to transmit and receive information thereto. Note that the message transmitting / receiving unit 61 may also be connected to the currency identification device 10 by wired communication or wireless communication via the network 90, for example, so as to be able to transmit and receive information thereto.

[0085] The message transmitting / receiving unit 61 is configured to be able to communicate with the device-side communication unit 6. The message transmitting / receiving unit 61 receives data on the amount of transmitted light included in the third range r3 acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20 via the device-side communication unit 6. The message transmitting / receiving unit 61 also transmits the result of the determination by the server-side control unit 32 as to the legitimacy of the banknote received by the communication driver 63 to the currency identification device 10 via the device-side communication unit 6. The message transmitting / receiving unit 61 is also configured to transmit information that "the banknote is not appropriate" to the currency identification device 10 via the device-side communication unit 6 by the intermediate communication device-side control unit 65.

[0086] The router 62 is connected to the currency identification device 10 via the network 90 by wired or wireless communication so as to be able to send and receive information to and from the currency identification device 10. The communication driver 63 is configured to control communication with the server 3. The communication driver 63 transmits data on the amount of transmitted light falling within the third range r3 acquired by the banknote detection sensor 20 and received by the message transmitting / receiving unit 61 via the server-side communication unit 30. The communication driver 63 also receives the determination result of the server-side control unit 32 as to whether the banknote is legitimate or not via the server-side communication unit 30.

[0087] The monitoring unit 64 is configured to monitor a failure of the server 3. The monitoring unit 64 is configured to communicate with the server 3 at a predetermined communication cycle. The monitoring unit 64 is configured to, for example, acquire information on whether at least the server-side control unit 32 and the database 31 included in the server 3 are operating via the server-side communication unit 30. The monitoring unit 64 is then configured to detect whether the server 3 has failed based on the acquired information on operation. The monitoring unit 64 is also configured to detect a failure of the server 3, for example, when there is no response from the server-side communication unit 30 in communication with the server 3 at a predetermined communication cycle. When the monitoring unit 64 detects a failure of the server 3, it is configured to notify the intermediate communication device-side control unit 65 of the detection of the failure of the server 3.

[0088] The intermediate communication device-side control unit 65 is configured to, when the monitoring unit 64 detects a failure of the server 3 and receives data on the light transmission amount of a banknote from the device-side communication unit 6, not transmit the received light transmission amount to the server 3, but transmit information to the device-side communication unit 6 that the inserted banknote is inappropriate. Details of the transmission of the information that the inserted banknote is inappropriate by the intermediate communication device-side control unit 65 to the currency identification device 10 will be described later.

[0089] The intermediate communication device 60 is installed near the currency identification device 10. One intermediate communication device 60 is provided for one currency identification device 10. The intermediate communication device 60 may be installed inside the automatic change dispenser 2 together with the currency identification device 10.

[0090] (The intermediate communication device control unit transmits information to the currency identification device that the banknote is not appropriate.) 8, the transmission of information by the intermediate communication device control unit 65 to the currency identification device 10 that the banknote is not appropriate will be described. The intermediate communication device control unit 65 includes a response registration table 66. When the message sending / receiving unit 61 receives data on the amount of light transmission of the banknote from the device communication unit 6, the response registration table 66 registers message registration data and sets the data "banknote is not appropriate" as a response template.

[0091] When the monitoring unit 64 detects a failure of the server 3, the intermediate communication device-side control unit 65 is notified by the monitoring unit 64 of the detection of the failure of the server 3. When the monitoring unit 64 notifies the intermediate communication device-side control unit 65 of the detection of the failure of the server 3, the intermediate communication device-side control unit 65 determines whether or not data "The banknote is not appropriate" is set as a response template in the response registration table 66. When the monitoring unit 64 notifies the intermediate communication device-side control unit 65 of the detection of the failure of the server 3 and data "The banknote is not appropriate" is set as a response template in the response registration table 66, the intermediate communication device-side control unit 65 transmits information "The banknote is not appropriate" to the apparatus-side communication unit 6 via the message transmitting / receiving unit 61.

