Document transaction device, document management system, and data processing method in document transaction device

Abstract

To provide a form transaction device, a form management system, and a data processing method in the form transaction device which can improve usability concerning forms.SOLUTION: In a form transaction device 1 that performs a transaction through use of a form, a control unit 54 acquires transaction data concerning a transaction through a display operation unit 4 and a reader 29 and based on the transaction data, generates issuer-oriented data for an issuer of the form. The control unit 54 outputs the issuer-oriented data to the outside through an I / F unit 56 at prescribed timing after the timing of executing the transaction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a form transaction device, a form management system including the form transaction device, and a data processing method in the form transaction device. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an automated transaction device that is installed in a financial institution and automatically performs fee payment transactions. A user who receives a slip on which information such as the amount of a fee to be paid is printed takes the slip to the financial institution and inserts it into the intake / ejection slot of the automated transaction device. When the user then pays the fee by inserting cash into the automated transaction device, the slip taken into the automated transaction device from the intake / ejection slot is cut after a receipt mark is written on it and separated into a receipt and a payment notice. The receipt is ejected from the intake / ejection slot and returned to the user, and the payment notice is collected in the automated transaction device and then sent to the payee of the fee (i.e., the issuer of the slip). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-81381 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a typical process at the issuer where a payment advice is sent after a transaction at an automated transaction device such as that in Patent Document 1, a clerk at the issuer confirms whether or not the fee for the issued form has been paid by deleting the form information corresponding to the payment advice from a list of issued forms prepared in advance. In this case, the clerk must manually unpack the group of payment advices sent from the financial institution, take out the actual payment advice, visually check the contents of the payment advice, and then search for the form information corresponding to this payment advice from the list, which places a heavy burden on the clerk and makes it desirable to improve usability.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a form transaction device, a form management system, and a data processing method in a form transaction device, which are capable of improving usability with respect to forms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a document transaction device that performs transactions using documents. The document transaction device includes an acquisition unit that acquires transaction data related to the transaction, a generation unit that generates issuer-oriented data for the issuer of the document based on the transaction data, and an output unit that outputs the issuer-oriented data to the outside. The document transaction device further includes a transaction unit that executes a transaction based on the document. The output unit outputs the data generated by the transaction unit. was carried out The data for the issuer is output to the outside at a predetermined timing after the execution timing of the transaction.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the document transaction device may further include a receipt issuing unit that issues a receipt indicating the content of the transaction executed by the transaction unit, and the predetermined timing may be a timing after the execution timing of the transaction executed by the transaction unit and a timing before the receipt issuing unit starts to issue the receipt. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the data for the issuer includes identification information for identifying the form. In one embodiment of the present invention, the data for the issuer includes at least detail data of the transaction.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition unit includes a reading unit that reads image data of the form from the form, and the data for the issuer includes the image data.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the output unit outputs the issuer-oriented data to the outside at the timing of processing by the processing unit. was carried out The data for the issuer may be output to the outside at a predetermined timing after the execution timing of the transaction. was carried out The predetermined timing may be when the transaction is completed. The predetermined timing may be when a closing operation is performed. The predetermined timing may be when the document transaction device is next started up. The document transaction device may further include an attendant operation unit operable by an attendant, and the predetermined timing may be a timing when a predetermined operation is performed on the attendant operation unit. The generating unit generates a plurality of the transactions executed by the trading unit. of The data for the publisher The electronic journals compiled It may be generated.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the document transaction device includes a processing unit for filling in documents and / or cutting the documents, and the generating unit generates format data for the format of the document based on the image data read from the document by the reading unit, and the output unit outputs the format data to the outside at a timing later than the processing timing of the processing unit.

[0011] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, if the output unit fails to externally output the data for the issuer at the processing timing, the output unit outputs the data for the issuer at a timing later than the processing timing.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the document includes required data for the transaction. The acquisition unit includes an operation unit operated by a user who performs a transaction using the document with the document transaction device to input the required data. The transaction includes a first transaction based on the required data included in the image data read by the reading unit and a second transaction based on the required data input by a user operating the operation unit. In the case of the first transaction, the output unit outputs the data for the issuer to the outside at the processing timing, and in the case of the second transaction, the output unit outputs the data for the issuer to the outside at the end of the second transaction.

[0013] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the document transaction device further includes a creation unit that creates an electronic journal about the history of the transaction.

[0014] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the output unit outputs the data for the issuer externally at least one of the following times: when the document transaction device is started, when an error that has occurred in the document transaction device is cleared, when the transaction data is canceled, and when the electronic journal is created.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a form management system including a form transaction device that performs transactions using forms, and a management device that manages a list of issued forms. The form transaction device includes a transaction unit that executes transactions based on forms, and a transaction unit that executes a transaction based on the forms. was carried out The system includes an acquisition unit that acquires transaction data related to the transaction, a generation unit that generates, based on the transaction data, data for an issuer of a document to identify a document that has been transacted, and an output unit that outputs the data for the issuer to an external device. was carried out The data for the issuer is output to the outside at a predetermined timing after the execution timing of the transaction. The management device includes an input unit to which the data for the issuer output to the outside by the output unit is input, and a cancellation unit to cancel data of a document for which a transaction has been completed from the list based on the data for the issuer input to the input unit.

[0016] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the document management system includes a relay device that relays the issuer-oriented data externally output by the output unit to the input unit.

[0017] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the document transaction device includes a first memory unit that stores the data for the issuer, and the relay device includes a receiving unit that receives the data for the issuer that is output externally by the output unit, a second memory unit that stores the data for the issuer received by the receiving unit, and a transmitting unit that transmits the data for the issuer stored in the second memory unit to the input unit.

[0018] Also, one embodiment of the present invention provides a data processing method in a document transaction device that performs transactions using documents. The data processing method includes an acquisition step of acquiring transaction data related to the transaction, a generation step of generating issuer-oriented data directed to the issuer of the document based on the transaction data, and an output step of outputting the issuer-oriented data to the outside. The data processing method may further include a transaction step of executing a transaction based on the document. The output step may include a step of outputting the issuer-oriented data to the outside at a predetermined timing after the execution timing of the transaction in the transaction step. The output step may include a step of outputting the issuer-oriented data to the outside at a predetermined timing after the execution timing of the transaction in the transaction step. The predetermined timing may be the end of the transaction in the transaction step. The predetermined timing may be the time of closing work. The predetermined timing may be the next startup time of the document transaction device. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, the usability of forms can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a form used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the form in a separated state after a receipt stamp has been written thereon; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a form management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a form transaction device constituting a form management system. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic side view showing an internal structure of a document transaction device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the document management system. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing a table stored in a management device constituting a form management system; FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a process performed in a document transaction device during a transaction. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a process performed in a document transaction device during a transaction. [Figure 10] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content of a display operation unit of the document transaction device; FIG. [Figure 11] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of display content of a display operation unit. [Figure 12] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of display content of a display operation unit. [Figure 13] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of display content of a display operation unit. [Figure 14] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of display content of a display operation unit. [Figure 15] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of display content of a display operation unit. [Figure 16] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of display content of a display operation unit. [Figure 17] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of display content of a display operation unit. [Figure 18] 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a process performed in a document transaction device during a transaction. [Figure 19]4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of display content of a display operation unit. [Figure 20] 2 is a schematic diagram of a receipt issued from the document transaction device. FIG. [Figure 21] 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a process performed in the document transaction device at the time of startup. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing the content of a process performed in the document transaction device when a predetermined operation is performed by a clerk. [Diagram 23] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a process performed in the document transaction device after business hours. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing an example of a document F used in an embodiment of the present invention. Document F is a payment slip or invoice issued by a government agency, a sales company, etc., and in this embodiment, it is a payment slip issued by a local government. Document F is delivered by mail or the like to a user who is to pay a fee such as a tax or utility fee, and then the user takes the document F to a financial institution such as a bank to pay the fee.

[0022] The entire document F is, for example, a rectangular piece of paper. In the document F, a receipt F1 that is returned to the user after payment of the fee and a copy F2 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction LD of the document F. The copy F2 in this embodiment includes an invoice F2A that is kept in a financial institution or the like after payment of the fee, and a delivery notice F2B that is sent to the local government that issued the document F after payment of the fee.

[0023] On the front FA of each of the receipt F1, delivery note F2A, and delivery notice F2B, there is pre-printed a title T, information J relating to the amount of the fee to be paid, i.e., the payment amount, and a frame-shaped stamp field R. The information J is not limited to letters and numbers, but includes various symbols such as codes (two-dimensional codes such as barcodes) that are intended to be read at convenience stores. The information J includes at least payment amount information J1 relating to the amount to be paid, and information J2 on the deadline for paying the fee, i.e., the payment deadline. Although not shown, the information J further includes personal information of the user (such as name and phone number) and identification information for identifying each document F.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, when the document F is delivered to the user, the receipt F1 and copy F2 are integrated. The document F has a boundary line L1 (see dashed line) between the receipt F1 and copy F2. The copy 2F has a boundary line L2 (see dashed line) between the delivery note F2A and the delivery notice F2B. The boundary line L1 and the boundary line L2 each extend linearly along the short-side direction SD perpendicular to the long-side direction LD of the document F, and cross the document F. The boundary line L1 and the boundary line L2 are straight lines printed on the document F in advance. In this embodiment, the boundary line L1 has a perforation M that extends linearly on the boundary line L1 along the short-side direction SD.

