Controller, money handling machine, money management system, program, and control method

Abstract

To provide a controller, a currency processing machine, a currency management system, a program, and a control method that enable improvement of operator's convenience.SOLUTION: A controller 42 provided in a currency processing machine 40 communicatively connected to a plurality of front machines 20 functions as receiving means 44, display means 46, and output means 48 by executing a program. The receiving means 44 receives information concerning a balance of currencies stored in each of the front machines 20. The display means 46 causes a display 60 to display information concerning one or more front machines in which an abnormality concerning the balance of currencies occurs. When the receiving means 44 receives information concerning a front machine 20 selected from the one or more front machines 20 displayed by the display 60, the output means 48 outputs information for solving the abnormality in the front machine 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a controller, a money handling machine, a money management system, a program, and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Various systems have been known in the past that link front-end machines, such as coin change dispensers and IC chargers installed at cash registers, with back-end machines, such as currency teller machines installed in a back office. Patent documents 1 and 2, for example, disclose systems that, when an abnormality occurs in the amount of currency stored in the front-end machine (for example, a shortage of currency), send information from the front-end machine to a data management device or a mobile terminal of a staff member, and issue an alarm to the staff member from the data management device or the mobile terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-241531 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-091485 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional systems disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc., the attendant had to operate the rear machine while looking at the screen of a data management device or a mobile terminal to perform operations to resolve abnormalities such as dispensing coins as change to be replenished in the front machine, which was inconvenient.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a controller, a currency handling machine, a currency management system, a program, and a control method that can improve convenience for operators. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The controller of the present invention is a controller provided in a money handling machine that is communicably connected to a plurality of front desk machines, By executing the program, it functions as a receiving means, a display means, and an output means, The reception means receives information regarding the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines, The display means displays information on one or more of the front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred on a display unit, The output means is characterized in that when the reception means receives information regarding the front machine selected from one or more of the front machines displayed by the display unit, it outputs information to resolve the abnormality in the front machine.

[0007] In the controller of the present invention, the information for resolving the abnormality of the front desk machine is a dispensing command for the currency to be replenished to the front desk machine, the controller further functions as a withdrawal means by executing the program; The dispensing means may cause the money to be replenished to the front desk machine to be dispensed from the money handling machine when a dispensing command is output by the output means.

[0008] In the controller of the present invention, the information for resolving the abnormality of the front desk machine is a money collection command notifying that money should be collected from the front desk machine, the controller further functions as a notification unit by executing the program; When the output means outputs a collection command, the notification means may cause a notification unit to notify information instructing the front desk machine to collect the money.

[0009] In the controller of the present invention, the display means may change the display mode of information relating to the one or more front devices in which the abnormality occurs depending on the state of the abnormality.

[0010] In this case, a plurality of ranks are set for abnormalities regarding the amount of currency stored in the front desk machine based on the amount of currency stored, The display means may display information relating to the one or more front desk machines in which the abnormality has occurred in different ways depending on the rank.

[0011] In the controller of the present invention, the reception means receives related information other than the malfunction information of each front desk machine in addition to information about the amount of currency stored in each front desk machine, The display means may display on the display unit information regarding one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred regarding the amount of currency in addition to information regarding one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred based on the related information.

[0012] In this case, the related information may be information relating to consumables used in the front desk device, and the abnormality based on the related information may relate to the remaining amount of the consumables.

[0013] In the controller of the present invention, the display means may change the display mode of information relating to the one or more front devices in which the abnormality has occurred depending on the time that has elapsed since the abnormality occurred.

[0014] In the controller of the present invention, an operator capable of operating the front device is assigned to each of the front devices, When the display means displays information about one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred in the amount of currency on the display unit, it may be possible to make the information about the front desk machine visible even to operators who are not assigned to the front desk machine.

[0015] The money handling machine of the present invention is a money handling machine that is communicably connected to a plurality of front desk machines, a display unit for displaying information about one or more of the front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred; an operation unit for selecting from one or more of the front devices displayed by the display unit; a controller; Equipped with the controller executes a program to function as a receiving means, a display means, and an output means; The reception means receives information regarding the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines, The display means displays information on the display unit about one or more front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred, The output means is characterized in that when the reception means receives information regarding the front machine selected by the operation unit from one or more of the front machines displayed by the display unit, it outputs information to resolve the abnormality in the front machine.

[0016] The currency processing system of the present invention comprises a plurality of front desk machines, a money handling machine communicably connected to each of the front desk machines; Equipped with The currency handling machine includes: a display unit for displaying information about one or more of the front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred; an operation unit for selecting from one or more of the front devices displayed by the display unit; a controller; It has the controller executes a program to function as a receiving means, a display means, and an output means; The reception means receives information regarding the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines, The display means displays information on the display unit about one or more front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred, The output means is characterized in that when the reception means receives information regarding the front machine selected by the operation unit from one or more of the front machines displayed by the display unit, it outputs information to resolve the abnormality in the front machine.

