Sheet piece processing device, sheet piece processing method, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides a sheet processing device, a sheet processing method, and a program that can improve the inclination of banknotes in a storage section where sheet pieces such as banknotes are stored, and that can efficiently perform the reversal process. [Solution] When the degree of inclination determined by the inclination determination processing unit 114 of the banknote processing device 10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold, the reversal processing unit 115 reverses the direction of the banknote to be reversed corresponding to the inclination direction. The threshold setting processing unit 113 sets the first threshold according to the amount of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote storage cassette.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet piece processing apparatus, a sheet piece processing method, and a program that can accommodate sheet pieces such as banknotes and vouchers.

Background Art

[0002] Issuing machines, currency exchange machines, various vending machines, etc. are equipped with a banknote processing apparatus (sheet piece processing apparatus) that performs deposit processing for accepting inserted banknotes and withdrawal processing for dispensing banknotes (sheet pieces). The banknote processing apparatus includes a storage cassette that can store a plurality of banknotes.

[0003] In this type of banknote processing apparatus, a plurality of banknotes of the same denomination are stored in a stacked manner in the storage cassette. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic transaction apparatus that can eliminate the height difference of banknotes caused by the difference in the thickness of banknotes depending on the location.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the automatic transaction apparatus described in Patent Document 1, regardless of the number of banknote bundles in the storage cassette, the deviation in the stacking height of banknotes is determined using a predetermined threshold value. Therefore, even when there is sufficient stacking space in the storage cassette, if the difference in the number of banknotes in the direction showing the deviation of the banknotes is greater than or equal to the threshold value, a process of reversing the direction of the banknotes is performed, which may result in wasted time consumption and wasted power consumption due to unnecessary reversal processing. In addition, since it is necessary to interrupt the banknote processing apparatus during the reversal process, there may be a case where the user is made to wait due to unnecessary determination processing.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing device, a sheet processing method, and a program that can improve the inclination of banknotes in a storage section where sheet pieces such as banknotes are stored, and that can efficiently perform the reversal process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A sheet piece processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a storage section provided on the main body of the device capable of accommodating a plurality of sheet pieces of the same type stacked in one direction; a direction determination processing unit for determining the direction of the sheet pieces stored in the storage section; a tilt determination processing unit for determining the degree of tilt and the direction of tilt in the longitudinal direction of a sheet bundle consisting of a plurality of sheet pieces stored in the storage section; a reversal processing unit for reversing the direction of a first sheet piece (sheet piece to be reversed) in the first direction corresponding to the tilt direction when the degree of tilt is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold; a storage amount determination processing unit for determining the amount of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section; and a threshold setting processing unit for setting the first threshold according to the storage amount determined by the storage amount determination processing unit.

[0008] Furthermore, a sheet piece processing method relating to another aspect of the present invention is a sheet piece processing method applied to a sheet piece processing apparatus provided in the main body of the apparatus and equipped with a storage section capable of accommodating a plurality of sheet pieces of the same type stacked in one direction, wherein one or more processors execute: a direction determination step for determining the direction of the sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section; a tilt determination step for determining the degree of tilt and the direction of tilt in the longitudinal direction of a sheet bundle consisting of a plurality of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section; a reversal step for reversing the direction of the first sheet piece in the first direction corresponding to the tilt direction if the degree of tilt is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold; a storage amount determination step for determining the amount of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section; and a threshold setting step for setting the first threshold according to the storage amount determined in the storage amount determination step.

[0009] Furthermore, a program relating to another aspect of the present invention is a sheet piece processing method applied to a sheet piece processing apparatus provided in the main body of the apparatus and equipped with a storage section capable of accommodating a plurality of sheet pieces of the same type stacked in one direction, and is a program that causes one or more processors to execute: a direction determination step for determining the direction of the sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section; a tilt determination step for determining the degree of tilt and the direction of tilt in the longitudinal direction of a sheet bundle consisting of a plurality of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section; a reversal step for reversing the direction of the first sheet piece in the first direction corresponding to the tilt direction if the degree of tilt is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold; a storage amount determination step for determining the amount of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section; and a threshold setting step for setting the first threshold according to the storage amount determined in the storage amount determination step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the inclination of banknotes in the storage section where sheet pieces such as banknotes are stored, and to perform the reversal process efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the internal structure of a banknote processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the banknote storage cassette of the banknote processing device shown in Figure 2. Figure 2(A) shows the state in which the lift unit is positioned in the non-feed position, and Figure 2(B) shows the state in which the lift unit is positioned in the feed position. [Figure 3] Figures 3(A) through (C) show the configuration of the stacking mechanism in a banknote storage cassette. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the orientation of banknotes in a banknote storage cassette. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the inclination of banknotes in a banknote storage cassette. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the banknote processing device. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a table showing the first threshold used in the inversion process. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a 100% inspection process performed by the control unit of a banknote processing device. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a deposit and withdrawal process performed by the control unit of a banknote processing device. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a deposit / withdrawal process performed by the control unit of a banknote processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0013] [Banknote processing device 10] The banknote processing device 10 of this embodiment (an example of a sheet piece processing device of the present invention) is an automatic banknote handling device such as a ticket machine, currency exchange machine, ATM, and various automatic vending machines. The banknote processing device 10 is a circulating type automatic banknote handling device in which banknotes S are transported through a loop transport path 52 (see Figure 1) provided inside. The banknotes S handled by the banknote processing device 10 are an example of a sheet piece of the present invention.

[0014] In this embodiment, a banknote processing device 10 is given as an example of the sheet piece processing device of the present invention, but the sheet piece processing device of the present invention is not limited to a banknote processing device 10 that handles banknotes S. For example, the present invention may be a sheet piece processing device that handles sheet-shaped monetary vouchers such as gift certificates, sheet-shaped admission tickets such as boarding passes for airplanes, train tickets for trains, or admission tickets for event venues, or sheet-shaped exchange vouchers such as coupons.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the banknote processing apparatus 10 includes a banknote depositing unit 21 (an example of the sheet insertion unit of the present invention), an identification unit 22, three banknote storage cassettes 60 (60A, 60B, 60C), a banknote storage cassette 23, a holding unit 24, a banknote dispensing unit 25, and a banknote conveyance path 50, and these are provided in a housing 11 (an example of the apparatus main body of the present invention) of the banknote processing apparatus 10. Here, the banknote storage cassette 60 is an example of the storage unit of the present invention.

[0016] The banknote depositing unit 21 is provided at the upper part of the front surface 10A of the banknote processing apparatus 10. The banknote depositing unit 21 includes a depositing tray 31 on which banknotes S are placed, an insertion opening 21A for guiding the banknotes S placed on the depositing tray 31 inward, a taking-in unit 32 for taking in the banknotes S placed on the depositing tray 31 inside, and a banknote return opening 21B for discharging the returned banknotes S. The depositing tray 31 is provided on the front surface 10A of the banknote processing apparatus 10, and the taking-in unit 32 is provided at the upper part on the front surface 10A side inside the housing 11. Further, the insertion opening 21A is formed in the front surface 10A. Also, the banknote return opening 21B is formed below the insertion opening 21A.

[0017] The taking-in unit 32 has a feeding mechanism 33. The feeding mechanism 33 picks up the banknotes S placed on the depositing tray 31 and feeds the banknotes S in the feeding direction toward the identification unit 22. The feeding mechanism 33 is composed of a pickup roller for picking up the banknotes S placed on the depositing tray 31, a pair of conveyance roller pairs for feeding the banknotes S picked up by the pickup roller in the feeding direction, and the like. The banknotes S taken in inside by the taking-in unit 32 are conveyed to the identification unit 22 through a depositing conveyance path 51 described later.

[0018] A banknote conveyance path 50 is formed inside the housing 11. The banknote conveyance path 50 is formed by conveyance guides (not shown) appropriately arranged in the housing 11. The banknote conveyance path 50 guides the banknotes S conveyed inside the housing 11 in a predetermined conveyance direction, and connects the insertion opening 21A, the discharge opening 25A, the identification unit 22, the three banknote storage cassettes 60, the banknote storage cassette 23, and the holding unit 24.

