Media processing device, media processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a medium processing device, a medium processing method, and a program capable of outputting a medium with a low degree of deterioration.SOLUTION: A medium processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: an input medium storage unit 101 that stores an inputted medium and does not store an outputting medium for output; an outputting medium storage unit 102 that stores the outputting medium and does not store the inputted medium; an identification unit 103 that identifies a degree of deterioration of the outputting medium stored in the outputting medium storage unit 102; and a control unit 104 that controls whether or not the outputting medium identified by the identification unit 103 is transported to an output unit of the outputting medium according to an identification result of the identification unit 103.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media processing device, a media processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Various devices have been developed for use in making payments, exchanging money, and the like.

[0003] For example, cited document 1 discloses a banknote change machine that stores banknotes in a collection cassette if the banknotes are banknotes paid by a customer, and stores the new banknotes in a banknote storage unit if the banknotes are new notes to be used as change, and outputs new notes in an amount equivalent to the change amount from the banknote storage unit as change. cited document 2 also discloses a currency handling device that, based on a selection instruction, feeds currency from either a plurality of first stackers that store new currency or a plurality of second stackers that store circulating currency, validates the denomination, counts the currency, and dispenses the currency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-150998 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-062895 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a media processing device, a media processing method, and a program that are capable of outputting media with a low degree of degradation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A media processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an input media storage unit that stores input media but does not store output media for output, an output media storage unit that stores output media but does not store input media, an identification unit that identifies the degree of deterioration of the output media stored in the output media storage unit, and a control unit that controls whether or not to transport the output media identified by the identification unit to the output media output unit depending on the identification result of the identification unit.

[0007] A computer-executed media processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure stores input media in an input media storage section that does not store output media for output, identifies the degree of deterioration of output media stored in an output media storage section that stores output media but does not store the input media, and controls whether or not to transport the identified output media to an output section for output media depending on the results of the identification.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to store input media in an input media storage section that does not store output media for output, identify the degree of deterioration of output media stored in an output media storage section that stores output media but does not store the input media, and, depending on the results of the identification, control whether or not to transport the identified output media to the output section for output media. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a media processing device, a media processing method, and a program that are capable of outputting media with a low degree of degradation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a media processing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the media processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a currency deposit and withdrawal device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4A]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a banknote processing unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a dispensing banknote storage vault according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a coin processing unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a dispensed coin storage vault according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic internal configuration of a money depositing and dispensing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing the internal configuration of a banknote processing unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6C] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing the internal configuration of a coin processing unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7A] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the money depositing and dispensing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7B] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the money depositing and dispensing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an apparatus according to each embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a media processing device. The media processing device 100 processes exchange media (hereinafter simply referred to as media) that have physical substance and can be used in transactions, such as currency including banknotes and coins, and game coins. Examples of applications include cash registers, vending machines, currency changers, and automated teller machines (ATMs), but the scope of application is not limited to these. The media processing device 100 includes an input media storage unit 101, an output media storage unit 102, a recognition unit 103, and a control unit 104. Each component is described below.

[0013] The input medium storage unit 101 stores media that have been input into the media processing device 100, but does not store media to be output from the media processing device 100 (hereinafter also referred to as output media). In other words, media stored in the input medium storage unit 101 is not output from the media processing device 100. On the other hand, the output medium storage unit 102, which is provided separately from the input medium storage unit 101, stores output media, but does not store input media. Therefore, media that have been input into the media processing device 100 and output media do not coexist in the output medium storage unit 102. In this way, the input medium storage unit 101 and the output medium storage unit 102 have clearly separated uses.

[0014] Here, media input to media processing device 100 is media given by a user for purposes such as payment, change, or exchange. On the other hand, media output from media processing device 100 is media given to a user for purposes such as payment change, change, or exchange.

[0015] The identification unit 103 identifies the degree of deterioration of the output medium stored in the output medium storage unit 102. The identification unit 103 is composed of, for example, a sensor that captures an image of the output medium using visible light, and an analysis unit that analyzes the degree of deterioration using the captured image.

[0016] The deterioration level indicates the degree of change in appearance due to the occurrence of stains on a medium from a new state. For example, if the medium is a coin, it indicates the change in appearance due to stains such as scratches (missing parts) or rust. If the medium is a banknote, it indicates the change in appearance due to stains such as scratches, folds, and wrinkles. This change in appearance is determined based on at least one of the following: a change in the color space between the entire color of the new medium and the entire color of the medium to be identified, or the area occupied by the stains on the medium to be identified. The color space used to determine the color change can be any color space, such as the HSV color space, the HLS color space, the RGB color space, or the CMTK color space. The identification unit 103 may identify the deterioration level by comparing one or more sample images of the output medium with the image of the output medium. As another example, the identification unit 103 may input images of the output medium to an artificial intelligence (AI) model for determining the deterioration level, thereby obtaining information on the deterioration level of the output medium output from the AI ​​model. This AI model is trained to determine the degree of degradation based on the video of the target output medium. The level of degradation is indicated by at least two or more indicators. The sample video and AI model used to determine the degree of degradation are stored in memory, which will be described later.

