Remote support system, money handling system, money handling apparatus, and method for controlling remote support system

Abstract

To provide a remote support system, a money processing system, a money processor, and a control method of the remote support system capable of more smoothly and properly coping with an error occurring in the money processor.SOLUTION: The money handling device (the operation terminals 50) includes the error detecting unit 501a configured to detect occurrence of an error, and the error notifying unit 501a configured to, when the error detected by the error detecting unit 501b is a predetermined target error, transmit an error notice regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote support device 4. Based on the reception of the error report, the remote support device 4 causes the terminal 2 (output unit) to output support information related to support for resolving the error according to the input from the operator to the input / output interface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote support system for supporting the resolution of errors that occur in a currency processing device, a currency processing system, a currency processing device, and a control method for the remote support system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, financial institutions such as banks are equipped with currency handling devices for depositing and dispensing banknotes and coins. In these types of currency handling devices, errors such as jamming of banknotes or coins can occur during deposit and dispensing operations. In such cases, an attendant performs operations on the currency handling device to resolve the error. In currency handling devices operated directly by customers, the customers themselves may also perform these operations to resolve the error.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 describes a currency processing device (valuable medium processing device) equipped with an error resolution support function. When this device detects an error, the corresponding error resolution procedure is displayed on the operation display unit based on the type of error. Furthermore, if the operator makes an incorrect operation when attempting to clear the error, a warning screen is displayed on the display operation unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-116327 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even if the error resolution procedure is displayed as described above, situations may arise in which the operator is unable to properly deal with the error. For example, when a coin jam error occurs, the jammed coins are removed from the conveyance path by performing a resolution operation for the error. The removed coins are treated in the currency processing device as either in-machine (processed) or out-machine (unprocessed) coins in terms of data. In this case, if the operator returns the out-machine (unprocessed) coins to the currency processing device as in-machine (processed) coins, the data-based amount of coins on-board will not match the actual amount of coins on-board, resulting in a so-called miscount.

[0006] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a remote support system, a currency processing system, a currency processing device, and a control method for a remote support system that can respond more smoothly and appropriately to errors that occur in currency processing devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a remote assistance system. The remote assistance system according to this aspect includes a currency processing device that processes currency, an output device that outputs predetermined information to an operator of the currency processing device, and a remote assistance device that has an input / output interface for the operator and is capable of communicating with the output device via an external communication network. The currency processing device includes an error detection unit that detects the occurrence of an error, and an error notification unit that, if the error detected by the error detection unit is a predetermined target error, sends an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote assistance device. Upon receiving the error notification, the remote assistance device causes the output device to output assistance information regarding assistance in resolving the error in accordance with input from the operator via the input / output interface.

[0008] According to the remote support system of this aspect, when an error that occurs in a currency processing device is a predetermined target error, support information regarding support for resolving the error is output from the output device, and support for resolving the error is provided to the operator from the operator, thereby enabling the operator to respond to the error more smoothly and appropriately.

[0009] In the remote support system according to this aspect, the support information may include video and the operator's voice regarding support for resolving the error.

[0010] According to this configuration, the operator is assisted in resolving the error through video and the operator's voice, allowing the operator to smoothly proceed with the work of resolving the error.

[0011] In the remote support system according to this aspect, the remote support device may be configured to, in response to receiving the error notification, perform processing to cause the output device to output the support information.

[0012] According to this configuration, the operator can promptly provide assistance for resolving the error in response to the occurrence of the target error, thereby enabling the operator to smoothly and quickly proceed with resolving the error.

[0013] In the remote support system according to this aspect, the remote support device may be configured to, after receiving the error notification, perform processing to output the support information to the output device in response to the satisfaction of specified support conditions that require support in resolving the error.

[0014] According to this configuration, when support for resolving a target error is required, support for resolving the error is provided to the operator from the operator. Therefore, support for resolving the error can be efficiently provided to the operator from the operator while suppressing unnecessary support for resolving the error.

[0015] In the remote assistance system according to this aspect, the currency handling device may include an ID acquisition unit for acquiring identification information of the operator, and a memory unit for storing information correlating the identification information, the level of the error clearing operation, and the target error. The error notification unit may be configured to transmit the error notification to the remote assistance device when the error detected by the error detection unit is the target error corresponding to the identification information acquired by the ID acquisition unit.

[0016] With this configuration, the target error changes depending on the operator's response level to the error, so that, for example, it is possible to prevent support for simple errors from being provided to operators with a high response level, and therefore appropriate support can be provided from the operator to operators of each response level.

[0017] In the remote support system of this embodiment, the remote support device may be configured to receive captured images from a camera capable of capturing imagery of error clearance operations on the currency processing device, and to display the received captured images on the input / output interface.

[0018] With this configuration, the operator can understand the operation of the operator in response to the error from the captured image displayed on the input / output interface, and can provide detailed support to the operator while checking the operator's operation.

[0019] In the remote support system of this embodiment, the currency processing device may be configured to include a display unit, a memory unit that stores error recovery images showing error recovery procedures for each type of error, and a support processing unit that displays the error recovery image corresponding to the error detected by the error detection unit on the display unit.

[0020] According to this configuration, an error resolution image showing the error resolution procedure and support information from the operator are displayed on the display unit of the currency processing device, so the operator can smoothly proceed with the error resolution operation by responding to the error according to the error resolution image and receiving support from the operator.

[0021] In the remote assistance system according to this aspect, the currency processing device may be configured to include the output device.

[0022] According to this configuration, since the output device is arranged in the currency processing device, space can be saved compared to when the output device is arranged separately from the currency processing device.

[0023] In this configuration, the currency processing device may be configured to include a memory unit that stores error recovery images showing error recovery procedures for each type of error, and a support processing unit that displays the error recovery image corresponding to the error detected by the error detection unit, together with the support information, on the output device.

[0024] According to this configuration, an error resolution image showing the error resolution procedure and support information from the operator are displayed on the output device installed in the currency processing device, so the operator can smoothly proceed with the error resolution operation by responding to the error according to the error resolution image and receiving support from the operator.

[0025] In the remote support system according to this aspect, the target errors may include errors that are predefined as being prone to causing miscalculations.

[0026] When clearing a coin jam error, coins removed from the coin handling device are treated as either on-board (processed) or off-board (unprocessed) coins in terms of data. In this case, if an operator mistakenly returns off-board (unprocessed) coins to the coin handling device as on-board (processed) coins, the data-based amount of coins on-board will not match the actual amount of coins on-board, resulting in a miscalculation. In contrast, with this configuration, errors that are likely to cause miscalculations when dealing with errors are set as target errors, and the operator provides assistance to the operator when such errors occur. This makes it possible to prevent miscalculations from occurring when dealing with this type of error.

[0027] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a currency handling system capable of communicating via an external communication network with a remote support device having an input / output interface for an operator. The currency handling system according to this aspect includes an output device that outputs predetermined information to an operator of the currency handling system, an error detection unit that detects the occurrence of an error, and an error notification unit that, if the error detected by the error detection unit is a predetermined target error, transmits an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote support device. Upon receiving the error notification, the remote support device communicates with the currency handling system and transmits support information to the currency handling system regarding support for resolving the error in accordance with input from the operator via the input / output interface, and the output device outputs the received support information.

[0028] The money handling system according to this aspect can achieve the same effects as the first aspect.

[0029] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a currency processing device capable of communicating via an external communication network with a remote support device having an input / output interface for an operator. The currency processing device according to this aspect includes an output unit that outputs predetermined information to an operator of the currency processing device, an error detection unit that detects the occurrence of an error, and an error notification unit that, if the error detected by the error detection unit is a predetermined target error, transmits an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote support device. Upon receiving the error notification, the remote support device communicates with the currency processing device and transmits support information regarding support for resolving the error in accordance with input from the operator via the input / output interface to the currency processing device, and the output unit outputs the received support information.

[0030] The currency handling device according to this aspect can achieve the same effects as the first aspect.

[0031] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a control method for a remote support system including a currency processing device that processes currency, an output device that outputs predetermined information to an operator of the currency processing device, and a remote support device that has an input / output interface for the operator and is capable of communicating with the output device via an external communication network. The control method according to this aspect detects that an error has occurred in the currency processing device, and if the detected error is a predetermined target error, transmits an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote support device, and causes the output device to output support information regarding support for resolving the error in accordance with input from the operator via the input / output interface.

[0032] According to the control method of this aspect, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be achieved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0033] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote support system, a currency handling system, a currency handling device, and a control method for a remote support system that can respond more smoothly and appropriately to errors that occur in currency handling devices.

