Money handling machine

In a control unit (50), a predetermined amount of money of fund money that is the money to be dispensed as the change or the like (i.e., predetermined denominations and the number for each denomination or predetermined total amount of the fund money) is set in advance. The control unit (50) controls an insertion unit (12), a transport unit (16), a storing unit (22) and an escrow unit (20), so as to automatically perform a dispensing process for feeding the money corresponding to the predetermined amount of the fund money from the storing unit (22) to a dispensing unit (14), after the control unit (50) serves to perform a depositing process for taking the money into a casing (10) from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit (12), and then feeding the money taken in the casing (10) to the escrow unit (20).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a money handling machine configured to store therein money, such as banknotes, coins or the like, put into a casing from the exterior thereof. It is noted that the term “money” may be used herein for expressing either of the banknotes and coins.

BACKGROUND ART

In the past, as the money handling machine adapted for storing therein the money, such as the banknotes, coins or the like, one machine as disclosed in JP2002-312833A (Patent Document 1) or JP2004-145600A (Patent Document 2) has been known. The money handling machine of this type is designed to be installed in a store, such as a retail store or the like, and is adapted for allowing the money related to sales proceeds in the store to be deposited in the machine. Further, this money handling machine is adapted for allowing fund money for change (or change fund) expected to be used in each register during the next business time to be dispensed from the machine, after the business time is ended in the store or the like.

The Patent Document 1 discloses a money deposit/dispense system that includes a deposit/dispense machine including a recycling storing unit adapted for storing therein cash managed on the side of the store as well as adapted for performing a deposit/dispense process for the cash, and a cassette storing unit adapted for storing therein the cash. More specifically, the recycling storing unit is managed on the side of the store, while the cassette storing unit is managed by a money collector (i.e. money collecting company) in charge of collecting the sales proceeds. In this money deposit/dispense system disclosed in the Patent Document 1, the cash put into the deposit/dispense machine is stored in the recycling storing unit. Then, the cash is fed from the recycling storing unit to the cassette storing unit. Thus, the cash is delivered from the store to the money collector. In this case, the cash stored in the recycling storing unit is managed as the fund money for change or (change fund), while the cash stored in the cassette storing unit is managed as the sales proceeds.

The Patent Document 2 discloses a recycling banknote deposit/dispense machine. In this recycling banknote deposit/dispense machine disclosed in the Patent Document 2, a depositing process for counting and recognizing the money put into the casing via a deposit unit, and then escrowing the money in an escrow unit, and thereafter identifying an operator, and finally storing the money escrowed in the escrow unit, in a plurality of stackers respectively placed in a safe, for each denomination, and a dispensing process for dispensing the money, corresponding to a designated amount of money or number for each denomination are performed, respectively. In this case, the money stored in the storing unit is managed under management authority of the money collector in charge of collecting the sales of proceeds.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

As described above, after the business time is ended in the store or the like, the money, such as the banknotes, coins or the like, collected from each register is counted in the money handling machine, and the fund money for the change expected to be used in each register during the next business time is prepared. Meanwhile, the money related to the sales proceeds is delivered to the money collector in charge of collecting the sales proceeds.

In the money handling machine as disclosed in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2, the operator starts the operation for the dispensing process, once the depositing process for the money is ended, or otherwise the operator starts the operation for the depositing process, once the dispensing process for the money is ended. Therefore, the operator has to wait the end of a first process performed in the money handling machine before this operator starts a second process in the same money handling machine. However, in the case the operator has to perform many operations in a short time, as in the case after the business time is ended, such a work requiring so much waiting time may rather deteriorate the working efficiency. Of course, it is possible for the operator to perform another operation after the operation for the first process is started, and then start the operation for the second process after the operation for the first process is ended. However, in such a case, it is necessary for the operator to perform two operations. Therefore, the operator may tend to inadvertently forget to do the operation for the second process and thus leave it undone.

Further, in the recycling banknote deposit/dispense machine disclosed in the Patent Document 2, the time for transporting or feeding the money once escrowed in the escrow unit to the stackers for each denomination should be required. This operation increases the time required for the depositing process for the banknotes. Therefore, in the case the dispensing process is performed once the depositing process for the banknotes is ended, the time required for handling the banknotes should be increased so much.

The present invention was made in light of the above circumstances. Therefore, it is an object to provide the money handling machine capable of performing both of the depositing process and dispensing process in one operation, and hence substantially reducing the waiting time of the operator required between the two processes, as well as securely preventing the operator from inadvertently forgetting to do the operation for the second or dispensing process and thus leaving it undone.

The money handling machine of the present invention is adapted for handling the money and includes: a casing; an insertion unit configured to allow the money to be put into the casing from the exterior thereof; a dispensing unit configured to dispense the money present in the casing to the exterior of the casing; a transport unit provided in the casing, connected with each of the insertion unit and dispensing unit, and configured to transport the money in the casing; a recognition unit provided to the transport unit and configured to recognize the money put into the casing from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit; a storing unit connected with the transport unit in the casing, and configured to store therein the money fed from the transport unit and feed the money stored therein to the transport unit; an escrow unit connected with the transport unit in the casing, and configured to escrow the money put into the casing from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit and then recognized by the recognition unit; and a control unit configured to control the insertion unit, the transport unit, the storing unit and the escrow unit, and a predetermined amount of fund money that is the money to be dispensed is set in the control unit, and the control unit serves to automatically perform a dispensing process for feeding the money corresponding to the predetermined amount of the fund money from the storing unit to the dispensing unit, after the control unit serves to perform a depositing process for taking the money into the casing from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit, and then feeding the money taken in the casing to the escrow unit. As used herein, the “predetermined amount of the fund money that is the money to be dispensed” means predetermined denominations and the number for each denomination or predetermined total amount of the fund money.

According to this money handling machine, the predetermined amount of the fund money that is the money to be dispensed, such as the change or the like (i.e., the predetermined denominations and number for each denomination or predetermined total amount of the fund money) is set in the control unit. This control unit serves to automatically perform the dispensing process for feeding the money corresponding to the predetermined amount of the fund money from the storing unit to the dispensing unit, after the control unit serves to perform the depositing process for taking the money into the casing from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit, and then feeding the money taken in the casing to the escrow unit. Therefore, the dispensing process for the money corresponding to the predetermined amount of the money set in the control unit can be performed, automatically, after the depositing process for the money is performed. Thus, the operator can perform both of the depositing process and dispensing process for the money in one operation. As such, the waiting time of the operator required between the two processes can be substantially reduced, as well as the risk that the operator may inadvertently forget to do the operation for the dispensing process and thus this dispensing process may be left undone can be securely eliminated.

In the money handling machine of this invention, it is preferred that the control unit serves to automatically perform a storing process for feeding the money from the escrow unit to the storing unit, after the control unit serves to perform the dispensing process. With this operation, the dispensing process can be performed before the storing process, unlike the case in which the dispensing process is performed after the money taken in the casing from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit is fed to the escrow unit and then fed to the storing unit from the escrow unit. Thus, the operator can take out the fund money, such as the change or the like, more rapidly, from the casing. Further, in this case, since the storing process is automatically performed after the dispensing process, the risk that the operator may inadvertently forget to do the operation for the storing process and thus this storing process may be left undone can be securely eliminated.

In the money handling machine of this invention, it is preferred that the escrow unit is managed under first management authority, and the storing unit is managed under second management authority different from the first management authority, and when the money is fed from the escrow unit to the storing unit, the management authority for handling the money is shifted from the first management authority to the second management authority.

The money handling machine of the present invention is adapted for handling the money, and includes: a casing; an insertion unit configured to allow the money to be put into the casing from the exterior thereof; a dispensing unit configured to dispense the money present in the casing to the exterior of the casing; a transport unit provided in the casing, connected with each of the insertion unit and dispensing unit, and configured to transport the money in the casing; a recognition unit provided to the transport unit and configured to recognize the money put into the casing from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit; a storing unit connected with the transport unit in the casing, and configured to store therein the money fed from the transport unit and feed the money stored therein to the transport unit; and a control unit configured to control the insertion unit, the transport unit and the storing unit, and a predetermined amount of fund money that is the money to be dispensed is set in the control unit, and the control unit serves to automatically perform a dispensing process for feeding the money corresponding to the predetermined amount of the fund money from the storing unit to the dispensing unit, after the control unit serves to perform a storing process for taking the money into the casing from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit, and then feeding the money taken in the casing to the storing unit. As used herein, the “predetermined amount of the fund money that is the money to be dispensed” means the predetermined denominations and number for each denomination or predetermined total amount of the fund money.

According to this money handling machine, the predetermined amount of the fund money that is the money to be dispensed, such as the change or the like (i.e., the predetermined denominations and number for each denomination or predetermined total amount of the fund money) is set in the control unit. This control unit serves to automatically perform the dispensing process for feeding the money corresponding to the predetermined amount of the fund money from the storing unit to the dispensing unit, after the control unit serves to perform a depositing and storing process for taking the money into the casing from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit, and then feeding the money taken in the casing to the storing unit. Therefore, the dispensing process for the money corresponding to the predetermined amount of the money set in the control unit can be performed, automatically, after the depositing and storing process for the money is performed. Thus, the operator can perform both of the depositing and storing process and dispensing process for the money in one operation. As such, the waiting time of the operator required between such two processes can be substantially reduced, as well as the risk that the operator may inadvertently forget to do the dispensing process and thus this dispensing process may be left undone can be securely eliminated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, the money handling machine related to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described, with reference to the drawings. It is noted that the money handling machine related to this embodiment is a banknote handling machine adapted for storing the banknotes taken into the casing from the exterior thereof, in the storing unit, as well as adapted for dispensing the banknotes stored in the storing unit to the exterior of the casing.FIGS. 1 through 3are respectively provided for illustrating the first embodiment of the money handling machine according to the present invention. Of these drawings, the perspective view ofFIG. 1illustrates the construction of the money handling machine related to this embodiment, the side view ofFIG. 2schematically illustrates the internal construction of the casing of the money handling machine shown inFIG. 1, and the block diagram ofFIG. 3illustrates the control system for the money handling machine shown inFIG. 1.

Namely, one exemplary perspective view of the banknote handling machine1of this embodiment is shown inFIG. 1. Now, referring toFIGS. 1 through 3, especially referring toFIG. 2, the banknote handling machine1will be described. As shown in these drawings, the banknote handling machine1includes a casing10having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a banknote insertion unit12adapted for allowing the banknotes to be put into the casing10from the exterior thereof, and a banknote dispensing unit14adapted for allowing the banknotes stored in the casing10to be dispensed to the exterior. Further, a transport unit16is provided in the casing10. This transport unit16serves to transport the banknotes, respectively put into the casing10from the exterior thereof via an banknote insertion unit12, in the casing10. Further, in this casing10, one escrow unit20is connected with the transport unit16. The escrow unit20is adapted for escrowing therein the banknotes respectively put into the casing10from the exterior thereof via the banknote insertion unit12.

