Management system, management method, and management device

Abstract

If a malfunction occurs in one currency processing unit, the settings of other currency processing units are changed to compensate for the malfunction. [Solution] The management system comprises a plurality of processing units that perform processing related to currency, and a management device that manages the plurality of processing units and, when it detects a processing unit in which a predetermined event has occurred, sends an instruction to at least one processing unit to change the settings in order to respond to the event. The processing unit that receives the instruction changes its settings based on the instruction and operates based on the changed settings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management system, a management method, and a management device for managing a currency processing device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system for managing a plurality of currency processing devices has been used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that manages a currency processing device, detects a shortage of currency in the device, and requests a currency delivery company to deliver currency according to the type and amount of the shortage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=二十一]] [[ID=二十二]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to continuously use a currency processing device, detecting a shortage or excess of currency in the device and replenishing or collecting the currency has been conventionally performed. However, when a failure in the device is detected, in many cases, the use of the currency processing device has been stopped. Depending on the location of the failure, it may be possible to continue using the device after restricting a part of the functions of the currency processing device, but the restriction of the functions directly affects the user.

[0005] [[ID=三十八]] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above prior art, and one of its objects is to provide a management device, a management system, and a management method that can detect the occurrence of a predetermined event in a currency processing device and suppress the influence on the user caused by the event.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The management system relating to this disclosure comprises a plurality of processing units that perform processing related to currency, and a management device that manages the plurality of processing units and, when it detects a processing unit in which a predetermined event has occurred, transmits an instruction to at least one processing unit to change its settings in order to respond to the event. The processing unit that receives the instruction changes its settings based on the instruction and operates based on the changed settings.

[0007] In the above configuration, the plurality of processing devices include a first device that operates based on a first setting and a second device that operates based on a second setting. When the management device detects the occurrence of a predetermined event in the first device, it may change the second setting based on the first setting and cause the second device to execute processing to realize a part of the functions of the first device.

[0008] In the above configuration, the management device may detect the occurrence of a process that has failed to execute in the first device, extract information about the process from the first setting, and change the second setting based on the extracted information.

[0009] In the above configuration, the management device may extract at least some of the settings from the first setting of the first device, delete the settings from the second setting of the second device, and make the second setting include the settings extracted from the first setting.

[0010] In the above configuration, the management device may change the first setting to restrict the execution of the process that has malfunctioned, and switch the operation of the first device to degraded operation.

[0011] In the above configuration, the processing that the management device restricts from being performed by the first device and causes the second device to perform may include at least one of the following: a deposit processing of currency denominations for which there are problems with the processing of receiving them from outside the device and storing them in the storage compartment inside the device, and a withdrawal processing of currency denominations for which there are problems with dispensing them from the storage compartment inside the device and discharging them outside the device.

[0012] In the above configuration, when the management device detects that the process that was having trouble executing on the first device can now be executed on the first device without any problems, it may revert the changed settings of the second device to their original state and operate the second device based on the settings before the change.

[0013] In the above configuration, when the management device detects the occurrence of a processing device in which the amount of currency stored inside the device has increased to a predetermined amount requiring the collection of currency outside the device, it may change the settings of other processing devices to increase the amount of currency that can be stored inside each processing device before it is determined that the collection of currency outside the device is necessary, compared to before the change.

[0014] In the above configuration, when the management device detects that a processing device has reached a predetermined amount where the amount of currency stored inside the device has decreased and requires replenishment of currency, it may change the settings of other processing devices to increase the amount of currency that can be discharged from inside each processing device to the outside of the device before it is determined that replenishment of currency is necessary, compared to before the change.

[0015] In the above configuration, if the management device detects that it is no longer able to receive the confirmation request from the processing device that sends a communication establishment confirmation request at predetermined intervals even after the predetermined time has elapsed, it may change the communication settings of the processing device to extend the time interval at which the processing device sends the confirmation request.

[0016] In the above configuration, if the management device detects that it is unable to receive information transmitted by the second processing unit while receiving information transmitted by the first processing unit without any problems, it may change the communication settings of at least one of the first and second processing units to receive the information transmitted by the second processing unit via the first processing unit.

[0017] The management method relating to this disclosure includes the steps of: a management device managing a plurality of processing devices that perform processing related to currency, and detecting a processing device in which a predetermined event has occurred; the management device transmitting an instruction to at least one processing device regarding a setting change to respond to the event; and the processing device that receives the instruction changing its settings based on the instruction and operating based on the changed settings.

[0018] In the above configuration, the plurality of processing devices include a first device that operates based on a first setting and a second device that operates based on a second setting. When the management device detects the occurrence of a predetermined event in the first device, it may change the second setting based on the first setting and cause the second device to execute processing to realize a part of the functions of the first device.

[0019] The management device relating to this disclosure is a management device for managing a plurality of processing devices that perform processing related to currency, and comprises a communication unit for communicating with each processing device, and a control unit that detects when a predetermined event occurs in a processing device, changes the settings of at least one processing device, and operates the processing device based on the changed settings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the management system, management method, and management device described herein, for example, if a predetermined event such as a malfunction occurs in the currency processing device, the management device will detect it. The management device will change the settings of the currency processing device and operate the currency processing device with the changed settings, thereby mitigating the impact on users caused by the predetermined event. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overview of a management system including a management device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and specific examples of setting changes for a currency processing device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the management system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of setting change by the management device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of setting change by the management device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining yet another example of setting change by the management device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another example of an occurrence event and setting change.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, a management system, a management method, and a management device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overview of a management system 1 including a management device 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 1 includes a management device 10 and a plurality of currency processing devices 20 (20a, 20b, 20c...). The number of currency processing devices 20 included in the management system is not particularly limited. The currency processed by the currency processing device 20 may be both banknotes and coins, only banknotes, or only coins.