[0034] The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments, however, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a money handling system and a remote support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a currency handling device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the banknote handling unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a currency handling device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration and connection state of each device constituting the remote support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of an error cancellation screen displayed on the operation display unit of the operation terminal when an error occurs, according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 7(a) is a flowchart showing a process executed by a terminal control unit in response to an error occurring in a currency processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 7(b) is a flowchart showing a process executed by a control unit of a remote assistance device in response to an error notification transmitted from the terminal control unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a support screen displayed on the display unit of a remote support device according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating operations performed by the operation terminal and the terminal device in response to support processing from the remote support apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operations performed by the operation terminal and the terminal device in response to support processing from the remote support apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 11(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of user management information according to Modification Example 1. FIG. 11(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of target error management information according to Modification Example 1. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the terminal control unit in response to an error occurring in the currency handling device according to the first modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the control unit of the remote support apparatus upon receiving an error notification transmitted from the terminal control unit according to the second modification. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of an error cancellation screen displayed on the operation display unit of the operation terminal when an error occurs, according to the second modification. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of a support screen displayed on the display unit of a remote support device according to the second modification. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of a remote support system according to the third modification. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of an error cancellation screen displayed on the operation display unit of the operation terminal when an error occurs, according to the third modification. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the configuration of a currency handling system and a remote support system according to another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] In the following embodiments, the terminal device 2 corresponds to the "output device" described in the claims, and the display unit 403, input unit 404, and audio interface 407 of the remote support device 4 correspond to the "input / output interface" described in the claims. However, this correspondence is merely intended to associate the configurations of the claims with the configurations of the embodiments, and the above correspondence does not in any way limit the invention described in the claims to the configurations of the embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configurations of a money handling system 3 and a remote support system 6 according to an embodiment.

[0038] The currency handling system 3 comprises a currency handling device 1 and a terminal device 2. The currency handling system 3 is installed in a bank or other store. The currency handling device 1 is used to deposit and withdraw banknotes, coins, commemorative coins, etc. Here, a teller machine is used as an example of the currency handling device 1. An attendant performs predetermined processes such as depositing, withdrawing, loading, and retrieving money using the currency handling device 1. Customers may also be able to deposit and withdraw money from the currency handling device 1. The currency handling device 1 may also be another type of currency handling device, such as an ATM.

[0039] The terminal device 2 outputs predetermined information to the operator of the currency handling device 1. The terminal device 2 is connected to the currency handling device 1 and the camera 5 so that they can communicate with each other. The camera 5 photographs the currency handling device 1 from above. The terminal device 2 can communicate with a remote support device 4 installed in a support center outside the store via an external communication network 7 such as the Internet. The currency handling system 3 and the remote support device 4 form a remote support system 6.

[0040] The remote support device 4 is configured, for example, by a personal computer. The remote support device 4 may also be a portable information processing terminal such as a tablet terminal. The remote support device 4 is operated by an operator who can respond to errors in the currency processing device 1. The operator has high skills to respond to various errors that may occur in the currency processing device 1. A headset worn by the operator is connected to the remote support device 4.

[0041] In this embodiment, when a predetermined target error occurs in the currency processing device 1, an error notification is sent from the currency processing device 1 to the remote support device 4 via the terminal device 2. As a result, an operator assigned to the remote support device 4 provides support to resolve the error.

[0042] Specifically, support information relating to support for resolving the error in response to input from the operator to the input / output interface of the remote support device 4 is transmitted from the remote support device 4 to the terminal device 2 and output from the terminal device 2. During this support, an image from the camera 5 is transmitted to the remote support device 4 via the terminal device 2 and displayed on the remote support device 4. The operator refers to this image and makes voice input or the like to the remote support device 4 to support the operator of the currency processing device 1 in resolving the error.

[0043] Although FIG. 1 shows one currency handling system 3 and one remote support device 4, multiple currency handling systems 3 installed in the same store or different stores may be able to communicate with multiple remote support devices 4 installed in a support center. In this case, a relay server at the support center connects the currency handling system 3 that sent the error notification to any remote support device 4 that can resolve the error. The error notification is sent via the relay server to a remote support device 4 that can resolve the error. This allows communication for error resolution support to take place between the currency handling system 3 that sent the error notification and the remote support device 4.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the currency handling apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.

[0045] The currency handling device 1 includes a banknote handling unit 10, a coin handling unit 20, a damaged / commemorative coin handling unit 30, a damaged note handling unit 40, an operation terminal 50, a printer 60, and a card reader 70.

[0046] The operation terminal 50 is connected to the banknote processing unit 10, coin processing unit 20, unfit / commemorative coin processing unit 30, unfit note processing unit 40, printer 60, and card reader 70 by, for example, a communication cable (not shown). Note that this connection may be made wirelessly instead of by wire.

[0047] The banknote processing unit 10 has a housing 11 that forms an outer shell. On the front of the housing 11, a deposit port 12 and a withdrawal port 13 are provided in a vertically arranged central portion, and a bundle withdrawal port 14 is provided at the top. The withdrawal port 13 is opened and closed by a vertically opening shutter 13a, and the bundle withdrawal port 14 is opened and closed by a horizontally opening shutter 14a. Loose banknotes are inserted into the deposit port 12, and the loose banknotes are dispensed into the withdrawal port 13. A bundle of banknotes is dispensed into the bundle withdrawal port 14. A bundle of banknotes is produced by bundling a predetermined number of banknotes (for example, 100 banknotes) together using a bundling strap. Furthermore, a door 15 is provided at the bottom of the front of the housing 11.

[0048] The internal structure of the banknote processing unit 10 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0049] The coin processing unit 20 has a housing 21 that forms the outer shell. A deposit port 22 is provided on the top surface of the housing 21. A deposit reject port 23, a loose bulk box 24, a return box 25, a dispensing box 26, and a bag-taking chute 27 are provided on the left side of the front of the housing 21. A wrapped coin dispensing port 28a, a wrapped coin bulk box 28b, and an external discharge port 28c are provided on the right side of the front of the housing 21. The loose bulk box 24, the return box 25, the dispensing box 26, the bag-taking chute 27, and the wrapped coin bulk box 28b can be freely pulled out forward from the housing 21. A feeding mechanism, a transport unit, a recognition unit, a loose coin escrow unit, a loose coin storage unit, a wrapped coin producing unit, and a wrapped coin storage unit are provided inside the coin processing unit 20, all of which are not shown.

[0050] When depositing coins, loose coins are inserted into the deposit port 22. The inserted loose coins are dispensed one by one by the dispensing mechanism, then transported by the transport unit and identified by the identification unit arranged in the transport unit. Coins identified as abnormal are returned to the deposit reject port 23 by the transport unit, and coins identified as normal are temporarily stored in the loose coin escrow unit by the transport unit. Loose coins in the loose coin escrow unit are stored in the loose coin storage unit when an approval operation is performed, and are returned to the return box 25 when a return operation is performed. If the loose coin storage unit cannot store all the loose coins, the overflowing loose coins are stored in the loose coin bulk box 24.

[0051] When dispensing, loose coins in the loose coin storage section are paid out into a dispensing box 26. When dispensing loose coins and putting them into a bag, a cash bag is connected to a bag taking-out chute 27 pulled out from the housing 21, and loose coins in the loose coin storage section are dispensed into the cash bag through the bag taking-out chute 27.

[0052] When wrapping coins are to be produced, loose coins inserted into the deposit port 22 are sent to the wrapped coin producing unit. In the wrapped coin producing unit, a plurality of loose coins (for example, 50 coins) stacked in a rod shape are wrapped in wrapping material to produce wrapped coins. The produced wrapped coins are stored in a wrapped coin storage unit or dispensed to the wrapped coin dispensing port 28a. When a large number of wrapped coins are to be dispensed, the external dispensing port 28c is used. In this case, a cash box or the like for receiving the wrapped coins is placed below the external dispensing port 28c. When the wrapped coin storage unit cannot store all the wrapped coins, the overflowing wrapped coins are stored in the wrapped coin bulk box 28b.

[0053] The lost coin / commemorative coin processing unit 30 has a housing 31 that forms the outer shell. An opening 32 is provided at the upper front of the housing 31. The opening 32 is opened and closed by a shutter 32a. Two removable storage boxes 33 and 34 are provided at the lower front of the housing 31. For example, storage box 33 stores commemorative coins, and storage box 34 stores lost coins.

[0054] When depositing money, shutter 32a is opened and the damaged coin or commemorative coin is placed in the placement position within opening 32. Thereafter, shutter 32a is closed and the placed damaged coin or commemorative coin is photographed by a camera inside housing 31. The photographed image is displayed on operation terminal 50. While referring to the displayed image, an attendant inputs information such as the denomination of the damaged coin or commemorative coin into operation terminal 50 and performs a confirmation operation. As a result, the damaged coin or commemorative coin is stored in one of storage boxes 33, 34, and the input information such as the denomination and the image are linked to each other and stored in the memory unit of operation terminal 50.

[0055] The unfit note processing unit 40 includes a deposit section 41. Unfit notes inserted into the deposit section 41 are taken into the unfit note processing unit 40, and an image of the unfit note is acquired using a line scanner or the like. The captured image is displayed on the operation terminal 50. While referring to the displayed image, the staff member inputs information such as the denomination of the unfit note into the operation terminal 50 and confirms the input. As a result, the unfit note is stored in the storage section, and the input information such as the denomination and the image are linked to each other and stored in the memory section of the operation terminal 50.