Further, in the casing10, a plurality of, for example, six, storing units22are connected with the transport unit16, respectively. Each storing unit22is adapted for storing therein the banknotes, respectively put into the casing10from the exterior thereof via the banknote insertion unit12and then transported by the transport unit16. Further, each storing unit22is adapted for feeding out the banknotes stored therein to the transport unit16. In this case, the banknotes respectively fed out to the transport unit16are further fed to the banknote dispensing unit14, such that the operator can take out the banknotes fed to the banknote dispensing unit14. As shown inFIG. 3, a control unit50adapted for controlling each component of the banknote handling machine1is provided to the banknote handling machine1.

Hereinafter, each component provided in the banknote handling machine1will be described in more detail.

The banknote handling machine1includes the casing10having the substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 1, the casing10is provided as a vertical type casing that is relatively narrow in the width or lateral direction, relatively long in the longitudinal direction and relatively high in the vertical direction.

In the casing10, as shown inFIG. 2, an upper unit10pand a lower unit10qare provided, such that the two units10p,10qcan be pulled out, leftward inFIG. 2, from a front face (or left side face inFIG. 2) of the casing10.

In a top face of the upper unit10p, a dispensing slot or outlet14afor allowing the banknotes to be dispensed from the casing10and an insertion slot or inlet12afor allowing the banknotes to be inserted or put into the casing10are provided, respectively. Further, a display/operation unit34is provided to the top face of the upper unit10p. This display/operation unit34serves to display the process condition or the like of the banknotes in the banknote handling machine1and allow the operator to input various commands to the control unit50of the banknote handling machine1. In this case, the display/operation unit34is composed of, for example, a touch panel or the like.

Further, in a front face of the upper unit10p, a unit lock40that can be operated by the operator is provided for locking or unlocking the upper unit10p, while this unit10pis being stored in the casing10. Once this unit lock40is released, the upper unit10pcan be pulled out, leftward inFIG. 2, from the casing10.

In addition, a door30that can be optionally opened and closed is attached to a lower portion in the front face of the casing10. Further, a numeric locking mechanism46is provided to the door30. This locking mechanism46serves to lock or unlock the door30, while the door30is being closed, with the lower unit10qstored in the casing10. It is noted that the locking mechanism46can be operated by only a certain person in charge of collecting the money of the money collector in charge of collecting the sales proceeds. Namely, the clerk or the like on the side of the store cannot release this locking mechanism46. Once the locking mechanism46is released to unlock and open the door30, the lower unit10qcan be pulled out, leftward inFIG. 2, from the casing10. Further, as shown inFIG. 1, a handle44for opening and closing the door30is provided to the door30.

As shown inFIG. 2, in the upper unit10p, a box-like banknote dispensing unit14and a box-like banknote insertion unit12are respectively provided to lower portions of the dispensing slot14aand inlet12a. Each of the banknote dispensing unit14and banknote insertion unit12is adapted for storing therein the banknotes, in a standing state, with the two short edges of each rectangular banknote being vertically oriented. A transparent shutter14cis provided to the banknote dispensing unit14, such that this shutter14ccan be optionally opened and closed. In this case, the transparent shutter14ccan serve to close the banknote dispensing unit14during the dispensing process for the banknotes and open the banknote dispensing unit14after the dispensing process for the banknotes is ended. With the provision of this transparent shutter14c, the banknotes being respectively transported to the banknote dispensing unit14can be visually confirmed through the closed transparent shutter14c, during the dispensing process for feeding the banknotes from the transport unit16to the banknote dispensing unit14.

The banknote insertion unit12includes a tray (not shown) adapted for receiving the banknotes put into the banknote insertion unit12via the banknote inlet12a, in the standing state, and a kicker roller12dadapted for kicking out the banknotes, respectively pushed thereon by the tray moved upon the start of the insertion process for the banknotes, downward, one by one. Further, a feed roller12band a gate roller12care provided to the banknote insertion unit12, respectively. In this case, the feed roller12band gate roller12crespectively serve to grasp each banknote kicked out downward by the kicker roller12d, and feed out the banknotes, one by one, toward the transport unit16.

Further, a stacking wheel14bfor beating each banknote is provided to the banknote dispensing unit14, so as to feed the banknotes respectively transported by the transport unit16, into the banknote dispensing unit14, one by one, in the standing state. In addition, a tray (not shown) is provided to the banknote dispensing unit14, so as to receive the banknotes, respectively fed into the banknote dispensing unit14by the stacking wheel14bfor beating each banknote, in the standing state. This tray can be moved, depending on the amount of the banknotes received therein, in order to receive each banknote in a fixed position. Thus, the banknotes can be arranged and stacked forward in the tray, while keeping the standing state.

Further, as shown inFIG. 2, the escrow unit20is provided in the upper unit10p. This escrow unit20can serve to escrow (or temporarily hold) the banknotes, respectively taken into the casing10from the exterior thereof via the banknote insertion unit12and then transported by the transport unit16, collectively, in a mixed state of the denominations thereof. More specifically, the escrow unit20is adapted for receiving the banknotes respectively fed from the transport unit16, one by one, and then escrowing (or temporarily holding) such fed banknotes, collectively, in a stacked condition. Further, this escrow unit20can serve to feed out the banknotes escrowed (or temporarily held) therein, one by one, toward the transport unit16.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 2, a kicker roller20cis provided to the escrow unit20. This kicker roller20cis adapted for kicking out the banknotes, respectively stored, in the stacked condition, in the escrow unit20, toward the transport unit16, one by one, successively, from the uppermost banknote. Further, a feed roller20aand a gate roller20bare provided to the escrow unit20, respectively. In this case, the feed roller20aand gate roller20brespectively serve to grasp each banknote kicked out by the kicker roller20c, and feed out the banknotes, one by one, toward the transport unit16.

Further, a banknote insertion detection sensor20dadapted for detecting that the banknote is put or inserted into the escrow unit20is provided to the escrow unit20. When this banknote insertion detection sensor20ddetects that the banknote is inserted into the escrow unit20, this detection information is sent to the control unit50.

Additionally, the transport unit16adapted for transporting the banknotes in the casing10is provided in this casing10. This transport unit16serves to transport the banknotes, respectively fed out from the banknote insertion unit12toward the transport unit16, one by one, along a transport path, to the escrow unit20, storing unit22, reject box24or the like. Further, the transport unit16can serve to feed the banknotes, respectively escrowed in the escrow unit20, one by one, to the banknotes dispensing unit14, storing unit22or the like. Furthermore, the transport unit16can serve to feed the banknotes, respectively stored in the storing unit22, one by one, to the banknote dispensing unit14or the like. This transport unit16is composed of, for example, a proper combination of circular belt mechanisms, such that the transport direction of the banknotes along the transport path can be optionally changed in both of the forward and backward directions.

Further, as shown inFIG. 2, diverters26are provided, respectively, at points where the transport path in the transport unit16is bifurcated. As such, the route, along which the banknotes are respectively transported, can be switched by each diverter26. The switching operation of the transport route for the banknotes performed by each diverter26is controlled by the control unit50that will be described later.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 2, a recognition unit18is provided to the transport path in the transport unit16. For instance, this recognition unit18serves to recognize the banknotes, one by one, about the denomination, authenticity, fitness or the like thereof, once the banknotes are fed out, one by one, to the transport unit16from the banknote insertion unit12. The recognition result on each banknote recognized by the recognition unit18is sent to the control unit50that will be described later.

Further, as shown inFIG. 2, the reject box24adapted for storing therein reject banknotes is fixedly positioned in a front region of the lower unit10qin the casing10. Further, in a region of the lower unit10qpositioned backward relative to the reject box24, the plurality of, for example, six, storing units22, respectively adapted for storing therein the banknotes, for example, for each denomination thereof, are fixedly arranged in the longitudinal direction. The reject box24and each storing unit22are connected with the transport unit16, respectively.

In each storing unit22, a stacking table22aadapted for stacking thereon the banknotes is provided to be optionally lifted and lowered in the vertical direction. Each stacking table22ais provided for placing thereon the banknotes in the stacked condition.

Further, as shown inFIG. 2, each storing unit22includes feed rollers22b,22c, respectively adapted for feeding the banknotes onto the stacking table22afrom the transport unit16when the banknotes are stored in the storing unit22, a kicker roller22dadapted for kicking out the banknotes stacked on the stacking table22a, one by one, when the banknotes stored in the storing unit22are fed out from the storing unit22, and a feed roller22eand a gate roller22frespectively adapted for feeding out each banknote fed out by the kicker roller22dtoward the transport unit16. In this case, since the level or height of the banknotes is increased each time the banknotes are stored and stacked on the stacking table22awhen the banknote are stored in each storing unit22, the stacking table22ais lowered each time the banknotes are stacked. Meanwhile, when the banknotes stored in each storing unit22are fed out from the storing unit22, the stacking table22ais elevated in order to press the banknotes against the kicker roller22d, so that the banknotes can be fed out, one by one, toward the feed roller22eand gate roller22f, with the rotation of the kicker roller22d.

The reject box24is provided for receiving the reject banknotes, such as the banknotes, not respectively recognized as normal banknotes by the recognition unit18, or banknotes that cannot be recognized by the recognition unit18, respectively fed from the transport unit16. Such reject banknotes are stacked in this reject box24, in the mixed state of the denomination thereof.

As shown inFIG. 3, the control unit50is connected with each component of the banknote handling machine1, e.g., the banknote insertion unit12, banknote dispensing unit14, transport unit16, recognition unit18, escrow unit20, respective storing units22, respective diverters26, banknote insertion detection sensor20dand display/operation unit34. Further, the control unit50is provided for receiving the information sent from the recognition unit18. This information is related to the recognition result on each banknote recognized by the recognition unit18. In addition, the control unit50is provided for receiving the various commands respectively inputted thereto by the operator via the display/operation unit34. Furthermore, this control unit50can serve to control each of the banknote insertion unit12, banknote dispensing unit14, transport unit16, escrow unit20, respective storing units22, respective diverters26and display/operation unit34. It is noted that the method for controlling each component under the control of the control unit15will be described later.

Further, as shown inFIG. 3, the control unit50is connected with an interface52, and this interface52is connected with a higher-ranking machine. Thus, the control unit50can serve to transmit and receive the signal relative to the higher-ranking machine.

Next, the operation of the banknote handling machine1constructed as described above will be discussed. It is noted that the operation of the banknote handling machine1as will be described later is performed, by controlling each component of this banknote handling machine1under the control of the control unit50.

