Banknote processing device

Abstract

Provided is a banknote processing device comprising: a deposit / withdrawal unit provided with at least one of a deposit unit that receives a banknote from a user / operator or a withdrawal unit that delivers the banknote to the user / operator; an annular conveyance unit that is a single closed annular conveyance path allowing bidirectional transport of the banknote and that is connected to the deposit / withdrawal unit; a validating unit that is provided in the annular conveyance unit and that validates the banknote; a storage compartment conveyance unit that branches from the annular conveyance unit and extends downward; at least one storage compartment that is disposed below the annular conveyance unit and that stores the banknote; and a linear conveyance unit that is disposed in front of the storage compartment below the annular conveyance unit, has a conveyance path extending in the vertical direction, and conveys the banknote between the storage compartment conveyance unit and the storage compartment.

Description

Banknote handling equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-174439, filed October 6, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present disclosure relates to a banknote processing device, and is applicable to systems used in checkout counters or backrooms of retail stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores.

[0002] In recent years, for example, cash register change systems have become widespread in which a change dispenser that processes the deposit and withdrawal of banknotes and coins is combined with a POS (Point of Sales) register connected to a POS system, etc. Among these change dispensers, some banknote processing devices that process banknotes include a deposit and withdrawal unit that exchanges banknotes with a cashier, a transport unit that transports banknotes, a discrimination unit that discriminates the denomination and authenticity of inserted banknotes, a stacker that stores reusable banknotes by denomination, and a collection box that stores banknotes that should not be reused (see, for example, JP 2023-77267 A).

[0003] Furthermore, some banknote processing devices have transport paths and stackers that can be extended toward the rear of the device. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 7-267513 and 9-235061 disclose banknote processing devices in which two annular transport paths, a first annular transport path and a second annular transport path, are arranged side by side above and below each other, and a stacker that stores banknotes is arranged below the second annular transport path. In these banknote processing devices, the second annular transport path and the stacker can be extended toward the rear of the banknote processing device.

[0004] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-20783 discloses a banknote processing device that has one annular transport path and a stacker for storing banknotes located behind the annular transport path, in which the annular transport path and the stacker are extendable upward.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-240904 discloses a banknote processing device that has a single annular transport path that is not annular but becomes annular by passing through a deposit / withdrawal unit, and a stacker for storing banknotes is located below the annular transport path. This banknote processing device has a first branch section at the front of the annular transport path, a second branch section at the rear, and a third branch section above, and by connecting a storage / discharge storehouse, a loading / recovery storehouse, and an expansion transport path to these branch sections, it is possible to expand the storage / discharge storehouse and loading / recovery storehouse vertically and toward the rear of the banknote processing device.

[0006] In such a banknote processing device, it is desirable to avoid an increase in size, to use the space efficiently to arrange various components, and to transport and store banknotes.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above points, and provides a banknote processing device that can avoid an increase in size, efficiently use space to arrange various components, and transport and store banknotes.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure is a banknote processing device comprising: a deposit / withdrawal unit provided with at least one of a deposit unit that receives banknotes from a user and a withdrawal unit that hands over banknotes to a user; a circular conveyance unit that is a closed single circular conveyance path capable of conveying banknotes in both directions and is connected to the deposit / withdrawal unit via a branch; a discrimination unit that is provided in the circular conveyance unit and discriminates banknotes; a storage container conveyance unit that branches off from the circular conveyance unit and extends downward; one or more storage containers that are arranged below the circular conveyance unit and store banknotes; and a linear conveyance unit that is arranged in front of the storage container below the circular conveyance unit, has a conveyance path that extends in the vertical direction, and conveys banknotes between the storage container conveyance unit and the storage container.

[0009] As a result, according to the present disclosure, the height and depth of the device can be reduced.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a banknote processing device that can reduce the height and depth of the device, and that can efficiently use space to arrange various components and transport and store banknotes.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a left side view showing the internal configuration of a banknote processing device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the transport of banknotes during a deposit process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a left side view showing the transport of banknotes during a dispensing process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the removal of banknotes from a stacker and the removal of a collection box according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a left side view showing the addition of a stacker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a left side view showing the removal of a stacker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a left side view showing the internal configuration of a banknote processing device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a left side view showing the transport of banknotes during a deposit process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a left side view showing the transport of banknotes during a dispensing process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a left side view showing the removal of banknotes from a stacker and the removal of a collection box according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a left side view showing the removal of a recycle cassette according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a left side view showing the addition of a stacker according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a left side view showing the removal of a stacker according to the second embodiment. Fig. 10 is a left side view showing the transport of banknotes during a deposit process according to the third embodiment. Fig. 11 is a left side view showing the transport of banknotes during a withdrawal process according to the third embodiment. Fig. 12 is a left side view showing the removal of a replenishing and collecting cassette, the removal of banknotes in a stacker, and the removal of a collecting box according to the third embodiment.

[0012] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] 1, a banknote processing device 1 according to a first embodiment is configured around a box-shaped housing 2, and is installed in, for example, a financial institution or various commercial facilities, and performs cash-related transactions such as deposit and withdrawal processes with users (i.e., customers of the financial institution or commercial facility). In the following description, the side of the banknote processing device 1 that a user faces is referred to as the front side, the opposite side is referred to as the rear side, and the left and right sides as seen from the user facing the front side are referred to as the left side and right side, respectively, with upper and lower sides further defined.

[0014] The housing 2 has a housing front opening 2A formed on its front side, which connects the internal space enclosed by the housing 2 with the outside. A front door 3 that can open and close the housing front opening 2A is provided on the front side, i.e., the opening side. When viewed from the left side, the front door 3 extends vertically upward from the lower end of the housing front opening 2A and has a shape resembling the letter "U" rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise and protruding forward, covering the lower, front, and upper sides of the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 10. The banknote processing device 1 protects the interior of the banknote processing device 1 by closing the front door 3 during transaction processing between the banknote processing device 1 and a user. Meanwhile, during maintenance work performed by a worker (operator) such as a maintenance technician or a bank employee, the front door 3 can be opened as needed to facilitate work on the various internal components of the banknote processing device 1. 1 , openings are formed in front of and above the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10 in the front door 3, allowing a user to access the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10. The heights of the housing 2 and the front door 3 are adjusted to match the number of stackers 16 in the banknote processing device 1.

[0015] A banknote control unit 4 is provided inside the housing 2, which controls the entire banknote processing device 1. The banknote control unit 4 is configured mainly around a CPU (Central Processing Unit), not shown, and performs various processes such as deposit processing and withdrawal processing by reading and executing predetermined programs from a ROM, flash memory, etc., not shown. The banknote control unit 4 also has an internal storage unit made up of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, flash memory, etc., and stores various information in this storage unit. In the banknote processing device 1, the banknote control unit 4 controls each unit (the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 10, the transport unit 12, the discrimination unit 14, the stackers 16 (stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C), and the collection box 18) in an integrated manner.

[0016] [1-1-2. Configuration of the Banknote Deposit / Withdrawal Unit] The banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 10 has a deposit unit 20 and a withdrawal unit 21, and receives and delivers banknotes to and from a user, thereby allowing the user to deposit or withdraw banknotes. The deposit unit 20 has a receptacle for storing banknotes, a shutter for opening and closing an opening, and a separation unit made up of various rollers that separates and feeds out banknotes one by one. During a deposit process, a user places banknotes on a plate-shaped lower guide 22. Above the lower guide 22, a top guide 23 is provided that guides the top surfaces of banknotes placed on the lower guide 22. The deposit unit 20 separates banknotes inserted by a user and placed on the lower guide 22 one by one, and feeds them to the transport unit 12, using the separation unit provided at the rear end inside the deposit unit 20. 2, in the banknote processing device 1, the top guide 23 of the deposit unit 20 is closed during normal deposit processing, and a space with a thickness equivalent to about 10 banknotes is formed between the top guide 23 and the lower guide 22. On the other hand, when a large number of banknotes are inserted at once, the banknote processing device 1 rotates the top guide 23 about a rotation fulcrum near the separation unit as an axis, as shown in the dashed square on the right side of FIG.

[0017] The withdrawal unit 21 is located below the deposit unit 20 and has a stacking section that accumulates transported banknotes, a shutter that opens and closes the opening, and an intake section that is made up of various rollers and takes in banknotes.It stores banknotes that are returned as non-depositable banknotes during the deposit process and banknotes that are determined to be withdrawable banknotes during the withdrawal process, and hands them over to the user.

