Paper processing system

Abstract

To control operational delays in subsequent processes even in the case that an abnormality has occurred in inspection of paper sheets.SOLUTION: An inspection unit in a paper sheet processing system includes: a transport unit that transports a predetermined number of fed sequentially numbered paper sheets one at a time; an inspection unit that inspects the paper sheets being transported by the transport unit; a sealing unit that makes a sealed bundle by banding a predetermined number of paper sheets in a sequence that maintains the sequential numbering order when there is no paper sheet that is determined to be abnormal by the inspection unit; a storage unit that stores alternative bundles of the same size as the sealed bundles, with identification information attached; an abnormality processing unit that performs processing to map the identification information of the alternative bundle stored in the storage unit with the inspection information of the paper sheets that are determined to be abnormal when there is a paper sheet that is determined to be abnormal by the inspection unit; and an ejection unit that ejects the sealed bundle sealed by the sealing unit and ejects the alternative bundle as a substitute for the sealed bundle consisting of a predetermined number of paper sheets including the paper sheets determined to be abnormal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a paper sheet processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, there are cases where paper sheets (banknotes, securities, lottery tickets, etc.) on which serial numbers are printed are inspected. In such cases, in a conventional paper sheet processing system, for example, an inspection device first receives a predetermined number of unsealed paper sheets (for example, one thousand sheets), inspects the paper sheets one by one, seals them, and discharges a sealed bundle (for example, a one-thousand-sheet sealed bundle (hereinafter also referred to as a "thousand-sheet bundle")). Then, an operator loads a plurality of sealed bundles as a bundle group (for example, a one-thousand-sheet bundle group) on a dedicated cart, moves the dedicated cart to a packaging device, and inputs the bundle group into the packaging device. The packaging device then packages the bundle group.

[0003] Hereinafter, the paper sheets that pass and fail the inspection by the inspection device will be referred to as normal paper and abnormal paper, respectively. The inspection device removes the abnormal paper from the transport path and stacks it in a specified location. At that time, in order to maintain the sequential numbering of the paper sheets, the operation of the inspection device is stopped and an operator inserts a replacement paper in the location where the abnormal paper was. After that, the inspection device resumes operation and prints a message on the sealed bundle that has been conveyed out indicating that a replacement paper has been mixed in.

[0004] Furthermore, when replacement normal paper is prepared in a separate process, the worker opens the sealed bundle containing the replacement paper, removes the replacement paper, and replaces it with the normal paper. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional technology, when an abnormal sheet is detected in the inspection device, the loading order of the sealed bundles on the special cart must be maintained until the sealed bundles replaced with normal sheets are ready, which causes a problem of delaying the start of the operation of the packaging device in the next process.

[0006] Therefore, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a paper sheet processing system that can suppress operational delays in subsequent processes even if an abnormality occurs during inspection of a paper sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The paper sheet processing system of the embodiment includes an inspection device and a packaging device. The inspection device includes a transport unit that transports a predetermined number of inserted paper sheets with serial numbers one by one, an inspection unit that inspects the paper sheets transported by the transport unit, a sealing unit that seals the predetermined number of paper sheets while maintaining the order of the serial numbers to create a sealed bundle when there are no paper sheets determined to be abnormal by the inspection unit, a storage unit that stores a replacement bundle that has the same dimensions as the sealed bundle and is provided with identification information, an abnormality processing unit that performs a process of matching the identification information of the replacement bundle stored in the storage unit with the inspection information of the paper sheets determined to be abnormal when there are paper sheets determined to be abnormal by the inspection unit, and a discharge unit that discharges the sealed bundle sealed by the sealing unit and discharges the replacement bundle as a substitute for the sealed bundle consisting of the predetermined number of paper sheets including the paper sheets determined to be abnormal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a paper processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an individual thousand sheets, a thousand sheets sealed bundle, and a dummy bundle according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the paper processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the operation of the inspection device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of the inspection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of a packaging device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the inspection device of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the packaging device of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a paper sheet processing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] First, the configuration of the paper sheet processing system S will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6. Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the paper sheet processing system S of the embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an individual thousand sheets A, a thousand sheets sealed bundle B, and a dummy bundle D of the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the paper sheet processing system S of the embodiment.