[0017] The program of the present invention is a program that causes a controller provided in a money handling machine that is communicably connected to a plurality of front desk machines to function as a reception means, a display means, and an output means, The reception means receives information regarding the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines, The display means displays information on one or more of the front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred on a display unit, The output means is characterized in that when it receives information about one front machine selected from one or more front machines displayed by the display unit, it outputs information to resolve the abnormality in that front machine.

[0018] The control method of the present invention is a control method performed by a controller provided in a money handling machine that is communicably connected to a plurality of front desk machines, receiving information regarding the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines; a step of displaying information on one or more of the front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred on a display unit; When the reception means receives information about a front machine selected from one or more of the front machines displayed on the display unit, it outputs information for resolving the abnormality of the front machine. The present invention is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The controller, currency handling machine, currency management system, program, and control method of the present invention can improve convenience for operators. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a currency management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the currency handling machine of the currency management system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit of the currency handling machine of the currency management system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit of the currency handling machine of the currency management system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit of the currency handling machine of the currency management system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit of the currency handling machine of the currency management system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing a receipt printed by the printing unit of the currency handling machine of the currency management system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit of the currency handling machine of the currency management system shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 8 are diagrams showing a money management system and a money handling machine according to this embodiment. Of these, Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the money management system according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the money handling machine of the money management system shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, Figs. 3 to 6 and Fig. 8 are diagrams showing screens displayed on the display unit of the money handling machine of the money management system shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a receipt printed by the printing unit of the money handling machine of the money management system shown in Fig. 1.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the currency management system 10 of this embodiment includes a plurality of front desk machines 20, a business support server 30 communicatively connected to each front desk machine 20, and a currency processing machine 40 communicatively connected to the business support server 30.

[0023] Each front desk machine 20 is installed in a front area accessible to customers of a store such as a financial institution or supermarket. Each front desk machine 20 is configured to perform at least one or both of the following processes: a money deposit process and a money withdrawal process. When a money deposit process is performed at each front desk machine 20, the money inserted into the deposit slot by a customer or a store clerk is stored inside the housing by denomination. When a money withdrawal process is performed at each front desk machine 20, the money stored inside the housing is dispensed into the withdrawal slot, allowing the customer or a store clerk to take out the money dispensed into the withdrawal slot. Each front desk machine 20 is composed of, for example, a cash register change machine, an IC charger, various ticket vending machines, etc.

[0024] The business support server 30 is composed of, for example, a management server installed inside a store. Based on information sent from each front desk machine 20, the business support server 30 is configured to manage the inventory of each denomination of currency stored in each front desk machine 20, the remaining amount of consumables such as receipts and ink in each front desk machine 20, and the error status of each front desk machine 20. The business support server 30 is also configured to send to the currency handling machine 40 information such as details of currency withdrawals from each front desk machine 20, the remaining status of consumables, the priority of front desk machines 20 that should be replenished with currency as change, and the error tendency of each front desk machine 20.

[0025] The currency handling machine 40 is, for example, a back-end machine such as a teller machine or a currency exchange machine installed in the back office area of ​​a store. The currency handling machine 40 includes, for example, a loose banknote depositing / dispensing machine that processes the deposit and dispensing of loose banknotes, a loose coin depositing / dispensing machine that processes the deposit and dispensing of loose coins, and a wrapped coin storage machine that stores wrapped coins. Note that the currency handling machine 40 does not need to include all of the loose banknote depositing / dispensing machine, the loose coin depositing / dispensing machine, and the wrapped coin storage machine, and may include at least one of these devices. As shown in FIG. 1, the currency handling machine 40 includes a controller 42, a display unit 60, an operation unit 62, a processing unit 64, a storing / feeding unit 66, a printing unit 68, and a memory unit 70.

[0026] The controller 42 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the money handling machine 40. The display unit 60 is composed of, for example, a monitor, and displays various information on the screen. The operation unit 62 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and an operator can input various information to the controller 42 using the operation unit 62. It should be noted that instead of providing the display unit 60 and the operation unit 62 separately, a touch panel or the like in which the display unit 60 and the operation unit 62 are integrated may be used. Furthermore, a PATLITE (registered trademark) may be provided in the money handling machine 40 as the display unit 60. In this case, when a shortage of coins occurs in the front desk machine 20 and it becomes necessary to replenish the front desk machine 20 with coins, the PATLITE will light up to alert the operator.

[0027] The processing unit 64 processes various currencies within the housing of the money handling machine 40. For example, when the money handling machine 40 processes money by deposit, the processing unit 64 transports the money inserted into the deposit slot within the housing and stores it in the storing and feeding unit 66 by denomination. Also, when the money handling machine 40 processes money by dispensing, the processing unit 64 transports the money dispensed from the storing and feeding unit 66 to the dispensing slot. This allows the operator to remove the money conveyed to the dispensing slot. The processing unit 64 also has an identification unit that identifies the denomination, authenticity, fitness, etc. of the money conveyed within the housing. A plurality of storing and feeding units 66 are provided within the housing for each denomination, and are capable of storing money by denomination and dispensing the stored money one by one. The printing unit 68 has a printer or the like that prints various information on receipts.