[0019] The banknote transport path 50 is broadly divided into a deposit transport path 51 (an example of the second transport path of the present invention), a loop transport path 52 (an example of the first transport path of the present invention), a hold transport path 53, a withdrawal transport path 54, and a refund transport path 55.

[0020] The banknote transport path 50 is appropriately equipped with transport rollers for transporting banknotes S. In addition, flaps (not shown) are appropriately provided at connection and branching points of each transport path to change the transport direction of the banknotes S. The transport rollers are rotated by rotational driving force from a drive source such as a motor, and the flaps are changed to a predetermined position, thereby transporting the banknotes S in the banknote transport path 50 along the banknote transport path 50 in a predetermined transport direction.

[0021] The deposit transport path 51 extends from the input slot 21A toward the back surface 10B of the banknote processing device 10 (the right side in Figure 1). An identification unit 22 is provided near this deposit transport path 51.

[0022] The identification unit 22 identifies the banknote S transported from the input slot 21A, specifically determining the denomination of the banknote S. The identification unit 22 also determines the authenticity of the banknote S, specifically determining whether the banknote S is counterfeit, whether the banknote S is damaged and its denomination cannot be determined, or whether the banknote S is unused. If the banknote S is determined to be counterfeit, undeterminable, or unused, the banknote S is transported from the deposit transport path 51 to the loop transport path 52, and further transported via the holding transport path 53 and the refund transport path 55 to the banknote return slot 21B, where it is discharged to the outside. In this way, the banknote S is returned to the user. Counterfeit banknotes, banknotes undeterminable, and unused banknotes are referred to as rejected banknotes.

[0023] Furthermore, the identification unit 22 determines the direction of the banknotes that have been transported from the input slot 21A.

[0024] The identification unit 22 has an internal calculation unit and uses a reflective optical sensor or a transmissive optical sensor, etc., to read the optical pattern in the longitudinal direction of the banknote S. Based on the read optical pattern, the calculation unit determines the denomination, orientation, and authenticity of the banknote S. The optical sensor scans the banknote S by irradiating it with light while it is being transported. The optical sensor detects the intensity of the reflected or transmitted light of the irradiated light. The optical pattern is, for example, the intensity distribution of the light received signal from the light receiving element of the optical sensor. The higher the intensity of the light received signal, the brighter the banknote S is, and the lower the intensity of the light received signal, the lower the brightness of the banknote S.

[0025] Optical patterns corresponding to the denomination of banknote S are stored in the internal memory of the identification unit 22. The identification unit 22 determines the denomination and authenticity of banknote S by determining the consistency between the read optical pattern and the optical pattern in the internal memory. Furthermore, for each denomination, the optical patterns for each direction of banknote S (banknote direction) are stored in the internal memory. The identification unit 22 determines the direction of banknote S by determining the consistency between the read optical pattern and the optical patterns for each direction in the internal memory.

[0026] Banknotes S determined to be normal by the identification unit 22 are transported to a loop transport path 52 that is continuous with the deposit transport path 51.

[0027] The loop transport path 52 is a long, annular transport path in the vertical direction. The loop transport path 52 transports banknotes S in a clockwise direction in Figure 1. The deposit transport path 51 is connected to the upper part of the loop transport path 52. In addition, the holding transport path 53 is connected to the vicinity of the center of the vertical transport path 52A on the front side (left side in Figure 1) of the loop transport path 52. In addition, the banknote storage cassette 60A, banknote storage cassette 60B, and banknote storage cassette 23 are connected to the vertical transport path 52B on the rear side (right side in Figure 1) of the loop transport path 52. In addition, the banknote storage cassette 60C is connected to the lower part of the vertical transport path 52A.

[0028] The holding section 24 temporarily holds the conveyed banknotes S individually or in stacks. For example, the holding section 24 holds multiple banknotes S for withdrawal that are sequentially fed out from the banknote storage cassette 60 in a stack. The holding section 24 also holds one or more banknotes S deposited from the input slot 21A individually or in a stack. When multiple banknotes S are stacked and held in the holding section 24, the rear end of the banknote S (the end opposite to the feeding direction) that has been fed to a predetermined position in the holding section 24 is lifted by a flap or the like, creating a loading space between the banknote S and the bottom surface of the holding section 24. Subsequent banknotes are fed into this loading space, so that the banknotes S are stored in the holding section 24 stacked vertically. This operation is repeated, so that multiple banknotes S are held in a stack in the holding section 24.

[0029] The banknote storage cassette 23 is located inside the housing 11, at the bottom of the rear side 10B. The bottom of the rear side 10B of the housing 11 is partitioned off as a mounting space in which the banknote storage cassette 23 can be housed, and the banknote storage cassette 23 is removably mounted in this mounting space.

[0030] The banknote storage cassette 23 contains banknotes S that have been determined to be unusable by the discrimination unit 35, which will be described later. For example, after a full inspection process is performed after replenishing the banknote storage cassette 60 with banknotes S, banknotes S that have been determined to be counterfeit or unused by this full inspection process (rejected banknotes), or banknotes S that have been left behind in the banknote return slot 21B or the dispensing tray 36, are stored in the banknote storage cassette 23. Inside the banknote storage cassette 23, there are compartments that can separately store the rejected banknotes and the forgotten banknotes.

[0031] Each of the three banknote storage cassettes 60 stores banknotes S to be handled by the banknote processing device 10 in a vertical stacking manner.

[0032] The banknote storage cassettes 60A and 60B are located on the rear side 10B inside the housing 11, and more specifically, above the banknote storage cassette 23. The banknote storage cassettes 60A and 60B are arranged in two layers, upper and lower, inside the housing 11. The upper banknote storage cassette 60A and the lower banknote storage cassette 60B each contain banknotes S of different denominations predetermined. For example, the upper banknote storage cassette 60A contains 1,000 yen banknotes, and the lower banknote storage cassette 60B contains 5,000 yen banknotes.

[0033] The banknote storage cassette 60C is located inside the housing 11 on the front side 10A, and more specifically, below the holding section 24. The banknote storage cassette 60C holds banknotes S of predetermined denominations. For example, the banknote storage cassette 60C holds 10,000 yen banknotes.

[0034] Each banknote storage cassette 60 is configured to be detachable from the housing 11 of the banknote processing device 10. When all the banknotes S stored in a banknote storage cassette 60 have been dispensed and are gone, the banknote storage cassette 60 is removed from the housing 11 by an employee in order to replenish the banknotes S. Once the banknotes S have been replenished into the banknote storage cassette 60, the banknote storage cassette 60 is reattached to the housing 11.

[0035] In this embodiment, the banknote processing device 10 is shown as having three banknote storage cassettes 60, but it is preferable that the banknote processing device 10 has a number of banknote storage cassettes 60 corresponding to the types of banknotes S that can be handled.

[0036] Inside the housing 11, there is an output transport path 56 that extends from the output port 98 of each banknote storage cassette 60 to the loop transport path 52, and a storage transport path 57 that goes from the loop transport path 52 through the storage port 99 of each banknote storage cassette 60 to the inside of the banknote storage cassette 60.

[0037] The banknotes S sent out from each banknote storage cassette 60 for withdrawal are transported through the discharge transport path 56 to the loop transport path 52, and then transported through the loop transport path 52 to the holding section 24.

[0038] The loop transport path 52 is equipped with a discrimination unit 35 that determines whether the dispensed banknotes S can be dispensed. The discrimination unit 35 is configured similarly to the identification unit 22 and determines the denomination, orientation, and authenticity of the banknotes S transported from the banknote storage cassette 60 to the loop transport path 52. A discrimination unit 35 is provided corresponding to each banknote storage cassette 60; specifically, three discrimination units 35 are provided in the loop transport path 52.