[0017] The control unit 104 controls whether or not to transport the output medium identified by the identification unit 103 to an output unit in the media processing device 100, depending on the identification result of the identification unit 103 (i.e., the level of deterioration). For example, if the level of deterioration is identified using two indicators, "high" and "low," and the identification result of the identification unit 103 is "low" (first level of deterioration), the control unit 104 transports the identified output medium to the output unit. However, if the identification result of the identification unit 103 is "high" (second level of deterioration), the control unit 104 does not transport the identified output medium to the output unit. For example, the control unit 104 can transport the identified output medium to a location other than the output unit, either inside or outside the media processing device 100. The control unit 104 can also control the operation of other components of the media processing device 100.

[0018] The media processing device 100 is also provided with a transport section (transport path) that transports output media stored in the output media storage section 102 to the output section. This transport section can use any method of transport, such as belt rotation by a motor or the like, air pressure, or electromagnetic force. Control of the start, stop, acceleration, and deceleration of transport is achieved by the control section 104. A similar transport section may also be provided to store media input into the media processing device 100 in the input media storage section 101.

[0019] 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a typical process performed by the media processing device 100. This flowchart explains the process performed by the media processing device 100. The process performed by each part of the media processing device 100 shown in the flowchart is executed under the control of the control unit 104.

[0020] The control unit 104 transports media input into the media processing device 100 to store them in the input medium storage unit 101 (step S11). The control unit 104 also identifies the degree of deterioration of output media stored in the output medium storage unit 102 (step S12). The identification unit 103 may identify the degree of deterioration while the output medium to be identified is being transported to the output unit, or may identify the degree of deterioration before the output medium is transported to the output unit (i.e., when the output medium is stored in the output medium storage unit 102). Depending on the results of the identification by the identification unit 103, the control unit 104 controls whether or not to transport the identified output medium to the output unit (step S13). The processing of step S11 may be performed before or after the processing of steps S12 and S13, or may be performed simultaneously.

[0021] In this way, the media processing device 100 controls the transport of output media according to the level of deterioration of the output media, allowing it to output media with a low level of deterioration.

[0022] Embodiment 2 A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, a specific example of the media processing device 100 described in the first embodiment will be disclosed.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a currency deposit and withdrawal device according to embodiment 2. The currency deposit and withdrawal device 200 is an automatic change dispenser used for accounting processes in retail and service businesses, and generally comprises a control unit 201, a banknote processing unit 210, and a coin processing unit 220. The currency deposit and withdrawal device 200 is also connected to a higher-level device 300, which is a POS (Point Of Sales) register device.

[0024] The control unit 201 is connected to each unit of the banknote processing unit 210 and the coin processing unit 220, and outputs control signals to each unit for control based on signals received from each unit. Furthermore, by communicating with the higher-level device 300, the control unit 201 outputs the results of deposit processing performed by the banknote processing unit 210 and the coin processing unit 220 to the higher-level device 300, and can also obtain instructions from the higher-level device 300 and output control signals to each unit based on those instructions. In this way, the control unit 201 controls the overall processing of the money deposit and withdrawal device 200 (processing related to money deposit and withdrawal).

[0025] The banknote processing unit 210 and the coin processing unit 220 are units that handle the deposit and withdrawal of Japanese banknotes and coins, respectively, and are each connected to the same higher-level device 300 via the control unit 201. Each unit of the banknote processing unit 210 and the coin processing unit 220 will be described in detail below.

[0026] Fig. 4A is a block diagram showing an example of the banknote processing unit 210. The banknote processing unit 210 includes a banknote deposit port 211, a deposited banknote transport unit 212, a banknote recognition unit 213, a deposited banknote storage vault 214, a withdrawal banknote storage vault 215, a withdrawal banknote transport unit 216, and a banknote withdrawal port 217. The banknote deposit port 211 to the deposited banknote storage vault 214 perform the process of storing deposited banknotes, and the withdrawal banknote storage vault 215 to the banknote withdrawal port 217 perform the process of dispensing banknotes as change. Also, the arrows in Fig. 4A indicate the flow of banknotes and do not exclude bidirectionality in the connection relationships between the various units. Each unit will be described below.

[0027] The banknote deposit port 211 is connected to the outside of the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200, and a user of the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200 (e.g., a store clerk or facility staff) can insert banknotes into the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200 through the banknote deposit port 211.

[0028] The deposited banknote transport unit 212 is a transport unit that transports banknotes deposited through the banknote deposit opening 211 to the deposited banknote storage vault 214. The deposited banknote transport unit 212 has a belt driven by a motor, and when the higher-level device 300 issues an instruction to the control unit 201 to deposit banknotes, the deposited banknote transport unit 212 receives a control signal from the control unit 201 based on the instruction. The deposited banknote transport unit 212 then transports the banknotes to the deposited banknote storage vault 214 by movement of the belt in response to the control signal. The control unit 201 can also control not only the start but also the stop of transport using the control signal. A banknote recognition unit 213 is provided midway through the deposited banknote transport unit 212, and with the banknote recognition unit 213 as the boundary, the side closer to the banknote deposit opening 211 is referred to as the deposited banknote transport unit 212A, and the side closer to the deposited banknote storage vault 214 is referred to as the deposited banknote transport unit 212B.

