Banknote handling equipment

Abstract

To provide a highly reliable banknote processing device.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: A banknote processing device 10 includes: a lower unit 200 with a plurality of banknote cassettes 210 for accommodating banknotes arranged in a short direction; and an upper unit 100 located above the lower unit and movable in a direction 510 in which the plurality of banknote cassettes are arranged, for inserting and removing banknotes from the upper side of the corresponding banknote cassette among the plurality of banknote cassettes in the longitudinal direction of the banknote cassette. Since banknotes are inserted and removed from the upper side of the banknote cassettes 210 in the longitudinal direction of the banknote cassettes, abnormalities in banknotes that cause them to be damaged or go missing when they are inserted and removed are prevented, thereby improving reliability.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a banknote processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] An automated teller machine (ATM) installed in a financial institution, a store, etc. is equipped with a banknote processing device that processes deposits and withdrawals of banknotes. Known examples of banknote processing devices include those described in Japanese Patent No. 3697116 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent No. 5092598 (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3697116 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5092598 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With the recent spread of electronic money, the number of newly installed cash-handling ATMs is declining. Under these circumstances, there is a greater demand than ever for cost reduction per ATM. This, in turn, has led to demand for an increase in the banknote processing capacity per ATM. However, simply increasing the banknote processing capacity increases the ATM's footprint, making it difficult to install ATMs in stores with limited space.

[0005] Many conventional banknote processing devices have a configuration in which multiple banknote cassettes with stacking and separation functions are connected to a processing unit that deposits and dispenses banknotes, validates them, temporarily holds them, etc., via a banknote transport path. The banknote processing device described in Patent Document 1 can achieve a lower cost and simpler device configuration than the banknote processing device described in Patent Document 2 in that it shares the separation and feeding mechanism of each banknote storage vault and shortens the banknote transport path.

[0006] However, in the device of Patent Document 1, the depositing / dispensing unit (C2) moves above the banknote storage vaults (c1 to c5) to deposit and dispense banknotes, and the stage section (102) moves upward through the banknote inlet / outlet (101) at the top of the banknote storage vaults (c1 to c5), thereby moving below the depositing / dispensing unit (C2). Therefore, the device of Patent Document 1 requires accurate positioning control between the depositing / dispensing unit (C2) and each banknote storage vault (c1 to c5). Furthermore, in the device of Patent Document 1, the banknote inlet / outlet (101) at the top of each banknote storage vault (c1 to c5) is open. Therefore, if an abnormality such as a jam occurs during the accumulation or dispensing of banknotes, the banknotes may remain around the banknote inlet / outlet (101), which can lead to problems such as damage or loss of the banknotes when the depositing / dispensing unit (C2) moves.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable banknote processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the banknote processing device according to the present invention comprises a lower unit in which a plurality of banknote cassettes for storing banknotes are arranged in a row in the short direction, and an upper unit located above the lower unit and movable in the arrangement direction of the plurality of banknote cassettes, and which inserts and removes banknotes from the upper side of a corresponding one of the plurality of banknote cassettes in the longitudinal direction of the banknote cassette. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, banknotes are inserted and removed from the upper side of the banknote cassette in the longitudinal direction of the banknote cassette, which prevents abnormalities in the banknotes when inserting and removing them, causing them to be damaged or go missing, thereby improving reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an external view of an ATM machine incorporating a banknote processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the deposit receiving process, showing the operation of the push plate. [Figure 10] 10 is an explanatory diagram of a deposit receiving process, showing how banknotes are handed over between the upper unit and the banknote cassette. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a transport method when the banknotes being transported to the banknote cassette include banknotes of a different denomination. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the withdrawal process following FIG. 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a banknote handling device 10 will be described which improves reliability by inserting and removing banknotes from the upper side of the banknote cassette 210 in the longitudinal direction. [Example]

[0012] The first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 13. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a banknote processing device 10. Fig. 2 shows an external view of an ATM device 1. Fig. 3 shows a front view of the banknote processing device 10. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the banknote processing device 10. In the following drawings, some parts may be shown in a see-through manner to facilitate understanding.