[0028] The memory unit 70 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or solid state drive (SSD), etc. The memory unit 70 stores various information such as the inventory of each denomination of currency stored in the currency handling machine 40, the inventory of each denomination of currency stored in each front desk device 20, and various programs including the program of this embodiment executed by the controller 42. The memory unit 70 also stores identification information of the manager and identification information of store clerks who are not managers.

[0029] The controller 42 executes various programs stored in the memory unit 70 to function as a reception unit 44, a display unit 46, an output unit 48, a dispensing unit 50, a notification unit 52, and a printing unit 54. The reception unit 44 receives information transmitted from an external device (specifically, for example, the business support server 30) and information input via the operation unit 62. The display unit 46 displays various information on the display unit 60. When the reception unit 44 receives information about a front desk machine 20 selected from one or more front desk machines 20 displayed on the display unit 60, the output unit 48 outputs information for resolving the abnormality of the selected front desk machine 20. The function of the output unit 48 will be described in detail later. The dispensing unit 50 causes the processing unit 64 to dispense currency. The notification unit 52 notifies the operator by displaying various information on the display unit 60 or by generating sound using a speaker (not shown). The printing unit 54 causes the printing unit 68 to print a receipt.

[0030] The programs executed by controller 42 are not limited to those stored in memory unit 70. Controller 42 may function as reception means 44, display means 46, output means 48, dispensing means 50, notification means 52, and printing means 54 by executing a program stored in an external recording medium attached to currency handling machine 40, or a program transmitted to currency handling machine 40 from an external device such as business support server 30 or a management system.

[0031] Next, the operation of the currency management system 10 and currency handling machine 40 of this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 8. The operations described below are performed by the controller 42 executing a program to function as the reception means 44, display means 46, output means 48, dispensing means 50, notification means 52, and printing means 54.

[0032] In this embodiment, information about one or more front desk machines 20 in which an abnormality in the amount of coins has occurred is displayed on the display unit 60 of the money handling machine 40, and then when the reception means 44 receives information about a selected front desk machine 20, information for resolving the abnormality in that front desk machine 20 is output from the controller 42. In the example shown below, we will describe a case where the abnormality in the amount of coins stored as change in the housing has become low.

[0033] When the number of coins of a certain denomination among the coins stored as change in the housing of the front desk machine 20 falls below a predetermined threshold, causing a coin shortage, information related to the shortage is transmitted from the front desk machine 20 to the business support server 30. As a result, in the management of the coin inventory by denomination stored in each front desk machine 20 performed by the business support server 30, it is detected that a coin shortage has occurred in this front desk machine 20. As another example, the front desk machine 20 may notify the business support server 30 of the inventory in the front desk machine 20 at a predetermined timing, and the business support server 30 may detect the coin shortage in the front desk machine 20 by comparing the inventory notified from the front desk machine 20 with a threshold. The business support server 30 transmits information that a coin shortage has occurred in the front desk machine 20 and information related to the number of coins of each denomination to be replenished in the front desk machine 20 to the money handling machine 40. Furthermore, the business support server 30 may acquire information relating to the amount of currency stored in the front desk machine 20 from the front desk machine 20 at a predetermined timing, and update the number of currency of each denomination to be replenished to the front desk machine 20 based on this acquired information. When the reception means 44 of the currency handling machine 40 receives information that a currency shortage has occurred in the front desk machine 20, the currency to be replenished to the front desk machine 20 is dispensed by the dispensing means 50, and the currency dispensed from the currency handling machine 40 is carried to the front desk machine 20 by a store clerk or the like to replenish the front desk machine 20, thereby resolving the currency shortage in the front desk machine 20. Details of the operation of the currency handling machine 40 when such a currency replenishment process for the front desk machine 20 is performed are described below.

[0034] Normally, a standby screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 60 of the money handling machine 40 (Step 1). In this standby state, if the money handling machine 40 is provided with a warning light as the display unit 60, when a shortage of coins occurs in the front desk device 20 and it becomes necessary to replenish the coins, the warning light will light up to alert the operator. The store manager then scans the manager card with a scanner (not shown) of the money handling machine 40 to read the manager's identification information stored on the manager card. If the read manager's identification information matches the manager's identification information stored in the memory unit 70 and manager authority is authenticated ("YES" in Step 2), a selection screen for replenishment processing and currency exchange processing as shown in FIG. 3 will be displayed on the display unit 60 (Step 3).