[0018] [1-1-3. Internal Configuration of the Transport Unit Housing] A transport unit housing 26 is provided behind the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10. The upper end of the transport unit housing 26 is approximately the same height as the upper end of the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10, and the depth in the front-to-rear direction is slightly longer than that of the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10. Furthermore, the lower end of the front end of the transport unit housing 26 is approximately the same height as the lower end of the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10, and the transport unit housing 26 extends from the rear end of the linear transport unit 42A (described later) to the rear end of the transport unit housing 26 to a position lower than the lower end of the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10, making it taller than the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10.

[0019] The transport unit housing 26 mainly contains the transport unit 12 and the discrimination unit 14. The transport unit 12 is made up of a circular transport unit 28, a deposit transport unit 30, an upper withdrawal transport unit 31, a lower withdrawal transport unit 32, a front storage cabinet transport unit 34, a rear storage cabinet transport unit 33, and a rear transport unit 35, and is equipped with a large number of rotating rollers and guides for guiding banknotes, and transports rectangular banknotes along the transport path shown by the solid line in the figure with their short edges aligned with the transport direction.

[0020] The circular transport unit 28 is a circular transport path that transports banknotes in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions in Fig. 1. This circular transport unit 28 is connected to the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 10 via the deposit transport unit 30, the upper withdrawal transport unit 31, and the lower withdrawal transport unit 32, but is not connected to the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 10 by itself, and forms a closed circular transport path. The banknote processing device 1 is provided with only one such circular transport path. The deposit transport unit 30, the upper withdrawal transport unit 31, the lower withdrawal transport unit 32, the front storage container transport unit 34, the rear storage container transport unit 33, and the rear transport unit 35 are connected to this circular transport unit 28.

[0021] The deposit transport unit 30 connects the deposit unit 20 and the annular transport unit 28 substantially along the front-to-rear direction. The upper withdrawal transport unit 31 connects the withdrawal unit 21 and the annular transport unit 28 substantially along the front-to-rear direction below the deposit transport unit 30. The lower withdrawal transport unit 32 connects the withdrawal unit 21 and the annular transport unit 28 substantially along the front-to-rear direction below the upper withdrawal transport unit 31. Hereinafter, the upper withdrawal transport unit 31 and the lower withdrawal transport unit 32 will be collectively referred to as the withdrawal transport unit. The front storage container transport unit 34 connects the linear transport unit 42A and the annular transport unit 28 substantially along the vertical direction below the lower withdrawal transport unit 32. The rear storage container transport unit 33 connects the linear transport unit 42A and the annular transport unit 28 substantially along the vertical direction behind the front storage container transport unit 34. Hereinafter, the front storage cabinet transport section 34 and the rear storage cabinet transport section 33 will be collectively referred to as the storage cabinet transport sections. The rear transport section 35 extends downward from approximately the rear end of the annular transport section 28 behind the rear storage cabinet transport section 33, then curves and extends rearward.

[0022] A front branching section 36a where the banknote transport path branches is provided at the front of the circular transport unit 28. A front switching section (not shown) is provided at the front branching section 36a. The front switching section is composed of a blade (not shown) and multiple rollers (not shown) arranged around the blade, and switches the transport direction of banknotes by rotating the blade to change the inclination direction. The rollers are arranged facing each other across the banknote transport path. Under the control of the banknote control unit 4, this front switching section changes the inclination direction of the blade according to the transport destination of each banknote and rotates the rollers in a predetermined rotation direction, thereby appropriately switching the transport direction of the banknote and transporting it to the desired destination.

[0023] Specifically, the front switching unit switches between two transport paths for banknotes by changing the inclination direction of the blade with the tip facing upward. That is, the front switching unit forms a transport path connecting the validation unit 14 and the linear transport unit 42A, or forms a transport path connecting the validation unit 14 and the dispensing unit 21. Therefore, the front switching unit switches the transport path for banknotes transported clockwise from top to bottom on the circular transport unit 28 between two directions, the linear transport unit 42A or the dispensing unit 21, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0024] Meanwhile, a lower branching portion 36b, from which the banknote conveyance path branches, is provided behind and below the front branching portion 36a in the circular conveyance unit 28. The lower branching portion 36b is provided with a lower switching portion (not shown) that has substantially the same configuration as the front switching portion. Specifically, the lower switching portion changes the inclination direction of a blade whose tip faces rearward to switch between two banknote conveyance paths. That is, the lower switching portion forms a conveyance path connecting the classification unit 14 and the linear conveyance unit 42A, or forms a conveyance path connecting the classification unit 14 and the dispensing unit 21. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the lower switching portion switches the conveyance path of banknotes conveyed counterclockwise on the circular conveyance unit 28 from rear to front between the linear conveyance unit 42A and the dispensing unit 21.

[0025] Meanwhile, a rear branching section 36c is provided at the rear of the circular conveying unit 28, from which the banknote conveying path branches. The rear branching section 36c is provided with a rear switching section (not shown) that has substantially the same configuration as the front switching section. Specifically, the rear switching section switches between two banknote conveying paths by changing the inclination direction of a blade whose tip faces upward. That is, the lower switching section forms a conveying path connecting the classification unit 14 and the lower branching section 36b, or forms a conveying path connecting the classification unit 14 and the rear conveying unit 35. Therefore, the rear switching section switches the conveying path of banknotes conveyed counterclockwise from top to bottom on the circular conveying unit 28 between the circular conveying unit 28 and the rear conveying unit 35. The switching is between the circular conveying unit 28 and the rear conveying unit 35.

[0026] The validator 14 is located almost at the top of the circular conveyor 28, and while conveying banknotes therein, it uses optical elements, magnetic detection elements, etc. to determine the denomination and authenticity of the banknotes, as well as the degree of damage (fitness), and notifies the banknote control unit 4 of the validation results. The validator 14 also reads and identifies serial numbers, which are banknote identification information composed of alphanumeric characters and the like assigned to each banknote and pre-printed on one side of the banknote, from image data of the captured banknote. At this time, the validator 14 notifies the banknote control unit 4 of the identified characters as the identification result. In response, the banknote control unit 4 determines the destination of the banknote based on the obtained validation and identification results.

[0027] [1-1-4. Configuration of Collection Box and Stacker] Inside the housing 2, below the transport unit housing 26, the collection box 18, stacker 16C, stacker 16B, and stacker 16A are attached so as to be stacked on top of each other along the vertical direction from bottom to top. Stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C (hereinafter collectively referred to as stackers 16) and the collection box 18 are formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and store banknotes inside them lined up along the vertical direction with the paper surface facing up and down. Furthermore, the stacker 16 and the collection box 18 have the same length in the front-to-back direction.

[0028] Each stacker 16 has a predetermined denomination of banknotes to be stored therein and has the same configuration. The stacker 16 takes in banknotes conveyed from the linear conveyance unit 42 (linear conveyance units 42A, 42B, and 42C) through a feed-out stacking port and stores them, using a storage and feeding mechanism comprised of various rollers provided at the front end, and also discharges the stored banknotes from the feed-out stacking port and supplies them to the linear conveyance unit 42.

[0029] The collection box 18 takes in and stores banknotes conveyed from the linear conveyance unit 42 through an inlet using a storage mechanism comprising various rollers etc. provided at the front end. Specifically, the collection box 18 collects and stores banknotes that have been identified as damaged banknotes (so-called unfit banknotes) by the classification unit 14, banknotes that have been determined to be counterfeit, banknotes of denominations that are not recycled, such as 5,000 and 2,000 banknotes, and banknotes that the user has forgotten to take from the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 10 during a transaction.

[0030] The collection box 18 is configured to be detachably attached to a slot provided in the banknote processing device 1. The collection box 18 can be removed from the housing 2 by being pulled out in the forward direction relative to the housing 2, and can be attached to the housing 2 by being aligned with the housing 2 and pushed in the rear direction. In other words, the collection box 18 is configured to be detachable from the front surface of the housing 2.