[0025] When a user takes document F to a manned counter at a financial institution, the clerk at the counter tells the user the amount to be paid based on the payment amount information J1 recorded on document F. If the date on which the user visits the financial institution is past the payment deadline in information J2 recorded on document F, a late fee may have been incurred. If the issuer of document F has already sent a reminder to the user, a reminder fee may have been incurred in addition to the late fee. The clerk at the counter then checks the surcharges, such as the late fee and the reminder fee, and tells the user the total amount obtained by adding the surcharge to the payment amount recorded in payment amount information J1 as the total amount to be paid. The user settles the fee by paying the fee informed by the clerk in cash or by credit card.

[0026] When the payment is complete, the clerk enters receipt stamp A, which is evidence of the completion of the payment, in each stamp column R on document F, as shown in Figure 2. The clerk then separates document F into receipt F1 and copy F2. When the clerk hands receipt F1 to the user, the transaction between the user and the clerk regarding the payment of the fee is completed. In other words, the transaction is not complete just because the payment has been completed, and the entire transaction is completed when receipt F1 with receipt stamp A is handed to the user after payment has been completed.

[0027] The receipt F2 is temporarily collected by the financial institution, and then separated into the delivery note F2A and the delivery notice F2B, which are then mailed to their respective destinations. When separating the delivery note F2A and the delivery notice F2B, the boundary line L2 may be cut with scissors or the like, or a perforation M may be provided in advance on the boundary line L2, and the delivery note F2A and the delivery notice F2B may be separated at the perforation M in the same manner as the boundary line L1.

[0028] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a document management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The document management system 100 includes a document transaction device 1 installed in, for example, an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) corner in a building of a financial institution, a relay device 101 installed in, for example, a backyard or the like in the building of the financial institution, and a counter terminal 102 installed at a counter of the financial institution.

[0029] The document transaction device 1 and the counter terminal 102 are communicatively connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 103 consisting of a wired or wireless communication line. The LAN 103 is connected to a public line 104 such as the Internet. The relay device 101 is communicatively connected to each of the document transaction device 1 and the counter terminal 102 via the LAN 103 and the public line 104, or via only the LAN 103. The relay device 101 may be a part of the document transaction device 1 or the counter terminal 102, or may be installed in a different location away from the financial institution.

[0030] The document transaction device 1 is an automated transaction device that performs a transaction between a user and a clerk using the document F that was performed between the user and the clerk in the previous explanation. The document transaction device 1 in this embodiment is a tax and public charge processing machine for taxes and public utility charges. The payment amount information J1 written on the document F is an example of required data in the transaction. The relay device 101 is a server that stores information on a transaction that has been completed by the document transaction device 1 as a transaction history. The counter terminal 102 is a so-called personal computer, and is operated by a clerk at the counter. In relation to the document management system 100, a card settlement server 105, a management device 106, and a dictionary server 107 are provided outside the building of the financial institution, and are connected to a public line 104. The card settlement server 105 may be owned by a credit card company or a manufacturer of a tax and public charge processing machine. The management device 106 is a server that is owned by the issuer of the document F (a local government in this embodiment). Note that the number of issuers is not limited to one, and therefore there may be multiple management devices 106, but the following description focuses on one issuer and one management device 106 owned by this issuer. The dictionary server 107 is owned by an organization (such as a dictionary distribution center) that manages the format data of form F.

[0031] 4 is a perspective view of a document transaction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The document transaction device 1 includes a vertically long box-shaped device body 2. On a front surface 3, which is a side surface on the front side of the device body 2, an upper area 3A is shifted one step rearward from a lower area 3B, so that a horizontally extending boundary area 3C is formed between the upper area 3A and the lower area 3B.

[0032] The upper part of the upper area 3A is provided with a display operation unit 4, which is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor with a touch panel. The display operation unit 4 functions as an example of an acquisition unit and an operation unit. In the upper area 3A, a recess 3D recessed toward the rear is formed in the area to the right of the display operation unit 4. In the recess 3D, a receipt outlet 5 and a card outlet 6, which are elongated slits on the left and right, and an input unit 7, which is formed of a PIN pad or the like, are arranged vertically. In the upper area 3A, below the display operation unit 4, a slit-shaped intake / discharge opening 8, which is elongated slits on the left and right, and a plate-shaped tray 9, which protrudes horizontally to the front, are provided.

[0033] In an upper portion of the lower region 3B of the front surface 3, for example in a region toward the right, a bill insertion slot 10 and a bill withdrawal slot 11 are provided in a vertical line, each having a shape of a slit elongated from left to right. The bill insertion slot 10 and the bill withdrawal slot 11 are opened and closed together by a shutter 12 bent into a substantially L-shape across the lower region 3B and the boundary region 3C. A coin withdrawal slot 13 is provided in an upper portion of the lower region 3B in a region to the left of the bill insertion slot 10 and the bill withdrawal slot 11, and a coin insertion slot 14 is provided at the same position as the coin withdrawal slot 13 in the left-right direction in the boundary region 3C. The coin withdrawal slot 13 and the coin insertion slot 14 are opened and closed together by a shutter 15 bent into a substantially L-shape like the shutter 12. The shutter 12 may be divided into a shutter that opens and closes only the bill insertion slot 10 and a shutter that opens and closes only the bill withdrawal slot 11. Similarly, the shutter 15 may be divided into a shutter that opens and closes only the coin dispensing opening 13 and a shutter that opens and closes only the coin insertion opening 14 .

[0034] The positions of the display operation unit 4, receipt outlet 5, card slot 6, input unit 7, take-in / out port 8, banknote insertion slot 10, banknote withdrawal slot 11, coin withdrawal slot 13 and coin insertion slot 14 can be changed as desired as long as they are easily accessible to the user. Also, the banknote insertion slot 10 and the banknote withdrawal slot 11 may be combined into a banknote deposit / withdrawal port, and the coin withdrawal slot 13 and the coin insertion slot 14 may be combined into a coin deposit / withdrawal port.

[0035] Transactions that can be performed by the document transaction device 1 include a first transaction, which is an automatic transaction using a document F, and a second transaction, which is different from the first transaction and does not require the use of a document F. To briefly explain the first transaction, a user first stands in front of the document transaction device 1. Then, the user places a document F, which is in a longitudinal and horizontal position in the front-to-back direction of the document transaction device 1 and has its front surface FA facing up, on the tray 9 so that the receipt F1 is at the end, that is, the copy F2 is at the front, and inserts the document F into the intake / ejection port 8. This causes the document F to be taken into the device main body 2 through the intake / ejection port 8. Then, the document transaction device 1 reads image data of the document F, and payment amount information J1 (see FIG. 1, etc.) included in the image data is displayed on the display operation unit 4 as the payment amount.

[0036] A user who wishes to pay in cash inserts cash into the open banknote slot 10 or coin slot 14. A user who wishes to pay by credit card inserts their credit card into card slot 6 and then inputs a PIN number and other information using input unit 7. Note that while the payment methods in this embodiment are cash payment and credit card payment, another example of a payment method is account payment, in which the user transfers money from their account to the payee. In that case, the user inserts their cash card into card slot 6 and then inputs a PIN number and other information using input unit 7.

[0037] When the above settlement is completed, in the document transaction device 1, receipt stamps A are entered in each stamp column R on the document F, and the document F is cut at the perforations M to separate it into a receipt F1 and a copy F2 (see FIG. 2). The copy F2 is collected in the document transaction device 1, and the receipt F1 is discharged from the device main body 2 through the inlet / outlet 8 and returned to the user. If change is given in a cash settlement, the change is returned to the user through the banknote dispensing port 11 or the coin dispensing port 13. In addition, a receipt showing the details of this transaction is issued from the receipt outlet 5. In this way, the first transaction is a transaction in which the settlement, the entry of receipt stamps A on the document F, the separation of the document F, and the return of the receipt F1 to the user are completed within the document transaction device 1.

[0038] On the other hand, the second transaction is a transaction in which, for document F that is not handled by the document transaction device 1, the user manually inputs the payment amount (payment amount information J1 written on document F) using the display operation unit 4, and the payment amount is settled by the document transaction device 1, and the counter clerk then enters receipt stamp A on document F, separates document F, and returns the receipt F1 to the user.

[0039] As described above, the first transaction is a transaction based on payment amount information J1 contained in image data read from document F, and the second transaction is a transaction based on payment amount information J1 manually input by the user operating display operation unit 4. Hereinafter, the first transaction may be referred to as a "normal transaction" and the second transaction as a "manually input transaction." The first and second transactions will be described in detail later.