[0023] The management device 10 is communicably connected to each of the plurality of currency processing devices 20. For example, a server device composed of a computer device including a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit is used as the management device 10. The management device 10 may be a cloud server.

[0024] The currency processing device 20 performs currency processing. The type of currency processing device 20 and the currency processing it performs are not particularly limited. For example, the currency processing device 20 may be a device called a teller machine installed in a financial institution that performs currency deposit and withdrawal processing, or it may be an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). The currency processing device 20 may be a device called a settlement machine installed in a retail store that performs currency deposit and change dispensing processing during transactions with customers, or it may be a currency exchange machine that accepts currency deposits and dispenses currency of other denominations. Specific examples of the currency processing device 20 will be described later.

[0025] The currency processing device 20 stores various settings necessary for performing currency processing. The currency processing device 20 performs currency processing based on these settings. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the first currency processing device 20a performs currency processing based on setting A, the second currency processing device 20b performs currency processing based on setting B, and the third currency processing device 20c performs currency processing based on setting C.

[0026] The control device 10 collects and analyzes information related to currency processing from the currency processing device 20 (S1). This allows the control device 10 to manage the denominations and quantities of currency stored in the currency processing device 20, and to detect when a predetermined event such as a malfunction occurs. The control device 10 decides on a response to the detected event and instructs the currency processing device 20 to execute the necessary processing to achieve this response (S2).

[0027] For example, if the management device 10 detects an abnormality in the first currency processing device 20a based on information obtained from the first currency processing device 20a, it obtains setting A from the first currency processing device 20a. The management device 10 also obtains setting B from the other currency processing devices 20b. However, if the management device 10 has already obtained the setting, or if the management device 10 prepares the setting and distributes it to the currency processing devices 20, it can use the setting that the management device 10 has already stored. For example, settings related to the conditions and functions of currency processing performed by each currency processing device 20 can be stored in the management device 10 in advance. Settings stored by the management device 10 include, for example, the installation location of each currency processing device 20, the currencies handled, and the denominations handled.

[0028] When the control device 10 decides to change the settings of the first currency processing device 20a in order to respond to an event that has occurred in the first currency processing device 20a, it prepares setting R, which is a modified version of setting A with at least some settings changed, and transmits it to the first currency processing device 20a. The control device 10 then instructs the first currency processing device 20a to perform currency processing based on setting R instead of setting A.

[0029] When the control device 10 decides to change the settings of the second currency processing device 20b in response to an event that occurred in the first currency processing device 20a, it prepares a setting S, which is a modification of setting B with at least some settings changed, and transmits it to the second currency processing device 20b. The control device 10 then instructs the second currency processing device 20b to perform processing based on setting S instead of setting B.

[0030] The control device 10 may change the settings of only one of the currency processing devices 20a and the other currency processing devices 20b where a predetermined event occurred. The number of other devices whose settings the control device 10 changes in order to respond to a predetermined event that occurred in the currency processing device 20a is not limited to one, but may be multiple devices. For example, in addition to the second currency processing device 20b, the control device 10 may change setting C of the third currency processing device 20c to setting T, and have the third currency processing device 20c execute processing based on setting T.

[0031] In this manner, the management system 1 detects a currency processing device 20 in which a predetermined event has occurred and transmits instructions regarding setting changes to at least one currency processing device 20 to address the event. The currency processing device 20 that receives the instructions from the management system 10 changes its settings based on the instructions and operates based on the changed settings.

[0032] For example, if the control device 10 detects that a malfunction has occurred within the first currency processing device 20a, it changes setting A to setting R and causes the first currency processing device 20a to execute a different process than before the malfunction occurred, based on setting R. For example, the control device 10 restricts the execution of processes that utilize the malfunctioning component and switches the operation of the first currency processing device 20a to execute only processes that can be executed by the normally functioning components. In other words, the control device 10 switches the operation of the first currency processing device 20a to a degraded operation with some functions restricted.

[0033] The control device 10 can also change the settings S and T of other currency processing devices 20b and 20c to be different from those before the failure of the first currency processing device 20a, thereby causing them to execute different processes than before the failure occurred. For example, by changing the settings, the control device 10 can make possible the processes that the first currency processing device 20a could no longer execute due to degraded operation, in one or more other currency processing devices 20b and 20c.

[0034] Even if the currency processing device 20 malfunctions, another currency processing device 20 installed nearby can perform the functions of the malfunctioning device, minimizing the impact on users. The following explanation will specifically describe the case where the management device 10 manages two currency processing devices 20a and 20b. The currency processing devices 20a and 20b may process both banknotes and coins, or only banknotes, but the following example will mainly focus on banknotes.

[0035] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and specific examples of setting changes for the currency processing devices 20a and 20b. The upper part of Figure 2(a) shows the device configuration and setting example of the first currency processing device 20a. The second currency processing device 20b has the same device configuration as the first currency processing device 20a. Therefore, in Figure 2(a), only a part of the configuration of the currency processing unit 120 and a setting example stored in the storage unit 140 are shown for the second currency processing device 20b, and other illustrations are omitted. Corresponding to the second currency processing device 20b shown in Figure 2(a), Figure 2(b) shows the currency processing unit 120 and setting example of the second currency processing device 20b after setting changes by the management device 10.

[0036] As shown in the upper part of Figure 2(a), the first currency processing device 20a includes a control unit 100, an operation display unit 110, a currency processing unit 120, a communication unit 130, and a storage unit 140.

[0037] The operation display unit 110 functions as an operation unit for inputting various information related to currency processing, and also functions as a display unit for displaying various information related to currency processing. The communication unit 130 is used for communicating with external devices. External devices include the management device 10.