[0035] When the operator presses the replenish button and then the confirmation button on the screen shown in FIG. 3, the replenishment process is selected ("YES" in Step 4). In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the number of the register where the front desk device 20 that needs to be replenished with coins is installed is displayed (Step 5). In FIG. 4, a screen is displayed indicating that the front desk devices 20 installed in the four registers with register numbers 101, 102, 702, and 801 need to be replenished with coins. Here, the display means 46 changes the display mode of the information about each front desk device 20 displayed on the display unit 60 depending on the coin storage status of each front desk device 20. Specifically, situations in which a coin shortage has occurred in the front desk device 20 include an empty state in which no coins of a certain denomination are stored as change, and a near-empty state in which the number of coins of a certain denomination stored as change is less than a predetermined threshold. Here, because an empty state has a higher priority for replenishing coins than a near-empty state, as shown in FIG. 4 , the register number where an empty front desk unit 20 is installed (specifically, register number 101) is displayed in a different color from the register numbers where near-empty front desk units 20 are installed (specifically, register numbers 102, 702, 801). Alternatively, on the display unit 60, the register number where an empty front desk unit 20 is installed may be displayed in a higher position than the register numbers where near-empty front desk units 20 are installed. Alternatively, on the display unit 60, the register number where an empty front desk unit 20 is installed may be displayed larger than the register number where a near-empty front desk unit 20 is installed. Alternatively, on the display unit 60, the register number where an empty front desk unit 20 is installed may be displayed flashing, and the register number where a near-empty front desk unit 20 is installed may be displayed lit. Alternatively, the display unit 60 may first display the register number where the front desk machine 20 in an empty state is installed, and when a switch button displayed on the display unit 60 is pressed, the display content on the display unit 60 may be switched to a screen displaying the register number where the front desk machine 20 in a near-empty state is installed.Alternatively, multiple tabs may be displayed on the display unit 60, and by switching between the tabs, a screen displaying the register numbers where front desk machines 20 in an empty state are installed and a screen displaying the register numbers where front desk machines 20 in a near-empty state are installed may be displayed. By performing these processes, the operator can recognize the priority of the front desk machine 20 corresponding to which register number coins should be replenished first.

[0036] The priority of the front desk machine 20 to be replenished with currency may be determined by the business support server 30 or by the controller 42 of the currency handling machine 40.

[0037] When the operator presses the button corresponding to a certain register number among the multiple register numbers displayed on the display unit 60 and then presses the confirmation button ("YES" in Step 6), details of the missing change are displayed on the display unit 60 as shown in FIG. 5 (Step 7). When the confirmation button is pressed on the screen of the display unit 60 ("YES" in Step 8), the dispensing means 50 dispenses the missing change (Step 9). The printing means 54 also causes the printing unit 68 to print information about the dispensed coins on a receipt (see FIG. 7), and the printed receipt is output (Step 10). Thereafter, the display unit 60 displays a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 8, which asks whether or not to continue dispensing the coins to be replenished to the front desk device 20 installed at another register. When the operator selects to continue the replenishment process by pressing the "Yes" button on the screen of the display unit 60 shown in FIG. 8 ("YES" in Step 11), the display unit 60 again displays the register number selection screen as shown in FIG. 4. On the other hand, if the operator presses the "No" button on the screen of the display unit 60 shown in FIG. 8 ("NO" in Step 11), the series of processes in the money handling machine 40 is completed.

[0038] Furthermore, when the exchange process is selected instead of the replenishment process on the process selection screen displayed on display unit 60 as shown in Figure 3 ("NO" in Step 4, "YES" in Step 12), the currency exchange process is carried out in currency handling machine 40 (Step 13). Specifically, currency deposited by the operator into currency handling machine 40 is stored in storing and feeding unit 66, and currency of a different denomination but the same total amount is fed from storing and feeding unit 66 and dispensed to the dispensing port of currency handling machine 40. This allows the operator to remove currency of a different denomination but the same total amount from the dispensing port.

[0039] In the above example, the abnormality regarding the currency inventory occurring in the front desk device 20 is that the amount of currency stored as change in the housing has decreased. However, the abnormality regarding the currency inventory occurring in the front desk device 20 may also be that the currency stored as change in the housing has become full or near-full. Here, the term "the currency stored as change in the housing is full" refers to a state in which the storage section of the front desk device 20 corresponding to a certain denomination is full and no more currency of that denomination can be stored in the storage section. Furthermore, the term "the currency stored as change in the housing is near-full" refers to a state in which the storage section of the front desk device 20 corresponding to a certain denomination is not full, but the number of currency stored in the storage section exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the number of currency of a certain denomination among the currency stored as change in the housing of the front desk device 20 exceeds a predetermined threshold, resulting in an excess currency inventory, information regarding the excess currency inventory is sent from the front desk device 20 to the business support server 30. As a result, in the management of the inventory of each denomination of currency stored in each front desk machine 20 performed by the business support server 30, it is detected that an excess of currency has occurred in this front desk machine 20. As another example, the inventory of the front desk machine 20 may be notified to the business support server 30 from the front desk machine 20 at a predetermined timing, and the business support server 30 may detect an excess of currency in the front desk machine 20 by comparing the inventory notified from the front desk machine 20 with a threshold value.

[0040] When the money handling machine 40 is in standby mode and a patrol light is provided on the money handling machine 40 as the display unit 60, if the coins stored as change in the housing of a certain front desk unit 20 become full or nearly full and it becomes necessary to collect coins from this front desk unit 20, the patrol light will light up to notify the operator. After that, once the administrator authority has been authenticated, the operator will be able to select the collection process on the process selection screen displayed on the display unit 60.