[0040] Next, the main parts of the document transaction device 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the upper part of the document transaction device 1 as seen from the right side. The left side in FIG. 5 is the front side of the document transaction device 1, the right side in FIG. 5 is the rear side of the document transaction device 1, and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 5 is the left-right direction of the document transaction device 1. In the following, the description will be given using the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the document transaction device 1. For the sake of convenience, the receipt outlet 5, card slot 6, input unit 7, and the like described in FIG. 4 are omitted in FIG. 5. A document processing unit 20 as an example of a processing unit is provided in the upper part of the device body 2 of the document transaction device 1.

[0041] In relation to the document processing unit 20, a transport path 21 for transporting a document F inserted into the inlet / outlet 8 is provided in the device body 2. The transport path 21 is a space that extends along the trajectory of the document F transported in the device body 2. The width direction of the transport path 21 coincides with the left-right direction. The transport path 21 includes a first transport path 21A that extends horizontally rearward from the inlet / outlet 8 to just before the rear surface 22 of the device body 2, a second transport path 21B that curves from the rear end of the first transport path 21A and then extends downward, and a third transport path 21C that curves from the bottom end of the second transport path 21B and then extends forward.

[0042] The form F inserted into the intake / ejection opening 8 and taken into the conveying path 21 is conveyed in this order in the first conveying path 21A, the second conveying path 21B, and the third conveying path 21C. Therefore, in the conveying direction of the form F (hereinafter simply referred to as the "conveying direction"), in the conveying path 21, the first conveying path 21A is located on the upstream side close to the intake / ejection opening 8, and the third conveying path 21C is located on the downstream side away from the intake / ejection opening 8. The form F conveyed in the conveying path 21 usually advances along the front-rear direction while maintaining a posture in which two sides of the form F (the upper and lower two sides shown in FIG. 1) are aligned with the front-rear direction. The form processing unit 20 includes a conveying section 25, a collecting section 26, an intake / ejection section 27, a separating section 28, a reading section 29 as an example of an acquiring section, an alignment section 31, a writing section 33, and a detecting section 34.

[0043] The conveying section 25 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 40 arranged in a distributed manner over the entire conveying path 21. Each conveying roller 40 is a cylindrical body that is elongated in the left-right direction. The conveying section 24 also includes a motor (not shown) that rotates the conveying rollers 40 forward and backward. The forward rotating conveying roller 40 conveys the form F that is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the conveying roller 40 to the downstream side in the conveying direction in the conveying path 21. The reverse rotating conveying roller 40 conveys the form F that is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the conveying roller 40 to the upstream side in the conveying direction in the conveying path 21. The conveying rollers 40 may be arranged opposite to each other in a pair and in contact with each other in the conveying path 21. The two paired conveying rollers 40 rotate in opposite directions with the form F sandwiched between them to convey the form F to the upstream or downstream side in the conveying path 21. The other rollers (except for the correction roller 47) described later are also configured in the same manner as the conveying roller 40.

[0044] The collection section 26 is a space reserved in the device body 2 for storing copies F2 (see FIG. 2) of the separated documents F. The collection section 26 is connected to the downstream end of the third transport path 21C in the transport direction, that is, the front end of the third transport path 21C. The collection section 26 may be detachable from the device body 2 so that the copies F2 stored in the collection section 26 can be removed. Alternatively, the collection section 26 may be accessible from outside the device body 2 by opening a door (not shown) provided on the surface of the device body 2.

[0045] The intake / discharge section 27 is configured to take in a form F inserted into the intake / discharge opening 8 into the first transport path 21A, and to discharge all or part of the form F in the first transport path 21A to the intake / discharge opening 8. The intake / discharge section 27 includes at least a pair of intake / discharge rollers 41 arranged to sandwich from above and below the front end portion of the first transport path 21A adjacent to the intake / discharge opening 8, and a motor (not shown) that rotates these intake / discharge rollers 41 forward and reverse.

[0046] The separation unit 28 is configured to separate the form F at the perforations M, and is disposed downstream in the conveying direction, i.e., rearward, of the take-in / discharge unit 27 on the first conveying path 21A. The separation unit 28 includes a cutting member 42, an actuator 43, a first roller 44 and a second roller 45, and a motor (not shown) that rotates the first roller 44 and the second roller 45 forward and reverse.

[0047] The cutting member 42 is a cutter made of metal or resin, and the blade length direction of the blade tip 42A extends in the left-right direction. The cutting member 42 is movable in a movement direction (up-down direction in FIG. 5) intersecting or perpendicular to the first conveying path 21A so that the blade tip 42A can cut across the first conveying path 21A. As shown in FIG. 5, the cutting member 42 in the standby position is separated from the first conveying path 21A to one side in the movement direction (upward in FIG. 5). The actuator 43 is constituted by, for example, a motor, and moves the cutting member 42 along the movement direction.

[0048] At least one pair of the first rollers 44 and the second rollers 45 are provided along the first conveying path 21A. The two first rollers 44 in each pair are arranged opposite each other so as to contact each other in the first conveying path 21A, and the two second rollers 45 in each pair are arranged opposite each other so as to contact each other in the first conveying path 21A. Note that the first rollers 44 and the second rollers 45 may be arranged in a plurality of pairs in the left-right direction so as to overlap each other when viewed from the left-right direction. The first roller 44 is located upstream of the second roller 45 in the conveying direction, and the cutting member 42 is located between the first roller 44 and the second roller 45 in the conveying direction.

[0049] The reading unit 29 is disposed on the first transport path 21A downstream of the separation unit 28 in the transport direction, and crosses the first transport path 21A in the left-right direction. The reading unit 29 optically reads the image of the front side of the form F from above to obtain image data of the form F, and is configured, for example, by a line sensor such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor).

[0050] The alignment unit 31 is configured to correct the posture of the document F to eliminate the skew state, that is, to correct the skew, and is disposed around the separation unit 28 in the conveying direction in the first conveying path 21A. The alignment unit 31 includes a positioning unit 46, a correction roller 47, and a motor (not shown) that rotates the correction roller 47.

[0051] The positioning section 46 is formed in a block shape that is long in the front-rear direction. The side of the positioning section 46 that faces the first conveying path 21A is a flat abutment surface that is aligned with the traveling direction of the document F in the first conveying path 21A. The correction roller 47 is disposed at the same position as the positioning section 46 in the front-rear direction and faces the first conveying path 21A. Unlike the other rollers, the correction roller 47 rotates about a rotation axis (not shown) that extends in the front-rear direction. The document F conveyed in the first conveying path 21A comes into contact with the rotating correction roller 47 and is brought to the abutment surface of the positioning section 46. There are cases in which the document F is conveyed at an angle to the traveling direction, and by bringing the document F into abutment with the abutment surface, the document F is prevented from moving in a straight line. The posture of F is corrected and the tilted state is eliminated.

[0052] The writing section 33 is disposed on the first conveying path 21A downstream of the reading section 29 in the conveying direction, that is, at the rear end of the first conveying path 21A, facing the first conveying path 21A from above. The lower end surface of the writing section 33 is provided with a stamping section 33A for writing a receipt stamp A (see FIG. 2) in each stamping section R on the form F. The stamping section 33A is engraved with a pattern that matches the receipt stamp A reversed. The stamping section 33A may be composed of only this pattern, or a part or all of the stamping section 33A may be composed of a print head (not shown) composed of a dot impact printer or the like. In this case, the entire receipt stamp A and the date portion of the receipt stamp A indicating the date of payment are reproduced by the print head and printed on the form F. The writing section 33 may be capable of writing information other than the receipt stamp A on the form F. The form processing unit 20 also includes a drive section (not shown) such as an actuator that raises and lowers the writing section 33.

[0053] As an example, the detection unit 34 is disposed between the reading unit 29 and the entry unit 33 in the conveying direction. The detection unit 34 is, for example, a photointerrupter, and includes a light-emitting element 34A and a light-receiving element 34B disposed above and below the first conveying path 21A. When the form F is not present between the light-emitting element 34A and the light-receiving element 34B, the detection light (not shown) emitted by the light-emitting element 34A is received by the light-receiving element 34B. When the form F is present between the light-emitting element 34A and the light-receiving element 34B, the detection light is blocked by the form F. When the form F passes between the light-emitting element 34A and the light-receiving element 34B, the detection light is again received by the light-receiving element 34B. The detection unit 34 detects the passage of the form F between the light-emitting element 34A and the light-receiving element 34B by blocking or receiving the detection light in this way.

[0054] 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the document management system 100. In the device body 2 of the document transaction device 1, in addition to the document processing unit 20, a receipt printing unit (Receipt Issuance Department) The terminal is provided with a receipt printer 51, a card processor 52, and a cash processor 53. The receipt printer 51 is a printer or the like that prints receipts, and a laser printer or a thermal printer can be used as the receipt printer 51. The receipt printer 51 prints receipts and discharges them to the receipt outlet 5. The card processor 52 reads necessary information from a credit card inserted into the card slot 6 for credit card settlement, and discharges the credit card from the card slot 6 in response to the cancellation or completion of a transaction. The cash processor 53 counts and stores cash inserted into the banknote slot 10 or the coin slot 14 for cash settlement, calculates change, and dispenses cash for return, such as change, to the banknote outlet 11 or the coin outlet 13.