[0013] 1, the banknote processing device 10 is made up of an upper unit 100 and a lower unit 200. As will be described later, the upper unit 100 has a function as a deposit / withdrawal port for depositing and withdrawing banknotes, a function for validating banknotes, a function for temporarily storing banknotes in the deposit / withdrawal paper processing, and a separating / accumulating function for taking out and storing banknotes from the lower unit 200.

[0014] A plurality of banknote cassettes 210a to 210e are arranged side by side in the lower unit 200. The upper unit 100 moves autonomously on rails 300a and 300b, which are provided in the arrangement direction of the banknote cassettes 210a to 210e, as indicated by arrow 510. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the banknote cassettes 210a to 210e, they will be referred to as banknote cassettes 210. When there is no need to distinguish between the rails 300a and 300b, they will also be referred to as rails 300. A stage unit 212, which moves up and down with banknotes placed on it, is provided inside the banknote cassette 210.

[0015] The ATM device 1 controls the banknote handling device 10 in response to operations by a user. The upper unit 100 stops when it reaches the target banknote cassette 210, and performs the deposit / withdrawal process of banknotes in the direction of arrow 520. Arrow 520 indicates the general direction in which banknotes are transported. As will be described in detail later, banknotes are transported in their longitudinal direction (so-called vertical transport), and are deposited / withdrawn (taken in / out) from the upper side of the banknote cassette 210 in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] In conventional banknote processing devices, banknotes are often transported in the direction of their short edges, but one of the features of this embodiment is that banknotes are inserted and removed in the direction of their length from the upper side of the banknote cassette 210.

[0017] Each banknote cassette 210 stores banknotes of a predetermined denomination. One or more of the banknote cassettes 210 can be used as a collection cassette for collecting unrecyclable banknotes (rejected banknotes), such as severely damaged banknotes (damaged banknotes) or banknotes of unknown authenticity (counterfeit banknotes), or can be used as a loading / collection cassette for collecting banknotes from other banknote cassettes or, conversely, for replenishing other cassettes with banknotes.

[0018] The upper unit 100 further includes a wireless power supply unit 190. Each banknote cassette 210 includes a receiving unit 230. The upper unit 100 supplies power contactlessly from the wireless power supply unit 190 to the receiving unit 230 of the banknote cassette (corresponding banknote cassette) located below it.

[0019] An outline of an ATM device 1 that uses a banknote processing device 10 will be described with reference to Figure 2. The ATM device 1 includes, for example, a card / detail slot 2, a passbook slot 3, a banknote slot 4, a coin slot 5, and a customer operation unit 6.

[0020] The card and receipt slot 2 is a mechanism that takes in cash cards and credit cards inserted by ATM users and ejects the taken cards and receipts. The passbook slot 3 is a mechanism that takes in passbooks inserted by ATM users and ejects taken passbooks. The bill slot 4 is a mechanism that allows ATM users to insert and remove banknotes when depositing or withdrawing banknotes. The coin slot 5 is a mechanism that allows ATM users to insert and remove coins when depositing or withdrawing coins. The customer operation unit 6 is composed of a display for the ATM operation screen and a touch panel that ATM users use to input operations.

[0021] A banknote processing device 10 is provided below the banknote opening 4. Banknotes inserted through the banknote opening 4 are validated by the banknote processing device 10 and stored in a banknote cassette 210 of a predetermined denomination. In the case of a dispensing process, the banknote processing device 10 takes out banknotes from the banknote cassette 210 of a predetermined denomination and sends them to the banknote opening 4.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a detailed front view of the upper unit 100. The upper unit 100 is composed of a processing mechanism 100a that mainly performs the discrimination, stacking and separation of banknotes, and a storage mechanism 100b that performs the depositing and dispensing and temporary storage of banknotes. The processing mechanism 100a is an example of a "banknote processing unit." The storage mechanism 100b is an example of a "banknote storage unit." The upper unit 100 is movably provided above the lower unit 200 so that the separation and stacking mechanism 108 covers the banknote opening 214.