[0029] The banknote recognition unit 213 has a camera for deposited banknotes, which captures images of banknotes passing over the deposited banknote transport unit 212 and identifies the denomination of the captured banknote based on the captured image. Specifically, it determines whether the captured banknote is a 1,000-yen note, a 5,000-yen note, or a 10,000-yen note for each banknote. The banknote recognition unit 213 may perform this determination by comparing the captured image with one or more sample images of each denomination of banknote. As another example, the banknote recognition unit 213 may input the captured image into an AI model for banknote recognition, thereby obtaining denomination information output from the AI ​​model. This AI model is a model trained to identify the target banknote based on the image of the banknote. The recognition result of the banknote recognition unit 213 is output to the control unit 201. The sample images and AI model used to identify banknotes are stored in a memory, which will be described later.

[0030] The deposited banknote storage 214 is a storage that stores banknotes (deposited banknotes) that have been transported by the deposited banknote transport unit 212 and identified by the banknote identification unit 213. Here, banknotes are stored in one deposited banknote storage 214 regardless of their denomination. Therefore, the space that can be used to store banknotes can be made smaller compared to when spatial regions for storing banknotes are divided according to their denomination.

[0031] The dispensing banknote storage 215 is a storage for banknotes to be dispensed, provided separately from the deposit banknote storage 214. As shown in FIG. 4B , the dispensing banknote storage 215 has, for each denomination, a 1,000 yen note storage 215A for storing 1,000 yen notes, a 5,000 yen note storage 215B for storing 5,000 yen notes, and a 10,000 yen note storage 215C for storing 10,000 yen notes. These storages are configured by dividing the space, and each storage has unused new or nearly new banknotes (banknotes with a low degree of deterioration in the first embodiment) stored in advance as change (or exchange). A user can provide new or nearly new banknotes to customers of retail or service businesses by dispensing such banknotes from the dispensing banknote storage 215.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 4A , the explanation will be continued. The withdrawal banknote transport unit 216 is a transport unit that transports banknotes that have been withdrawn from the withdrawal banknote storage vault 215 to the banknote dispensing port 217. The withdrawal banknote transport unit 216 has a belt driven by a motor, and when the higher-level device 300 issues an instruction to the control unit 201 to dispense banknotes, the withdrawal banknote transport unit 216 receives a control signal from the control unit 201 based on that instruction. The withdrawal banknote transport unit 216 then transports the banknotes to the banknote dispensing port 217 by movement of the belt in response to the control signal. The withdrawal banknote transport unit 216 is provided with a banknote recognition unit 213 midway through the withdrawal banknote transport unit 216, and with the banknote recognition unit 213 as the boundary, the side closer to the withdrawal banknote storage vault 215 will be referred to as the withdrawal banknote transport unit 216A, and the side closer to the banknote dispensing port 217 will be referred to as the withdrawal banknote transport unit 216B. The transport of the withdrawal banknote transport unit 216 is controlled by the control unit 201. As will be described later, the banknotes transported by the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 may be transported not only to the banknote dispensing port 217 but also to the deposited banknote storage vault 214.

[0033] The banknote recognition unit 213 further includes a camera for dispensing banknotes, which captures images of banknotes passing over the dispensing banknote transport unit 216, and identifies the degree of deterioration of the banknotes being transported based on the captured images. The definition of the degree of deterioration is as described in the first embodiment, and a detailed explanation will be omitted. Here, the degree of deterioration is indicated by two indicators: "high" or "low."

[0034] For example, the banknote recognition unit 213 photographs banknotes transported on the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 and determines the denomination of the photographed banknote based on the image. The banknote recognition unit 213 then identifies the degree of deterioration of the banknotes whose denominations have been identified. This identification of the degree of deterioration may be performed by comparing the photographed image with one or more sample images of banknotes of the identified denomination. Details of the method for identifying banknotes are the same as those for deposited banknotes. Furthermore, details of the method for identifying the degree of deterioration are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0035] As another example, the banknote recognition unit 213 may input a captured image of a banknote into an AI model for identifying the deterioration level of the banknote, and obtain information on the deterioration level of the banknote output from the AI ​​model. This AI model is a model that has been trained to determine the deterioration level of the target banknote based on the image of the banknote. In this recognition method, the banknote recognition unit 213 can determine the deterioration level of the photographed banknote without identifying the denomination of the banknote in advance. The sample image and the AI ​​model used to determine the deterioration level are stored in a memory, which will be described later.

[0036] Here, if the deterioration level of the banknote photographed by the banknote recognition unit 213 is "low", the control unit 201 determines that the photographed banknote is in a state suitable for handing over to a customer. In this case, the control unit 201 controls the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 (particularly the dispensing banknote transport unit 216B) to discharge the banknote as is to the banknote dispensing opening 217. On the other hand, if the deterioration level of the banknote photographed by the banknote recognition unit 213 is "high", the control unit 201 determines that the photographed banknote is in a state unsuitable for handing over to a customer. In this case, the control unit 201 controls the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 and the returned banknote transport unit (not shown) to return the banknote to the deposited banknote storage vault 214 without discharging it to the banknote dispensing opening 217. The returned banknote transport unit is a transport unit where the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 branches off from the vicinity of the banknote recognition unit 213 and is connected to the deposited banknote storage vault 214. The returned banknote transport unit has a belt driven by a motor, and when the banknote recognition unit 213 determines that the deterioration level of the banknote to be recognized is "high", the returned banknote transport unit transports the banknote to the deposited banknote storage vault 214 based on a control signal from the control unit 201. In this way, the banknote changes its transport direction around the banknote recognition unit 213 and is stored in the deposited banknote storage vault 214. This process is indicated by dashed arrows in FIG. 4A.