[0038] The memory unit 140 is a non-volatile memory device used to store various information necessary for the operation of the currency processing device 20. The information stored in the memory unit 140 includes identification settings 141 (141a, 141b) related to the identification unit 124 and storage settings 142 (142a, 142b) related to the storage unit 126.

[0039] The control unit 100 controls each part of the currency processing device 20. For example, a program corresponding to the control unit 100 is pre-stored in the memory unit 140 or a dedicated storage device. The functions and operation of the control unit 100 are realized when this program is executed by hardware such as a CPU.

[0040] The currency processing unit 120 processes currency under the control of the control unit 100. The currency processing unit 120 includes a deposit unit 121, a reject unit 122, a disbursement unit 123, an identification unit 124, a transport unit 125, a storage unit 126, and a recovery unit 127. The second currency processing unit 20b has the same configuration as the first currency processing unit 20a.

[0041] During deposit processing, when receiving currency from outside the device and storing it inside, the currency processing device 20 takes the currency received by the deposit unit 121 into the device one by one and transports it using the transport unit 125. The identification unit 124 identifies the currency transported by the transport unit 125 based on the identification settings 141 stored in the storage unit 140. The identified currency is stored in the storage unit 126 corresponding to the identification result, based on the storage settings 142 stored in the storage unit 140. Currency that cannot be identified by the identification unit 124 is rejected and taken out of the device by the reject unit 122. Currency stored in the storage unit 126 is reused for withdrawal processing. Currency that is too damaged to be reused is identified by the identification unit 124 and then collected in the recovery unit 127 instead of the storage unit 126. The recovery unit 127 stores currency that is not reused for withdrawal. The recovery unit 127 is used to store the currency that is recovered from the currency processing device 20 and taken outside the device.

[0042] During the dispensing process, in which the currency in the storage unit 126 is discharged outside the device, the currency processing device 20, based on the storage setting 142, dispenses the currency to be dispensed from the storage unit 126 corresponding to the denomination of the currency, transports it using the transport unit 125, and discharges it outside the device from the dispensing unit 123.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2(a), the storage unit 140 of the first currency processing device 20a stores identification settings 141a and storage settings 142a, while the storage unit 140 of the second currency processing device 20b stores identification settings 141b and storage settings 142b.

[0044] The identification setting 141 contains information necessary for the identification unit 124 to identify the currency. For example, the identification unit 124 is equipped with multiple types of sensors, such as an image sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a thickness sensor. The identification setting 141 includes information about the type of sensor used to identify the currency, information about the type of feature quantities obtained from the currency by each sensor, and information about reference data such as thresholds used to determine the feature quantities. For example, different identification settings 141 are prepared for different currencies, such as Japanese yen, US dollars, and European euros. Based on the identification setting 141, the currency processing device 20 obtains optical features, magnetic features, thickness, etc. from the currency and identifies the currency by comparing each feature quantity with the corresponding reference data. For example, when the image sensor equipped in the identification unit 124 captures an image of the currency and identifies the denomination of the currency by an identification process including template matching, the identification setting 141 includes template images for each denomination. Depending on the currency to be processed, such as Japanese yen, US dollars, and European euros, template images of the denominations included in each currency are used. In this embodiment, the term "denomination" may be used to refer to both the currency and its denominations.

[0045] The storage setting 142 contains the information necessary to determine where the currency will be stored. The storage setting 142 sets the correspondence between the multiple storage compartments 126 provided by the currency processing device 20 and the types of currency to be stored in each storage compartment 126.

[0046] In the example shown in Figure 2(a), the first currency processing unit 20a is configured to process two types of currencies: Japanese yen and US dollars, while the second currency processing unit 20b is configured to process two types of currencies: Japanese yen and euros.

[0047] Therefore, the memory unit 140 of the first currency processing device 20a stores identification settings 141a and storage settings 142a for processing Japanese and US currencies. The identification setting 141a includes data for the identification unit 124 to identify Japanese currencies and data for identifying US currencies. The storage setting 142a includes the correspondence between the multiple storage units 126 provided by the currency processing unit 120 and the denominations of Japanese or US currencies to be stored in each storage unit 126. Specifically, the storage units 126 are divided into storage units A (A1, A2…) for storing Japanese currencies and storage units B (B1, B2…) for storing US currencies, and the denominations to be stored in each storage unit 126 are set.

[0048] Meanwhile, the memory unit 140 of the second currency processing device 20b stores identification settings 141b and storage settings 142b for processing Japanese currency and European euros. Identification setting 141b includes data for the identification unit 124 to identify Japanese currency and data for identifying euro currency. In storage setting 142b, multiple storage units 126 are divided into storage units C (C1, C2…) for storing Japanese currency and storage units D (D1, D2…) for storing euro currency, and the denominations to be stored in each storage unit 126 are set.

[0049] If a malfunction or other failure occurs in the first currency processing device 20a, making it unable to process U.S. currency, the control device 10 will detect this.

[0050] For example, if the storage unit 126 used for storing US dollars malfunctions, or if a jam occurs in the storage unit 126 or the transport path leading to the storage unit 126, and the storage and dispensing of currency becomes impossible to perform normally, the first currency processing device 20a will start operating in a degraded mode, with its functions related to processing US dollars limited.

[0051] For example, the first currency processing unit 20a, once switched to degraded operation, will only process Japanese currency. Specifically, even if the first currency processing unit 20a receives US currency in the deposit unit 121, it will reject it from the rejection unit 122 and will no longer perform US currency deposit processing. Furthermore, the first currency processing unit 20a will also no longer perform US currency withdrawal processing.

