Media handling device and automated transaction device

Abstract

[Problem] It is desirable to provide a technology that makes it possible to improve the convenience of a media handling device in which a plurality of cassettes can be mounted. [Solution] Provided is a media handling device in which a plurality of cassettes, each of which can be assigned a role, can be mounted, said media handling device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires specified assigned role information indicating specified assigned roles, which are roles specified to be assigned respectively to the plurality of cassettes; and a determination unit that, on the basis of the specified assigned role information and essential role information indicating an essential role, which is a role that must be included in the roles assigned to the plurality of cassettes, determines whether or not the specified assigned roles include the essential role.

Description

Media processing device and automated transaction device

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium processing device and an automatic transaction device.

[0002] Generally, a media processing device that processes media can be equipped with multiple cassettes. A cassette is a container for placing media and corresponds to a media container. Here, banknotes are used as an example of media. Devices that process card-like media such as paper may be examples of media processing devices, but if the object being handled is banknotes, an automated teller machine (ATM) or other automated transaction device would also be applicable. Here, "processing" refers to operations such as loading media into the device, identifying and storing the type of loaded media, and ejecting the specified media from the device.

[0003] The role of a cassette can be set before the automated teller machine is put into operation. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology that allows the role of a cassette to be set. For example, there may be cases where it is desired to avoid mixing banknotes of multiple denominations in a single cassette. In such cases, by setting the role of the cassette, banknotes of multiple denominations can be separated by banknote denomination and stored in multiple cassettes.

[0004] As an example of the role that can be assigned to a cassette, a cassette may be assigned the role of a recycling cassette for 10,000 yen banknotes, in which case the cassette can store 10,000 yen banknotes and can dispense 10,000 yen banknotes from the cassette.

[0005] As another example of the role that may be assigned to a cassette, a cassette may be assigned the role of a cassette for collecting soiled and defective banknotes (hereinafter also referred to as a "reject cassette"). In such a case, soiled and defective banknotes are stored in the reject cassette rather than the recycle cassette, thereby preventing the soiled and defective banknotes from being dispensed to customers.

[0006] In this way, various roles can be set for each of the multiple cassettes, and the combination of roles set for each of the multiple cassettes is generally arbitrary.

[0007] JP 2018-160154 A

[0008] However, if the combination of roles set for each of the multiple cassettes is arbitrary, it is possible that a role essential for the operation of the automated teller machine is not set for any of the cassettes. Therefore, if the roles set for the cassettes do not include an essential role, an error may occur because the cassette that should store the banknotes cannot be found. This may reduce the convenience of the media processing device.

[0009] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a technology that can improve the convenience of a media processing device that can accommodate multiple cassettes.

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a media processing device that can be fitted with multiple cassettes, each of which can have a role set, and that includes: an information acquisition unit that acquires setting instruction role information indicating setting instruction roles, which are roles instructed to be set for each of the multiple cassettes; required role information indicating required roles, which are roles that must be included in the roles set for the multiple cassettes; and a judgment unit that determines whether the required roles are included in the setting instruction roles based on the setting instruction role information.

[0011] The media processing device may include an output control unit that controls the output of predetermined warning information when it is determined that the setting instruction roles do not include the required roles.

[0012] The warning information may include information indicating a missing role, which is a role that is not included in the setting instruction role among the essential roles.

[0013] The media processing device may include an output control unit that controls the recommended changes to the setting instruction role information to be output when it is determined that the setting instruction role does not include the required role.

[0014] The change content may include information indicating a missing role, which is a role among the required roles that is not included in the setting instruction role, and may also include information indicating a role-adding cassette, which is a cassette selected from the plurality of cassettes, as role-adding cassette information for which it is recommended to add the missing role to the setting instruction role.

[0015] The missing role may be a role that does not require feeding of a medium, and the role-added cassette may be a cassette instructed to be set to a role that does not require feeding of a medium.

[0016] The missing role may be a role that allows storage of media of multiple denominations, and the role-added cassette may be a cassette that has been instructed to be set to a role that allows storage of media of multiple denominations.

[0017] The change content may include information indicating a missing role, which is a role among the required roles that is not included in the setting instruction role, and may also include information indicating a role replacement cassette, which is a cassette selected from the plurality of cassettes, as role replacement cassette information for which replacement of the setting instruction role with the missing role is recommended.

[0018] The role-replacement cassette may be a cassette that corresponds to the most frequently set indicated denomination among the plurality of cassettes.

[0019] The media processing device may include an output control unit that controls the setting instruction role information to be stored in a storage area based on a determination that the setting instruction roles include the required role.

[0020] The storage area may be a storage unit that exists outside the plurality of cassettes and inside the media processing device.

[0021] The storage area may be a memory provided in each of the plurality of cassettes, and information indicating the role that has been instructed to be set for the cassette provided with the memory may be stored in the memory for each of the plurality of cassettes.

[0022] The information acquisition unit may acquire the setting instruction role information input to an operation unit by a setting person.

[0023] The setting instruction role information may be stored in advance in a storage unit, and the information acquisition unit may acquire the setting instruction role information from the storage unit.

[0024] The media processing device may be an automated teller machine.

[0025] As described above, the present invention provides a technique that makes it possible to improve the convenience of a media handling device that can accommodate multiple cassettes.

[0026] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an automatic transaction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the automatic transaction device 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a definition file stored in a storage unit 14 in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of detailed functions of a control unit 12. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a cassette setting screen in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a cassette setting screen including warning information in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of cassette role setting executed by the automatic transaction device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a definition file stored in a storage unit 14 in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a cassette setting screen in a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a cassette setting screen including warning information in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of cassette role setting executed by the automatic transaction device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a cassette setting screen including role addition cassette information in the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a cassette setting screen including role replacement cassette information in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0028] (0. Overview) First, an overview of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0029] Here, we will explain how the functions of a media processing device are realized by incorporating a media handling device, which is a unit that provides media handling functions, into an automated teller machine (ATD). Generally, a media handling device that handles media can be loaded with multiple cassettes. As described above, the combination of roles assigned to each of the multiple cassettes is generally arbitrary. However, if the combination of roles assigned to each of the multiple cassettes is arbitrary, there is a possibility that a role essential for the operation of the automated teller machine will not be assigned to any of the cassettes.

[0030] For example, as long as banknotes are used, soiled and missing banknotes will inevitably occur. Therefore, every bank needs a mechanism for recovering soiled and missing banknotes. A reject cassette, which is a cassette for recovering soiled and missing banknotes, is an example of such a mechanism. In other words, a reject cassette is an example of an essential role (hereinafter also simply referred to as an "essential role").

[0031] In this way, the reject cassette is an example of a required role, and applications installed on media handling devices typically store soiled and missing banknotes in a cassette that is set as the reject cassette, in accordance with bank policy. Therefore, if the reject cassette is not included in the roles set for multiple cassettes, an error may occur because the cassette that should store the soiled or missing banknotes cannot be found. This may reduce the convenience of the media handling device.

[0032] Therefore, in this specification, a technique that makes it possible to improve the convenience of a medium handling device that can accommodate multiple cassettes will be mainly described.