[0037] The banknote dispensing port 217 is in communication with the outside of the money depositing and dispensing device 200, and a user of the money depositing and dispensing device 200 can receive banknotes ejected from the banknote dispensing port 217 and hand them over to a customer.

[0038] Next, the configuration of the coin processing unit 220 will be described.

[0039] Fig. 5A is a block diagram showing an example of the coin processing unit 220. The coin processing unit 220 includes a coin deposit port 221, a deposited coin transport unit 222, a coin recognition unit 223, a deposited coin storage 224, a withdrawal coin storage 225, a withdrawal coin transport unit 226, and a coin dispensing port 227. The coin deposit port 221 to the deposited coin storage 224 perform the process of storing deposited coins, and the withdrawal coin storage 225 to the coin dispensing port 227 perform the process of dispensing banknotes as change. The arrows in Fig. 5A indicate the flow of coins and do not exclude bidirectionality in the connection relationships between the various units. Each unit will be described below.

[0040] The coin deposit port 221 communicates with the outside of the money deposit and withdrawal device 200, and a user of the money deposit and withdrawal device 200 can insert coins into the money deposit and withdrawal device 200 through the coin deposit port 221.

[0041] The deposited coin transport unit 222 is a transport unit that transports coins deposited through the coin deposit port 221 to the deposited coin storage vault 224. The deposited coin transport unit 222 has a belt driven by a motor, and when the higher-level device 300 issues an instruction to the control unit 201 to deposit coins, it receives a control signal from the control unit 201 based on that instruction. The coins are then transported to the deposited coin storage vault 224 by movement of the belt in response to the control signal. The control unit 201 can also control not only the start but also the stop of transport using the control signal. A coin recognition unit 223 is provided midway through the deposited coin transport unit 222, and with the coin recognition unit 223 as the boundary, the side closer to the coin deposit port 221 is called deposited coin transport unit 222A, and the side closer to the deposited coin storage vault 224 is called deposited coin transport unit 222B.

[0042] The coin recognition unit 223 has a camera for deposited coins, which captures images of coins passing over the deposited coin transport unit 222 and determines the denomination of the captured coin based on the captured image. Specifically, it determines whether the captured coin is 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, or 500 yen for each coin. The coin recognition unit 223 may perform this determination by comparing the captured image with one or more sample images of each coin denomination. As another example, the coin recognition unit 223 may input the captured image into an AI model for coin recognition and obtain denomination information output from the AI ​​model. This AI model is a model trained to identify the coin based on the image of the coin. The recognition result of the coin recognition unit 223 is output to the control unit 201. The sample images and AI model used to identify the denomination are stored in a memory, which will be described later.

[0043] The deposited coin storage 224 is a storage that stores coins (deposited coins) that have been transported by the deposited coin transport unit 222 and identified by the coin identification unit 223. Here, coins are stored in one deposited coin storage 224 regardless of their denomination. Therefore, the space that can be used to store coins can be made smaller compared to when the storage spatial area is divided according to the denomination.

[0044] The dispensing coin storage 225 is a storage for dispensed coins, provided separately from the deposited coin storage 224. As shown in FIG. 5B , the dispensing coin storage 225 has, for each denomination, a 1-yen coin storage 225A for storing 1-yen coins, a 5-yen coin storage 225B for storing 5-yen coins, a 10-yen coin storage 225C for storing 10-yen coins, a 50-yen coin storage 225D for storing 50-yen coins, a 100-yen coin storage 225E for storing 100-yen coins, and a 500-yen coin storage 225F for storing 500-yen coins. These storages are configured by dividing the space, and each storage has unused coins or nearly new coins (coins with little deterioration) stored in advance as change (or exchange). By dispensing such coins from the dispensing coin storage 225, the user can provide new or nearly new coins to customers of retail or service establishments.

[0045] Returning to FIG. 5A , the explanation will continue. The dispensed coin transport unit 226 is a transport unit that transports coins dispensed from the dispensed coin storage vault 225 to the coin outlet 227. The dispensed coin transport unit 226 has a belt driven by a motor, and when the higher-level device 300 issues an instruction to the control unit 201 to dispense coins, the dispensed coin transport unit 226 receives a control signal from the control unit 201 based on the instruction. The coin is then transported to the coin outlet 227 by movement of the belt in response to the control signal. A coin recognition unit 223 is provided midway through the dispensed coin transport unit 226, and with the coin recognition unit 223 as the boundary, the side closer to the dispensed coin storage vault 225 will be referred to as dispensed coin transport unit 226A, and the side closer to the coin outlet 227 will be referred to as dispensed coin transport unit 226B. The transport of the dispensed coin transport unit 226 is controlled by the control unit 201. Furthermore, as will be described later, the coins transported by the dispensing coin transport unit 226 may not only be transported to the coin dispensing port 227 but also to the deposited coin storage 224.

[0046] The coin recognition unit 223 further has a camera for dispensing coins, which captures images of coins passing over the dispensing coin transport unit 226, and identifies the degree of deterioration of the coins being transported based on the images. The degree of deterioration is defined as described above, and the indicator is shown as one of two types: "high" or "low."