First, the operator inputs a command for setting a mode with the depositing process and dispensing process, as a process mode for the banknote, to the control unit50, via the display/operation unit34. More specifically, when the operator selects a depositing mode via the display/operation unit34, a “CHANGE DISPENSE” key is displayed on a display screen in the depositing mode of the display/operation unit34. Thereafter, when the operator pushes down the “CHANGE DISPENSE” key on the display screen in the depositing mode, the mode with the depositing process and dispensing process is selected. Further, on the display screen in the depositing mode of the display/operation section34, a “TRANSACTION ACCEPT•END” key is also displayed. Namely, the “CHANGE DISPENSE” key and “TRANSACTION ACCEPT•END” key are respectively displayed on the same screen of the display/operation unit34. Otherwise, when the operator selects a dispensing mode via the display/operation unit34, a “DEPOSIT” key is displayed on the display screen in the dispensing mode of the display/operation unit34. Thereafter, when the operator pushes down the “DEPOSIT” key on the display screen in the dispensing mode, the mode with the depositing process and dispensing process is selected. Of course, the operator may input any other suitable command for performing another process mode (e.g., for performing only the depositing process), than the mode with the depositing process and dispensing process, to the control unit50.

In the case the mode with the depositing process and dispensing process is set, as the process mode for handling the banknotes, in the control unit50, the operator inputs the amount of the fund money that is the money to be dispensed as the change or the like (i.e., the denominations and number for each denomination or total amount of the fund money) to the control unit50via the display/operation unit34. Then, such input contents are respectively set in the control unit50. In this case, however, the amount the money of the fund money may be set, in advance, in the control unit50, in order to eliminate the need for the operator to input the amount of the fund money, via the display/operation unit34, each time the operation of the money handling machine1is performed. Further, in this case, such a command may be transmitted to the control unit50from the higher-ranking machine via the interface52, in place of being inputted to the control unit50by the operator via the display/operation unit34.

Thereafter, the operator puts the banknotes, in the mixed state of the denominations of money, into the banknote insertion unit12via the inlet12a. Then, the banknotes put into the banknote insertion unit12are fed out, one by one, to the transport unit16, and then fed to the recognition unit18by the transport unit16. Thereafter, the banknotes are recognized, one by one, by the recognition unit18, about the denomination, authenticity, fitness or the like thereof. As a result, the normal banknotes, among the banknotes respectively recognized by the recognition unit18, are fed to the escrow unit20, and escrowed or temporality held in this escrow unit20. Meanwhile, the banknotes that cannot be recognized by the recognition unit18or banknotes that are judged as abnormal banknotes by the recognition unit18are respectively fed, as the reject banknotes, to the banknote dispensing unit14. During this depositing process for the banknotes, the transparent shutter14cis closed. Once the transportation of the banknotes from the banknote insertion unit12to the escrow unit20or banknote dispensing unit14is ended, the transparent shutter14cis automatically opened. Then, the operator takes out the reject banknotes from the banknote dispensing unit14, and in some cases, puts again such banknotes into the banknote insertion unit12.

Further, once the transportation of the banknotes from the banknote insertion unit12to the escrow unit20or banknote dispensing unit14is ended, the banknotes, corresponding to the number for each denomination or total amount of the fund money set in the control unit50, are automatically fed to the banknote dispensing unit14from each storing unit22by the transport unit16. More specifically, the banknotes stored in each storing unit22are fed out, one by one, to the transport unit16, and then transported, one by one, by the transport unit16. In this case, the banknotes fed out by the transport unit16are respectively transported through the recognition unit18, and then the banknotes respectively recognized as the normal banknotes by the recognition unit18are fed to the banknote dispensing unit14, while the banknotes respectively recognized as the abnormal banknotes are fed to the reject box24. During this dispensing process for the banknotes, the transparent shutter14cis closed. Thereafter, when the transportation for the banknotes from each storing unit22to the banknote dispensing unit14or reject box24is ended, the transparent shutter14cis automatically opened, so that the operator can take out the banknotes fed in the banknote dispensing unit14, as the fund money for the change or the like.

In the dispensing process as described above, the display/operation unit34serves to display the number for each denomination and/or total amount of money of the banknotes, as the fund money for the change or the like, fed from each storing unit22to the banknote dispensing unit14, in a count-up (or adding) display manner. Otherwise, the display/operation unit34may serve to display the number for each denomination and/or total amount of money of the banknotes, as the fund money for the change or the like, in a count-down (or subtracting) display manner. Namely, in this count-down display manner, a predetermined number for each denomination and/or predetermined total amount of money of the fund money set in advance in the control unit50is first displayed, and then each value that is obtained by subtracting the number or amount of money of the banknotes actually fed from each storing unit22to the banknote dispensing unit14, from the predetermined number for each denomination or total amount of money is displayed, on the display/operation unit34. In this case, for a certain denomination, if the number of the banknotes actually fed from each storing unit22to the banknote dispensing unit14is insufficient for the predetermined number of the fund money set in advance in the control unit50or if the total amount of money of the banknotes actually fed from each storing unit22to the banknote dispensing unit14is insufficient for the predetermined total amount of the fund money set in advance in the control unit50, some indication for indicating this condition will be displayed on the display/operation unit34.

Alternatively, for a certain denomination, if the number of the banknotes stored in one storing unit22corresponding to the certain denomination is insufficient for the predetermined number of the fund money set in advance in the control unit50, the banknotes of a smaller denomination stored in another storing unit22can be substituted for such insufficient banknotes. For instance, if the number of five-thousand-yen banknotes actually stored in one storing unit22provided for storing therein the five-thousand-yen banknotes is insufficient for the predetermined number of the fund money set in advance in the control unit50, one-thousand-yen banknotes stored in another storing unit22provided for storing therein the one-thousand-yen banknotes can be transported to the banknote dispensing unit14, as the fund money, in place of the five-thousand-yen banknotes, in order to prevent the total amount of the fund money in the banknote dispensing unit14from being insufficient. In regard to such substitution for the insufficient banknotes concerning the fund money, whether or not the substitution is performed can be set in advance via the display/operation unit34.

Once the transportation of the banknotes from each storing unit22to the banknote dispensing unit14or reject box24is ended, the banknotes escrowed in the escrow unit20will be automatically fed out, one by one, to the transport unit16, and recognized again by the recognition unit18, and then stored in each storing unit22for each denomination. In this case, the escrow unit20is managed under the management authority provided on the side of the store (or first management authority), while each storing unit22is managed under the management authority provided on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money (or second management authority). Therefore, by performing such a storing process for the banknotes as described above, the management authority for handling the banknotes is shifted from the side of the store to the side of the person in charge of collecting the money.

As described above, according to the banknote handling machine1of this embodiment, the predetermined amount of the fund money that is the money to be dispensed as the change or the like (i.e., the predetermined denominations and number for each denomination or predetermined total amount of the fund money) is set in the control unit50. In this case, the control unit50serves to perform the depositing process for first taking the banknotes into the casing10from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit12, and then feeding such banknotes taken into the casing10to the escrow unit20, and thereafter perform, automatically, the dispensing process for feeding the banknotes, corresponding to the predetermined amount of the money set as the fund money to be dispensed, from each storing unit22to the banknote dispensing unit14. In this way, the dispensing process for the banknotes, corresponding to the predetermined amount of the money set in the control unit50, can be automatically performed after the depositing process for the banknotes is performed. Thus, the operator can perform both of the depositing process and dispensing process for the banknotes, in one operation, via the display/operation unit34. Therefore, the waiting time of the operator required between the two processes can be substantially reduced, as well as the risk that the operator may inadvertently forget to do the dispensing process and thus this dispensing process may be left undone can be eliminated.

In addition, after the dispensing process is performed, the control unit50serves to automatically perform the storing process (or delivery process) for feeding the banknotes from the escrow unit20to each storing unit22. Therefore, unlike the case in which the dispensing process for the banknotes is performed after the banknotes taken into the casing10from the exterior thereof via the banknote insertion unit12are fed to the escrow unit20and then fed from the escrow unit20to each storing unit22, the dispensing process can be performed before the storing process. As such, the operator can take out the fund money for the change or the like, more rapidly, to the exterior of the casing10. Further, in this case, since the storing process is performed, automatically, after the dispensing process, the risk that the operator may inadvertently forget to do the storing process and hence this storing process may be left undone can be eliminated. Further, when the storing process (or delivery process) is performed as described above, the management authority for managing the banknotes is shifted from the side of the store to the side of the person in charge of collecting the money.

It should be noted that the money handling machine of this embodiment is not limited to the above aspect, and various modification or variations can be made thereto. For instance, the money handling machine according to this embodiment may also be applicable for handling the coins. In this case, a coin escrow unit is provided in the casing, for escrowing (or temporarily holding) the coins that have been put into the casing from the exterior thereof via the insertion unit or the like and then recognized by the recognition unit or the like.

Further, in the case the amount of the fund money (i.e., the denominations and number for each denomination or total amount of the fund money) is set in advance in the control unit50and in which the mode with the depositing process and dispensing process is inputted, as the process mode for the banknotes, to the control unit50, if the number of the banknotes stored in one storing unit22corresponding to a certain denomination is insufficient for the predetermined number of the fund money set in advance in the control unit50or if the total amount of money of the banknotes stored in each storing unit22is insufficient for the predetermined total amount of the fund money set in advance in the control unit50, the “CHANGE DISPENSE” key may not be displayed.

Further, in the control unit50, the dispensing process for the banknotes may be definitely set to be performed together with the depositing process for the banknotes. In this case, even in the case the operator selects the depositing mode via the display/operation unit34, if the “CHANGE” key has not been pushed down on the display screen in the depositing mode of the display/operation unit34upon the selection of the depositing mode, the “TRANSACTION ACCEPT•END” key is not displayed. Further, in this case, when the operator pushes down the “TRANSACTION ACCEPT•END” key after the depositing process for the banknotes and the following dispensing process are respectively performed, the transaction for the depositing process and dispensing process will be accepted, and a series of operations for the two processes will be ended.

Further, in this embodiment, each storing unit for storing therein the banknotes is not limited to such a type, as shown inFIG. 2and so on, that is configured for allowing the banknotes to be respectively placed, in the stacked condition, on the stacking table. For instance, each storing unit may be of a type as shown inFIG. 8. Namely, the storing unit23shown inFIG. 8includes a drum23athat can be optionally rotated in both of the forward and backward directions, and a pair of tapes23b,23c. In this case, each banknote can be wound around the drum23a, together with the pair of tapes23b,23c, while the banknote is grasped or held between the two tapes23b,23c.