[0031] [1-1-5. Configuration of the Linear Conveyance Unit] A linear conveyance unit 40 is provided in front of the stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C and the recovery bin 18. The linear conveyance unit 40 is configured such that linear conveyance sections 42C, 42B2, 42B1, and 42A are stacked vertically from top to bottom, and are fixed to a frame (not shown) so that they can move as a unit. These linear conveyance sections 42A, 42B1, 42B2, and 42C are modularized as independent units. Hereinafter, the linear conveyance sections 42A, 42B1, 42B2, and 42C will be collectively referred to as linear conveyance section 42. The linear conveyance sections 42A, 42B1, 42B2, and 42C have the same length in the front-to-rear direction.

[0032] The linear transport unit 40 is configured to be openable and closable by rotating about a rotation axis (not shown). During transaction operations, in which transactions are processed with users, the banknote processing device 1 protects the interior of the banknote processing device 1 by closing the linear transport unit 40 together with the front door 3. Meanwhile, during maintenance work, in which maintenance personnel, bank employees, or other workers at financial institutions perform maintenance on the banknote processing device 1, the linear transport unit 40 is opened together with the front door 3 as needed. At this time, the storing and feeding mechanism of each stacker 16 moves forward together with the linear transport unit 40. This opens the front side of the banknote storage space in the stacker 16, exposing the banknote storage space to the outside. This allows banknotes to be removed from the inside of the stacker 16 and the collection box 18 to be removed.

[0033] The linear conveying section 42A is disposed at the uppermost position of the linear conveying unit 40, with its upper side and approximately the upper half of its rear side in contact with the conveying section housing 26. The linear conveying section 42A has a transfer port provided at the rear end of its upper end, at which the upper end of the conveying path is connected to the lower ends of the rear storage cabinet conveying section 33 and the front storage cabinet conveying section 34. The linear conveying section 42A has a conveying path that extends downward from the upper end, extends linearly along the vertical direction, and branches into a conveying path that is connected to the conveying path of the linear conveying section 42B1 via a transfer port provided on the bottom surface, and a conveying path that extends forward and is connected to the feed-out accumulation port of the stacker 16A via a transfer port provided on the back surface.

[0034] The linear conveying sections 42B1 and 42B2 have the same configuration. The linear conveying section 42B1 is disposed between the linear conveying sections 42A and 42B2, and its lower end is located above the lower end of the stacker 16B. The upper end of the linear conveying section 42B1 is connected to the lower end of the conveying section 42A's conveying section at a delivery port provided at the upper end. The linear conveying section 42B1 has a conveying path that extends downward from the upper end, extends linearly along the vertical direction, and branches into a conveying path that connects to the conveying path of the linear conveying section 42B2 via a delivery port provided on the bottom surface, and a conveying path that extends forward and connects to the feed-out / accumulation port of the stacker 16B via a delivery port provided on the back surface.

[0035] Linear conveying section 42B2 is disposed between linear conveying sections 42B1 and 42C, with its lower end positioned higher than the lower end of stacker 16C. Linear conveying section 42B2 has a transfer opening at its upper end, at which the upper end of the transfer path is connected to the lower end of the transfer path of linear conveying section 42B1. Linear conveying section 42B2 has a transfer path that extends downward from its upper end, extends linearly along the vertical direction, and branches into a transfer path that connects to the transfer path of linear conveying section 42C via a transfer opening on the bottom surface, and a transfer path that extends forward and connects to the feed-out accumulation opening of stacker 16C via a transfer opening on the back surface.

[0036] The linear conveying section 42C is disposed at the lowest position of the linear conveying units 40, and its lower end is at the same height as the lower end of the recovery warehouse 18. The linear conveying section 42C has a transfer opening at its upper end, at which the upper end of the transfer path is connected to the lower end of the transfer path of the linear conveying section 42B2. The transfer path of the linear conveying section 42C also extends downward from the upper end and then rearward, connecting to the receiving opening of the recovery warehouse 18.

[0037] These linear conveying sections 42A, 42B1, 42B2 and 42C are connected to one another by a drive coupling mechanism (not shown).

[0038] [1-2. Deposit Processing] In the banknote processing device 1 configured as described above, the banknote control unit 4 controls each unit based on the banknote validation and identification results, etc., from the validation unit 14, to perform banknote deposit processing, withdrawal processing, etc.

[0039] That is, in the banknote processing device 1, during a deposit transaction, a user selects a deposit transaction via the operation display unit (not shown) and then inserts banknotes BL into the deposit unit 20. The separator transports the inserted banknotes BL from the deposit unit 20 one by one via the deposit transport unit 30 to the circular transport unit 28 and then to the classification unit 14. Here, the banknote processing device 1 transports depositable banknotes that have been determined to be depositable based on the validation and identification results of the classification unit 14 from the circular transport unit 28 to the linear transport unit 42 via the rear storage transport unit 33 as shown by the solid lines in Figure 2, to one of the stackers 16 corresponding to the denomination, and stores them there.

[0040] On the other hand, the banknote processing device 1 transfers non-recyclable notes determined to be unsuitable for storage from the circular transport unit 28 via the rear storage transport unit 33 to the linear transport unit 42 and stores them in the collection box 18, in the same way as depositable banknotes, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 2. On the other hand, the banknote processing device 1 returns deposit-rejected banknotes determined to be unsuitable for deposit from the circular transport unit 28 via the lower withdrawal transport unit 32 to the withdrawal unit 21, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 2, and returns them to the user by opening the shutter.

[0041] [1-3. Withdrawal Process] On the other hand, during a withdrawal transaction, when a user selects a withdrawal transaction via the operation display unit (not shown) and inputs the withdrawal amount, the banknote processing device 1 recognizes the required number of banknotes of each denomination according to the requested amount, and then feeds out banknotes BL from each stacker 16 according to this number of banknotes of each denomination and transports them to the validation unit 14 via the linear transport unit 42 and the rear storage cabinet transport unit 33, and obtains the validation results and serial number identification results. Here, the banknote processing device 1 transports dispenseable banknotes that have been determined to be dispenseable based on the validation and identification results of the validation unit 14 from the circular transport unit 28 to the dispensing unit 21 via the upper dispensing transport unit 31, as shown by the solid line in Figure 3.

[0042] On the other hand, when the banknote processing device 1 determines that the banknotes are not suitable for withdrawal and the number of the rejected banknotes is less than a predetermined number, for example, one, the banknote processing device 1 transfers the rejected banknotes from the circular conveying section 28 via the front storage container conveying section 34 to the linear conveying section 42 and transports them to the collection container 18 for storage, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3.

[0043] Then, when the banknotes BL of the requested amount are stacked in the dispensing unit 21, the banknote processing device 1 opens the shutter. This makes it possible to receive the banknotes BL stacked in the dispensing unit 21, and the user receives the banknotes BL.

[0044] [1-4. Method of Removing Banknotes from the Stacker and Method of Removing the Collection Box] Next, a method of removing banknotes BL from the stacker 16 and a method of removing the collection box 18 from the banknote processing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0045] When the front door 3 of the banknote processing device 1 is opened by a maintenance person (which may be a store clerk or the like; the same applies below), the linear transport unit 40 is exposed to the outside, allowing the maintenance person to open and close the linear transport unit 40. When the linear transport unit 40 is opened, the front of the stacker 16 is opened, exposing the banknote storage space to the outside, and the collection box 18 becomes removable. In this state, the maintenance person removes banknotes BL from inside the stacker 16 and pulls the collection box 18 forward to remove it from the banknote processing device 1. On the other hand, when loading banknotes BL into the stacker 16 and when attaching the collection box 18 to the banknote processing device 1, the maintenance person performs the operations of removing banknotes from the stacker 16 and removing the collection box 18 in the reverse order.

[0046] 5 will be used to describe a case where, for example, the denominations that can be handled and the number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote processing device 1 are increased by adding (i.e., expanding) one stacker 16D to the banknote processing device 1. A maintenance technician can easily add stacker 16D to the banknote processing device 1 by adding a modularized stacker 16D and linear conveyance unit 42B3 between the stacker 16C and linear conveyance unit 42B2 and the collection box 18 and linear conveyance unit 42C, thereby increasing the denominations that can be handled and the number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote processing device 1.

[0047] The above has described a case where stacker 16D and linear conveying section 42B3 are added between stacker 16C and linear conveying section 42B2 and collection box 18 and linear conveying section 42C, but this is not a limitation. Stacker 16D and linear conveying section 42B3 may also be added between stacker 16A and linear conveying section 42A and stacker 16B and linear conveying section 42B1, or between stacker 16B and linear conveying section 42B1 and stacker 16C and linear conveying section 42B2. The above has also described a case where one set of stacker 16D and linear conveying section 42B3 is added, but this is not a limitation. Any number of sets of stackers 16D and linear conveying sections 42B may also be added.