[0047] For example, the coin identification unit 223 photographs coins being transported on the dispensing coin transport unit 226 and determines the denomination of the photographed coin based on the image. Details of this determination method are similar to those for deposited coins, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. The coin identification unit 223 then identifies the degree of deterioration of the coins whose denominations have been identified. This identification of the degree of deterioration may be performed by comparing the photographed image with one or more sample images of coins of the identified denomination.

[0048] As another example, the coin recognition unit 223 may input a photographed image of a coin into an AI model for identifying the deterioration level of the coin, and obtain information on the deterioration level of the coin output from the AI ​​model. This AI model is a model that has been trained to determine the deterioration level of the target coin based on the image of the coin. In this recognition method, the coin recognition unit 223 can determine the deterioration level of the photographed coin without identifying the denomination of the coin in advance. The sample image and AI model used to determine the deterioration level are stored in a memory, which will be described later.

[0049] Here, if the deterioration level of the coin photographed by the coin recognition unit 223 is "low," the control unit 201 determines that the photographed coin is in a state suitable for handing over to a customer. In this case, the control unit 201 controls the dispensed coin transport unit 226 (particularly the dispensed coin transport unit 226B) to discharge the coin directly to the coin outlet 227. On the other hand, if the deterioration level of the coin photographed by the coin recognition unit 223 is "high," the control unit 201 determines that the photographed coin is in a state unsuitable for handing over to a customer. In this case, the control unit 201 controls the dispensed coin transport unit 226 and the returned coin transport unit (not shown) to return the coin to the deposited coin storage vault 224 without discharging it to the coin outlet 227. The returned coin transport unit is a transport unit that branches off from the dispensed coin transport unit 226 around the coin recognition unit 223 and is connected to the deposited coin storage vault 224. The returned coin transport unit has a belt driven by a motor, and when the coin recognition unit 223 determines that the deterioration level of the coin to be recognized is "high," it transports the coin to the deposited coin storage vault 224 based on a control signal from the control unit 201. In this way, the coin changes its direction of transport around the coin recognition unit 223 and is stored in the deposited coin storage vault 224. This process is indicated by the dashed arrow in Figure 5A.

[0050] The coin dispensing port 227 is in communication with the outside of the money depositing and dispensing device 200, and a user of the money depositing and dispensing device 200 can receive coins dispensed from the coin dispensing port 227 and hand them over to a customer.

[0051] Fig. 6A is a perspective view schematically showing the internal configuration of the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200. Fig. 6B is a side view schematically showing a portion constituting the banknote processing unit 210 in Fig. 6A, and Fig. 6C is a side view schematically showing a portion constituting the coin processing unit 220 in Fig. 6A. As shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, in the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200, a banknote deposit port 211 and a deposited banknote transport unit 212 for depositing banknotes into the deposited banknote storage vault 214 are provided at the top, while a withdrawal banknote transport unit 216 and a banknote discharge port 217 for dispensing banknotes from the withdrawal banknote storage vault 215 are provided at the bottom. A returned banknote transport unit (not shown) for transporting banknotes determined to have a "high" degree of deterioration by the banknote recognition unit 213 to the deposited banknote storage vault 214 is also provided below the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200. The banknote deposit port 211 and the banknote withdrawal port 217 are provided on the same side (front side) of the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200. A deposited banknote storage vault 214 is provided on the rear side opposite the front side, and a withdrawal banknote storage vault 215 is provided on the front side of the deposited banknote storage vault 214 and below the deposited banknote transport unit 212. Furthermore, the banknote recognition unit 213 is provided between the deposited banknote transport unit 212 and the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 so as to be able to detect both banknotes transported by the deposited banknote transport unit 212 and banknotes transported by the dispensing banknote transport unit 216.

[0052] 6A and 6C, in the coin processing unit 220, the coin deposit port 221 and the deposited coin transport unit 222, which deposit coins into the deposited coin storage 224, are provided at the top, while the withdrawal coin transport unit 226 and the coin withdrawal port 227, which withdraw coins from the withdrawal coin storage 225, are provided at the bottom. A return coin transport unit (not shown), which transports coins determined to have a "high" degree of deterioration by the coin recognition unit 223 to the deposited coin storage 224, is also provided below the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200. The coin deposit port 221 and the coin withdrawal port 227 are provided on the front side of the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200. The deposited coin storage 224 is provided at the back side opposite the front side, and the withdrawal coin storage 225 is provided on the front side of the deposited coin storage 224 and below the deposited coin transport unit 222. Furthermore, the coin identification unit 223 is provided between the deposited coin transport unit 222 and the dispensing coin transport unit 226 so that it can detect both coins transported by the deposited coin transport unit 222 and coins transported by the dispensing coin transport unit 226.

[0053] Returning to FIG. 3 , the higher-level device 300 acquires, via the control unit 201, information on the denominations of deposited banknotes identified by the banknote recognition unit 213 and information on the denominations of deposited coins identified by the coin recognition unit 223 (i.e., information on the amount deposited into the money deposit and dispensing device 200). Based on this information and the amount of the product or service entered by the user, the higher-level device 300 calculates the amount of change required by the customer by subtracting the amount indicated by the former information from the latter amount. The higher-level device 300 outputs the calculated change amount information to the control unit 201 as information on the amount to be dispensed. Based on this information, the control unit 201 determines which banknotes or coins should be dispensed and how many of them should be dispensed as change. Then, it controls the dispensed banknote transport unit 216 or the dispensed coin transport unit 226 to transport each of the determined banknotes or coins to the banknote dispensing slot 217 or the coin dispensing slot 227.