[0055] The document transaction device 1 includes a control unit 54 as an example of a transaction unit, an acquisition unit, a generation unit, an output unit, a processing unit, and a creation unit. The control unit 54 is configured by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a timer, etc. The display operation unit 4, the input unit 7, the document processing unit 20, the receipt printing unit 51, the card processing unit 52, and the cash processing unit 53 are electrically connected to the control unit 54. The control unit 54 controls the display content on the display operation unit 4, and accepts operations of the touch panel of the display operation unit 4 and the input unit 7 by a user, etc. The control unit 54 causes the document processing unit 20, the receipt printing unit 51, the card processing unit 52, and the cash processing unit 53 to execute their respective processes for the transaction. In particular, the control unit 54 and the reading unit 29 of the document processing unit 20 configure an OCR (Optical Character Reader).

[0056] The document transaction device 1 further includes a shutter actuator 55, an interface (I / F) unit 56 as an example of an output unit, and a memory unit 57 as an example of a first memory unit, as other components electrically connected to the control unit 54. The control unit 54 opens and closes the shutters 12 and 15 by operating the shutter actuator 55. The I / F unit 56 is connected to the above-mentioned LAN 103, and the control unit 54 can communicate with the relay device 101, the counter terminal 102, etc. via the I / F unit 56.

[0057] The memory unit 57 stores various information, and in particular, information for identifying the type of document F to be handled by the document transaction device 1 is compiled and stored in advance for each type of document F. Specifically, the memory unit 57 stores dictionary data 57A that is referenced when the control unit 54 performs OCR processing on image data acquired by the reading unit 29. The dictionary data 57A includes format data on the format of each type of document F. A plurality of format data are provided according to the type of document F to be handled. Examples of format data include the shape and size of the corresponding type of document F, the position of characters, numbers, etc., and the type of characters and numbers.

[0058] The form data also includes external identification information such as the size of the corresponding type of form F and the characteristic pattern of lines, position information of the seal area R on the form F, the presence or absence of perforations M, and information on the separation position on the form F. Dictionary data 57A including such form data is data that serves as a reference when identifying the type of form F from various information included in the image data of the form F. Various form data are registered in dictionary server 107. Control unit 54 can communicate with dictionary server 107 via I / F unit 56, obtain the latest form data stored in dictionary server 107, and update dictionary data 57A.

[0059] A form F for which corresponding format data exists in the dictionary data 57A is a form F to be handled by the form transaction device 1, and a form F for which corresponding format data is not registered in the dictionary data 57A is a form F that cannot be handled by the form transaction device 1. The form F that cannot be handled includes a form F on which some information, such as payment amount information J1, is handwritten.

[0060] The relay device 101 further includes a control unit 110 configured by a microcomputer, an I / F unit 111 connected to the public line 104, and a storage unit 112 as an example of a second storage unit. The control unit 110 and the I / F unit 111 function as an example of a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The I / F unit 111 and the storage unit 112 are each electrically connected to the control unit 110.

[0061] The management device 106 further includes a control unit 115 configured by a microcomputer, an I / F unit 116 connected to the public line 104, and a memory unit 117. The control unit 115 functions as an example of an input unit and a clearing unit, and the I / F unit 116 functions as an example of an input unit. The I / F unit 116 and the memory unit 117 are each electrically connected to the control unit 115. The management device 106 can be considered as a part of the document management system 100.

[0062] The memory unit 117 stores a list of forms F issued by the issuer (local government) that owns the management device 106, for example, as table 118 in Fig. 7. That is, the management device 106 manages the list of issued forms F. The table 118 stores various form information for each issued but unpaid form F, such as the issue date, issuer, type of fee to be paid, identification information assigned to each form F, personal information of the billing destination (i.e., the user), fee, and payment deadline. The issuer information may also include information on the recipient, that is, each department to which the fee is paid (for example, the water department in a city hall).

[0063] The process performed in the document transaction device 1 during a transaction will be described with reference mainly to the flowcharts in Figures 8 and 9. In the standby state, the display operation unit 4 of the document transaction device 1 displays a standby screen 61 shown in Figure 10. The standby screen 61 displays a guide message 61A, as well as touch keys such as a transaction start key 62, a manual input transaction selection key 63, and a staff call key 64. Note that all of the following names ending in "key" are touch keys.

[0064] A user who comes to a financial institution with document F (or a financial institution clerk at the request of the user) touches transaction start key 62 on standby screen 61. Then, control unit 54 of document transaction device 1 accepts that a normal transaction has been selected. On the other hand, when manual input transaction selection key 63 is touched, control unit 54 accepts that a manual input transaction has been selected. In this way, by touching either transaction start key 62 or manual input transaction selection key 63 on display operation unit 4, it is possible to select either a normal transaction or a manual input transaction. When clerk call key 64 is touched, control unit 54 calls a clerk, for example, by sounding a buzzer (not shown) provided on document transaction device 1.

[0065] When a normal transaction is selected by touching the transaction start key 62 (step S1), the control unit 54 takes in the user's document F (step S2). Specifically, first, in response to touching the transaction start key 62, the control unit 54 switches the display operation unit 4 to display a start screen 65 shown in Fig. 11. Note that a warning screen (not shown) may be displayed between the standby screen 61 and the start screen 65, for example, to warn the user not to insert a document F that is easily torn.

[0066] The start screen 65 displays an attendant call key 64, a guide 65A encouraging the user to insert the document F, and a cancel key 66 that is touched to cancel the current transaction. The start screen 65 may display an illustration showing the position where the document F should be inserted in the document transaction device 1. The user who has seen the guide 65A inserts the document F with its front surface FA facing upward into the intake and discharge port 8 so that the copy F2 is at the front. When the leading end of the document F on the copy F2 side is pinched between the pair of intake and discharge rollers 41, the control unit 54 rotates the intake and discharge rollers 41 and the conveying rollers 40 in the forward direction to take in the document F from the intake and discharge port 8 into the first conveying path 21A in the device body 2 (step S2). As a result, the document F is conveyed backward in the first conveying path 21A with the copy F2 at the front while maintaining a longitudinal and horizontal posture in the front-rear direction, and passes through the reading unit 29.

[0067] When the document F passes through the reading unit 29, the control unit 54 reads image data of the front side FA of the document F by the reading unit 29 (step S3). In step S3, the control unit 54 performs OCR processing by collating the image data of the front side FA read from the document F with the dictionary data 57A in the memory unit 57, thereby identifying the type of document F corresponding to the image data. The document F whose type has been identified by the control unit 54 is a document F that can be accepted by the document transaction device 1. Furthermore, the control unit 54 performs OCR processing by identifying characters and numbers contained in the image data, thereby acquiring payment amount information J1, etc., from the image data. The image data and the information contained in the image data (i.e., the information written on the document F) are an example of transaction data related to the current transaction.

[0068] A document F whose type cannot be identified by the control unit 54 is a non-receivable document F that cannot be accepted by the document transaction device 1. When the control unit 54 cannot identify the type of document F (NO in step S4), the control unit 54 returns the document F from the intake / ejection port 8 by reversing the conveying rollers 40 and the intake / ejection rollers 41 (step S5). Note that the intake / ejection port 8 may be divided into an intake port for taking in the document F and an ejection port for ejecting the document F.

[0069] When the control unit 54 is able to identify the type of document F (YES in step S4), it switches the display operation unit 4 to display a confirmation screen 67 shown in FIG. 12 while temporarily storing the acceptable document F in the transport path 21 (step S6). The confirmation screen 67 displays a staff call key 64 and a cancel key 66, as well as a guide 67A urging the user to confirm the payment details, a payment amount display field 67B, a payment slip display key 68, and a confirmation key 69. The control unit 54 displays the payment amount in the payment amount information J1 read from the document F in step S3 in the payment amount display field 67B. When the payment slip display key 68 is touched by the user, the control unit 54 causes the display operation unit 4 to display the image data of the front side FA of the document F read in step S3.

[0070] When the user touches the confirmation key 69 after confirming the payment amount, the control unit 54 switches the display operation unit 4 to display the input screen 70 shown in FIG. 13, and accepts the input of personal information for identifying the user (step S7). The input screen 70 displays the attendant call key 64 and the cancel key 66, as well as a guide message 70A for prompting the user to input personal information, a personal information display field 70B, an input key 71, a delete key 72, and a continue key 73. In this embodiment, the personal information is the user's telephone number, for example, and the input key 71 is a numeric keypad accordingly. The user inputs his / her own telephone number by operating the input key 71. The control unit 54 displays the telephone number input by the user in the personal information display field 70B. If the user inputs a wrong telephone number, the user can touch the delete key 72 to delete the input contents and re-enter the telephone number. The input screen 70 may also allow the user to input other personal information such as the user's name (for example, inputting the name in kana), and in this case, the input key 71 is configured by a keyboard.

[0071] When the user who has input the personal information touches the continue key 73, the control unit 54 performs the payment by cash payment or credit card payment as described above (transaction step, step S8). Therefore, the control unit 54 switches the display operation unit 4 to display a payment method selection screen (not shown), and accepts the user's selection of the payment method on the payment method selection screen.