[0041] When the collection process is selected on the process selection screen displayed on the display unit 60, the number of the register where the front desk device 20 requiring the currency is installed is displayed. Here, the display means 46 changes the display mode of the information about each front desk device 20 displayed on the display unit 60 depending on the currency inventory status of each front desk device 20. Specifically, the above-mentioned full state and near-full state are situations in which currency needs to be collected from a front desk device 20. Here, since a full state has a higher priority for currency collection than a near-full state, the register number where a full front desk device 20 is installed is displayed on the display unit 60 in a different manner than the register number where a near-full front desk device 20 is installed. This allows the operator to recognize the priority of which front desk device 20 corresponding to which register number currency should be collected first.

[0042] When the operator presses the button for a certain register number among the multiple register numbers displayed on the display unit 60 and then presses the confirmation button, detailed information about the front desk device 20 from which the currency should be collected (e.g., the location of the front desk device 20, the inventory of currency by denomination stored in the front desk device 20, the amount of currency to be collected, etc.) is displayed on the display unit 60. The printing means 54 also causes the printing unit 68 to print the detailed information about the front desk device 20 from which the currency should be collected on a receipt, and the printed receipt is output. This allows the operator to recognize that currency should be collected from the front desk device 20. When the operator then presses the confirmation button displayed on the display unit 60, a confirmation screen for asking whether or not to continue the currency collection process from the front desk device 20 installed at another register is displayed on the display unit 60. When the operator selects to continue the collection process by pressing the "Yes" button on this screen of the display unit 60, the register number selection screen is displayed again on the display unit 60. On the other hand, if the operator presses the "No" button on the screen of the display unit 60, the series of processes in the money handling machine 40 is completed.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display means 46 may display information about one or more front desk devices 20 in which an abnormality has occurred differently depending on the amount of time that has elapsed since the abnormality occurred. For example, on a register number selection screen on the display unit 60 as shown in FIG. 4, the register number where a front desk device 20 is located that has experienced an abnormality for a predetermined amount of time may be displayed in a different color from the register number where a front desk device 20 is located that has not yet experienced an abnormality for a predetermined amount of time. Alternatively, on a register number selection screen on the display unit 60 as shown in FIG. 4, the register number where a front desk device 20 is located that has experienced an abnormality for a predetermined amount of time may be displayed in a flashing state. In this case, the operator can be made aware that the abnormality of the front desk device 20 that has experienced an abnormality for a predetermined amount of time must be resolved as a priority.

[0044] Furthermore, in the controller 42 etc. of this embodiment, an operator capable of operating each front desk machine 20 may be assigned to that front desk machine 20. In this case, during normal operation, when collecting coins from or replenishing that front desk machine 20, only the front desk machine 20 to which the operator is assigned is displayed on the display unit 60 of the money handling machine 40. On the other hand, when information about one or more front desk machines 20 in which an abnormality related to the coin inventory has occurred is displayed on the display unit 60, the display means 46 allows even operators not assigned to that front desk machine 20 to view the information about that front desk machine 20. In this case, when an abnormality occurs in a certain front desk machine 20, even operators not assigned to that front desk machine 20 can view the information about that front desk machine 20, and the abnormality in that front desk machine 20 can be quickly resolved even if there is no operator in charge of that front desk machine 20.

[0045] Furthermore, in the currency management system 10 of this embodiment, in the event that an abnormality other than a malfunction occurs at each front desk machine 20, even if an abnormality related to the currency inventory occurs at each front desk machine 20, information about the abnormality is transmitted from each front desk machine 20 to the business support server 30, and the business support server 30 recognizes that an abnormality has occurred at each front desk machine 20. Here, an abnormality other than a malfunction occurring at each front desk machine 20 is, for example, that the remaining amount of consumables such as receipts or ink at each front desk machine 20 falls below a predetermined threshold. In this case, it is necessary to replenish the consumables at each front desk machine 20. Therefore, related information that an abnormality other than a malfunction has occurred at each front desk machine 20 is transmitted from the business support server 30 to the currency handling machine 40. Note that this embodiment does not exclude cases where an abnormality related to a malfunction occurs at each front desk machine 20, and the currency handling machine 40 may be configured to receive information related to an abnormality other than a malfunction and malfunction information at each front desk machine 20.

[0046] When the currency handling machine 40 is in standby mode and the reception unit 44 receives related information other than a malfunction of the front desk unit 20, if the reception unit 44 has a patrol light on as the display unit 60, the patrol light will light up to alert the operator. Then, after administrator authority is authenticated, the display unit 46 displays information on one or more front desk units 20 experiencing a currency inventory abnormality, as well as information on the one or more front desk units 20 experiencing the abnormality based on the related information described above, on the display unit 60. For example, if the remaining levels of consumables such as receipts and ink in a certain front desk unit 20 fall below a predetermined threshold, the display unit 60 displays the register number where the front desk unit 20 requiring the consumables to be replenished is located, as well as the type and quantity of the consumables, as shown in FIG. 4 . The printing unit 68 then prints the register number where the front desk unit 20 requiring the consumables to be replenished is located, and the type and quantity of the consumables on a receipt, which is then output. Furthermore, if the patrol light is turned on to alert the operator and the administrator's authority is authenticated, and there is no front desk machine 20 to be replenished with coins as change, only the register number where the front desk machine 20 that needs to be replenished with consumables is installed is displayed on the display unit 60. When the operator presses the register number displayed on the display unit 60 where the front desk machine 20 that needs to be replenished with consumables is installed, detailed information about the front desk machine 20 that needs to be replenished with consumables (for example, the installation location of the front desk machine 20, the type and amount of consumables to be replenished in the front desk machine 20, etc.) is displayed on the display unit 60. This allows the operator to recognize that consumables should be replenished in the front desk machine 20.