[0054] For example, if the denomination information of the deposited banknotes recognized by the banknote recognition unit 213 is a "10,000 yen note," and the product amount entered by the user into the higher-level device 300 is "6,380 yen," the higher-level device 300 calculates the difference between the two, "3,620 yen," as the amount of change, and outputs this amount information to the control unit 201. Based on this information, the control unit 201 determines that three "1,000 yen" banknotes and one "500 yen," one "100 yen," and two "10 yen" coins are needed. As a result, the control unit 201 controls the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 to transport the three "1,000 yen" notes to the banknote dispensing slot 217, and also controls the dispensing coin transport unit 226 to transport one 500 yen coin, one 100 yen coin, and two 10 yen coins to the banknote dispensing slot 217.

[0055] At this time, the deterioration level of each banknote transported by the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 is determined by the banknote recognition unit 213, as described above. Banknotes with a "low" deterioration level are transported as is to the banknote dispensing opening 217, while banknotes with a "high" deterioration level are transported to the deposited banknote storage vault 214. Then, for banknotes determined to have a "high" deterioration level, the control unit 201 controls so that banknotes of the same denomination and number as the determined deterioration level are transported from the dispensing banknote storage vault 215 (the 1,000-yen note storage vault 215A in this example) to the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 to the banknote dispensing opening 217. The deterioration level of this banknote is also determined by the banknote recognition unit 213, and if the deterioration level is "low", it is transported as is to the banknote dispensing opening 217, but if the deterioration level is "high", it is transported to the deposited banknote storage vault 214. This process is repeated until the type and number of banknotes determined to have a "low" degree of deterioration by the banknote recognition unit 213 become the same as the type and number of banknotes required as change. This process is also performed for coins, and is repeated until the type and number of coins determined to have a "low" degree of deterioration by the coin recognition unit 223 become the same as the type and number of coins required as change.

[0056] 7A and 7B are flowcharts showing an example of a typical process of the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200, and the process will be explained below with reference to these figures. Note that the details of each step have been described above, so explanation will be omitted where appropriate. Also, although the following explanation will be given using banknotes as an example of currency, similar processes can be realized with coins as well.

[0057] First, a user inserts banknotes into the banknote processing unit 210. The control unit 201 controls the deposited banknote transport unit 212 to transport the deposited banknotes to the deposited banknote storage vault 214 (step S21). At this time, the banknotes being transported are transported by the deposited banknote transport unit 212A, and then pass through the banknote recognition unit 213, whereupon their denominations are recognized (step S22). The deposited banknotes are transported by the deposited banknote transport unit 212B and stored in the deposited banknote storage vault 214 (step S23). This process is performed for each banknote until all deposits have been completed.

[0058] The control unit 201 calculates the total amount deposited into the money depositing and dispensing device 200 based on the information on the denominations of all deposited banknotes identified in step S22 and the information on the denominations of all coins that have passed through the coin identification unit 223 (step S24). The control unit 201 transmits this total amount information to the higher-level device 300. The higher-level device 300 calculates whether or not change is needed based on this information, and outputs the change information that is the calculation result to the control unit 201. The control unit 201 acquires the change information and determines whether or not change is needed (step S25). If change is not needed (No in step S25), the transaction is completed, and the processing of the control unit 201 ends.

[0059] If change is required (Yes in step S25), the control unit 201 controls the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 to transport the number of banknotes required for the change from the storage units of each denomination in the dispensing banknote storage vault 215 (step S26). At this time, the banknotes being transported are transported by the dispensing banknote transport unit 216A, and then pass through the banknote recognition unit 213, where their degree of deterioration is identified. If the degree of deterioration is "low," the control unit 201 determines that there is no problem with the change to be recognized by the banknote recognition unit 213, and if the degree of deterioration is "high," the control unit 201 determines that there is a problem with the change to be recognized. The control unit 201 determines whether there is a problem with at least one of the change to be recognized (step S27).

[0060] If there is no problem with the change (No in step S27), the control unit 201 controls the dispensing banknote transport unit 216 to transport the change to be recognized to the banknote dispensing slot 217 and discharge it (step S28). This completes the transaction, and the processing of the control unit 201 ends.

[0061] If there is a problem with at least one of the change (Yes in step S27), the control unit 201 controls the dispensed banknote transport unit 216 and the returned banknote transport unit to store the change determined to have a problem in the deposited banknote storage vault 214 (step S28). Then, the control unit 201 transports banknotes of the same denomination as the change determined to have a problem from the dispensed banknote storage vault 215 in which that denomination is stored (step S30). Then, the control unit 201 executes the determination process of step S27 again for the transported change.

[0062] As described above, the currency deposit and dispensing device 200 has separate storage compartments for deposits and withdrawals (change). Deposited coins and banknotes are stored in a single storage compartment, without being separated by denomination. This configuration simplifies the role of each storage compartment in the currency deposit and dispensing device 200, reducing the number of storage compartments and thereby reducing the size of the device itself. For example, the currency deposit and dispensing device 200 can be sized to fit on a cash register counter. Furthermore, because the storage compartment and transport unit for withdrawals are separate from the storage compartment and transport unit for deposits, currency with low deterioration, such as unused currency, can be quickly dispensed as change without passing through the transport unit for deposits. Therefore, the currency deposit and dispensing device 200 can be used in places where it is desirable to improve the customer experience, such as hotels.