[0072] When cash payment is selected, the control unit 54 switches to display a cash payment screen 74 shown in Fig. 14 on the display operation unit 4. The cash payment screen 74 displays the attendant call key 64 and the cancel key 66, as well as a message 74A encouraging the user to make a deposit, a payment amount display field 74B, a deposit amount display field 74C, a change amount display field 74D, and a completion key 75. The cash payment screen 74 may also display an illustration showing the position in the document transaction device 1 where cash should be inserted.

[0073] The control unit 54 displays the payment amount in the payment amount information J1 read from the form F in step S3 in a payment amount display field 74B. The control unit 54 displays the total amount of cash inserted by the user into the banknote insertion slot 10 and the coin insertion slot 14 as the deposit amount in a deposit amount display field 74C. If the deposit amount is more than the payment amount, the control unit 54 displays the difference as the change amount in a change amount display field 74D. When the deposit amount is equal to or greater than the payment amount, the user touches the completion key 75 to complete the settlement. Thus, in step S8, the control unit 54 accepts the payment based on the payment amount information J1 included in the image data acquired from the form F by the reading unit 29 in step S3 as a settlement for a normal transaction (transaction step).

[0074] When credit card payment is selected, the control unit 54 switches the display operation unit 4 to display a credit card payment screen 76 shown in FIG. 15. The credit card payment screen 76 displays the attendant call key 64 and the cancel key 66, as well as a guide 76A encouraging the user to insert a credit card into the card slot 6 and input a PIN, a PIN display field 76B, an input key 77, a delete key 78, and a continue key 79. In this embodiment, the input keys 77 are numeric keys. The user inputs a PIN by operating the input keys 77. The control unit 54 displays the PIN input by the user (more specifically, a black circle indicating the input of a PIN) in the PIN display field 76B. If the user inputs an incorrect PIN, the user can touch the delete key 78 to delete the input and re-enter the PIN.

[0075] When a user who has inserted a credit card into card slot 6 and then inputs a PIN number touches continue key 79, control unit 54 communicates with external card payment server 105 (see FIG. 3) via I / F unit 56. At that time, control unit 54 performs credit card payment based on information read from the credit card by card processing unit 52 (transaction step).

[0076] After the cash or credit card payment is completed, the control unit 54 processes the form F that has been temporarily reserved in the conveying path 21 (hereinafter referred to as "form processing") (transaction step, step S9). Form processing is a part of a normal transaction, and in this embodiment includes both writing a receipt stamp A on the form F and cutting the form F, but it may be only one of them. Specifically, the control unit 54 conveys the form F toward the intake and discharge port 8 by reversing the conveying roller 40, and at that time, corrects the posture of the form F by the alignment unit 31. Then, the control unit 54 adjusts the position of the form F in the conveying direction in the first conveying path 21A by the conveying unit 25, and then lowers the writing unit 33 to bring the stamping unit 33A of the writing unit 33 into contact with the front surface FA of the form F, and writes the receipt stamp A in the corresponding place on the front surface FA. Thereafter, the control unit 54 controls the conveying unit 25 to convey the form F after the stamp is applied until the perforation M of the form F reaches directly below the cutting member 42 of the separation unit 28. Then, the control unit 54 lowers the cutting member 42 from the standby position at least to the perforation M to separate the form F. The time required to write the receipt stamp A and cut the form F (i.e., the time required for form processing) is 20 to 40 seconds, depending on the length of the form F.

[0077] In step S9, the control unit 54 also generates an archive file for this transaction. The archive file is a file including data for the issuer of the form F, and the format is, for example, CSV. The data for the issuer includes at least detailed data for this transaction. The detailed data is broken down into, for example, the following items (1) to (17): Item (1) Name of the financial institution in which the document transaction device 1 is installed and its identification information (branch number) Item (2) Machine number which is the identification information of the document transaction device 1 Item (3) Processing date and time, which is the date and time when this transaction was made Item (4) Customer transaction serial number assigned to the user Item (5) Personal information entered by the user in step S7 (such as phone number and name in kana) Item (6) Type of transaction (regular transaction or manual transaction) Item (7) Payment method for this fee (cash or credit card) Item (8) Date of receipt stamp A entered on receipt F Item (9) Card slip number to be attached to the receipt issued later in case of credit card payment Item (10) Processing sequence number assigned to each document F traded on the same business day Item (11) The file name of the archive file to be generated Item (12) Payment due date as stated on Form F Item (13) Total and breakdown of charges listed on Form F Item (14) The issuer of document F (e.g. city hall) Item (15) Details of the issuer of Form F, i.e. the recipient (e.g. the water department in a city hall) Item (16) Type of charge (e.g. water charge) Item (17) Identification information for identifying each individual form F

[0078] The items (1) and (2) are pre-stored in the storage unit 57 of the document transaction device 1. The items (3) to (11) are acquired or assigned by the control unit 54 during a transaction. Items (12), (13), and (17) are acquired by control unit 54 through OCR processing in step S3. Note that, with regard to the breakdown of the fee in item (13), if an additional amount (late payment fee or dunning fee) has been incurred, the breakdown includes the additional amount and the payment amount, and the total of these is the fee. If an additional amount has been incurred at the time of issuing document F, information on the additional amount is recorded on document F. Each of items (14) to (16) is, for example, recorded in advance on document F, and is acquired by control unit 54 through OCR processing in step S3. If the aforementioned barcode is recorded on document F, item (17) is information on the barcode.

[0079] These items (1) to (17) are an example of transaction data related to the current transaction. The control unit 54 generates data for the issuer based on these transaction data and stores them as an archive file in the temporary storage folder 57B (see FIG. 6) in the storage unit 57. The folder name of the temporary storage folder 57B is set to a name including today's date, and archive files for all transactions performed today are accumulated in the temporary storage folder 57B. Note that when generating data for the issuer, not all of the items (1) to (17) are necessarily required as detailed data, and they may be appropriately selected. Also, there may be multiple temporary storage folders 57B depending on the number of issuers. Also, if the total fee (hereinafter referred to as "transaction amount") is a predetermined amount (for example, 10,000 yen) or more, the control unit 54 also includes the image data of the form F acquired in step S3 in the data for issuance. In this case, the format of the image data is, for example, encrypted JPEG. Note that image data of the document F may be acquired at a timing after the receipt stamp A is entered on the document F (that is, at a timing other than step S3), and this image data may be included in the data for issuance.

[0080] In step S9, the control unit 54 of the document transaction device 1 outputs the archive file generated for the current transaction from the I / F unit 56 to the outside. That is, in the case of a normal transaction, the control unit 54 outputs the archive file to the outside in parallel with the document processing at the timing of document processing in which the receipt stamp A is entered on the document F and the document F is cut in step S9. As described above, depending on whether the transaction amount is a predetermined amount or more, the control unit 54 judges whether the image data is also output to the outside as part of the archive file. Since image data is large in volume and therefore causes a large communication load, an archive file including the image data is output to the outside only when the transaction amount is a predetermined amount or more. Note that, for example, when the storage period of the archive file is determined by law, the archive file is output to the outside together with information on the storage period. The storage period may be changed depending on the transaction amount. For example, if the transaction amount is 10,000 yen or more, the storage period is set to seven years, and if the transaction amount is less than 10,000 yen, the storage period is set to any period less than seven years.

[0081] The external output destination of the archive file is the relay device 101. The control unit 110 of the relay device 101 receives the externally output archive file at the I / F unit 111 and stores it in the storage unit 112 (see FIG. 6). Specifically, individual folders 112A having a folder name that is a combination of the name and branch number of the financial institution (item (1) described above) and the machine number where the transaction was performed (item (2) described above) are provided in the storage unit 112, and under each individual folder 112A, date folders 112B having a folder name of the date, similar to the temporary storage folder 57B, are provided (see FIG. 6). Within each individual folder 112A, multiple date folders 112B having folder names with different dates are provided. There are multiple individual folders 112A depending on the number of branches of the financial institution, the number of document transaction devices 1, etc. The control unit 110 identifies an individual folder 112A based on the name and store number of item (1) and the unit number of item (2) contained in the archive file, and stores the archive file in a date folder 112B within this individual folder 112A that has the same date and time as the processing date and time of the archive file (item (3) described above).

[0082] The transmission and reception of archive files between the document transaction device 1 and the relay device 101 is performed by a mirroring process (synchronization process) between the temporary storage folder 57B of the document transaction device 1 and the corresponding date folder 112B in the relay device 101. The mirroring process is executed by cooperation between the control unit 54 of the document transaction device 1 and the control unit 110 of the relay device 101. As an example of the mirroring process, data that exists in the temporary storage folder 57B but does not exist in the date folder 112B is added to the date folder 112B. Also, data that does not exist in the temporary storage folder 57B but exists in the date folder 112B is deleted from the date folder 112B.