[0023] The processing mechanism unit 100a includes a control unit 101, a discrimination unit 102 as a "banknote discrimination unit", a separation mechanism 104, a stacking mechanism 106, a separation and stacking mechanism 108 as a "separation and stacking unit", a conveying path 110, and a switching gate 112.

[0024] The control unit 101 controls the operation of the banknote handling apparatus 10, and operates in accordance with instructions from a control device (not shown) of the ATM machine 1.

[0025] The discrimination unit 102 determines the fitness and denomination of banknotes. The separation mechanism 104 takes in banknotes on the storage mechanism unit 100b side. The accumulation mechanism 106 stores banknotes on the storage mechanism unit 100b side. The separation accumulation mechanism 108 stores and dispenses banknotes between the banknote cassette 210 and the banknote cassette 210. The transport path 110 transports banknotes in the longitudinal direction within the processing mechanism unit 100a. The switching gate 112 switches the transport direction of banknotes within the processing mechanism unit 100a.

[0026] One of the features of the banknote processing device 10 of this embodiment is that the functional unit 108 that separates and stacks banknotes between the banknote cassettes 210 is provided only in the processing mechanism unit 100a of the upper unit 100, and is not provided in each banknote cassette 210. The banknote processing device 10 of this embodiment simplifies the overall configuration and reduces manufacturing costs by consolidating the functions of separating and stacking banknotes, validating banknotes, and temporarily storing banknotes within the upper unit 100.

[0027] In FIG. 5, a thickness detection sensor (not shown) for detecting overlapping (multiple feeding) of banknotes fed from the banknote cassette 210 is disposed near the left side of the separation and accumulation mechanism .

[0028] The validator 102 is mainly composed of a thickness detection sensor, an image detection sensor, a magnetic sensor, etc. (All reference numerals are omitted.) The image detection sensor captures an image of the banknote. The magnetic sensor reads the magnetic code provided on the banknote.

[0029] The separation mechanism 104 includes a feed roller 104a and a gate roller 104b. Together with a pickup roller 158 (described later), the separation mechanism 104 has the function of separating and feeding out the banknotes in the storage mechanism unit 100b one by one.

[0030] The periphery of each roller is made of a high-friction material such as rubber. Banknotes picked up one by one by pickup roller 158 are pulled into conveyance path 110 by feed roller 104a. At that time, gate roller 104b, which does not rotate in the conveyance direction of the banknotes due to a one-way clutch, prevents double feeding of banknotes (multiple feeding).

[0031] The stacking mechanism 106 is mainly composed of a pair of rollers for conveying banknotes. The stacking mechanism 106, together with an alignment mechanism 160 (described later), stacks banknotes one by one in the storage mechanism section 100b while aligning them.

[0032] The separation and accumulation mechanism 108 will be described in detail later, but the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 is made up of a pickup roller, a feed roller, a blade wheel, a gate roller, and the like.

[0033] The storage mechanism unit 100b includes a banknote inlet / outlet 150 located at the top, a top plate 152, a push plate 154, and a bottom plate 156. The top plate 152 and the push plate 154 can move up and down either as a unit or individually. Banknotes are inserted onto the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 through the upper banknote inlet / outlet 150 in the direction of arrow 530. As will be described later, by moving the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 in the vertical direction, the storage mechanism unit 100b functions as a banknote inlet / outlet and a banknote escrow unit. A pickup roller 158 contacts and scrapes out the topmost banknote among the banknotes stacked on the top plate 152 and the push plate 154, and passes the banknote one by one to the separation mechanism 104.