[0056] An operation terminal 50, a printer 60, and a card reader 70 are arranged on top of the coin processing unit 20. An operation display unit 51 is provided on the front of the operation terminal 50. The operation display unit 51 displays a predetermined screen and accepts operations on the displayed screen. The operation display unit 51 is composed of a contact or non-contact operation panel. The printer 60 prints information on the processing results, such as the number and amount of deposited and withdrawn banknotes, on paper as a journal. The card reader 70 reads various cards used in processing by the currency processing device 1.

[0057] Sensors for detecting whether banknotes or coins have been left behind are located at the withdrawal port 13, bundle withdrawal port 14, deposit rejection port 23, bulk box 24, return box 25, withdrawal box 26, bag collection chute 27, wrapped coin withdrawal port 28a, wrapped coin bulk box 28b and external discharge port 28c.

[0058] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the banknote processing unit 10. As shown in FIG.

[0059] The banknote processing unit 10 includes a deposit section 111, a deposit rejection section 112, a withdrawal section 113, a bundle withdrawal section 114, a transport section 115, a recognition section 116, a first inversion section 117, a second inversion section 118, a banknote storage section 119, two stacking sections 120, a bundling section 121, a lifting section 122, a bundle transport section 123, and four bundle type storage sections 124.

[0060] The deposit unit 111 is provided in the deposit port 12 of Fig. 2. The deposit unit 111 has a feeding mechanism and feeds inserted loose banknotes one by one to the transport unit 115. The deposit reject unit 112 and the withdrawal unit 113 are provided in the withdrawal port 13 of Fig. 2.

[0061] The deposit rejection unit 112 mainly receives banknotes whose attributes (authenticity, denomination, front / back, etc.) cannot be identified by the recognition unit 116 and are therefore not considered to be normal banknotes. The dispensing unit 113 mainly receives banknotes returned from the temporary holding unit 119a and banknotes dispensed from the denomination-specific storage unit 119c. The bundle dispensing unit 114 is provided in the bundle dispensing port 14 and mainly receives bundles of banknotes dispensed from the denomination-specific storage unit 124.

[0062] The transport unit 115 is arranged between the deposit unit 111, the deposit rejection unit 112, the withdrawal unit 113, the temporary holding unit 119a, the lump-sum storage unit 119b, the three denomination-specific storage units 119c, and the two stacking units 120, and transports banknotes between these units.

[0063] The recognition unit 116 recognizes the attributes of the banknotes flowing through the transport unit 115 and outputs the recognition results to the device control unit (described later). The recognized attributes include the authenticity and denomination of the banknote, as well as the front / back and top / bottom orientation of the banknote.

[0064] The first reversing unit 117 includes a reversing unit 117a and a non-reversing unit 117b that constitute part of the transporting unit 115, and aligns the front and back of banknotes flowing through the transporting unit 115. Banknotes that pass through the first reversing unit 117 are reversed along the short edge of the banknote, and the front and back and top and bottom are reversed. The second reversing unit 118 includes a reversing transport path 118a that is formed in a spiral shape. Banknotes that pass through the reversing transport path 118a are reversed along the long edge of the banknote, and the front and back and left and right are reversed.

[0065] The first inversion unit 117 switches between inversion and non-inversion and the second inversion unit 118 for each banknote based on the results of the recognition unit 116 identifying the front and back and top and bottom of the banknote, thereby uniformly aligning the front and back and top and bottom of each banknote.

[0066] The banknote storage unit 119 includes an escrow unit 119a, a lump sum storage unit 119b, and three denomination-specific storage units 119c.

[0067] The escrow unit 119a temporarily holds normal banknotes that have been inserted into the deposit unit 111 and whose attributes have been recognized by the recognition unit 116. Banknotes that have been aligned in the front and back and top and bottom by the first reversal unit 117 and the second reversal unit 118 are transported to and held in the escrow unit 119a. The escrow unit 119a is equipped with a feeding mechanism and can feed the held banknotes to the transport unit 115.

[0068] The lump-sum storage section 119b stores banknotes that have been dispensed from the temporary holding section 119a, but whose denominations could not be identified by the recognition section 116, banknotes that are not assigned to a denomination-specific storage section 119c, such as 2,000 yen notes, and overflow banknotes that could not be stored in the corresponding denomination-specific storage section 119c.

[0069] The denomination-specific storage units 119c store banknotes that have been dispensed from the temporary holding unit 119a and whose denominations have been identified by the recognition unit 116, sorted by denomination. For example, the three denomination-specific storage units 119c are assigned to the denominations of 10,000 yen, 1,000 yen, and 5,000 yen, respectively. The denomination-specific storage units 119c are each equipped with a dispensing mechanism and can dispense the stored banknotes to the transport unit 115.

[0070] The stacking unit 120 stacks the banknotes transported by the transport unit 115 in the number of bundling units to be bundled (for example, 100 banknotes). The bundling unit 121 includes an arm mechanism, a bundling mechanism, and a transport mechanism, and uses the arm mechanism to remove bundles of banknotes stacked in the stacking unit 120, uses the bundling mechanism to bundle the removed bundles of banknotes to create a bundle of banknotes, and sends the created bundle of banknotes to the lifting / transporting unit 122 using the transport mechanism.

[0071] The lifting unit 122 has a conveyance path formed in the vertical direction and is provided with a lift mechanism within the conveyance path, and the lift mechanism sends the bundle of banknotes sent from the bundling unit 121 to a bundle conveying unit 123 arranged above the lifting unit 122. The bundle conveying unit 123 conveys the bundle of banknotes sent from the lifting unit 122 to one of the four bundle-specific storage units 124 that corresponds to the denomination of the bundle of banknotes. The bundle conveying unit 123 also conveys the bundle of banknotes fed out from each bundle-specific storage unit 124 to the bundle dispensing unit 114.

[0072] The four bundle-by-denomination storage units 124 store bundles of banknotes of the denominations assigned to each unit. For example, a 10,000 yen denomination is assigned to two of the bundle-by-denomination storage units 124, and 1,000 yen and 5,000 yen denominations are assigned to the remaining two bundle-by-denomination storage units 124. The bundle-by-denomination storage units 124 are equipped with a feeding mechanism and can feed the stored bundles of banknotes to the bundle transport unit 123.

[0073] A plurality of sensors for detecting the currency of banknotes are arranged at a plurality of different positions on the transport path of the transport unit 115. A banknote inserted into the deposit unit 111 is treated as in-machine when it passes through a sensor arranged at a predetermined position on the transport path between the recognition unit 116 and the banknote storage unit 119. Therefore, if a banknote jam error occurs on this transport path, the banknote is treated as in-machine or out-machine depending on whether the jammed banknote is located downstream or upstream of the sensor.

[0074] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the currency handling apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

[0075] The banknote processing unit 10 includes a machine control unit 101 and a machine storage unit 102 in addition to the above-mentioned units 111 to 124.

[0076] The device control unit 101 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the units 111 to 124 according to a program stored in the device storage unit 102. The device storage unit 102 includes storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk, and stores the operation program for the device control unit 101, and is also used as a work area when the device control unit 101 performs control processing.

[0077] The operation terminal 50 includes the operation display unit 51 described above, as well as a terminal control unit 501 , a terminal storage unit 502 , a camera 504 , an audio input / output unit 505 , and a communication unit 506 .

[0078] The operation display unit 51 includes a display unit 503a and an input unit 503b. For example, the display unit 503a is configured with a liquid crystal panel, and the input unit 503b is configured with a transparent touch sensor. In this case, the operation display unit 51 is configured with a touch panel in which an operation panel is superimposed on a liquid crystal panel. The display unit 503a and the input unit 503b may be arranged separately. The display unit 503a displays various input screens such as a standby screen and a deposit acceptance screen, as well as an error cancellation image for guiding the error cancellation operation. The input unit 503b detects user inputs on the screen displayed on the display unit 503a.

[0079] The terminal control unit 501 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, and controls the operation display unit 51, printer 60, card reader 70, etc. in accordance with programs stored in the terminal storage unit 502. The terminal control unit 501 also exchanges various information (including commands) with the device control unit 101 of the banknote processing unit 10 and each control unit (not shown) of the coin processing unit 20, the damaged / commemorative coin processing unit 30, and the damaged note processing unit 40.

[0080] The terminal storage unit 502 includes storage media such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk, stores the operation program of the terminal control unit 501, and is also used as a work area when the terminal control unit 501 performs control processing.

[0081] The camera 504 captures an image of the area in front of the operation terminal 50 to obtain a front image. When the operator faces the operation terminal 50, an image of the operator's face and its surroundings is included in the front image. As will be described later, this front image is transmitted to the remote support device 4 during error resolution support and is displayed on the remote support device 4. From the displayed front image, the operator can understand the facial expression and the like of the operator performing the error resolution operation.

[0082] The audio input / output unit 505 includes a microphone and a speaker, and outputs a signal corresponding to the audio picked up by the microphone to the terminal control unit 501 under the control of the terminal control unit 501, and outputs a predetermined audio from the speaker. The communication unit 506 communicates with the terminal device 2 in Fig. 1 under the control of the terminal control unit 501. This communication is performed via a wired connection. Alternatively, this communication may be performed wirelessly.