[0033] As mentioned above, a cassette is a container for storing media, and corresponds to a media container. In the following description, the state in which media is stored in a cassette is also referred to as "storing" the media in the cassette. Also, the transition from a state in which no media is stored in a cassette to a state in which media is stored in a cassette is also referred to as "storing" the media. Therefore, a cassette can function as a media storage or media repository. Also, removing media from a cassette is also referred to as "delivering" the media.

[0034] In the following description, it is primarily assumed that the media handled by the media handling device are banknotes, which are an example of cash. That is, it is primarily assumed that the media handling device is a banknote deposit / dispensing machine. However, the media handled by the media handling device may be media other than banknotes as long as they can be stored in a cassette. That is, the media handling device does not have to be limited to a banknote deposit / dispensing machine.

[0035] For example, the media handled by the media handling device may be cash other than banknotes (e.g., coins, etc.). In this case, the media handling device may be a coin depositing / dispensing machine. Alternatively, the media handled by the media handling device may be media exchangeable for cash (e.g., checks, etc.).

[0036] There may be multiple types of media. In the following description, it is mainly assumed that the type of media refers to the type of denomination of the media (hereinafter also referred to as "denomination"). More specifically, in the following description, it is mainly assumed that the denomination of banknotes is one of "1,000 yen," "5,000 yen," and "10,000 yen." However, the denomination of banknotes may be changed as appropriate depending on the region where the automated teller machine is installed, etc.

[0037] The medium handling device is incorporated into an automated teller machine that executes transactions based on operations input by a customer. A transaction executed by the automated teller machine may be a process that results in the storage of a medium into a cassette or the dispensing of a medium from a cassette. For example, if the medium is cash, the process that results in the storage of a medium into a cassette may be a deposit transaction, and the process that results in the dispensing of a medium from a cassette may be a withdrawal transaction.

[0038] The outline of the embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0039] (1. First Embodiment) Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0040] (1-1. Configuration of the Automated Transaction Device) With reference to FIG. 1, an example of the configuration of an automated transaction device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an automated transaction device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, the automated transaction device 1 is installed in a branch of a financial institution. The automated transaction device 1 performs transactions (for example, deposit transactions and withdrawal transactions) based on operations input by a customer. The automated transaction device 1 also performs various settings based on operations input by a setting person.

[0041] The setting person is a person who inputs operations for various settings. For example, the setting person may be a maintenance worker who performs maintenance work. Alternatively, the setting person may be a clerk at a financial institution.

[0042] The automated teller machine 1 includes a housing 2. A customer service section 3 is provided on the front side of the housing 2 at a location where a customer can easily insert cash or perform other operations while facing the automated teller machine 1.

[0043] The customer service unit 3 has a card slot 4, a cash slot 5, an operation display unit 6, a numeric keypad 7, and a statement slot 8, and directly handles cash and other transactions with customers. Although not shown, a bankbook processing unit can be incorporated to handle bankbook transactions. Furthermore, the customer service unit 3 notifies customers of transaction-related information and accepts transaction-related operations from customers. The customer service unit 3 also notifies the user of maintenance-related information and accepts maintenance-related operations from the user.

[0044] The card slot 4 accepts the insertion of various cards such as cash cards. The card slot 4 also ejects various cards. A card processing unit (not shown) is provided at the back of the card slot 4 to read account numbers and the like magnetically recorded on various cards.

[0045] The deposit / withdrawal port 5 functions as a deposit port that accepts cash inserted by a customer. The deposit / withdrawal port 5 also functions as a withdrawal port that dispenses cash to be returned to the customer. The deposit / withdrawal port 5 is opened or closed by driving a shutter.

[0046] The operation display unit 6 includes a display unit that displays transaction-related information and maintenance-related information, and an operation unit that accepts transaction-related operations from a customer and maintenance-related operations from a setting operator. As an example, the display unit may be configured with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The operation unit may also be implemented with a touch panel.

[0047] The numeric keypad 7 is a physical keypad that accepts input of numbers "0" to "9" etc. For example, the numeric keypad 7 accepts input operations of a personal identification number, a transaction amount etc.

[0048] The receipt outlet 8 is an outlet for discharging a receipt on which transaction details and the like are printed at the end of a transaction.

[0049] The housing 2 is configured so that a front door 2A that covers the front of the automated transaction apparatus 1 and a rear door 2B that covers the rear can each be opened and closed. The housing 2 closes the front door 2A and the rear door 2B during transactions. This allows the housing 2 to protect the banknotes and coins stored inside the housing 2. On the other hand, the housing 2 opens the front door 2A and the rear door 2B as needed when an operator performs maintenance work such as replenishing banknotes or coins or removing jammed banknotes or coins, replenishing banknotes or coins, or recovering banknotes or coins. This allows the operator to easily perform work on each part inside the housing 2.

[0050] A main control unit 9 that controls the entire automated transaction apparatus 1 is provided inside the housing 2. A banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10 that performs various processes related to banknotes is also provided inside the housing 2. The banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10 includes a control unit 12 and a memory unit 14. The control unit 12 and the memory unit 14 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0051] The main control unit 9 is configured to include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each unit to execute various transactions such as deposit transactions and withdrawal transactions by reading and executing predetermined programs from a storage unit 30 configured from a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or the like.

[0052] In the following, the side of the automatic transaction device 1 that the customer faces will be referred to as the front side, the opposite side as the rear side, the left side as seen from the customer facing the front side as the left side, and the right side as seen from the customer facing the front side as the right side, and the upper and lower sides will be further defined and explained.

[0053] (1-2. Internal Configuration of Automated Teller Machine) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the automated teller machine 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the automated teller machine 1 includes a banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10, which has a control unit 12. The control unit 12 controls each unit (the memory unit 14, the banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 16, the discrimination unit 18, the temporary holding unit 20, the transport path 24, and the cassettes C1 to C5). The cassettes C1 to C5 are examples of a plurality of cassettes that can be attached to the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10. Therefore, the number of cassettes that can be attached to the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10 does not have to be five, as long as it is two or more.

[0054] A role can be set for each of the cassettes C1 to C5. Cassette C1 is provided with a memory M1. The memory M1 can store the role set for cassette C1. Just as cassette C1 is provided with memory M1, cassette C2 is provided with memory M2, cassette C3 is provided with memory M3, cassette C4 is provided with memory M4, and cassette C5 is provided with memory M5.

[0055] There are various types of roles that can be set for each of the cassettes C1 to C5. Here, five types of roles are assumed to be set for each of the cassettes C1 to C5: a recycle cassette, a deposit cassette, a reject cassette, a dispense cassette, and a retract cassette.

[0056] The recycle cassette has a role of storing banknotes of a specific denomination. The recycle cassette also has a role of storing banknotes of a specific denomination from the conveyance path 24 and feeding the banknotes of the specific denomination to the conveyance path 24. The specific denomination may mean one predetermined denomination out of the multiple denominations that the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10 can handle, namely, "1,000 yen," "5,000 yen," and "10,000 yen."

[0057] The deposit cassette has a role of storing banknotes of a specific denomination or banknotes of all denominations from the transport path 24. The role of storing banknotes of all denominations may mean that the deposit cassette is capable of storing banknotes of any of the multiple denominations that the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10 can handle, namely, "1,000 yen," "5,000 yen," and "10,000 yen."