[0083] The control unit 110 of the relay device 101 transmits the archive file stored in the date folder 112B of the storage unit 112 from the I / F unit 111 to the I / F unit 116 of the management device 106, thereby relaying the archive file output from the document transaction device 1 to the I / F unit 116 (see FIG. 6). The transmission of the archive file from the relay device 101 to the management device 106 may be performed sequentially every time the relay device 101 receives an archive file from the document transaction device 1, or a plurality of archive files may be temporarily stored in the date folder 112B and then transmitted collectively at a predetermined timing. When the storage period of the archive file has elapsed, the control unit 110 sequentially deletes the archive file from the storage unit 112. In this case, the corresponding date folder 112B may be deleted together.

[0084] The control unit 115 of the management device 106 automatically deletes the data of the currently transacted form F from the table 118 of the storage unit 117 based on the data for the issuer in the archive file input to the I / F unit 116 (see Figs. 6 and 7). Specifically, the control unit 115 identifies the transacted form F linked to the same information in the table 118 from the personal information (item (5) described above) and the identification information of the form F (item (17) described above) contained in the data for the issuer. Then, the control unit 115 determines that the fee for this form F has been paid, and deletes the data of the form F in the table 118 (all the data in the horizontal row in Fig. 7). It is to be noted that, instead of deleting the data of the form F in the table 118, for example, a flag indicating whether or not payment has been made may be registered in the table 118, and the flag may be changed from "unpaid" to "paid". In this case, the data of the form F for which the fee has been paid also remains in the table 118.

[0085] In this way, the data for the issuer is deletion data for deleting the data of the paid form F from table 118. Note that the deletion of the data of the paid form F in table 118 is not performed automatically, but may be performed in response to a check and deletion instruction by an attendant. In this case, a monitor (not shown) is provided in the management device 106, and the data for the issuer in the archive file and the data of the corresponding form F in table 118 are displayed side by side on the monitor, so that the attendant can check by comparing these data. Note that it is preferable that the data in the archive file is not compressed so that it can be viewed immediately.

[0086] When the control unit 54 of the document transaction device 1 outputs the archive file to the outside in step S9, the control unit 110 of the relay device 101, which is the external output destination, transmits a success notification to the document transaction device 1 indicating that the external output has been successful in response to the completion of storing the archive file in the date folder 112B of the storage unit 112. If the control unit 54 receives a success notification from the relay device 101 within a predetermined time after the archive file is externally output, the control unit 54 determines that the external output of the archive file has been successful. The predetermined time is set to a value (e.g., 20 seconds) that does not exceed the time (the aforementioned 20 to 40 seconds) required for the document processing (entering the receipt stamp A and cutting the document F) in step S9. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has timed out, that is, if the control unit 54 does not receive a success notification from the relay device 101 even after the predetermined time has elapsed since the archive file was externally output, the control unit 54 determines that the external output of the archive file has failed.

[0087] A transmission reservation flag indicating whether the previous external output of the archive file was successful or not is stored in the memory unit 57 of the document transaction device 1. If the external output of the archive file has failed (NO in step S10), the control unit 54 changes the transmission reservation flag from 0 (zero) to 1 (step S11) and proceeds to the next step S12. If the external output of the archive file has been successful (YES in step S10), the control unit 54 keeps the transmission reservation flag at 0. Then, the process proceeds to the next step without making any changes.

[0088] In the documents F that have been taken in so that the copy F2 is at the top, after separation in step S9, the receipt F1 is located closer to the inlet / outlet 8 than the copy F2 and is sandwiched between the pair of first rollers 44, and the copy F2 is sandwiched between the pair of second rollers 45 (see FIG. 5). In this state, the control unit 54 reversely rotates the first rollers 44, and the conveying rollers 40 and the inlet / outlet rollers 41 that are upstream of the first rollers 44. As a result, the receipt F1 advances through the first conveying path 21A and is discharged from the inlet / outlet 8 to the outside of the device body 2, and is returned to the user (step S12).

[0089] When returning the receipt F1, the control unit 54 switches the display operation unit 4 to display a return screen 80 shown in Fig. 16. The return screen 80 displays the attendant call key 64, as well as a guide 80A urging the user to pick up the receipt F1 and a warning 81 to be careful not to forget to pick up items to be returned, such as the receipt F1. The return screen 80 may also display an illustration showing the position in the document transaction device 1 where the receipt F1 will be returned. Furthermore, if there is change, the return screen 80 may display a guide to the effect that the change will be returned after the receipt F1 is returned.

[0090] At the same time as the receipt F1 is returned, the control unit 54 rotates the second roller 45 and the conveying roller 40 downstream of the second roller 45 in the forward direction. As a result, the copy F2 moves backward in the first conveying path 21A, passes through the second conveying path 21B and the third conveying path 21C in this order, and is collected in the collection unit 26 in the device body 2.

[0091] If the user wishes to transact two or more documents F, the user inserts the second document F into the intake / ejection opening 8 in the same manner as the first document F, in response to the receipt F1 for the first document F being returned. When the leading end of the second, i.e., next document F, on the side of the copy F2, is pinched between the pair of intake / ejection rollers 41 (YES in step S13), the control unit 54 takes in this document F from the intake / ejection opening 8 into the first transport path 21A in the device main body 2 (step S2), and repeats the processing of steps S3 to S12 for this document F. The same applies to the third and subsequent documents F.

[0092] If there is no next document F to be inserted into the inlet / outlet 8 (NO in step S13), the control unit 54 causes the receipt printing unit 51 to issue a receipt showing the details of the current transaction from the receipt outlet 5 (step S14 in FIG. 9). At that time, the control unit 54 switches the display operation unit 4 to display a receipt issuing screen 82 shown in FIG. 17. The receipt issuing screen 82 displays the attendant call key 64 and also displays a guide message 82A encouraging the receipt receipt. The receipt issuing screen 82 may also display an illustration showing the position of the receipt outlet 5 from which the receipt is issued in the document transaction device 1. The receipt in the case of credit card payment includes the card slip number described above. In the case of cash payment, if change is given, the control unit 54 opens the corresponding shutters of the shutters 12 and 15 in step S14 to return the change. In that case, the guide message 82A also includes a guide message encouraging the receipt of the change.

[0093] The control unit 54 creates form data of the document F related to the current transaction based on the image data read from the document F in step S3, and outputs the form data from the I / F unit 56 to the outside (step S15). In this embodiment, the form data is output to the outside at a timing later than the processing timing of the document processing in step S9, but the form data may be created not in step S15 but in step S3, for example. The output form data is sent to the dictionary server 107 (see FIG. 3) and registered, thereby updating the latest form data in the dictionary server 107. In other words, the external output destination of the form data (dictionary server 107) is different from the external output destination of the archive file (relay device 101). In addition, in order to reduce the communication load, the form data may be output to the outside in a compressed state.

[0094] Finally, the control unit 54 checks the transmission reservation flag stored in the storage unit 57 (step S16). If the transmission reservation flag is 0, that is, if the transmission of the archive file in step S9 was successful (NO in step S16), the current normal transaction is completed. On the other hand, if the transmission reservation flag is 1, that is, if the transmission of the archive file at the processing timing in step S9 was unsuccessful (YES in step S16), the control unit 54 outputs the archive file again to the outside at a timing after the processing timing (step S17). If the external output of the archive file this time is also unsuccessful (NO in step S18), the control unit 54 keeps the transmission reservation flag at 1 and forcibly stops the transmission of the archive file (step S19). If the external output of the archive file is successful (YES in step S18), the control unit 54 resets the transmission reservation flag from 1 to 0 (step S20) and completes the current normal transaction.

[0095] On the other hand, the contents of the process when the document F brought by the user is the target of a manual input transaction will be described mainly with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 18. In this case, the customer selects a manual input transaction by touching the manual input transaction selection key 63 on the standby screen 61 (see FIG. 10) described above. Then (step S1), the control unit 54 switches the display operation unit 4 to display a payment screen 83 shown in FIG. 19, accepts the input of the payment amount by the user on the payment screen 83, and obtains the payment amount information J1 described on the document F (step S21). Note that the document F may have a two-dimensional code indicating the payment amount information J1 described thereon. In this case, the control unit 54 may accept the input of the payment amount information J1 by having the user hold the two-dimensional code over a reading unit (not shown) such as a two-dimensional code reader provided on the document transaction device 1. Payment screen 83 displays attendant call key 64, cancel key 66 and completion key 75, as well as a message 83A urging the user to input the payment amount, a payment amount display field 83B and a numeric keypad 84.

[0096] When the user operates the numeric keypad 84 to input the payment amount (payment amount information J1) for one item, that is, for one sheet of document F, and touches the confirmation key 84A of the numeric keypad 84, the control unit 54 displays the payment amount in the payment amount display field 83B. When the user has finished inputting the payment amount for document F and touches the completion key 75, the control unit 54 assigns the aforementioned processing serial number to this document F and links it to the payment amount.

[0097] Next, the control unit 54 displays the input screen 70 (see FIG. 13) as in step S7, accepts the input of personal information by the user (step S22), and links it to the previous processing sequence number. After accepting the input of personal information, the control unit 54 displays the cash payment screen 74 (see FIG. 14) or the credit card payment screen 76 (see FIG. 15) as in step S8, and performs the payment (step S23).