[0011] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic overview of the operation of the inspection device 2 of the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a structural diagram of the inspection device 2 of the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an overview of the packaging device 3 of the embodiment. In the following, "a bundle of 1,000 sealed sheets" and "a bundle of 1,000 sheets" are synonymous. Also, "defect" is one aspect of "abnormality" in the broad sense.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the paper sheet processing system S includes a management device 1, an inspection device 2, and a packaging device 3. The paper sheet processing system S is a system that performs a bundling process on paper sheets that have been inspected by the inspection device 2 in units of a predetermined number of sheets. A serial number is printed on the surface of the paper sheets, and the paper sheets are bundled in numerical order by the bundling process. Examples of such paper sheets include banknotes, securities (stock certificates, etc.), lottery tickets, etc., on which serial numbers are printed.

[0013] 3, the management device 1 has an information processing unit 11, a printer 12, a keyboard / mouse 13, and a display monitor 14. The information processing unit 11 is, for example, a personal computer main body, and includes an interface circuit that performs input and output of signals to and from the printer 12, the keyboard / mouse 13, the display monitor 14, the inspection device 2, and the packaging device 3.

[0014] The following describes the inspection device 2. The inspection machine control unit 201 is a control unit provided separately from the information processing unit 11, and has, for example, a printed circuit board on which electronic components such as integrated circuits are mounted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the inspection machine control unit 201 and the information processing unit 11 may be configured as an integrated unit.

[0015] The inspection machine control unit 201 performs overall control of each unit 202 to 215. Specifically, the inspection machine control unit 201 performs control of each unit 202 to 215, counting the number of sheets, sorting based on the judgment results, monitoring the sheets during transport, self-diagnosis of the control circuit etc., operation guidance when operation is stopped and display of abnormality details, etc. Furthermore, the inspection machine control unit 201 outputs information regarding the total data of the sheets in the inspection device 2, various judgment results, the situation when a trouble occurs (time of occurrence, details, recovery time, etc.) to the information processing unit 11.

[0016] Also refer to Figures 4 and 5 below. The sending-out unit 202 sends out stacked paper sheets one by one. The sending-out unit 202 is configured to be able to input about 1,000 sheets of paper sheets (unsealed individual 1,000 sheets A; Figure 2) by opening a cover not shown. The sending-out unit 202 has a sending-out drum (not shown) that sends out the topmost sheet of stacked paper sheets one by one. The sending-out drum is configured to adsorb the topmost sheet that contacts its peripheral surface and send out the adsorbed paper sheet by rotating.

[0017] The sending unit 202 also has a backup device (not shown). The backup device raises the stacked paper sheets from the bottom and brings the topmost sheet into contact with the sending drum. In the sending unit 202, the paper sheets are stacked and stored in the order of the numbers (serial numbers) printed on the surface. In the sending unit 202, for example, the topmost sheet is stored with the last three digits printed as "001" and the bottommost sheet is stored with the last four digits printed as "N000" (N is an integer). In other words, the paper sheets are stored in numerical order in units of one thousand.

[0018] The conveying unit 203 conveys a predetermined number of consecutively numbered sheets, which are inserted and sent out from the sending unit 202, one by one along a conveying path. The conveying path forms a path (main path) like a U-shape rotated sideways in the inspection device 2. In addition, various branch paths are connected to the main path in the inspection device 2. The conveying unit 203 has a plurality of conveying rollers, conveying guides, etc. as a configuration for conveying the sheets one by one.

[0019] The inspection unit 204 inspects the paper sheets being transported by the transport unit 203. The inspection unit 204 has, for example, a camera, a light source, a sensor, an image processing means, a determination means, and the like. A plurality of inspection units 204 are provided along the main transport path. The inspection unit 204 performs a reading inspection of the numbers printed on the paper sheets moving along the transport path, and an inspection of the paper sheets for double transport, skew (diagonal transport), type, shape, thickness, front and back, dirt, and the presence or absence of damage, and judges whether the paper sheets are normal (pass) or abnormal (fail). This judgment may be performed by the information processing unit 11 or the inspection machine control unit 201.

[0020] The normal paper stacking unit 205 stacks paper sheets that have been determined to be normal as a result of inspection by the multiple inspection units 204. As shown in Fig. 5, three normal paper stacking units 205 are provided, and the stacking locations are configured to be sequentially switched so that when 100 paper sheets that have been determined to be normal are stacked in one normal paper stacking unit 205, 100 sheets are stacked in the next normal paper stacking unit 205.