[0039] If the discrimination unit 35 determines that a banknote is counterfeit or unused (rejected banknote), the banknote S is not transported to the holding unit 24, but is transported through the loop transport path 52 to the banknote storage cassette 23 and stored in the banknote storage cassette 23. In this case, a new banknote S for withdrawal is sent out from the banknote storage cassette 60.

[0040] Furthermore, if the discrimination unit 35 determines that the banknote S is eligible for withdrawal, it is transported to the holding unit 24.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, each banknote storage cassette 60 is provided with a lift section 61 for stacking banknotes S vertically. The lift section 61 is configured to be movable vertically by a lifting mechanism 68 (see Figure 6) including a motor. As the lifting mechanism 68, a well-known mechanism consisting of a motor, rack and pinion gear, slide rail, etc., is applied.

[0042] A dispensing mechanism 62 is provided at the top of the banknote storage cassette 60. The dispensing mechanism 62 picks up and dispenses banknotes one by one from the top banknote S of the stack of banknotes placed on a lift section 61 that has been raised from a predetermined reference position to a predetermined feeding position. The dispensing mechanism 62 has a pickup roller 62A that picks up the banknote S placed on the lift section 61, a drive roller 62B that sends the banknote S picked up by the pickup roller 62A to the loop transport path 52, and a driven roller 62C that is pressed against and driven by the drive roller 62B.

[0043] Furthermore, the delivery mechanism 62 has a holder 63 that rotatably supports the drive roller 62B and the pickup roller 62A so as to rotate synchronously. The holder 63 is also rotatably supported around the rotation axis of the drive roller 62B and rotates between the position shown in Figure 2(A) and the position shown in Figure 2(B).

[0044] As shown in Figure 2(A), an optical sensor 64 is provided near the feeding mechanism 62. The optical sensor 64 is, for example, a transmissive photointerrupter. The holder 63 is provided with a shielding portion 63A that can block the light detected by the optical sensor 64. The lifting mechanism 68 (see Figure 6) is driven and controlled by the control unit 110 (see Figure 6), and when the lift portion 61 is raised from the reference position to the feeding position, the top banknote S comes into contact with the pickup roller 62A during the raising process, causing the holder 63 to rotate upward together with the pickup roller 62A. During this rotational movement, the shielding portion 63A enters the optical path of the light detected by the optical sensor 64 and blocks the detected light (see Figure 2(B)).

[0045] The control unit 110 (see Figure 6) determines that the lift unit 61 has reached the feeding position when the light signal received from the light receiving element of the light sensor 64 changes from a HIGH level to a LOW level. In this case, the control unit 110 stops the lifting mechanism 68 (see Figure 6) from rising. In this state, preparation for feeding banknotes S from the banknote storage cassette 60 is complete.

[0046] The optical sensor 64 is also used to detect when the lift unit 61 is full of banknotes S. Specifically, if the elapsed time from when the lift unit 61, positioned at the reference position, starts to rise until the signal level of the optical sensor 64 changes to a LOW level is less than a predetermined set time, the control unit 110 (see Figure 6) determines that the banknote storage cassette 60 is full of banknotes S. In other words, the control unit 110 determines that it cannot store any more banknotes in the banknote storage cassette 60.

[0047] Furthermore, a first distance measuring sensor 65 and a second distance measuring sensor 66 are provided at the top of the inside of the banknote storage cassette 60.

[0048] The first distance measuring sensor 65 and the second distance measuring sensor 66 are both sensors that detect the distance to the top banknote S in a stack of banknotes Sb. For example, the first distance measuring sensor 65 and the second distance measuring sensor 66 include a light-emitting element that emits detection light toward the banknote S and a light-receiving element that receives the light reflected by the banknote S. The control unit 110 measures the time from when the detection light is emitted until it is received by the light-receiving element, and calculates the distance to the banknote S based on the speed of the detection light and the measured time.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first distance measuring sensor 65 and the second distance measuring sensor 66 are used to determine the degree of inclination θ in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in Figure 2) of the stack of banknotes Sb. For this reason, the first distance measuring sensor 65 is positioned so that the detection light shines perpendicularly onto the center of the banknote S, that is, at a predetermined distance vertically upward from the center of the banknote S. The second distance measuring sensor 66 is positioned so that the detection light shines perpendicularly onto the rear end of the banknote S (the right end in Figure 2), that is, at a predetermined distance vertically upward from the rear end of the banknote S.

[0050] Furthermore, the first distance measuring sensor 65 can also be used to determine the amount of banknotes Sb stored in the banknote storage cassette 60. For example, when the lift unit 61 is positioned at the reference position, the distance measured by the first distance measuring sensor 65 serves as an indicator of the storage amount. Specifically, if a first reference distance is measured when no banknotes S are loaded into the banknote storage cassette 60, and a second reference distance is measured when the banknote storage cassette 60 is already full of banknotes S, it is possible to determine the amount of banknotes Sb stored from the distance measured by the first distance measuring sensor 65.

[0051] Furthermore, a stacking mechanism 70 is provided at the bottom of the banknote storage cassette 60. The stacking mechanism 70 inserts and stacks newly to be stored banknotes S between the bottom surface of the stacked banknote bundle and the top surface of the lift section 61.

[0052] Figures 3(A) to (C) show the configuration of the stacking mechanism 70, and are views of the stacking mechanism 70 from the storage opening 99 side. The stacking mechanism 70 includes a transport roller 71 (see Figure 1) that feeds banknotes S into the storage transport path 57, a first support part 72 that holds the lower surface of the banknotes S in the storage transport path 57, and a second support part 73 located above the first support part 72. The space between the first support part 72 and the second support part 73 is the storage transport path 57 and is a holding part for temporarily holding the banknotes S.

[0053] When the banknote S is fed into the storage transport path 57 by the transport roller 71, the banknote S is supported by the upper surface of the lift section 61 (see Figure 3(A)).

[0054] Subsequently, the lift unit 61 is moved upward (see Figure 3(B)). Then, as the lift unit 61 is moved further upward, the banknotes S are placed between the bottom surface of the banknote bundle Sb and the top surface of the lift unit 61 (see Figure 3(C)).

[0055] Furthermore, if more banknotes S are to be fed into the storage transport path 57, the lift unit 61 is lowered again to the storage position so that the banknotes S can be transported into the storage transport path 57. On the other hand, if banknotes S are to be discharged from the banknote storage cassette 60, the lift unit 61 is moved from the reference position to the feeding position so that the top banknote S of the banknote bundle Sb can be fed.

[0056] Of the banknotes S deposited through the input slot 21A, those determined to be normal by the identification unit 22 are transported from the loop transport path 52 through the storage transport path 57 to the storage slot 99. These banknotes S are then stored at the very bottom of the stack of banknotes in the banknote storage cassette 60 by the stacking mechanism 70.

[0057] Here, as shown in Figure 4, there are four possible directions for the banknotes S to be placed in the banknote storage cassette 60 (banknote direction), which are combinations of the front, back, top, and bottom of the banknote S. In Figure 4, the leftward direction is the direction in which the banknotes S are fed out.

[0058] In Figure 4(A), the banknote orientation is such that banknote S is facing upwards with the front side up. In Figure 4(B), the banknote orientation is such that banknote S is facing downwards with the back side down. Hereafter, the banknote orientations shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B) will be referred to as the first orientation.

[0059] Furthermore, in the banknote orientation shown in Figure 4(C), banknote S is facing downwards with the front side up. In the banknote orientation shown in Figure 4(D), banknote S is facing upwards with the back side down. Hereafter, the banknote orientations shown in Figures 4(C) and 4(D) will be referred to as the second orientation.

[0060] Generally, banknotes S have a certain thickness, and this thickness varies depending on the location. For example, as shown in Figure 4, if a highly printed image Sa of a person is depicted on one side of the surface of banknote S (one side in the longitudinal direction), that area will be printed with more printing material than other areas, and therefore the thickness of that area of ​​the image Sa will be greater than other areas. Also, if an anti-counterfeiting hologram is provided on one side of the surface of banknote S, the hologram area will be thicker than other areas.

