Cash processing method and cash processing system

Abstract

In order to facilitate the transport of cash between a plurality of cash processing devices, a cash processing method executed by a cash processing system including the plurality of cash processing devices is configured to include: a step in which a first cash processing device, which is the transport origin of cash, starts tracking the movement of a cash container containing cash on the basis of the execution of first cash processing which involves removing the cash container; and a step in which a second cash processing device, which is the transport destination of the cash, ends the tracking of the movement of the cash container on the basis of the execution of second cash processing which involves attaching the cash container removed from the first cash processing device to the second cash processing device.

Description

Cash handling method and cash handling system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cash handling method and system for transferring cash between devices.

[0002] Conventionally, cash processing devices have been used in various locations. In order for a cash processing device to continue processing cash, it is necessary to replenish and retrieve cash depending on the amount of cash stored in the device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for replenishing and retrieving cash using cash cassettes, which are detachable cash containers, attached to a cash processing device. Security personnel operate their assigned mobile terminals to acquire a predetermined transportation plan on the terminal. At a cash center, the security personnel load the cash cassettes into a cash transport vehicle based on the transportation plan. The security personnel patrol multiple stores along the transportation route defined in the transportation plan, replenishing and retrieving cash at each store. At the cash center, a positioning system installed in the cash transport vehicle can be used to display and check the current location of the cash transport vehicle on the screen of a designated terminal. When the security personnel attaches a cash cassette containing cash to the cash processing device, cash is replenished from the cash cassette to the cash processing device. The security personnel removes the cash cassette containing cash from the cash processing device and retrieves the cash. Security personnel can prevent transportation errors by reading information from cash cassettes and cash processing devices using mobile devices.

[0003] Patent Publication No. 2021-12670

[0004] However, with the above-mentioned conventional technology, the security officer is required to perform various operations, such as obtaining a transportation plan on a mobile terminal before transportation and reading information on the cash cassettes and cash processing device on the mobile terminal, and there is a possibility that the security officer will forget to perform the operations or make a mistake.The above-mentioned conventional technology is a system that assumes that cash will be transported by a security company that specializes in cash transportation, and it is difficult to say that it is a system that is easy to use when, for example, a store clerk at a store where a cash processing device is installed transports cash.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the problems associated with the above-mentioned conventional technology, and one of its objectives is to provide a cash processing method and a cash processing system that can easily transport cash between multiple cash processing devices.

[0006] A cash handling method according to the present disclosure is a cash handling method executed by a cash handling system including a plurality of cash processing devices, and includes a step of starting tracking of movement of a cash container based on a first cash processing operation involving removal of a cash container storing cash being performed in a first cash processing device that is a source of cash, and a step of ending tracking of movement of the cash container based on a second cash processing operation involving attachment of the cash container removed from the first cash processing device to the second cash processing device being performed in a second cash processing device that is a destination of cash.

[0007] The above configuration may include a step of setting a travel time of the cash container from an installation location of the first cash processing device to an installation location of the second cash processing device, and a step of notifying information related to a remaining time of the travel time while tracking the movement of the cash container.

[0008] In the above configuration, it may be determined that the first cash processing has been executed based on the first cash processing device detecting the removal of the cash container, or it may be determined that the second cash processing has been executed based on the second cash processing device detecting the attachment of the cash container.

[0009] The above configuration may include a step of acquiring times corresponding to the first cash processing device and the second cash processing device from information including a time required for moving a cash container from each cash processing device that can be a source of cash among a plurality of cash processing devices to each cash processing device that can be a destination of the cash, and a step of setting the movement time based on the acquired times.

[0010] The above configuration may include a step of acquiring a travel distance from the first cash processing device to the second cash processing device from information including a travel distance from an installation location of each cash processing device that can be a source of cash among a plurality of cash processing devices to an installation location of each cash processing device that can be a destination of the cash, and a step of setting the travel time based on the travel distance.

[0011] The above configuration may include a step of searching for a route from the installation location of the first cash processing device to the installation location of the second cash processing device using a predetermined map service, and a step of setting the travel time based on a result of the route search.

[0012] The above-mentioned configuration may further include a step of changing the movement time in response to the occurrence of an external factor that affects the transportation time of the cash container.

[0013] The above-mentioned configuration may further include a step of displaying on a display device the remaining time obtained by counting down the movement time after starting tracking of the cash container.

[0014] The above configuration may include a step of displaying on a display device an installation location of the first cash processing device, an installation location of the second cash processing device, and a line shape indicating a movement route connecting these installation locations; and a step of displaying the current position of the cash container at a position where the length of the line shape from the end of the line shape on the second cash processing device side corresponds to the remaining time when the total length of the line shape is considered to represent the movement time.

[0015] The above configuration may include a step of displaying, on a map displayed on a display device, an installation location of the first cash processing device, an installation location of the second cash processing device, a travel route from the first cash processing device to the second cash processing device, and a current location of the cash container identified by a current location identification unit provided in the cash container.

[0016] The above configuration may include a step of displaying, on a map displayed on a display device, an installation location of the first cash processing device, an installation location of the second cash processing device, a travel route from the first cash processing device to the second cash processing device, and a current location of the cash container identified by a current location identification unit provided in a vehicle transporting the cash container or in a terminal carried by a person transporting the cash container.

[0017] The above configuration may further include a step of displaying, on the display device, an estimated time of arrival of the cash container at a location where the second cash processing device is installed.

[0018] In the above configuration, processes including map display, route search, and specification of estimated arrival time may be executed using a predetermined map service.

[0019] In the above configuration, when cash being moved from the first cash processing device to the second cash processing device is stored in a plurality of cash containers, the second cash processing device may terminate tracking of the movement of the cash containers on condition that the cash in the plurality of cash containers has been processed by the second cash processing device.

[0020] A cash handling system according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of cash processing devices, a cash container detachable from each of the plurality of cash processing devices, and an information processing device that starts tracking the movement of the cash container based on a first cash processing device that is a source of cash being executed, the first cash processing device involving removal of the cash container storing the cash, and that ends tracking the movement of the cash container based on a second cash processing device that is a destination of the cash being executed, the second cash processing device involving attachment of the cash container detached from the first cash processing device to the second cash processing device.

[0021] According to the cash handling method and cash handling system of the present disclosure, cash can be transported easily and safely between a plurality of cash processing devices.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a cash handling method and a cash handling system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cash processing device to which a cash container can be detached. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a cash handling system. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed in the cash handling system shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when a notification process is executed by a management device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a tracking screen displaying tracking information of a cash cassette. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a tracking screen displayed when the occurrence of an abnormality is detected during the movement of a cash cassette. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a sales proceeds deposit process that prevents forgetting to deposit sales proceeds. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a cash handling system that uses a positioning system. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of detecting the occurrence of an abnormality using a positioning system. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a cash handling system in which a carrier carries a communication terminal that uses a positioning system.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of a cash handling method and a cash handling system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] [Outline of Cash Handling System] (Configuration Example of Cash Handling System) Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a cash handling method and a cash handling system 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 1(a) shows an example of the configuration of the cash handling system 1. Fig. 1(b) is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when tracking the movement of a cash container 40 in the cash handling system 1.

[0025] 1(a), the cash handling system 1 includes a management device 10, a plurality of cash processing devices 20 (20a, 20b, 20c...) configured to be able to use cash containers 40, and an alarm device 50. The management device 10 can transmit and receive information to and from the cash processing devices 20 and the alarm device 50 by communicating with them via wired or wireless communication.

[0026] For example, a computer device, which is an information processing device including a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit, is used as the management device 10. For example, a program corresponding to the control unit is pre-stored in a dedicated storage unit, and the control unit operates when this program is executed by hardware such as a CPU. The operation of the control unit realizes the functions and operations of the management device 10 described in this embodiment.

[0027] The cash processing device 20 executes cash processing. The cash processing includes at least one of a process of receiving cash from outside the device and storing it in the device, and a process of discharging cash from the device to outside the device. The cash processed by the cash processing device 20 may be only banknotes, only coins, or both banknotes and coins.

[0028] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cash processing device 20 to which the cash container 40 can be attached / detached. The cash container 40 is a container that stores cash therein. The configuration of the cash container 40 is not particularly limited. For example, a conventionally known cassette-type cash container 40 may be used.

[0029] The cash processing device 20 shown in Fig. 2 includes a deposit unit 21, a dispensing unit 22, a recognition unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a transport unit 25. The deposit unit 21 receives cash from outside the device and sends it to a transport unit 25 inside the device. The transport unit 25 transports cash between the deposit unit 21, the dispensing unit 22, the recognition unit 23, the storage unit 24, and the cash container 40. For example, the transport unit 25 includes at least one of a roller and a belt, and transports each piece of cash along a transport path connecting each unit.