[0083] In this embodiment, the functions of an error detection unit 501a, an error notification unit 501b, and a support processing unit 501c are provided to the terminal control unit 501 by a program stored in the terminal storage unit 502.

[0084] The error detection unit 501a detects the occurrence of an error in the currency handling device 1 based on the outputs from various sensors arranged in the currency handling device 1. If the error detected by the error detection unit 501a is a predetermined target error, the error notification unit 501b transmits an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote support device 4 via the terminal device 2.

[0085] The target errors are stored in advance in the terminal storage unit 502 as an error table 502a. For example, the error codes of all target errors are held in the error table 502a. The error table 502a includes errors that are likely to lead to miscalculations. Examples of errors that are likely to lead to miscalculations include banknote jams in the banknote handling unit 10 and coin jams in the coin handling unit 20. These errors may be registered in the error table 502a by default. In addition to these errors, the administrator of the currency handling system 3 may be able to register other errors in the error table 502a at will.

[0086] For example, if the error resolution level of the operator operating the currency handling device 1 is low, the administrator may be able to register in the error table 502a not only default errors that are likely to lead to miscalculations, but also errors that are likely to result in erroneous operation during error resolution operations. Also, if the error resolution level of the operator operating the currency handling device 1 is high, the administrator may be able to exclude from the error table 502a some of the default errors that are likely to lead to miscalculations.

[0087] The support processing unit 501c displays an error resolution image showing a procedure for resolving an error detected by the error detection unit 501a on the operation display unit 51 (display unit 503a) of the operation terminal 50. The terminal storage unit 502 stores an error resolution image in advance for each type of error (for example, an error code). The support processing unit 501c reads out an error resolution image corresponding to the error detected by the error detection unit 501a from the terminal storage unit 502 and displays it on the operation display unit 51 (display unit 503a). At this time, the support processing unit 501c may further output a guidance voice or the like to guide the user through the error resolution operation to the audio input / output unit 505.

[0088] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration and connection state of each device constituting the remote assistance system 6 according to an embodiment. For convenience, Fig. 5 omits the configuration of the currency handling device 1 other than the operation terminal 50. The configuration of the operation terminal 50 is as described above.

[0089] The terminal device 2 includes a control unit 201 , a storage unit 202 , a display unit 203 , a voice input / output unit 204 , and a communication unit 205 .

[0090] The control unit 201 includes a processing circuit such as a CPU, and controls each unit according to a program stored in the storage unit 202. The storage unit 202 includes storage media such as a ROM and a RAM, stores the operation program of the control unit 201, and is used as a work area during control processing by the control unit 201. The display unit 203 includes display means such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays a predetermined image under control of the control unit 201. The audio input / output unit 204 includes a microphone and a speaker, outputs an audio signal generated by the microphone to the control unit 201, and outputs audio from the speaker in response to control from the control unit 201. The communication unit 205 communicates with the operation terminal 50 under control of the control unit 201, and also communicates with the remote support device 4 via the external communication network 7.

[0091] The remote support device 4 includes a control unit 401, a storage unit 402, a display unit 403, an input unit 404, a communication unit 405, a camera 406, and an audio interface 407. The display unit 403, the input unit 404, the camera 406, and the audio interface 407 configure the input / output interface of the remote support device 4.

[0092] The control unit 401 includes a processing circuit such as a CPU, and controls each unit according to a program stored in the storage unit 402. The storage unit 402 includes storage media such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk, and stores the operation program of the control unit 401, and is also used as a work area during control processing by the control unit 401. The display unit 403 includes display means such as a liquid crystal display, and displays a predetermined image under the control of the control unit 401. The input unit 404 includes input means such as a mouse and a keyboard, and outputs information according to the input to the control unit 401.

[0093] The communication unit 405 communicates with the terminal device 2 via the external communication network 7 under the control of the control unit 401. The camera 406 captures an image of the area around the face of the operator facing the remote support device 4. The audio interface 407 is connected to signal cables from the microphone 8a and speaker 8b of the headset worn by the operator, and transmits an input audio signal from the microphone 8a to the control unit 401 and an output audio signal from the control unit 401 to the speaker 8b.

[0094] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of an error cancellation screen 700 that is displayed when an error occurs on the operation display unit 51 (display unit 503a) of the operation terminal 50. Fig. 6 shows the error cancellation screen 700 when a banknote jam error occurs in the banknote processing unit 10.

[0095] The error resolution screen 700 includes an error display area 701 , a cash processing display area 702 , a target unit display area 703 , a step display area 704 , an error resolution image display area 705 , and buttons 706 and 707 .

[0096] The error display area 701 displays the details of the error that has occurred and the error code for that error. The cash processing display area 702 displays whether the currency removed from the device by clearing the error is to be treated as in-machine or out-machine, and further displays the processing for the removed currency and any precautions for the removed currency. The target unit display area 703 displays the unit that has occurred in the error among the units that make up the currency processing device 1.

[0097] The step display area 704 displays which step of the procedure for error resolution the error resolution image displayed in the error resolution image display area 705 corresponds to. The total number of arrow images 704a displayed in the step display area 704 indicates the total number of steps for error resolution, and the highlighting (hatching in FIG. 6) added to the arrow images 704a indicates to which step the procedure has progressed. Furthermore, the denominator of the fraction displayed in the step display area 704 indicates the total number of steps for error resolution, and the numerator of the fraction indicates to which step the procedure has progressed.

[0098] The error cleared image display area 705 displays an error cleared image 705a for the current step displayed in the step display area 704. The bottom right corner of the error cleared image 705a indicates which part of the banknote processing unit 10 the error cleared image 705a represents.

[0099] Button 706 is a button for returning the image displayed in the error-resolved image display area 705 to the error-resolved image 705a one step earlier, and button 706 is a button for returning the image displayed in the error-resolved image display area 705 to the error-resolved image 705a one step later.

[0100] The terminal storage unit 502 in Figure 5 stores information for displaying the error cancellation screen 700 in Figure 6 for each error that may occur in the currency processing device 1, linked to each error code. When the terminal control unit 501 detects, using the function of the error detection unit 501a, that an error has occurred in the currency processing device 1, the terminal control unit 501 retrieves display information for the error cancellation screen corresponding to the error from the terminal storage unit 502 using the function of the support processing unit 501c, and displays the error cancellation screen 700 similar to that in Figure 6.

[0101] At this time, the terminal control unit 501 (support processing unit 501c) may further cause the audio input / output unit 505 to output a guidance voice or the like for guiding the error cancellation operation corresponding to the step. The operator can cancel the error by performing an operation on the target part according to the error cancellation screen 700.

[0102] However, even if the error resolution screen 700 displays the procedure for resolving the error as described above, a situation may arise in which the operator is unable to properly deal with the error. For example, when a coin jam error occurs, the jammed coin is removed from the conveyance path by performing a resolution operation for the error. The coin removed in this manner is treated as either in-machine (processed) or out-machine (unprocessed) coin in terms of data in the currency processing device 1. Whether the coin is treated as in-machine or out-machine is determined by whether the banknote remains downstream or upstream of a specified sensor, as described above.

[0103] In this case, if the operator returns the currency to be handled outside the machine to the currency processing device 1 as currency to be handled inside the machine, the data on the amount of currency stored inside the machine will not match the actual amount of currency stored inside the machine, resulting in a so-called miscalculation. This type of miscalculation problem is particularly likely to occur when a currency jam leaves multiple currency pieces remaining in multiple positions on the conveying path. It is difficult for the operator to accurately determine which of these multiple currency pieces are to be handled inside the machine and which are to be handled outside the machine.

[0104] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to more smoothly and appropriately respond to an error that has occurred in the currency processing device 1, if the error that has occurred is one of the target errors described above, support for resolving the error is provided to the operator from the operator via the remote support device 4. The process for realizing this support will be described below.

[0105] Fig. 7(a) is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the terminal control unit 501 in response to an error occurring in the currency handling device 1. Fig. 7(b) is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the control unit 401 of the remote assistance device 4 upon receiving an error notification transmitted from the terminal control unit 501.

[0106] In the flowchart of Fig. 7(a), the processing of step S101 is executed by the function of the error detection unit 501a in Fig. 4, the processing of step S102 is executed by the function of the support processing unit 501c in Fig. 4, and the processing of steps S103 and S104 is executed by the function of the error notification unit 501b in Fig. 4. In the following, the description will be made assuming that the terminal control unit 501 executes the processing of Fig. 7(a) by these functions.

[0107] Referring to Figure 7(a), when the terminal control unit 501 detects that an error has occurred in the currency processing device 1 (S101: YES), it displays the error removal screen 700 corresponding to the error on the operation display unit 51 (display unit 503a) and determines whether the error corresponds to a target error registered in the error table 502a (S103).

[0108] If the detected error does not correspond to the target error (S103: NO), the terminal control unit 501 waits for the error cancellation operation to be completed (S106). Completion of the error cancellation operation is determined when the completion button included in the error cancellation screen 700 is operated when the step displayed in the step display area 704 in Fig. 6 is the final step.

