Storage state determination device, storage state determination method, and storage state determination program

Abstract

A storage state determination device (10) determines the storage state of banknotes stored in a cash box of a banknote recycling unit (21) installed in an automatic teller machine (20), on the basis of vibrations generated in the cash box. For example, the storage state determination device (10): acquires, as data indicating vibrations, acceleration data detected by an acceleration sensor attached to the cash box; extracts, from the acceleration data, valid data, which is data obtained over a predetermined time from the point in time at which a pusher plate for pressing banknotes inserted into the cash box begins to press; and determines the storage state of the banknotes on the basis of the extracted valid data.

Description

Storage state determination device, storage state determination method, and storage state determination program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a storage state determination device, a storage state determination method, and a storage state determination program.

[0002] An automated teller machine (ATM) has a banknote recycling unit. The banknote recycling unit has a cash box in which banknotes are stored. Note that the banknote recycling unit may also be called a banknote transport device.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 201292, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-177268, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-065594

[0004] When banknotes are stored in the cash box, the banknotes in the cash box may become disordered or fall sideways, resulting in poor storage of banknotes. If banknote storage continues in a state where poor storage has occurred, a jam error may occur eventually. When a jam error occurs, it becomes difficult to use the automated teller machine.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a technique for determining the storage state of banknotes in a cash box.

[0006] The storage state determination device of the present disclosure has a processor. The processor determines the storage state of the banknotes stored in the cash box based on the vibration generated in the cash box of the banknote recycling unit.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the storage state of banknotes in the cash box can be determined.

[0008] Figure showing a configuration example of the maintenance system of the present disclosure, figure showing a configuration example of the storage state determination device of the present disclosure, figure showing a configuration example of the banknote recycling unit of the present disclosure, figure showing a configuration example of the cash box of the present disclosure, figure showing a configuration example of the cash box of the present disclosure, flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure in the storage state determination device of the present disclosure, figure showing an example of the acceleration data of the present disclosure, figure showing an example of each region in the RMSX - RMSY coordinates of the present disclosure

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same parts or processes will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0010] <Configuration of the Maintenance System> Figure 1 shows an example configuration of the maintenance system of this disclosure. In Figure 1, the maintenance system 1 includes a storage status determination device 10, an automated cash exchange machine 20, and a terminal device 30. The automated cash exchange machine 20 has a banknote recycling unit 21. The storage status determination device 10 is connected to the automated cash exchange machine 20 and the terminal device 30 via a network 40. Examples of terminal devices 30 include smart devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals, and personal computers.

[0011] The storage status determination device 10 determines the storage status of banknotes in the banknote recycling unit 21 and notifies the terminal device 30 of the determination result.

[0012] <Configuration of the Storage Status Determination Device> Figure 2 shows an example configuration of the storage status determination device of the present disclosure. In Figure 2, the storage status determination device 10 includes a processor 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication module 13. The communication module 13 is connected to a network 40, and the processor 11 can communicate with each of the ATMs 20 and terminal devices 30 via the network 40 using the communication module 13. An example of the storage status determination device 10 is a server. An example of the processor 11 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). An example of the storage unit 12 is storage or memory.

[0013] <Configuration of the banknote recycling unit> Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the banknote recycling unit of this disclosure. In Figure 3, the banknote recycling unit 21 has a top module 201, a recycling stacker module 202, and a cash box module 203.

[0014] The top module 201 has a banknote deposit / discharge slot 211 as a mechanism for exchanging banknotes with users of the ATM 20 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "trade machine users"). The banknote deposit / discharge slot 211 receives banknotes from trade machine users and sends the inserted banknotes into the top module 201. The banknote deposit / discharge slot 211 also discharges the banknotes that have been sent to the top module 201 within the banknote recycling unit 21 so that trade machine users can receive them.

[0015] The top module 201 also includes a processor 204 and a communication module 205. The communication module 205 is connected to the network 40, and the processor 204 can communicate with the storage state determination device 10 via the network 40 using the communication module 205. Examples of the processor 204 include a CPU and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0016] The recycling stacker module 202 includes a recycling stacker 212. The recycling stacker 212 temporarily stores banknotes and ejects the stored banknotes when they are withdrawn. For example, the recycling stacker 212 can store banknotes by sequentially inserting them between films and winding them into a roll.

[0017] The cash box module 203 includes a cash box 213 and a vibration sensor 214. The vibration sensor 214 is mounted on the cash box 213.

[0018] The cash box 213 is used to store banknotes when settling accounts for banknotes stored in the recycling stacker 212, and also to store damaged banknotes.