[0030] The recognition unit 23 recognizes the cash transported by the transport unit 25. For example, the denomination and authenticity of each piece of cash may be recognized. The recognition unit 23 may also recognize the fitness of each piece of cash, i.e., the degree of damage based on a predetermined standard. The recognition unit 23 is configured with a plurality of sensors including, for example, at least one of an image sensor and a magnetic sensor, and recognizes the cash based on information obtained from the cash by the sensors.

[0031] The storage unit 24 stores the cash transported by the transport unit 25. For example, cash is stored in multiple storage units 24 by denomination. The storage units 24 can feed the stored cash to the transport unit 25. The dispensing unit 22 can discharge the cash transported by the transport unit 25 to the outside of the device. For example, cash fed from the storage unit 24 is discharged from the dispensing unit 22. For example, of the cash received by the deposit unit 21 and sent into the device, cash of a type that cannot be stored in the storage unit 24 is discharged from the dispensing unit 22.

[0032] The cash container 40 detachably attached to the cash processing device 20 can store cash transported by the transport unit 25 and feed stored cash to the transport unit 25. There is no particular limitation on the method for attaching and detaching the cash container 40 to the cash processing device 20.

[0033] For example, as shown in FIG. 2( a), the cash container 40 may be detachably attached to the cash processing device 20. As shown in FIG. 2( b), the cash container 40 may be detachably attached to the deposit unit 21 of the cash processing device 20. As shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2( c), the deposit unit 21 of the cash processing device 20 may be configured to be movable from the normal position shown in FIG. 2( a) to a retracted position, and the cash container 40 may be detachably attached to replace the deposit unit 21 that has moved to the retracted position. Although FIGS. 2( b) and 2( c) show examples in which the cash container 40 is detachably attached to the deposit unit 21, the cash container 40 may also be detachably attached to the dispensing unit 22.

[0034] The cash processing device 20 can detect the attachment or detachment of the cash container 40. The detection method is not particularly limited, and a non-contact sensor such as an optical sensor or a proximity switch, or a contact sensor such as a limit switch or a microswitch, may be used. For example, the cash processing device 20 may be provided with an optical sensor that blocks detection light when the cash container 40 is attached and transmits light when the cash container 40 is detached, and the attachment or detachment of the cash container 40 may be detected by the transmission or shading of the detection light. For example, the cash processing device 20 may be provided with a mechanical sensor that turns on a switch when the cash container 40 is attached and turns off when the cash container 40 is detached, and the attachment or detachment of the cash container 40 may be detected by the on / off state of the switch.

[0035] The cash handling system 1 includes a cash processing device 20 capable of executing a process of taking cash stored in a cash container 40 into the device and storing it therein, and a cash processing device 20 capable of executing a process of feeding cash from the device and storing it in the cash container 40. One cash processing device 20 may be capable of executing both a process of storing cash from a cash container 40 into the device and a process of storing cash from the device into the cash container 40. Note that the configuration of the cash processing device 20 shown in Figure 2 is an example and is not intended to limit the configuration of the cash processing device 20.

[0036] 1(a), cash is transferred from a cash processing device 20a to another cash processing device 20b using a cash container 40. The cash processing device 20a, which is the source of the cash transfer, performs cash processing to store the cash to be transferred in the cash container 40.

[0037] For example, in order to collect cash from the cash processing device 20a to the outside of the device, a cash process called a collection process is executed, and the cash in the device is stored in the cash container 40. The type of cash process for storing cash in the cash container 40 is not particularly limited, and the cash to be collected may be stored in the cash container 40 by a cash process called a dispensing process.

[0038] Regardless of whether the cash processing is called a collection process or a dispensing process, when cash processing device 20a configured as shown in Fig. 2(a) stores cash to be collected in cash container 40, it may pay out cash from storage unit 24, transport it by transport unit 25, and store it in cash container 40. If cash container 40 is detachable from dispensing unit 22, cash transported by transport unit 25 may be stored in cash container 40 via dispensing unit 22.

[0039] The cash transported by the transport unit 25 may be identified by the recognition unit 23 before being stored in the cash container 40. When the denomination, number of pieces per denomination, total amount, etc. of the cash to be collected are determined, the cash processing device 20 may identify the denomination and number of pieces per denomination based on the recognition result, and store the determined cash in the cash container 40.

[0040] 1(a), a cash container 40 containing cash is removed from a cash processing device 20a, which is the source of the cash (A1). The cash container 40 is transported to the installation location of a cash processing device 20b, which is the destination of the cash (A2). The transport may be performed on foot, by a vehicle such as a motorcycle or an automobile, or by public transportation such as a train or a bus.

[0041] After the transportation is completed, the cash container 40 is attached to the destination cash processing device 20b (A3). The cash processing device 20b performs a cash process using the cash in the cash container 40. For example, in order to replenish cash into the cash processing device 20b, a cash process called a replenishment process is performed, in which the cash in the cash container 40 is dispensed into the device and stored in a predetermined storage unit 24 in the cash processing device 20b. The type of cash process is not particularly limited, and for example, the cash in the cash container 40 may be stored in the predetermined storage unit 24 of the cash processing device 20b by a cash process called a deposit process. The cash in the cash container 40 may be dispensed from the dispensing unit 22 by a cash process called a withdrawal process.

[0042] Regardless of whether the cash processing is called a replenishment processing or a deposit processing, when cash is stored in the storage unit 24 of the cash processing device 20a configured as shown in Figures 2(a) to 2(c), the cash from the cash container 40 may be dispensed, transported by the transport unit 25, and stored in the storage unit 24. The recognition unit 23 may identify the cash transported by the transport unit 25. For example, if the denomination of cash to be stored in the storage unit 24 is set, the cash processing device 200 may store the cash in the storage unit 24 corresponding to the denomination based on the recognition result. In the case of a dispensing processing, the cash dispensed from the cash container 40 may be transported by the transport unit 25, identified by the recognition unit 23, and dispensed from the dispensing unit 22.

[0043] (Tracking of movement of cash container) As shown in Fig. 1(a), the management device 10 receives information related to the attachment and detachment of the cash container 40 from each cash processing device 20 (B1). Based on the received information, the management device 10 detects that the cash container 40 has been detached from the source cash processing device 20a. The management device 10 tracks the movement of the cash container 40 detached from the cash processing device 20 (B2). The notification device 50 executes notification processing to notify information related to the tracking of the cash container 40 (C1).

[0044] The tracking process of the cash container 40 is performed by counting down the travel time of the cash container 40. For example, when it is decided that cash will be collected from the cash processing device 20a and deposited in a predetermined cash processing device 20b, the travel time required for the cash container 40 to travel between these cash processing devices 20a and 20b is set in advance and stored in the management device 10. When the cash container 40 is to be transported on foot, the walking travel time may be set; when the cash container 40 is to be transported by vehicle, the vehicle travel time may be set; and when the cash container 40 is to be transported by public transport, the public transport travel time may be set.

[0045] The movement time may be set by examining the time required from removing the cash container 40 from the source cash processing device 20a until transporting the cash container 40 and attaching it to the destination cash processing device 20b. For example, the movement time may be set to the time from detecting the removal of the cash container 40 by the cash processing device 20a until detecting that the transported cash container 40 has been attached by the cash processing device 20b.

[0046] The transfer time may be set by adding a predetermined time to the time from when the source device detects the attachment or detachment of the cash container 40 until the destination device detects the attachment or detachment of the same cash container 40 again. For example, if it takes 30 minutes to remove the cash container 40 from the source device, transport it, and attach it to the destination device, 15 minutes may be added to set the transfer time as 45 minutes (= 30 minutes + 15 minutes). The time to be added may be set depending on the time required for attaching or detaching the cash container 40, the time required for transportation, and any associated work that occurs in connection with these.

[0047] The management device 10 detects that the cash container 40 has been removed from the cash processing device 20a, and starts tracking the cash container 40, i.e., starts counting down the movement time. The countdown is also a process of measuring the elapsed time since the cash container 40 was removed from the cash processing device 20a.

[0048] The management device 10 notifies the alarm device 50 of the start of movement of the cash container 40, and the alarm device 50 executes an alarm process. For example, a display unit provided in the alarm device 50 displays information indicating the start of movement of the cash container 40 and information indicating the movement time of the cash container 40. The alarm device 50 may emit sound or light to provide an alert instead of or in addition to displaying information. Note that the sound referred to in this embodiment includes at least one of an alarm sound and a voice.

[0049] The notification device 50 displays information regarding the countdown of the movement time by the management device 10. The tracking of the movement of the cash container 40 performed by the management device 10 includes notification of the remaining time until the movement of the cash container 40 is completed.