[0109] On the other hand, if the detected error corresponds to the target error (S103: YES), the terminal control unit 501 transmits an error notification to the remote support apparatus 4 via the terminal device 2 (S103).

[0110] 7(b), when the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 receives an error notification from the terminal control unit 501 (S201: YES), it starts communication with the operation terminal 50 that is the sender via the terminal device 2 (S202) and displays on the display unit 403 a support screen 710 (see FIG. 8) that the operator refers to for support in clearing the error (S203). Then, the control unit 401 accepts an operation from the operator on the support screen 710 and executes support processing to support in clearing the error (S204).

[0111] In the communication processing of step S202, the control unit 401 acquires information for constructing the support screen 710 to be displayed in step S203 from the operation terminal 50. That is, the control unit 401 continuously acquires, from the terminal control unit 501 of the operation terminal 50, images captured by the camera 504 of FIG. 4, i.e., front images captured from the front of the operation terminal 50, and further continuously acquires the error cancellation screen 700 shown in FIG. 6. In addition, the control unit 401 communicates with the terminal device 2 and continuously acquires images captured by the camera 5 of FIG. 1, i.e., overhead images of the currency processing device 1 viewed from above. The control unit 401 includes these acquired images in the support screen 710.

[0112] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the support screen 710 displayed on the display unit 403 of the remote support device 4 in step S203 of FIG. 7(b).

[0113] The support screen 710 includes an error resolution screen 711, a front image 712, an overhead image 713, an operator image 714, and an end button 715. As described above, the error resolution screen 711 and the front image 712 are acquired from the operation terminal 50 via the terminal device 2, and the overhead image 713 is acquired from the camera 5 via the terminal device 2. The operator image 714 is acquired from the camera 406 of the remote support device 4. These images displayed on the support screen 710 are real-time images.

[0114] The operator can understand the step of the error clearing operation that the operator is currently performing from the error clearing screen 711, and can understand the actual status of the operation from the overhead image 713. In addition, the operator can understand the expression of the operator from the front image 712.

[0115] For example, by double-clicking on the overhead image 713, the operator can cause the terminal device 2 to display an error resolution support image 721 in which an image of the pointer 721a operated by the operator is superimposed on the overhead image 713, and can share the error resolution support image 721 with the operator. Similarly, by double-clicking on the error resolution screen 711, the operator can cause the terminal device 2 to display an error resolution support image 721 in which an image of the pointer 721a operated by the operator is superimposed on the error resolution screen 711, and can share the error resolution support image 721 with the operator.

[0116] In the example of Fig. 8, error resolution support image 721 is configured for overhead image 713. For this reason, overhead image 713 is marked with frame 721b to indicate that it is an object to be shared with the operator, and furthermore, pointer 721a is superimposed on overhead image 713. Pointer 721a moves in response to mouse operations by the operator. Sharing can be canceled, for example, by double-clicking again on the image to be canceled.

[0117] 7(b), in the support process of step S204, the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 continuously transmits the error resolution support image 721 to the terminal device 2 in response to a double-click operation to start sharing. The control unit 201 of the terminal device 2 sequentially displays the received error resolution support image 721 on the display unit 203. As a result, the error resolution support image 721 is shared between the operator and the operator.

[0118] The error resolution screen 711 or the overhead image 713 included in the error resolution support image 721 may be enlarged or reduced and may be movable up, down, left, and right within the range of the display area of ​​the error resolution screen 711 or the overhead image 713 by an operation from the operator. This allows the operator to explain the operation for error resolution to the user while enlarging the part to be operated and displaying the details.

[0119] Also, by right-clicking on the front image 712, another image such as a service manual may be displayed instead of the front image 712. In this case, by double-clicking on the image displayed instead, this image may be made into an error resolution support image 721 and shared with the operator. In this case as well, the error resolution support image 721 may include a pointer 721a that moves in response to an operation by the operator.

[0120] The operator image 714 is transmitted from the remote support device 4 to the terminal device 2 throughout the entire period during which the support process is being performed, and is displayed on the terminal device 2. The transmission of the operator image 714 to the terminal device 2 may be stopped by an operation from the operator.

[0121] The end button 715 is a button for ending the support for error resolution. When the operator no longer needs the support for the error resolution operation, he / she notifies the operator of this by voice input to the microphone 8a and operates the end button 715.

[0122] 7(b), in step S204, the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 further performs communication for a call with the terminal device 2. In this communication, the control unit 401 transmits an audio signal input from the microphone 8a of the headset worn by the operator to the terminal device 2. The control unit 401 also outputs an audio signal based on the operator's voice received from the terminal device 2 to the speaker 8b of the headset, causing the operator's voice to be output from the speaker 8b.

[0123] The control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 executes the processes of steps S202 to S204 until an end operation is received from the operator (S205: NO). Thereafter, when the end button 715 in Fig. 8 is operated to perform an end operation from the operator (S205: YES), the control unit 401 ends the processes of S202 to S204 (S206) and ends the process of Fig. 7(b).

[0124] 7(a), the terminal control unit 501 of the operation terminal 50 transmits an error notification to the remote support device 4 (S104), and then communicates with the remote support device 4 in response to a response from the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4, i.e., in response to the communication process in step S202 of FIG. 7(b) (S105). Here, as described above, the terminal control unit 501 continuously transmits the error cancellation screen 700 and the front image captured by the camera 504 to the remote support device 4.

[0125] In parallel with this communication process, an image capture signal from the camera 5 is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the remote support device 4. Furthermore, in the support process of step S204 in FIG. 7(b), communication for a call is performed between the terminal device 2 and the remote support device 4. In this call, the control unit 201 of the terminal device 2 transmits an audio signal input from the audio input / output unit 204 to the remote support device 4, and causes the audio signal received from the remote support device 4 to be output from the audio input / output unit 204. Furthermore, the control unit 201 of the terminal device 2 causes the display unit 203 to sequentially display error resolution support images 721 received from the remote support device 4.

[0126] The terminal control unit 501 executes the communication process in step S106 until the operator completes the error cancellation operation (S106: NO). Thereafter, when the error cancellation completion button is pressed in the final step of the error cancellation screen 700 in Fig. 6 to complete the operation (S106: YES), the control unit 401 ends the communication process in step S105 (S107) and ends the process in Fig. 7(a).

[0127] 9 and 10 are diagrams showing the operations performed by the operation terminal 50 and the terminal device 2 in the support process (S204) of FIG. 7(b).

[0128] 9, when the execution of the support process starts, an operation to share the error resolution support image 721 has not yet been performed in the remote support device 4, and therefore the operator image 714 is displayed on the terminal device 2. The operator speaks to support the operation to resolve the currently occurring error. A voice signal based on this voice is transmitted from the remote support device 4 to the terminal device 2 and output from the voice input / output unit 204 of the terminal device 2. At this time, the error resolution screen 700 is displayed on the operation terminal 50.

[0129] Thereafter, when the operator performs the above-described operation to share the error resolution support image 721 with the operator, the error resolution support image 721 is displayed on the terminal device 2 as shown in FIG. 10. Here, an image in which a pointer 721a is superimposed on an overhead image 713 forms the error resolution support image 721. The operator image 714 is reduced and displayed above the error resolution support image 721. The operator verbally explains the operation for error resolution while operating the pointer 721a. As a result, audio corresponding to this explanation is output from the audio input / output unit 204 of the terminal device 2. By receiving this explanation, the operator can smoothly proceed with the operation for error resolution.

[0130] Note that multiple error reset support images 721 may be displayed on the terminal device 2. For example, an error reset support image 721 in which a pointer 721a is superimposed on the overhead image 713 and an error reset support image 721 including an image of a service manual may be displayed side by side on the terminal device 2. In this case, the operator may perform the above-described sharing operation on these images displayed on the display unit 403 of the remote support device 4.

[0131] If the operator has a question about the operation to clear the error, the operator can simply vocalize the question. This vocalization is acquired by the audio input / output unit 204 of the terminal device 2 and output from the speaker 8b on the remote support device 4 side through the communication for the above-mentioned call. The operator's response (vocalization) to this question is acquired by the microphone 8a on the remote support device 4 side and output from the audio input / output unit 204 on the terminal device 2 through the communication for the above-mentioned call. In this way, the operator can smoothly proceed with the operation to clear the error by appropriately talking to the operator.

[0132] This call may be made between the audio input / output unit 505 of the operation terminal 50 and the microphone 8a and speaker 8b of the remote support device 4. In this case, the terminal device 2 may mediate the transmission and reception of audio signals between the operation terminal 50 and the remote support device 4.