Additionally, in place of the banknote insertion unit12and banknote dispensing unit14provided separately from each other, the banknote insertion unit12and banknote dispensing unit14may be provided as one integrated unit.

Second Embodiment

Now, the money handling machine related to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described, with reference to the drawings. As will be described below, the money handling machine related to this embodiment includes the money storing unit adapted for storing therein the money, such as the banknotes, coins or the like, respectively taken in the casing from the exterior thereof.FIGS. 4 through 7are provided for respectively illustrating the money handling machine related to the second embodiment of this invention. Of these drawings, the perspective view ofFIG. 4illustrates the construction of the banknote handling machine related to this embodiment, andFIG. 5schematically illustrates the construction of the banknote handling machine provided in the money handling machine shown inFIG. 4.FIG. 6schematically illustrates the construction of the coin handling machine provided in the money handling machine shown inFIG. 4, and the block diagram ofFIG. 7is provided for illustrating the control system of the money handling machine shown inFIG. 4.

As shown inFIG. 4, a money handling machine60includes a casing61having a substantially rectangular shape. In this casing61, a banknote handling machine70located in an upper right portion of the money handling machine60when this machine60is seen from the front and a coin handling machine80located in an upper left portion of the money handling machine60when this machine60is seen from the front are provided, respectively. Further, in the casing61of the money handling machine60, a money storing unit90adapted for storing therein the coins and banknotes is provided below the banknote handling machine70and coin handling machine80. In this money handling machine60, the banknote handling machine70and coin handling machine80are respectively managed under the management authority provided on the side of the store (or first management authority), while the money storing unit90is managed under the management authority provided on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money (or second management authority).

Hereinafter, each component of the banknote handling machine70, coin handling machine80and money storing unit90will be described.

First, referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the construction of the banknote handling machine70will be described. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the banknote handling machine70includes a banknote inlet71provided for allowing the banknotes to be taken into the banknote handling machine70, a banknote reject slot72provided for rejecting counterfeit banknotes, unrecognizable banknotes or the like, among the banknotes taken in the banknote handling machine70, and a banknote return slot73provided for returning the banknotes, not respectively stored in the money storing unit90, among the banknotes taken in the banknote handling machine70, to the exterior of the banknote handling machine70. Further, as shown inFIG. 5, a transport unit75adapted for transporting the banknotes, respectively taken in the banknote handling machine70via the banknote inlet71, is provided in the banknote handling machine70.

The banknote inlet71is configured for allowing one banknote or one batch of the plurality of banknotes to be collectively put or inserted in a long-edge first orientation. As shown inFIG. 4, a banknote stage78is provided to the banknote inlet71. When the banknote stage78is in a waiting state, this stage78is in an elevated position, in which the operator cannot insert the banknotes through the banknote inlet71. Meanwhile, when the banknotes are handled, the banknote stage78is lowered, such that the operator can insert the banknotes through the banknote inlet71. Further, as shown inFIG. 5, the banknote inlet71is connected with the transport unit75, such that one banknote or one batch of the plurality of banknotes inserted through the banknote inlet71can be transported, one by one, by the transport unit75. In addition, the banknote reject slot72is connected with the transport unit75, as shown inFIG. 5, such that the banknotes respectively recognized as the banknotes to be rejected or banknotes that cannot be recognized, by a recognition unit76that will be described later, among the banknotes taken in the banknote handling machine70via the banknote inlet71, can be fed to the reject slot72from the transport unit75. In this case, the operator can take out the banknotes fed to the banknote reject slot72.

Further, as shown inFIG. 5, a banknote holding unit79connected with the transport unit75is provided to the banknote return slot73. This banknote holding unit79is provided to receive and hold the banknotes respectively fed from the transport unit75. In addition, a door74that can be optionally opened and closed is provided to the banknote return slot73. In the case of returning the banknotes held in the banknote holding unit79, a wall face of the banknote holding unit79located on the front face side of the machine is opened to allow the operator to take out the banknotes through the opened door74. In this case, when the banknotes are respectively in the condition that can allow the banknotes to be taken out, the door74will be automatically opened. In some cases, as will be described later, the banknotes held in the banknote holding unit79will be fed to a banknote storing cassette91(that will be described later) located in the money storing unit90, in place of being taken out from the banknote return slot73by the operator.

The transport unit75can serve to transport the banknotes, one by one, successively, in the banknote handling machine70. More specifically, in this transport unit75, each banknote is transported along the transport path, while being grasped or held between a pair of belts. Further, as shown inFIG. 5, the transport path provided in the transport unit75is bifurcated at various points, and diverters (not shown) are provided, respectively, at the same points as the respective points at which the transport path is bifurcated. Each diverter is composed of, for example, a bifurcating nail, and is controlled by a control unit65that will be described later. Further, a recognition unit76is provided to the transport unit75. This recognition unit76is adapted for recognizing each banknote transported by the transport unit75, one by one. More specifically, this recognition unit76can serve to recognize each banknote transported by the transport unit75, about the denomination, authentication, fitness or the like thereof. The recognition result on each banknote recognized by the recognition unit76is sent to the control unit65that will be described later.

A plurality of (e.g., three) recycling banknote storing units77are arranged, in parallel to one another, in the banknote handling machine70. In general, each of the recycling banknote storing units77ato77cis provided for temporarily storing therein the banknotes, for each denomination. As shown inFIG. 5, each recycling banknote storing unit77has a drum77pthat can be optionally rotated in both of the forward and backward directions. In this case, a pair of tapes are wound around each drum77p. Namely, each banknote fed to one recycling banknote storing unit77from the transport unit75is wound and stored around the drum77p, one by one, together with the pair of tapes, while being grasped or held between the tapes.

The banknote holding unit79is provided to the banknote return slot73, as described above, and is connected with the transport unit75, as shown inFIG. 5. This banknote holding unit79serves to receive the banknotes put into the banknote inlet71and then transported to this unit79by the transport unit75, or serves to receive the banknotes stored in each recycling banknote storing unit77and then transported to this unit79by the transport unit75. In this case, the banknotes respectively fed from the transport unit75can be held, in a batch form, in the banknote holding unit79. In the case of returning the banknotes held in the banknote holding unit79, the wall face of this unit79located on the front face side of the machine is opened as described above, such that the operator can take out the banknotes through the door74. In this case, when the banknotes are respectively in the condition that can allow the banknotes to be taken out, the door74will be automatically opened. Meanwhile, when the banknotes are held in the holding unit79, the banknotes are placed on an escrow plate. Further, when the banknotes held in the holding unit79are stored in the banknote storing cassette91, a stage provided in the banknote storing cassette91is first moved to receive the banknotes placed on the escrow plate of the banknote holding unit79. Thereafter, the banknotes are transferred and placed on the stage, and then the stage is lowered from the banknote holding unit79toward the banknote storing cassette91. Then, the banknotes placed on the stage are pressed from above by a holding member, and thus stored in the banknote storing cassette91.

Next, referring toFIGS. 4 and 6, the construction of the coin handling machine80will be described. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 6, the coin handling machine80includes a coin inlet81provided for allowing the coins to be taken into the coin handling machine80, and a coin return slot82provided for rejecting unrecognizable coins or the like recognized by the recognition unit85athat will be described later, among the coins taken in the coin handling machine80, and returning the coins, not respectively stored in the money storing unit90, among the coins taken in the coin handling machine80, to the exterior of the coin handling machine80. Further, as shown inFIG. 6, a transport unit85adapted for transporting the coins, respectively taken in the coin handling machine80via the coin inlet81, is provided in the coin handling machine80.

The coin inlet81is configured for allowing one or more coins to be collectively put into the coin handling machine80. The coins inserted through the coin inlet81are respectively fed into the coin handling machine80. The coin return slot82is connected with a downstream-side end of the transport unit85, and is configured for allowing the coins fed from the transport unit85to be accumulated in this coin return slot82. Thus, the operator can take out the coins accumulated in the coin return slot82. In this case, as described above, the unrecognizable coins or the like recognized by the recognition unit85athat will be described later, among the coins taken in the coin handling machine80, and the coins, not respectively stored in the money storing unit90, among the coins taken in the coin handling machine80, are respectively fed to the coin return slot82. Namely, such coins are returned to the exterior of the coin handling machine80via the coin return slot82.

As shown inFIG. 6, a coin feeding unit83is provided in the coin handling machine80. This coin feeding unit83is provided to be in communication with the coin inlet81, and serves to temporarily accumulate therein the coins put into the coin handling machine80by the operator via the coin inlet81and then feed out such accumulated coins toward the transport unit85.

The transport unit85serves to transport the coins, one by one, successively, in the coin handling machine80. As shown inFIG. 6, an upstream-side end and the downstream-side end of the transport unit85are connected with the coin feeding unit83and coin return slot82, respectively. Further, a recognition unit85ais provided along the transport unit85. This recognition unit85ais adapted for recognizing the coins transported by the transport unit85, one by one. In this case, the recognition unit85aserves to recognize each coin transported by the transport unit85, about the denomination, authentication and the like thereof. The recognition result on each coin recognized by the recognition unit85ais sent to the control unit65that will be described later.

A plurality of (e.g., six) recycling coin storing units84are arranged, in parallel to one another, in the coin handling machine80. Each recycling coin storing unit84is of a cylindrical shape and configured for taking in and taking out the coins from the top of the storing unit. Further, each recycling coin storing unit84extends in the vertical direction. In general, each of the recycling coin storing units84ato84fis provided for storing therein the coins, for each denomination.

As shown inFIG. 6, seven sorting holes86are arranged in the middle of the transport unit85, with a given interval, in succession, from the coin feeding unit83toward the downstream side. Among such seven sorting holes86, the sorting hole86(or overflow sorting hole86) positioned on the most upstream side is provided for feeding the coins, directly, to a lateral transport unit88that will be described later, from the transport unit85. More specifically, the sorting hole86positioned on the most upstream side serves to feed the coins onto the lateral transport unit88, when the recognition result on the coins respectively recognized by the recognition unit85asatisfies a predetermined condition (e.g., when one recycling coin storing unit84corresponding to a certain denomination of the coins respectively recognized by the recognition unit85ais full up with such coins). The second to seventh sorting holes86arranged from the upstream side are respectively corresponding to the recycling coin storing units84ato84f.