[0058] The reject cassette has a role of storing, from the transport path 24, objects that have not been recognized as banknotes by the discrimination unit 18, and a role of storing, from the transport path 24, banknotes that are so dirty that they should not be dispensed to customers. In other words, the reject cassette is used to separate banknotes that are allowed to circulate in the market from banknotes that should not be allowed to circulate in the market.

[0059] The dispense cassette has a role of storing banknotes of a specific denomination and also a role of feeding the banknotes of the specific denomination to the transport path 24.

[0060] The retract cassette has the role of storing banknotes that belong to customers from the transport path 24. For example, in a withdrawal transaction, when banknotes are fed to the customer section 3, ownership of those banknotes belongs to the customer. Therefore, if a predetermined time has passed without the customer receiving the banknotes fed to the customer section 3, the banknotes fed to the customer section 3 are stored in a cassette that is set to function as a retract cassette. This can prevent a situation in which banknotes owned by the bank and banknotes owned by customers are mixed together.

[0061] The control unit 12 is configured to include a processor such as a CPU, and controls each unit by reading and executing a predetermined program from the memory unit 14, which is configured from a ROM, RAM, hard disk drive, flash memory, etc., to perform processing related to banknotes required for various transactions such as deposit transactions and withdrawal transactions.

[0062] Inside the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10, a banknote deposit and withdrawal section 16 is provided on the upper side, as well as a discrimination section 18 that determines the denomination and authenticity of banknotes, and a temporary holding section 20 that temporarily holds deposited banknotes, etc.

[0063] The banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 16 separates banknotes inserted by a customer one by one and feeds them out to the transport path 24. The banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 16 also separates and holds banknotes to be fed out to the transport path 24 and banknotes that have been returned to the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 16 as deposit-rejected banknotes. The banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 16 is also provided with a banknote detection sensor (not shown) inside the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 16 that detects whether or not there are banknotes to be fed out to the transport path 24.

[0064] The transport path 24 transports banknotes along the transport path indicated by the thick line in the figure by rollers or belts (neither of which is shown). The transport path 24 transports banknotes so that they pass through the validator 18 in the front-to-rear direction, and connects the rear side of the validator 18 to the temporary holding unit 20 and the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 16. The transport path 24 also connects the front side of the validator 18 to the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 16 and cassettes C1 to C5. A selector (not shown) is provided at a branch point of the transport path 24, and the selector (not shown) rotates under the control of the controller 12 to switch the destination of the banknote.

[0065] The validator 18 uses optical elements or magnetic detection elements to determine the denomination and authenticity of the banknotes, as well as the degree of damage (i.e., fitness), while transporting the banknotes therein, and notifies the controller 12 of the validation results. The validation results are stored in the memory 14 as transaction information together with customer information under the control of the controller 12. The controller 12 then determines the destination of the banknotes based on the validation results.

[0066] The escrow unit 20 temporarily holds depositable banknotes that have been inserted by a customer into the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 16 at the time of deposit and that have been identified by the discrimination unit 18 as depositable until the deposit is confirmed. On the other hand, deposit-rejected banknotes that have been identified by the discrimination unit 18 as not depositable are not held by the escrow unit 20 but are discharged to the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 16. Furthermore, the escrow unit 20 temporarily holds withdrawal-rejected banknotes that have been identified by the discrimination unit 18 as not withdrawable at the time of withdrawal until the withdrawable banknotes are withdrawn, and then discharges the withdrawal-rejected banknotes to one of the cassettes C1 to C5 that has been set to serve as a reject cassette.

[0067] In this configuration, the automated teller machine 1 performs processes such as depositing and dispensing banknotes by controlling each section through the main control section 9 and the control section 12 based on the results of banknote validation by the validation section 18.

[0068] (1-3. Role Setting for Cassettes) As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that there are roles that are mandatory to be included in the roles set for cassettes C1 to C5. Information indicating such mandatory roles is stored in advance in the storage unit 14 as mandatory role information. Here, it is assumed that the mandatory role information is stored in advance in the storage unit 14 as a definition file in which the mandatory roles are described (hereinafter also referred to as a "mandatory role definition file"). However, the mandatory role information may also be directly incorporated into the program for implementing the control unit 12.

[0069] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a definition file stored in the storage unit 14 in the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a required role definition file F1 is stored in advance in the storage unit 14. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a "reject cassette" and a "retract cassette" are described as required roles in the required role definition file F1. Note that the types of required roles do not have to be limited to two, "reject cassette" and "retract cassette." Furthermore, the number of required roles does not have to be two, and may be one, or three or more.

[0070] The role of each of the cassettes C1 to C5 can be set based on operations on the cassette setting screen using the required role definition file F1. For example, the operation display unit 6 displays a maintenance menu screen, and when the setting person inputs an operation to select a transition button from the maintenance menu screen to the cassette setting screen, the operation display unit 6 displays the cassette setting screen.

[0071] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of detailed functions of the control unit 12. As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 12 includes an information acquisition unit 121, a determination unit 122, and an output control unit 123. Role setting for cassettes C1 to C5 is mainly achieved by the information acquisition unit 121, the determination unit 122, and the output control unit 123. Below, the role setting for cassettes C1 to C5 will be explained while explaining the functions of the information acquisition unit 121, the determination unit 122, and the output control unit 123.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cassette setting screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, a cassette setting screen G11 displayed by the operation display unit 6 is shown. The cassette setting screen G11 includes a setting instruction role input field P1, which is an input field for a role (hereinafter also referred to as a "setting instruction role") for instructing settings for each of the cassettes C1 to C5. The setting instruction role may be input by number (hereinafter also referred to as a "setting instruction role number") in the setting instruction role input field P1.

[0073] For example, the setting instruction role for each of the cassettes C1 to C5 may be input by repeatedly performing, for each of the cassettes C1 to C5, an operation to select the setting instruction role input field P1 for one cassette on the operation display unit 6 and inputting the setting instruction role on the numeric keypad 7. For example, as displayed at the bottom of the cassette setting screen G11, the setting instruction role number "1" may mean the setting instruction role "recycle cassette," but there is no need to limit which setting instruction role a setting instruction role number means.

[0074] 5, it is assumed that one role instruction can be input into the setting instruction role input field P1 for each of the cassettes C1 to C5. However, it is also possible to input two or more role instructions into the setting instruction role input field P1 for each of the cassettes C1 to C5.

[0075] The cassette setting screen G11 also includes a designated denomination input field P2, which is an input field for the denomination (hereinafter also referred to as the "designated denomination") to be set for each of the cassettes C1 to C5. The designated denomination may be input by number (hereinafter also referred to as the "designated denomination number") in the designated denomination input field P2.

[0076] For example, the designated denomination for each of the cassettes C1 to C5 may be input by repeatedly performing, for each of the cassettes C1 to C5, an operation to select the designated denomination input field P2 for one cassette on the operation display unit 6 and inputting the designated denomination into the numeric keypad 7. For example, as displayed at the bottom of the cassette setting screen G11, the designated denomination number "1" may mean the designated denomination "1,000 yen," but there is no need to limit which designated denomination the designated denomination number means.