[0052] The control device 10 detects that the first currency processing device 20a has entered a degraded operation mode that does not process U.S. currency. For example, the first currency processing device 20a may initiate degraded operation mode on its own and notify the control device 10 of this. The control device 10 may also detect the occurrence of a malfunction based on information obtained from the first currency processing device 20a.

[0053] For example, the management device 10 may detect that the rejection rate for US currency, that is, the ratio of rejected bills to the total number of US currency bills processed, exceeds a predetermined threshold, determine that a malfunction has occurred in the US currency processing function, and instruct the first currency processing device 20a to start degraded operation. The management device 10 may prepare operation settings based on degraded operation and transmit them to the first currency processing device 20a, and the first currency processing device 20a may change the operation settings stored in the storage unit 140 to the operation settings received from the management device 10 and start the degraded operation.

[0054] If the first currency processing unit 20a becomes unable to process US currency, the control unit 10 decides on a course of action based on the configuration information of the first currency processing unit 20a and the second currency processing unit 20b. For example, the control unit 10 determines which functions need to be implemented by which device in order to continue processing Japanese currency, US currency, and euro currency, and decides on the necessary actions. The first currency processing unit 20a becomes unable to process US currency due to degraded operation after the failure, but can still process Japanese currency after the failure. Therefore, the control unit 10 decides to change the currencies processed by the second currency processing unit 20b from Japanese currency and euro currency to US currency and euro currency. In other words, the control unit 10 decides to have the second currency processing unit process the US currency that the first currency processing unit 20a can no longer process.

[0055] The control device 10 extracts the settings related to US currency, shown in bold in Figure 2(a), from the storage settings 142a of the first currency processing device 20a. The control device 10 then modifies the storage settings 142b of the second currency processing device 20b by replacing the settings related to Japanese currency with the settings related to US currency extracted from the storage settings 142a of the first currency processing device 20a. In other words, the settings of the second currency processing device 20b are changed based on the settings of the first currency processing device 20a, which the control device 10 detected as having a malfunction.

[0056] The management device 10 transmits the modified storage setting 142b to the second currency processing device 20b. As shown in Figure 2(a), the setting of the storage unit C of the second currency processing device 20b, which was set to store Japanese currency, is changed to a setting to store US currency, as shown in the thick frame in Figure 2(b).

[0057] Furthermore, the management device 10 obtains the data necessary for identifying US currency from the identification setting 141a of the first currency processing device 20a and transmits it to the second currency processing device 20b. As shown in Figure 2(a), the identification setting 141a of the second currency processing device 20b, which was set to be able to identify Japanese currency and euro currency, is changed to the identification setting 141b that can identify Japanese currency, euro currency, and US currency, as shown in Figure 2(b). The second currency processing device 20b can then identify US currency using the identification setting 141b shown in Figure 2(b).

[0058] The control device 10, having decided to have the second currency processing device 20b process US currency instead of Japanese currency, may instruct the second currency processing device 20b to empty storage unit C so that two types of currency are not mixed in one storage unit 126. Upon receiving this instruction, the second currency processing device 20b moves the Japanese currency stored in storage unit C to the collection unit 127, as shown in Figure 2(a), and stores it in the collection unit 127, as shown in Figure 2(b). The Japanese currency stored in the collection unit 127 can then be collected from the device. In this way, by emptying storage unit C, the second currency processing device 20b can use storage unit C for storing and dispensing US currency, as shown in Figure 2(b).

[0059] The second currency processing device 20b, whose identification settings 141b and storage settings 142b have been changed by the management device 10, will be able to perform US currency deposit processing. If the storage unit C of the second currency processing device 20b is emptied, it will also be possible for the second currency processing device 20b to perform US currency withdrawal processing by replenishing the storage unit C with US currency.

[0060] The management system 1 determines how to respond to predetermined events such as failures based on pre-prepared settings. The example above is an example of a setting that maintains the types of currencies to be processed, but it is also possible to set it so that the storage setting 142 is changed according to the processing volume of each currency. In this case, for example, if a failure occurs in the first currency processing device 20a and it becomes unable to process US currency, the management device 10 compares the amount of each currency processed by the second currency processing device 20b within a predetermined time period in the past. If the processing volume of Japanese currency is less than that of Euro currency, the management device 10 changes the setting so that the second currency processing device 20b processes US currency instead of Japanese currency, as described above. On the other hand, if the processing volume of Euro currency is less than that of Japanese currency, the management device 10 changes the identification setting 141b and the storage setting 142b so that the second currency processing device 20b processes US currency instead of Euro currency.

[0061] Referring to Figures 3 to 7, another example of setting changes by the management device 10 will be explained. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management system 1. Figure 3 shows an example in which multiple currency processing devices 20 (20a, 20b), having a device configuration similar to the first currency processing device 20a shown in Figure 2(a), are installed in a store and used as payment machines for customers to settle the price of goods at checkout.

[0062] The first payment machine 20a and the second payment machine 20b shown in Figure 3 are examples of a currency processing device 20. The first payment machine 20a and the second payment machine 20b are the same type of currency processing device 20. The first payment machine 20a and the second payment machine 20b have the same configuration of the currency processing unit 120, including the storage unit 126.

[0063] Figure 4 shows the storage settings 142a for the first payment machine 20a and 142b for the second payment machine 20b, as shown in Figure 3. The storage settings 142a and 142b in Figure 4(a) show the settings before the change, i.e., while the first payment machine 20a and the second payment machine 20b are operating normally. The storage settings 142a and 142b in Figures 4(b) and 4(c) show the settings after a malfunction occurred in the first payment machine 20a, resulting in a change from the settings shown in Figure 4(a).