[0061] Therefore, for example, if the stack of banknotes Sb loaded on the lift unit 61 contains a large number of banknotes S in the first direction (see Figures 4(A) and (B)), the stack of banknotes may be lower on the side facing the second distance sensor 66 than on the side facing the second distance sensor 66, as shown in Figure 5(A), and higher on the side facing the second distance sensor 66 opposite to the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the direction facing the upper surface of the banknote storage cassette 60 or other members, which may hinder the feeding of banknotes S by the feeding mechanism 62 or the storage of banknotes S by the stacking mechanism 70.

[0062] Furthermore, for example, if the stack of banknotes Sb loaded on the lift unit 61 contains a large number of banknotes S in the second direction (see Figures 4(C) and (D)), the stack of banknotes Sb may be higher on the feeding direction side than on the second distance measuring sensor 66 side, as shown in Figure 5(B), and lower on the side of the second distance measuring sensor 66 opposite to the feeding direction. In this case, the optical sensor 64 will detect that the stack is full sooner than if the stack of banknotes Sb contained approximately the same number of banknotes S in the first direction and banknotes S in the second direction. In this case, even though there is still room to store banknotes S, the stack will be detected as full, and the banknote processing device 10 will be put into a stopped state (interrupted state) at an earlier timing.

[0063] In this embodiment, the control unit 110 (see Figure 6) of the banknote processing device 10 performs the full inspection process (see Figure 8) and the deposit / withdrawal process (see Figure 9), which will be described later, thereby improving the uneven distribution of banknote stacks in the banknote storage cassette 60. Furthermore, since the reversal process performed to improve the uneven distribution of banknote stacks is executed efficiently, the time and power consumption associated with unnecessary reversal processes can be suppressed, and the number of interruptions to the banknote processing device 10 can be reduced.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the banknote processing device 10 further comprises a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120.

[0065] The storage unit 120 is a non-volatile storage medium, including an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 120 stores control programs for the control unit 110 to execute various processes, as well as threshold data 121 (see Figure 7) used in the full inspection process (see Figure 8) and deposit / withdrawal process (see Figure 9) executed in the banknote processing device 10, as described later.

[0066] The control unit 110 includes control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The ROM is a non-volatile storage medium in which control programs for causing the CPU to execute various processes are pre-stored. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage medium for storing various information and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 110 controls the banknote processing device 10 by executing various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or storage unit 120 using the CPU.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 110 includes various processing units such as a direction determination processing unit 111, a capacity determination processing unit 112, a threshold setting processing unit 113, a tilt determination processing unit 114, and a reversal processing unit 115. The control unit 110 functions as one of the various processing units by having the CPU execute various processes such as the full inspection process (see Figure 8) and the deposit / withdrawal process according to the control program. Some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 110 may be composed of electronic circuits. Furthermore, the control program may be a program that causes multiple processors to function as the various processing units.

[0068] The direction determination processing unit 111 is an example of the direction determination processing unit of the present invention, and performs processing to determine the direction (banknote direction) of the banknotes S stored in the banknote storage cassette 60.

[0069] In a full inspection process that checks whether a plurality of banknotes S replenished in the banknote storage cassette 60 are payable, the direction determination processing unit 111 determines the direction (banknote direction) of the plurality of banknotes S stored in the banknote storage cassette 60. Specifically, the direction determination processing unit 111 causes the determination unit 35, which is provided in the loop transport path 52 (an example of the first transport path of the present invention) that guides the banknotes S discharged from the banknote storage cassette 60, to determine the direction of the banknotes S when the banknotes S pass through the determination unit 35. In this embodiment, during the execution of the full inspection process, the direction determination processing unit 111 causes the determination unit 35 to determine whether the banknote direction of each banknote S discharged from the banknote storage cassette 60 is the first direction or the second direction.

[0070] Furthermore, the direction determination processing unit 111 determines the direction (banknote direction) of the banknotes S when the banknotes S are deposited from the input slot 21A during the deposit processing. Specifically, the direction determination processing unit 111 causes the identification unit 22, which is provided in the deposit transport path 51 (an example of the second transport path in the present invention) that guides the banknotes S from the banknote deposit unit 21 to the banknote storage cassette 60, to determine the direction of the banknotes S when the banknotes S pass through the identification unit 22. In this embodiment, during the execution of the deposit processing, the direction determination processing unit 111 causes the identification unit 22 to determine whether the banknote direction of the banknotes S deposited from the input slot 21A is the first direction or the second direction.

[0071] The direction determination processing unit 111 may also have a determination unit 35, located in the loop transport path 52 that guides the banknotes S from the banknote deposit unit 21 to the banknote storage cassette 60, perform the determination of the direction of the banknotes S deposited from the input slot 21A. In this case, the loop transport path 52 is an example of the second transport path of the present invention.

[0072] When the direction determination processing unit 111 determines the direction of the banknotes, the number of banknotes S with the same direction is counted, and the number of banknotes for each direction is stored in the storage unit 120.

[0073] The storage capacity determination processing unit 112 is an example of the storage capacity determination processing unit of the present invention, and performs a process to determine the number of banknotes S to be stored in the banknote storage cassette 60.

[0074] The storage capacity determination processing unit 112 obtains the storage capacity of banknotes S stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 by counting the number of banknotes S stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 during the full inspection process. The storage capacity determination processing unit 112 counts the number of banknotes stored in each banknote storage cassette 60. In this embodiment, the number of banknotes S is counted as multiple banknotes S are discharged one by one from the banknote storage cassette 60 and transported along the loop transport path 52. Specifically, each time a banknote S discharged from the banknote storage cassette 60 passes through the discrimination unit 35, the discrimination unit 35 detects the banknote S and counts the number of banknotes S. The number of banknotes S is stored in the storage unit 120 by denomination.

[0075] Furthermore, the capacity determination processing unit 112 counts the number of banknotes S deposited from the input slot 21A (number of banknotes deposited) by denomination during the deposit process. In this embodiment, when banknotes S are deposited into the input slot 21A and transported to the identification unit 22, the number of banknotes S is counted during the transport process. Specifically, each time banknotes S deposited from the input slot 21A pass through the identification unit 22, the capacity determination processing unit 112 detects the banknotes S and counts up the number of banknotes S by denomination. The number of banknotes S is stored in the storage unit 120 by denomination.

[0076] Furthermore, the capacity determination processing unit 112 may determine the capacity of banknotes S stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 based on the measured distance measured by the first distance measuring sensor 65 when the lift unit 61 is positioned at the reference position. Specifically, a first reference distance measured when no banknotes S are loaded in the banknote storage cassette 60 and a second reference distance measured when the banknote storage cassette 60 is fully filled with banknotes S can be measured in advance, and the number of banknotes S that can be stored in the banknote bundle Sb can be determined based on the ratio of the measured distance within the range of each of these reference distances and the number of banknotes S when full.

[0077] The threshold setting processing unit 113 is an example of the threshold setting processing unit of the present invention, and performs the process of setting a first threshold (an example of the first threshold of the present invention) that will be used in the inversion process by the inversion processing unit 115 described later.

[0078] Specifically, the threshold setting processing unit 113 sets the first threshold according to the number of banknotes S stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 (storage capacity). Here, the number of banknotes stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 is, for example, the number counted by the storage capacity determination processing unit 112 in the full inspection process, and is the number immediately after replenishment. Furthermore, if deposit and withdrawal processing is performed after replenishment of banknotes S, the number of banknotes stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 is the number after replenishment plus or minus the number of banknotes increased or decreased by subsequent deposit and withdrawal processing. Furthermore, the number of banknotes stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 is the number of banknotes S determined based on the distance measured by the first distance measuring sensor 65.

[0079] In this embodiment, the threshold data 121 shown in Figure 7 is stored in the storage unit 120, and the threshold setting processing unit 113 extracts the angle corresponding to the number of banknotes stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 from the threshold data 121 and sets it as the first threshold.