[0034] The alignment mechanism 160 regulates the positions on both the left and right sides of the discharge direction of the banknotes (positions on both sides in the short direction) so that the banknotes discharged from the accumulation mechanism 106 into the storage mechanism unit 100b do not scatter. As will be described later, depending on the content of the process, banknotes may be stored between the top plate 152 and the push plate 154. The top plate 152 has a hole (not shown) through which the pickup roller 158 passes, and the pickup roller 158 located above the top plate 152 can scrape out banknotes between the top plate 152 and the push plate 154.

[0035] The upper unit 100 includes traveling rollers 180a and 180b. The upper unit 100 moves on the upper surface side of the lower unit 200 as the traveling rollers 180a and 180b rotate on the rails 300a and 300b.

[0036] 6 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the bill cassette 210. The bill cassette 210 includes a stage unit 212, a drive unit 212A, an opening 214, a shutter unit 216, and a handle 218.

[0037] The stage unit 212 is loaded with stacked banknotes and moves up and down within the banknote cassette 210. The drive unit 212A moves the stage unit 212 up and down. The opening 214 allows the transfer of banknotes to and from the upper unit 100.

[0038] The shutter 216 opens and closes the opening 214. When the banknote cassette 210 is loaded into the lower unit 200, the shutter 216 slides open in the direction of arrow 540 either manually or by an actuator (not shown) so as not to interfere with the transfer of banknotes. The handle 218 is used by a maintenance person or security guard when removing the banknote cassette 210 from the banknote processing device 10 and carrying it.

[0039] As described above, the banknote cassette 210 is not provided with a mechanism for stacking or separating banknotes. Each banknote cassette 210 of the banknote processing device 10 of this embodiment shares the separation / stacking mechanism 108 provided in the upper unit 100, thereby achieving stacking and separation of banknotes in the banknote cassette 210.

[0040] The size of the shutter section 216 will now be described. Of the two sides of the rectangular shutter section 216, the dimension of the side corresponding to the short edge of a banknote (bidirectional arrow 216X in FIG. 6) is set slightly longer than the length of the banknote in the short edge direction. Of the sides of the shutter section 216, the dimension of the side corresponding to the long edge of a banknote (bidirectional arrow 216Y in FIG. 6) is set shorter than the length of the banknote in the long edge direction. In other words, the area of ​​the shutter section 216 is preferably set as the minimum area necessary for the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 in the upper unit 100 to contact the banknotes in the banknote cassette 210 through the opening 214 and feed (separate) the banknotes one by one. By setting the area of ​​the shutter section 216, i.e., the area of ​​the opening 214, to the minimum required for banknotes to pass through, banknotes can be inserted and removed one by one with high reliability.

[0041] Power supply and communication to the actuators and sensors built into the banknote cassette 210 may be performed from the banknote processing device main body 10 side via a detachable connector (not shown) for supplying power provided in the banknote cassette 210.

[0042] 1, the upper unit 100 may be provided with a wireless power supply unit 190 and each banknote cassette 210 may be provided with a receiver 230, and power may be supplied to and communicated with wirelessly from the upper unit 100 to the banknote cassette 210 directly below. In other words, when the upper unit 100 is positioned above a predetermined banknote cassette 210 to insert or remove banknotes, power is supplied to and communication is performed wirelessly with that banknote cassette 210. This eliminates the need for connectors for wired connections and allows one wireless power supply unit (wireless power supply board) 190 mounted on the upper unit 100 to be shared by each banknote cassette 210, simplifying the configuration of the banknote processing device 10 and reducing its manufacturing costs.

[0043] As described above, in the banknote processing device 10 of this embodiment, an opening 214 for passing banknotes is provided on the upper lateral side of the banknote cassettes 210 (upper left side in FIG. 1 ), and the upper unit 100 is provided movably above the lower unit 200 so that the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 covers the opening 214. The upper unit 100 moves back and forth above the upper surface of the lower unit 200 in the direction in which the banknote cassettes 210 are arranged without interfering with the banknote cassettes 210, and when it reaches above a predetermined banknote cassette 210, it wirelessly supplies power to and communicates with that predetermined banknote cassette 210, and inserts and removes banknotes therefrom.