[0077] Furthermore, the cassette setting screen G11 includes an Apply Setting button B11 and a Back button B12. The Apply Setting button B11 is a button for setting the role and denomination for each of the cassettes C1 to C5 based on the setting instruction role input in the Setting Instruction Role input field P1 and the setting instruction denomination input in the Setting Instruction Denomination input field P2. The Back button B12 is a button for returning to the previous screen (e.g., the maintenance menu screen). After inputting the setting instruction role in the Setting Instruction Role input field P1 and the setting instruction denomination in the Setting Instruction Denomination input field P2, the setting operator selects the Apply Setting button B11.

[0078] Based on the operation of selecting the setting application button B11 being accepted by the operation display unit 6, the information acquisition unit 121 acquires information indicating the setting instruction role entered in the setting instruction role input field P1 as setting instruction role information, and acquires information indicating the setting instruction denomination entered in the setting instruction denomination input field P2 as setting instruction denomination information.

[0079] In the example shown in Figure 5, information indicating the setting instruction role "recycle cassette (= 1)" corresponding to cassette C1, the setting instruction role "recycle cassette (= 1)" corresponding to cassette C2, the setting instruction role "recycle cassette (= 1)" corresponding to cassette C3, the setting instruction role "deposit cassette (= 3)" corresponding to cassette C4, and the setting instruction role "reject cassette (= 4)" corresponding to cassette C5 is acquired as setting instruction role information by the information acquisition unit 121.

[0080] 5, the designated denomination "1,000 yen (=1)" corresponding to cassette C1, the designated denomination "5,000 yen (=2)" corresponding to cassette C2, the designated denomination "10,000 yen (=3)" corresponding to cassette C3, and the designated denomination "all denominations (=4)" corresponding to cassette C4 are acquired as designated denomination information by the information acquisition unit 121. Note that the designated role corresponding to cassette C5 is "reject cassette (=4)," but since the denomination corresponding to the reject cassette is necessarily determined to be all denominations, there is no need to input the designated denomination corresponding to cassette C5.

[0081] The determination unit 122 acquires the essential role definition file F1 from the storage unit 14. Then, the determination unit 122 performs role determination to determine whether the setting instruction roles corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 include the essential roles described in the essential role definition file F1, based on the acquired essential role definition file F1 and the setting instruction role information acquired by the information acquisition unit 121. This makes it possible to improve the convenience of the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10.

[0082] Hereinafter, a determination result indicating that the setting instruction roles corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5 include the mandatory roles described in the mandatory role definition file F1 will also be simply referred to as "role determination OK." On the other hand, a determination result indicating that the setting instruction roles corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5 do not include the mandatory roles described in the mandatory role definition file F1 will also be simply referred to as "role determination NG."

[0083] When the determining unit 122 determines that the role determination is NG, the output control unit 123 controls the operation display unit 6 so that predetermined warning information is output from the operation display unit 6. This can notify the setting person that the setting instruction roles corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 do not include the required roles.

[0084] 6 is a diagram for explaining a cassette setting screen including warning information in the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, a cassette setting screen G12 including warning information, which is displayed by the operation display unit 6, is shown.

[0085] As described above, it is assumed here that the required role definition file F1 describes "reject cassette" and "retract cassette" as required roles. Furthermore, it is assumed that the following setting instruction role information has been acquired: a setting instruction role "recycle cassette (=1)" corresponding to each of cassettes C1 to C5, a setting instruction role "recycle cassette (=1)" corresponding to cassette C2, a setting instruction role "recycle cassette (=1)" corresponding to cassette C3, a setting instruction role "deposit cassette (=3)" corresponding to cassette C4, and a setting instruction role "reject cassette (=4)" corresponding to cassette C5.

[0086] In this case, the required role "reject cassette" matches the setting instruction role "reject cassette (=4)" corresponding to cassette C5. In other words, the required role "reject cassette" is a role included in the setting instruction roles among the required roles (hereinafter also referred to as the "satisfied role"). However, the required role "retract cassette" does not match any of the setting instruction roles corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5. In other words, the required role "retract cassette" is a role not included in the setting instruction roles among the required roles (hereinafter also referred to as the "deficient role").

[0087] Therefore, the determination unit 122 determines that the role determination is NG. If the role determination is NG, warning information is output from the operation display unit 6. As shown in Fig. 6 , the warning information may include an error message D13 indicating that the setting has failed.

[0088] The warning information may also include a missing role notification message D12, such as "Retract cassette is not included in the setting instruction roles," which is an example of information indicating the missing role "retract cassette." This makes it possible to inform the user of the required roles that are not included in the setting instruction roles corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5.

[0089] Furthermore, the output control unit 123 may control the operation display unit 6 so that a message "Reject cassette is included in the setting instruction role," which is an example of information indicating the fulfilling role "reject cassette," is output as a fulfilling role message D11 from the operation display unit 6. This makes it possible to inform the settling person of the required roles included in the setting instruction role corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5.

[0090] The timing at which the determining unit 122 performs the role determination does not have to be limited to the timing at which the operation of selecting the setting apply button B11 is accepted. For example, the determining unit 122 may perform the role determination based on the input of a setting instruction role in the setting instruction role input field P1 of any of the cassettes, even if the operation of selecting the setting apply button B11 is not accepted.

[0091] Alternatively, the determination unit 122 may perform role determination based on an operation input to the operation display unit 6 to select the setting instruction role input field P1 of any cassette and an input of a setting instruction role to the numeric keypad 7. At this time, if the output control unit 123 determines that the role determination is NG, it may prevent the setting instruction role input to the numeric keypad 7 from being input to the selected setting instruction role input field P1. However, until it is once determined that the role determination is OK, the output control unit 123 may allow the setting instruction role input to the numeric keypad 7 to be input to the selected setting instruction role input field P1.

[0092] If the role determination is determined to be OK, the output control unit 123 controls the setting instruction role information and setting instruction denomination information acquired by the information acquisition unit 121 to be stored in the memory area. This allows the control unit 12 to execute a transaction based on the setting instruction role information and setting instruction denomination information acquired from the memory area. Note that a role determination that is OK may include a role determination that is OK from the beginning. Alternatively, a role determination that is OK may include a role determination that is OK after a role determination that is NG has been made.

[0093] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the setting instruction role input field P1 for cassettes C1 to C3 has the non-essential role "recycle cassette (=1)" entered. Furthermore, the non-essential role "deposit cassette (=3)" has been entered in the setting instruction role input field P1 for cassette C4. Therefore, the missing role "retract cassette (=5)" may be re-entered in the setting instruction role input field P1 for any one of cassettes C1 to C4, and an operation to select the setting apply button B11 may be input to the operation display unit 6. This results in a role determination of OK.

[0094] Here, it is mainly assumed that the storage area in which the setting instruction role information and the setting instruction denomination information are stored is the storage unit 14 that is located outside the cassettes C1 to C5 and inside the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10. However, the storage area in which the setting instruction role information and the setting instruction denomination information are stored does not have to be limited to the storage unit 14. For example, the storage area in which the setting instruction role information and the setting instruction denomination information are stored may be memories M1 to M5 provided in the cassettes C1 to C5.