As shown inFIG. 6, a escrow unit89for each denomination of the coins, which is adapted for escrowing therein the coins, is provided to an upper portion of each recycling coin storing unit84extending in the vertical direction. With this configuration, the coins dropped downward from the transport unit85, via each sorting hole86, other than the sorting hole86positioned on the most upstream side among the seven sorting holes86, will be escrowed in the escrow unit89for each denomination of the coins. Thereafter, the coins escrowed in this escrow unit89for each denomination of the coins are stored in each corresponding recycling coin storing unit84. In this case, the escrow unit89for each denomination of the coins includes a dispensing member, such that the coins escrowed in this escrow unit89can also be dispensed by the dispensing member onto the lateral transport unit88that will be described later. Meanwhile, in the case the coins stored in each recycling coin storing unit84are taken out from this recycling coin storing unit84, a stage (not shown) provided to a lower portion of the recycling coin storing unit84is first lifted upward. Thus, the coins placed on this stage will be fed to the escrow unit89for each denomination of the coins, and then dispensed onto the lateral transport unit88by the dispensing member of the escrow unit89for each denomination of the coins.

As shown inFIG. 6, a coin holding unit87ais provided in the coin handling machine80, with a chute87bbeing located above the coin holding unit87a. With this configuration, the coins fed to a top portion of the chute87bfrom the lateral transport unit88that will be described later are respectively fed to the coin holding unit87athrough the chute87b. Then, the coins temporarily held in the coin holding unit87awill be fed to a coin storing cassette92(that will be described later) located in the money storing unit90.

Further, as shown inFIG. 6, the lateral transport unit88is provided in the coin handling machine80. This lateral transport unit88is located in the vicinity of the recycling coin storing units84respectively extending in the vertical direction, and includes, for example, a circular belt88aextending in a substantially horizontal direction. The circular belt88acan be circulated in both of the clockwise and anticlockwise directions inFIG. 6. One end of the lateral transport unit88is positioned in the coin feeding unit83, while the other end of the lateral transport unit88is positioned in the vicinity of the top portion of the chute87b. In this case, when the circular belt88ais rotated in the anticlockwise direction inFIG. 6, the coins placed on the lateral transport unit88will be fed to the coin feeding unit83. Meanwhile, when the circular belt88ais rotated in the clockwise direction inFIG. 6, the coins placed on the lateral transport unit88will be fed to the chute87b, and finally held in the coin holding unit87a.

Now, referring toFIG. 4, the construction of the money storing unit90will be described. As shown inFIG. 4, the money storing unit90is provided to a lower portion of the casing61of the money handling machine60. Further, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the money storing unit90includes the banknote storing cassette91provided for storing therein the banknotes and the coin storing cassette92provided for storing therein the coins. More specifically, the banknote storing cassette91is provided for storing therein the banknotes held in the banknote holding unit79of the banknote handling machine70(seeFIG. 5). Meanwhile, the coin storing cassette92is provided for storing therein the coins held in the coin holding unit87aof the coin handling machine80(seeFIG. 6). In this case, each cassette91,92of the money storing unit90can be pulled out forward from the casing61by the person in charge of collecting the money, such as the sales proceeds or the like, of the money collector. As such, each cassette91,92itself can be collected by the person in charge of collecting the money.

As described above, the banknote handling machine70and coin handling machine80are managed under the management authority provided on the side of the store (or first management authority). Meanwhile, the money storing unit90is managed under the management authority provided on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money (or second management authority). Therefore, the various processes for the banknotes or coins, respectively stored in the recycling banknote storing units77provided in the banknote handling machine70or recycling coin storing units84provided in the coin handling machine80, and access to the deposit/dispense information or money-amount data on such banknotes and coins can be performed by only the operator authorized on the side of the store. Meanwhile, the collection (or collecting process) for the banknotes or coins stored in the money storing unit90can be performed by only the person in charge of collecting the money of the money collector.

Next, other various mechanisms respectively provided in the money handling machine60will be described. As shown inFIG. 4, an operation unit95for allowing the operator to input the various commands to the control unit65(that will be described later) of the money handling machine60, and a display unit94for displaying the process condition or the like concerning the money in the money handling machine60are respectively provided to a top face of the casing61of the money handling machine60. In this case, the operation unit95includes numeric keys, an accept key, a start key, a clear key and a reset key, respectively provided, such that the operator can input the various commands to the control unit65of the money handling machine60, by pushing such keys. For instance, the display unit94is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD).

In a front face of the casing61, a printer93adapted for printing the process contents or the like for the money in the money handling machine60, and a card reader96used for confirming or checking the authority for operating the money handling machine60or the like of the operator are provided, respectively. In this case, the card reader96serves to read the ID information of the ID card carried by each operator.

Next, referring toFIG. 4, the control unit65adapted for controlling each component provided in the money handling machine60will be described. This control unit65is located in the casing61of the money handling machine60.

As shown inFIG. 4, the control unit65is connected with each component of the banknote handling machine70(e.g., the transport unit75, recognition unit76, recycling banknote storing units77, banknote stage78, banknote holding unit79, door74and the like), and is also connected with each component of the coin handling machine80(e.g., the coin feeding unit83, transport unit85, recognition unit85a, lateral transport unit88, recycling coin storing units84including the escrow unit89for each denomination of the coins, coin holding unit87aand the like). Further, the control unit65is connected with the money storing unit90, display unit94, operation unit95, printer93and card reader96, and is also connected with a memory unit97and the like. In addition, the control unit65is connected with the higher-ranking machine via the interface66.

This control unit65can serve to receive the recognition result on each banknote sent from the recognition unit76of the banknote handling machine70as well as receive the recognition result on each coin sent from the recognition unit85aof the coin handling machine80. Further, the control unit65can serve to receive information, such as the ID information of the operator or the like, inputted via the operation unit95or read from the ID card by the card reader96.

In this case, for the operation of the money handling machine60, the control unit65can serve to check the authority given to the operator, based on the ID information or the like of the operator inputted via the operation unit95or read from the card reader96. In addition, the control unit65can serve to control each component of the banknote handling machine70and coin handling machine80, as well as control the display unit94, printer93and the like.

Now, a series of operations for handling the money, e.g., for storing the money, such as the banknotes, coins or the like taken in the casing61from the exterior thereof, in the money storing unit90of the money handling machine60, as shown inFIGS. 4 through 7, will be discussed.

First, the operator inputs the command for setting the mode with the depositing process and dispensing process, as the process mode for the banknote, to the control unit65, via the operation unit95. Then, the operator inputs the amount of the fund money that is the money to be dispensed as the change or the like (i.e., the denominations and number for each denomination or total amount of the fund money) to the control unit65, via the operation unit95. In this way, such input contents will be set in the control unit65. In this case, however, such a command may be transmitted to the control unit65from the higher-ranking machine via the interface66, in place of being inputted to the control unit65by the operator via the operation unit95.

Thereafter, when the operator puts the banknotes, among the money, such as the sales proceeds of the store or the like, into the banknote handling machine70via the banknote inlet71, the banknotes, respectively inserted through the banknote inlet71, are transported, one by one, by the transport unit75, and then recognized by the recognition unit76, about the denomination, authenticity, fitness or the like thereof. As a result, the normal banknotes, among the banknotes respectively recognized by the recognition unit76, are fed to each recycling banknote storing unit77. Meanwhile, the banknotes that cannot be recognized by the recognition unit76or banknotes that are judged as the abnormal banknotes by the recognition unit76are respectively fed, as the reject banknotes, to the banknote reject slot72. Once the transportation of the banknotes from the banknote inlet71to each recycling banknote storing unit77or banknote reject slot72is ended, the operator takes out the reject banknotes from the banknote reject slot72.

Then, the banknotes, corresponding to the predetermined amount of the fund money (i.e., the predetermined number for each denomination or total amount of the fund money) set in the control unit65, will be fed to the banknote holding unit79from each recycling banknote storing unit77by the transport unit75. More specifically, the banknotes stored in each recycling banknote storing unit77are fed, one by one, to the transport unit75, and then transported, one by one, by the transport unit75. Further, during this transportation, the banknotes fed out to the transport unit75are passed through the recognition unit76. At this time, the banknotes, respectively judged as the normal banknotes by the recognition unit76, will be fed to the banknote holding unit79, while the banknotes, not respectively judged as the normal banknotes, will be fed to the banknote reject slot72. Once the transportation for the banknotes from each recycling banknote storing unit77to the banknote holding unit79or banknote reject slot72is ended, the wall face of the banknote holding unit79located on the side of the front face of the machine is opened, so as to allow the operator to take out the banknotes, as the fund money for the change or the like, from the banknote holding unit79through the door74.

In the dispensing process for the banknotes as described above, the display unit94serves to display the number for each denomination and/or total amount of money of the banknotes, as the fund money for the change or the like, fed from each recycling banknote storing unit77to the banknote holding unit79, in the count-up (or adding) manner. Otherwise, the display unit94may serve to display the number for each denomination and/or total amount of money of the banknotes, in the count-down (or subtracting) manner, in which the predetermined number for each denomination and/or predetermined total amount of money of the fund money set in advance in the control unit65is first displayed, and then each value obtained by subtracting the number or amount of money of the banknotes actually fed from each recycling banknote storing unit77to the banknote holding unit79, from the predetermined number for each denomination or total amount of money is displayed, on the display unit94. In this case, for a certain denomination, if the number of the banknotes actually fed from each recycling banknote storing unit77to the banknote holding unit79is insufficient for the predetermined number of the fund money set in advance in the control unit65or if the total amount of money of the banknotes actually fed from each recycling banknote storing unit77to the banknote holding unit79is insufficient for the predetermined total amount of the fund money set in advance in the control unit65, some indication for indicating this condition will be displayed on the display unit94.

Alternatively, for a certain denomination, if the number of the banknotes actually stored in one recycling banknote storing unit77corresponding to the certain denomination is insufficient for the predetermined number of the fund money set in advance in the control unit65, the banknotes of a smaller denomination stored in another recycling banknote storing unit77can be substituted for such insufficient banknotes. For instance, if the number of five-thousand-yen banknotes actually stored in one recycling banknote storing unit77provided for storing therein the five-thousand-yen banknotes is insufficient for the predetermined number of the fund money set in advance in the control unit65, one-thousand-yen banknotes stored in another recycling banknote storing unit77provided for storing therein the one-thousand-yen banknotes can be transported to the banknote holding unit79, as the fund money, in place of the five-thousand-yen banknotes, in order to prevent the total amount of the fund money in the banknote holding unit79from being insufficient. In regard to such substitution for the insufficient banknotes concerning the fund money, whether or not the substitution is performed can be set in advance via the operation unit95.