[0092] In response to this, if the monitoring unit 64 notifies the intermediate communication device side control unit 65 that a failure in the server 3 has been detected and the data "The banknote is not appropriate" is not set as a response template in the response registration table 66, the intermediate communication device side control unit 65 does not send the information "The banknote is not appropriate" to the device side communication unit 6 via the message sending / receiving unit 61.

[0093] The device-side control unit 7 is configured to, when receiving information that "the banknote is not appropriate" from the message transmitting / receiving unit 61 via the device-side communication unit 6, discharge (return) the inserted banknote from the banknote withdrawal slot 41. At this time, the device-side control unit 7 receives the information that "the banknote is not appropriate" from the message transmitting / receiving unit 61 via the device-side communication unit 6, as if it had received a determination result by the server-side control unit 32 that the inserted banknote is not appropriate based on the amount of light transmitted. Then, the device-side control unit 7 discharges (returns) the inserted banknote from the banknote withdrawal slot 41.

[0094] (Control of the intermediate communication device side control unit to transmit information that the banknote is not appropriate) Referring to FIG. 9, the control of the intermediate communication device side control unit 65 to transmit information indicating that the banknote is not appropriate in the second embodiment will be described.

[0095] In step S21, if the monitoring unit 64 detects a failure of the server 3 (Yes in step S21), the intermediate communication device side control unit 65 proceeds to step S22, and if the monitoring unit 64 does not detect a failure of the server 3 (No in step S21), the intermediate communication device side control unit 65 proceeds to step S21.

[0096] In step S22, if the intermediate communication device side control unit 65 determines that the data "banknote is not appropriate" is set as a response template in the response registration table 66 (Yes in step S22), the processing proceeds to step S23, and if the data "banknote is not appropriate" is not set as a response template in the response registration table 66 (No in step S22), the processing proceeds to step S21.

[0097] In step S23, the intermediate communication device-side control unit 65 transmits information that "the banknote is not appropriate" to the apparatus-side communication unit 6 via the message transmitting / receiving unit 61. Then, the process ends.

[0098] The other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0099] (Effects of the second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0100] As described above, the second embodiment includes an intermediate communication device 60 that communicatively connects the device-side communication device 6 and the server-side communication device 30, and the intermediate communication device 60 includes a monitoring device 64 that monitors a failure of the server 3, and an intermediate communication device-side control device 65 that, when the monitoring device 64 detects a failure of the server 3 and the intermediate communication device-side control device 65 receives the light transmission amount of a banknote from the device-side communication device 6, does not transmit the light transmission amount to the server 3 and transmits information to the device-side communication device 6 that the banknote is not suitable. As a result, when the monitoring device 64 detects a failure of the server 3, the intermediate communication device-side control device 65 does not transmit the light transmission amount to the server 3 and transmits information to the device-side communication device 6 that the banknote is not suitable, so that the device-side control device 7 can suppress delays in processing required to determine the legitimacy of banknotes caused by a failure of the server 3.

[0101] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, as described above, the intermediate communication device 60 is installed near the currency identification device 10 and communicatively connects the device-side communication unit 6 and the server-side communication unit 30. As a result, since the intermediate communication device 60 is installed near the currency identification device 10, the communication time between the currency identification device 10 and the intermediate communication device 60 can be shortened.

[0102] The other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0103] (Variation) The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0104] For example, in the above first and second embodiments, the currency identification device determines the legitimacy of an inserted banknote based on the amount of light transmitted through it, and if the legitimacy of the banknote cannot be determined based on the amount of light transmitted through it, transmits data on the amount of light transmitted through it to the server, and the server uses a database to determine the legitimacy of the banknote based on the amount of light transmitted through it and transmits the determination result regarding the legitimacy of the banknote to the currency identification device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a currency identification system 120 of a first modified example shown in Fig. 10, the currency identification device 11 may be configured to determine the legitimacy of an inserted coin based on magnetic properties, etc., and if the legitimacy of the coin cannot be determined based on the magnetic properties, transmit data on the magnetic properties to the server 3, and the server 3 may be configured to determine the legitimacy of the coin based on the received magnetic properties using a database 31, and transmit the determination result regarding the legitimacy of the coin to the currency identification device 11.