[0050] For example, as shown in FIG. 1B , information 51 indicating the remaining time is displayed on the display unit of the notification device 50. Instead of or in addition to the information 51 indicating the remaining time, the display unit of the notification device 50 may display at least one of information 52 indicating the travel time, information 53 indicating the elapsed time, information 54 indicating the travel start time, and information 55 indicating the scheduled travel end time. The scheduled travel end time is, for example, the scheduled arrival time of the cash container 40 at its destination. The scheduled travel end time may also be the time when the destination device detects that the cash container 40 has been installed. FIG. 1B illustrates an example in which the travel time of the cash container 40 is set to 45 minutes, and 30 minutes have passed since the cash container 40 started traveling at 5:00 p.m., and the management device 10 counts down the remaining time to the scheduled travel end time of 5:45 p.m., showing 15 minutes.

[0051] 1(b), notification device 50 may display information 56 indicating source cash processing device 20a, information 57 indicating destination cash processing device 20b, information 58 indicating the movement path of cash container 40, and information 59 indicating the current position of cash container 40 on the movement path. In the example shown in FIG. 1(b), information 56, 57 indicating cash processing devices 20a, 20b are displayed using images showing the appearances of the devices, and the current position of cash container 40 is also shown using an image showing the appearance of cash container 40.

[0052] 1(b), the movement path is displayed by a dashed arrow in the form of a straight line connecting the origin and destination of the cash container 40. If the total length of this straight line is considered to represent the movement time of the cash container 40, the current position of the cash container 40 is displayed at a position on the line where the length from the end on the destination side corresponds to the remaining time. In other words, the current position of the cash container 40 is displayed at a position on the line indicating the movement path where the length from the end on the origin side corresponds to the elapsed time since the start of movement.

[0053] The line segment indicating the movement path is displayed in different display modes for the origin side, which is closer to the current position of the cash container 40, and the destination side, which is further from the current position. In the example shown in Fig. 1(b), on the line segment indicating a movement time of 45 minutes, the portion corresponding to the elapsed time of 30 minutes is displayed as a solid line, and the portion corresponding to the remaining time of 15 minutes is displayed as a dashed line.

[0054] As time passes, the screen shown in Figure 1(b) is updated, and the current position of the cash container 40 moves from the source side to the destination side along the dashed arrow indicating the movement path, i.e., from left to right in Figure 1(b), and the moved portion is changed from the dashed line to a straight line. In this way, by displaying a tracking screen that graphically shows the relationship between the movement path of the cash container 40, the remaining time, and the current position, users of the cash handling system 1 can easily recognize the movement of the cash container 40.

[0055] FIG. 1( b ) shows an example of a display using graphics that mimic the appearances of the cash processing device 20 and the cash container 40, but the method of displaying information about the route is not particularly limited. For example, the cash processing device 20 and the cash container 40 may be displayed using simple graphics such as circles or rectangles. Instead of or in addition to graphics, text indicating the name or location of the cash processing device 20 may be displayed. Similarly, for the cash container 40, text indicating the cash container 40 may be displayed instead of or in addition to graphics. FIG. 1( b ) also shows an example of using dashed arrows for information 58 about the movement route of the cash container 40, but the display method is not particularly limited. For example, a curved line may be used, the display format may be the same for the area before the current position and the area beyond the current position, or a map may be displayed on the screen and information such as the movement route may be displayed on the map. Display examples using maps will be described later.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1( b), the notification device 50 may display information 60 listing the source and destination of the cash containers 40, the type and number of the cash containers 40 to be moved, etc. For example, the installation locations, such as the store name and sales floor name, of the source cash processing device 20a and the destination cash processing device 20b may be displayed. Whether the cash container 40 to be moved is a banknote cassette or a coin cassette may be displayed, and the number of banknote cassettes and coin cassettes and cassette numbers (identification information) for identifying each cassette may be displayed. In addition, if a clerk at the store where the cash processing device 20a is installed is responsible for transporting the cash containers 40, information such as the store name, clerk number (identification information), and name for identifying the clerk may be displayed.

[0057] The targets of notification by the notification device 50 include a manager who manages the movement of cash. For example, when cash is moved between sales floors within a store, the target of notification may include a manager designated by the store, and when cash is moved from a branch to the head office, the target of notification may include a manager designated by the head office. The manager may check the notification screen on a stationary notification device 50, or may check the screen using a portable communication terminal that can be carried around as the notification device 50. The manager who receives the notification can check that the movement of the cash container 40 has started, the travel time required to complete the movement, the current location of the cash container 40 along the movement route, etc., and can prepare for abnormal situations such as cash theft.

[0058] If the cash processing device 20a is equipped with a display unit, the display unit may be used to execute a notification process for the person transporting the cash container 40. For example, the management device 10 displays information indicating the start of tracking of the cash container 40 and a preset travel time for the cash container 40 on the display unit of the cash processing device 20a. The person transporting the cash container 40 can recognize the travel time and take measures to finish transporting the cash container 40 within the travel time. By making the transporter aware that the movement of the cash container 40 is being tracked, it is expected that crimes such as theft of the cash container 40 can be deterred. The transporter may carry a notification device 50 consisting of a portable communication terminal so that the transporter can check the screen shown in FIG. 1(b).

[0059] If the cash container 40 is attached to the cash processing device 20b before the movement time has elapsed, the management device 10 detects this and stops tracking the cash container 40. The notification device 50, which has received a notification from the management device 10, executes notification processing to notify that the cash container 40 has been attached to the destination cash processing device 20b before the movement time has elapsed. The manager can confirm that the cash has been moved normally.

[0060] On the other hand, if the cash container 40 is not attached to the cash processing device 20b even after the movement time has elapsed, the management device 10 determines that an abnormal situation has occurred and causes the notification device 50 to execute notification processing. The notification device 50 notifies the manager by displaying information indicating the occurrence of the abnormal situation on a display unit. The notification device 50 may also emit sound or light to notify the manager instead of or in addition to displaying information. The manager who receives the notification can recognize the occurrence of the abnormal situation and take action, such as checking the situation.

[0061] In this way, in the cash handling system 1, when the cash container 40 is removed from the source cash processing device 20a, a process for tracking the movement of the cash container 40 is automatically started. When the cash container 40 is attached to the destination cash processing device 20b within a preset movement time, the tracking process is automatically terminated. The person transporting the cash container 40 simply removes the cash container 40 from the source cash processing device 20a and attaches it to the destination cash processing device 20b.

[0062] The cash handling system 1 issues information indicating the start and end of movement of the cash container 40, information tracking the movement of the cash container 40, etc. If the cash container 40 is not attached to the destination cash processing device 20 within a set movement time, an abnormality is reported. This allows the cash container 40 to be transported easily and safely.

[0063] 1 has been described as an example in which attachment / detachment of the cash container 40 is detected by a sensor provided in the cash processing device 20, and tracking of the movement of the cash container 40 is started and ended, but at least one of the start and end of tracking may be performed based on the cash processing executed by the cash processing device 20. That is, the management device 10 may start tracking of the cash container 40 by detecting execution of cash processing involving removal of the cash container 400 at the source device, or may end tracking of the cash container 40 by detecting execution of cash processing involving attachment of the cash container 400 at the destination device.

[0064] For example, the management device 10 may start tracking the cash container 40 based on the fact that the source cash processing device 20a has executed a collection process to store the cash to be collected in the cash container 40. Regarding the determination of whether the collection process has been executed, the management device 10 may determine that the collection process has been executed based on, for example, the source cash processing device 20a having started the collection process or having completed the collection process. The determination method is not particularly limited, and for example, the management device 10 may determine that the collection process has been executed based on the fact that the source cash processing device 20a has performed an operation related to an instruction to execute the collection process. The management device 10 may determine that the collection process has been executed based on the fact that the source cash processing device 20a has stored the cash to be collected in the cash container 40 or has removed the cash container 40 after storing the cash.

[0065] For example, the management device 10 may end tracking of the cash container 40 based on the fact that a replenishment process has been executed in the destination cash processing device 20b, in which the cash to be replenished is dispensed from the cash container 40. Regarding the determination of whether the replenishment process has been executed, the management device 10 may determine that the replenishment process has been executed based on, for example, the fact that the destination cash processing device 20b has started the replenishment process or has completed the replenishment process. The determination method is not particularly limited, and, for example, the management device 10 may determine that the replenishment process has been executed based on the fact that an operation related to an instruction to execute the replenishment process has been performed in the destination cash processing device 20b. Furthermore, for example, the management device 10 may determine that the replenishment process has been executed based on the fact that the destination cash processing device 20b has attached a cash container 40 containing the cash to be replenished, or that cash has been dispensed from the cash container 40 after the attachment.