[0048] 6 will be used to describe a case where, for example, one stacker 16C is removed from the banknote processing device 1 to reduce the denominations that can be handled and the number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote processing device 1, thereby reducing the overall height of the banknote processing device 1. By removing the stacker 16C and the linear transport unit 42B2 from the banknote processing device 1, a maintenance technician can easily reduce, for example, the denominations that can be handled in the banknote processing device 1, and can also reduce the overall height of the banknote processing device 1.

[0049] [1-7. Comparison with Comparative Example] In the banknote processing devices described in JP-A-7-267513 and JP-A-9-235061, the first annular conveying path and the second annular conveying path are arranged vertically side by side, so the annular conveying paths occupy a large area, and the device becomes large in height.

[0050] In contrast to this, the banknote processing device 1 according to this embodiment is provided with only one annular conveying unit 28, and the stacker 16 and the collection box 18 are arranged so as to be aligned in the vertical direction below the annular conveying unit 28. As a result, the banknote processing device 1 can reduce the area occupied by the annular conveying unit 28, and the size of the banknote processing device 1 in the height direction can be suppressed.

[0051] Furthermore, in the case of the banknote processing device described in JP 2000-20783 A, the circular conveying path and stacker are arranged side by side, so the device becomes large in the front-to-back direction (depth direction), making it unsuitable for use in stores with limited installation space.

[0052] In contrast to this, in the banknote processing device 1 according to this embodiment, the stacker 16 and the collection box 18 are arranged so as to be aligned in the vertical direction below the circular transport unit 28. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the banknote processing device 1 in the depth direction, and the banknote processing device 1 can be installed even in stores with limited installation space.

[0053] Furthermore, in the case of the banknote processing devices described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 7-267513 and 9-235061, stackers could only be added to the rear of the device, making it unsuitable for use in stores with limited installation space. In addition, the device could not be shared between stores with large and small installation spaces, so development was required for each, resulting in high development costs.

[0054] In contrast, the banknote processing device 1 according to this embodiment adds stacker 16D so that it is aligned vertically with stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C ( FIG. 5 ). This allows the addition of stacker 16D to the banknote processing device 1 without increasing the size of the banknote processing device 1 in the depth direction, and stacker 16D can be added even in stores with limited installation space. Furthermore, the banknote processing device 1 can be used in a common manner between stores with large and small installation spaces, without changing the area it occupies, which simplifies the configuration and prevents the need for separate development.

[0055] Furthermore, in the case of the banknote processing devices described in JP-A-7-267513, JP-A-9-235061, JP-A-2000-20783 and JP-A-2004-240904, it was generally necessary to pull out the entire banknote processing device from a housing (not shown) when removing banknotes from the stacker, so the stores in which they could be installed were limited to stores with ample space, and they could not be used as change dispensers, settlement machines or deposit / dispensing machines in convenience stores, supermarkets and other places with limited installation space, as they did not meet the needs.

[0056] In contrast, in the banknote processing device 1 according to this embodiment, the linear transport unit 40 is disposed at the front of the device, ahead of the stacker 16, and the linear transport unit 40 is openable and closable. Therefore, the banknote processing device 1 allows a maintenance person to access the contents of the stacker 16 and the collection box 18 by simply opening the front door 3 and the linear transport unit 40, without having to pull out the entire banknote processing device 1 from the housing 2. This allows the banknote processing device 1 to be installed in a store or the like, without requiring installation space for pulling out the entire banknote processing device 1 from the housing 2.

[0057] [1-8. Effects, etc.] In the above configuration, the banknote processing device 1 is provided with only one annular conveying unit 28, and the stacker 16 and the collection container 18 are arranged vertically side by side below the annular conveying unit 28. Linear conveying units 42A, 42B1, 42B2, and 42C having conveying paths along the vertical direction are arranged vertically side by side in front of the stacker 16 and the collection container 18. The banknote processing device 1 also has a rear storage container conveying unit 33 and a front storage container conveying unit 34 (storage container conveying units) that branch off from the annular conveying unit 28 and head downward, and banknotes can be conveyed between the annular conveying unit 28 and the stacker 16 and the collection container 18 via the rear storage container conveying unit 33, the front storage container conveying unit 34, and the linear conveying unit 42.

[0058] Therefore, the height and depth dimensions of the banknote processing device 1 can be reduced, and the banknote processing device 1 can be installed even in stores with limited installation space. Furthermore, even if the store or the like where the banknote processing device 1 is installed does not have installation space to add a stacker 16 behind the banknote processing device 1, the stacker 16 can be added without increasing the depth dimension of the banknote processing device 1 by simply adding a stacker 16 and a linear conveyance unit 42 below the annular conveyance unit 28 so that the stackers 16 and the linear conveyance units 42 overlap each other in the vertical direction, and this makes it possible to increase the denominations that can be handled and the number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote processing device 1 even in stores with limited installation space.

[0059] Furthermore, in the banknote processing device 1, the linear transport unit 40 is disposed in front of the device, ahead of the stacker 16, and is openable and closable. Therefore, when a maintenance person removes banknotes from the stacker 16 or removes the collection box 18 from the banknote processing device 1, the maintenance person can access the contents of the stacker 16 and the collection box 18 without having to pull the entire banknote processing device 1 out of the housing 2, simply by opening the front door 3 and the linear transport unit 40. This allows the banknote processing device 1 to be installed in a store or the like without requiring installation space for pulling the entire banknote processing device 1 out of the housing 2. Furthermore, even if a banknote jam occurs in any of the linear transport units 42A, 42B1, 42B2, or 42C, the banknote processing device 1 allows the maintenance person to easily access the jammed banknotes by simply opening the front door 3.

[0060] Furthermore, the banknote processing device 1 forms a single closed annular conveying unit 28 without passing through the depositing unit 20 and the dispensing unit 21. Therefore, when the number of dispense-rejected banknotes during a dispensing process is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the banknote processing device 1 switches the direction of the blade at the front branching unit 36a, and can transfer the dispense-rejected banknotes that have reached the feed-out annular conveying unit 28 from the stacker 16 to the linear conveying unit 42 via the front storage container conveying unit 34, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3, and convey them to the collection box 18. This allows the banknote processing device 1 to speed up processing compared to a case in which the driving of the conveying unit 12 is temporarily stopped and the conveying unit 12 is driven in the opposite direction to switch back, and the dispense-rejected banknotes are conveyed to the collection box 18.

[0061]

[0013] According to the above configuration, the banknote processing device 1 is provided with: a banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 10 provided with at least one of a deposit unit 20 that receives banknotes from a user and a withdrawal unit 21 that hands over banknotes to a user; a circular conveyance unit 28 that is a single closed circular conveyance path capable of conveying banknotes in both directions and is connected to the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 10; a discrimination unit 14 that is provided in the circular conveyance unit 28 and discriminates banknotes; a rear storage cabinet conveyance unit 33 and a front storage cabinet conveyance unit 34 that branch off from the circular conveyance unit 28 and extend downward; one or more stackers 16 that are arranged below the circular conveyance unit 28 and store banknotes; and a linear conveyance unit 40 that is arranged in front of the stackers 16 below the circular conveyance unit 28, has a conveyance path that extends in the vertical direction, and conveys banknotes between the rear storage cabinet conveyance unit 33 and the front storage cabinet conveyance unit 34 and the stackers 16. This enables the banknote processing device 1 to have a reduced height and depth.

[0062] 7, in which the same reference numerals are used for components corresponding to those in FIG. 1, banknote processing device 101 according to the second embodiment differs from banknote processing device 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes recycle cassettes 44A and 44B and linear transport unit 43, but is otherwise configured similarly. Housing 2 is manufactured with its length in the front-to-rear direction (depth) adjusted to match the number of recycle cassettes 44 in banknote processing device 101.

[0063] The recycle cassettes 44A and 44B (hereinafter collectively referred to as recycle cassettes 44) serving as second storage boxes are made of metal or resin and are attached to the rear of the collection box 18 and the stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C inside the housing 2, so that they are lined up horizontally from the front to the rear. The recycle cassette 44 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is longer in the vertical direction than the stacker 16, and stores banknotes inside it lined up vertically with the paper surface facing up and down. The recycle cassette 44 has a larger banknote storage capacity than the stacker 16.