[0044] The processing mechanism 100a of the upper unit 100 is provided so as to cover the opening 214 and to protrude slightly from the side of the banknote cassette 210. The area of ​​the opening 214 is set to the minimum required for banknotes to pass through, which prevents jams from occurring when banknotes are inserted or removed, and prevents banknotes from falling out of the banknote cassette 210 when they are separated and stacked, improving reliability.

[0045] Next, we will explain the processes executed by the banknote processing device 10. The banknote processing device 10 mainly executes (1) deposit counting process, (2) deposit storage process, and (3) dispensing process.

[0046] The deposit counting process is a process in which the denomination of the banknotes inserted by the user during a deposit transaction is determined by the validator 102, and the banknotes are temporarily held while being determined to be authentic and fit, thereby determining the denomination and number of banknotes inserted by the user.

[0047] The deposit storage process is a process in which the denomination and number of banknotes inserted by the user are determined in the deposit counting process (after the user approves the counting results), and the temporarily held, confirmed banknotes are stored in the designated denomination banknote cassette 210.

[0048] The dispensing process is a process in which banknotes of a denomination and number designated by a user are fed from a predetermined banknote cassette 210 and transported to the storage mechanism unit 100b, which serves as a dispensing port.

[0049] The deposit counting process will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a simplified explanatory diagram for making the operation of the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 easier to understand.

[0050] (1A) Normal deposit counting process

[0051] 7(1) to 7(3), the movement of banknotes 700 during a normal deposit counting process and the operation of the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 will be described. As shown by arrow 530 in FIG. 7(1), banknotes 700 to be deposited are inserted from the top of the storage mechanism unit 100b, or placed on the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 by a banknote intake mechanism (not shown).

[0052] As shown in Figure 7 (2), the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 rise together until the topmost banknote of the placed banknotes 700 comes into contact with the upper pickup roller (see reference numeral 158 in Figure 3). As a result, the banknotes are stacked one by one along the route indicated by the thick arrows on the bottom plate 156, with their denominations determined and the number of banknotes counted. Once all the banknotes have been stacked on the bottom plate 156 in the same manner, the banknote dispensing operation ends, and the process moves on to a process where the user is asked to confirm the count results.

[0053] (1B) Deposit counting process when rejected bills exist

[0054] The deposit counting process when there is an unacceptable rejected banknote among the banknotes inserted by the user will be explained using Figures 7(1), 7(2) and 7(4) to 7(6). As shown in Figures 7(1) and 7(2), if a rejected banknote 702 is detected as shown in Figure 7(4) while the banknotes on the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 are being transported onto the bottom plate 156, the transport of the rejected banknote 702 is temporarily stopped.

[0055] Then, only the push plate 154 is lowered as shown by the arrow. As shown in FIG. 7(5), the rejected banknote 702 is transported onto the push plate 154. As shown in FIG. 7(6), the push plate 154 is raised again, and the remaining banknotes are transported between the push plate 154 and the bottom plate 156. In other words, the rejected banknote 702 is ultimately accommodated in the space between the top plate 152 and the push plate 154, and all other banknotes are present on the bottom plate 156. The top plate 152 can be moved aside and the rejected banknote 702 can be returned to the user. Alternatively, the rejected banknote 702 can be fed out again and validated again, and if it is determined not to be a rejected banknote, it can be placed on top of the other banknotes on the bottom plate 156.

[0056] (2) Deposit collection processing

[0057] The deposit storage process will be explained using Figures 8 and 9. After the deposit count process is completed, when the user approves the type and number of inserted banknotes, in Figure 7(3), in order to feed out the banknotes 700 placed on the bottom plate 156, the push plate 154 is caused to slide under the banknotes 700 and move toward the upper separation mechanism 104 (not shown) (banknote pick-up operation). Figures 8(1) and 8(2) show this process in a schematic manner.