[0066] FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the cash container 40 is moved from the cash processing device 20a to the cash processing device 20b. However, there may be multiple source cash processing devices 20 and multiple destination cash processing devices 20. In this case, for example, an operation unit provided in the source cash processing device 20 may accept an operation specifying the destination of the cash container 40, and the tracking process of the cash container 40 may be performed between the source cash processing device 20 and the designated destination cash processing device 20, as described above. When a cash transaction using the cash container 40 is completed at the destination cash processing device 20 and the cash container 40 is to be moved to a next cash processing device 20, an operation unit provided in the device that has completed the cash transaction may accept an operation specifying the next destination, and the tracking process may be performed in the same manner. Multiple cash processing devices 20 may be distinguished by device numbers (identification information) that can identify each device. The travel time between devices may be prepared in advance based on the combination of devices to which the cash container 40 may be moved and stored in the management device 10. The tracking process may be performed based on the travel times corresponding to the source and destination devices.

[0067] For example, when multiple cash containers 40 are moved in parallel, such as when a cash container 40 is moved from cash processing device 20a to cash processing device 20b and another cash container 40 is moved from cash processing device 20c to cash processing device 20b, each cash container 40 can be distinguished using a container number (identification information). The container number of the cash container 40 can be read by a reading device provided in the cash processing device 20. The method of assigning the container number to the container is not particularly limited. For example, a printed material on which characters indicating the container number or a graphic code such as a barcode encoding the container number are printed can be fixed to the cash container 40, and the cash processing device 20 can acquire the container number using a camera or scanner as a reading device. A memory element such as an IC tag recording information indicating the container number can be fixed to the cash container 40, and the cash processing device 20 can acquire the container number using a reading device for near-field wireless communication corresponding to the memory element.

[0068] FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the travel time of the cash container 40 is prepared in advance based on the installation locations of the source cash processing device 20a and the destination cash processing device 20b. However, after the source cash processing device 20a and the destination cash processing device 20b are determined, the management device 10 may calculate the travel time based on the installation locations of each device. For example, the source cash processing device 20a may accept the designation of the destination cash processing device 20b and may accept a selection of a travel method from options such as walking, car, or public transport, and the management device 10 may calculate the travel time based on the travel distance and travel method. If the travel method has been determined, the selection of the travel method may be omitted. The travel time may be calculated using route guidance techniques conventionally known in the fields of maps and navigation. For example, a map service provided on the Internet may be used to search for a route and set the travel time. For example, the location information of the source cash processing device 20a may be set as the starting point of the route, and the destination cash processing device 20b may be set as the destination of the route, and then a route search may be performed. The time obtained by the route search may be set as the travel time of the cash as is, or a predetermined time may be added to the time as described above.

[0069] The management device 10 may change the travel time depending on external factors that affect the travel time of the cash container 40. For example, if the travel time by car is set to one hour, the management device 10 may change the travel time to one hour and ten minutes because congestion is likely to occur on the travel route during the current time period. Similarly, the management device 10 may change the travel time by taking into account the impact of accidents or road construction when traveling on foot or by bus, or by train delays when traveling by train. For example, the management device 10 may obtain information on traffic conditions such as congestion, accidents, and construction using various services provided on the Internet, and change the travel time based on settings in which a method of changing the travel time is predefined in response to each piece of obtained information.

[0070] The management device 10 may change the travel time based on setting information prepared in advance. For example, a period may be specified using at least one of a date, a day of the week, and a time, and settings may be prepared that define a method for changing the travel time for each period, and the management device 10 may change the travel time based on the settings.

[0071] [Specific example of cash handling system] (Branch and head office) A specific example of the cash handling system 1 will be described using as an example a case where cash is transferred between the cash processing devices of each of a plurality of branches and the cash processing device of the head office using banknote cassettes and coin cassettes, which are cassette-type cash containers.

[0072] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of the cash handling system 1. In the cash handling system 1 shown in Fig. 3, banknotes and coins constituting sales proceeds of each branch are collected from cash processing devices 300 (300a, 300b, ...) installed in each of a plurality of branches A, B, ... to the cash processing device 200 in the head office using a banknote cassette 400a and a coin cassette 400b. The number of branches is not particularly limited.

[0073] The head office and each branch office are stores that conduct transactions with customers. The type of store is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a store that sells products to customers or a store that provides services to customers.

[0074] At branch A, transactions with customers are carried out using a cash processing device 350 called a front machine, the amount paid by the customer is stored in the cash processing device 350, and change is returned to the customer from the cash processing device 350 as needed. For example, a cash register is used as the cash processing device 350. There may be one cash register or multiple cash registers. The banknotes and coins that make up the sales proceeds of branch A and are collected from the cash processing device 350 are stored in a cash processing device 300a called a back machine.

[0075] Within a store, the cash processing device 350 is installed in the front area where store staff deal with customers, while the cash processing device 300a is installed in a back office that customers normally do not enter and is used by store staff. Hereinafter, the cash processing device 350 used when transacting with customers will be referred to as the front machine 350, and the cash processing device 300a that stores cash collected from the front machine 350 will be referred to as the back machine 300a to distinguish them from each other.

[0076] At branch B, transactions with customers are carried out using a cash processing device 300b, without using a cash register. The cash processing device 300b serves both as a front machine that deposits and dispenses cash when conducting transactions with customers, and as a back machine that stores sales proceeds from branch B, but will hereinafter be referred to as back machine 300b.

[0077] The cash handling device 300 (300a, 300b) is an example of the cash processing device 20 described in Figures 1 and 2(a). The cash handling device 300 includes a banknote processing unit 310 including a deposit unit 311 and a dispensing unit 312 for banknotes, a coin processing unit 320 including a deposit unit 321 and a dispensing unit 322 for coins, and an operation display unit 330 that displays information related to cash handling and accepts operations. For example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device is used as the operation display unit 330.

[0078] The banknote processing unit 310 has a configuration similar to that shown in Fig. 2(a) and can perform banknote deposit processing, withdrawal processing, collection processing, and replenishment processing. The coin processing unit 320 also has a configuration similar to that shown in Fig. 2(a) and can perform coin deposit processing, withdrawal processing, collection processing, and replenishment processing.

[0079] In the deposit process, of the cash to be deposited, banknotes are deposited through a deposit unit 311 of the banknote processing unit 310, and coins are deposited through a deposit unit 321 of the coin processing unit 320. The banknote processing unit 310 takes in the banknotes received in the deposit unit 311, recognizes and counts them, and stores them in a storage unit. The coin processing unit 320 takes in the coins received in the deposit unit 321, recognizes and counts them, and stores them in a storage unit.

[0080] In the dispensing process, of the cash to be dispensed, banknotes are dispensed from the dispensing unit 312 of the banknote processing unit 310, and coins are dispensed from the dispensing unit 322 of the coin processing unit 320. The banknote processing unit 310 feeds the banknotes to be dispensed from the storage unit, identifies them with the recognition unit, and discharges them from the dispensing unit 312 to the outside of the device. The coin processing unit 320 feeds the coins to be dispensed from the storage unit, identifies them with the recognition unit, and discharges them from the dispensing unit 322 to the outside of the device.

[0081] The banknote cassette 400a and the coin cassette 400b are examples of the cash container 40 described in Figures 1 and 2(a). The cash recycling machine 300 is configured so that the banknote cassette 400a can be detachably attached inside the banknote processing unit 310, and so that the coin cassette 400b can be detachably attached inside the coin processing unit 320.

[0082] In the replenishment process, among the cash to be replenished, banknotes are fed from the banknote cassette 400a inside the banknote processing unit 310, identified by the recognition unit, and stored in a storage unit corresponding to the banknote denomination. Coins are fed from the coin cassette 400b inside the coin processing unit 320, identified by the recognition unit, and stored in a storage unit corresponding to the coin denomination.

[0083] In the collection process, of the cash to be collected, i.e., the cash constituting the sales proceeds, banknotes are collected using banknote cassette 400a, and coins are collected using coin cassette 400b. Specifically, inside banknote processing unit 310, banknotes to be collected are fed from a storage unit and stored in banknote cassette 400a, and inside coin processing unit 320, coins to be collected are fed from a storage unit and stored in coin cassette 400b.

[0084] After the cash to be collected is stored in the banknote cassette 400a and the coin cassette 400b, the cash transportation operation begins. The banknote cassette 400a and the coin cassette 400b containing the cash to be collected are removed from the cash processing device 300, and the cassettes are transported together.

[0085] 3 , the banknote cassette 400a and the coin cassette 400b of branch A are transported by a vehicle 410. The banknote cassette 400a and the coin cassette 400b of branch B are transported on foot by a store clerk 420. Transport by the store clerk 420 may include travel by public transportation such as a train or bus in addition to walking.

