Bill handling device and bill number counting method

Abstract

In a bill handling device (1), a processor (51) determines whether a light reception amount in a light receiver (61R) is at a first light reception level or a second light reception level which is smaller than the first light reception level. Upon detecting that the light reception amount has decreased from the first light reception level to the second light reception level and that, after the detection of the light reception amount having decreased to the second light reception level, the light reception amount has returned from the second light reception level to the first light reception level, the processor (51) increases the count of the number of bills (BI) being conveyed on a conveyance path (Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd) by one and determines that the light reception amount is at the second light reception level, treating the detection of the light reception amount to be invalid for a predetermined time from a first time point at which the light reception amount decreased from the first light reception level to the second light reception level. The processor (51) enables the detection of the light reception amount at a second time point after the elapse of the predetermined time from the first time point.

Description

Banknote handling device and banknote counting method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a banknote handling machine and a method for counting the number of banknotes.

[0002] Some banknote handling devices, such as ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines), count the number of banknotes being deposited or dispensed using a transmission-type optical sensor arranged in a transport path along which the banknotes are transported. As the banknote is transported, when the leading edge of the banknote reaches the light-emitter, the light projected from the light-emitter (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "projected light") is blocked by the banknote, causing the amount of light received by the light-receiver (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "light-received amount by the receiver") to decrease from a first light-receiving level to a second light-receiving level. Furthermore, as the banknote is transported, when the trailing edge of the banknote passes the light-emitter, the projected light reaches the light-receiver intact, causing the amount of light received by the receiver to return from the second light-receiving level to the first light-receiving level. Therefore, there is a technology that increases the count of the number of banknotes by one when it is detected that the amount of light received by the light receiver has decreased from a first light receiving level to a second light receiving level as the banknotes are transported, and then when it is detected that the amount of light received by the light receiver has returned from the second light receiving level to the first light receiving level.

[0003] JP 2008-183474 A

[0004] When the number of banknotes with holes is counted using the above technology, as the banknotes are transported, the amount of light received by the light receiver drops to the second light reception level at the leading edge of the banknote, returns to the first light reception level at the leading edge of the hole, drops to the second light reception level at the trailing edge of the hole, and returns to the first light reception level at the trailing edge of the banknote. As a result, the number of banknotes with holes will be erroneously counted as two, when in fact there is only one.

[0005] Similarly, when the number of banknotes having clear windows is counted using the above technology, as the banknotes are transported, the amount of light received by the light receiver drops to the second light reception level at the leading edge of the banknote, returns to the first light reception level at the leading edge of the clear window, drops to the second light reception level at the trailing edge of the clear window, and returns to the first light reception level at the trailing edge of the banknote. As a result, the number of banknotes having clear windows will be erroneously counted as two when there is actually only one.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a technology that can accurately count the number of banknotes.

[0007] A banknote handling device according to the present disclosure includes a transport path along which banknotes are transported, an optical sensor, and a processor. The optical sensor includes a light emitter that emits light and a light receiver that receives the light emitted from the light emitter, and is an optical sensor for counting the number of banknotes being transported along the transport path. The processor determines, at regular sampling intervals, whether the amount of light received by the light receiver is at a first light reception level or a second light reception level that is lower than the first light reception level, and increments the count of the number of banknotes being transported along the transport path by one when it detects that the amount of light received by the light receiver has decreased from the first light reception level to the second light reception level and, after detecting the decrease in the amount of light received to the second light reception level, has returned from the second light reception level to the first light reception level. The processor also disables detection of the amount of received light for a predetermined time from a first point in time when the amount of received light drops from the first light receiving level to the second light receiving level, determines that the amount of received light is at the second light receiving level, and enables detection of the amount of received light at a second point in time after the predetermined time has elapsed from the first point in time.

[0008] According to the technology of the present disclosure, the number of banknotes can be counted accurately.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a banknote handling apparatus according to the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transmissive optical sensor according to the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a look-up table according to the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of a banknote handling apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0011] [Embodiment] <Configuration of a banknote handling device> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a banknote handling device according to the present disclosure.