[0064] Each recycling cassette 44 has a predetermined denomination of banknotes to be stored therein, and they are identical in configuration. The recycling cassette 44 uses a storage / feeding mechanism provided at its upper end to take in banknotes conveyed from the linear conveyance unit 45 (linear conveyance units 45B1 and 45C) through a feed-out stacking port and store them, and also discharges the stored banknotes from the feed-out stacking port and supplies them to the linear conveyance unit 45. The lower end of the recycling cassette 44 is at the same height as the lower end of the recovery box 18, and the upper end is at the same height as the upper end of the stacker 16A. The length of the recycling cassette 44 in the front-to-rear direction is approximately the same as the length of the stacker 16 in the up-down direction.

[0065] The linear conveying unit 43 as the second linear conveying unit is disposed above the recycle cassettes 44A and 44B, and is configured to be movable integrally by being fixed to a frame (not shown) so that linear conveying sections 45B1 and 45C are aligned in the front-to-rear direction from the front to the rear. Hereinafter, the linear conveying sections 45B1 and 45C are collectively referred to as linear conveying sections 45.

[0066] The linear conveyance unit 45B1 is disposed above the recycle cassette 44A and uses the same modules as the linear conveyance units 42B1 and 42B2, but mounted in a different orientation relative to the banknote processing device 101. Therefore, the linear conveyance unit 45B1 has the same configuration as the linear conveyance units 42B1 and 42B2. The linear conveyance unit 45B1 has a length in the front-to-rear direction substantially the same as that of the recycle cassette 44A, and its front and rear ends are positioned substantially the same as those of the recycle cassette 44A. The front end of the linear conveyance unit 45B1 is connected to the rear end of the conveyance path of the rear conveyance unit 35 at a delivery port provided at the front end. The linear conveyance unit 45B1 has a conveyance path that extends linearly from the front end toward the rear, extending in a straight line along the front-to-rear direction and connecting to the conveyance path of the linear conveyance unit 45C via a delivery port provided on the rear surface, and a conveyance path that extends downward and connects to the feed-out stacking port of the recycle cassette 44A via a delivery port provided on the bottom surface.

[0067] The linear conveyance unit 45C is disposed above the recycle cassette 44B, and uses the same module as the linear conveyance unit 42C, but in a different mounting direction relative to the banknote processing device 101, and therefore has the same configuration as the linear conveyance unit 42C. The linear conveyance unit 45C also has a length in the front-to-rear direction substantially the same as that of the recycle cassette 44B, and its front and rear ends are positioned substantially the same as those of the recycle cassette 44B. The front end of the linear conveyance unit 45C's conveyance path is connected to the rear end of the conveyance path of the linear conveyance unit 45B1 at a delivery port provided at the front end. The linear conveyance unit 45C's conveyance path extends rearward from the front end and then downward to connect to the feed-out stacking port of the recycle cassette 44B.

[0068] These linear conveyance units 45B1 and 45C are fixed to a frame (not shown) and connected to each other by a drive coupling mechanism (not shown). Furthermore, the linear conveyance units 45B1 and 45C are configured to be openable and closable around a rotation shaft (not shown) as a fulcrum. During a transaction operation in which a transaction is processed with a user, the banknote processing device 101 closes the linear conveyance unit 43 to protect the interior of the banknote processing device 101, particularly the recycle cassette 44. On the other hand, during maintenance work performed by a worker such as a maintenance technician or a bank employee, the banknote processing device 101 opens the linear conveyance unit 43 to make the recycle cassette 44 removable.

[0069] [2-2. Deposit Processing] In the banknote processing device 101 configured as described above, during a deposit transaction, when a user selects a deposit transaction via the operation display unit (not shown) and further inserts banknotes BL into the deposit unit 20, the separator transports the inserted banknotes BL from the deposit unit 20 one by one via the deposit transport unit 30 to the circular transport unit 28 and then to the classification unit 14. Here, the banknote processing device 101 transports depositable banknotes that have been determined to be depositable based on the validation and identification results of the classification unit 14 from the circular transport unit 28 via the rear storage transport unit 33 to the linear transport unit 42 to one of the stackers 16 corresponding to the transfer denomination for storage, as shown by solid lines in Fig. 8 , or transports the banknotes from the circular transport unit 28 via the rear transport unit 35 to the linear transport unit 45 to one of the recycle cassettes 44 corresponding to the transfer denomination for storage. Although not shown in the figures, when a large number of banknotes BL are inserted at once, the banknote processing device 101 rotates the top guide 23 around a pivot point near the separation section, forming a space with a thickness equivalent to 10 or more banknotes between the top guide 23 and the lower guide 22, similar to the banknote processing device 1 according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2).

[0070] On the other hand, the banknote processing device 101 transfers non-recyclable notes determined to be unsuitable for storage from the circular conveyance unit 28 via the rear storage container conveyance unit 33 to the linear conveyance unit 42 and transports them to the collection container 18 for storage, in the same way as depositable banknotes, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 8. On the other hand, the banknote processing device 101 returns deposit-rejected banknotes determined to be unsuitable for deposit from the circular conveyance unit 28 via the lower withdrawal conveyance unit 32 to the withdrawal unit 21, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 8, and returns them to the user by opening the shutter.

[0071] [2-3. Withdrawal Process] On the other hand, during a withdrawal transaction, when a user selects a withdrawal transaction via the operation display unit (not shown) and inputs the withdrawal amount, the banknote processing device 101 recognizes the number of banknotes of each denomination required according to the requested amount, and either feeds banknotes BL from each stacker 16 according to the number of banknotes of each denomination and transports them to the classification unit 14 via the linear transport unit 42 and the rear storage transport unit 33, or feeds banknotes BL from each recycle cassette 44 and transports them to the classification unit 14 via the linear transport unit 45 and the rear transport unit 35, and obtains the results of classification and identification of the serial numbers. Here, the banknote processing device 101 transports dispenseable banknotes that have been determined to be dispenseable based on the results of classification and identification by the classification unit 14 from the circular transport unit 28 to the dispensing unit 21 via the upper dispensing transport unit 31, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 9.

[0072] On the other hand, when the banknote processing device 101 determines that the banknotes are not suitable for withdrawal and the number of the rejected banknotes is less than a predetermined number, for example, one, the banknote processing device 101 transfers the rejected banknotes from the circular conveying section 28 via the front storage container conveying section 34 to the linear conveying section 42, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 9, and transports them to the collection container 18 for storage.

[0073] Then, when the banknotes BL of the requested amount are stacked in the dispensing unit 21, the banknote processing device 101 opens the shutter. This makes it possible to receive the banknotes BL stacked in the dispensing unit 21, and the user receives the banknotes BL.

[0074] 2-4. Method of Removing Banknotes from the Stacker and Method of Removing the Collection Box Next, a method of removing banknotes BL from the stacker 16 and a method of removing the collection box 18 from the banknote processing device 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0075] When a maintenance person opens the front door 3 of the banknote processing device 101, the linear transport unit 40 is exposed to the outside, enabling the maintenance person to open and close the linear transport unit 40. When the linear transport unit 40 is opened, the front of the stacker 16 is opened, the banknote storage space is exposed to the outside, and the collection box 18 becomes removable. In this state, the maintenance person removes banknotes BL from inside the stacker 16 and pulls the collection box 18 forward to remove it from the banknote processing device 101. On the other hand, when loading banknotes BL into the stacker 16 and when attaching the collection box 18 to the banknote processing device 101, the maintenance person performs the operations of removing banknotes BL from the stacker 16 and removing the collection box 18 in the reverse order.

[0076] 2-5. Method of Removing Recycle Cassette Next, a method of removing the recycle cassette 44 from the banknote processing device 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 . When a maintenance person opens the front door 3 of the banknote processing device 101 and pulls the banknote processing device 101 out from the housing 2 to the front side, the linear conveyance unit 43 is exposed to the outside, enabling the maintenance person to open and close the linear conveyance unit 43. When the maintenance person opens the linear conveyance unit 43 in this state, the top surface of the recycle cassette 44 is exposed, enabling the recycle cassette 44 to be removed. In this state, the maintenance person lifts the recycle cassette 44 almost straight up and removes it from the banknote processing device 101. On the other hand, when installing the recycle cassette 44 in the banknote processing device 101, the maintenance person performs the operations in the reverse order of the above-described procedure for removing the recycle cassette 44.