Then, another case in which the operator puts the coins, among the money, such as the sales proceeds of the store or the like, into the coin inlet81of the coin handling machine80will be described. When the operator puts the coins into the coin inlet81of the coin handling machine80, the coins are first fed to the coin feeding unit83from the coin inlet81, and then fed out, one by one, to the transport unit85from the coin feeding unit83. Thereafter, the coins are transported, one by one, by the transport unit85, and then recognized by the recognition unit85aabout the denomination, authenticity, fitness or the like thereof. As a result, the normal coins, among the coins recognized by the recognition unit85a, are dropped downward from the transport unit85via each selection hole86, and then fed to the escrow unit89for each denomination of the coins. Thereafter, the coins are fed to each recycling coin storing unit84from the escrow unit89for each denomination of the coins, and then stored in the recycling coin storing units84, for each denomination. Meanwhile, the coins that cannot be recognized by the recognition unit85a, or coins that are not judged as the normal coins are fed, as reject coins, to the coin return slot82. In this way, once the transportation for the coins from the coin feeding unit83to each recycling coin storing unit84or coin return slot82is ended, the operator will take out the reject coins from the coin return slot82.

Thereafter, the coins are fed, automatically, to the lateral transport unit88, from each recycling coin storing unit84through the escrow unit89for each denomination of the coins, corresponding to the predetermined amount of the fund money (i.e., corresponding to the predetermined number for each denomination or total amount of the fund money) set in the control unit65, and then further fed to the coin feeding unit83from the lateral transport unit88. Thereafter, the coins are fed out, one by one, to the transport unit85from the coin feeding unit83, and then such fed-out coins are transported to the coin return slot82by the transport unit85. In this way, once the transportation of the coins from each recycling coin storing unit84to the coin return slot82is ended, the operator will take out the coins, as the fund money for the change or the like, from the coin return slot82.

In the dispensing process for the coins as described above, the display unit94serves to display the number for each denomination and/or total amount of money of the coins, as the fund money for the change or the like, fed from each recycling coin storing unit84to the coin return slot82, in the count-up (or adding) manner. Otherwise, the display unit94may serve to display the number for each denomination and/or total amount of money of the coins, in the count-down (or subtracting) manner, in which the predetermined number for each denomination and/or predetermined total amount of money of the fund money set in advance in the control unit65is first displayed, and then each value obtained by subtracting the number or amount of money of the coins actually fed from each recycling coin storing unit84to the coin return slot82, from the predetermined number for each denomination or total amount of money is displayed, on the display unit94. In this case, for a certain denomination, if the number of the coins actually fed from each recycling coin storing unit84to the coin return slot82is insufficient for the predetermined number of the fund money set in advance in the control unit65or if the total amount of money of the coins actually fed from each recycling coin storing unit84to the coin return slot82is insufficient for the predetermined total amount of the fund money set in advance in the control unit65, some indication for indicating this condition will be displayed on the display unit94.

Alternatively, for a certain denomination, if the number of the coins actually stored in one recycling coin storing unit84corresponding to the certain denomination is insufficient for the predetermined number of the fund money set in advance in the control unit65, the coins of a smaller denomination stored in another recycling coin storing unit84can be substituted for such insufficient coins. For instance, if the number of one-hundred-yen coins actually stored in one recycling coin storing unit84provided for storing therein the one-hundred-yen coins is insufficient for the predetermined number of the fund money set in advance in the control unit65, ten-yen coins stored in another recycling coins storing unit84provided for storing therein the ten-yen coins can be transported to the coin return slot82, as the fund money, in place of the one-hundred-yen coins, in order to prevent the total amount of the fund money in the coin return slot82from being insufficient. In regard to such substitution for the insufficient coins concerning the fund money, whether or not the substitution is performed can be set in advance via the operation unit95.

According to the money handling machine60of this embodiment, the predetermined amount of the fund money that is the money to be dispensed as the change or the like (i.e., the predetermined denominations and number for each denomination or predetermined total amount of the fund money) is set in the control unit65. In this case, the control unit65serves to perform the depositing and storing process for taking the banknotes or coins into the casing61from the exterior thereof via the banknote inlet71or coin inlet81and then feeding such banknotes or coins taken into the casing61to the banknote storing cassette91or coin storing cassette92of the money storing unit90, and thereafter perform, automatically, the dispensing process for feeding the banknotes or coins, corresponding to the predetermined amount of the fund money, from each recycling banknote storing unit77or each recycling coin storing unit84to the banknote holding unit79or coin return slot82. Thus, the dispensing process for the banknotes or coins, corresponding to the predetermined amount of the money set in the control unit65, can be automatically performed after the depositing and storing process for the banknotes or coins is performed. Therefore, the operator can perform both of the depositing and storing process and dispensing process for the money, in one operation, via the operation unit95. As such, the waiting time of the operator required between such two processes can be substantially reduced, as well as the risk that the operator may inadvertently forget to do the dispensing process and thus this dispensing process may be left undone can be eliminated.

In the aforementioned money handling machine60of this embodiment, the insertion unit and dispensing unit for the banknotes or coins are provided separately from each other in the banknote handling machine70or coin handling machine80. However, such insertion unit and dispensing unit may be provided as one integrated unit.

Third Embodiment

Next, the money handling machine related to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described, with reference to the drawings. The money handling machine related to this embodiment includes the money storing unit adapted for storing therein the money, such as the banknotes, coins or the like, respectively taken in the casing from the exterior thereof.FIGS. 9 through 13are provided for respectively illustrating the money handling machine related to the third embodiment of this invention. Of these drawings, the perspective view ofFIG. 9illustrates the construction of the money handling machine related to this embodiment, andFIG. 10schematically illustrates the construction of the banknote handling machine provided in the money handling machine shown inFIG. 9.FIG. 11schematically illustrates the construction of the coin handling machine provided in the money handling machine shown inFIG. 9, and the block diagram ofFIG. 12is provided for illustrating the control system of the money handling machine shown inFIG. 9. In addition, the perspective view ofFIG. 13is provided for illustrating the money handling machine shown inFIG. 9, with the money storing unit being pulled out forward from the casing.

As shown inFIG. 9, a money handling machine110includes a casing111having a substantially rectangular shape. In this casing111, a banknote handling machine120located in an upper right portion of the money handling machine110when this machine110is seen from the front and a coin handling machine130located in an upper left portion of the money handling machine110when this machine110is seen from the front are laterally arranged. Further, in the casing111of the money handling machine110, a money storing unit140adapted for storing therein the coins and banknotes is provided below the banknote handling machine120and coin handling machine130. In this money handling machine110, the banknote handling machine120and coin handling machine130are respectively managed under the management authority provided on the side of the store, while the money storing unit140is managed under the management authority provided on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money. Hereinafter, each component of the banknote handling machine120, coin handling machine130and money storing unit140will be described in detail.

Now, referring toFIGS. 9 through 13, especially referring toFIG. 13, the construction of the money storing unit140will be described. First, as shown inFIG. 9and other related drawings, the banknote storing unit140is provided in a lower portion of the casing111of the money handling machine110. The perspective view ofFIG. 13illustrates the money handling machine shown inFIG. 9, with the money storing unit140being pulled out forward from the casing111. As shown inFIG. 13, the money storing unit140includes two banknote storing cassettes141a,141band two coin storing cassettes142a,142b. Further, as shown inFIG. 10, the two banknote storing cassettes141a,141bare provided, respectively corresponding to the banknote handling machine120. Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 11, the two coin storing cassettes142a,142bare provided, respectively corresponding to the coin handling machine130.

Each banknote storing cassette141a,141bcan serve to receive the banknotes that have been transported to a escrow unit129(that will be described later) of the banknote handling machine120and then fed thereto from the escrow unit129. Meanwhile, each coins storing cassette142a,142bcan serve to receive the coins that have been transported to a escrow unit137(that will be described later) of the coin handling machine130and then fed thereto from the escrow unit137.

In this case, the money storing unit140can be pulled out forward from the casing111, and then each storing cassette141a,141b,142a,142bcan be taken out from a main body140aof the money storing unit140, for example, by a certain person in charge of collecting the sales proceeds. In this way, the person in charge of collecting the sales proceeds can collect each storing cassette141a,141,142a,142bitself. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 10, regulation units141c,141dare respectively provided to the banknote storing cassettes141a,141b. More specifically, one regulation unit141cis provided for regulating the operation for taking out the banknote storing cassette141afrom the main body140a, and the other regulation unit141dis provided for regulating the operation for taking out the banknote storing cassette141bfrom the main body140a. Further, as shown inFIG. 11, other regulation units142c,142dare respectively provided to the coin storing cassettes142a,142b. In this case, one regulation unit142cis provided for regulating the operation for taking out the coin storing cassette142afrom the main body140a, and the other regulation unit142dis provided for regulating the operation for taking out the coin storing cassette142bfrom the main body140a.

Further, as shown inFIG. 13, key holes141e,141f,142e,142fare provided, respectively, in the vicinity of the storing cassettes141a,141b,142a,142b, in a top face of the main body140aof the money storing unit140. The key holes141e,141f,142e,142fare formed, differently from one another, such that each key can be inserted in each corresponding key hole, in a one-to-one relationship. In this case, when a certain key is inserted and rotated in one corresponding key hole141e,141f,142eor142f, the corresponding regulation unit141c,141d,142cor142dwill be operated, such that the regulation of the operation for taking out the corresponding cassette141a,141b,142aor142bfrom the main body140acan be released.

Otherwise, each regulation unit141c,141d,142c,142dmay be composed of, for example, an automatic locking mechanism. In this case, the ID information of the operator is first confirmed by the ID card carried by the operator, and then an inquiry about whether or not the operator is authorized to take out each cassette141a,141b,142a,142bis made to the higher-ranking machine (that will be described later). As a result, once it is confirmed that the operator is authorized, the automatic locking mechanism will be released.

It is noted that each unit provided in the money storing unit140and adapted for storing therein the banknotes or coins is not limited to such a cassette-type unit as described above. For instance, a plurality of storing bags, each adapted for storing therein the banknotes or coins, may be provided in the money storing unit140.

Next, referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, the construction of the banknote handling machine120will be described. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the banknote handling machine120includes a banknote inlet121adapted for allowing the banknotes to be taken into the banknote handling machine120, a banknote reject slot122adapted for rejecting the counterfeit banknotes or unrecognizable banknotes, among the banknotes taken in the banknote handling machine120, and a banknote return slot123adapted for returning the banknotes that are not stored in the money storing unit140, among the banknotes taken in the banknote handling machine120, to the exterior of this banknote handling machine120. Further, as shown inFIG. 10, a transport unit125adapted for transporting the banknotes, respectively taken in the banknote handling machine120via the banknote inlet121, is provided in this banknote handling machine120.

The banknote inlet121is configured for allowing one banknote or one batch of the plurality of banknotes to be collectively put or inserted in the long-edge first orientation. As shown inFIG. 9, a banknote inlet cover128that can be manually opened and closed is provided to the banknote inlet121. In this case, only when the banknote inlet cover128is opened, the operator can insert the banknotes through the banknote inlet121. Further, as shown inFIG. 10, the banknote inlet121is connected with the transport unit125, such that one banknote or one batch of the plurality of banknotes inserted through the banknote inlet121can be fed out and transported, one by one, by the transport unit125.