[0058] 8(1) and 8(2) show dashed arrows indicating that the pusher plate 154 retreats to the right in the drawings and enters below the banknote 700. In reality, as shown in FIG. 9, the pusher plate 154 retreats toward the back (Z direction) of FIG. 8 and enters below the banknote 700. The top surface of the bottom plate 156 is formed with a plurality of recesses whose ends in the Z direction are open so that the pusher plate 154 can enter below the banknote 700 placed on the bottom plate 156. The pusher plate 154 is formed in a comb-tooth shape that can pass through these multiple recesses. In FIG. 9, the comb-tooth shaped portion of the pusher plate 154 enters the recess of the bottom plate 156 from the right side in the Z direction, and the pusher plate 154 (the comb-tooth portion) can enter below the banknote on the bottom plate 156.

[0059] Returning to Figure 8, as shown in Figure 8(1), when the pusher plate 154 rises until it comes into contact with a pickup roller (not shown), the banknotes are transported (stored and transported) one by one along the route indicated by the thick arrows toward the banknote cassette 210 of the specified banknote type in the lower unit 200, while their denominations are discriminated, as shown in Figure 8(4).

[0060] The details of the mechanism for transferring banknotes between the upper unit 100 and the banknote cassette 210 will be explained using Figure 10. Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 8(4). As shown in Figure 10, banknotes on the pusher plate 154 are picked up by the pickup roller 158, transported along the route indicated by the dashed line in Figure 10, and stored in the banknote cassette 210 by the separation and accumulation mechanism 108.

[0061] At this time, the shutter 216 of the banknote cassette 210 moves leftward as indicated by arrow 540 in Figure 10, forming an opening 214, which is a banknote storage port, in the upper left side of the banknote cassette 210. The stage unit 212 of the banknote cassette 210 is then raised to a position where it can receive banknotes, and the stage unit 212 is gradually lowered according to the number of banknotes placed on the stage unit 212.

[0062] If the inserted banknotes are not of a single denomination but include other denominations, banknotes of different denominations cannot be stored in the same banknote cassette 210. In this case, the banknotes of the other denomination are temporarily stored in the storage space between the push plate 154 and the bottom plate 156, and all other banknotes of the same denomination are stored in the banknote cassettes 210. After that, the upper unit 100 is moved to the banknote cassette 210 corresponding to the temporarily stored banknotes of the other denomination, and the temporarily stored banknotes of the other denomination are stored in that banknote cassette 210.

[0063] If a banknote is determined to be a rejected banknote in the validation process during storage and transport, the rejected banknote is temporarily stored in the storage space between the push plate 154 and the bottom plate 156. After all other normal banknotes have been stored in the banknote cassette 210, the upper unit 100 is moved to the banknote cassette 210 set as the collection cassette, and the temporarily stored rejected banknote is transported to the banknote cassette 210 for collection.

[0064] 11(1) to 11(4) are diagrams illustrating the above-mentioned banknote transport. When a different denomination (or rejected banknote) 704 is detected (FIG. 11(1)) while a banknote between the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 is being stored and transported to the stage section 212 of the banknote cassette 210, the dispensing of the banknotes between the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 is temporarily stopped, and the different denomination banknote (or rejected) banknote 704 is transported onto the bottom plate 156 (FIG. 11(2)).