[0080] As shown in Figure 7, the threshold data 121 is table data that defines the setting angle (setting value) of the first threshold corresponding to multiple ranges of banknote capacity, assuming that the maximum number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 is 500. In this embodiment, the setting angle of the first threshold is not defined for the smallest of the multiple ranges of banknote capacity (less than 200 banknotes). On the other hand, for each range of banknote capacity from 200 to 500 banknotes, the setting angle of the first threshold is set to a smaller value as the number of banknotes increases.

[0081] In this embodiment, the threshold setting processing unit 113 refers to the threshold data 121 and sets the first threshold to a smaller angle the larger the number of banknotes (count value) stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 determined by the storage capacity determination processing unit 112 is, and sets the first threshold to a larger angle the smaller the number of banknotes (count value) is. For example, when the number of banknotes stored is 200 or more but less than 300, the threshold setting processing unit 113 sets the first threshold to 10 degrees. When the number of banknotes stored is 300 or more but less than 400, the threshold setting processing unit 113 sets the first threshold to 7.5 degrees, when the number of banknotes stored is 400 or more but less than 450, the threshold setting processing unit 113 sets the first threshold to 5.0 degrees, and when the number of banknotes stored is 450 or more, the threshold setting processing unit 113 sets the first threshold to 2.5 degrees. The setting angle for the first threshold is merely an example, and it is possible to set the first threshold to an angle that corresponds to the maximum number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote storage cassette 60.

[0082] The tilt determination processing unit 114 is an example of the tilt determination processing unit of the present invention, and performs a process to determine the longitudinal tilt θ and tilt direction of a bundle of banknotes Sb consisting of multiple sheet pieces housed in a banknote storage cassette 60.

[0083] Specifically, with the lift unit 61 positioned at the reference position, the tilt determination processing unit 114 measures a first measurement distance using the first distance measuring sensor 65 and a second measurement distance using the second distance measuring sensor 66, and determines the distance difference between the first measurement distance and the second measurement distance. Once this distance difference and the separation between the first distance measuring sensor 65 and the second distance measuring sensor 66 are determined, the tilt determination processing unit 114 can calculate the tilt angle of the top banknote S in the longitudinal direction of the banknote bundle Sb using trigonometric functions.

[0084] Furthermore, the tilt determination processing unit 114 determines the relative magnitude of the first measurement distance and the second measurement distance, and for example, if it determines that the second measurement distance is shorter than the first measurement distance, it determines that the stack of banknotes Sb is tilted as shown in Figure 5(A). In this case, the control unit 110 also determines that the stack of banknotes Sb loaded on the lift unit 61 contains more banknotes S in the first direction (see Figures 4(A) and (B)) than banknotes S in the second direction.

[0085] Furthermore, the tilt determination processing unit 114 determines the relative magnitude of the first measurement distance and the second measurement distance, and for example, if it determines that the second measurement distance is longer than the first measurement distance, it determines that the stack of banknotes Sb is tilted as shown in Figure 5(B). In this case, the control unit 110 also determines that the stack of banknotes Sb loaded on the lift unit 61 contains more banknotes S in the second direction (see Figures 4(C) and (D)) than banknotes S in the first direction.

[0086] The inversion processing unit 115 is an example of the inversion processing unit of the present invention. When the inclination θ determined by the inclination determination processing unit 114 is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the inversion processing unit performs an inversion of the banknotes S with a larger number of sheets (an example of the first sheet piece of the present invention) in order to change the banknote orientation of the banknotes S with a smaller number of sheets to the banknote orientation of the banknotes S with a smaller number of sheets. Hereinafter, the banknotes S with a larger number of sheets that are to be inverted will be referred to as the banknotes to be inverted, and the banknotes S with a smaller number that do not need to be inverted will be referred to as the banknotes that do not need to be inverted.

[0087] Specifically, if it is determined that the inclination θ is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the control unit 110 temporarily stops the use of the banknote processing device 10, and during the stop period, it sequentially discharges the banknotes S one by one from the top of the banknote stack in the banknote storage cassette 60 and sends them to the vertical transport path of the loop transport path 52.

[0088] Then, the orientation of the ejected banknote S is determined by the discrimination unit 35, and if the banknote S is determined to be the banknote to be reversed (the banknote with the larger number of bills), the banknote to be reversed is reversed and returned to the original banknote storage cassette 60. In this embodiment, the reversal processing unit 115 moves the banknote to be reversed around the loop transport path 52 and transports it from the storage opening 99 of the original banknote storage cassette 60 to the storage transport path 57, and the stacking mechanism 70 places the banknote to be reversed at the bottom of the stack of banknotes in the banknote storage cassette 60. As a result, the banknote to be reversed is reversed and returned to the original banknote storage cassette 60.

[0089] On the other hand, when the ejected banknote S is identified by the discrimination unit 35, if the banknote S is determined to be a banknote that does not need to be reversed (the banknote with fewer bills), the banknote that does not need to be reversed is returned to the original banknote storage cassette 60 without being reversed. In this embodiment, the reversal processing unit 115 transports the banknote that does not need to be reversed along the loop transport path 52 and the hold transport path 53 to the hold section 24, where the transport is temporarily stopped. Then, the reversal processing unit 115 reverses the transport rollers of the hold transport path 53 to transport the banknote that does not need to be reversed along the loop transport path 52 to the original banknote storage cassette 60, and then transports it from the storage opening 99 to the storage transport path 57, where the stacking mechanism 70 stores the banknote that does not need to be reversed at the bottom of the stack of banknotes in the banknote storage cassette 60. As a result, the banknote that does not need to be reversed is returned to the original banknote storage cassette 60 without being reversed.

[0090] In this embodiment, the inversion processing unit 115 repeats the inversion process described above in the banknote storage cassette 60 until the inclination θ reaches a predetermined second threshold.

[0091] The second threshold is, for example, 0 degrees. The inversion process is improved when the inversion process is performed until the inclination θ becomes 0 degrees. The inclination θ may be determined each time the inversion process of the banknotes S is performed by the inversion processing unit 115, or it may be determined each time a predetermined number of banknotes have been inverted.

[0092] Furthermore, the second threshold may be, for example, an angle that is tilted by a predetermined angle in the opposite direction to the tilt direction determined by the tilt determination processing unit 114. For example, the predetermined angle is an arbitrarily determined value and is stored in the storage unit 120 in advance.

[0093] Furthermore, for example, in the deposit and withdrawal processing described later (see Figures 9 and 10), if the inclination θ is determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold for a series of transactions, and in each case it is determined that there are more banknotes S of the same direction (e.g., banknotes S of the first direction) than banknotes S of other directions (e.g., banknotes S of the second direction), the second threshold may be changed to an angle that is inclined by a predetermined angle in the opposite direction to the inclination direction determined by the inclination determination processing unit 114. If the inclination θ is determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold for a series of transactions, and the same inclination direction is determined, it can be said that the banknote processing device 10 tends to receive banknotes S of the same direction. In this case, it is preferable to perform a reversal process to the extent that the banknotes are inclined by a predetermined angle in the opposite direction to the inclination direction determined by the inclination determination processing unit 114.

[0094] The inversion processing unit 115 may repeatedly perform the inversion process described above until the gradient θ becomes less than the first threshold.

[0095] When the gradient θ reaches the second threshold, the inversion process is terminated and the banknote processing device 10 is deactivated.

[0096] [100% inspection process] The following describes an example of the procedure for the 100% inspection process performed by the control unit 110, using the flowchart in Figure 8, and also describes a banknote processing method, which is an example of the sheet piece processing method of the present invention. For example, the 100% inspection process is performed on the banknote storage cassette 60 when an employee performing maintenance on the banknote processing device 10 replenishes the banknote storage cassette 60 with multiple banknotes S.

[0097] Furthermore, one or more steps included in the 100% inspection process described herein may be omitted as appropriate. Also, the execution order of each step in the 100% inspection process may differ as long as similar effects are produced.