[0086] The banknote cassette 400a and coin cassette 400b transported from each branch are loaded into the cash processing device 200 at the head office, and the banknotes and coins that make up the sales revenue of the branch are deposited into the cash processing device 200 at the head office.

[0087] The cash processing device 200 is an example of the cash processing device 20 described in Figures 1 and 2(a). The cash processing device 200 is a back machine installed and used in the back office of a head office. Hereinafter, the cash processing device 200 will be referred to as the head office back machine 200 to distinguish it from the back machine 300 used by a branch office.

[0088] The head office cash machine 200 includes a banknote processing unit 210 including a deposit unit 211 and a dispensing unit 212 for banknotes, a coin processing unit 220 including a deposit unit 221 and a dispensing unit 222 for coins, and an operation display unit 230 that displays information related to cash processing and accepts operations. For example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device is used as the operation display unit 230.

[0089] The banknote processing unit 210 has a configuration similar to the configuration example shown in Fig. 2(a) and can execute banknote deposit and withdrawal processes. The coin processing unit 220 also has a configuration similar to the configuration example shown in Fig. 2(a) and can execute coin deposit and withdrawal processes. The head office back-office machine 200 is configured so that a banknote cassette 400a can be detachably attached to the banknote processing unit 210, and so that a coin cassette 400b can be detachably attached to the coin processing unit 320.

[0090] A banknote cassette 400a transported from a branch is attached to the head office back-office machine 200, and the banknotes in the banknote cassette 400a are deposited into the head office back-office machine 200. Inside the device, the banknote processing unit 210 feeds banknotes from the banknote cassette 400a, recognizes and counts them, and stores them in a storage unit. Similarly, a coin cassette 400b transported from a branch is attached to the head office back-office machine 200, and coins are deposited from the coin cassette 400b into the head office back-office machine 200. Inside the device, the coin processing unit 220 feeds coins from the coin cassette 400b, recognizes and counts them, and stores them in a storage unit.

[0091] At the head office, as at branch A, transactions with customers are carried out using a front desk device such as a cash register installed in the front area. Sales proceeds from the head office collected from the front desk device are deposited into the head office back-office device 200. This deposit process is carried out without using the banknote cassette 400a and the coin cassette 400b. Specifically, of the cash to be deposited, banknotes are deposited through the deposit section 211 of the banknote processing unit 210, and coins are deposited through the deposit section 221 of the coin processing unit 220. The banknote processing unit 210 takes in banknotes received in the deposit section 211, recognizes and counts them, and stores them in a storage section. The coin processing unit 220 takes in coins received in the deposit section 221, recognizes and counts them, and stores them in a storage section.

[0092] 3 shows an example in which the sales proceeds of each branch are collected from the cash collecting machine 300 of each branch to the head office cash collecting machine 200, but in the cash handling system 1, the cash collecting machine 300 of each branch is also replenished with cash from the head office cash collecting machine 200. Specifically, so that there is no shortage of cash for change when transactions with customers are conducted at the branch, banknotes dispensed from the head office cash collecting machine 200 and stored in the banknote cassette 400a and coins stored in the coin cassette 400b are replenished to the cash collecting machine 300 of each branch. Hereinafter, the cash for change of the branch that is dispensed from the head office cash collecting machine 200 and replenished to the cash collecting machine 300 will be referred to as a change reserve.

[0093] For example, the head office cash machine 200 executes a dispensing process in which banknotes from the change fund are stored in the banknote cassette 400a and coins are stored in the coin cassette 400b. The banknotes from the change fund are fed from a storage unit inside the banknote processing unit 210 and stored in the banknote cassette 400a. The coins from the change fund are fed from a storage unit inside the coin processing unit 220 and stored in the coin cassette 400b.

[0094] At each branch, the banknote cassette 400a and coin cassette 400b brought back from the head office are respectively attached to the banknote processing unit 310 and coin processing unit 320 of the cash return machine 300, and the process of replenishing the change fund begins. During the replenishing process, within the banknote processing unit 310, the banknotes of the change fund fed out from the banknote cassette 400a are identified by a recognition unit and stored in storage units corresponding to the denominations of each banknote. Similarly, within the coin processing unit 320, the coins of the change fund fed out from the coin cassette 400b are identified by a recognition unit and stored in storage units corresponding to the denominations of each coin.

[0095] At branch A, banknotes and coins from the change fund used at the front machine are dispensed from banknote dispensing unit 312 and coin dispensing unit 322 of back machine 300 and replenished to the front machine. At branch B, since back machine 300 also functions as a front machine, the banknotes and coins from the change fund replenished in back machine 300 are dispensed as change when a transaction is made with a customer.

[0096] The configurations of the branch and head office shown in FIG. 3 are illustrative and do not limit the configuration of stores in the cash processing system 1. For example, there may be multiple branches that use one or more front desk machines 350, such as Branch A, or multiple branches that do not use a front desk machine 350, such as Branch B. Furthermore, for example, all branches may use one or more front desk machines 350, such as Branch A, or may not use a front desk machine 350, such as Branch B. The front desk machine 350 at a branch is not limited to a cash register, and a cash processing device having a configuration similar to that of the back desk machine 300 may be used as the front desk machine 350. The head office may also use a cash processing device having a configuration similar to that of the back desk machine 300 at the branch. If the front desk machines at the branch and head office are cash processing devices to which the banknote cassette 400a and the coin cassette 400b can be detachably attached, the banknote cassette 400a and the coin cassette 400b may be used to transfer cash between the front desk machine and the back desk machine within each store.

[0097] The types and details of cash processing performed by the branch back-office machine 300 and the head office back-office machine 200 described above are also examples and do not limit the cash processing performed by the cash processing system 1. For example, when it is possible to identify the denomination of banknotes dispensed from the banknote cassette 400a or the denomination of coins dispensed from the coin cassette 400b during cash processing such as replenishment processing, collection processing, and dispensing processing, recognition by the recognition unit may be omitted.

[0098] (Cash transfer between branch and head office) Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing carried out in the cash handling system 1 shown in Figure 3. As described above, between the branch and head office, cash is transferred to carry the sales proceeds of the branch to the head office, and cash is transferred to carry the change fund from the head office to the branch, but since cash transfers are carried out in the same way, the processing flow will be explained using the example of transferring sales proceeds of the branch to the head office.

[0099] The movement of cash may involve both the movement of banknotes by the banknote cassette 400a and the movement of coins by the coin cassette 400b, or only one of them. Hereinafter, the movement of at least one of banknotes and coins may be referred to as the movement of cash, and at least one of the banknote cassette 400a and the coin cassette 400b may be referred to as the cash cassette 400.

[0100] 4, the branch office's back-office machine 300 determines whether cash is being transferred using the cash cassette 400 (Step S1). For example, the back-office machine 300 is equipped with a sensor that detects the attachment or detachment of the cash cassette 400, and when the sensor detects the removal of the cash cassette 400, it determines that cash has been transferred using the cash cassette 400 (Step S1; Yes). On the other hand, if the removal of the cash cassette 400 is not detected, the back-office machine 300 determines that cash has not been transferred using the cash cassette 400 (Step S1; No) and ends the process.

[0101] 4 is initiated when a store clerk starts an operation related to cash handling on the operation display unit 330, and the process ends when the store clerk finishes using the back machine 300 without the sensor detecting the attachment or detachment of the cash cassette 400. Regardless of the operation by the store clerk, the back machine 300 may repeatedly execute the process of step S1 until the sensor detects the attachment or detachment of the cash cassette 400.

[0102] Without using a sensor for detecting attachment / detachment of the cash cassette 400, the back-office machine 300 that starts the process shown in FIG. 4 upon the start of cash processing may determine whether the cash processing to be executed involves removing the cash cassette 400 and moving it to the head office back-office machine 200 (step S1).

[0103] In this case, when a process for transporting sales proceeds to the head office is selected and executed from among the multiple types of cash processes executable by the cash handling machine 300, the cash handling machine 300 determines that cash has been transferred by the cash cassette 400 (Step S1; Yes). For example, a determination that cash has been transferred is made depending on the selection of a collection process. On the other hand, if the executed cash process is not a process for transporting sales proceeds to the head office, it is determined that cash has not been transferred between devices by the cash cassette 400 (Step S1; No), and the process ends. For example, the process ends when the executed cash process is a deposit process in which cash is deposited from the deposit units 311, 321 and stored in a storage unit, a withdrawal process in which cash is dispensed from the storage unit and withdrawn from the withdrawal units 312, 322, or a replenishment process in which cash from the cash cassette 400 is replenished to the storage unit.