[0105] In the first modified example, the currency identification device 11 includes a coin detection sensor 55. The coin detection sensor 55 acquires the magnetic characteristics of an inserted coin. The device-side control unit 7 determines whether the inserted coin is legitimate based on the magnetic characteristics acquired by the coin detection sensor 55. If the device-side control unit 7 cannot determine whether the inserted coin is legitimate based on the magnetic characteristics acquired by the coin detection sensor 55, it transmits data on the magnetic characteristics to the server 3 via the device-side communication unit 6. The server 3 uses the database 31 to determine whether the coin is legitimate based on the received magnetic characteristics, and transmits the determination result regarding the legitimacy of the coin to the currency identification device 11. The coin detection sensor 55 is an example of a "feature acquisition unit" in the claims, and the magnetic characteristics are an example of a "feature" in the claims.

[0106] In this case, the coin processing unit 5 is provided with a plurality of coin detection sensors 55. The plurality of coin detection sensors 55 are configured to detect the material, size, weight, etc. of coins inserted through the coin deposit slot 50. The plurality of coin detection sensors 55 include known sensors such as magnetic sensors and weight sensors. The number and type of the plurality of coin detection sensors 55 are not particularly limited.

[0107] Moreover, as an example, the database 31 is a database regarding the legitimacy of coins based on magnetic characteristics acquired by the coin detection sensor 55. The database 31 is configured so that the database 31 is updated by the server administrator regarding the legitimacy of inserted coins based on multiple magnetic characteristics acquired from multiple currency identification devices 11 after a predetermined time has passed or after a predetermined amount of multiple magnetic characteristics have been acquired.

[0108] When the device-side control unit 7 receives from the server-side communication unit 30 via the device-side communication unit 6 a determination result that the inserted coin is appropriate based on its magnetic characteristics, the device-side control unit 7 accepts the inserted coin into the automatic change dispenser 2. On the other hand, when the device-side control unit 7 receives from the server-side communication unit 30 via the device-side communication unit 6 a determination result that the inserted coin is not appropriate based on its magnetic characteristics, the device-side control unit 7 ejects (returns) the inserted coin from the coin withdrawal port 51.

[0109] In the above first and second embodiments, the currency recognition device determines the legitimacy of an inserted banknote based on the amount of light transmitted through it, and if it is unable to determine the legitimacy of the banknote based on the amount of light transmitted through it, transmits data on the amount of light transmitted through it to the server, and the server uses a database to determine the legitimacy of the banknote based on the amount of light transmitted through it and transmits the determination result regarding the legitimacy of the banknote to the currency recognition device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a second modified example shown in Fig. 11, a valuable medium recognition system 200 may be configured to include a valuable medium recognition device 12 and a server 3 capable of communicating with the valuable medium recognition device 12.

[0110] That is, the valuable medium identification device 12 includes a device-side communication unit 6, an imaging unit 14 that acquires image data of the inserted valuable medium, and a device-side control unit 7. The device-side control unit 7 does not have data for determining the appropriateness of the valuable medium, and therefore cannot determine the appropriateness of the valuable medium inserted into the valuable medium entrance / exit (not shown). Therefore, the device-side control unit 7 transmits the image data of the valuable medium acquired by the imaging unit 14 to the server 3. The server 3 is configured to use a database 31 to determine the appropriateness of the valuable medium based on the received image data of the valuable medium, and to transmit the determination result regarding the appropriateness of the valuable medium to the valuable medium identification device 12. The imaging unit is an example of a "feature acquisition unit" in the claims, and the image data is an example of a "feature" in the claims.