[0133] <Effects of the embodiment> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 1, the remote support system 6 includes a currency handling device 1 that processes currency, a terminal device 2 (output device) that outputs predetermined information to an operator of the currency handling device 1, and a remote support device 4 that has an input / output interface for the operator and is capable of communicating with the terminal device 2 (output device) via an external communication network 7. As shown in FIG. 5, the currency handling device 1 includes an error detection unit 501a that detects the occurrence of an error, and an error notification unit 501b that, if the error detected by the error detection unit 501a is a target error pre-registered in the error table 502a, sends an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote support device 4. As shown in FIG. 10, upon receiving the error notification, the remote support device 4 outputs support information regarding support for resolving the error in response to input from the operator via the input / output interface to the terminal device 2 (output device) (an error resolution support image 721 and an audio signal based on the operator's voice).

[0135] As shown in Figures 7(a) and (b), the control unit (terminal control unit 501, control unit 401) of the remote support system 6 detects that an error has occurred in the currency processing device 1 (S101), and if the detected error is a predetermined target error (S103: YES), it sends an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote support device 4 (S104), and causes the terminal device 2 (output device) to output support information regarding support for resolving the error in accordance with input from the operator to the input / output interface (S204).

[0136] According to this configuration, if an error that occurs in the currency handling device 1 is a predetermined target error, support information regarding support for resolving the error (error resolution support image 721, audio signals based on the operator's speech) is output from the terminal device 2, and the operator provides support for resolving the error to the operator. This allows the operator to respond to the error more smoothly and appropriately.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 10, the support information includes a video (error resolution support image 721) and the voice of the operator regarding support for resolving the error.

[0138] According to this configuration, the operator is assisted in clearing the error through the video (error clearing assistance image 721) and the operator's voice, so that the operator can smoothly proceed with the work of clearing the error.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 7(b), in response to receiving the error notification (S201), the remote support device 4 performs support processing to cause the terminal device 2 (output device) to output support information.

[0140] According to this configuration, the operator can promptly provide assistance for resolving the error in response to the occurrence of the target error, thereby enabling the operator to smoothly and quickly proceed with resolving the error.

[0141] As shown in Figure 8, the remote support device 4 receives an overhead image (photographed image) from a camera 5 capable of capturing images of error clearance operations on the currency processing device 1, and displays the received overhead image 713 (photographed image) on the display unit 403 (input / output interface).

[0142] According to this configuration, the operator can understand the operation of the operator in response to the error from the overhead image 713 displayed on the display unit 403. Therefore, the operator can provide detailed support to the operator while checking the operation of the operator.

[0143] As shown in Figure 5, the currency processing device 1 (operation terminal 50) includes a display unit 503a, a terminal memory unit 502 that stores an error resolution image 705a showing the error resolution procedure for each type of error, and a support processing unit 501c that displays the error resolution image 705a corresponding to the error detected by the error detection unit 501a on the display unit 503a.

[0144] According to this configuration, as shown in Figure 10, an error resolution image 705a showing the error resolution procedure and support information from the operator are displayed on the display unit 503a of the currency processing device 1 (operation terminal 50).Therefore, the operator can smoothly proceed with the error resolution operation by responding to the error in accordance with the error resolution image 705a and receiving support from the operator via the terminal device 2.

[0145] As described with reference to FIG. 4, the target errors registered in the error table 502a include errors that are predefined as being likely to cause miscalculation.

[0146] When clearing a coin jam error, coins removed from the coin handling device 1 are treated as either on-board (processed) or off-board (unprocessed) coins in terms of data in the coin handling device 1. In this case, if an operator mistakenly returns off-board (unprocessed) coins to the coin handling device 1 as on-board (processed) coins, the data-based amount of coins on-board will not match the actual amount of coins on-board, resulting in a miscalculation. In contrast, with this configuration, errors that are likely to cause miscalculations when dealing with errors are set as target errors, and the operator provides assistance to the operator when such errors occur. This makes it possible to prevent miscalculations from occurring when dealing with this type of error.

[0147] <Change example 1> In the above embodiment, the target error registered in the error table 502a is uniformly applied to all users who use the currency handling device 1. In contrast, in the first modification, the target error is switched depending on the user's level of error resolution operation.

[0148] FIG. 11(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of user management information according to the first modification.

[0149] The user management information is configured by linking the card ID of each card with the error clearing operation level of the user who owns each card.

[0150] The "card ID" is identification information of the card stored in the card, and is read by the card reader 70 in Fig. 2. The "card ID" is used as identification information of the user who owns the card.

[0151] The "error reset operation level" is the user's skill level for error reset operations, and is set to three levels, for example, high, medium, and low. The "error reset operation level" is set in advance, for example, by a store manager. Alternatively, if the user is a store clerk, the "error reset operation level" may be set automatically depending on the working style and work content of each clerk linked to the card ID.

[0152] For example, if the clerk is a full-time employee and in charge of the currency handling device 1, the "error reset operation level" is set to a high level; if the clerk is a full-time employee and not in charge of the currency handling device 1, the "error reset operation level" is set to a medium level; if the clerk is a part-time employee, the "error reset operation level" is set to a low level. If the users include a customer, the customer's "error reset operation level" is set to a low level. The "error reset level" is not limited to three levels, high, medium, and low, but may be set to two or four or more levels.

[0153] FIG. 11B is a diagram showing the configuration of the target error management information according to the first modification.

[0154] The target error management information is configured by linking the error resolution operation level in Figure 11(a) with a target error code group. The "target error code group" is a group of error codes for each error that is considered a target error. The higher the "error resolution operation level," the fewer error codes are included in the "target error code group," and the error codes included in the "target error code group" are limited to error codes for errors that are difficult to resolve.

[0155] The user management information in Fig. 7(a) and the target error management information in Fig. 7(b) are stored in the terminal storage unit 502 instead of the error table 502a. The user management information and the target error management information associate the card ID (user identification information), the error reset operation level (the level of the error reset operation), and the target error.

[0156] The error notification unit 501b in Figure 5 refers to this user management information and target error management information, and if the error detected by the error detection unit 501a is a target error corresponding to the card ID obtained by the card reader 70, it sends an error notification to the remote support device 4.

[0157] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the terminal control unit 501 in response to an error occurring in the currency handling device 1 according to the first modified example.

[0158] The flowchart in Fig. 12 is obtained by adding steps S111 and S112 to the flowchart in Fig. 7(a). The processing in steps S111 and S112 is executed by the error notification unit 501b in Fig. 5.

[0159] When using the currency processing device 1, a user first has the card reader 70 read their card. The terminal control unit 501 (error notification unit 501b) acquires the card ID from the card reader 70, which is part of the card information read by the card reader 70 (S111). The terminal control unit 501 (error notification unit 501b) compares the acquired card ID with the user management information and target error management information in Figures 11(a) and 11(b), and extracts a group of target error codes (target errors) linked to the card ID.

[0160] The terminal control unit 501 executes the processing from step S101 onward using the target error extracted in this way. The processing from step S101 onward is the same as that in the flowchart of FIG. 7(a). The processing executed by the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 when an error occurs is also the same as that in the flowchart of FIG. 7(b). In this way, in the second modification, processing when an error occurs is performed using a target error according to the user's level.

[0161] <Effects of Change Example 1> As shown in Fig. 4, the currency processing device 1 (operation terminal 50) includes a card reader 70 (ID acquisition unit) for acquiring a card ID (identification information of the operator), and a terminal storage unit 502 for storing user management information and target error management information (see Figs. 11(a) and 11(b)) that associate the card ID (identification information), the level of the error-removal operation, and the target error code (target error). As shown in Fig. 12, when the error detected by the error detection unit 501a is the target error corresponding to the card ID (identification information) acquired by the card reader 70 (ID acquisition unit) (S111, S112, S103: YES), the terminal control unit 501 (error notification unit 501b) transmits an error notification to the remote support device 4 (S104).

[0162] With this configuration, the target error changes depending on the operator's response level to the error, so that, for example, it is possible to prevent support for simple errors from being provided to operators with a high response level, and therefore appropriate support can be provided from the operator to operators of each response level.

[0163] <Change example 2> In the above embodiment, in response to receiving an error notification transmitted from the operation terminal 50, communication is initiated between the remote support device 4 and the terminal device 2, and support processing is executed in the remote support device 4. In contrast, in the second modification, even if the remote support device 4 receives an error notification, the support processing is not initiated immediately, but is initiated in response to the satisfaction of a predetermined support condition that requires support for resolving the error.

[0164] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the process executed by the control unit 401 of the remote support apparatus 4 upon receiving an error notification transmitted from the terminal control unit 501 according to the second modification.

[0165] The flowchart in Fig. 13 is obtained by adding step S211 to the flowchart in Fig. 7(b). The processes other than step S211 are the same as the processes of the corresponding steps in Fig. 7(b).

[0166] After causing the display unit 403 to display the support screen 710 (S203), the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 determines whether or not a predetermined support condition that requires support for resolving an error has been met (S211). If the support condition has not been met (S211: NO), the control unit 401 continues to display the support screen 710 without executing the support process. On the other hand, if the support condition has been met (S211: YES), the control unit 401 starts the support process at step S204.

[0167] While the determination in step S211 is NO, the control unit 401 does not accept an operation from the operator to set the error cancellation support image 721, and does not perform processing to set up communication for a call with the terminal device 2.