[0095] More specifically, the output control unit 123 may store in the memory M1 information indicating the setting instruction role input in the setting instruction role input field P1 corresponding to the cassette C1 and information indicating the setting instruction denomination input in the setting instruction denomination input field P2 corresponding to the cassette C1. Similarly, the output control unit 123 may store in the memories M2 to M5 information indicating the setting instruction role and information indicating the setting instruction denomination corresponding to the cassettes C2 to C5.

[0096] (1-4. Flow of Role Setting) Next, the flow of cassette role setting executed by the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be summarized with reference to Fig. 7 (and also with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 as appropriate). Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of cassette role setting executed by the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] 7, the operation display unit 6 displays a maintenance menu screen, and when the operator selects a transition button from the maintenance menu screen to the cassette setting screen, the operation display unit 6 displays a cassette setting screen G11 (S11). The operator inputs a setting instruction role in the setting instruction role input field P1 for each cassette C1 to C5, inputs a setting instruction denomination in the setting instruction denomination input field P2 for each cassette C1 to C5, and then selects the setting apply button B11. However, as mentioned above, there may be cassettes for which a setting instruction denomination does not need to be input.

[0098] Based on the operation of selecting the setting application button B11 being accepted by the setting person via the operation display unit 6, the information acquisition unit 121 acquires information indicating the setting instruction role entered by the setting person in the setting instruction role input field P1 as setting instruction role information, and acquires information indicating the setting instruction denomination entered in the setting instruction denomination input field P2 as setting instruction denomination information (S12).

[0099] The determination unit 122 acquires the essential role definition file F1 from the storage unit 14. Then, based on the acquired essential role definition file F1 and the setting instruction role information acquired by the information acquisition unit 121, the determination unit 122 performs role determination to determine whether the setting instruction roles corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 include the essential roles described in the essential role definition file F1 (S13).

[0100] If the output control unit 123 determines that the setting instruction roles corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5 do not include the essential roles described in the essential role definition file F1 ('NO' in S13), it controls the operation display unit 6 so that warning information is presented on the operation display unit 6 (S15).

[0101] On the other hand, if it is determined that the set instruction roles corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5 include the essential roles described in the essential role definition file F1 ("YES" in S13), the output control unit 123 stores the set instruction role information and the set instruction denomination information in the storage unit 14 or memories M1 to M5 (S14). When S14 or S15 is completed, the cassette role setting executed by the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is completed.

[0102] (1-5. Advantages of the First Embodiment) As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10 including an information acquisition unit 121 and a determination unit 122. Here, the information acquisition unit 121 acquires setting instruction role information indicating setting instruction roles, which are roles instructed to be set for each of the cassettes C1 to C5. Furthermore, the determination unit 122 determines whether or not a required role is included in the setting instruction roles, based on the setting instruction role information and required role information indicating required roles, which are roles that must be included in the roles set for the cassettes C1 to C5.

[0103] According to this configuration, the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10 automatically determines that the instructed role settings do not include any required roles, which is expected to improve the convenience of the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10. Furthermore, since the possibility that role settings will be performed based on instructed role setting information that does not include any required roles is reduced, the possibility that errors will occur during operation of the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10 can be reduced. In other words, it can also be expected that the availability of the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10 will be improved.

[0104] The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0105] (2. Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference mainly to Figures 8 to 11. Below, a description of common parts between the second embodiment of the present invention and the first embodiment of the present invention will be omitted, and the following description will mainly focus on parts of the second embodiment of the present invention that are different from the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the explanation will also be made with reference to a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the automatic transaction device 1 relating to the first embodiment of the present invention (Figure 1), a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the automatic transaction device 1 (Figure 2), a diagram showing an example of the required role definition file F1 (Figure 3), and a diagram showing an example of the detailed functions of the control unit 12 (Figure 4).

[0107] (2-1. Role Setting for Cassettes) In the first embodiment of the present invention, it is mainly assumed that the setting instruction role information is input by the person setting the cassette. In the second embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the setting instruction role information is stored in advance in the storage unit 14 as a definition file in which the setting instruction roles are described (hereinafter also referred to as a "setting instruction role definition file"). However, the setting instruction role information may also be directly incorporated into the program for implementing the control unit 12.

[0108] 8 is a diagram showing an example of definition files stored in the storage unit 14 in the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 8, in the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, an essential role definition file F1 is stored in advance in the storage unit 14. Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, a setting instruction role definition file F2 is stored in advance in the storage unit 14.

[0109] 8, the setting instruction role definition file F2 describes the setting instruction roles and setting instruction denominations corresponding to each of the cassettes C1 to C5. As described above, the setting instruction role corresponding to cassette C5 is "reject cassette (=4)," and the setting instruction denominations corresponding to the reject cassette are necessarily determined to be all denominations, so the setting instruction role definition file F2 does not describe the setting instruction denomination corresponding to cassette C5.

[0110] 9 is a diagram for explaining a cassette setting screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, a cassette setting screen G21 is shown, which is displayed by the operation display unit 6. The cassette setting screen G21 includes a default setting button B21.

[0111] Here, the default setting button B21 is a button for inputting the setting instruction role corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 described in the setting instruction role definition file F2 into the setting instruction role input field P1, and for inputting the setting instruction denomination corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 described in the setting instruction role definition file F2 into the setting instruction denomination input field P2.

[0112] Based on the operation of selecting the default setting button B21 being accepted by the operation display unit 6, the information acquisition unit 121 acquires information indicating the setting instruction role corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 described in the setting instruction role definition file F2 as setting instruction role information, and acquires information indicating the setting instruction denomination corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 described in the setting instruction role definition file F2 as setting instruction denomination information.

[0113] The information acquisition unit 121 inputs the setting instruction roles corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 into the setting instruction role input field P1 based on the acquired setting instruction role information. Also, the information acquisition unit 121 inputs the setting instruction denominations corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 into the setting instruction denomination input field P2 based on the acquired setting instruction denomination information.

[0114] In the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 121 acquires information indicating the setting instruction role entered in the setting instruction role input field P1 as setting instruction role information, and acquires information indicating the setting instruction denomination entered in the setting instruction denomination input field P2 as setting instruction denomination information, based on the operation of selecting the setting instruction button B11 being accepted by the operation display unit 6.

[0115] In the second embodiment of the present invention, similarly to the first embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit 122 obtains the essential role definition file F1 from the storage unit 14 and performs role determination based on the obtained essential role definition file F1 and the setting instruction role information obtained by the information obtaining unit 121. When the determination unit 122 determines that the role determination is NG, the output control unit 123 controls the operation display unit 6 so that warning information is output from the operation display unit 6.

[0116] 10 is a diagram illustrating a cassette setting screen including warning information in the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, a cassette setting screen G22 including warning information is shown, which is displayed by the operation display unit 6. In the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, the warning information may include an error message D13 and a missing role notification message D12.

[0117] In the second embodiment of the present invention, similarly to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the determining unit 122 determines that the role determination is OK, the output control unit 123 controls the setting instruction role information and setting instruction denomination information acquired by the information acquiring unit 121 to be stored in a storage area. The storage area may be the storage unit 14 or may be memories M1 to M5 provided in cassettes C1 to C5.