The banknote reject slot122is connected with the transport unit125, as shown inFIG. 10, such that the banknotes respectively recognized as the banknotes to be rejected or banknotes that cannot be recognized, by a recognition unit126that will be described later, among the banknotes taken in the banknote handling machine120via the banknote inlet121, can be fed to this reject slot122from the transport unit125. In this case, the operator can take out the banknotes fed to the banknote reject slot122. A cover (not shown) is provided to the banknote reject slot122. This cover is opened during a waiting time of the machine, while being closed during the operation of the machine.

Further, as shown inFIG. 10, the escrow unit129connected with the transport unit125is provided to the banknote return slot123. This escrow unit129can serve to receive and hold the banknotes respectively fed from the transport unit125. In addition, a door124that can be optionally opened and closed is provided to the banknote return slot123. In the case of returning the banknotes held in the escrow unit129, a wall face of the escrow unit129located on the front face side of the machine is opened to allow the operator to take out the banknotes through the opened door124. In this case, when the banknotes are respectively in the condition that can allow the banknotes to be taken out, the door124will be automatically opened. In some cases, as will be described later, the banknotes held in the escrow unit129will be fed to each banknote storing cassette141a,141blocated in the money storing unit140, in place of being taken out from the banknote return slot123by the operator.

The transport unit125can serve to transport the banknotes, one by one, successively, in the banknote handling machine120. More specifically, in this transport unit125, each banknote is transported, while being grasped or held between the pair of belts. Further, as shown inFIG. 10, the transport path provided in the transport unit125is bifurcated at various points, and the diverters (not shown) are provided, respectively, at the same points as the respective points at which the transport path is bifurcated. Each diverter is composed of, for example, one bifurcating nail, and is controlled by a control unit115that will be described later. Namely, as shown inFIG. 10, the banknote transport unit125can serve to transport the banknotes, respectively inserted through the banknote inlet121, to the banknote reject slot122or escrow unit129.

Further, as shown inFIG. 10, the recognition unit126is provided along the transport unit125. This recognition unit126is adapted for recognizing each banknote transported by the transport unit125, one by one. Specifically, the recognition unit126can serve to recognize each banknote transported by the transport unit125, about the denomination, authentication, fitness and the like thereof. More specifically, this recognition unit126includes a magnetic sensor or optical sensor adapted for recognizing the banknotes, one by one, about the denomination, authenticity or the like thereof. The recognition result on each banknote recognized by the recognition unit126is sent to the control unit115that will be described later.

As described above, the escrow unit129is provided to the banknote return slot123, and is connected with the transport unit125as shown inFIG. 10. This escrow unit129serves to receive the banknotes inserted through the banknote inlet121and then fed thereto by the transport unit125. In this case, the escrow unit129is adapted for holding the plurality of banknotes in the batch form. Further, in this case, when the door124is opened by the operator, the banknotes stored in the escrow unit129can be taken out by the operator. A bottom plate that can be optionally opened and closed is provided to a bottom face of the escrow unit129, such that the banknotes stored in the escrow unit129can be placed on this bottom plate. Further, in this case, as shown inFIG. 10, the escrow unit129can be moved reciprocally between a position fixed above the banknote storing cassette141a(i.e., the position denoted by a solid line inFIG. 10) and another position fixed above the banknote storing cassette141b(i.e., the position denoted by a two-dot chain line inFIG. 10). Namely, in the case the banknotes fed to the escrow unit129are stored in the banknote storing cassette141a, the escrow unit129is moved to the position above the banknote storing cassette141a. Meanwhile, in the case the banknotes fed to the escrow unit129are stored in the banknote storing cassette141b, the escrow unit129is moved to the position above the banknote storing cassette141b.

Hereinafter, the operation for storing the banknotes once escrowed in the escrow unit129, into the banknote storing cassette141aor banknote storing cassette141bwill be described. In this case, the operation for storing the banknotes once escrowed in the escrow unit129into the banknote storing cassette141ais performed in the same manner as the operation for storing the banknotes once escrowed in the escrow unit129into the banknotes storing cassette141b. Therefore, only the operation for storing the banknotes once escrowed in the escrow unit129into the banknote storing cassette141awill be described herein. Namely, when the banknotes escrowed in the escrow unit129are stored in the banknote storing cassette141a, a stage provided in the banknote storing cassette141ais elevated, such that a top face of the banknotes placed on this stage can be positioned just below the bottom plate of the escrow unit129. Then, the bottom plate is horizontally moved to be opened, and thus the banknotes escrowed in the escrow unit129will be dropped downward onto the banknotes placed on the stage. Thereafter, the banknotes placed on the stage are pressed from above by a holding member, and then the stage is lowered to store such banknotes in the banknote storing cassette141a.

Next, referring toFIGS. 9 and 11, the construction of the coin handling machine130will be described. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 11, the coin handling machine130includes a coin inlet131provided for allowing the coins to be taken into the coin handling machine130, and a coin return slot133provided for returning the reject coins, such as the unrecognizable coins for a recognition unit135athat will be described later, among the coins taken in the coin handling machine130, as well as returning the coins, not respectively stored in the money storing unit140, among the coins taken in the coin handling machine130, to the exterior of the coin handling machine130. Further, a coin inlet cover131athat can be optionally opened and closed is provided to the coin inlet131. In addition, a coin return box133athat can be optionally drawn out is provided to the coin return slot133.

Additionally, an accumulation and feeding unit134is provided in the coin handling machine130. This accumulation and feeding unit134can serve to receive and accumulate therein the coins respectively put into the coin handling machine130via the coin inlet131and then feed out such coins, one by one. Further, the accumulation and feeding unit134can serve to allow deformed coins, foreign material or the like to be dropped and discharged downward, when a bottom portion of this unit134is opened. Namely, an opening and closing mechanism (not shown) is provided to the bottom portion of the accumulation and feeding unit134, such that the deformed coins, foreign material or the like accumulated in this unit134can be dropped and discharged downward, when the opening and closing mechanism is opened.

Further, the transport unit135is provided in the coin handling machine130. This transport unit135can serve to transport the coins respectively fed out from the accumulation and feeding unit134, one by one, and then divert the coins toward each destination of the transportation, based on the recognition result about the denomination, authenticity, fitness or the like of each coin recognized by the recognition unit135aduring the transportation. The transport unit135is connected with a coins return box133a, such that the reject coins or the like can be returned to the coin return box133afrom the transport unit135. In this case, the transport unit135first extends from its upstream-side end connected with the accumulation and feeding unit134toward the back side in the casing111(or rightward inFIG. 11), and is then folded up on the back side in the casing111, and further extends toward the front side in the casing111(or leftward inFIG. 11). With this configuration, the coins transported by the transport unit135can be finally dropped downward into the coin return box133a.

In the middle of the transport unit135on the downstream side in the transport direction relative to the recognition unit135a, a diverter135badapted for diverting the coins, respectively recognized as the normal or regular coins by the recognition unit135a, from the transport unit135is provided. This diverter135bcan optionally advance and retreat relative to the transport path of the transport unit135, depending on the recognition result on each coin recognized by the recognition unit135a, so as to selectively divert the coins to be transported to a escrow unit137that will be described later from the transport unit135as well as to allow the reject coins to be continuously transported by the transport unit135. In a position where the diverter135bis located, a top end of a chute135cadapted for receiving and downwardly guiding the coins diverted by the diverter135bis positioned. Meanwhile, a bottom end of this chute135cis located in a position above fixed the escrow unit137when this unit137is located in a first storing position “a” (that will be described later).

As shown inFIG. 11, in the coin handling machine130, the escrow unit137capable of escrowing or temporarily holding therein the coins fed out from the transport unit135is provided. This escrow unit137is formed into a frame-like shape opened upward and downward, and is located lower than the accumulation and feeding unit134in the casing111. In this case, the escrow unit137can be moved reciprocally in both of the forward and backward directions in the casing111by a drive mechanism137b(in other words, this escrow unit137can be moved reciprocally in the lateral direction inFIG. 11). It is noted that the escrow unit137can serve to store therein the coins in a greater amount than the capacity of the accumulation and feeding unit134for storing therein the coins.

In this embodiment, the escrow unit137is stopped in four positions, i.e., the first storing position “a” located above the coin storing cassette142a, a removal position “b” located below the accumulation and feeding unit134, a return position “c” located above the coin return box133a, and a second storing position “d” located above the coin storing cassette142b(seeFIG. 11). Each stop position “a” to “d” of the escrow unit137is detected by a position detection unit137c. Usually, the first storing position “a” is used as a fixed position for the escrow unit137.

A coin storing chute137dadapted for feeding the coins escrowed in the escrow unit137into the coin storing cassette142ais provided in one position below the escrow unit137when it is located in the first storing position “a”. Further, another coin storing chute137eadapted for feeding the coins escrowed in the escrow unit137into the coin storing cassette142bis provided in another position below the escrow unit137when it is located in the second storing position “d”.

When the escrow unit137is located in its fixed position (i.e., the first storing position “a”) and when the bottom plate137ais located in its fixed position (i.e., the first position “m”), as shown inFIG. 11, the escrow unit137can receive the coins fed out from the transport unit135via the chute135c, and escrow or temporarily hold therein such received coins. Meanwhile, when the escrow unit137is located in its fixed position (i.e., the first storing position “a”) and when the bottom plate137ais located in the second position “n”, the coins fed out from the transport unit135via the chute135care directly fed to the coin storing chute137d, after passing through the escrow unit137(i.e., without being escrowed or temporarily held in the escrow unit137), and finally fed to the coin storing cassette142a.

Namely, when the escrow unit137is located in its fixed position (i.e., the first storing position “a”) and when the bottom plate137ais located in the second position “n”, a direct depositing operation (or depositing operation without escrowing the coins) for directly depositing the coins, respectively fed to the escrow unit137from the transport unit135via the chute135c, into the coin storing cassette142acan be performed.

Further, when the escrow unit137is located in the removal position “b” and when the bottom plate137ais located in its fixed position (i.e., the first position “m”), this escrow unit137can receive the coins dropped and discharged downward from the accumulation and feeding unit134. In this case, the escrow unit137is located to partly get out of the bottom plate137a, and thus the bottom face of this escrow unit137can be partly opened. As such, a part of the coins received in the escrow unit137is dropped and discharged into the coin return box133alocated below the unit137. After this dropping and discharging process, the escrow unit137can be further moved to the return position “c”, so as to drop and discharge all of the coins remaining in the escrow unit137into the coin return box133a. In this way, the coins can be returned to the exterior.