[0012] 1, the banknote handling apparatus 1 has a deposit / withdrawal unit 3 for depositing and withdrawing banknotes BI, a first storage unit 4 for temporarily storing banknotes BI deposited from the deposit / withdrawal unit 3, a discrimination unit 5 for discriminating banknotes BI transported from the first storage unit 4, and a second storage unit 6 for temporarily storing banknotes BI transported from the discrimination unit 5. The banknote handling apparatus 1 also has a recycle unit 7 for recycleing banknotes BI by storing and discharging banknotes BI transported from the discrimination unit 5, and a reject unit 8 for storing banknotes BI with abnormal thickness or length, damaged banknotes BI, etc. The recycle unit 7 has storage cassettes 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d for storing banknotes of different denominations.

[0013] Banknotes BI deposited through the deposit / withdrawal unit 3 are stored in the first storage unit 4 and then validated in the validation unit 5. Banknotes BI detected as abnormal by the validation unit 5 are transported from the validation unit 5 to the reject unit 8 and stored therein. On the other hand, banknotes BI not detected as abnormal by the validation unit 5 are stored in the second storage unit 6.

[0014] When a return process is performed on banknotes BI deposited from the deposit / withdrawal unit 3, the banknotes BI stored in the second storage unit 6 are transported to the deposit / withdrawal unit 3 and returned from the deposit / withdrawal unit 3. On the other hand, when a deposit process is performed on banknotes BI deposited from the deposit / withdrawal unit 3, the banknotes BI stored in the second storage unit 6 are transported to the first storage unit 4, transported from the first storage unit 4 to the discrimination unit 5, and then transported from the discrimination unit 5 to the recycling unit 7, and stored by denomination in storage cassettes 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d of the recycling unit 7.

[0015] Furthermore, when banknotes BI stored by denomination in storage cassettes 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are dispensed, the banknotes BI stored in the recycling section 7 are ejected from the storage cassettes 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d and transported from the recycling section 7 to the classification section 5, and then transported from the classification section 5 to the second storage section 6 and stored in the second storage section 6, and the banknotes BI stored in the second storage section 6 are transported to the deposit / withdrawal section 3 and dispensed from the deposit / withdrawal section 3.

[0016] Each of the depositing / withdrawing unit 3, the first storage unit 4, the second storage unit 6, the storage cassettes 7a to 7d, and the rejecting unit 8 is an example of an individually replaceable field repair unit. Each of the depositing / withdrawing unit 3, the first storage unit 4, the second storage unit 6, the storage cassettes 7a to 7d, and the rejecting unit 8 has a transport roller for transporting banknotes BI and a transport motor for driving the transport roller.

[0017] The banknote handling machine 1 also includes a processor 51 and a memory 52 .

[0018] Furthermore, storage cassette 7a has a transport path Pa along which banknotes BI of a first denomination are transported and a transmissive optical sensor 61a arranged on transport path Pa. Storage cassette 7b has a transport path Pb along which banknotes BI of a second denomination are transported and a transmissive optical sensor 61b arranged on transport path Pb. Storage cassette 7c has a transport path Pc along which banknotes BI of a third denomination are transported and a transmissive optical sensor 61c arranged on transport path Pc. Storage cassette 7d has a transport path Pd along which banknotes BI of a fourth denomination are transported and a transmissive optical sensor 61d arranged on transport path Pd.

[0019] The memory 52 pre-stores information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "banknote denomination information") indicating the denominations of banknotes (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "banknote denominations") stored in each of the storage cassettes 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d. The banknote denomination information is formed from the name of the country issuing the banknote and the denomination of the banknote. If the banknote handling device 1 is installed in Japan, for example, "Japan" and "10,000 yen" are pre-stored as banknote denomination information in association with the storage cassette 7a, "Japan" and "5,000 yen" are pre-stored as banknote denomination information in association with the storage cassette 7b, and "Japan" and "1,000 yen" are pre-stored as banknote denomination information in association with the storage cassette 7c.