[0019] The vibration sensor 214 is used to measure the vibrations generated in the cash box 213 when banknotes are placed into the cash box 213. An example of a vibration sensor 214 is an acceleration sensor.

[0020] In Figure 3, banknotes are transported using the transport path 210. For example, banknotes inserted into the banknote deposit / discharge slot 211 are transported via the transport path 210 to the recycling stacker 212 or the cash box 213. The transport path 210 is also used when banknotes are sent from the recycling stacker 212 to the banknote deposit / discharge slot 211 or the cash box 213.

[0021] <Configuration of the Cash Box> Figures 4 and 5 show examples of the configuration of the cash box of this disclosure. In Figures 4 and 5, the cash box 213 includes a pusher plate 213a, a stage plate 213b, and a drive motor 213c.

[0022] The stage plate 213b is placed on which the banknote bundles WB, already stored in the cash box 213, are placed.

[0023] The pusher plate 213a moves perpendicular to the surface of the stage plate 213b from its initial position P0, and presses the newly inserted banknotes (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "inserted banknotes") IB toward the stage plate 213b. After the pressing of the inserted banknotes IB is complete, the pusher plate 213a returns to its initial position P0. The drive motor 213c drives the pusher plate 213a via a mechanical mechanism formed by a belt, cam, etc., moving the pusher plate 213a toward the stage plate 213b when the inserted banknotes IB are pressed, and returning the pusher plate 213a to its initial position P0 when the pressing of the inserted banknotes IB is complete.

[0024] When the pusher plate 213a is driven by the drive motor 213c, vibrations are generated in the cash box 213. The vibration sensor 214 (Figure 3) continuously detects the vibrations generated in the cash box 213 over time.

[0025] When an acceleration sensor is used as the vibration sensor 214, the vibration sensor 214 will use the acceleration [m / s²] generated in the cash box 213 as a value indicating the vibration occurring in the cash box 213. 2The processor 204 detects the acceleration time series data (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "acceleration data") AD detected by the vibration sensor 214, and transmits the measured acceleration data AD to the storage state determination device 10 via the network 40 using the communication module 205. In the storage state determination device 10 (Figure 2), the processor 11 receives the acceleration data AD via the network 40 using the communication module 13, and stores the received acceleration data AD in the storage unit 12.

[0026] <Processing Procedure in the Storage State Determination Device> Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure in the storage state determination device of this disclosure.

[0027] First, in step S100, the processor 11 resets the value of counter n to "0".

[0028] Next, in step S105, the processor 11 acquires acceleration data AD from the storage unit 12.

[0029] Next, in step S110, the processor 11 extracts valid data ED from acceleration data AD.

[0030] Furthermore, each time the processor 11 extracts valid data ED from acceleration data AD, it increments the value of counter n by "1" in step S115.

[0031] Next, in step S120, the processor 11 calculates the Root Mean Square Value (RMSX) of the valid data ED in the time domain (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "time domain RMS").

[0032] Next, in step S125, the processor 11 performs a Fourier transform on the time-domain valid data ED to convert the time-domain valid data ED into frequency-domain valid data ED. Also in step S125, the processor 11 calculates the Root Mean Square Value (RMSY) of the valid data ED at a specific frequency (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "specific frequency RMS") in the frequency-domain valid data ED after the Fourier transform.

[0033] Here, it was observed that if a malfunction occurs in storing the banknote bundle WB in the cash box 213, the pusher plate 213a may have difficulty pressing the inserted banknotes IB, which can cause the drive motor 213c to lose synchronism. Furthermore, it was observed that when the drive motor 213c loses synchronism, vibrations below 300 Hz in the cash box 213 become significantly larger. Therefore, for example, the processor 11 calculates a specific frequency effective value RMSY targeting effective data ED below 300 Hz in the frequency domain.

[0034] Next, in step S130, the processor 11 stores the time-domain RMS value RMSX and the specific frequency RMS value RMSY in the storage unit 12.

[0035] Next, in step S140, the processor 11 determines whether the value of counter n has reached a predetermined number N. If the value of counter n has not reached the predetermined number N (step S140: No), the process returns to step S110. On the other hand, if the value of counter n has reached the predetermined number N (step S140: Yes), the process proceeds to step S145.

[0036] Here, for example, as shown in Figure 7, the processor 11 extracts three valid data EDs from the acceleration data AD: a first valid data ED1, a second valid data SD2, and a third valid data ED3. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of acceleration data according to this disclosure. The processor 11 extracts data from the acceleration data AD from the first starting point SP1 to the first ending point EP1 after a predetermined time T has elapsed as the first valid data ED1, data from the second starting point SP2 to the second ending point EP2 after a predetermined time T has elapsed as the second valid data ED2, and data from the third starting point SP3 to the third ending point EP3 after a predetermined time T has elapsed as the third valid data ED3. The predetermined time T is set to, for example, the time from when the pusher plate 213a starts pressing the inserted banknote IB until the pressing is completed (for example, 158 ms).