[0064] The first payment machine 20a and the second payment machine 20b are installed at the store's checkout counter and, as shown in Figure 4(a), are used for processing US currency with the same storage settings 142a and 142b. The first payment machine 20a and the second payment machine 20b are set to store $20 bills in the first storage section 126, $10 bills in the second storage section 126, $5 bills in the third storage section 126, and $1 bills in the fourth storage section 126. The fifth storage section 126 is set to store banknotes of denominations not stored in the first to fourth storage sections 126. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4(a), $100 bills, $50 bills, and $2 bills are stored in the fifth storage section 126. The fifth storage section 126 stores banknotes of multiple denominations in a mixed state. Although the payment machines 20a and 20b are capable of both depositing and withdrawing banknotes and coins, Figure 4 only shows examples of banknote storage settings 142a and 142b.

[0065] If a malfunction such as a banknote jam occurs in the first payment machine 20a and one of the storage compartments 126 becomes unusable, the operation of the first payment machine 20a switches to a reduced operation mode in which it performs currency processing using only the remaining four usable storage compartments 126. The management device 10, upon detecting this, decides on a course of action based on pre-prepared settings.

[0066] For example, if the second storage compartment 126 for storing $10 bills becomes unusable, the management device 10 changes the storage setting 142a of the first payment machine 20a shown in Figure 4(a) to the setting shown in Figure 4(b). Specifically, the management device 10 changes the setting so that the second storage compartment 126 is not used for storing and dispensing banknotes, and the fifth storage compartment 126 is used for storing and dispensing $10 bills. The storage setting 142b of the second payment machine 20b is not changed.

[0067] If the fifth storage unit 126 is filled with banknotes other than $10 bills, such as $100 bills, and the storage setting 142a is changed to a setting that stores $10 bills in the fifth storage unit 126, then when a withdrawal process is executed, banknotes other than $10 bills may be dispensed from the fifth storage unit 126. For this reason, for example, if the fifth storage unit 126 is set to be used only for deposits and a $10 bill needs to be withdrawn, the setting is changed to perform an alternative withdrawal by dispensing two $5 bills from the third storage unit 126. In this way, the settings for whether the storage unit 126 is used only for deposits, only for withdrawals, or both, and whether or not to perform an alternative withdrawal, can all be changed by the management device 10 by changing the settings of the related first settlement machine 20a.

[0068] If the storage setting 142a is changed, the 100-dollar, 50-dollar, and 2-dollar bills that can no longer be stored in the 5th storage section 126 may be set to be stored in the collection section 127, or the setting may be changed so that deposits are not accepted and even if deposited, they are rejected by the reject section 122. The settings for the types of bills to be stored in the collection section 127 and the types of bills to be rejected can also be changed by the management device 10 by changing the settings of the related 1st settlement machine 20a.

[0069] If the fifth storage unit 126 is unavailable in addition to the second storage unit 126, the management device 10 changes the storage settings 142a of the first payment machine 20a and 142b of the second payment machine 20b, as shown in Figure 4(a) and Figure 4(c), respectively.

[0070] The management device 10 changes the storage setting 142a of the first payment machine 20a to a setting where the second storage section 126 and the fifth storage section 126 are not used for storing and dispensing banknotes. The management device 10 also changes the storage setting 142b of the second payment machine 20b to a setting where the fifth storage section 126 is used for storing and dispensing 10-dollar bills.

[0071] The first payment machine 20a is configured to perform an alternative dispensing operation when a $10 bill is required, by dispensing two $5 bills from the third storage unit 126. The first payment machine 20a is also configured to reject $100, $50, $10, and $2 bills from the reject unit 122, or to store them in the collection unit 127, even if they are deposited. These configuration changes are also performed by the management device 10.

[0072] The second payment machine 20b is configured to store deposited $10 bills in the second storage section 126 or the fifth storage section 126, while the fifth storage section 126, which may contain banknotes other than $10 bills, is not used for withdrawal processing, and $10 bills are withdrawn from the second storage section 126. The second payment machine 20b is configured to reject $100, $50, and $2 bills from the reject section 122 or to store them in the collection section 127, even if they are deposited. These configuration changes are also performed by the management device 10.

[0073] The management device 10 determines whether or not the second payment machine 20b needs to take action based on the status of the first payment machine 20a that has experienced a malfunction. If necessary, it modifies the settings of the second payment machine 20b in addition to the settings of the first payment machine 20a.

[0074] The management device 10 modifies the settings of the second payment machine 20b so that the first payment machine 20a and the second payment machine 20b can continue processing money for as long as possible. As shown in the storage setting 142a in Figure 4(c), when the storage section 126 of the first payment machine 20a can no longer store 10-dollar bills, the management device 10 modifies the storage setting 142b of the second payment machine 20b so that it can accept more 10-dollar bills and continue processing for as long as possible. As shown in Figure 4(c), the management device 10 modifies the settings so that 10-dollar bills can be allocated to the fifth storage section 126 of the second payment machine 20b, allowing more 10-dollar bills to be stored in the storage section 126 of the second payment machine 20b than before the modification.

[0075] Thus, when the management device 10 detects a malfunctioning currency processing device 20, it can change the settings of another currency processing device 20 included in the management system 1 to address the malfunction. The management device 10 can also change the settings of the malfunctioning currency processing device 20. This minimizes the impact on users of the currency processing device 20. Note that the method of changing the storage settings 142a and 142b described in Figure 4 is just one example and does not limit the methods of changing the settings.

[0076] Figure 4 illustrates an example of changing settings in the same type of currency processing device 20. However, the settings may also be changed in a currency processing device 20 of a different type than the one that experienced the malfunction. For example, when changing settings for currency processing devices 20 of different models, the management device 10 can extract the settings from one device and add, delete, or modify the settings in the other device's settings to make them compatible. By preparing methods for adding, deleting, or modifying settings in advance, the management device 10 can execute the setting changes using the prepared methods.