[0104] The back-office machine 300 of the branch that has determined that cash has been moved between machines using the cash cassette 400 notifies the management device 100. The management device 100 recognizes that cash is being moved from the branch where the back-office machine 300 that sent the notification is installed to the head office using the cash cassette 400. The management device 100 sets the movement time of the cash cassette 400 (step S2) and begins tracking the movement of the cash cassette 400 (step S3).

[0105] The movement route and movement method for transporting the cash cassette 400 from each branch to the head office are predetermined. The management device 100 stores a predetermined movement time from each branch to the head office based on the movement route and movement method. The management device 100 sets the movement time of the cash cassette 400 to the movement time stored in association with the branch of the back machine 300 that notified the start of cash movement.

[0106] The management device 100 starts counting down the set movement time, thereby starting tracking of the cash cassette 400. The management device 100 notifies information related to the tracking of the cash cassette 400 via the notification device 500, which will be described later.

[0107] A branch clerk in charge of transporting the cash cassette 400 transports the cash cassette 400 to the head office, loads it into the head office back-up machine 200, and executes a deposit process for depositing the sales amount of the branch into the head office back-up machine 200.

[0108] For example, the head office back-office machine 200 detects the installation of the cash cassette 400 using a predetermined sensor and transmits the detection result to the management device 100. The management device 100 determines that the movement of cash by the cash cassette 400 has been completed (Step S4; Yes), and ends tracking of the cash cassette 400.

[0109] When a deposit process for depositing sales proceeds from a branch is selected from among multiple types of cash processes, the head office back-office machine 200 notifies the management device 100 of this, and the management device 100, upon receiving the notification, may determine that the movement of cash has been completed (step S4; Yes) and end tracking.

[0110] After detecting the attachment of the cash cassette 400 to the head office back-office machine 200 or the selection of a predetermined cash processing method, the management device 100 may wait for the completion of the deposit processing for depositing the cash in the cash cassette 400 into the head office back-office machine 200, and then end tracking of the cash cassette 400.

[0111] Until the movement of the cash is completed (Step S4; No), the management device 100 repeatedly determines whether the movement time has passed (Step S5) and whether an abnormal situation has been detected (Step S6) (Steps S4 to S6; No).

[0112] If the movement time has elapsed before the movement of the cash is completed (step S5; Yes), that is, if the movement time of the cash cassette 400 counted down by the management device 100 reaches 0 (zero), the management device 100 determines that an abnormal situation has occurred and executes an alarm process (step S7).

[0113] If an abnormality is detected even before the travel time has elapsed (Step S6; Yes), the management device 100 notifies the manager of the occurrence of the abnormality via the notification device 500 (Step S7). For example, if a cash cassette 400 removed from a back-office machine 300 at a branch is reinserted into the back-office machine 300 or if the cash cassette 400 is reinserted into a back-office machine 300 at another branch, the management device 100 detects this and notifies the manager of the abnormality. Additionally, if the current location of a moving cash cassette 400 can be determined using a satellite-based positioning system, an abnormality is notified if the current location of the cash cassette 400 deviates from the travel route from the branch to the head office; this will be described later. When the management device 100 notifies the manager of the occurrence of the abnormality via the notification device 500, the manager who receives the notification will perform an investigation.

[0114] (Notification of Cash Tracking Information) When the management device 100 detects that the transfer of sales proceeds from a branch to the head office using the cash cassette 400 has begun, it executes a notification process to the branch clerk in charge of transporting the cash cassette 400 and the head office manager. Figure 5 shows example screens displayed during the notification process. Figure 5(a) is an example screen displayed on the operation display unit 330 of the back-office machine 300 to the clerk in charge of transporting the sales proceeds. Figure 5(b) is an example screen displayed on the display unit of the notification device 500 to the head office manager who manages the transport of cash.

[0115] For example, when the back-office machine 300 executes a collection process for moving and storing the sales proceeds of the branch from the storage unit to the cash cassette 400, the notification screen shown in Fig. 5(a) is displayed on the operation display unit 330 of the back-office machine 300 after the cash has been stored in the cash cassette 400. The notification screen displays information 601 indicating the method of travel from the branch to the head office and information 602 indicating the travel time from the branch to the head office.

[0116] In addition to the travel time, the current time and the estimated time of completion of the travel calculated by adding the current time to the travel time may be displayed. Information 603 may be displayed to notify the manager of the head office that the cash movement has started, or to indicate that the cash movement is being tracked. By notifying that the movement of the cash cassette 400 is being monitored and tracked, it is expected to be effective in preventing theft of the cash cassette 400 by the transporter.

[0117] Meanwhile, for the administrator, the management device 100 causes the display unit of the notification device 500 to display a notification screen shown in Fig. 5(b). The notification screen displays information 611 indicating the branch from which the cash is being moved, information 612 indicating the types and quantities of each type of cash cassette 400 to be moved, information 613 indicating the method of movement, and information 614 indicating the movement time. In addition to the movement time, the current time and the estimated time of movement completion may also be displayed.

[0118] Once the management device 100 has started tracking the cash cassette 400, it displays a tracking screen that notifies the manager of tracking information. Fig. 6 shows examples of the tracking screen. Fig. 6(a) is an example of a screen that shows the movement status of the cash cassette 400 on a map. Fig. 6(b) is an example of a screen that displays a list of the movement status of the cash cassette 400.

[0119] When sales proceeds are transferred from multiple branches A, B, C, etc. to the head office using cash cassettes 400, the management device 100 displays information about the cash cassettes 400 of each branch on the display unit of the notification device 500, as shown in Fig. 6. For example, pressing the list button displayed on the map screen in Fig. 6(a) switches to the list screen in Fig. 6(b), and pressing the map button displayed on the list screen in Fig. 6(b) switches to the map screen in Fig. 6(a).

[0120] 6(a), the map screen displays information 621 indicating the location of the head office, information 622 indicating the locations of each branch office, and information 623 indicating the movement status of the cash cassette 400 moving from each branch office to the head office. If the cash cassette 400 is in movement, information 624 indicating the movement route from the branch office to the head office and information 625 indicating the movement method and current location of the cash cassette 400 are displayed.

[0121] The example shown in FIG. 6( a) indicates that a cash cassette 400 traveling by car from branch A to the head office is scheduled to arrive at the head office in 30 minutes, and that a cash cassette 400 traveling on foot from branch B to the head office is scheduled to arrive at the head office in 5 minutes.

[0122] The current location of the cash cassette 400 on the movement route is displayed at a position determined by the management device 100 based on the movement distance and movement time from the branch to the head office. For example, if the movement distance from branch A to the head office is 30 km, the movement time is 45 minutes, and 15 minutes have passed since the start of movement, the management device 100 determines a point 10 km (= 30 km / 45 minutes × 15 minutes) from branch A as the current location of the cash cassette 400. The management device 100 displays the current location of the cash cassette 400 at a position 10 km from branch A on the movement route from branch A to the head office.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 6( b), the list screen displays information indicating the types and quantities of each type of cash cassette 400 being moved from each branch to the head office, information indicating the movement status of each cash cassette 400, and information indicating the cash deposit status from each cash cassette 400 to the head office back-office machine 200.

[0124] The example shown in Figure 6(b) shows that for branch A, one banknote cassette 400a and one coin cassette 400b, a total of two cash cassettes 400, are being moved by car from branch A to the head office, 15 minutes have passed since the start of the move, and depositing into the head office back-office machine 200 is scheduled to be completed in 30 minutes. For branch B, the coin cassette 400b has not been transported, and only one banknote cassette 400a is being moved by foot toward the head office, 15 minutes have passed since the start of the move, and depositing into the head office back-office machine 200 is scheduled to be completed in 5 minutes. For branch C, the example shows that the movement of banknote cassette 400a and coin cassette 400b has been completed, and cash deposit into the head office back-office machine 200 has been completed at 7:25 PM.

[0125] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing examples of tracking screens that the notification device 500 displays when the management device 100 detects that an abnormality has occurred during the movement of the cash cassette 400. Fig. 7A shows an example of a map screen, and Figs. 7B and 7C show examples of a list screen.

[0126] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6 , assume that the cash cassette 400 from Branch A was scheduled to arrive at the head office and complete the deposit at 8:45 PM. If a predetermined time (e.g., five minutes) has passed since the scheduled completion time and the management device 100 has not detected the installation of the cash cassette 400 or the start of the deposit process, the management device 100 determines that an abnormal situation has occurred and displays the map screen shown in FIG. 7( a). The management device 100 notifies the administrator of the occurrence of the abnormal situation by, for example, emitting sound or light from the alarm device 500. Note that the management device 100 may also determine that an abnormal situation has occurred immediately after the scheduled completion time has been reached.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 7( a), the map screen showing the abnormal situation displays a predetermined mark 631 indicating the branch from which the cash cassette 400 in which the abnormal situation occurred was moved, and information 632 indicating the amount of time that has elapsed since the scheduled completion time.