[0118] (2-2. Flow of Role Setting) Next, the flow of cassette role setting executed by the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be summarized with reference to Fig. 11 (also with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 and 8 to 10 as appropriate). Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of cassette role setting executed by the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 11, in the second embodiment of the present invention, step S11 is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] Based on the operation of selecting the default setting button B21 being accepted by the operation display unit 6, the information acquisition unit 121 acquires information indicating the setting instruction role corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5 as setting instruction role information from the setting instruction role definition file F2, and acquires information indicating the setting instruction denomination corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5 as setting instruction denomination information (S22).

[0121] The information acquisition unit 121 inputs the setting instruction roles corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 into the setting instruction role input field P1 based on the acquired setting instruction role information. Also, the information acquisition unit 121 inputs the setting instruction denominations corresponding to the cassettes C1 to C5 into the setting instruction denomination input field P2 based on the acquired setting instruction denomination information.

[0122] Based on the operation of selecting the setting application button B11 being accepted by the setting person via the operation display unit 6, the information acquisition unit 121 acquires information indicating the setting instruction role entered by the setting person in the setting instruction role input field P1 as setting instruction role information, and acquires information indicating the setting instruction denomination entered in the setting instruction denomination input field P2 as setting instruction denomination information.

[0123] The determination unit 122 acquires the essential role definition file F1 from the storage unit 14. Then, in the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, S13 is executed, and then S14 or S15 is executed. When S14 or S15 is completed, the cassette role setting performed by the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is completed.

[0124] (2-3. Advantages of the Second Embodiment) As described above, the second embodiment of the present invention can achieve advantages similar to those of the first embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the second embodiment of the present invention can reduce the effort required by the user to enter setting instruction role information, because the setting instruction role information is acquired from the setting instruction role definition file F2 stored in advance in the storage unit 14 and input into the setting instruction role input field P1.

[0125] The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0126] (3. Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference mainly to Figures 12 to 14. In the following, a description of common parts between the third embodiment of the present invention and the first embodiment of the present invention will be omitted, and parts of the third embodiment of the present invention that are different from the first embodiment of the present invention will be mainly described.

[0127] In addition, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the explanation will be made with appropriate reference to a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the automatic transaction device 1 related to the first embodiment of the present invention (Figure 1), a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the automatic transaction device 1 (Figure 2), a diagram showing an example of the required role definition file F1 (Figure 3), and a diagram showing an example of the detailed functions of the control unit 12 (Figure 4).

[0128] (3-1. Role Setting for Cassette) In the third embodiment of the present invention, unlike the first embodiment of the present invention, when the determination unit 122 determines that the role setting instruction does not include an essential role, the output control unit 123 controls the operation display unit 6 so that recommended changes to the role setting instruction information (hereinafter also referred to as "recommended role setting instruction information") are output from the operation display unit 6. This is expected to further improve the convenience of the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10.

[0129] Here, a method of adding a missing role to a setting instruction role corresponding to a cassette (hereinafter also referred to as a "role addition method") may be considered as a change to the setting instruction role information. That is, the recommended setting instruction role information may include information indicating a missing role. The recommended setting instruction role information may also include information indicating a role-adding cassette selected from cassettes C1 to C5 as role-adding cassette information for which the addition of a missing role to the setting instruction role is recommended.

[0130] The role addition method will be described below with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining a cassette setting screen including role addition cassette information in the third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 12, a cassette setting screen G31 including role addition cassette information is shown.

[0131] In the example shown in Figure 12, as in the example shown in Figure 5, information indicating the setting instruction role ``recycle cassette (= 1)'' corresponding to cassette C1, the setting instruction role ``recycle cassette (= 1)'' corresponding to cassette C2, the setting instruction role ``recycle cassette (= 1)'' corresponding to cassette C3, the setting instruction role ``deposit cassette (= 3)'' corresponding to cassette C4, and the setting instruction role ``reject cassette (= 4)'' corresponding to cassette C5 is acquired as setting instruction role information by the information acquisition unit 121.

[0132] Then, the determination unit 122 acquires the essential role definition file F1 from the storage unit 14. Here, it is assumed that the essential role definition file F1 describes a "reject cassette" and a "retract cassette" as essential roles.

[0133] In this case, the required role "reject cassette" matches the setting instruction role "reject cassette (=4)" corresponding to cassette C5. In other words, the required role "reject cassette" is a fulfilled role. However, the required role "retract cassette" does not match any of the setting instruction roles corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5. In other words, the required role "retract cassette" is a deficient role.

[0134] Therefore, the determination unit 122 determines that the role determination is NG. If the role determination is NG, warning information is output from the operation display unit 6. As shown in FIG. 12 , the warning information may include an error message D13 and a missing role notification message D12. Furthermore, the output control unit 123 may control the operation display unit 6 so that a fulfilled role message D11 is output from the operation display unit 6.

[0135] Furthermore, in the role addition method, the output control unit 123 may control the operation and display unit 6 so that the role addition cassette information D31 is output from the operation and display unit 6.

[0136] The role addition cassette information D31 is a message stating, "Please set the role of cassette C4 to a deposit cassette / retract cassette." That is, the role addition cassette information D31 may include information "retract cassette" indicating a missing role. Furthermore, when the determination unit 122 selects cassette C4 as a role addition cassette from among the cassettes C1 to C5, the role addition cassette information D31 may include information "cassette C4" indicating cassette C4 selected as the role addition cassette.

[0137] Various selection criteria can be envisioned as the criteria for selecting a role-addition cassette. For example, the criteria for selecting a role-addition cassette may differ depending on the vendor that supplies the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10. As an example, whether or not it is necessary to avoid a situation in which banknotes owned by a bank and banknotes owned by a customer are mixed together may differ depending on the vendor. In other words, whether or not it is acceptable for the role "retract cassette" and other roles to be set in a single cassette may differ depending on the vendor. Here, a first role-addition cassette selection criterion and a second role-addition cassette selection criterion will be described as examples of the role-addition cassette selection criteria.

[0138] First, the first role-addition cassette selection criterion will be described. For example, it is possible that the role in which there is a shortage is a role that does not require the feeding of banknotes. In such a case, if one cassette plays both a role that does not require the feeding of banknotes and a role that requires the feeding of banknotes, there is a possibility that banknotes that are not intended to be fed will be fed from the cassette. Therefore, in such a case, the determination unit 122 may adopt the first role-addition cassette selection criterion, which selects a cassette that has been instructed to be set to a role that does not require the feeding of banknotes as a role-addition cassette.

[0139] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the missing role, "retract cassette," is a role that does not require the feeding of banknotes. Furthermore, the set instruction role corresponding to each of cassettes C1 to C3 is "recycle cassette (=1)," and "recycle cassette (=1)" is a role that requires the feeding of banknotes. Therefore, it is desirable that none of cassettes C1 to C3 be selected as a role-added cassette. Furthermore, the set instruction role "reject cassette" corresponding to cassette C5 is a required role, and is therefore excluded from the selection candidates.

[0140] On the other hand, the set instruction role corresponding to cassette C4 is "deposit cassette (=3)," which is a role that does not require the feeding of banknotes. Therefore, it is desirable to select cassette C4 as the role-added cassette.