[0077] For example, in the example shown in Figure 5, the device configurations of the first payment machine 20a and the second payment machine 20b are different. The first payment machine 20a has five storage compartments 126, while the second payment machine 20b has six or more storage compartments 126. Therefore, the storage setting 142a of the first payment machine 20a consists of settings for five storage compartments 126, while the storage setting 143 of the second payment machine 20b includes settings for six or more storage compartments 126.

[0078] If a predetermined event such as a malfunction occurs in the first payment machine 20a, the management device 10 can extract the settings of one storage unit 126 from the storage settings 142a of the first payment machine 20a and change the settings of one or more storage units 126 in the storage settings 143 of the second payment machine 20b to the settings extracted from the first payment machine 20a.

[0079] For example, if one of the storage compartments 126 of the first payment machine 20a can no longer hold a $10 bill, the management device 10 can change the storage setting 143 of the second payment machine 20b to a setting that stores a $10 bill in one storage compartment 126, or it can change it to a setting that stores a $10 bill in two or more storage compartments 126.

[0080] If a predetermined event such as a malfunction occurs in the second payment machine 20b, the management device 10 can extract the settings of multiple storage units 126 from the storage settings 143 of the second payment machine 20b and change the settings of one or more storage units 126 in the storage settings 142a of the first payment machine 20a to the settings extracted from the second payment machine 20b.

[0081] For example, if the two storage compartments 126 of the second payment machine 20b are no longer able to store $10 bills, the management device 10 can change the storage setting 142a of the first payment machine 20a to a setting that stores $10 bills in both storage compartments 126, or it can change it to a setting that stores $10 bills in one storage compartment 126.

[0082] For example, if one storage compartment 126 of the second payment machine 20b becomes unable to store a $10 bill and another storage compartment 126 becomes unable to store a $20 bill, the management device 10 can change the storage setting 142a of the first payment machine 20a to a setting where $10 bills are stored in one storage compartment 126 and $20 bills are stored in the other storage compartment 126, or it can change it to a setting where both $10 bills and $20 bills are stored in one storage compartment 126.

[0083] Figure 6 illustrates another example in which the management device 10 manages and changes the settings of different types of currency processing devices 20a and 20b. The storage settings 142a and 142b in Figure 6(a) show examples of the settings before the change, and the storage settings 142a and 142b in Figure 6(b) show examples of the settings after the change.

[0084] As shown in Figure 6(a), if a currency exchange machine 20b, which is an example of a currency processing device 20, is in use near the location where the payment machine 20a is installed, the management device 10 can change the settings of the currency exchange machine 20b in response to a malfunction in the payment machine 20a.

[0085] The payment machine 20a, similar to the examples in Figures 3 and 4, stores $20 bills in the first storage section 126, $10 bills in the second storage section 126, $5 bills in the third storage section 126, and $1 bills in the fourth storage section 126, based on the storage settings 142a shown in Figure 6(a), and stores banknotes of denominations not stored in the first to fourth storage sections 126 in the fifth storage section 126.

[0086] Meanwhile, the currency exchange machine 20b accepts the deposit of banknotes of the denominations set in the deposit item of the currency exchange setting 144 and performs a currency exchange process to dispense banknotes of the denominations set in the withdrawal item. In the example shown in Figure 6(a), if $100 or $50 bills are deposited, the currency exchange machine 20b performs a currency exchange process to dispense $10 bills equivalent to the deposited amount, and if $20 or $10 bills are deposited, it performs a currency exchange process to dispense $1 bills equivalent to the deposited amount.

[0087] With respect to $10 bills, when a $10 bill is deposited into the change machine 20b, it stores it in a designated storage compartment 126 that is assigned to $10 bills and dispenses 10 $1 bills from another storage compartment 126 that is assigned to $1 bills. When a $100 bill is deposited into the change machine 20b, it dispenses 10 $10 bills from the storage compartment 126 that is assigned to $10 bills, and when a $50 bill is deposited into the change machine 20b, it dispenses 5 $10 bills from the storage compartment 126 that is assigned to $10 bills.

[0088] As shown in the storage setting 142a of Figure 6(b), if a malfunction occurs in the second storage section 126 of the payment machine 20a and it becomes unable to store $10 bills, the amount of $10 bills that can be stored in the payment machine 20a decreases. The management device 10, detecting this, changes the exchange setting 144 of the change machine 20b, which is another money processing device 20 capable of storing $10 bills. The management device 10 changes the exchange setting 144 so that the $10 bills that can no longer be stored in the payment machine 20a can be stored in the change machine 20b. In other words, the management device 10 changes the settings of the money processing devices 20 other than the payment machine 20a so that a sufficient amount of $10 bills can be stored in the money processing devices 20 within the store.

[0089] For example, the management device 10 changes the exchange setting 144 as shown in Figure 6(b) to exclude $10 bills from the denominations that the change machine 20b can accept. After the change in the exchange setting 144, customers in the store will no longer be able to exchange $10 bills for $1 bills. The change in the exchange setting 144 prevents the number of $10 bills from increasing in the storage section 126 of the change machine 20b that is allocated to $10 bills.

[0090] An employee of a store where a currency exchange machine 20b is installed can perform a replenishment process to add banknotes to the currency exchange machine 20b, causing the assigned denominations of banknotes to be stored in each storage compartment 126 of the currency exchange machine 20b. Even after the currency exchange machine 20b stops accepting $10 bills from customers, the employee can perform a replenishment process on the currency exchange machine 20b to take $10 bills from outside the machine into the machine and store them in the storage compartment 126 to which the $10 bills are assigned.