[0037] Alternatively, for example, the processor 11 may detect the point in time when the increase in acceleration in the acceleration data AD exceeds a predetermined value (for example, +3800 or more) as the starting point SP of the valid data ED. When the processor 11 detects the point in time when the increase in acceleration exceeds a predetermined value as the starting point SP, it stops detecting the starting point SP until a predetermined time T has elapsed from the starting point SP.

[0038] Alternatively, for example, the starting point SP of the valid data ED may be added to the acceleration data AD by the processor 204 of the banknote recycling unit 21. The processor 204 may add the starting point SP of the acceleration data AD to the point when the insertion banknote IB is pressed (i.e., when the pusher plate 213a starts to drive).

[0039] In the following explanation, we will use the case where the predetermined number N is set to "9" as an example.

[0040] Returning to Figure 6, in step S145, the processor 11 obtains nine pairs of time-domain RMS values ​​RMSX and nine specific-frequency RMS values ​​RMSY from the storage unit 12, and plots the coordinate points corresponding to each pair of time-domain RMS values ​​RMSX and specific-frequency RMS values ​​RMSY on a two-dimensional coordinate system (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "RMSX-RMSY coordinate system") with the time-domain RMS value RMSX as the X-axis and the specific-frequency RMS value RMSY as the Y-axis. Therefore, when the predetermined number N is set to "9", the processor 11 plots the nine coordinate points, from the first coordinate point CP1 to the ninth coordinate point CP9, corresponding to each of the nine effective data EDs from the first effective data ED1 to the ninth effective data ED9, on the RMSX-RMSY coordinate system.

[0041] Here, as shown in Figure 8, the RMSX-RMSY coordinate system is divided into three regions: the first region R1, the second region R2, and the third region R3. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of each region in the RMSX-RMSY coordinate system of this disclosure. The first region R1 is the region where the time-domain RMS value RMSX is less than the first threshold TA1, and the specific frequency RMS value RMSY is less than the second threshold TB1. The third region R3 is the region where the time-domain RMS value RMSX is greater than or equal to the third threshold TA2, and the specific frequency RMS value RMSY is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold TB2. The second region R2 is the region other than the first region R1 and the third region R3.

[0042] The first region R1 represents the region where the storage state of the banknote bundle WB in the cash box 213 is presumed to be in a "normal state". The third region R3 represents the region where the storage state of the banknote bundle WB in the cash box 213 is presumed to be in an "abnormal state", and this is the region where a jam error could occur immediately if banknotes continue to be stored in the cash box 213. The second region R2 corresponds to the transitional region where the storage state of the banknote bundle WB in the cash box 213 is presumed to be in a "caution state" before transitioning from a "normal state", and this is the region where a jam error could occur, for example, after one month if banknotes continue to be stored in the cash box 213. Thus, the "caution state" is a worse storage state than the "normal state", and the "abnormal state" is an even worse storage state than the "caution state".

[0043] Furthermore, when calculating the specific frequency RMSY using effective data ED below 300 Hz, for example, the first threshold TA1 is set to 3000, the third threshold TA2 is set to 6000, the second threshold TB1 is set to 1500, and the fourth threshold TB2 is set to 3000.

[0044] Returning to FIG. 6, then in step S150, the processor 11 determines whether six or more of the nine coordinate points from the first coordinate point CP1 to the ninth coordinate point CP9 in the coordinate point group are present in the third region R3. If six or more of the nine coordinate points are present in the third region R3 (step S150: Yes), the process proceeds to step S155. On the other hand, if less than six of the nine coordinate points are present in the third region R3 (step S150: No), the process proceeds to step S165.

[0045] In step S155, the processor 11 determines that the storage state of the banknote bundle WB in the cash box 213 is an "abnormal state".

[0046] Next, in step S160, the processor 11 transmits, via the network 40 using the communication module 13, a message (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an "abnormal message") notifying that the storage state of the banknote bundle WB in the cash box 213 is an "abnormal state" to the terminal device 30. On the terminal device 30, the abnormal message is displayed on a display or a touch panel of the terminal device 30. After the processing of step S160, the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0047] On the other hand, in step S165, the processor 11 determines whether six or more of the nine coordinate points from the first coordinate point CP1 to the ninth coordinate point CP9 in the coordinate point group are present in the second region R2. If six or more of the nine coordinate points are present in the second region R2 (step S165: Yes), the process proceeds to step S170. On the other hand, if less than six of the nine coordinate points are present in the second region R2 (step S165: No), the process proceeds to step S180.