[0021] The abnormal paper stacking section 206 removes from the transport path and stacks sheets that have been determined to be abnormal as a result of inspection by the inspection section 204, but whose numbers could not be read by the inspection section 204. Other sheets (defective sheets, described below) that have been determined to be abnormal by the inspection section 204 are likely to be waste sheets or the like that require replacement, and are therefore not stacked in the abnormal paper stacking section 206 but in the defective paper stacking section 208.

[0022] The abnormal paper stacking unit 206 is installed downstream of the normal paper stacking unit 205 on the transport path. The abnormal paper stacking unit 206 is configured to be able to stack at least one sheet determined to be abnormal. The inspection machine control unit 201 automatically stops operation after the sheet determined to be abnormal has been sorted into the abnormal paper stacking unit 206. The abnormal paper stacking unit 206 is configured so that the stacked sheet determined to be abnormal can be removed by opening a cover (not shown).

[0023] When an abnormality is determined as a result of inspection by the inspection unit 204, the succeeding paper sheets following the abnormal paper sheet that has been sent to the transport path are removed from the transport path and stacked in the succeeding paper sheet stacking unit 207. The succeeding paper stacking unit 207 stacks the succeeding paper sheets in numerical order. The succeeding paper stacking unit 207 is configured so that the stacked succeeding paper sheets can be removed in the state in which they are stacked in numerical order by opening a cover (not shown).

[0024] The defective paper stacking unit 208 separates defective paper sheets from the transport path and stacks them. Defective paper sheets are paper sheets that are determined to be abnormal in an inspection other than the number reading by the inspection unit 204. As shown in Fig. 5, three defective paper stacking units 208 are provided, and defective paper sheets are classified according to the type of inspection.

[0025] The 100-sheet banding unit 209 bands 100 sheets of paper or the like stacked in the normal paper stacking unit 205. Three 100-sheet banding units 209 are provided corresponding to the normal paper stacking units 205.

[0026] The 100-sheet bundle moving section 210 transports the paper sheets bundled in the 100-sheet banding section 209. The 100-sheet bundle moving section 210 is composed of a conveyor and a lifter mechanism.

[0027] The thousand-sheet bundling unit 211 is a unit that bands 100 sheets of paper or the like that have been banded together into a bundle of thousand sheets (thousand-sheet band B, FIG. 2). Such a unit for banding paper or the like is composed of a band set, a band feeder, a band heater, a winder, and a press mechanism.

[0028] In addition, the 100-sheet banding unit 209 and the 1,000-sheet banding unit 211 constitute a banding unit that bands a predetermined number of sheets into a banded bundle while maintaining the order of the serial numbers when there are no sheets determined to be abnormal by the inspection unit 204.

[0029] The thousand-sheet bundle moving unit 212 transports the thousand-sheet bundles of paper sheets that have been bundled in the thousand-sheet sealing unit 211 .

[0030] The labeling unit 213 attaches labels to predetermined positions on the sheets in the bundle of 1,000 sheets. The labeling unit 213 is composed of the mechanisms of a label issuing means, an attaching means, and a discharging means. The labeling unit 213 issues labels printed based on information about the sheets in the bundle of 1,000 sheets, attaches the labels to predetermined positions on the bundle, temporarily stores and accumulates the labeled bundle, and then discharges it to the outside as a group of bundles. Note that no labels are attached to dummy bundle D (substitute bundle, FIG. 2) described below.

[0031] The dummy bundle storage section 214 (storage section) stores a dummy bundle D having the same dimensions as a sealed bundle (a bundle of 1,000 sheets) and having a two-dimensional code Q (identification information) attached thereto.

[0032] Furthermore, when there is a sheet determined to be abnormal by the inspection unit 204, the inspection machine control unit 201 (abnormality processing unit) performs processing to associate the two-dimensional code Q of the dummy bundle D stored in the dummy bundle storage unit 214 with the inspection information of the sheet determined to be abnormal (such as the number of the sheet that failed). This processing may be performed by the information processing unit 11. In any case, the information obtained by this processing is managed by the information processing unit 11 so that it can also be used by the packaging device 3.

[0033] The discharge unit 215 discharges the sealed bundle that has been sealed by the thousand-sheet sealing unit 211 toward the right front side in Fig. 4. The discharge unit 215 also discharges a dummy bundle D toward the right front side in Fig. 4 as a substitute for a sealed bundle consisting of a predetermined number of sheets including a sheet determined to be abnormal. The discharged sealed bundle and the dummy bundle D constitute a thousand-sheet bundle group G.