[0077] 12 will be used to describe a case where, for example, the denominations that can be handled or the number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote processing device 101 are increased by adding (i.e., expanding) one recycle cassette 44C to the banknote processing device 101. A maintenance technician can easily add recycle cassette 44C to the banknote processing device 101 by adding a modularized recycle cassette 44C and linear conveyance unit 45B2 between recycle cassette 44A and linear conveyance unit 45B1 and recycle cassette 44B and linear conveyance unit 45C, thereby increasing the denominations that can be handled and the number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote processing device 101.

[0078] The above has described a case where recycle cassette 44C and linear conveying section 45B2 are added between recycle cassette 44A and linear conveying section 45B1 and recycle cassette 44B and linear conveying section 45C, but this is not a limitation, and recycle cassette 44C and linear conveying section 45B2 may be added between recycle cassette 44A and linear conveying section 45B1 and collection box 18 and stacker 16. Furthermore, the above has described a case where one set of recycle cassette 44C and linear conveying section 45B2 is added, but this is not a limitation, and any number of sets of recycle cassettes 44 and linear conveying sections 45 may be added.

[0079] 13 will be used to describe a case where, for example, one recycling cassette 44 is removed from the banknote processing device 101 to reduce the denominations that can be handled and the number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote processing device 101, thereby reducing the overall length of the banknote processing device 101 in the front-to-rear direction. By removing the recycling cassette 44A and the linear transport unit 45B1 from the banknote processing device 101, a maintenance technician can easily reduce, for example, the denominations that can be handled in the banknote processing device 101, and can also reduce the overall length of the banknote processing device 101 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0080] [2-8. Effects, etc.] In the above-described configuration, in addition to the configuration of the banknote processing device 1 ( FIG. 1 ), the banknote processing device 101 arranges recycle cassettes 44 so as to be aligned horizontally behind the collection box 18 and the stacker 16, and arranges linear conveyance units 45B1 and 45C, each having a conveyance path along the front-rear direction, so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction above the recycle cassettes 44. The banknote processing device 101 also has a rear-side conveyance unit 35 that branches off from the annular conveyance unit 28 and faces rearward, and makes it possible to convey banknotes between the annular conveyance unit 28 and the recycle cassettes 44 via the rear-side conveyance unit 35 and the linear conveyance units 45B and 45C.

[0081] Therefore, even if the banknote processing device 101 is installed in a store or the like where there is no installation space to add a stacker 16 above the banknote processing device 101, it is possible to add a recycling cassette 44 without increasing the height of the banknote processing device 101 by simply adding a recycling cassette 44 and a linear conveying unit 45 to the rear of the annular conveying unit 28 so that they overlap with the other recycling cassettes 44 and linear conveying units 45 in the front-to-back direction.This makes it possible to increase the denominations that can be handled and the number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote processing device 101 even in stores where the installation space is short.

[0082] In other respects as well, the banknote processing device 101 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the banknote processing device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0083] 14 in which the same reference numerals are used for components corresponding to those in FIG. 1, a banknote processing device 201 according to the third embodiment differs from the banknote processing device 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a stacker 16D, a replenishment / recovery cassette 46, and a linear transport unit 48, but is otherwise configured similarly. Hereinafter, the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 and the stacker 16D will also be collectively referred to as the third storage cabinet.

[0084] The housing 2 is manufactured with its length in the front-to-rear direction (depth) adjusted to fit the banknote processing device 201. A housing rear opening 2B is formed on the rear side of the housing 2, which connects the internal space enclosed by the housing 2 with the outside. The banknote processing device 201 is expected to be installed below a counter or the like in a store, with the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 10 facing the customer and the housing rear opening 2B facing the store clerk. For this reason, the banknote processing device 201 is operated in a state where customers cannot access the housing rear opening 2B.

[0085] Stacker 16D, which stores a predetermined denomination of banknotes, has the same configuration as stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C and is attached behind collection box 18 and stacker 16C inside housing 2. Stacker 16D uses a storage and payout mechanism provided at its front end to take in and store banknotes transported from linear conveyance unit 47 (linear conveyance units 47D, 47E, and 47C) through a payout stacking port, and also discharges stored banknotes from the payout stacking port and supplies them to linear conveyance unit 47. As shown in FIG. 17 , stacker 16D has a top panel that can be opened and closed by a pivot mechanism (not shown) provided at its front end. A picker roller is provided on this top panel to feed banknotes from the banknote storage space of stacker 16D rearward toward the storage and payout mechanism and the payout stacking port. This picker roller is a consumable item and needs to be replaced periodically.

[0086] The replenishment / recovery cassette 46 is made of metal or resin and is configured to be lower in the vertical direction than the recycle cassettes 44A and 44B ( FIG. 7 ). It is attached above the stacker 16D behind the stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C inside the housing 2. The replenishment / recovery cassette 46 uses a storage / feeding mechanism provided at its front end to take in and store banknotes conveyed from the linear conveyance unit 47D through a feed-out stacking port, and also discharges the stored banknotes from the feed-out stacking port and supplies them to the linear conveyance unit 47D. The length of the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 in the front-to-rear direction is approximately the same as the length of the stacker 16D in the front-to-rear direction. The upper end of the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 is at approximately the same height as the upper end of the stacker 16A, and the lower end of the stacker 16D is at approximately the same height as the lower end of the collection box 18. The replenishment / recovery cassette 46 has a lower end set in a frame (not shown) having a rotation mechanism, and when a maintenance person rotates this frame so as to tilt it backward while the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 is attached to the banknote processing device 201, the entire cassette becomes tilted so that the upper surface moves backward, as shown in Fig. 17. The banknote processing device 201 uses the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 in a collection process for collecting banknotes from stacker 16A, 16B, 16C or 16D, a replenishment process for replenishing banknotes in stacker 16A, 16B, 16C or 16D, and a reconciliation process for checking whether the cash balance inside the banknote processing device 201 is correct.

[0087] Linear conveying unit 48 as the third linear conveying unit is disposed inside housing 2 between collection box 18 and stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C and stacker 16D and replenishment / recovery cassette 46, and is configured to be movable as a unit by being fixed to a frame (not shown) so that linear conveying sections 47D, 47E, and 47C are stacked vertically from top to bottom. Hereinafter, linear conveying sections 47D, 47E, and 47C will also be collectively referred to as linear conveying section 47.

[0088] The upper end of linear conveying section 47D is located higher than the lower end of conveying section housing 26, and the lower end is located at approximately the same height as the vertical center of replenishing / recovery cassette 46. A delivery opening is provided near the upper end of the front end of linear conveying section 47D, and the front end of the delivery path of linear conveying section 47D is connected to the rear end of rear conveying section 35. The delivery path of linear conveying section 47D extends linearly from the upper end toward the rear lower side, extending vertically, and branches into a delivery path that connects with the delivery path of linear conveying section 47E via a delivery opening provided on the bottom surface, and a delivery path that extends rearward and connects with the feed-out accumulation opening of replenishing / recovery cassette 46 via a delivery opening provided on the back surface.

[0089] Linear conveying section 47E is disposed below linear conveying section 47D, with its lower end positioned above the lower end of refilling / recovery cassette 46. Linear conveying section 47E has a transfer opening at its upper end, at which the upper end of the transfer path is connected to the lower end of the transfer path of linear conveying section 47D. In addition, linear conveying section 47E has a transfer path that extends downward from its upper end and is connected to the transfer opening of linear conveying section 47C.

[0090] The linear conveyance unit 47C is disposed below the linear conveyance unit 47E, and uses the same module as the linear conveyance unit 42C, with the same mounting orientation relative to the banknote processing device 201, with the lower end located above the lower end of the stacker 16D. The linear conveyance unit 45C has a conveyance path whose upper end is connected to the lower end of the conveyance path of the linear conveyance unit 47E at a delivery port provided at the upper end. The conveyance path of the linear conveyance unit 47C extends downward from the upper end and then rearward, and is connected to the receiving port of the stacker 16D.

[0091] These linear conveying sections 47D, 47E and 47C are connected to one another by a drive coupling mechanism (not shown).