[0020] Hereinafter, the transport paths Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd may be collectively referred to as "transport path P," and the transmission type optical sensors 61a, 61b, 61c, and 61d may be collectively referred to as "transmission type optical sensor 61."

[0021] <Configuration of Transmissive Optical Sensor> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a transmissive optical sensor according to the present disclosure. In Fig. 2, the transmissive optical sensor 61 includes a light projector 61T and a light receiver 61R. The light projector 61T and the light receiver 61R are disposed opposite each other. In the transmissive optical sensor 61, light projected from the light projector 61T (projected light) is received by the light receiver 61R.

[0022] The processor 51 determines, at regular sampling timings, whether the amount of light received by the light receiver 61R (light receiver light reception amount) is a first light reception level LV1 or a second light reception level LV2 that is lower than the first light reception level LV1. The processor 51 determines that the light receiver light reception amount is at the first light reception level LV1 when the light receiver light reception amount is equal to or higher than a threshold value TH, and determines that the light receiver light reception amount is at the second light reception level LV2 when the light receiver light reception amount is lower than the threshold value TH. The threshold value TH is pre-stored in the memory 52.

[0023] 2 , a banknote BI being transported along the transport path P in the transport direction CD passes between the light projector 61T and the light receiver 61R as the banknote BI is transported. When the processor 51 detects that the amount of light received by the light receiver has decreased from a first light reception level LV1 to a second light reception level LV2, and then detects that the amount of light received by the light receiver has returned from the second light reception level LV2 to the first light reception level LV1 after detecting that the amount of light received by the light receiver has decreased to the second light reception level LV2, the processor 51 increments the count CT of the number of banknotes BI being transported along the transport path P by one. In other words, the transmission-type optical sensor 61 is an optical sensor for counting the number of banknotes BI being transported along the transport path P. Note that "LC" in FIG. 2 indicates the length of the banknote BI along the transport path P in the transport direction CD (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "transport direction length").

[0024] <Configuration of Reference Table> Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a reference table of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 3, the reference table TA has preset associations between banknote denominations and times during which detection of the amount of light received by the light receiver in the processor 51 is disabled (hereinafter may be referred to as "detection invalid times"). The reference table TA is an example of information showing associations between banknote denominations and detection invalid times, and is stored in advance in the memory 52.

[0025] The detection invalid time DI [msec] included in the reference table TA is calculated according to the formula (1) (rounded to the first decimal place) based on the conveyance direction length LC [mm], the conveyance speed CS [mm / sec] of the banknote BI on the conveyance path P (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "banknote conveyance speed"), and a predetermined margin length ML [mm]: DI=(LC-ML) / (CS / 1000) (1)

[0026] For example, since the conveyance direction length LC of an Australian five dollar bill is 65 mm, if the bill conveyance speed CS is 1600 mm / sec and the margin length ML is 16 mm, the detection invalid time DI for the Australian five dollar bill denomination is calculated to be 31 msec, as shown in equation (2): DI = (65 - 16) / (1600 / 1000) ≈ 31 msec (2).

[0027] For example, since the conveyance direction length LC of a Canadian five dollar bill is 70 mm, if the bill conveyance speed CS is 1600 mm / sec and the margin length ML is 16 mm, the detection invalid time DI for a Canadian five dollar bill is calculated as 34 msec, as shown in equation (3): DI = (70 - 16) / (1600 / 1000) ≈ 34 msec (3).

[0028] For example, since the conveyance direction length LC of a Japanese 1,000 yen banknote is 76 mm, if the banknote conveyance speed CS is 1600 mm / sec and the margin length ML is 16 mm, the detection invalid time DI for a Japanese 1,000 yen banknote denomination is calculated to be 34 msec, as shown in equation (4): DI = (76 - 16) / (1600 / 1000) ≈ 38 msec (4).

[0029] As described above, the detection invalid time DI included in the reference table TA is calculated based on the conveying direction length LC and the banknote conveying speed CS.