[0111] In this case, the valuable medium processing unit 13 is provided with an imaging unit 14. The imaging unit 14 is configured to acquire image data of the valuable medium inserted through the valuable medium insertion slot. The imaging unit 14 includes, for example, an optical camera.

[0112] Moreover, as an example, database 31 is a database regarding the suitability of valuable media based on image data acquired by imaging unit 14. Database 31 is configured so that the suitability of inserted valuable media is updated by the server administrator after a predetermined time has elapsed or after a predetermined amount of image data has been acquired.

[0113] When the device-side control unit 7 receives from the server-side communication unit 30 via the device-side communication unit 6 a determination result that the valuable medium inserted based on the image data is appropriate, the device-side control unit 7 accepts the inserted valuable medium into the automatic change dispenser 2. On the other hand, when the device-side control unit 7 receives from the server-side communication unit 30 via the device-side communication unit 6 a determination result that the valuable medium inserted based on the image data is inappropriate, the device-side control unit 7 ejects (returns) the inserted valuable medium from the valuable medium entrance / exit.

[0114] In the second modification, as described above, in the valuable medium identification device 12, the device-side control unit 7 transmits image data acquired by the imaging unit 14 to the server 3, and in the server 3, the server-side control unit 32 determines the appropriateness of the valuable medium based on the image data received from the valuable medium identification device 12 using a database 31 related to the appropriateness of valuable media based on the image data, and transmits the determination result related to the appropriateness of the valuable medium to the valuable medium identification device 12. This allows the server-side control unit 32 to determine the appropriateness of the valuable medium based on the image data using the database 31 related to the appropriateness of valuable media based on the image data, without storing a huge amount of data related to the appropriateness of valuable media such as a wide variety of vouchers and gift certificates, or regional promotion coupons that can only be used within the issuing city, ward, town, or village, in the valuable medium identification device 12. This allows the appropriateness of the inserted valuable medium to be accurately determined. Therefore, the valuable medium identification device 12 can accurately determine the appropriateness of the inserted valuable medium based on the determination result related to the appropriateness of the valuable medium transmitted from the server-side control unit 32.

[0115] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, an example was shown in which, when the intermediate communication device detects a server failure and receives data on the amount of light transmission from the device-side communication unit, the intermediate communication device does not transmit the received amount of light transmission to the server-side communication unit, but transmits information to the device-side communication unit that the banknote is unsuitable. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the intermediate communication device detects a server failure and receives data on the amount of light transmission from the device-side communication unit, the intermediate communication device may be configured to not transmit the received data on the amount of light transmission to the server-side communication unit, but to transmit information to the device-side communication unit that the banknote is unsuitable, and to display information on the server failure on the display unit of the automatic change dispenser.

[0116] When the monitoring unit detects a server failure and receives data on the light transmittance of the banknote from the device-side communication unit, the intermediate communication device-side control unit does not send the received light transmittance data to the server, but instead sends information to the device-side communication unit that the inserted banknote is inappropriate, and also causes the device-side control unit to display information that the server has failed on the display unit of the automatic change dispenser via the device-side communication unit.

[0117] The intermediate communication device-side control unit may display the information that the server has failed on a display unit other than the display unit of the automatic change dispenser, rather than displaying the information on the display unit of the automatic change dispenser. For example, the intermediate communication device may include an intermediate communication device-side display unit, and the intermediate communication device-side control unit may display the information that the server has failed on the intermediate communication device-side display unit.

[0118] Furthermore, in the above first and second embodiments, the apparatus-side controller determines the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light acquired by the visible light sensor and the infrared sensor included in the banknote detection sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the apparatus-side controller may be configured to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light acquired by either the visible light sensor or the infrared sensor, or may be configured to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on one or more pixel values ​​based on the visible light sensor and one or more pixel values ​​based on the infrared sensor as feature amounts.