[0047] According to the controller 42, currency handling machine 40, currency management system 10, program, and control method of this embodiment, which are configured as described above, the reception means 44 receives information regarding the amount of currency stored in each front desk machine 20, the display means 46 displays information regarding one or more front desk machines 20 in which an abnormality regarding the amount of currency has occurred on the display unit 60, and the output means 48, when the reception means 44 receives information regarding a front desk machine 20 selected from the one or more front desk machines 20 displayed on the display unit 60, outputs information for resolving the abnormality of that front desk machine 20. In this case, after information regarding one or more front desk machines 20 in which an abnormality regarding the amount of currency has occurred is displayed on the display unit 60, when the reception means 44 receives information regarding the selected front desk machine 20, information for resolving the abnormality of that front desk machine 20 is output, thereby improving convenience for the operator.

[0048] In the controller 42 etc. of this embodiment, the information for resolving the abnormality of the front desk machine 20 is a dispensing command for the coins to be replenished to the front desk machine 20, and the controller 42 further functions as dispensing means 50 by executing a program, and when a dispensing command is output by the output means 48, the dispensing means 50 causes the coins to be replenished to the front desk machine 20 to be dispensed from the money handling machine 40. In this case, if the coin inventory at a certain front desk machine 20 is insufficient, information about one or more front desk machines 20 where the coin inventory shortage is occurring is displayed on the display unit 60, and then when the information about the selected front desk machine 20 is accepted by the acceptance means 44, the coins to be replenished to the front desk machine 20 can be dispensed from the money handling machine 40, so that the operator can resolve the abnormality of the front desk machine 20 simply by replenishing the front desk machine 20 with the coins dispensed from the money handling machine 40, thereby further improving convenience for the operator.

[0049] In the controller 42 etc. of this embodiment, the information for resolving the abnormality of the front desk device 20 is a money collection command that notifies the user to collect money from the front desk device 20, and the controller 42 further functions as notification means 52 by executing a program, and when a collection command is output by the output means 48, the notification means 52 causes the notification unit (specifically, for example, the display unit 60) to notify the user of information instructing the user to collect money from the front desk device 20. In this case, when the front desk device 20 becomes, for example, full or near-full and it becomes necessary to collect money from the front desk device 20, the notification unit can notify the user of information instructing the user to collect money from the front desk device 20, thereby further improving the user convenience for the operator.

[0050] In the controller 42 etc. of this embodiment, the display means 46 changes the display mode of information about one or more front devices 20 in which the abnormality has occurred depending on the state of the abnormality. In this case, the display mode of information about one or more front devices 20 changes depending on the state of the abnormality, allowing the operator to recognize, for example, which front device 20's abnormality should be resolved first.

[0051] In this case, multiple ranks are set for abnormalities related to the amount of currency stored in the front desk machine 20 based on the amount, and the display means 46 changes the display mode of information related to one or more front desk machines 20 in which the abnormality has occurred depending on the rank. Here, the multiple ranks set based on the amount of currency stored in the front desk machine 20 are, for example, empty state, near empty state, full state, near full state, etc. Note that in this embodiment, the multiple ranks set based on the amount of currency stored in the front desk machine 20 are not limited to the examples described above, and various ranks can be set based on the amount of currency stored in the front desk machine 20.

[0052] In the controller 42 etc. of this embodiment, the reception means 44 receives related information other than malfunction information of each front desk machine 20 in addition to information related to the amount of currency stored in each front desk machine 20, and the display means 46 displays information related to one or more front desk machines 20 in which an abnormality related to the amount of currency has occurred, as well as information related to one or more front desk machines 20 in which an abnormality has occurred based on the related information, on the display unit 60. In this case, when an abnormality is detected based on related information other than malfunction information of each front desk machine 20 in addition to information related to the amount of currency stored in each front desk machine 20, it is possible to notify the operator.

[0053] Here, the related information is information about consumables used in the front desk device 20, and the abnormality based on the related information may be related to the remaining amount of consumables. In this case, by notifying the operator when the remaining amount of consumables used in the front desk device 20 becomes low or reaches zero, it becomes possible to quickly replenish the consumables in the front desk device 20.

[0054] In the controller 42 etc. of this embodiment, the display means 46 changes the display mode of information about one or more front devices 20 in which an abnormality has occurred depending on the time that has elapsed since the abnormality occurred. In this case, the operator can realize that the abnormality of the front device 20 for which a predetermined time has elapsed since the abnormality occurred must be resolved as a priority.