[0048] In step S170, the processor 11 determines that the storage state of the banknote bundle WB in the cash box 213 is a "caution state".

[0049] Next, in step S175, the processor 11 sends a message (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "warning message") to the terminal device 30 via the network 40 using the communication module 13, notifying that the storage status of the banknote bundle WB in the cash box 213 is in a "warning state". The warning message is displayed on the display or touch panel of the terminal device 30. After the processing in step S175, the processing procedure shown in Figure 6 is completed.

[0050] On the other hand, in step S180, the processor 11 determines that the storage state of the banknote bundle WB in the cash box 213 is "normal". After the processing in step S180, the processing procedure shown in Figure 6 is completed.

[0051] In this way, the processor 11 determines the storage state of the banknote bundle WB based on the plotted state of the coordinate points in the RMSX-RMSY coordinate system, and determines that the storage state of the banknote bundle WB is worse the greater the time-domain RMS value RMSX and the specific frequency RMS value RMSY are in the plotted state of the coordinate points in the RMSX-RMSY coordinate system.

[0052] Furthermore, when the processor 11 determines that the storage state of the banknote bundle WB is not in a "normal state," it sends a warning message or an abnormal message to the terminal device 30 as a message notifying the storage state.

[0053] The above describes an example of the processing procedure in the storage state determination device 10.

[0054] Here, all or part of the processes described above in the storage state determination device 10 may be implemented by having the processor 11 execute a program corresponding to each process. For example, the program corresponding to each process described above may be stored in the storage unit 12, and the program may be read from the storage unit 12 and executed by the processor 11. Alternatively, the program may be stored in a program server connected to the storage state determination device 10 via the network 40 and downloaded from the program server to the storage state determination device 10 for execution, or it may be stored in a recording medium readable by the storage state determination device 10 and read from that recording medium for execution. Recording media readable by the storage state determination device 10 include, for example, portable storage media such as memory cards, USB memory, SD cards, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, and DVDs.

[0055] The examples described above have been explained.

[0056] As described above, the storage state determination device of this disclosure (storage state determination device 10 in the embodiment) has a processor (processor 11 in the embodiment). The processor determines the storage state of banknotes (banknote bundle WD in the embodiment) stored in the cash box (cash box 213 in the embodiment) of the banknote recycling unit (banknote recycling unit 21 in the embodiment).

[0057] This allows the system to determine the banknote storage status in the cash box, enabling operators and maintenance personnel of the automated cash exchange machines (ATMs) to understand the banknote storage status in the cash box. Therefore, operators and maintenance personnel can take preventative measures before a jam error occurs in the ATM, thereby improving the operational efficiency of the ATMs.

[0058] 1 Maintenance system 10 Storage status determination device 11 Processor 12 Memory unit 13 Communication module 20 Automatic cash transaction machine 21 Banknote recycling unit 203 Cash box module 213 Cash box 214 Vibration sensor

Claims

1. A storage state determination device comprising a processor, the processor determining the storage state of banknotes stored in the cash box of a banknote recycling unit based on vibrations occurring in the cash box.

2. The storage state determination device according to claim 1, wherein the processor acquires acceleration data detected by an acceleration sensor attached to the cash box as data indicating the vibration, extracts valid data from the acceleration data which is data from a predetermined time from the start of pressing of the pusher plate having a pusher plate that presses the banknotes inserted into the cash box, and determines the storage state based on the valid data.

3. The storage state determination device according to claim 2, wherein the processor converts the time domain valid data into frequency domain valid data, and determines the storage state based on a first effective value which is the effective value of the time domain valid data and a second effective value which is the effective value of the valid data at a specific frequency in the frequency domain valid data.

4. The storage state determination device according to claim 3, wherein the processor plots coordinate points corresponding to a pair of first effective values ​​and second effective values ​​on a two-dimensional coordinate system, and determines the storage state based on the plotted state of the coordinate points on the two-dimensional coordinate system.

5. The storage state determination device according to claim 4, wherein the processor determines that the storage state is worse the greater the plot state is in the two-dimensional coordinate system, the greater the first effective value and the second effective value are.

6. The storage state determination device according to claim 1, wherein the processor transmits a message notifying the storage state when it determines that the storage state is not in a normal state.

7. A method for determining the storage state of banknotes stored in a cash box, wherein the processor determines the storage state of banknotes stored in the cash box of a banknote recycling unit based on vibrations occurring in the cash box.

8. A storage state determination program that causes a processor to perform a process to determine the storage state of banknotes stored in a cash box, based on vibrations occurring in the cash box of a banknote recycling unit.

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