[0063] Furthermore, the control unit 201 uses the recognition unit to identify the degree of deterioration of the currency to be dispensed (banknotes and change), and if the degree of deterioration is high, collects the currency without transporting it to the dispensing slot. This allows currency with a low degree of deterioration to be dispensed reliably, improving the impression given to service users.

[0064] Furthermore, if the currency recognized by the recognition unit is highly deteriorated, the control unit 201 transports the currency to the deposited banknote storage 214 (or the deposited coin storage 224). In other words, the storage for deposited currency can be repurposed. This eliminates the need to provide a new storage for currency to be collected, and allows the size of the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200 to be reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, the banknote recognition unit 213 is provided between the deposited banknote transport unit 212 and the dispensing banknote transport unit 216, and can distinguish between banknotes transported by the deposited banknote transport unit 212 and banknotes transported by the dispensing banknote transport unit 216. This eliminates the need to provide separate spaces for the banknote recognition unit 213 in the deposited banknote transport unit 212 and the dispensing banknote transport unit 216, making it possible to reduce the space required for the banknote processing unit 210 and, in turn, the size of the main body of the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200. A similar configuration can also be adopted for the coin processing unit 220, making it possible to reduce the space required for the coin processing unit 220 and, in turn, the size of the main body of the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200.

[0066] Furthermore, when the banknote recognized by the banknote recognition unit 213 is determined to have a high degree of deterioration, the control unit 201 can newly transport a banknote of the same type as the recognized banknote from the dispensing banknote storage vault 215 to the banknote dispensing slot 217. The control unit 201 can also perform similar processing on coins. This allows the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200 to dispense the amount of currency with a low degree of deterioration that the user needs, such as change.

[0067] Furthermore, the currency deposit and dispensing device 200 is connected to the higher-level device 300 and can obtain information on the amount of money to be dispensed. Based on the information on the amount of money to be dispensed, the control unit 201 controls whether or not to convey the currency to the output unit, based on the degree of deterioration of the newly conveyed currency identified by the banknote recognition unit 213 or the coin recognition unit 223, until the currency identified by the banknote recognition unit 213 or the coin recognition unit 223 is conveyed to the output unit for the amount of money to be dispensed. This allows the currency deposit and dispensing device 200 to more reliably dispense the amount of currency with a low degree of deterioration that the user needs, such as change.

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, by applying foreign currency to deposits and withdrawals, the currency depositing and dispensing device 200 can function as a currency exchange machine for Japanese currency and foreign currency. In this case, the higher-level device 300 calculates the amount of Japanese currency or foreign currency corresponding to the total amount deposited into the currency depositing and dispensing device 200 and outputs an instruction to the control unit 201 to dispense that amount. The control unit 201 controls the dispensed banknote transport unit 216 or the dispensed coin transport unit 226 to transport banknotes or coins corresponding to that amount. At this time, if the banknote recognition unit 213 or the coin recognition unit 223 determines that the degree of deterioration of the currency to be dispensed is "high," the control unit 201 does not dispense the currency, but instead dispenses another currency, as described in embodiment 2.

[0069] Furthermore, if the currency being transported for dispensing identified by the banknote recognition unit 213 or the coin recognition unit 223 is a specific type of currency, the control unit 201 may output the currency to the dispensing slot as is, even if the degree of deterioration is determined to be "high." On the other hand, if the identified currency is another type of currency, as described above, the control unit 201 may collect the currency without transporting it to the dispensing slot if the degree of deterioration is determined to be "high." For example, if the coin recognition unit 223 identifies that a small-denomination coin, such as a 1-yen coin, is being transported for dispensing in the dispensing coin transport unit 226, the control unit 201 may output the currency to the coin dispensing slot 227 as is, even if the degree of deterioration is determined to be "high." This is because customers who desire banknotes or coins with a low degree of deterioration may determine that a high degree of deterioration is not a problem for certain types of banknotes or coins. Information about such specific types is stored in a memory, which will be described later.

[0070] In the above-described embodiments, this disclosure has been described as a hardware configuration, but this disclosure is not limited to this. This disclosure can also be realized by having a processor in a computer constituting the medium processing device or the currency deposit and withdrawal device execute a computer program to perform the processing (steps) of the medium processing device or the currency deposit and withdrawal device described in each of the above-described embodiments.

[0071] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device (computer) that executes the processes of each of the above-described embodiments. Referring to Fig. 8, this information processing device 90 includes a signal processing circuit 91, a processor 92, and a memory 93. The information processing device 90 constitutes the medium processing device 100 or the currency deposit and withdrawal device 200.

[0072] The signal processing circuit 91 is a circuit for processing signals in accordance with the control of the processor 92. The signal processing circuit 91 may include a communication circuit for receiving signals from a transmitting device.

[0073] The processor 92 reads and executes software (computer programs) from the memory 93 to perform the processing of the device described in the above embodiment. The number of processors 92 is not limited to one, and multiple processors 92 may be provided. As an example of the processor 92, one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Demand-Side Platform), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) may be used, or multiple processors may be used in parallel.