[0128] When the manager who has received the notification presses the list button on the map screen, the list screen shown in Fig. 7(b) is displayed. The list screen displays a predetermined mark 633 indicating the branch from which the cash cassette 400 in which the abnormality occurred was moved, and information indicating the reason why the abnormality was determined.

[0129] The example shown in Figure 7(b) shows that the banknote cassette 400a and coin cassette 400b arrived at the head office from branch A and the deposit was scheduled to be completed at 20:45, but the deposit was not completed even though five minutes had passed since the scheduled completion.

[0130] In addition, even if the cash cassettes 400 arrive at the head office within the travel time and the head office back-office machine 200 executes the deposit process for the sales proceeds of the branch, an abnormality is determined to have occurred if there are any cash cassettes 400 remaining for which the sales proceeds have not been deposited into the head office back-office machine 200. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 7( c), the management device 100 displays information on the display unit of the alarm device 500 indicating that the reason for determining the abnormality is not that the time has expired but that the number of cash cassettes 400 does not match.

[0131] The example shown in Figure 7(c) shows that even though the deposit process for sales proceeds at Branch A was completed at 20:40, which was before the scheduled time of deposit completion at 20:45, only banknotes in banknote cassette 400a that had been moved from Branch A to the head office were deposited, and coins in coin cassette 400b were not, so the management device 100 determined that an abnormal situation had occurred.

[0132] The management device 100 can detect when a cash cassette 400 containing sales proceeds has been removed from the back-office machine 300 of each branch, when a cash cassette 400 has been attached to the head office back-office machine 200, and when a deposit process for the branch's sales proceeds has been performed from the cash cassette 400. If there is a cash cassette 400 that has been removed from the back-office machine 300 of a branch but is attached to the head office back-office machine 200 and has not yet received sales proceeds, the management device 100 can detect this as an abnormality and notify the manager via the notification device 500. The manager who receives the notification can check the situation and respond to the abnormality.

[0133] [Variations] (Prevention of forgetting to deposit) In Figure 7 (c), an example has been described in which the management device 100 detects a cash cassette 400 in which sales proceeds have not been deposited into the head office back-office machine 200 and determines that an abnormality has occurred, but the head office back-office machine 200 may also be configured to prevent forgetting to deposit sales proceeds when processing the deposit of sales proceeds.

[0134] 8 is a diagram for explaining the sales proceeds deposit process that prevents forgetting to deposit the sales proceeds. For example, the explanation will be continued using an example in which two banknote cassettes 400a containing sales proceeds banknotes and two coin cassettes 400b containing sales proceeds coins are transported from branch A.

[0135] The clerk at branch A who has transported a total of four cash cassettes 400 from branch A performs authentication processing at the head office back-office machine 200. For example, using a pre-assigned ID and password, authentication processing is performed to confirm that the clerk is a branch A clerk who is authorized to perform deposit processing into the head office back-office machine 200.

[0136] The management device 100 manages information on the types and numbers of cash cassettes 400 that have stored sales proceeds and been removed from the back-office machine 300 at each branch. The head office back-office machine 200 obtains information on the cash cassettes 400 transported from the branch from the management device 100 at a predetermined timing after the branch clerk starts the authentication process and deposit process.

[0137] When the authentication process confirms that the person is a clerk at Branch A, the screen shown in FIG. 8(a) is displayed on the operation display unit 330 of the main store back-office device 200. Information indicating multiple branches is displayed on the screen. Because the authentication process has confirmed that the person is a clerk at Branch A, the screen displayed shows Branch A selected. However, it is also possible to display only the branch of the authenticated clerk on the screen, or to have the clerk manually select a branch from multiple branches on the screen without automatically selecting a branch. When the clerk checks the screen shown in FIG. 8(a) and presses the forward button on the screen, the screen shown in FIG. 8(b) is displayed.

[0138] Based on the information obtained from the management device 100, the head office back-office machine 200 recognizes that two banknote cassettes 400a and two coin cassettes 400b have been transported from branch A. Therefore, the screen of FIG. 8(b) for selecting the deposit method on the head office back-office machine 200 displays the selected deposit method using banknote cassette 400a and coin cassette 400b. However, the deposit method may not be selected automatically, and the clerk may manually select from multiple deposit methods on the screen. When the clerk checks the screen shown in FIG. 8(b) and presses the proceed button, the screen shown in FIG. 8(c) is displayed.

[0139] The screen shown in Fig. 8(c) displays information instructing the clerk to load the banknote cassette 400a and coin cassette 400b brought from branch A into the head office back-office machine 200. When the clerk loads the first banknote cassette 400a into the head office back-office machine 200, this is detected and, as shown in Fig. 8(c), a check mark is automatically placed in the check box corresponding to the banknote cassette 400a. The screen shown in Fig. 8(c) indicates that the banknote cassette 400a has been detected correctly, but the coin cassette 400b has not been detected.

[0140] Next, when the clerk installs the first coin cassette 400b into the head office return machine 200, the check box corresponding to the coin cassette 400b is automatically checked, and information indicating that the coin cassette 400b has been detected correctly is displayed. When the clerk presses the proceed button on the screen with the check boxes for both the banknote cassette and the coin cassette checked, the head office return machine 200 dispenses and recognizes and counts banknotes from the banknote cassette 400a, and dispenses and recognizes and counts coins from the coin cassette 400b.

[0141] When deposits from the banknote cassette 400a and the coin cassette 400b are required, the proceed button may not be displayed on the screen until the two check boxes shown in Fig. 8(c) are checked based on the detection results from the head office cash back machine 200. This prevents the store clerk from forgetting to install either the banknote cassette 400a or the coin cassette 400b.

[0142] The head office cash machine 200 stores the recognized and counted banknotes and coins in a storage unit within the device, and displays the screen shown in Figure 8 (d) on the operation and display unit 230, which includes the counting results of these banknotes and coins.

[0143] When the clerk confirms the screen shown in Fig. 8(d) and presses the approve button to approve the count result, the screen shown in Fig. 8(e) is displayed. Only one banknote cassette 400a and one coin cassette 400b can be installed in the head office back-office machine 200. If, after processing the cash in the cash cassettes 400, there are still cash cassettes 400 that require processing, the deposit process will not end even if the deposit amount is approved on the screen shown in Fig. 8(d), and the screen shown in Fig. 8(e) is displayed.

[0144] Based on the information regarding the cash cassettes 400 transported from the branch obtained from the management device 100, the head office back-office machine 200 recognizes that there is one banknote cassette 400a and one coin cassette 400b remaining for which deposits have not been completed, and displays the screen shown in Figure 8 (e).

[0145] When the clerk checks the screen shown in FIG. 8( e) and inserts the second banknote cassette 400a and the second coin cassette 400b into the head office back-office machine 200, the check box on the screen shown in FIG. 8( e) is automatically checked and a proceed button is displayed. When the clerk presses the proceed button, the head office back-office machine 200 feeds the banknotes in the banknote cassette 400a and the coins in the coin cassette 400b into the device, recognizes and counts them, and stores them in a storage unit, and then displays the screen shown in FIG. 8( f). The screen displays the total amount of banknotes stored in the two banknote cassettes 400a, the total amount of coins stored in the two coin cassettes 400b, and the total amount, i.e., the sales amount of Branch A. The screen shown in FIG. 8( f) may also display the amount of banknotes stored in each of the two banknote cassettes 400a and the amount of coins stored in each of the two coin cassettes 400b.

[0146] When the clerk confirms the screen shown in FIG. 8(f) and presses the approval button to approve the deposit amount, the head office back-office machine 200 displays a screen indicating that all cash cassettes 400 have been processed, as shown in FIG. 8(g), and ends the deposit process.

[0147] In this way, the management device 100 detects the number of banknote cassettes 400a and coin cassettes 400b being moved from the branch to the head office, and the head office back machine 200 operates so as not to complete the deposit process until all banknote cassettes 400a and coin cassettes 400b have been processed, thereby preventing forgetting to deposit money.

[0148] (Use of a Positioning System) In FIG. 6( a ), an example has been described in which the current location of the cash cassette 400 is displayed on a map screen based on the travel distance from the branch to the head office, the travel time set in accordance with the travel distance and travel method, and the elapsed time since the start of travel from the branch. However, the current location may also be identified using a positioning system.

[0149] For example, a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System) that can identify the current location including latitude and longitude using a satellite may be used. Instead of or in addition to a satellite, a wireless LAN communication network or a mobile phone communication network may be used to identify the location.