[0098] <Step S11> In step S11, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the banknote storage cassette 60 has been installed in the banknote processing device 10. For example, when an employee removes the banknote storage cassette 60 to be refilled from the housing 11 of the banknote processing device 10, and then the banknote storage cassette 60 with the refilled banknotes S is installed in the banknote processing device 10, the control unit 110 determines that the banknote storage cassette 60 has been installed based on the detection signal from a sensor (not shown) provided in the housing 11.

[0099] <Step S12> Once the banknote storage cassette 60 is installed, in the next step S12, the control unit 110 sequentially ejects the banknotes S one by one from the top banknote S of the stack of banknotes placed on the lift section 61 of the banknote storage cassette 60.

[0100] When a banknote S is ejected, the control unit 110 instructs the discrimination unit 35, which corresponds to the banknote storage cassette 60, to determine the orientation of the ejected banknote S. As described above, when the banknote S passes through the discrimination unit 35, the discrimination unit 35 determines not only the orientation of the banknote S but also whether or not the banknote S is a rejected banknote.

[0101] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 110 determines whether the orientation of the banknote S is the first direction. Step S13 is an example of the orientation determination step of the present invention.

[0102] <Step S14> If it is determined in step S13 that the direction is the first direction, in the next step S14, the control unit 110 counts up the number of banknotes S in the first direction and stores the count value in the storage unit 120. After that, the control unit 110 moves the process to step S17.

[0103] <Step S15> If it is determined in step S13 that the direction is not the first direction, in the next step S15 the control unit 110 determines whether the banknote direction of the banknote S is the second direction. Step S15 is an example of the direction determination step of the present invention.

[0104] <Step S16> If it is determined in step S15 that the direction is the second direction, in the next step S16, the control unit 110 counts up the number of banknotes S in the second direction and stores the count value in the storage unit 120. After that, the control unit 110 moves the process to step S17.

[0105] If the discrimination unit 35 determines that a banknote S is a rejected banknote, the banknote S is not counted up and is transported to the banknote storage cassette 23.

[0106] Furthermore, banknotes S determined to be normal by the discrimination unit 35 are returned to the original banknote storage cassette 60 and stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 as banknotes S that can be withdrawn.

[0107] <Step S17> In step S17, the control unit 110 determines whether or not there is a banknote S to be dispensed next. If the next banknote S is fed into the discrimination unit 35 within a predetermined time, the control unit 110 determines that there is a next banknote S. If the banknote S is not fed into the discrimination unit 35 within the predetermined time, the control unit 110 determines that there is no next banknote S because the predetermined time has expired. If it is determined that there is a next banknote S, the process returns to step S13 and the processing from step S13 onwards is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no next banknote S, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0108] <Step S18> In step S18, the control unit 110 adds up the count values ​​that were counted up in steps S14 and S16 to calculate the number of normal banknotes S stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 and stores it in the storage unit 120. Step S18 is an example of the storage capacity determination step of the present invention.

[0109] <Step S19> Once the orientation of all normal banknotes S in the banknote storage cassette 60 has been determined, in the next step S19, the control unit 110 sets the first threshold value according to the number of banknotes S stored in the banknote storage cassette 60. Step S19 is an example of the threshold value setting step of the present invention.

[0110] <Step S191> Subsequently, in step S191, the control unit 110 determines the inclination θ and the inclination direction. Note that step S191 is an example of the inclination determination step of the present invention.

[0111] <Step S20> Subsequently, in step S20, the control unit 110 determines whether the gradient θ determined in step S191 is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0112] <Step S21> If it is determined in step S20 that the inclination θ is greater than or equal to the first threshold, in the next step S21, the control unit 110 temporarily suspends the use of the banknote processing device 10. If it is determined in step S20 that the inclination θ is less than the first threshold, there is no need to perform the inversion process, and the series of processes ends without performing the inversion process.

[0113] <Step S211> When the use of the banknote processing device 10 is temporarily suspended, in the next step S211, the control unit 110 identifies the banknote to be reversed. Specifically, the control unit 110 determines the relative magnitude of the first measurement distance and the second measurement distance, and if it determines that the second measurement distance is shorter than the first measurement distance, it determines that the stack of banknotes Sb is tilted as shown in Figure 5(A). In this case, since the stack of banknotes Sb contains more banknotes S in the first direction (see Figures 4(A) and (B)) than banknotes S in the second direction, it identifies the banknotes S in the first direction as the banknote to be reversed. Conversely, if the control unit 110 determines that the second measurement distance is longer than the first measurement distance, it determines that the stack of banknotes Sb is tilted as shown in Figure 5(B). In this case, since the stack of banknotes Sb contains more banknotes S in the second direction (see Figures 4(C) and (D)) than banknotes S in the first direction, it identifies the banknotes S in the second direction as the banknotes to be reversed.

[0114] <Step S22> Once the banknotes to be reversed are identified, in the next step S22, the control unit 110 sequentially ejects the banknotes S one by one from the top banknote S of the banknote bundle Sb placed on the lift section 61 of the banknote storage cassette 60, and sequentially performs the reverse processing on the ejected banknotes S. Note that step S22 is an example of the reverse step of the present invention.

[0115] <Step S23> In the next step S23, the control unit 110 determines, for example, whether the gradient has reached the second threshold each time the inversion process is performed. If the gradient has reached the second threshold in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24. The determination process in step S23 continues until the gradient θ reaches the second threshold.

[0116] <Step S24> When it is determined that the gradient has reached the second threshold, in step S24, the control unit 110 stops the inversion process.

[0117] <Step S25> Then, in the next step S25, the control unit 110 releases the temporary suspension of the banknote processing device 10 and makes the banknote processing device 10 available for use.

[0118] Thus, in this embodiment, the control unit 110 (see Figure 6) in the banknote processing device 10 performs the 100% inspection process described above, thereby improving the height imbalance of the banknote bundle Sb caused by the incorrect orientation of the banknotes S in the banknote storage cassette 60. Furthermore, since the inversion process performed to improve the imbalance of the banknote bundle is executed efficiently, the consumption of time and power associated with unnecessary inversion processes can be suppressed, and the number of times the banknote processing device 10 is temporarily stopped due to the inversion process can be reduced.

[0119] [Deposit and withdrawal processing] The following describes an example of the deposit and withdrawal procedure performed by the control unit 110 using the flowcharts in Figures 9 and 10, as well as a banknote processing method, which is an example of the sheet processing method of the present invention. For example, the deposit and withdrawal procedure is performed on the banknote storage cassette 60 corresponding to the denomination of the banknote S when a user inserts a banknote S into the banknote processing device 10, and on the banknote storage cassette 60 corresponding to the denomination of the banknote S to be withdrawn when withdrawal is required.

[0120] Furthermore, one or more steps included in the deposit and withdrawal process described herein may be omitted as appropriate. Also, the execution order of each step in the deposit and withdrawal process may differ to the extent that similar effects are produced.

[0121] <Step S31> In step S31, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the banknote S has been inserted into the banknote processing device 10 by the intake unit 32. When the banknote S is inserted into the input slot 21A by the user, the banknote S is fed by the feeding mechanism 33 of the intake unit 32 and transported to the identification unit 22. When the identification unit 22 detects the banknote S, the control unit 110 determines that the banknote S has been inserted.

[0122] <Step S32> When a banknote S is inserted, in step S32, the control unit 110 causes the identification unit 22 to determine the orientation of the inserted banknote S. As described above, when the banknote S passes through the identification unit 22, the identification unit 22 determines not only the orientation of the banknote S but also whether or not the banknote S is a rejected banknote.

[0123] <Step S33> In the next step S33, the control unit 110 determines whether the direction of the banknote S inserted from the input slot 21A is the first direction. Step S33 is an example of the direction determination step of the present invention.

[0124] <Step S34> If it is determined in step S33 that it is the first direction, in the next step S34 the control unit 110 counts up the number of banknotes S in the first direction and stores the denomination of the banknotes S and their count value in the storage unit 120. After that, the control unit 110 moves the process to step S37.