[0030] The processor 51 obtains the denomination of a banknote BI stored in or discharged from one of the storage cassettes 7a, 7b, 7c, or 7d, i.e., a banknote BI being transported along one of the transport paths Pa, Pb, Pc, or Pd, from the banknote denomination information stored in the memory 52. ​​The processor 51 references the banknote denomination information based on which of the storage cassettes 7a, 7b, 7c, or 7d the banknote BI is stored in or discharged from, and obtains from the banknote denomination information the denomination associated with the storage cassette that is to store or discharge the banknote BI. The processor 51 also references the reference table TA based on the denomination obtained from the banknote denomination information, thereby obtaining the detection invalid time DI corresponding to the denomination from the reference table TA. The processor 51 then sets the detection invalid time DI according to the denomination of the banknote BI being transported on any one of the transport paths Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd.

[0031] <Operation of the banknote handling device> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the banknote handling device of the present disclosure. In Fig. 4, the conveying time LT [msec] corresponding to the conveying direction length LC [mm] is calculated according to the formula (5). LT = LC / (CS / 1000) (5)

[0032] 4 , as a banknote BI having a clear window CW and a conveying direction length LC is conveyed in the conveying direction CD on the conveying path P, when the leading edge of the banknote BI reaches the position of the transmissive optical sensor 61, the amount of light received by the receiver drops from the first light reception level LV1 to the second light reception level LV2. As the banknote BI is further conveyed, the amount of light received by the receiver returns from the second light reception level LV2 to the first light reception level LV1 at the leading edge of the clear window CW, and drops from the first light reception level LV1 to the second light reception level LV2 at the rear edge of the clear window CW. As the banknote BI is further conveyed, the amount of light received by the receiver returns from the second light reception level LV2 to the first light reception level LV1 at the rear edge of the banknote BI.

[0033] In response to this, the processor 51 turns the detection invalid flag "ON" at a first time point ta when the amount of light received by the light receiver drops from the first light reception level LV1 to the second light reception level LV2. Furthermore, the processor 51 invalidates detection of the amount of light received by the light receiver from the first time point ta until a second time point tb at which the detection invalid time DI has elapsed, and determines that the amount of light received by the light receiver is at the second light reception level LV2. Then, the processor 51 turns the detection invalid flag "OFF" at a second time point tb after the detection invalid time DI has elapsed from the first time point ta, thereby enabling detection of the amount of light received by the light receiver.

[0034] The second time point tb at which the detection invalid flag is set to “OFF” is the time point after the rear end of the clear window CW has already passed the arrangement position of the transmission-type optical sensor 61. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 , the detection result of the amount of light received by the light receiver in the processor 51 drops from the first light-receiving level LV1 to the second light-receiving level LV2 at the first time point ta, and returns from the second light-receiving level LV2 to the first light-receiving level LV1 after the transport time LT has elapsed from the first time point ta.

[0035] The above describes the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] As described above, the banknote handling device (banknote handling device 1 of the embodiment) of the present disclosure includes a transport path (transport path P of the embodiment) along which banknotes (banknotes BI of the embodiment) are transported, an optical sensor (transmission type optical sensor 61 of the embodiment), and a processor (processor 51 of the embodiment). The optical sensor includes a light projector (light projector 61T of the embodiment) that projects light and a light receiver (light receiver 61R of the embodiment) that receives the light projected from the light projector, and is an optical sensor for counting the number of banknotes being transported along the transport path. The processor determines, at regular sampling timings, whether the amount of light received by the light receiver is at a first light reception level (first light reception level LV1 in the embodiment) or a second light reception level (second light reception level LV2 in the embodiment) lower than the first light reception level, and when it detects that the amount of light received by the light receiver has dropped from the first light reception level to the second light reception level and, after detecting that the amount of light received by the light receiver has dropped to the second light reception level, has returned from the second light reception level to the first light reception level, the processor increments the count of the number of banknotes being transported along the transport path by 1. The processor also disables detection of the amount of light received by the light receiver for a predetermined time (detection invalid time DI in the embodiment) from a first point in time (first point in time ta in the embodiment) when the amount of light received by the light receiver has dropped from the first light reception level to the second light reception level, and determines that the amount of light received by the light receiver is at the second light reception level, and enables detection of the amount of light received by the light receiver at a second point in time (second point in time tb in the embodiment) after the predetermined time has elapsed from the first point in time.