[0034] Furthermore, the discharge unit 215 discharges an abnormal bundle E (a bundle in which an abnormality has been found as a result of inspection) toward the left front direction in Fig. 4. In the abnormal bundle E, a dummy sheet has been inserted in the position of the abnormal sheet.

[0035] This concludes the explanation of the configuration of the inspection device 2. The worker loads the 1,000-sheet sealed bundle B and dummy bundle D (1,000-sheet bundle group G) discharged from the inspection device 2 onto the dedicated cart 4, and transports the dedicated cart 4 to the packaging device 3 for the next process. In parallel with this, in a separate process, another worker prepares normal paper for the abnormal bundle E and replaces it with the abnormal paper to make it a normal bundle F (Figure 6), and brings the normal bundle F to the packaging device 3 for the next process.

[0036] Next, the packaging device 3 will be described. Also refer to FIG. 6 below. The packaging machine control unit 31 is a control unit provided separately from the information processing unit 11, and has a printed circuit board on which electronic components such as integrated circuits are mounted. However, this is not limited to this, and the packaging machine control unit 31 and the information processing unit 11 may be configured as an integrated unit. The packaging machine control unit 31 comprehensively controls the units 32 to 37.

[0037] 6, the 1,000-sheet sealed bundle B and the dummy bundle D discharged from the inspection device 2 are loaded on the dedicated cart 4 and fed into the bundle supply unit 33. The bundle conveying unit 34 cuts out the 1,000-sheet sealed bundle B and the dummy bundle D from the dedicated cart 4 one by one and automatically conveys them.

[0038] If the bundle being transported is a dummy bundle D, the worker replaces the dummy bundle D with a normal bundle F (normally sealed bundle) prepared in a separate process at the manual insertion section 35 (work area). At that time, the information reading section 32 reads the information of the two-dimensional code Q attached to the dummy bundle D. Then, the packaging machine control section 31 (determination section) determines (collates) whether the correspondence between the dummy bundle D and the replacement normal bundle F is correct or not based on the read information read by the information reading section 32. This determination may be made by the information processing section 11.

[0039] If the result is NG, the worker takes appropriate action. If the result is OK, the following process continues.

[0040] The 10-bundle stacking section 36 stacks 10 consecutive normal bundles of 1000 sheets (including normal bundle F). The 10-bundle wrapping section 37 wraps the 10 consecutive bundles and discharges them as 10-bundle packs C.

[0041] Next, the process performed by the inspection device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 (see other figures as appropriate). Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the inspection device 2 of the embodiment.

[0042] First, in step S21, the inspection device 2 acquires the input individual 1,000 sheets A.

[0043] Next, in step S22, the inspection unit 204 inspects the individual thousand sheets A one by one.

[0044] Next, after various processes, in step S23, the 1,000-sheet sealing unit 211 seals the 1,000 sheets into one bundle.

[0045] Next, in step S24, the inspection machine control unit 201 determines whether all the 1,000 sheets are normal or not, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S25, and if No, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0046] In step S25, the discharge unit 215 discharges the bundle as a normal bundle (toward the front right in FIG. 4).

[0047] In step S26, the discharge unit 215 rejects the bundle as an abnormal bundle (toward the left front in FIG. 4).

[0048] Next, in step S27, the inspection machine control unit 201 performs a process of associating the two-dimensional code Q of the dummy bundle D with the abnormal bundle information (inspection information related to an abnormality).

[0049] Next, in step S28, the discharge unit 215 discharges a dummy bundle D in place of the abnormal bundle (toward the front right in FIG. 4).

[0050] Next, the process performed by the packaging device 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 8 (see other figures as appropriate). Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing the process performed by the packaging device 3 of the embodiment.

[0051] First, in step S31, the packaging device 3 acquires the group of 1,000-sheet bundles (1,000-sheet sealed bundle B and dummy bundle D) fed by the dedicated cart 4.

[0052] Next, in step S32, the packaging device 3 takes out one bundle at a time from the group of 1000-sheet bundles (the 1000-sheet sealed bundles B and the dummy bundles D).

[0053] Next, in step S33, the packaging machine control unit 31 determines whether the bundle is a dummy bundle D or not, and if Yes, proceeds to step S34, and if No, proceeds to step S37. Note that the determination of whether or not the bundle is a dummy bundle D is made based on the presence or absence of a two-dimensional code Q on the bundle, for example, using an image captured by a camera (not shown).