[0055] In the controller 42 etc. of this embodiment, each front desk machine 20 is assigned an operator who can operate that front desk machine 20, and when the display means 46 displays information about one or more front desk machines 20 in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred on the display unit 60, even operators who are not assigned to that front desk machine 20 can view the information about that front desk machine 20. In this case, when an abnormality occurs in a certain front desk machine 20, even operators who are not assigned to that front desk machine 20 can view the information about that front desk machine 20, so that the abnormality in that front desk machine 20 can be quickly resolved even if there is no operator in charge of that front desk machine 20.

[0056] The controller, currency handling machine, currency management system, program and control method according to this embodiment are not limited to the above-described aspects, and various modifications can be made.

[0057] For example, the currency management system of this embodiment may not be provided with the business support server 30, and each front desk machine 20 and currency handling machine 40 may be directly connected to be able to communicate with each other. Even in this case, when an abnormality occurs in each front desk machine 20, abnormality information is sent from each front desk machine 20 to the currency handling machine 40, and information for resolving the abnormality that has occurred in the front desk machine 20 is output by the output means 48 of the currency handling machine 40.

[0058] Furthermore, the controller according to the present invention may be provided in the business support server 30 instead of the money handling machine 40. In this case, the program according to the present invention is executed by the controller provided in the business support server 30, whereby information for resolving the abnormality in the front desk machine 20 is output from the controller, and the output information is transmitted from the business support server 30 to the money handling machine 40. As a result, information for resolving the abnormality in the front desk machine 20 is displayed on the display unit 60 of the money handling machine 40.

[0059] Furthermore, the information output by output means 48 for resolving the abnormality in front machine 20 may be transmitted from currency handling machine 40 to the operator's mobile terminal, and the information for resolving the abnormality in front machine 20 may be displayed on this mobile terminal. Furthermore, when the business support server 30 transmits information regarding the abnormality in front machine 20 to currency handling machine 40, the information regarding the abnormality in front machine 20 may also be transmitted to the operator's mobile terminal, and the operator may be notified of the occurrence of an abnormality in front machine 20 via this mobile terminal.

[0060] Furthermore, when authentication of administrator authority is performed while the money handling machine 40 is in a standby state, a process selection screen is displayed on the display unit 60, but the processes that can be selected at this time are not limited to replenishment processes and exchange processes. Replenishment processes and other types of processes, such as deposit processes and withdrawal processes, may be selectable. As yet another example, when authentication of administrator authority is performed while the money handling machine 40 is in a standby state, a process selection screen may not be displayed on the display unit 60, but a screen related to the coin replenishment process, such as that shown in FIG. 4, may be displayed on the display unit 60.

[0061] Furthermore, the display unit 60 of the money handling machine 40 may display a list of all cash registers in which front desk devices 20 are installed that are experiencing an abnormality, such as an abnormality based on replenishment processing, collection processing, or related information. In this case, when a cash register in which an abnormality has occurred is specified on the display unit 60 using the operation unit 62, all abnormalities occurring in the front desk device 20 of that cash register are displayed, and all information for resolving the abnormality may be printed on a receipt such as that shown in FIG. 7 by the printing unit 68 of the printing means 54. For example, the amount dispensed from the money handling machine 40 and information on consumables that need to be replenished may be printed on the receipt by the printing unit 68 of the printing means 54. Furthermore, on the receipt shown in FIG. 7, the printing unit 68 may print the balance in the front desk device 20 and a priority based on the time elapsed since the abnormality occurred.

[0062] Furthermore, when an abnormality occurs in the front desk machine 20, an identifier (for example, a transaction number or a QR code (registered trademark)) that specifies a currency replenishment process / recovery process, etc. as a means for resolving the abnormality may be generated by the business support server 30, and the identifier may be transmitted from the business support server 30 to the front desk machine 20 and the money handling machine 40, respectively. In this case, when a receipt such as that shown in FIG. 7 is printed by the printing unit 68, the identifier is also printed on the receipt. Then, the operator inputs the identifier written on the receipt into the front desk machine 20 or has it read by a scanner or the like of the front desk machine 20, and an operation to resolve the abnormality, such as a currency replenishment process or recovery process, is performed in the front desk machine 20. Furthermore, the identifier is used to manage whether a currency transaction written on a receipt issued by the money handling machine 40 was carried out at the front desk machine 20. Specifically, for example, when a currency replenishment process is performed at the front desk machine 20, the currency processing machine 40 notifies the business support server 30 that a withdrawal has been made for the transaction related to the identifier, and when a transaction related to the identifier is performed at the front desk machine 20, the front desk machine 20 notifies the business support server 30 whether the replenishment process identified by the identifier was performed correctly, thereby allowing the business support server 30 to manage whether the abnormality has been resolved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 Currency Management System 20 Front machine 30 Business support server 40 Money Handling Machine 42 Controller 44 Reception methods 46 Display means 48 Output Method 50 Withdrawal Methods 52 Notification means 54 Printing means 60 Display 62 Operation section 64 Processing section 66 Storage and feeding section 68 Printing Department 70 Storage section

Claims

1. A controller provided in a currency handling machine that is communicably connected to a plurality of front desk machines and is installed in a back office area of ​​a store to perform deposit and withdrawal processes, By executing the program, it functions as a receiving means, a display means, and an output means, The reception means receives information regarding the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines, The display means displays information on one or more of the front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred on a display unit, when the reception means receives information about the front device selected from the one or more front devices displayed on the display unit, the output means outputs information for resolving the abnormality of the front device; The reception means receives information about the amount of money stored in each of the front desk machines, as well as related information other than the malfunction information of each of the front desk machines; the display means displays on the display unit information about the one or more front desk machines in which an abnormality has occurred based on the related information, in addition to information about the one or more front desk machines in which an abnormality has occurred regarding the amount of currency stored; Controller.