[0074] The memory 93 is configured with a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, or a combination thereof. The memory 93 is not limited to one, and multiple memories may be provided. The volatile memory may be, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The nonvolatile memory may be, for example, a ROM (Random Only Memory) such as a PROM (Programmable Random Only Memory) or an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a flash memory, or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0075] The memory 93 is used to store one or more instructions. Here, the one or more instructions are stored as a group of software modules in the memory 93. The processor 92 can perform the processes described in the above embodiments by reading and executing the group of software modules from the memory 93.

[0076] The memory 93 may include memory built into the processor 92 in addition to memory provided outside the processor 92. The memory 93 may also include storage located away from the processors constituting the processor 92. In this case, the processor 92 can access the memory 93 via an I / O (Input / Output) interface.

[0077] As described above, one or more processors included in each device in the above-described embodiments execute one or more programs including instructions for causing a computer to execute the algorithms described using the drawings. This processing enables the signal processing method described in each embodiment to be realized.

[0078] The program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray® disk or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0079] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 100 Media processing device 101 input medium storage section 102 output medium storage section 103 Identification unit 104 Control unit 200 Money deposit and withdrawal device 201 Control unit 210 Banknote processing unit 211 banknote deposit port 212A, 212B deposited banknote transport unit 213 Banknote recognition unit 214 Deposit banknote storage cabinet 215 Dispense banknote storage 215A 1,000 yen note storage cabinet 215B 5,000 yen note storage cabinet 215C 10,000 yen note storage 216A, 216B Dispensing banknote transport section 217 Banknote withdrawal slot 220 Coin Processing Department 221 coin deposit port 222A, 222B deposited coin transport unit 223 Coin identification unit 224 Deposit coin storage 225 Withdrawal Coin Storage 225A 1 yen coin storage cabinet 225B 5 yen coin storage cabinet 225C 10 yen coin storage cabinet 225D 50 yen coin storage cabinet 225E 100 yen coin storage cabinet 225F 500 yen coin storage cabinet 226A, 226B Dispensing coin transport unit 227 Coin dispensing port 300 Upper device

Claims

1. an input medium storage unit that stores input media but does not store output media for output; an output medium storage unit that stores the output medium but does not store the input medium; an identification unit for identifying the deterioration level and type of the output medium stored in the output medium storage unit; a control unit that, when the identification unit identifies the deterioration level of the output medium as a first deterioration level, transports the identified output medium to an output unit, and, when the identification unit identifies the deterioration level of the output medium as a second deterioration level that is worse than the first deterioration level, does not transport the identified output medium to the output unit and transports a new output medium of the same type as the type of the output medium identified by the identification unit from the output medium storage unit to the output unit, When the identification unit identifies that the type of the output medium is a predetermined type of medium, the control unit transports the output medium to the output unit even if the deterioration level of the output medium is identified as the second deterioration level. Media processing device.

2. The input medium and output medium are currency. The media processing device of claim 1 .

3. the control unit controls whether the output medium identified by the identification unit is transported to the output unit or the input medium storage unit, depending on the identification result of the identification unit. The media processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. an output transport unit that transports the output medium stored in the output medium storage unit to the output unit; an input transport unit that transports the medium input from the input unit to the input medium storage unit, The identification unit is provided between the input transport unit and the output transport unit, and identifies the degree of deterioration of the output medium being transported in the output transport unit, as well as the type of the input medium being transported in the input transport unit. The media processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the media processing device is connected to a host device, the identification unit further identifies the degree of deterioration of the new output medium; the control unit controls whether or not to transport the new output medium to the output unit based on the deterioration level of the new output medium identified by the identification unit, until the output medium identified by the identification unit as having the first deterioration level based on the information on the withdrawal amount output from the higher-level device is transported to the output unit by an amount equal to the withdrawal amount. The media processing device according to claim 1 .

6. The input medium is stored in an input medium storage section that does not store an output medium for outputting, Identifying the deterioration level and type of the output medium stored in an output medium storage unit that stores the output medium but does not store the input medium; When the deterioration level of the output medium is identified as a first deterioration level, the identified output medium is transported to an output unit, and when the deterioration level of the output medium is identified as a second deterioration level that is more deteriorated than the first deterioration level, the identified output medium is not transported to the output unit, and a new output medium of the same type as the identified output medium is transported from the output medium storage unit to the output unit; When the type of the output medium is identified as a predetermined type of medium, the output medium is transported to the output unit even if the deterioration level of the output medium is identified as the second deterioration level. A computer-implemented media processing method.

7. The input medium is stored in an input medium storage section that does not store an output medium for outputting, Identifying the deterioration level and type of the output medium stored in an output medium storage unit that stores the output medium but does not store the input medium; When the deterioration level of the output medium is identified as a first deterioration level, the identified output medium is transported to an output unit, and when the deterioration level of the output medium is identified as a second deterioration level that is more deteriorated than the first deterioration level, the identified output medium is not transported to the output unit, and a new output medium of the same type as the identified output medium is transported from the output medium storage unit to the output unit; When the type of the output medium is identified as a predetermined type of medium, the output medium is transported to the output unit even if the deterioration level of the output medium is identified as the second deterioration level. A program that makes a computer do something.

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