[0092] 15 , the banknote processing device 201 either transports depositable banknotes determined to be depositable based on the validation and identification results of the validation unit 14 from the circular transport unit 28 via the rear storage container transport unit 33 to the linear transport unit 42 to one of the stackers 16 corresponding to the transfer denomination for storage, or transports the banknotes from the circular transport unit 28 via the rear transport unit 35 to the linear transport unit 47D for transfer and storage, or transports the banknotes from the circular transport unit 28 via the rear transport unit 35 to the linear transport unit 47D for transfer and storage, or transports the banknotes from the circular transport unit 28 via the rear transport unit 35 to the linear transport unit 47D for transfer and storage. Although not shown in the figures, when a large number of banknotes BL are inserted at once, the banknote processing device 201 rotates the top guide 23 around a pivot point near the separation section, forming a space with a thickness equivalent to 10 or more banknotes between the top guide 23 and the lower guide 22, similar to the banknote processing device 1 according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2).

[0093] On the other hand, the banknote processing device 201 transfers non-recyclable notes that it has determined are not suitable for storage from the circular conveyance unit 28 via the rear storage container conveyance unit 33 to the linear conveyance unit 42 and transports them to the collection container 18 for storage, in the same way as depositable banknotes, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 15. On the other hand, the banknote processing device 201 returns deposit-rejected banknotes that it has determined are not suitable for deposit from the circular conveyance unit 28 via the lower withdrawal conveyance unit 32 to the withdrawal unit 21, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 15, and returns them to the user by opening the shutter.

[0094] [3-3. Withdrawal Process] On the other hand, during a withdrawal transaction, when a user selects a withdrawal transaction via the operation display unit (not shown) and inputs a withdrawal amount, the banknote processing device 201 recognizes the number of banknotes of each denomination required according to the requested amount, and, depending on the number of banknotes of each denomination, either feeds banknotes BL from each stacker 16 and transports them to the classification unit 14 via linear conveyance unit 42 and rear storage container conveyance unit 33, or feeds banknotes BL from stacker 16D and transports them to the classification unit 14 via linear conveyance unit 47C, linear conveyance unit 47D, linear conveyance unit 47E and rear conveyance unit 35, thereby obtaining the results of validation and identification of the serial numbers. Here, the banknote processing device 201 transports dispenseable banknotes that have been determined to be dispenseable based on the validation and identification results of the classification unit 14 from the circular conveyance unit 28 to the dispensing unit 21 via the upper dispensing conveyance unit 31, as shown by solid lines in FIG. 16 .

[0095] On the other hand, when the banknote processing device 201 determines that the banknotes are not suitable for withdrawal and the number of the rejected banknotes is less than a predetermined number, for example, one, the banknote processing device 201 transfers the rejected banknotes from the circular conveying section 28 via the front storage container conveying section 34 to the linear conveying section 42, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 16, and transports them to the collection container 18 for storage.

[0096] Then, when the banknotes BL of the requested amount are stacked in the dispensing unit 21, the banknote processing device 201 opens the shutter. This makes it possible to receive the banknotes BL stacked in the dispensing unit 21, and the user receives the banknotes BL.

[0097] 3-4. Method of Removing Banknotes from Stackers and Method of Removing Collection Box Next, a method of removing banknotes BL from the stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C and a method of removing the collection box 18 from the banknote processing device 201 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0098] When a maintenance person opens the front door 3 of the banknote processing device 201, the linear transport unit 40 is exposed to the outside, enabling the maintenance person to open and close the linear transport unit 40. When the linear transport unit 40 is opened, the front of the stacker 16 is opened, the banknote storage space is exposed to the outside, and the collection box 18 becomes removable. In this state, the maintenance person removes banknotes BL from inside the stacker 16 and pulls the collection box 18 forward to remove it from the banknote processing device 201. On the other hand, when loading banknotes BL into the stacker 16 and when attaching the collection box 18 to the banknote processing device 201, the maintenance person performs the operations of removing banknotes BL from the stacker 16 and removing the collection box 18 in the reverse order.

[0099] 3-5. Method of Removing Replenishment / Collection Cassette and Method of Removing Banknotes from Stacker Next, a method of removing the replenishing / collection cassette 46 from the banknote processing device 201 and a method of removing banknotes BL from the stacker 16D will be described with reference to FIG.

[0100] When the maintenance person rotates the frame of the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 so that it is tilted backward, at least a portion of the top surface of the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 is positioned rearward of the rear opening 2B of the housing, and even when the cassette is lifted up, it will not come into contact with the top plate of the housing 2. This exposes the top surface of the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 to the outside of the housing 2, making the cassette 46 removable. In this state, the maintenance person lifts the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 upward and rearward to remove it from the banknote processing device 201.

[0101] On the other hand, when the refill / recovery cassette 46 is removed from the banknote processing device 201, the top surface of the stacker 16D is exposed, allowing a maintenance person to open and close the top panel of the stacker 16D. When the maintenance person opens the top panel of the stacker 16D in this state, the top surface of the stacker 16D is opened and the banknote storage space is exposed to the outside. In this state, the maintenance person removes banknotes BL from inside the stacker 16D.

[0102] On the other hand, when installing the refill / recovery cassette 46 in the banknote processing device 201 and when loading banknotes BL into the stacker 16D, the maintenance personnel remove the refill / recovery cassette 46 and remove the banknotes BL from the stacker 16D in the reverse order.

[0103] In this way, the banknote processing device 201 is provided with a housing rear opening 2B on the rear side of the housing 2, which exposes the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 to the outside even during operation. Therefore, the banknote processing device 201 allows the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 to be removed from the banknote processing device 201 without the banknote processing device 201 being pulled out forward from the housing 2, as when the recycle cassette 44 is removed from the banknote processing device 101 according to the second embodiment ( FIG. 11 ).

[0104] [3-6. Effects, etc.] In the above-described configuration, in addition to the configuration of the banknote processing device 1 ( FIG. 1 ), the banknote processing device 201 is configured such that the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 and the stacker 16D are arranged vertically behind the recovery box 18 and the stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C, and linear conveyance units 47D, 47E, and 47C having conveyance paths along the vertical direction are arranged vertically in front of the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 and the stacker 16D. The banknote processing device 201 also has a rear-side conveyance unit 35 that branches off from the annular conveyance unit 28 and faces rearward, and banknotes can be conveyed between the annular conveyance unit 28 and the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 and the stacker 16D via the rear-side conveyance unit 35 and the linear conveyance units 47D, 47E, and 47C.

[0105] Furthermore, in the banknote processing device 201, the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 is disposed at the rear end of the device, and a housing rear opening 2B is formed on the rear surface of the housing 2. Therefore, when a maintenance person removes the replenishment / recovery cassette 46, the banknote processing device 201 allows the maintenance person to access the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 without opening the front door 3 and the linear transport unit 40, and without having to pull out the entire banknote processing device 201 from the housing 2. This allows the banknote processing device 201 to be installed in a store or the like without requiring installation space for pulling out the entire banknote processing device 201 from the housing 2.

[0106] In other respects as well, the banknote handling apparatus 201 according to the third embodiment can achieve the same effects as the banknote handling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0107] [4. Other Embodiments] In the first embodiment described above, when the number of withdrawal-rejected banknotes is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the banknote processing device 1 transfers the withdrawal-rejected banknotes from the annular conveyance unit 28 to the linear conveyance unit 42 via the front storage container conveyance unit 34 and conveys them to the collection box 18, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3. The present disclosure is not limited to this, and when the number of withdrawal-rejected banknotes is greater than the predetermined number, the banknote processing device 1 may temporarily stop driving the conveyance unit 12 and drive the conveyance unit 12 in the opposite direction so as to switch back, thereby conveying the withdrawal-rejected banknotes to the collection box 18. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0108] In the first embodiment, the banknote processing device 1 may have a rear-upper branching section between the discrimination section 14 and the rear branching section 36c in the circular conveying section 28, which branches the conveying path of banknotes that have passed through the discrimination section 14 and been conveyed counterclockwise on the circular conveying section 28 from front to rear into the lower circular conveying section 28 and the rear-upper conveying section, and may connect, for example, an escrow section provided at the rear of the conveying section housing 26 to the rear-upper conveying section. Since an escrow section is generally required in operations such as banks, a configuration that divides the system into an upper section (banknote deposit / withdrawal section 10, circular conveying section 28, discrimination section 14, and escrow section) and a lower section (stacker 16) is desirable to maintain the security of the stacker 16. The same applies to the second and third embodiments. In the second and third embodiments, the recycling cassette 44 and the replenishment / recovery cassette 46 are arranged in the lower section.