2. the information for resolving the abnormality of the front desk machine is a dispensing command for the currency to be replenished in the front desk machine; the controller further functions as a withdrawal means by executing the program; 2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein said dispensing means causes said money to be replenished to said front desk machine to be dispensed from said money handling machine when said output means outputs a dispensing command.

3. the information for resolving the abnormality of the front desk machine is a money collection command informing that money should be collected from the front desk machine; the controller further functions as a notification unit by executing the program; 2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the notification means, when the output means outputs a collection command, causes a notification unit to notify information instructing the front desk machine to collect the money.

4. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the display means changes a display mode of information relating to the one or more front devices in which the abnormality occurs depending on the state of the abnormality.

5. A plurality of ranks are set for abnormalities regarding the amount of currency stored in the front desk machine based on the amount of currency stored, 5. The controller according to claim 4, wherein the display means changes the display mode of the information relating to the one or more front devices in which the abnormality has occurred depending on the rank.

6. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the related information is information relating to consumables used in the front device, and the abnormality based on the related information is related to the remaining amount of the consumables.

7. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the display means changes the display mode of information relating to the one or more front devices in which the abnormality has occurred depending on the time that has elapsed since the abnormality occurred.

8. An operator capable of operating the front desk device is assigned to each of the front desk devices, A controller as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the display means displays information about one or more front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred on the display unit, even operators who are not assigned to the front desk machine can view the information about the front desk machine.

9. A currency handling machine that is communicably connected to a plurality of front desk machines and is installed in a back office area of ​​a store to perform deposit and withdrawal processes, a display unit for displaying information about one or more front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred; an operation unit for selecting from one or more of the front devices displayed on the display unit; a controller; Equipped with the controller executes a program to function as a receiving means, a display means, and an output means; The reception means receives information regarding the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines, The display means displays information on the display unit regarding one or more front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred, when the reception means receives information about the front device selected by the operation unit from one or more of the front devices displayed on the display unit, the output means outputs information for resolving the abnormality of the front device; The reception means receives information about the amount of money stored in each of the front desk machines, as well as related information other than the malfunction information of each of the front desk machines; The display means of the currency handling machine displays on the display unit information regarding one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred regarding the currency inventory, as well as information regarding one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred based on the related information.

10. Multiple front desk machines and a currency handling machine that is communicably connected to each of the front desk machines and is installed in a back office area of ​​the store to perform deposit and withdrawal processes; Equipped with The currency handling machine includes: a display unit for displaying information about one or more front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred; an operation unit for selecting from one or more of the front devices displayed on the display unit; a controller; It has the controller executes a program to function as a receiving means, a display means, and an output means; The reception means receives information regarding the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines, The display means displays information on the display unit regarding one or more front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred, when the reception means receives information about the front device selected by the operation unit from one or more of the front devices displayed on the display unit, the output means outputs information for resolving the abnormality of the front device; The reception means receives information about the amount of money stored in each of the front desk machines, as well as related information other than the malfunction information of each of the front desk machines; The display means of this currency management system displays on the display unit information regarding one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred regarding the currency inventory, as well as information regarding one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred based on the related information.

11. A program that causes a controller provided in a money handling machine that is communicably connected to a plurality of front desk machines and is installed in a back office area of ​​a store to perform deposit and withdrawal processes to function as a reception means, a display means, and an output means, The reception means receives information regarding the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines, The display means displays information on one or more of the front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred on a display unit, when the output means receives information about one front device selected from the one or more front devices displayed on the display unit, it outputs information for resolving the abnormality of the front device; The reception means receives information about the amount of money stored in each of the front desk machines, as well as related information other than the malfunction information of each of the front desk machines; The display means is a program that causes the display unit to display information regarding one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred regarding the amount of currency in stock, as well as information regarding one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred based on the related information.

12. A control method performed by a controller provided in a currency handling machine that is communicatively connected to a plurality of front desk machines, is installed in a back office area of ​​a store, and performs deposit and withdrawal processes, the method comprising: receiving information regarding the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines; a step of displaying information on one or more of the front desk machines in which an abnormality in the amount of currency has occurred on a display unit; a step of outputting information for resolving the abnormality of the front machine when the reception means receives information about the front machine selected from the one or more front machines displayed on the display unit; Equipped with The receiving step receives related information other than the malfunction information of each of the front desk machines in addition to information about the amount of currency stored in each of the front desk machines, The displaying step is a control method in which the display unit displays information regarding one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred regarding the currency inventory, as well as information regarding one or more front desk machines where an abnormality has occurred based on the related information.

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