[0168] The support conditions in step S211 may be, for example, that a support request has been made from the operation terminal 50 and that an operation to start support has been performed by the operator. In this case, the error cancellation screen 700 displayed on the operation display unit 51 (display unit 503a) of the operation terminal 50 is changed to that shown in Fig. 14, and the support screen 710 displayed on the display unit 403 of the remote support device 4 is changed to that shown in Fig. 15.

[0169] 14, the error cancellation screen 700 includes a support request button 708 for the operator to receive support from the operator. Also, as shown in Fig. 15, the support screen 710 includes a support start button 716 and a support request button 717 for the operator to start supporting the operator.

[0170] When the operator operates the support request button 708 on the error resolution screen 700 in Fig. 14, a support request notification is sent from the terminal control unit 501 to the remote support device 4 via the terminal device 2. When the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 receives the support request notification, it highlights the support request button 717 on the support screen 710 in Fig. 15. The highlighting is performed, for example, by applying an emphasis color such as red to the support request button 717, or by making the support request button 717 blink.

[0171] The operator can understand that the operator has requested support because the support request button 717 is highlighted. In response, the operator operates the support request button 717. As a result, the determination in step S211 becomes YES, and the support process in step S204 is started. When the support process starts, the control unit 401 accepts an operation from the operator to set the error resolution support image 721, and also executes a process to set up communication for a call with the terminal device 2.

[0172] 15 even during periods when no assistance is requested from the operator. For example, the operator refers to the error resolution screen 711 to determine the need for assistance for the operator in relation to the difficulty of the operation at the current step of the error resolution operation (for example, the timing of the operation at which an error is likely to occur). The operator also refers to the overhead image 713 to monitor the progress and appropriateness of the operator's operation and determine the need for assistance for the operator. Furthermore, the operator refers to the front image 712 to monitor the operator's facial expression (such as a troubled expression or a confused expression) and determine the need for assistance for the operator.

[0173] If the operator determines from these judgments that support for the operator is necessary, he or she operates the support start button 716. As a result, the judgment in step S211 becomes YES, and the support process in step S204 starts. When the support process starts, the control unit 401, similar to the above, accepts an operation from the operator to set the error resolution support image 721, and executes a process to set up communication for a call with the terminal device 2.

[0174] The support conditions in step S211 are not limited to the above two conditions.

[0175] For example, if the terminal control unit 501 of the operation terminal 50 can determine, based on the output from the group of sensors arranged in the currency processing device 1, that no operation to clear the error has been performed for a predetermined time or more (for example, several minutes or more), a notification that this event has occurred may be transmitted from the terminal control unit 501 to the remote support device 4. In this case, the fact that the remote support device 4 has received this notification may be included in the support conditions of step S211.

[0176] Furthermore, if the terminal control unit 501 of the operation terminal 50 can determine, based on the output from the group of sensors arranged in the currency processing device 1, that an erroneous operation has been performed when clearing the error, a notification that the erroneous operation has occurred a predetermined number of times may be transmitted from the terminal control unit 501 to the remote support device 4. In this case, the fact that the remote support device 4 has received this notification may be included in the support conditions of step S211.

[0177] Alternatively, if the terminal control unit 501 of the operating terminal 50 has a function of recognizing the facial expression of the operator from images captured by the camera 504, when a troubled or confused expression is recognized from the operator's facial expression for a certain period of time, a notification of this fact may be sent from the terminal control unit 501 to the remote support device 4. In this case, the fact that the remote support device 4 has received this notification may be included in the support conditions of step S211.

[0178] In response to receiving these notifications, the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 determines YES in step S211 in Fig. 13 and executes the support process in step S204. In this case, in response to the start of the support process, the control unit 401 may include a display notifying the start of the support process for a certain period of time in the overhead image 713 in Fig. 15, or may output a sound notifying the start of the support process from the speaker of the headset.

[0179] Note that these notifications may be sent from the terminal control unit 501 to the remote support device 4 as the above-mentioned error notification when the error that has occurred this time is not a target error. In this case, the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 executes the processing from step S202 onwards in Fig. 7(b) in response to receiving the notification (error notification), and the terminal control unit 501 of the operation terminal 50 executes the processing from step S105 onwards in Fig. 7(a) in response to sending the notification (error notification). This allows the operator to receive support from an operator when the operator is in a situation where it is difficult to cancel the error by himself, even if the error that has occurred this time is not a target error.

[0180] <Effects of Change Example 2> As shown in FIG. 13, after receiving an error notification (S201: YES), the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 performs support processing (S204) to output support information to the terminal device 2 (output device) in response to the satisfaction of a predetermined support condition requiring support to resolve the error (S211: YES).

[0181] According to this configuration, when support for resolving a target error is required, support for resolving the error is provided to the operator from the operator. Therefore, support for resolving the error can be efficiently provided to the operator from the operator while suppressing unnecessary support for resolving the error.

[0182] <Change example 3> In the above embodiment, the terminal device 2 is arranged separately from the currency processing device 1, but in modified example 3, the terminal device 2 is omitted and the currency processing device 1 (operation terminal 50) communicates directly with the remote support device 4. In modified example 3, the operation terminal 50 corresponds to the "output device" or "output section" described in the claims.

[0183] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of a remote support system 6 according to the third modification.

[0184] In the configuration of Figure 16, the operation terminal 50 of the currency handling device 1 communicates with the remote support device 4 via the external communication network 7. The communication unit 506 in Figure 5 can communicate with the communication unit 405 of the remote support device 4 via the external communication network 7. A camera 5 is connected to the operation terminal 50. Images captured by the camera 5 are transmitted to the remote support device 4 via the operation terminal 50.

[0185] The support information (error cancellation support image 721, operator image 714, audio signal based on the operator's voice, etc.) transmitted by the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 during support processing is output from the operation display unit 51 (display unit 503a) and audio input / output unit 505 of the operation terminal 50. Communication for a call is performed between the audio input / output unit 505 of the operation terminal 50 and the microphone 8a and speaker 8b on the remote support device 4 side.

[0186] 7(a) and 7(b). The communication in steps S104, S105, and S202 is performed directly between the terminal control unit 501 of the operation terminal 50 and the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4, without going through the terminal device 2. The images captured by the camera 5 required for constructing the support screen 710 displayed in step S203 are transmitted to the control unit 401 of the remote support device 4 via the operation terminal 50.

[0187] The terminal control unit 501 also communicates with the remote support device 4, receives support information from the remote support device 4, and outputs the received support information to the display unit 503a and the audio input / output unit 505. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 501 sets up communication for a call with the remote support device 4, and transmits and receives audio signals. These processes are similar to the processes performed by the terminal device 2 in the above embodiment.

[0188] In the support processing, an image in which a support image area 720 is added to an error resolution screen 700 is displayed on the operation display unit 51 (display unit 503a) of the operation terminal 50, as shown in FIG. 17. In the support image area 720, an image similar to the image displayed on the operation terminal 50 in the above embodiment is displayed. In the example of FIG. 17, an operator image 714 is displayed in the support image area 720, but when the operator performs the above-mentioned sharing operation, the operator image 714 and an error resolution support image 721 are displayed on the operation display unit 51 (display unit 503a) in the support image area 720, similar to the display form on the terminal device 2 in FIG. 10.

[0189] <Effects of Change Example 3> As shown in FIG. 16, the currency handling apparatus 1 includes an operation terminal 50 as an output device for outputting support information from an operator.

[0190] According to this configuration, since the output device is disposed in the currency processing device 1, it is possible to save space compared to the above embodiment in which the terminal device 2 (output device) is disposed separately from the currency processing device 1. On the other hand, when the terminal device 2 is disposed separately as in the above embodiment, the error clearing support image 721 can be displayed in a large area.

[0191] As in the above embodiment, the currency handling device 1 (operation terminal 50) includes a terminal storage unit 502 that stores, for each error type, an error resolution image 705a showing the error resolution procedure. As shown in FIG. 17, the support processing unit 501c in FIG. 5 displays, on the operation terminal 50 (output device), the error resolution image 705a corresponding to the error detected by the error detection unit 501a, together with support information (an image in the support image area 720).

[0192] According to this configuration, an error resolution image 705a showing the error resolution procedure and support information from the operator are displayed on the operation terminal 50 arranged in the currency processing device 1, so that the operator can smoothly proceed with the error resolution operation by responding to the error in accordance with the error resolution image 705a while receiving support from the operator.

[0193] <Other change examples> In the above embodiment, the camera 5 is connected to the terminal device 2, and in the above modification example 3, the camera 5 is connected to the operation terminal 50. However, as shown in FIG. 18, the image captured by the camera 5 may be transmitted to the remote support device 4 without going through the currency processing device 1 or the terminal device 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 18, the currency processing device 1 (operation terminal 50) may be connected to an external communication network 7, and communication may be performed between the currency processing device 1 (operation terminal 50) and the remote support device 4. In this case, the operator image 714 and the error resolution support image 721 may be displayed on the terminal device 2, and communication for a call may be set up between the operation terminal 50 and the remote support device 4.