[0065] If the remaining banknotes are of the same denomination and are not rejected banknotes, they are resumed from being stored and transported to the stage section 212 of the banknote cassette 210 (FIG. 11(3)). After all of the banknotes between the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 have been stored and transported, the upper unit 100 moves to above the banknote cassette (or collection cassette) 210-2 in order to store the different denomination banknotes (or rejected banknotes) 704 on the bottom plate 156 in the corresponding banknote cassette (or collection cassette) 210-2. Then, in order to feed the different denomination banknotes (or rejected banknotes) 704 on the bottom plate 156 and store them in the banknote cassette 210-2, the push plate 154 performs a pick-up operation (dotted arrow) of the banknote (FIG. 11(4)), as explained in FIGS. 8(1) to 8(3), and stores and transports them onto the stage section 212 of the banknote cassette 210-2.

[0066] In the above description, if there are multiple denominations of banknotes escrowed, the upper unit 100 is first moved above the banknote cassette 210 of the denomination with the largest number of banknotes, and the banknotes of the target denomination are stored in that banknote cassette. At that time, banknotes of denominations other than the target denomination and rejected banknotes are sorted so that they accumulate on the bottom plate 156 (FIG. 11). Thereafter, the upper unit 100 is moved above the banknote cassette 210 of the denomination with the next largest number of banknotes, and the above-mentioned storing operation is repeated.

[0067] (3) Withdrawal processing

[0068] The operation of the dispensing process will be described using Figures 12 and 13. The upper unit 100 is moved above the banknote cassette 210 of the denomination to be dispensed. As shown in Figure 12, the push plate 154 is lowered to a position where it overlaps the bottom plate 156, ensuring space for storing banknotes to be fed from the banknote cassette 210 and dispensed. The top plate 152 is located immediately above the separation opening of the accumulation mechanism 106, and serves as a lid to prevent banknotes from scattering into the space above. Alternatively, the top plate 152 may be located directly above the bottom plate 156 as one unit with the push plate 154.

[0069] Then, the stage portion 212 of the banknote cassette 210 is raised to a position where the banknotes come into contact with the pickup roller 108A of the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 and a certain pressure is applied (separation position).

[0070] At this time, the longitudinal length of the banknote exposed through the opening 214 of the banknote cassette 210 (bidirectional arrow 710) is less than half, and preferably less than one-third, of the longitudinal length of the banknote. This means that more than half of the surface area of ​​the banknote is located within the banknote cassette 210. Compared to conventional configurations in which the entire top of the banknote cassette is open for banknote delivery, this reduces banknote jams and banknotes escaping from the cassette during separation and stacking, improving reliability. Then, the feed roller 108B and pickup roller 108A of the separation and stacking mechanism 108 are rotated to feed banknotes from the banknote cassette 210. At this time, the occurrence of double feeding (multiple feeding) is prevented by a gate roller 108D (details omitted) arranged coaxially with the banknote storage impeller 108C. The bills that pass between the feed roller 108B and the gate roller 108D are accumulated in the storage space between the top plate 152 and the push plate 154.

[0071] Immediately after passing between the feed roller 108B and the gate roller 108D, a thickness detection sensor (not shown) determines whether or not there is any duplicated feeding of banknotes. If duplicated feeding of banknotes is detected, the dispensing of banknotes from the banknote cassette 210 is temporarily halted. As shown in FIG. 13, the push plate 154 rises toward the top plate 152, and duplicated feeding of banknotes (rejected banknotes) is accumulated below the push plate 154 (above the bottom plate 156). The push plate 154 then descends toward the bottom plate 156 again, and dispensing of banknotes from the banknote cassette 210 continues until all remaining dispensing banknotes have been transported onto the push plate 154. Once all dispensing banknotes have been transported above the push plate 154, the top plate 152 moves to the side, and the banknotes are dispensed to the user.

[0072] The rejected banknotes temporarily stored between the push plate 154 and the bottom plate 156 are moved to the top of the push plate 154 by the same pick-up operation as shown in Figures 11(3) and 11(4). At the same time, the upper unit 100 moves above the collection cassette, and the rejected banknotes are transported to the collection cassette and collected.

[0073] When dispensing banknotes of multiple denominations, the upper unit 100 is moved to the top of the banknote cassette 210 of the corresponding denomination for each denomination, and the dispensing operation described above is carried out.