[0119] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, when the device-side control unit cannot determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light, the server-side control unit determines the legitimacy of the banknote based on the amount of transmitted light received via the server-side communication unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the server-side control unit may be configured to use a database to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light acquired by either the visible light sensor or the infrared sensor, or may be configured to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on one or more pixel values ​​based on the visible light sensor and one or more pixel values ​​based on the infrared sensor as feature amounts.

[0120] Furthermore, in the above first and second embodiments, the server-side control unit determines the legitimacy of a banknote based on both the distribution of light transmission amounts stored in the database and the distribution of calculation values ​​calculated based on multiple light transmission amounts. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the server-side control unit may be configured to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the light transmission amount received from the currency recognition device via the server-side communication unit and the light transmission amount distribution stored in the database, without using the distribution of calculation values ​​stored in the database. In this case, if the device-side control unit cannot determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the light transmission amount acquired by at least one of the multiple banknote detection sensors, it may transmit to the server only data on the light feature amount that cannot be used to determine the legitimacy of the banknote, and not transmit to the server data on other light transmission amounts in the same portion of the banknote for which light feature amount that cannot be used to determine the legitimacy of the banknote was acquired.

[0121] Furthermore, in the above first and second embodiments, an example has been shown in which the apparatus-side control unit transmits data on the amount of transmitted light to the server via the apparatus-side communication unit when it is unable to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light acquired by the banknote detection sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the apparatus-side control unit may be configured to transmit data on the amount of transmitted light acquired by the banknote detection sensor to the server without determining the legitimacy of a banknote based on the amount of transmitted light acquired by the banknote detection sensor, and to determine the legitimacy of a banknote based on the determination result of the server control unit regarding the legitimacy of the banknote received via the server-side communication unit.

[0122] In the first and second embodiments, the apparatus-side controller determines whether a banknote is legit based on the amount of light transmitted by the banknote detected by the banknote detection sensor and determination threshold data, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the banknote detection sensor may detect the amount of light reflected by multiple portions of the banknote, and the apparatus-side controller may determine whether the banknote is legit based on the amount of light reflected by the banknote detected by the banknote detection sensor and determination threshold data related to the amount of light reflected by the banknote. Also, for example, a magnetic sensor included in the banknote detection sensor may detect magnetic properties of multiple portions of the banknote, and the apparatus-side controller may determine whether the banknote is legit based on the magnetic properties of the banknote detected by the magnetic sensor and determination threshold data related to the magnetic properties of the banknote.

[0123] In the second embodiment, the intermediate communication device is installed near the currency identification device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the intermediate communication device may be integrated with the currency identification device.

[0124] Furthermore, in the above first and second embodiments, the database is updated by the server administrator regarding the legitimacy of inserted banknotes, in the above first modified example, the database is updated by the server administrator regarding the legitimacy of inserted coins, and in the above second modified example, the database is updated by the server administrator regarding the legitimacy of inserted valuable media, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the server-side control unit may be configured to acquire multiple pieces of light transmission data, multiple pieces of magnetic property data, or multiple pieces of image data from multiple currency identification devices or multiple valuable medium identification devices, and update the database based on the acquired multiple pieces of light transmission data, multiple pieces of magnetic property data, or multiple pieces of image data.

[0125] In the first and second embodiments, the currency identification device is included in an automatic change dispenser, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the currency identification device may be configured to be included in an automatic vending machine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1, 10, 11 Currency identification device 12 Valuable media identification device 14. Imaging unit (feature acquisition unit) 3 Server 6. Device side communication section 7 Device side control section 20. Banknote detection sensor (feature acquisition unit) 30 Server-side communication unit 31 databases 32 Server-side control unit 55 Coin detection sensor (feature acquisition unit) 60 Intermediate Communication Device 64 Monitoring Department 65 Intermediate communication device side control unit 100, 110, 120 Currency Identification System 200 Valuable Media Identification System r1 First range r2 Second range r3 Third range r4 4th range r5 5th range