[0054] In step S34, the information reading unit 32 reads the two-dimensional code Q of the dummy bundle D.

[0055] Next, in step S35, the packaging machine control unit 31 judges whether the correspondence between the dummy bundle D and the replacement normal bundle F is correct based on the read information. Here, it is assumed that the judgment result is OK. If the judgment result is NG, the operator takes the prescribed action.

[0056] Next, in step S36, the worker replaces the dummy bundle D with the normal bundle F at the manual insertion unit 35. Next, the process proceeds to step S37. Note that the order of steps S35 and S36 may be reversed.

[0057] In step S37, the 10-bundle packaging unit 37 packages 10 bundles each and discharges them as 10-bundle packs C.

[0058] In this way, according to the paper sheet processing system S of this embodiment, even if an abnormality occurs during paper sheet inspection, by using a dummy bundle D in place of the abnormal bundle, it is possible to suppress operational delays in the subsequent process in the packaging device 3 while observing the constraint of maintaining the consecutive numbers of the paper sheets.

[0059] In addition, by using a two-dimensional code Q that is previously assigned as identification information to the dummy bundle D, when an abnormality occurs during inspection, the inspection information can be matched with the two-dimensional code Q, and replacement information can be assigned to the ten-bundle seal C itself.

[0060] The programs executed by the inspection device 2 and packaging device 3 of this embodiment can be provided by recording them in an installable or executable file format on a recording medium readable by a computer device, such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The programs may also be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0061] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0062] For example, in the packaging device 3, the replacement of the dummy bundle D with the normal bundle F is not limited to being performed manually by an operator, but may be performed automatically by providing a predetermined mechanism.

[0063] Furthermore, the identification information in the dummy bundle D is not limited to the two-dimensional code Q, and may be other information such as characters or symbols other than the two-dimensional code, or a wireless tag such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. When a wireless tag is used, the wireless tag may be associated with the inspection information, or the inspection information may be written in the wireless tag. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1...management device, 2...inspection device, 3...packaging device, 4...dedicated cart, 11...information processing unit, 12...printer, 13...keyboard / mouse, 14...display monitor, 31...packaging machine control unit, 32...information reading unit, 33...bundle supply unit, 34...bundle transport unit, 35...manual input unit, 36...ten-bundle stacking unit, 37...ten-bundle packaging unit, 201...inspection machine control unit, 202...sending unit, 203...transport unit, 204...inspection unit, 205...normal Paper stacking section, 206...abnormal paper stacking section, 207...following paper stacking section, 208...defective paper stacking section, 209...100-sheet sealing section, 210...100-sheet bundle moving section, 211...1000-sheet sealing section, 212...1000-sheet bundle moving section, 213...labeling section, 214...dummy bundle storage section, 215...discharge section, A...individual 1000 sheets, B...1000-sheet sealed bundle, C...10-bundle sealing, D...dummy bundle, E...abnormal bundle, F...normal bundle, G...1000-sheet bundle group, S...paper processing system

Claims

1. A paper sheet processing system including an inspection device and a packaging device, The inspection device includes: a conveying unit that conveys a predetermined number of inserted sheets with serial numbers one by one; an inspection unit that inspects the paper sheets being transported by the transport unit; a sealing unit that, when there is no paper sheet determined to be abnormal by the inspection unit, seals the predetermined number of paper sheets while maintaining the order of the serial numbers to form a sealed bundle; A storage section for storing replacement bundles having the same dimensions as the sealed bundles and having identification information attached thereto; an abnormality processing unit that performs processing for associating the identification information of the replacement bundle stored in the storage unit with inspection information of the paper sheet determined to be abnormal when the paper sheet is determined to be abnormal by the inspection unit; A paper sheet processing system comprising: an ejection section that ejects a sealed bundle sealed by the sealing section and ejects the replacement bundle as a replacement for the sealed bundle consisting of the specified number of paper sheets including the paper sheet determined to be abnormal.

2. The paper sheet processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information is a two-dimensional code.

3. The packaging device includes: an information reading unit that reads information of the two-dimensional code given to the inserted replacement bundle; 3. The paper sheet processing system according to claim 2, further comprising a judgment unit that judges whether the position of the replacement bundle is a position where a normal sealed bundle for replacement is inserted based on the read information read by the information reading unit and inspection information including the number of the paper sheet judged to be abnormal.

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