[0150] 9( a), a cash cassette 400 may be provided with a current location determination unit 401 that uses a satellite positioning system and a communication unit 402 that transmits location information determined by the current location determination unit 401 to the management device 100. As shown in FIG. 9( b), a vehicle 410 such as an automobile used to transport the cash cassette 400 may be provided with a current location determination unit 411 that uses a satellite positioning system and a communication unit 412 that transmits location information to the management device 100.

[0151] When the communication units 402 and 412 transmit the location information identified by the current location identification units 401 and 411 to the management device 100, the management device 100 can display the exact current location of the cash cassette 400 on a map in near real time.

[0152] In FIG. 7( a ), an example is shown in which, when an abnormality occurs, a predetermined mark 631 indicating the occurrence of an abnormality is displayed near information indicating the branch because the current location of the cash cassette 400 cannot be identified. However, if the actual location can be identified, it is possible to display on a map the current location 640 of a cash cassette 400 whose arrival at the head office is delayed, as shown in FIG. 9( c ).

[0153] If the exact current location of the cash cassette 400 can be identified in approximately real time using a satellite or the like, the management device 100 can detect the movement of the cash cassette 400 that deviates from the route from the branch to the head office as an abnormality and notify the administrator of this.

[0154] For example, as shown in FIG. 10( a), the management device 100 can notify the administrator by displaying a list screen on the display unit of the notification device 500 that an "off-route" abnormality (error) has occurred, in which the current location of the cash cassette 400 deviates from the predetermined movement path. As shown in FIG. 10( b), the management device 100 can also notify the administrator of the occurrence of an abnormality by displaying the movement path and the current location of the cash cassette 400 that has deviated from the movement path on a map screen. In the example shown in FIG. 10( b), the planned movement path and the current path that has deviated from the planned movement path are displayed in different ways, using dashed and solid lines. In addition, the management device 100 can detect a cash cassette 400 that has not moved for a predetermined period of time, determine that an abnormality has occurred, and notify the administrator of the occurrence of the abnormality and the current location of the cash cassette 400.

[0155] The current location of the cash cassette 400 may be determined using a communication terminal having a current location determination function and a communication function. For example, a portable communication terminal such as a smartphone having a current location determination function using a satellite positioning system and a communication function via a mobile phone communication network may be used.

[0156] 11(a), a communication terminal 510 may be installed near the back machine 300 of the branch, and the clerk carrying the cash cassette 400 may carry the communication terminal 510. As a result, regardless of how the clerk travels, such as on foot, in a car, or by public transport, the current location of the clerk, i.e., the current location of the cash cassette 400, can be identified by the communication terminal 510 carried by the clerk, and the current location of the cash cassette 400 and the occurrence of an abnormal situation can be reported, as described in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0157] When using the communication terminal 510, instead of or in addition to the notification screen for the store clerk described in Figure 5 (a), a notification screen may be displayed on the display unit provided on the communication terminal 510, as shown in Figure 11 (b).

[0158] For example, the management device 100 may cause the communication terminal 510 carried by the clerk transporting the cash cassette 400 from Branch A to the head office to display a map including information 642 indicating the route of travel and information 643 indicating the current location, as shown in Fig. 11(b) . The clerk can easily confirm that he or she is traveling along the set route of travel.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 11( b), information 644 may be displayed on the screen of the communication terminal 510 indicating that the head office manager has been notified that the movement of the cash cassettes 400 has begun, the type and number of cash cassettes 400 to be moved, the estimated time when the deposit into the head office back machine 200 will be completed, etc.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 11B , the screen of the communication terminal 510 may display information 645, such as the current time, the remaining travel time counted down by the management device 100, and a prediction result of whether the movement of the cash cassette 400 can be completed within the travel time if the movement continues under the current travel conditions. Furthermore, a button 646 may be displayed for contacting a manager by operating the communication terminal 510. For example, pressing button 646 on the communication terminal 510 may connect to the communication terminal or the notification device 500 used by the manager and enable a call. If it appears that the cash cassette 400 will not be transported within the travel time, the store clerk can press button 646 to contact the manager and report the situation. The manager can then take appropriate action based on the situation.

[0161] In this embodiment, an example in which various information related to a cash cassette is reported has been described. However, the information shown in each example is merely illustrative and does not limit the type of information reported. For example, some information may not be reported, or may be reported in a manner different from that shown. The configuration of the cash handling system 1 shown in this embodiment is a functional schematic, and the physical configuration of the cash handling system 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the management devices 10, 100 and the notification devices 50, 500 shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 3 may be independent devices or may be the same device. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the head office back-office machine 200 may implement some or all of the functions and operations of the management device 100. The distribution and integration of each device is not limited to the above example; all or part of the devices may be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0162] Although embodiments of the cash handling method and cash handling system according to the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings, the configuration and operation of the cash handling system and each of the devices constituting the system are not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be implemented with various improvements, changes, and modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art within the scope of the spirit of the present disclosure. The functions realized by the configurations described herein may be implemented in one or more electrical circuits or processing circuits, including one or more general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), CPUs (Central Processing Units), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to realize the functions. The processor may also be an electrical circuit or processing circuit including transistors or other circuits. The type of processor is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of executing a program stored in memory.

Claims

1. A cash handling method executed by a cash handling system including a plurality of cash processing devices, comprising: a step of starting tracking of movement of a cash container based on a first cash processing step involving removal of a cash container containing cash being performed in a first cash processing device that is a source of the cash; and a step of ending tracking of movement of the cash container based on a second cash processing device that is a destination of the cash being performed in a second cash processing device that is a destination of the cash being performed, the second cash processing device being removal of the cash container from the first cash processing device and attachment of the cash container to the second cash processing device.

2. The cash processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of setting a travel time for the cash container from the installation location of the first cash processing device to the installation location of the second cash processing device; and a step of notifying information related to the remaining time of the travel time while tracking the movement of the cash container.

3. The cash processing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is determined that the first cash processing has been carried out based on the first cash processing device detecting the removal of the cash container.

4. The cash handling method according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of acquiring times corresponding to the first cash processing device and the second cash processing device from information including times required for a cash container to be moved from each of a plurality of cash processing devices that can be a source of cash to each of the cash processing devices that can be a destination of the cash; and a step of setting the movement times based on the acquired times.

5. The cash handling method according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of acquiring a travel distance from the first cash handling device to the second cash handling device from information including a travel distance from an installation location of each of a plurality of cash handling devices that can be a source of cash to an installation location of each of the cash handling devices that can be a destination of cash; and a step of setting the travel time based on the travel distance.

6. The cash processing method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: searching for a route from the location of the first cash processing device to the location of the second cash processing device using a predetermined map service; and setting the travel time based on the results of the route search.

7. A cash handling method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising the step of changing the travel time in response to the occurrence of an external factor that affects the transport time of the cash container.

8. A cash handling method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it includes a step of counting down the movement time after starting tracking of the cash container and displaying the remaining time obtained on a display device.

9. A cash handling method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of: displaying on a display device the installation locations of the first cash processing device, the installation locations of the second cash processing device, and a line shape indicating a movement route connecting these installation locations; and, when the total length of the line shape is considered to represent the movement time, displaying the current position of the cash container at a position where the length of the line shape from the end of the line shape on the second cash processing device side corresponds to the remaining time.

10. A cash handling method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it includes a step of displaying, on a map displayed on a display device, the installation location of the first cash processing device, the installation location of the second cash processing device, the travel route from the first cash processing device to the second cash processing device, and the current location of the cash container identified by a current location identification unit provided in the cash container.

11. A cash handling method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it includes a step of displaying, on a map displayed on a display device, the installation location of the first cash processing device, the installation location of the second cash processing device, the travel route from the first cash processing device to the second cash processing device, and the current location of the cash container identified by a current location identification unit provided in a vehicle transporting the cash container or in a terminal carried by a person transporting the cash container.

12. The cash processing method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising a step of displaying on the display device an estimated time of arrival of the cash container at the location where the second cash processing device is installed.

13. A cash processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the processes including map display, route search, and estimated arrival time specification are performed using a predetermined map service.

14. A cash processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, when cash being moved from the first cash processing device to the second cash processing device is stored in a plurality of cash containers, the second cash processing device terminates tracking of the movement of the cash containers on the condition that all the cash in the plurality of cash containers has been processed by the second cash processing device.

15. A cash handling system comprising: a plurality of cash processing devices; a cash container detachable from each of the plurality of cash processing devices; and an information processing device that starts tracking the movement of the cash container based on a first cash processing device that is a source of cash, which involves the removal of the cash container storing the cash, and that ends tracking the movement of the cash container based on a second cash processing device that is a destination of the cash, which involves the removal of the cash container from the first cash processing device and the attachment of the cash container to the second cash processing device.

Images