[0074] As described above, in the banknote processing device 10 of this embodiment, the upper side of the banknote cassette 210 and the lower side of the movable upper unit 100 overlap, and banknotes are deposited and withdrawn from the upper side of the banknote cassette 210. Therefore, according to this embodiment, there is no need to wedges the banknote cassette 210 and its internal components into the upper unit 100, and the occurrence of banknote jams can be reduced. Even if a banknote jam does occur, the jammed banknote will not fall out of the connecting portion during the connecting operation or the like and go missing, making it possible to realize a highly reliable banknote processing device.

[0075] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, each banknote cassette 210 shares the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 built into the upper unit 100, so there is no need to provide a separation and accumulation function within each banknote cassette, which simplifies the configuration of the banknote processing device 10 and reduces costs.

[0076] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, banknotes are transported only in a closed area within the upper unit 100, and the storage mechanism section 100b of the upper unit 100 realizes a deposit / withdrawal section and a temporary holding section, so the banknote processing device 10 can be made smaller and costs can be reduced.

[0077] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 of the upper unit 100 separates and accumulates banknotes from the longitudinal direction of the banknotes through the opening 214, which is provided only once in each banknote cassette 210. Therefore, even if the banknote sizes (longitudinal lengths) vary, it becomes easy for the alignment mechanism 160 to align the banknotes, thereby improving reliability.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various additions and modifications within the scope of the present invention. The features described in the embodiments can also be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1: ATM device, 10: banknote processing device, 100: upper unit, 100a: processing mechanism section, 100b: storage mechanism section, 101: control section, 102: discrimination section, 104: separation mechanism, 106: accumulation mechanism, 108: separation accumulation mechanism, 110: conveyance path, 112: switching gate, 150: banknote entrance / exit, 152: top plate, 154: push plate, 156: bottom plate, 200: lower unit, 210: banknote cassette, 214: opening, 216: shutter section

Claims

1. A banknote processing device, a lower unit in which a plurality of banknote cassettes for storing banknotes are arranged in a row in the short edge direction; an upper unit located above the lower unit and movable in the arrangement direction of the plurality of banknote cassettes, the upper unit inserting and removing banknotes from an upper side of a corresponding one of the plurality of banknote cassettes in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding banknote cassette; Equipped with a banknote opening for inserting and removing banknotes is provided on each of the banknote cassettes at a side of an upper portion thereof; a separating and accumulating section for inserting and removing banknotes into and from the banknote opening section is provided on a side of a lower portion of the upper unit; The upper unit is movably provided above the lower unit so that the separating and stacking unit covers the banknote opening. Banknote processing machine.

2. The upper unit is provided with a bill discriminating section. The banknote processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the banknote opening is provided on only one of both longitudinal sides of the upper portion of the banknote cassette, The separating and stacking unit is provided on only one of both longitudinal sides of the lower part of the upper unit, the side corresponding to the banknote opening. The banknote processing device according to claim 2 .

4. A shutter is provided to open and close the bill opening, and the opening area of ​​the bill opening is set to the minimum required for passing bills. The banknote processing device according to claim 3 .

5. When a banknote in the banknote cassette reaches a predetermined position where the banknote is separated by the separating and stacking unit, more than half of the banknote in the longitudinal direction is located within the banknote cassette. The banknote processing device according to claim 4.

6. the upper unit includes a wireless power supply unit for wirelessly supplying power to a corresponding one of the plurality of banknote cassettes; The plurality of banknote cassettes each include a receiving unit that receives power wirelessly supplied from the wireless power supply unit. The banknote processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The upper unit is a bill storage unit that serves as a deposit / withdrawal port and also as a temporary storage unit; a banknote processing unit provided adjacent to the banknote storage unit and having the banknote discrimination unit and the separation and stacking unit; The banknote processing device according to claim 6.

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