[0125] <Step S35> If it is determined in step S33 that the direction is not the first direction, in the next step S35, the control unit 110 determines whether the banknote direction of the banknote S is the second direction. Step S35 is an example of the direction determination step of the present invention.

[0126] <Step S36> If the second direction is determined in step S35, in the next step S36, the control unit 110 counts up the number of banknotes S in the second direction and stores the denomination of the banknotes S and their count value in the storage unit 120. After that, the control unit 110 moves the process to step S37.

[0127] If the identification unit 22 determines that a banknote S is a rejected banknote, the banknote S is not counted up and is transported to the banknote return slot 21B, from which it is returned to the user.

[0128] Furthermore, banknotes S determined to be normal by the identification unit 22 are transported to the banknote storage cassette 60 corresponding to their denomination and stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 as banknotes S that can be withdrawn.

[0129] <Step S37> In step S37, the control unit 110 determines whether or not there is a banknote S to be inserted next. If the next banknote S is fed to the identification unit 22 within a predetermined time, the control unit 110 determines that there is a next banknote S. If the banknote S is not fed within the predetermined time, the control unit 110 determines that there is no next banknote S because the predetermined time has expired. If it is determined that there is a next banknote S, the process returns to step S33 and the processing from step S33 onwards is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no next banknote S, the process proceeds to step S38.

[0130] <Step S38> In step S38, the control unit 110 adds up the count values ​​that were counted up in steps S34 and S36 to calculate the number of banknotes of each denomination deposited from the input slot 21A, and stores the number of banknotes of each denomination in the storage unit 120.

[0131] <Step S39> As shown in Figure 10, in the next step S39, the control unit 110 determines whether or not it is necessary to withdraw banknotes S in response to the deposit of banknotes S. For example, if the banknote processing device 10 is a ticket dispenser or a vending machine, when a 5,000 yen bill or a 10,000 yen bill is deposited for the purchase of an item costing less than 1,000 yen, it is necessary to withdraw 1,000 yen bills or 5,000 yen bills as change. Also, if the banknote processing device 10 is a currency exchange machine, when a 5,000 yen bill or a 10,000 yen bill is deposited to be exchanged for 1,000 yen bills, it is necessary to withdraw the 1,000 yen bills after the exchange.

[0132] If it is determined in step S39 that the banknote S does not need to be dispensed, the control unit 110 proceeds to step S46.

[0133] <Step S40> If it is determined in step S39 that banknotes S need to be dispensed, in the next step S40, the control unit 110 dispenses the required number of banknotes S from the banknote storage cassette 60 of the denominations to be dispensed.

[0134] When a banknote S is ejected, the control unit 110 instructs the discrimination unit 35, which corresponds to the banknote storage cassette 60, to determine the orientation of the ejected banknote S. When the banknote S passes through the discrimination unit 35, the discrimination unit 35 determines the orientation of the banknote S and whether or not the banknote S is a rejected banknote.

[0135] <Step S41> In step S41, the control unit 110 determines whether the orientation of the banknote S is the first direction. Step S41 is an example of the orientation determination step of the present invention.

[0136] <Step S42> If it is determined in step S41 that it is the first direction, in the next step S42 the control unit 110 counts down the number of banknotes S in the first direction, subtracts the count value stored in the storage unit 120, and updates the count value to the subtracted value. After that, the control unit 110 moves the process to step S45.

[0137] <Step S43> If it is determined in step S41 that the direction is not the first direction, in the next step S43 the control unit 110 determines whether the direction of the banknote S is the second direction. Step S43 is an example of the direction determination step of the present invention.

[0138] <Step S44> If the second direction is determined in step S43, in the next step S44, the control unit 110 counts down the number of banknotes S in the second direction, subtracts the count value stored in the storage unit 120, and updates the count value to the subtracted value. After that, the control unit 110 moves the process to step S45.

[0139] The banknotes S discharged from the banknote storage cassette 60 for withdrawal are then transported along the loop transport path 52 and the retention transport path 53 to the retention section 24, and then discharged through the withdrawal transport path 54 to the banknote dispensing section 25 and the discharge port 25A, and paid out to the user.

[0140] <Step S45> In step S45, the control unit 110 determines whether or not there is a banknote S to be dispensed next. If the next banknote S is sent to the discrimination unit 35 within a predetermined time, the control unit 110 determines that there is a next banknote S. If the banknote S is not sent within the predetermined time, the control unit 110 determines that there is no next banknote S because the predetermined time has expired. If it is determined that there is a next banknote S, the process returns to step S41 and the processing from step S41 onwards is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no next banknote S, the process proceeds to step S46.

[0141] <Step S46> In step S46, the control unit 110 calculates the number of normal banknotes S stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 and stores it in the storage unit 120. Step S46 is an example of the storage capacity determination step of the present invention.

[0142] <Step S47> In the next step S47, the control unit 110 sets the first threshold value for the banknote storage cassette 60 that has had an increase or decrease in the number of banknotes S stored in the banknote storage cassette 60, according to the number of banknotes S stored in the said banknote storage cassette 60. Step S47 is an example of the threshold setting step of the present invention. If there is no significant increase or decrease in the number of banknotes stored in the banknote storage cassette 60 that would require changing the first threshold value, and there is no need to change the setting value of the first threshold value, the first threshold value is maintained at the setting value that has already been set.

[0143] <Step S471> Subsequently, in step S471, the control unit 110 determines the inclination θ and the inclination direction. Note that step S471 is an example of the inclination determination step of the present invention.

[0144] <Step S48> Subsequently, in step S48, the control unit 110 determines whether the gradient θ determined in step S471 is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0145] <Step S49> If it is determined in step S48 that the inclination θ is greater than or equal to the first threshold, in the next step S49, the control unit 110 temporarily suspends the use of the banknote processing device 10. If it is determined in step S48 that the inclination θ is less than the first threshold, there is no need to perform the inversion process, and the series of processes ends without performing the inversion process.

[0146] <Step S491> When the use of the banknote processing device 10 is temporarily suspended, in the next step S491, the control unit 110 identifies the banknote to be reversed in the same manner as in step S211.

[0147] <Step S50> Once the banknotes to be reversed are identified, in the next step S50, the control unit 110 sequentially ejects the banknotes S one by one from the top banknote S of the banknote bundle Sb placed on the lift section 61 of the banknote storage cassette 60, and sequentially performs the reverse processing on the ejected banknotes S. Note that step S50 is an example of the reverse step of the present invention.

[0148] <Step S51> In the next step S51, the control unit 110 determines, for example, whether the slope θ has reached the second threshold each time the inversion process is performed. If the slope reaches the second threshold in step S51, the process proceeds to step S52. The determination process in step S51 continues until the slope θ reaches the second threshold.

[0149] <Step S52> When it is determined that the gradient θ has reached the second threshold, in step S52, the control unit 110 stops the inversion process.

[0150] <Step S53> Then, in the next step S53, the control unit 110 releases the temporary suspension of the banknote processing device 10 and makes the banknote processing device 10 available for use.

[0151] Thus, in this embodiment, the control unit 110 (see Figure 6) in the banknote processing device 10 performs the deposit and withdrawal processing described above. Therefore, when the number of banknotes S in the banknote storage cassette 60 increases or decreases due to the deposit or withdrawal processing, the first threshold is set to a set value corresponding to the increased or decreased number of banknotes. Furthermore, when the inclination θ is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the inversion processing is performed, thereby improving the height imbalance of the banknote bundle Sb caused by the misalignment of the banknotes S in the banknote storage cassette 60. In addition, since the inversion processing performed to improve the imbalance of the banknote bundle Sb is executed efficiently, it is possible to suppress the consumption of time and power associated with unnecessary inversion processing, and furthermore, the number of times the banknote processing device 10 is temporarily stopped due to the inversion processing can be reduced.