[0098] Next, similar to step S14, the control unit 54 displays the receipt issuing screen 82 (see FIG. 17) and issues a receipt 85 indicating the details of this transaction from the receipt outlet 5 (step S24). If payment is made in cash and change is due, the control unit 54 also returns the change in step S24.

[0099] However, the receipt 85 issued in the case of a manual input transaction is different from the receipt (not shown) issued in the case of a normal transaction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, the receipt 85 includes a title 85A, a guide 85B urging the user to take the receipt 85 to the counter, and a transaction content 85C of the current manual input transaction. The same information as the guide 85B may be displayed on the receipt issuing screen 82. The transaction content 85C includes the processing sequence number assigned to the current document F, personal information (here, a telephone number) corresponding to the processing sequence number, and the settled payment amount. The control unit 54 may automatically number the reception number, which is the order in which the transaction is accepted at the counter, and write it on the receipt 85, or may issue a numbered tag with the reception number written on it following the receipt 85. Of course, the numbered tag may be issued from a ticket issuing machine (not shown) separate from the document transaction device 1 in response to the operation of the user or a staff member, or in response to the issuance of the receipt 85.

[0100] Next, the control unit 54 generates an archive file for this manual input transaction (step S25), similar to step S9. However, in a manual input transaction, the document F is not imported into the document transaction device 1 and read, so the data for the issuer in this archive file does not include at least items (12), (13), and (17) that are read from the document F. Items (14) to (16) related to the issuer of the document F may be acquired by the control unit 54 by being input by the user through operation of the display operation unit 4 during the manual input transaction.

[0101] Also, in step S25, the control unit 54 changes the transmission reservation flag from 0 to 1. As a result, the control unit 54 outputs the archive file related to this manual input transaction to the outside through step S16 in FIG. 9 (step S17). If the external output of the archive file is unsuccessful (NO in step S18), the control unit 54 stops sending the archive file (step S19). If the external output of the archive file is successful (YES in step S18), the process to be performed by the document transaction device 1 for this manual input transaction is completed. In the case of a manual input transaction, the control unit 54 outputs the archive file to the outside in this way at the end of the manual input transaction (actually, there may be a certain amount of time lag). In the relay device 101 that has received the archive file for the manual input transaction, the control unit 110 associates the archive file with a transaction status flag of "incomplete" and stores the archive file in the storage unit 112.

[0102] In the case of a manual transaction, when a user who has completed payment at the document transaction device 1 brings the receipt 85 and document F to the counter and hands them to a clerk at the counter, the clerk compares the payment amount written on the received document F with the payment amount written on the receipt 85. If the payment amount written on the document F matches the payment amount written on the receipt 85, the clerk determines that the payment for this document F is complete, writes a receipt stamp A in each stamp column R on this document F, separates this document F, and hands the separated receipt F1 to the user. Then, the clerk operates the counter terminal 102 to send an instruction to the relay device 101 to update the transaction status flag in the archive file corresponding to this manual transaction from "incomplete" to "completed". In response to receiving this instruction, the control unit 110 of the relay device 101 updates the corresponding transaction status flag from "incomplete" to "completed". This completes this manual transaction.

[0103] It should be noted that a single manual transaction may be made for multiple forms F. In this case, in step S21, payment amounts for multiple forms F can be entered, and a separate processing sequence number is assigned to each payment amount. Then, in step S23, these payment amounts can be settled together, and these payment amounts and the corresponding processing sequence numbers are written together on receipt 85. Then, in step S25, multiple archive files corresponding to each form F are generated.

[0104] As described above, in the document transaction device 1, an archive file including data for the issuer of document F regarding transactions using document F is generated and output to the outside. Therefore, in the issuer that manages table 118, which is a list of issued document F, in management device 106, management device 106 can automatically receive the archive file output to the outside and delete the data of the transacted document F from the list based on the data for the issuer included in this archive file. In other words, the issuer can manage the handling of issued document F using electronic data rather than physical management.

[0105] As a result, the manual work by the issuer's staff in the cancellation process, which is post-processing of the transaction-completed ledger F, can be reduced, thereby reducing the burden on the staff. Furthermore, the cancellation process can be executed at a stage before the actual delivery notice F2B from the financial institution arrives at the issuer, and the issuer does not need to create cancellation data based on the delivery notice F2B as in the past. As a result of the above, the ease of handling of the ledger F can be improved. Note that in the cancellation process at the issuer, an additional check may be performed by comparing the delivery notice F2B mailed by the financial institution with the archive file, thereby improving the accuracy of the cancellation process.

[0106] In addition, in the case of normal transactions, the archive file is also output to the outside at the processing timing (step S9) of the form processing in which the form F is filled in and / or cut. This can shorten the waiting time of the user until the transaction is completed. The archive file is output to the outside using a processing timing earlier than the timing of the external output of the form data (step S15). Therefore, compared to the case in which these data are output to the outside at the same timing, the waiting time of the user until the transaction is completed can be shortened. If the archive file also includes image data of the form F, the capacity of the archive file becomes large, but by using the processing timing of the form processing, the archive file can be output to the outside efficiently. In this way, the archive file and form data for each form F are not sent to the outside at once, but are sent to the outside in separate timings, thereby reducing the communication load and shortening the time required for the transaction, thereby further improving usability.

[0107] Furthermore, if the external output of the archive file fails at the timing of the aforementioned report processing, a retry will be performed at a later timing, thereby increasing the likelihood that the management device 106 will receive the archive file, thereby helping to reduce the burden on the issuing staff.

[0108] The timing of outputting the archive file to the outside is not limited to the above-mentioned processing timing, but may have various variations such as timing after the completion of each transaction, timing of closing operations after the end of business hours of a financial institution, etc. For example, as shown in Fig. 21, when the power is turned on and the document transaction device 1 is started (step S31), the control unit 54 checks the transmission reservation flag stored in the memory unit 57 (step S32). This transmission reservation flag indicates whether there is an archive file that has not been transmitted at the time when the power of the document transaction device 1 is immediately turned off. That is, in step S32, the control unit 54 checks whether there is an archive file that has not been transmitted.

[0109] If there is no unsent archive file, the transmission reservation flag is 0 (NO in step S32), and the control unit 54 executes other processing to be performed after startup. On the other hand, if there is an unsent archive file, the transmission reservation flag is 1 (YES in step S32), and the control unit 54 outputs the archive file to the outside (step S33). If there is no success notification from the relay device 101 even after a predetermined time (for example, 900 seconds) has elapsed, the external output of the archive file has failed. If the external output of the archive file has failed (NO in step S34), the control unit 54 keeps the transmission reservation flag at 1 and stops sending the archive file (step S35). If the external output of the archive file has been successful (YES in step S34), the control unit 54 resets the transmission reservation flag from 1 to 0 (step S36) and executes the next processing. Note that if the temporary storage folder 57B exists in the storage unit 57 at the time of power startup, the archive file in the temporary storage folder 57B may be externally output regardless of the transmission reservation flag.

[0110] 22, in the document transaction device 1 after startup, when a clerk (which may be a maintenance worker) performs a predetermined operation such as inserting a dedicated key into a keyhole 86A (clerk operation unit, see FIG. 4) of a lock 86 provided in the document transaction device 1 and turning it to a predetermined position (YES in step S41), the control unit 54 switches the display operation unit 4 to display a clerk screen (not shown) for the clerk (step S42). The control unit 54 checks the transmission reservation flag stored in the memory unit 57 (step S43).

[0111] If the transmission reservation flag is 1 (YES in step S43), the control unit 54 displays, for example, a pop-up warning on the clerk screen in the display operation unit 4 to the effect that there is an archive file that has not been transmitted (step S44). After displaying the warning for a predetermined time, the control unit 54 ends the display of the clerk screen in the display operation unit 4 (step S45). The clerk who has received the warning may instruct the document transaction device 1 to output the archive file to the outside by operating the display operation unit 4, etc. On the other hand, if the transmission reservation flag is 0 because there is no archive file that has not been transmitted (NO in step S43), the control unit 54 ends the display of the clerk screen in the display operation unit 4 after, for example, a predetermined time has elapsed (step S45).

[0112] The document transaction device 1 may be provided with an error detection unit (not shown) that detects an error in the document transaction device 1, and a release key (not shown) that is touched by a clerk to release the error. For example, if an error occurs during document processing in step S9 in a normal transaction and the processing is interrupted, and the clerk touches the release key to start releasing the error, the control unit 54 resumes the generation of the archive file that was interrupted in step S9, and after externally outputting the generated archive file, executes the processing from step S10 onwards described above. However, in this case, the predetermined time that is the criterion for determining whether or not the external output of the archive file in step S10 is successful (the timeout described above) is set to 60 seconds, which is longer than the 20 seconds described above.