[0091] Even if the fifth storage compartment 126 of the payment machine 20a becomes full and can no longer store $10 bills, the store clerk can have the $10 bills removed from the fifth storage compartment 126 of the payment machine 20a stored in the storage compartment 126 of the change machine 20b through a replenishment process. By moving the $10 bills from the payment machine 20a to the change machine 20b, the number of bills that can be stored in the fifth storage compartment 126 of the payment machine 20a increases, making it possible to continue using the payment machine 20a.

[0092] In the example described above, the management device 10 changes the settings of the currency processing device 20 when a malfunction or an increase in the rejection rate occurs in the currency processing device 20. However, the settings may also be changed in response to events other than malfunctions.

[0093] Figure 7 illustrates another example of an event and setting change. For example, when the storage section 126 of the currency processing device 20 becomes nearly full, the currency processing device 20 will perform a retrieval process to collect the currency from the storage section 126 and remove it from the device. When the storage section 126 of the currency processing device 20 becomes nearly full or full, it enters a standby state to wait for the retrieval process, and is unable to perform deposit processing until the retrieval process is completed. When the management device 10 detects a currency processing device 20 whose storage section 126 has become nearly full, or a currency processing device 20 that has entered a standby state for the retrieval process, it makes setting changes to restrict the processing content of currency processing in other currency processing devices 20 so that not all currency processing devices 20 enter a standby state for the retrieval process.

[0094] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the management device 10 modifies the settings of each currency processing device 20 to limit the maximum number of coins that can be deposited into a currency processing device 20 in a single deposit transaction for each denomination of coins stored in a storage unit 126 that is nearly full. For example, if a currency processing device 20 has a storage unit 126 that stores 10-dollar bills that is nearly full, the management device 10 detects this and modifies the other currency processing devices 20 to change the number of 10-dollar bills that can be deposited in a single deposit transaction from 50 to 30.

[0095] The management device 10 may also change the collection conditions of other currency processing devices 20. For example, each currency processing device 20 may be set to enter a collection standby state when the number of currency stored in a storage unit 126 capable of storing 1000 currency units increases to 900 currency units. When a currency processing device 20 enters a collection standby state, the management device 10, upon detection, changes the collection setting in the other currency processing devices 20 from 900 currency units to 950 currency units.

[0096] In addition, for example, if the storage unit 126 of the currency processing device 20 becomes nearly empty, a replenishment process is performed in the currency processing device 20 to replenish the storage unit 126 with currency from outside the device. When the storage unit 126 of the currency processing device 20 becomes nearly empty or empty, it enters a standby state to wait for the replenishment process, and is unable to perform withdrawal processing until the replenishment process is completed. When the management device 10 detects a currency processing device 20 whose storage unit 126 has become nearly empty, or a currency processing device 20 that has entered a standby state for replenishment processing, it changes the settings of other currency processing devices 20 to restrict the processing content of currency processing so that not all currency processing devices 20 enter a standby state for replenishment processing.

[0097] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the management device 10 modifies the settings of each currency processing device 20 to limit the maximum number of coins that can be dispensed in a single dispensing operation for coins of a denomination that are nearly empty from the storage unit 126. For example, if a currency processing device 20 has a storage unit 126 that stores 10-dollar bills that is nearly empty, the management device 10 detects this and changes the number of 10-dollar bills that can be dispensed in a single dispensing operation in the other currency processing devices 20 from up to 50 to 30.

[0098] The control device 10 may also change the replenishment conditions of other currency processing devices 20. For example, suppose a storage unit 126 capable of storing 1000 coins is set up so that when the number of coins stored in it decreases to 100, it enters a standby state for replenishment processing. When a currency processing device 20 enters a standby state for replenishment processing, the control device 10 detects this and changes the replenishment condition in the other currency processing devices 20 from 100 coins to 50 coins.

[0099] The management device 10 is not limited to changing settings related to currency processing, but may also change other settings. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the management device 10 may detect a communication anomaly and change the communication settings of the currency processing device 20.

[0100] Each currency processing device 20 performs a process at predetermined intervals to confirm that it can communicate with the management device 10, and is configured to consider a communication error if the time until communication is established exceeds a threshold.

[0101] When the management device 10 detects that a currency processing device 20 has experienced a communication error, it changes the communication settings of the currency processing device 20 to increase the threshold time used to determine the communication error. For example, if the management device 10 detects that it has not received a confirmation request from the currency processing device 20, which sends a confirmation request at predetermined intervals, even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it changes the communication settings of the currency processing device 20 to extend the time interval at which the confirmation request is sent.

[0102] If the management device 10 detects a communication error in the first currency processing device 20a, it may change the communication settings of at least one of the first currency processing device 20a and other devices so that it can receive information from the first currency processing device 20a via other devices. For example, if the management device 10 detects that it is receiving information from the second currency processing device 20b but is unable to receive information from the first currency processing device 20a, it may change the communication settings of the first currency processing device 20a and the second currency processing device 20b so that it can receive information transmitted by the first currency processing device 20a via the second currency processing device 20b.

[0103] In addition, if an operation is performed to change the denominations or amount of change reserves in the change reserve setting of one of the multiple currency processing devices 20 installed in the store, the management device 10 that detects this operation may change the change reserve settings of the other currency processing devices 20 to the same setting. Furthermore, if the execution time of the process (closing process) that identifies and counts the currency in the storage unit 126 to determine the store's daily sales (closing process) is changed in one currency processing device 20, the management device 10 that detects this operation may change the closing process settings of the other currency processing devices 20 to the same setting.