Claims

1. a currency identification device; a server capable of communicating with the currency identification device; The currency identification device a device-side communication unit that communicates with the server; a feature acquisition unit that acquires features of the inserted currency; an apparatus-side control unit that transmits the feature amount acquired by the feature amount acquisition unit to the server via the apparatus-side communication unit, The server a server-side communication unit that communicates with the currency identification device; a database regarding the suitability of the currency based on the feature amount; a server-side control unit that uses the database to determine whether the currency is appropriate based on the feature amount received from the currency identification device via the server-side communication unit, and transmits the determination result regarding the appropriateness of the currency to the currency identification device via the server-side communication unit.

2. The currency identification system of claim 1, wherein the device-side control unit is configured to determine the suitability of the currency based on the features acquired by the feature acquisition unit, and to transmit the features to the server via the device-side communication unit if the suitability of the currency cannot be determined based on the features.

3. The currency identification system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the device-side control unit is configured to eject the inserted currency when it receives the judgment result from the server-side communication unit via the device-side communication unit that the currency is inappropriate based on the features.

4. an intermediate communication device that communicatively connects the device-side communication unit and the server-side communication unit; 3. The currency identification system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate communication device includes a monitoring unit that monitors failures of the server, and an intermediate communication device-side control unit that, when a failure of the server is detected by the monitoring unit and the characteristic of the currency is received from the device-side communication unit, does not send the characteristic to the server and sends information to the device-side communication unit that the currency is inappropriate.

5. 5. The currency identification system according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate communication device is installed near the currency identification device and communicatively connects the device-side communication unit and the server-side communication unit.

6. the currency is paper money; the feature acquisition unit is configured to acquire the feature amounts of a plurality of portions of the inserted banknote; 3. The currency identification system according to claim 2, wherein the device-side control unit is configured to determine that the banknote is inappropriate based on some of the feature amounts for each of the multiple portions of the banknote acquired by the feature amount acquisition unit, and when it is not possible to determine the legitimacy of the banknote based on feature amounts other than some of the feature amounts for each of the multiple portions of the banknote, to determine that the inserted banknote is inappropriate without transmitting the feature amounts that do not allow determination of the legitimacy of the banknote to the server.

7. the currency is paper money; the feature acquisition unit includes a plurality of sensors of different types, each of the plurality of sensors is configured to acquire the feature amount of one or more portions of the inserted banknote; 3. The currency identification system according to claim 2, wherein, when the authenticity of the banknote cannot be determined based on the feature values ​​acquired by at least one of the plurality of sensors, the device-side control unit transmits to the server all of the feature values ​​detected by the plurality of sensors in the same portion of the banknote from which the feature values ​​that make it impossible to determine the authenticity of the banknote were acquired.

8. the server is communicatively connected to a plurality of the currency identification devices; the database is configured to update the appropriateness of the currency based on the plurality of feature quantities acquired from the plurality of currency identification devices; The currency identification system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the server-side control unit is configured to determine the suitability of the currency based on the feature received from the currency identification device via the server-side communication unit, using the database in which the suitability of the currency has been updated.

9. a valuable medium identification device; A server capable of communicating with the valuable medium identification device, The valuable medium identification device a device-side communication unit that communicates with the server; a feature acquisition unit that acquires feature amounts of the inserted valuable medium; an apparatus-side control unit that transmits the feature amount acquired by the feature amount acquisition unit to the server via the apparatus-side communication unit, The server a server-side communication unit that communicates with the valuable medium identification device; a database regarding the suitability of the valuable medium based on the feature amount; and A valuable medium identification system including: a server-side control unit that uses the database to determine the suitability of the valuable medium based on the feature received from the valuable medium identification device via the server-side communication unit, and transmits the determination result regarding the suitability of the valuable medium to the valuable medium identification device via the server-side communication unit.

Images