[0141] Next, the second role-addition cassette selection criteria will be described. For example, a case may be considered in which the missing role is a role that allows the storage of multiple denominations of banknotes. In such a case, if a single cassette plays both the role of allowing the storage of multiple denominations of banknotes and the role of allowing the storage of only one denomination of banknotes, there is a possibility that the cassette will no longer be able to fulfill its role of allowing the storage of only one denomination of banknotes. Therefore, in such a case, the determination unit 122 may adopt a second role-addition cassette selection criterion that selects a cassette that has been instructed to be set to the role of allowing the storage of multiple denominations of banknotes as a role-addition cassette.

[0142] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the missing role, "retract cassette," is a role that allows the storage of banknotes of all denominations. Furthermore, the set instruction role corresponding to each of cassettes C1 to C3 is "recycle cassette (=1)," and "recycle cassette (=1)" is a role that allows the storage of only one predetermined denomination of banknotes. Therefore, it is desirable that none of cassettes C1 to C3 be selected as a role-addition cassette. Furthermore, the set instruction role "reject cassette" corresponding to cassette C5 is a required role, and is therefore excluded from the selection candidates.

[0143] On the other hand, the set instruction role corresponding to cassette C4 is "deposit cassette (=3)" and the set instruction denomination corresponding to cassette C4 is "all denominations (=4)", so the "deposit cassette (=3)" has a role that allows the storage of banknotes of all denominations. Therefore, it is desirable to select cassette C4 as the role-added cassette.

[0144] Furthermore, as a change in the setting instruction role information, a method of replacing a setting instruction role corresponding to a certain cassette with a missing role (hereinafter also referred to as a "role replacement method") may be considered. That is, the recommended setting instruction role information may include information indicating a missing role. The recommended setting instruction role information may also include information indicating a cassette that has been instructed to set a setting instruction role that is not included in the required roles as role replacement cassette information for which replacement of the setting instruction role with the missing role is recommended.

[0145] In the role replacement method, the configuration instruction role is changed to a required role, but in the role addition method, the configuration instruction role is not changed to a required role. Therefore, the impact of role changes on operations is thought to be smaller in the role addition method than in the role replacement method.

[0146] Therefore, in the following, it is assumed that the control unit 12 determines whether or not the role addition method can be adopted, and if it determines that the role addition method cannot be adopted, it adopts the role replacement method. However, the control unit 12 may adopt the role replacement method without determining whether or not the role addition method can be adopted.

[0147] The role replacement technique will be described below with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining a cassette setting screen including role replacement cassette information in the third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 13, a cassette setting screen G32 including role replacement cassette information is shown.

[0148] In the example shown in Figure 13, unlike the example shown in Figure 12, information indicating the setting instruction role "dispense cassette (=2)" corresponding to cassette C1, the setting instruction role "dispense cassette (=2)" corresponding to cassette C2, the setting instruction role "dispense cassette (=2)" corresponding to cassette C3, the setting instruction role "dispense cassette (=2)" corresponding to cassette C4, and the setting instruction role "reject cassette (=4)" corresponding to cassette C5 is acquired as setting instruction role information by information acquisition unit 121.

[0149] 13, the designated denominations "1,000 yen (=1)" corresponding to cassette C1, "5,000 yen (=2)" corresponding to cassette C2, "10,000 yen (=3)" corresponding to cassette C3, and "10,000 yen (=3)" corresponding to cassette C4 are acquired as designated denomination information by the information acquisition unit 121. Note that the designated role corresponding to cassette C5 is "reject cassette (=4)," but since the denominations corresponding to the reject cassette are necessarily determined to be all denominations, it is not necessary to input the designated denomination corresponding to cassette C5.

[0150] Then, the determination unit 122 acquires the essential role definition file F1 from the storage unit 14. Here, it is assumed that the essential role definition file F1 describes a "reject cassette" and a "retract cassette" as essential roles.

[0151] In this case, the required role "reject cassette" matches the setting instruction role "reject cassette (=4)" corresponding to cassette C5. In other words, the required role "reject cassette" is a fulfilled role. However, the required role "retract cassette" does not match any of the setting instruction roles corresponding to cassettes C1 to C5. In other words, the required role "retract cassette" is a deficient role.

[0152] Therefore, the determination unit 122 determines that the role determination is NG. If the role determination is NG, warning information is output from the operation display unit 6. As shown in FIG. 13 , the warning information may include an error message D13 and a missing role notification message D12. Furthermore, the output control unit 123 may control the operation display unit 6 so that a fulfilled role message D11 is output from the operation display unit 6.

[0153] In the example shown in FIG. 13, the missing role, "retract cassette," is a role that does not require the feeding of banknotes. Furthermore, the set instruction role corresponding to each of cassettes C1 to C4 is "dispense cassette (=2)," which is a role that requires the feeding of banknotes. Therefore, it is desirable that none of cassettes C1 to C4 be selected as a role-added cassette. Furthermore, the set instruction role "reject cassette" corresponding to cassette C5 is a required role, and is therefore excluded from the selection candidates. Therefore, there is no role-added cassette that can be selected based on the first role-added selection criterion.

[0154] Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 13 , the missing role, "retract cassette," is a role that allows the storage of banknotes of all denominations. Furthermore, the set instruction role corresponding to each of cassettes C1 to C4 is "dispense cassette (=2)," which is a role that allows the storage of only one predetermined denomination of banknotes. Therefore, it is desirable that none of cassettes C1 to C4 be selected as a role-added cassette. Furthermore, the set instruction role "reject cassette" corresponding to cassette C5 is a required role, and is therefore excluded from the selection candidates. Therefore, there is no role-added cassette that can be selected based on the second role-added cassette selection criterion.

[0155] The determination unit 122 may attempt to select a role-addition cassette according to either the first role-addition cassette selection criterion or the second role-addition cassette selection criterion. However, in the example shown in Fig. 13, no role-addition cassette can be selected even if the selection is attempted according to either role-addition cassette selection criterion. Therefore, the determination unit 122 determines that the role-addition method cannot be adopted and decides to adopt the role-replacement method.

[0156] In the role replacement technique, the output control unit 123 may control the operation and display unit 6 so that the role replacement cassette information D32 is output from the operation and display unit 6.

[0157] The role replacement cassette information D32 is a message saying, "Please set the role of cassette C4 to retract cassette." That is, the role replacement cassette information D32 may include information "retract cassette" indicating the missing role. Furthermore, when the determination unit 122 selects cassette C4 from the cassettes C1 to C5 as the role replacement cassette, the role replacement cassette information D32 may include information "cassette C4" indicating cassette C4 selected as the role replacement cassette.

[0158] Various selection criteria can be assumed as the criteria for selecting the role replacement cassette. For example, the determination unit 122 may adopt a role replacement cassette selection criterion that selects one of the cassettes corresponding to the most frequently set designated denominations as the role replacement cassette.

[0159] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 13 , the designated denomination corresponding to cassette C1 is “1,000 yen (=1),” and the designated denomination corresponding to cassette C2 is “5,000 yen (=2),” and there is only one of each. Therefore, if either cassette C1 or cassette C2 were selected as a role-changing cassette, 1,000 yen or 5,000 yen banknotes would no longer be dispensed, which would likely have a significant impact on operations. Therefore, it is preferable that neither cassette C1 nor cassette C2 be selected as a role-changing cassette. Furthermore, the designated role “reject cassette” corresponding to cassette C5 is a required role and is therefore excluded from the selection candidates.