[0104] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the management device 10, upon detecting the occurrence of a predetermined event, changes the settings of the currency processing device 20. However, the setting change by the management device 10 includes a process to revert the changed settings to their original settings. For example, in the example shown in Figure 2, if a failure occurs in the first currency processing device 20a, and the settings of the first currency processing device 20a and the second currency processing device 20b are changed, and then the first currency processing device 20a recovers from the failure and becomes able to perform currency processing normally, the management device 10 detects this. Upon detecting the recovery from the failure, the management device 10 reverts the settings of the first currency processing device 20a and the second currency processing device 20b to their previous settings, so that the first currency processing device 20a and the second currency processing device 20b can perform currency processing as before the failure occurred. Similarly, in the other examples described above, the management device 10 detects the resolution of the event that caused the change in the settings of the currency processing device 20 and reverts the settings, so that each currency processing device 20 can perform its respective processes normally based on the settings before the change. For example, when the management device 10 changes the settings of the currency processing device 20, it can store the previous settings in the storage unit of the management device 10 and then execute a process to restore the settings to their original state.

[0105] In this embodiment, the management system 1 is shown as being composed of a management device 10 and a currency processing device 20. However, this configuration is functionally schematic, and the system configuration is not physically limited to this configuration. One of the multiple currency processing devices 20 may implement some or all of the functions and operations of the management device 10. The functions and operations of the management device 10 described above may be implemented using multiple devices. The form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to the example described above, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions.

[0106] While embodiments of the management system 1 and control device 10 of the currency processing device 20 according to this disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings, the configuration and operation of the management system 1 and control device 10 are not limited to the above embodiments, and may be implemented in various ways based on the knowledge of a person skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0107] The management system, management method, and management device according to the present invention are useful for improving convenience for stores and customers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1 Management System 10 Management device 20 (20a, 20b) Currency processing equipment (payment machines, currency exchange machines) 100 Control Unit 110 Operation display section 120 Currency Processing Department 121 Deposit Section 122 Reject section 123 Withdrawal Department 124 Identification Unit 125 Conveying section 126 Storage compartment 127 Recovery Section 130 Communications Department 140 Storage section

Claims

1. Multiple processing units that perform monetary processing, A management device that manages the aforementioned multiple processing units and, when it detects a processing unit in which a predetermined event has occurred, transmits instructions for changing settings to address the event to at least one processing unit. Equipped with, Upon receiving the aforementioned instruction, the processing unit changes its settings based on the instruction and operates based on the changed settings. A management system characterized by the following features.

2. The plurality of processing devices include a first device that operates based on a first setting and a second device that operates based on a second setting. When the management device detects the occurrence of a predetermined event in the first device, it changes the second setting based on the first setting and causes the second device to execute processing to realize a part of the functions of the first device. The management system according to feature 1.

3. The management device detects when a process fails to execute on the first device, extracts information about the process from the first setting, and changes the second setting based on the extracted information. The management system according to claim 2, characterized by the features described above.

4. The management device extracts at least some of the settings from the first settings of the first device, deletes the settings from the second settings of the second device, and sets the second settings to include the settings extracted from the first settings. The management system according to claim 3.

5. The management device changes the first setting to restrict the execution of the process that has malfunctioned, and switches the operation of the first device to a degraded operation mode. The management system according to claim 3.

6. The processes that the management device restricts from being executed by the first device and causes the second device to execute include at least one of the following: deposit processing for currency denominations that have problems receiving from outside the device and storing in the storage compartment inside the device, and withdrawal processing for currency denominations that have problems dispensing from the storage compartment inside the device and discharging outside the device. The management system according to claim 5, characterized in that it is a feature of the present invention.

7. When the management device detects that the process that was failing to run on the first device can now be run on the first device without problems, it restores the modified settings of the second device to their original state and operates the second device based on the settings before the change. The management system according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

8. The aforementioned control device is When a processing device detects that the amount of currency stored inside has increased to a predetermined level requiring the collection of currency from the device, By changing the settings of other processing devices, the amount of currency that can be stored within each processing device before it is determined that currency retrieval from the device is necessary is increased compared to before the change. The management system according to feature 1.

9. The aforementioned control device is When a processing device detects that the amount of currency stored inside has decreased to a predetermined amount requiring replenishment, By changing the settings of other processing devices, the amount of currency that can be discharged from each processing device before it is determined that a currency replenishment is needed is increased compared to before the change. The management system according to feature 1.

10. The aforementioned control device is When a processing device that sends a communication establishment confirmation request at predetermined intervals detects that it is no longer able to receive the confirmation request even after the predetermined time has elapsed, The communication settings of the processing device are changed to extend the time interval at which the processing device transmits the confirmation request. The management system according to feature 1.

11. The aforementioned control device is If the system detects that it is receiving information transmitted by the first processing unit without any problems, but is experiencing difficulties in receiving information transmitted by the second processing unit, The communication settings of at least one of the first and second processing units are changed so that information transmitted by the second processing unit is received via the first processing unit. The management system according to feature 1.

12. The management device manages multiple processing units that perform currency-related processing, and detects the processing unit in which a predetermined event has occurred. The management device transmits instructions for changing settings to respond to the event to at least one processing unit, The process involves the processing unit receiving the instruction changing its settings based on the instruction and operating based on the changed settings. A management method characterized by including the following.

13. The plurality of processing devices include a first device that operates based on a first setting and a second device that operates based on a second setting. When the management device detects the occurrence of a predetermined event in the first device, it changes the second setting based on the first setting and causes the second device to execute processing to realize a part of the functions of the first device. The management method according to feature 12.

14. A control device for managing multiple processing devices that perform monetary processing, A communication unit for communicating with each processing unit, A control unit that detects when a predetermined event occurs in a processing unit, changes the settings of at least one processing unit, and operates the processing unit based on the changed settings. A control device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

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