[0113] In the case of manual input transactions, it is assumed that the archive file may be output externally with the incorrect payment amount, etc., input due to a mistake by the user. In this case, the user or a clerk at the request of the user can input a cancel command to the document transaction device 1 by operating the display operation unit 4 or the counter terminal 102, so that a new archive file reflecting the correct payment amount, etc. can be output externally to the document transaction device 1 to replace the original archive file. This cancels the original archive file. Specifically, in response to the input of the cancel command, the control unit 54 of the document transaction device 1 creates a new archive file and transmits it externally. If the external output of the archive file fails, the control unit 54 changes the transmission reservation flag from 0 to 1. Therefore, the control unit 54 outputs the archive file externally again at the timing when the transmission reservation flag is checked thereafter.

[0114] For example, when business hours end at a financial institution where the document transaction device 1 is installed, a clerk touches a completion key (not shown) provided on the document transaction device 1 as a closing operation. In this case, as shown in FIG. 23, in response to touching the completion key (YES in step S51), the control unit 54 of the document transaction device 1 creates a paper journal in which the history of all transactions within a predetermined period (specifically, within today's business hours) is printed by the receipt printing unit 51 and issues it to the receipt outlet 5 (step S52). This history corresponds to a compilation of archive files (excluding image data) generated within the predetermined period. Next, the control unit 54 creates an electronic journal, which is electronic data about the history, and stores it in the storage unit 57 (step S53).

[0115] Next, the control unit 54 outputs the archive file stored in the temporary storage folder 57B to the outside (step S54). If a success notice is received from the relay device 101 within a predetermined time (e.g., 60 seconds), the external output of the archive file is successful. If the external output of the archive file is successful (YES in step S55), the control unit 54 deletes all archive files that have been sent from the temporary storage folder 57B or the temporary storage folder 57B itself (step S56), and transmits the electronic journal to a higher-level device (e.g., the relay device 101) (step S57).

[0116] On the other hand, if there is no notification of success from the relay device 101 even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the external output of the archive file has failed. In this case (NO in step S55), the control unit 54 pops up a warning screen (not shown) indicating that the external output of the archive file has failed, for example, on the display operation unit 4 (step S58). A retry key for retrying the external output of the archive file is displayed on the warning screen. The warning screen may also include a message urging the user to restart the document transaction device 1 or to retry the next day. If the clerk who has seen the warning screen touches the retry key (YES in step S59), the control unit 54 repeats the process from step S54 onwards. If the retry key is not touched even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the warning screen is displayed (NO in step S59), the control unit 54 changes the transmission reservation flag from 0 to 1 (step S60) and then transmits the electronic journal (step S57). In this case, the archive file in the storage unit 57 continues to exist. Therefore, the next time the document transaction device 1 is started, the archive file is output to the outside again (see FIG. 21).

[0117] Since an electronic journal that is easier to store and handle than a paper journal is created, usability is improved. The electronic journal is stored in both the document transaction device 1 and the relay device 103. The archive file deleted from the temporary storage folder 57B in the memory unit 57 of the document transaction device 1 is stored in another storage folder 57C (see FIG. 6) provided in the memory unit 57. The electronic journal may also be stored in the storage folder 57C. When the document transaction device 1 is started after that, it is assumed that there is a file that does not exist in the temporary storage folder 57B but exists in the date folder 112B of the relay device 101. For the file, the mirroring process at the time of start-up of the document transaction device 1 is skipped, and the file may remain in the date folder 112B as it is.

[0118] When an electronic journal is created, the operation of the paper journal may be discontinued, and accordingly, the processing of step S52 relating to the paper journal may be omitted. Note that cash balance information in the document transaction device 1 may be transmitted to a higher-level device in the same manner as the electronic journal, and may be remotely monitored by the higher-level device. The archive file may also include an electronic journal, in which case step S57 may be omitted, and the archive file including the electronic journal is output to the outside in step S54.

[0119] As described above, the control unit 54 may output the archive file to the outside at least one of the following times: when the document transaction device 1 is started (see Figure 21), when an error that has occurred in the document transaction device 1 is cleared, when transaction data (an archive file in which the payment amount, etc. has been entered incorrectly) is canceled, and when an electronic journal is created (see Figure 23).

[0120] The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0121] For example, in the document management system 100, the relay device 101 described above may be omitted, in which case the archive file is directly output from the document transaction device 1 to the management device 106 that is the issuer. As a result, a mirroring process is performed between the document transaction device 1 and the management device 106, and the archive file and the like are shared in real time.

[0122] In the above-described embodiment, a document F whose type could not be identified was treated as a document F that could not be accepted by the document transaction device 1; however, even if the type of a document F could be identified, a document F that is designated as not subject to normal processing by the document transaction device 1 may also be treated as a document F that could not be accepted by the document transaction device 1 and subject to manual input transactions.

[0123] The document transaction device 1 may be installed not only in a financial institution but also in a store such as a convenience store. In that case, a clerk at the store plays the role of the above-mentioned teller.

[0124] The document transaction device 1 in this embodiment can communicate with an external device such as a card settlement server 105 (see FIG. 3). For example, a communication trouble is assumed in which a communication line (for example, a public line 104) between the document transaction device 1 and the card settlement server 105 is temporarily cut off due to a malfunction on the card settlement server 105 side, a lightning strike, or the like. In the document transaction device 1 during the communication trouble, credit card settlement is not possible, but degenerate operation transactions using cash settlement are possible. The communication trouble is resolved by restarting the document transaction device 1. Specifically, after the document transaction device 1 is restarted, the control unit 54 of the document transaction device 1 automatically performs an online test with the card settlement server 105. If the transmission and reception of a signal for the online test between the document transaction device 1 and the card settlement server 105 is successful, the online test is passed, and the document transaction device 1 is in a state of recovery from the communication trouble. Since the online test places a large burden on the control unit 54, it is desirable to perform the online test at a time when no transactions are being performed.

[0125] Therefore, a predetermined waiting time is set in relation to the online test. If no transaction occurs within the waiting time, there is a high possibility that no customers are around the document transaction device 1, so the online test can be performed at a timing when no transaction is being performed. Specifically, when a communication problem occurs, the control unit 54 restarts the document transaction device 1, and after the restart, the transaction is performed by degenerate operation. If there is no next transaction between the end of the transaction and the elapse of the waiting time, the control unit 54 performs the online test according to the elapse of the waiting time. If the online test is passed, the document transaction device 1 is in a fully restored state, so the control unit 54 can perform not only cash settlement but also credit card settlement. When the document transaction device 1 is installed in an unmanned store, it is particularly convenient because it does not require an attendant to rush to resolve the communication problem. However, in the case of a problem that does not automatically recover even after restarting (such as error suspension or receipt paper shortage) or a problem that does not allow degenerate operation by cash settlement, the online test is not automatically performed and an attendant must rush to the site to deal with the problem.

[0126] The various features described above can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1. Document transaction device 4 Display operation section 20 Document Processing Unit 29 Reading unit 54 Control section 56 I / F section 57 Memory section 100 Document Management System 101 Repeater 106 Management device 110 Control section 111 I / F section 112 Storage section 115 Control Unit 116 I / F section 118 Table F Report J1 Payment Information

Claims

1. A document transaction device for performing transactions using documents, A transaction unit that executes transactions based on the form; an acquisition unit that acquires transaction data relating to the transaction executed by the transaction unit; a generating unit that generates data for an issuer of a document based on the transaction data; an output unit that outputs the issuer-oriented data to an external device; a receipt issuing unit that issues a receipt indicating the content of the transaction executed by the transaction unit, The output unit outputs the data for the issuer to an external device at a predetermined timing that is later than the execution timing of the transaction executed by the transaction unit and before the receipt issuing unit starts to issue the receipt.

2. A document transaction device as described in claim 1, wherein the data for the issuer includes identification information for identifying the document.

3. 3. The document transaction device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates an electronic journal that compiles the data for the issuer for a plurality of the transactions executed by the transaction unit.

4. A form management system including a form transaction device that performs transactions using forms and a management device that manages a list of issued forms, The document transaction device includes a transaction unit that executes a transaction based on a document, an acquisition unit that acquires transaction data related to the transaction executed by the transaction unit, a generation unit that generates data for an issuer of the document based on the transaction data to enable the issuer of the document to identify a transacted document, an output unit that outputs the data for the issuer to an external device, and a receipt issuing unit that issues a receipt showing details of the transaction executed by the transaction unit, and the output unit outputs the data for the issuer to an external device at a predetermined timing after the execution timing of the transaction executed by the transaction unit and before the issuance timing of the receipt by the receipt issuing unit, The management device is a document management system that includes an input unit to which the data for the issuer that is output externally by the output unit is input, and a cancellation unit that cancels data of documents that have been transacted from the list based on the data for the issuer input to the input unit.

5. A data processing method in a document transaction device that performs transactions using documents, comprising: A transaction step for executing a transaction based on a form; an acquiring step of acquiring transaction data relating to the transaction of the trading step; A generating step of generating data for an issuer of a document based on the transaction data; an output step of outputting the issuer-oriented data to an external device; a receipt issuing step of issuing a receipt showing the contents of the transaction based on the form, The data processing method, wherein the output step includes a step of outputting the issuer-oriented data to an external device at a predetermined timing after the execution of the transaction in the transaction step and before the issuance of the receipt in a receipt issuance step.

Images