[0160] On the other hand, the designated denomination corresponding to cassette C3 and cassette C4 is "10,000 yen (=3)." That is, there are two cassettes with the designated denomination of "10,000 yen (=3)," and the designated denomination of "10,000 yen (=3)" is the most common designated denomination. Even if either cassette C3 or cassette C4 is selected as the role replacement cassette, it is possible to dispense 10,000 yen banknotes, so the impact of the role change on operations is considered to be small. Therefore, it is desirable to select either cassette C3 or cassette C4 as the role replacement cassette.

[0161] In the third embodiment of the present invention, similarly to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the determining unit 122 determines that the role determination is OK, the output control unit 123 controls the setting instruction role information and setting instruction denomination information acquired by the information acquiring unit 121 to be stored in a storage area. The storage area may be the storage unit 14 or may be memories M1 to M5 provided in cassettes C1 to C5.

[0162] (3-2. Flow of Role Setting) Next, the flow of cassette role setting executed by the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be summarized with reference to Fig. 14 (and also with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 and 11 to 13 as appropriate). Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of cassette role setting executed by the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0163] As shown in FIG. 14, in the third embodiment of the present invention, steps S11 to S15 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0164] After S15 is executed, the output control unit 123 controls the operation and display unit 6 to display the recommended setting instruction role information (S31). This is expected to further improve the convenience of the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10. When S14 or S31 is completed, the cassette role setting performed by the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is completed.

[0165] (3-3. Advantages of the Third Embodiment) As described above, the third embodiment of the present invention can achieve the same advantages as the first embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the third embodiment of the present invention can achieve the advantage that the recommended setting instruction role information is presented to the configurator, making it easier for the configurator to change the setting instruction role information.

[0166] The third embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0167] (4. Supplementary Information) While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0168] For example, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the first role-addition cassette selection criterion and the second role-addition cassette selection criterion were described. The first role-addition cassette selection criterion is a selection criterion that, when the shortage role is a role that does not require the feeding of banknotes, selects a cassette that has been instructed to be set to a role that does not require the feeding of banknotes as a role-addition cassette. Here, examples of roles that do not require the feeding of banknotes include a deposit cassette, a reject cassette, and a retract cassette. On the other hand, examples of roles that require the feeding of banknotes include a recycle cassette and a dispense cassette.

[0169] The second role-addition cassette selection criterion is a selection criterion that, when the shortage role is a role that allows the storage of multiple denominations of banknotes, selects a cassette that has been instructed to be set to a role that allows the storage of multiple denominations of banknotes as a role-addition cassette. Here, roles that allow the storage of multiple denominations of banknotes include deposit cassettes, reject cassettes, and retract cassettes that can store banknotes of all denominations. On the other hand, roles that allow the storage of only one type of banknote include recycle cassettes and dispense cassettes.

[0170] Therefore, whether the first or second role-addition cassette selection criteria is followed, any two of the roles of a deposit cassette, a reject cassette, and a retract cassette that can store banknotes of all denominations are permitted to be set in one cassette, whereas whether the first or second role-addition cassette selection criteria is followed, it is prohibited to set a single cassette as a recycle cassette and a dispense cassette.

[0171] Also, in the above description, as the third embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment has been described in which a configuration for controlling the presentation of recommended setting instruction role information by the operation and display unit 6 is added to the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. However, a configuration for controlling the presentation of recommended setting instruction role information by the operation and display unit 6 may be added to the automated transaction apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0172] Furthermore, in the above description, the role determination for determining whether or not the set instruction role corresponding to a cassette includes a mandatory role is performed by the control unit 12 of the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10, but it may also be performed by the main control unit 9 of the automated teller machine 1. In this case, the main control unit 9 has at least the same configuration or function as the control unit 12, and information necessary for the determination (mandatory role information, set instruction role information) is appropriately passed to or acquired by the main control unit 9. Furthermore, although the mandatory role information is stored in the memory unit 14 in the banknote deposit and withdrawal machine 10, it may also be stored in the memory unit 30 of the automated teller machine.

[0173] Furthermore, in the above description, the banknote depositing and dispensing machine is incorporated into the automated teller machine, but the configuration of the banknote dispensing machine may be directly incorporated into the automated teller machine.

[0174] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Automatic transaction device 10 Banknote depositing and dispensing machine 12 Control unit 121 Information acquisition unit 122 Determination unit 123 Output control unit 14 Storage unit M1 to M5 Memory

Claims

1. A media processing device that can accommodate multiple cassettes, each of which can have a role set, comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires setting instruction role information indicating setting instruction roles, which are roles instructed to be set for each of the multiple cassettes; required role information indicating required roles, which are roles that must be included in the roles set for the multiple cassettes; and a determination unit that determines whether the required roles are included in the setting instruction roles based on the setting instruction role information.

2. The media processing device according to claim 1, further comprising an output control unit that controls the media processing device so that predetermined warning information is output when it is determined that the setting instruction roles do not include the required roles.

3. The media processing device according to claim 2, wherein the warning information includes information indicating a missing role, which is a role that is one of the required roles but is not included in the setting instruction role.

4. The media processing device according to claim 1, further comprising an output control unit that controls the media processing device so that recommended changes to the setting instruction role information are output when it is determined that the setting instruction role does not include the required role.

5. A media processing device as described in claim 4, wherein the changes include information indicating missing roles, which are roles among the required roles that are not included in the setting instruction role, and information indicating a role-adding cassette, which is a cassette selected from the plurality of cassettes, as role-adding cassette information for which it is recommended to add the missing role to the setting instruction role.

6. The media processing device according to claim 5, wherein the missing role is a role that does not require the feeding of media, and the role-added cassette is a cassette that has been instructed to be set to a role that does not require the feeding of media.

7. A media processing device as described in claim 5, wherein the missing role is a role that allows the storage of media of multiple denominations, and the role-added cassette is a cassette that has been instructed to be set to a role that allows the storage of media of multiple denominations.

8. A media processing device as described in claim 4, wherein the change content includes information indicating a missing role, which is a role among the required roles that is not included in the setting instruction role, and information indicating a role replacement cassette, which is a cassette selected from the plurality of cassettes, as role replacement cassette information recommended for replacement of the setting instruction role with the missing role.

9. The media processing device according to claim 8, wherein the role-changing cassette is a cassette that corresponds to the most frequently set designated denomination among the plurality of cassettes.

10. The media processing device according to claim 1, further comprising an output control unit that controls the setting instruction role information to be stored in a storage area based on the determination that the setting instruction role includes the required role.

11. The media processing device according to claim 10, wherein the storage area is a storage unit that exists outside the plurality of cassettes and inside the media processing device.

12. A media processing device as described in claim 10, wherein the storage area is a memory provided in each of the plurality of cassettes, and information indicating the role that has been instructed to be set for each of the plurality of cassettes provided with the memory is stored in the memory.

13. The media processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires the setting instruction role information input to an operation unit by a setting person.

14. The media processing device according to claim 1, wherein the setting instruction role information is stored in advance in a storage unit, and the information acquisition unit acquires the setting instruction role information from the storage unit.

15. The media processing device according to claim 1 is an automatic transaction device.

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