[0194] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the error resolution screen 700 shown in FIG. 6 and the support screen 710 shown in FIG. 8 were displayed on the operation terminal 50 and the remote support device 4, respectively, but when an operation step that is likely to cause a miscalculation arrives, a display to notify the operator of this may be displayed on the error resolution screen 700 and the support screen 710 to alert the operator.

[0195] In this case, for example, information linking the error code of an error including an error resolution operation step (a step displayed in the step display area 704 in Fig. 6) that is likely to cause a miscalculation with the operation step is stored in the terminal storage unit 502 of the operation terminal 50. The terminal control unit 501 of the operation terminal 50 refers to this information and determines whether or not the current error corresponds to an error including an operation step that is likely to cause a miscalculation, and if so, includes the above-mentioned warning display on the error resolution screen 700 in response to the transition of the error resolution operation step for the error displayed on the error resolution screen 700 to the operation step included in the information.

[0196] In this way, when the error resolution screen 700 includes the above-mentioned warning display, the error resolution screen 700 transmitted from the operation terminal 50 to the remote support device 4 also includes the warning display. Therefore, the error resolution screen 700 on the support screen 710 displayed on the display unit 403 of the remote support device 4 also includes the warning display. In this way, the operator and the operator are alerted to the approaching operation step where miscalculation is likely to occur.

[0197] In the above embodiment, the currency handling device 1 includes the multiple processing units shown in Fig. 2, but the configuration of the currency handling device 1 is not limited to this. For example, the currency handling device 1 does not need to include the undamaged coin / commemorative coin processing unit 30 and the undamaged note processing unit 40, or may include other processing units.

[0198] Furthermore, the currency handling system 3 does not necessarily have to be configured to include only the currency handling device 1 and the terminal device 2. For example, the currency handling system 3 may include other devices in addition to the currency handling device 1 and the terminal device 2, or the currency handling system 3 may include the currency handling device 1 and other devices without including the terminal device 2. In the latter case, the support information from the remote support device 4 may be output from the operation terminal 50, as in the third modification example above, or, if the other devices have an output function, the support information may be output from the other devices.

[0199] In addition, in the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, multiple currency handling units and an operation terminal 50 are integrated to form a single currency handling device 1, but a single currency handling system may also be formed in which multiple currency handling devices and operation terminals are each individually arranged and connected so that they can communicate with each other.

[0200] In this case, in the currency handling system, the banknote handling unit 10, coin handling unit 20, damaged / commemorative coin handling unit 30, and damaged note handling unit 40 in FIG. 2 are replaced with a banknote handling device, a coin handling device, a damaged / commemorative coin handling device, and a damaged note handling device, respectively, and each of these devices is communicatively connected to an operation terminal 50 located separately. The configurations and functions of the banknote handling device, coin handling device, damaged / commemorative coin handling device, and damaged note handling device are the same as those of the banknote handling unit 10, coin handling unit 20, damaged / commemorative coin handling unit 30, and damaged note handling unit 40. In this case, too, the operation terminal 50 may execute the same control as in the above embodiment. Similarly, in the configurations of Modifications 1 to 3, the currency handling device 1 can be replaced with a currency handling system.

[0201] Furthermore, in the above-described modified example 3, the card ID of the card held by the operator is used as the operator's identification information, but the identification information used in modified example 3 is not limited to this. For example, when the operator inputs his / her own code information into the operation terminal 50 when using the currency handling device 1, this code information may be used as the operator's identification information. In this case, the user management information in FIG. 11(a) is configured by linking each operator's code information with the error release operation level.

[0202] Furthermore, the configurations of the error cancellation screen 700 and the support screen 710 are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment and each modified example. For example, the front image 712 may be omitted from the support screen 710, and other images such as a service manual may be included instead. The images displayed on the terminal device 2 or the operation terminal 50 during the support process are also not limited to those shown in the above embodiment and each modified example.

[0203] In addition, in the above embodiment and each modified example, the video of the error resolution support image 721 and the voice of the operator are output as the support information, but the information output as the support information is not limited to this. For example, the video of the error resolution support image 721 and the like may be omitted, and only the voice of the operator may be output as the support information.

[0204] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a teller machine is exemplified as the currency handling device 1, but the currency handling device 1 may also be a currency exchange machine or an ATM.

[0205] Furthermore, the remote support device 4 shown in the above embodiment may be used for predetermined processing in addition to supporting error resolution. For example, the operator of the remote support device 4 may approve the results of an operation performed by an operator. For example, when an operator causes the damaged coin / commemorative coin processing unit 30 to process damaged coins or commemorative coins, the operator of the remote support device 4 (e.g., a bank employee at headquarters) may approve the processing.

[0206] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0207] 1. Currency processing equipment 2. Terminal device (output device) 3. Currency Processing System 4 Remote support devices 5. Camera 6 Remote support system 50 Operation terminal (output device, output unit) 401 Control Unit 403 Display unit (input / output interface) 404 Input section (input / output interface) 407 Audio Interface (Input / Output Interface) 501 Terminal control unit 501a Error detection unit 501b Error Notification 501c Support Processing Unit 502 Terminal memory unit 502a Error Table 700 Error cancellation screen 705a Error Clear Image 710 Support screen 713 Bird's-eye view image (photographed image) 721 Error removal support image (support information)

Claims

1. a currency processing device for processing currency; an output device that outputs predetermined information to an operator of the currency handling device; a remote support device that has an input / output interface for an operator and is capable of communicating with the output device via an external communication network; The currency processing device includes: an error detection unit that detects the occurrence of an error; an error notification unit that, when the error detected by the error detection unit is a predetermined target error, transmits an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote support device; the remote support device, upon receiving the error notification, causes the output device to output support information relating to support for resolving the error in response to an input from the operator via the input / output interface. A remote support system characterized by:

2. The remote assistance system according to claim 1, The support information includes a video and a voice of the operator regarding support for resolving the error. A remote support system characterized by:

3. The remote assistance system according to claim 1, the remote support device performs processing to cause the output device to output the support information in response to receiving the error notification. A remote support system characterized by:

4. The remote assistance system according to claim 1, the remote support device, after receiving the error notification, performs a process to output the support information to the output device in response to a predetermined support condition that requires support for resolving the error being satisfied. A remote support system characterized by:

5. The remote assistance system according to claim 1, The currency processing device includes: an ID acquisition unit for acquiring identification information of the operator; a storage unit that stores information that associates the identification information, a level of the error clearing operation, and the target error, the error notification unit transmits the error notification to the remote support device when the error detected by the error detection unit is the target error corresponding to the identification information acquired by the ID acquisition unit. A remote support system characterized by:

6. The remote assistance system according to claim 1, The remote support device receives a photographed image from a camera capable of capturing an error reset operation for the currency processing device, and displays the received photographed image on the input / output interface. A remote support system characterized by:

7. The remote assistance system according to claim 1, The currency processing device includes: A display unit; a storage unit that stores an error recovery image showing an error recovery procedure for each type of error; a support processing unit that causes the display unit to display the error recovery image corresponding to the error detected by the error detection unit, A remote support system characterized by:

8. The remote assistance system according to claim 1, The currency processing device includes the output device. A remote support system characterized by:

9. The remote assistance system according to claim 8, The currency processing device includes: a storage unit that stores an error recovery image showing an error recovery procedure for each type of error; a support processing unit that causes the output device to display the error recovery image corresponding to the error detected by the error detection unit together with the support information, A remote support system characterized by:

10. The remote assistance system according to claim 1, The target errors include errors that are predefined as being prone to miscalculation. A remote support system characterized by:

11. A currency processing system capable of communicating with a remote support device having an input / output interface for an operator via an external communication network, an output device that outputs predetermined information to an operator of the currency handling system; an error detection unit that detects the occurrence of an error; an error notification unit that, when the error detected by the error detection unit is a predetermined target error, transmits an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote support device; the remote assistance device communicates with the currency handling system based on receipt of the error notification, and transmits to the currency handling system assistance information relating to assistance in resolving the error in accordance with input from the operator via the input / output interface; The output device outputs the received support information. A currency processing system characterized by:

12. A currency processing device capable of communicating with a remote support device having an input / output interface for an operator via an external communication network, an output unit that outputs predetermined information to an operator of the currency handling device; an error detection unit that detects the occurrence of an error; an error notification unit that, when the error detected by the error detection unit is a predetermined target error, transmits an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error to the remote support device; The remote support device communicates with the currency processing device based on the receipt of the error notification, and transmits support information regarding support for resolving the error in accordance with input from the operator to the input / output interface to the currency processing device; The output unit outputs the received support information. A currency processing device characterized by:

13. A control method for a remote support system including a currency processing device that processes currency, an output device that outputs predetermined information to an operator of the currency processing device, and a remote support device that has an input / output interface for the operator and is capable of communicating with the output device via an external communication network, Detecting that an error has occurred in the currency processing device, If the detected error is a predetermined target error, an error notification regarding the occurrence of the error is sent to the remote support device; outputting, to the output device, support information relating to support for resolving the error in response to an input from the operator via the input / output interface; A control method for a remote support system.

Images