[0152] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0153] <Note 1> The device body includes a storage section capable of accommodating multiple sheets of the same type stacked in one direction, A direction determination processing unit for determining the direction of the sheet piece to be housed in the housing section, An inclination determination processing unit for determining the longitudinal inclination and inclination direction of a sheet bundle consisting of multiple sheet pieces housed in the aforementioned storage unit, When the aforementioned inclination is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold, the inversion processing unit reverses the direction of the first sheet piece (sheet piece to be inverted) in the first direction corresponding to the inclination direction, A storage capacity determination processing unit that determines the amount of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section, A threshold setting processing unit sets the first threshold according to the capacity determined by the capacity determination processing unit, A sheet piece processing device equipped with the following:

[0154] <Note 2> The sheet piece processing apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein the threshold setting processing unit sets the first threshold to a smaller value as the storage capacity increases, and sets the first threshold to a larger value as the storage capacity decreases.

[0155] <Note 3> The sheet piece processing apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the inversion processing unit performs an inversion operation of the first sheet piece until the degree of inclination reaches a predetermined second threshold.

[0156] <Note 4> The sheet piece processing apparatus according to Appendix 3, wherein the second threshold is 0 degrees.

[0157] <Note 5> The sheet piece processing apparatus according to Appendix 3, wherein the second threshold is an angle tilted by a predetermined angle in the opposite direction to the tilt direction determined by the tilt determination processing unit.

[0158] <Note 6> The storage capacity determination processing unit counts the number of sheet pieces in the process of discharging the multiple sheet pieces already stored in the storage unit from the storage unit. The sheet piece processing apparatus according to any one of the appendices 1 to 5, wherein the direction determination processing unit causes the identification unit to determine the direction of the sheet piece when the sheet piece passes through the identification unit provided in the first transport path that guides the sheet piece discharged from the storage unit.

[0159] <Note 7> The capacity determination processing unit counts the number of sheet pieces inserted into the sheet insertion section provided in the main body of the device, The direction determination processing unit causes the identification unit to determine the direction of the sheet piece when the sheet piece passes through an identification unit provided in a second transport path that guides the sheet piece from the sheet insertion unit to the storage unit, as described in any of appendices 1 to 6.

[0160] <Note 8> The sheet processing device described in any of Appendix 1 to 7, wherein the sheet piece is a banknote, a sheet of monetary voucher, a sheet of admission ticket, or a sheet of exchange voucher ticket.

[0161] <Note 9> A sheet piece processing method applied to a sheet piece processing apparatus equipped with a storage section on the main body of the apparatus capable of accommodating multiple sheet pieces of the same type stacked in one direction, A direction determination step for determining the direction of the sheet piece to be housed in the housing section, A tilt determination step for determining the longitudinal inclination and direction of inclination of a sheet bundle consisting of multiple sheet pieces housed in the aforementioned storage section, If the inclination is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold, the inversion step involves reversing the direction of the first sheet piece in the first direction corresponding to the inclination direction. A storage capacity determination step for determining the amount of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section, A sheet piece processing method performed by one or more processors, comprising: a threshold setting step of setting a first threshold according to the capacity determined in the capacity determination step; and a threshold setting step of setting a first threshold according to the capacity determined in the capacity determination step.

[0162] <Note 10> A sheet piece processing method applied to a sheet piece processing apparatus equipped with a storage section on the main body of the apparatus capable of accommodating multiple sheet pieces of the same type stacked in one direction, A direction determination step for determining the direction of the sheet piece to be housed in the housing section, A tilt determination step for determining the longitudinal inclination and direction of inclination of a sheet bundle consisting of multiple sheet pieces housed in the aforementioned storage section, If the inclination is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold, the inversion step involves reversing the direction of the first sheet piece in the first direction corresponding to the inclination direction. A storage capacity determination step for determining the amount of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section, A program for causing one or more processors to execute a threshold setting step, which sets the first threshold according to the capacity determined by the capacity determination step, or a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium in which the program is stored. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0163] 10: Banknote processing equipment 11: Cabinet 21: Banknote deposit section 22: Identification unit 23: Banknote storage cassette 24:Reservation section 25: Banknote Dispensing Department 32: Intake section 33: Feeding mechanism 35:Discrimination part 50: Banknote transport path 51: Payment transport route 52: Loop transport path 53: Reserved transport route 54: Withdrawal transport route 55: Refund transport route 56: Discharge transport path 57: Storage transport route 60: Banknote storage cassette 61: Lift section 62: Delivery mechanism 63: Holder 63A: Shielding part 64: Light sensor 68: Lifting mechanism 70: Integration mechanism 98: Outlet 99: Storage opening 110: Control Unit 111: Direction determination processing unit 112: Capacity determination processing unit 113: Threshold setting processing unit 114: Inclination determination processing unit 115: Inversion Processing Unit 120: Storage section 121: Threshold data

Claims

1. The device body includes a storage section capable of accommodating multiple sheets of the same type stacked in one direction, A direction determination processing unit for determining the direction of the sheet piece to be housed in the housing section, An inclination determination processing unit for determining the longitudinal inclination and inclination direction of a sheet bundle consisting of multiple sheet pieces housed in the aforementioned storage unit, When the degree of inclination is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold, a reversal processing unit reverses the direction of the first sheet piece in the first direction corresponding to the inclination direction, A storage capacity determination processing unit that determines the amount of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section, A threshold setting processing unit sets a first threshold according to the capacity determined by the capacity determination processing unit, A sheet piece processing device equipped with the following:

2. The sheet piece processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the threshold setting processing unit sets the first threshold to a smaller value as the storage capacity increases, and sets the first threshold to a larger value as the storage capacity decreases.

3. The sheet piece processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inversion processing unit performs an inversion operation of the first sheet piece until the degree of inclination reaches a predetermined second threshold.

4. The sheet piece processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second threshold is 0 degrees.

5. The sheet piece processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second threshold is an angle tilted by a predetermined angle in the opposite direction to the tilt direction determined by the tilt determination processing unit.

6. The storage capacity determination processing unit counts the number of sheet pieces in the process of discharging the multiple sheet pieces already stored in the storage unit from the storage unit. The sheet piece processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction determination processing unit causes the identification unit to determine the direction of the sheet piece when the sheet piece passes through an identification unit provided in a first transport path that guides the sheet piece discharged from the storage unit.

7. The capacity determination processing unit counts the number of sheet pieces inserted into the sheet insertion section provided in the main body of the device, The sheet piece processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction determination processing unit causes the identification unit to determine the direction of the sheet piece when the sheet piece passes through an identification unit provided in a second transport path that guides the sheet piece from the sheet insertion unit to the storage unit.

8. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet piece is a banknote, a sheet of monetary voucher, a sheet of admission ticket, or a sheet of exchange ticket.

9. A sheet piece processing method applied to a sheet piece processing apparatus equipped with a storage section on the main body of the apparatus capable of accommodating multiple sheet pieces of the same type stacked in one direction, A direction determination step for determining the direction of the sheet piece to be housed in the housing section, A tilt determination step for determining the longitudinal inclination and direction of inclination of a sheet bundle consisting of multiple sheet pieces housed in the aforementioned storage section, If the inclination is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold, the inversion step involves reversing the direction of the first sheet piece in the first direction corresponding to the inclination direction. A storage capacity determination step for determining the amount of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section, A sheet piece processing method performed by one or more processors, comprising: a threshold setting step of setting a first threshold according to the capacity determined in the capacity determination step; and a threshold setting step of setting a first threshold according to the capacity determined in the capacity determination step.

10. A sheet piece processing method applied to a sheet piece processing apparatus equipped with a storage section on the main body of the apparatus capable of accommodating multiple sheet pieces of the same type stacked in one direction, A direction determination step for determining the direction of the sheet piece to be housed in the housing section, A tilt determination step for determining the longitudinal inclination and direction of inclination of a sheet bundle consisting of multiple sheet pieces housed in the aforementioned storage section, If the inclination is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold, the inversion step involves reversing the direction of the first sheet piece in the first direction corresponding to the inclination direction. A storage capacity determination step for determining the amount of sheet pieces to be stored in the storage section, A program for causing one or more processors to execute a threshold setting step, which sets a first threshold according to the capacity determined by the capacity determination step.

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