[0109] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the banknote processing device 1 is based on a state in which three stackers 16A, 16B, and 16C are provided, and the stacker 16 is increased or decreased by one. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the banknote processing device 1 may be based on a state in which any number of stackers 16 are provided, and the stacker 16 may be increased or decreased by any number. The same applies to the recycling cassette 44 in the second embodiment and the replenishing / recovery cassette 46 and stacker 16D in the third embodiment.

[0110] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the banknote processing device 1 is described as being configured such that the front door 3 and the linear transport unit 40 are opened to expose the front surface of the stacker 16 and banknotes are removed from the banknote storage space. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the banknote processing device 1 may be configured such that the front door 3 and the linear transport unit 40 are opened, the stacker 16 is pulled out forward and removed from the banknote processing device 1, the top plate of the stacker 16 is opened to expose the top surface of the stacker 16, and banknotes are removed from the banknote storage space. This is also true for the second and third embodiments.

[0111] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the banknote processing device 1 is configured to be openable and closable by rotating the linear transport unit 40 about a rotation axis as a fulcrum, thereby exposing the stacker 16 and the collection box 18 to the outside. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the banknote processing device 1 may be configured to be openable and closable by moving the linear transport unit 40 in various other ways, such as by sliding, thereby exposing the stacker 16 and the collection box 18 to the outside.

[0112] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the banknote processing device 1 is described as having the deposit unit 20 on the upper side and the withdrawal unit 21 on the lower side within the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10. The present disclosure is not limited to this, and the banknote processing device 1 may have the deposit unit 20 and the withdrawal unit 21 reversed in position, and may have the deposit unit 20 on the lower side and the withdrawal unit 21 on the upper side within the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0113] Furthermore, in the banknote processing device 1 of the first embodiment described above, the deposit unit 20 in the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10 may be omitted and the banknote processing device 1 may be operated as a withdrawal-only machine, or the withdrawal unit 21 in the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 10 may be omitted and the banknote processing device 1 may be operated as a deposit-only machine. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0114] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the banknote processing device 101 has been described as including recycle cassettes 44A, 44B, and 44C made of metal or resin. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the banknote processing device 101 may include at least one of recycle cassettes 44A, 44B, and 44C made of a bag-type material such as hemp. The same applies to the refill / recovery cassette 46 according to the third embodiment.

[0115] Furthermore, in the banknote processing device 101 of the second embodiment described above, like the banknote processing device 201 of the third embodiment, a housing rear opening 2B may be formed on the rear side of the housing 2. In that case, a maintenance person may access the recycle cassette 44 through the housing rear opening 2B and slide the recycle cassette 44 rearward to remove the recycle cassette 44, without pulling the banknote processing device 101 out of the housing 2 to the front side.

[0116] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the banknote processing device 101 has been described as having the stacker 16 that is not to be removed from the banknote processing device 101 arranged at the front side of the device and the recycle cassette 44 that is to be removed from the banknote processing device 101 arranged at the rear side of the device. The present disclosure is not limited to this, and the banknote processing device 101 may use the stacker 16 arranged at the front side of the banknote processing device 101 as the recycle cassette that is to be removed from the banknote processing device 101, and the recycle cassette 44 arranged at the rear side of the banknote processing device 101 as the stacker that is not to be removed from the banknote processing device 101.

[0117] Furthermore, in the above-described third embodiment, the case has been described where the refill / collection cassette 46 is rotated and then lifted up to be removed from the banknote processing device 201. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the banknote processing device 201 may be removed from the banknote processing device 201, for example, by sliding the refill / collection cassette 46 to a position rearward of the housing rear surface opening 2B and then lifting it up.

[0118] Furthermore, in the banknote processing device 201 of the third embodiment described above, either the replenishing / collecting cassette 46 or the stacker 16D may be omitted.

[0119] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the scope of application of the present disclosure also extends to embodiments in which the above-described embodiments are combined in part or in whole with any of the above-described other embodiments. In addition, the scope of application of the present disclosure also extends to cases in which a part of the configuration described in any of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments is extracted and replaced or diverted with a part of the configuration of any of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments, or where a part of the extracted configuration is added to any of the embodiments.

[0120] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the banknote processing device 1 is configured as a banknote processing device by the banknote depositing / dispensing unit 10 as a depositing / dispensing unit, the circular conveying unit 28 as a circular conveying unit, the validator 14 as a validator, the rear storage cabinet conveying unit 33 and the front storage cabinet conveying unit 34 as storage cabinet conveying units, the stacker 16 as a storage cabinet, and the linear conveying unit 40 as a linear conveying unit. The present disclosure is not limited to this, and the banknote processing device may be configured by a depositing / dispensing unit, a circular conveying unit, a validator, a storage cabinet conveying unit, a storage cabinet, and a linear conveying unit having various other configurations.

[0121] The present disclosure can also be used in various conveying devices that convey and discriminate media such as banknotes.

Claims

1. A banknote processing device comprising: a deposit / withdrawal section provided with at least one of a deposit section for receiving banknotes from a user or a withdrawal section for delivering the banknotes to the user; a circular transport section which is a single closed circular transport path capable of transporting the banknotes in both directions and is connected to the deposit / withdrawal section; a validation section which is provided on the circular transport section and validates the banknotes; a storage vault transport section which branches off from the circular transport section and extends downward; one or more storage vaults which are arranged below the circular transport section and which store the banknotes; and a linear transport unit which is arranged in front of the storage vault below the circular transport section, has a transport path extending in the vertical direction, and transports the banknotes between the storage vault transport section and the storage vault.

2. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a rear transport section branching off from the annular transport section and extending rearward.

3. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein the deposit / withdrawal unit has the deposit unit and the withdrawal unit, and further has a deposit transport unit branching off from the annular transport unit, extending forward and connected to the deposit unit, for transporting the banknotes taken in from the deposit unit to the annular transport unit, and a withdrawal transport unit branching off from the annular transport unit, extending forward and connected to the withdrawal unit, for transporting the banknotes from the annular transport unit to the withdrawal unit.

4. A banknote processing device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a collection storehouse which collects the banknotes; and a control unit which, during a deposit process, transports the banknotes from the deposit section via the deposit transport section to the annular transport section for identification by the identification section, transports the banknotes determined to be normal to the storage section via the annular transport section, the storage store transport section and the linear transport unit, transports the banknotes determined not to be stored to the collection storehouse via the annular transport section, the storage store transport section and the linear transport unit, and transports the banknotes determined not to be deposited to the withdrawal section via the annular transport section and the withdrawal transport section.

5. A banknote processing device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a collection vault which collects the banknotes; and a control unit which, during a dispensing process, transports the banknotes from the storage vault via the linear transport unit and the storage vault transport section to the annular transport section for validation by the validation section, transports the banknotes determined to be normal to the dispensing section via the annular transport section and the dispensing transport section, and, if the number of dispensation-rejected banknotes determined not to be dispensed is a predetermined number or less, transports the dispensation-rejected banknotes in the annular transport section without reversing, and transports them from the annular transport section to the collection vault via the storage vault transport section and the linear transport unit.

6. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein the linear transport unit is provided so as to be openable and closable so as to expose the storage to the outside.

7. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein the linear transport unit is composed of a plurality of linear transport sections arranged in the vertical direction, and the linear transport sections, other than at least the linear transport sections arranged at the top and bottom among the plurality of linear transport sections, have the same configuration as each other.

8. A banknote processing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a rear transport section branching off from the annular transport section and extending rearward; one or more second storage cabinets arranged rearward of the storage cabinet for storing the banknotes; and a second linear transport unit arranged above the second storage cabinet, having a transport path extending in the front-to-rear direction, and transporting the banknotes between the rear transport section and the second storage cabinet.

9. A banknote processing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a rear transport section branching off from the annular transport section and extending rearward; one or more third storage cabinets arranged rearward of the storage cabinet for storing the banknotes; and a third linear transport unit arranged between the storage cabinet and the third storage cabinet, having a transport path extending in the vertical direction, and transporting the banknotes between the rear transport section and the third storage cabinet.

10. The banknote processing device according to claim 9, wherein the third storage container is detachable from the banknote processing device by rotating relative to a state where the third storage container is attached to the banknote processing device.

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