[0037] In this way, the number of banknotes can be counted accurately, especially even when the banknotes to be counted have holes or clear windows.

[0038] The processor also sets the predetermined time depending on the denomination of the banknote being transported on the transport path.

[0039] For example, the banknote handling device of the present disclosure includes a memory (memory 52 in the embodiment) that stores information (reference table TA in the embodiment) that indicates correspondence between multiple banknote denominations and multiple predetermined times. The processor obtains the predetermined time corresponding to the banknote denomination by referencing the information based on the denomination of the banknote being transported on the transport path.

[0040] This makes it possible to set different predetermined times for each denomination of banknotes being transported along the transport path during which detection of the amount of light received by the light receiver is disabled.

[0041] In addition, the specified time period during which detection of the amount of light received by the receiver is disabled is calculated based on the length (conveying direction length LC in the embodiment) of the banknote in the conveying direction (conveying direction CD in the embodiment) on the conveying path and the conveying speed of the banknote on the conveying path (banknote conveying speed CS in the embodiment).

[0042] In this way, it is possible to calculate an appropriate predetermined time for which detection of the amount of light received by the light receiver is disabled.

[0043] 1 Banknote handling device 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d Transmission type optical sensor 61T Light emitter 61R Light receiver 51 Processor 52 Memory Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd Conveyance path BI Banknote

Claims

1. A banknote handling device comprising a conveyance path for conveying banknotes, a light projector for projecting light, and a light receiver for receiving the light projected from the light projector, the light sensor being for counting the number of banknotes being conveyed along the conveyance path, and a processor that determines, at a fixed sampling timing, whether the amount of received light at the light receiver is at a first received light level or a second received light level smaller than the first received light level, detects that the amount of received light has decreased from the first received light level to the second received light level, and, when detecting that the amount of received light has returned from the second received light level to the first received light level after detecting that the amount of received light has decreased to the second received light level, increments the count of the number of banknotes being conveyed along the conveyance path by one. The processor invalidates detection of the amount of received light for a predetermined time from a first time point when the amount of received light has decreased from the first received light level to the second received light level and determines that the amount of received light is at the second received light level, and validates detection of the amount of received light at a second time point after the elapse of the predetermined time from the first time point.

2. The banknote handling device according to claim 1, wherein the processor sets the predetermined time according to the denomination of the banknotes being conveyed along the conveyance path.

3. The banknote handling device according to claim 2, further comprising a memory that stores information indicating the association between a plurality of banknote denominations and a plurality of the predetermined times, wherein the processor obtains the predetermined time corresponding to the denomination by referring to the information based on the denomination of the banknotes being conveyed along the conveyance path.

4. The banknote handling device according to claim 3, wherein the information includes the predetermined time calculated based on the length of the banknotes in the conveyance direction in the conveyance path and the conveyance speed of the banknotes in the conveyance path.

5. A banknote handling apparatus comprising: a conveyance path along which banknotes are conveyed; a light projector that projects light; and a light receiver that receives the light projected from the light projector, the light sensor being configured to count the number of banknotes being conveyed along the conveyance path, and a processor that, at a fixed sampling timing, determines whether the amount of light received by the light receiver is at a first light reception level or a second light reception level that is less than the first light reception level, detects that the amount of light received has decreased from the first light reception level to the second light reception level, and, when detecting that the amount of light received has returned from the second light reception level to the first light reception level after detecting that the amount of light received has decreased to the second light reception level, increments the count of the number of banknotes being conveyed along the conveyance path by one. A method for counting the number of banknotes in the banknote handling apparatus, wherein the processor invalidates the detection of the amount of light for a predetermined time from a first time point when the amount of light received has decreased from the first light reception level to the second light reception level, determines that the amount of light received is at the second light reception level, and enables the detection of the amount of light at a second time point after the elapse of the predetermined time from the first time point.

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