Namely, when the escrow unit137is moved from the first storing position “a” to the return position “c”, the escrow unit137completely gets out of the bottom plate137a, and thus the bottom face of this unit137is wholly opened. Therefore, in this state, the coins transported to the escrow unit137will be dropped downward into the coin return box133a.

Further, when the escrow unit137is moved from the first storing position “a” to the second storing position “d” and when the bottom plate137ais stayed in its fixed position (i.e., the first position “m”), the escrow unit137gets out of the bottom plate137a, and thus the bottom face of this unit137is opened. Therefore, the coins transported to the escrow unit137will be dropped downward into the coin storing chute137e, and finally fed into the coin storing cassette142b.

Next, other various mechanisms respectively provided to the money handling machine110will be described. As shown inFIG. 9, an operation unit145for allowing the operator to input the various commands to the control unit115(that will be described later) of the money handling machine110, and a display unit144for displaying the process contents concerning the money in the money handling machine110are respectively provided to a top face of the casing111of the money handling machine110. In this case, the operation unit145includes numeric keys, accept key, start key, clear key and reset key, respectively provided, such that the operator can input the various commands to the control unit115of the money handling machine110, by pushing such keys.

More specifically, the operator can input the amount of the money (or amount of transaction money), such as the banknotes, coins or the like, related to a transaction and put into the banknote inlet121of the banknote handling machine120or coin inlet131of the coin handling machine130, via the operation unit145. In this case, the amount of the transaction money inputted by the operator via the operation unit145corresponds to the amount of the money actually put, by the operator, into the banknote inlet121of the banknote handling machine120or coin inlet131of the coin handling machine130. Further, the operator can input transaction information on the transaction related to the money, such as the banknotes, coins or the like, put into the banknote inlet121of the banknote handling machine120or coin inlet131of the coin handling machine130, via the operation unit145. Herein, the transaction information means, for example, the ID information or the like of the operator, date and time on which a certain operation is performed, information on a certain store, information on a certain register or the like. Namely, the operation unit145can serve as a transaction-money-amount input unit adapted for allowing the amount of the transaction money used for the transaction and related to the money put into the banknote inlet121of the banknote handling machine120or coin inlet131of the coin handling machine130to be inputted, or serve as a transaction-information input unit adapted for allowing the transaction information concerning the transaction to be inputted.

The display unit144is composed of, for example, the liquid crystal display (LCD). In the top face of the casing111of the money handling machine110, a printer143adapted for printing the process contents or the like for the money in the money handling machine110is provided.

Further, in a front face of the casing111, a card reader146used for confirming or checking the authority for operating the money handling machine110or the like of the operator is provided. In this case, the card reader146serves to read the ID information of the ID card carried by each operator. In addition, a memory unit147adapted for storing therein various information is provided in the casing111.

Now, referring toFIG. 12, the control unit115adapted for controlling each component provided in the money handling machine110will be described. This control unit115is located in the casing111of the money handling machine110.

As shown inFIG. 12, the control unit115is connected with each component of the banknote handling machine120(e.g., the transport unit125, recognition unit126, door124, escrow unit129and the like), and is also connected with each component of the coin handling machine130(e.g., the accumulation and feeding unit134, transport unit135, recognition unit135a, drive mechanism137bfor the escrow unit137, position detection unit137cfor the escrow unit137, drive mechanism137ffor the bottom plate137a, position detection unit137gfor the bottom plate137a, and the like). Further, the control unit115is connected with the display unit144, operation unit145, printer143, card reader146, memory unit147and the like.

This control unit115can serve to receive the recognition result on each banknote sent from the recognition unit126of the banknote handling machine120as well as receive the recognition result on each coin sent from the recognition unit135aof the coin handling machine130. Further, the control unit115can serve to receive information, such as the position information on the escrow unit137detected by the position detection unit137c, position information on the bottom plate137adetected by the position detection unit137g, and the like. In addition, the control unit115can serve to receive the ID information of the ID card of the operator read by the card reader146. Further, the control unit115can serve to control each component of the banknote handling machine120or coin handling machine130, as well as control the display unit144, operation unit145, printer143and the like. Additionally, the control unit115can transmit and receive the signal relative to the higher-ranking machine via the interface116connected with the control unit115, this higher-ranking machine being installed, by, for example, the money collector. Further, in this case, the control unit115is connected with the memory unit147, such that each recognition result and information as described above can be stored in this memory unit147.

Next, the object that can be achieved by this embodiment of the present invention will be discussed.

First, as one comparative example, one prior-art money handling machine will be described. For instance, in the store, such as a shopping center or the like, where a plurality of registers are provided, one or more money handling machines, as disclosed in JP2001-67526A, are installed. Usually, in such a store after it is closed, surplus money remaining in each register and related to the sales proceeds is deposited into each corresponding money handling machine. In this case, the money storing unit adapted for storing therein the money, such as the banknotes, coins or the like, is provided in each money handling machine, and the management authority for managing this money storing unit is provided on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money of the money collector. Therefore, once the money is stored in each money storing unit, this money will be delivered to the person in charge of collecting the money. In this delivery process, the person in charge of collecting the money will suitably collect such delivered money in the money storing unit. Further, with this delivery process for the money, the amount of the money delivered to the person in charge of collecting the money will be deposited into a predetermined bank account on the side of the store.

Meanwhile, for each register in the store, it is necessary to prepare the change to be used on the next business day. In this case, the banknotes or coins corresponding to the change will be delivered to the store, depending on an order given to the money collector. Then, the delivered change is loaded in a money changer or the like, and exchanged for the money stored in each register, so as to prepare the change used therein.

Namely, as described above, all of the surplus money related to the sales proceeds and remaining in each register after the store is closed is collected by the person in charge of collecting the money, while the money prepared for the change is delivered from the person in charge of collecting the money. Therefore, in some cases, the amount of money of the change required becomes considerably large. Of course, in such a case, the fee necessary for delivering the money for preparing the change is increased so much. Additionally, in order to prevent the money storing unit of each money handling machine from being full up with the money, it is sometimes necessary to have the money collecting work for collecting the sales proceeds performed so frequently by the person in charge of collecting the money.

However, if the money stored in the money storing unit can be partly used as the change, the quantity of the money delivered as the change to be prepared in the store can be substantially decreased. Thus, for the store, the fee necessary for delivering the money for preparing the change can be decreased so much. Meanwhile, for the money collector, since the money stored in the money storing unit is partly used as the change, the time required for the money storing unit to be full up with the money can be extended. As such, the frequency in the collecting work for collecting the money can be substantially lowered.

Therefore, in order to enable the money stored in the money storing unit to be partly used as the change, the money storing unit140provided in the money handling machine110of the above embodiment as shown inFIG. 9is intended for storing therein the money deposited into the money handling machine, such that the money that will be used as the change in the store and managed on the side of the store can be stored in this money storing unit140, separately from the money to be managed on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money.

Namely, among the two banknote storing cassettes141a,141bof the money storing unit140in the money handling machine110shown inFIG. 9, one banknote storing cassette141ais managed under the management authority provided on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money, and the other banknote storing cassette141bis managed under the management authority provided on the side of the store. Similarly, among the two coin storing cassettes142a,142bof the money storing unit140, one coin storing cassette142ais managed under the management authority provided on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money, and the other coin storing cassette142bis managed under the management authority provided on the side of the store.

More specifically, as shown inFIG. 13, both of the operator on the side of the store and the person in charge of collecting the money can pull out the main body140aof the money storing unit140, forward, from the casing111. In this case, the person in charge of collecting the money has the keys respectively corresponding to the key holes141e,142erespectively located in the vicinity of the banknotes storing cassette141aand coin storing cassette142a. Meanwhile, the operator on the side of the store has the keys respectively corresponding to the key holes141f,142frespectively located in the vicinity of the banknotes storing cassette141band coin storing cassette142b. As such, the person in charge of collecting the money can take out the banknote storing cassette141aand coin storing cassette142afrom the casing111, while the operator on the side of the store can take out the banknote storing cassette141band coin storing cassette142bfrom the casing111. Each storing cassette141a,142ais locked, at an inlet or the like thereof, at least when it is pulled out from the casing111, such that the money stored therein cannot be taken out therefrom.

Now, in regard to the money handling machine110in which the management authority for managing the money storing unit140is separated into such two sides as described above, the operation for storing the money deposited into the money handling machine110in the money storing unit140will be described. Namely, this operation is performed for storing the money in the money storing unit140, such that the money that will be used as the change in the store and managed on the side of the store can be stored in this money storing unit140, separately from the money to be managed on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money.

First of all, a first delivery process (or depositing process) for the banknotes for storing the banknotes, respectively put into the banknote handling machine120, as the banknotes to be managed on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money, in the money storing unit140will be described. Namely, in this first delivery process for the banknotes, when the operator puts the banknotes into the banknote handling machine120via the banknote inlet121, the banknotes respectively inserted through the banknote inlet121are transported, one by one, by the transport unit125, and then recognized by the recognition unit126. As a result, the banknotes, respectively recognized, as the normal banknotes, by the recognition unit126, are fed to the escrow unit129by the transport unit125. Meanwhile, the banknotes, respectively recognized, as the reject banknotes, such as the counterfeit banknotes or the like, by the recognition unit126, are fed to the banknote reject slot122by the transport unit125.

After this process for the banknotes is performed, if the operator pushes the “ACCEPT” key in the operation unit145and inputs a command for performing a delivery accept process to the control unit115, the banknotes escrowed in the escrow unit129will be fed into the banknote storing cassette141aof the banknote storing unit140.

Next, a second delivery process (or depositing process) for the banknotes for storing the banknotes, respectively put into the banknote handling machine120, as the banknotes used as the change in the store and managed on the side of the store, in the money storing unit140will be described. In this second delivery process for the banknotes, when the operator puts the banknotes into the banknote handling machine120via the banknote inlet121, the banknotes respectively inserted through the banknote inlet121are transported, one by one, by the transport unit125, and then recognized by the recognition unit126. As a result, the banknotes, respectively recognized, as the normal banknotes, by the recognition unit126, are fed to the escrow unit129by the transport unit125. Meanwhile, the banknotes, respectively recognized, as the reject banknotes, such as the counterfeit banknotes or the like, by the recognition unit126, are fed to the banknote reject slot122by the transport unit125.

After this process for the banknotes is performed, if the operator pushes the “ACCEPT” key in the operation unit145and inputs the command for performing the delivery accept process to the control unit115, the escrow unit129will be moved to the position located above the banknote storing cassette141b, and then the banknotes escrowed in this escrow unit129will be fed into the banknote storing cassette141bof the banknote storing unit140.

Next, a first delivery process (or depositing process) for the coins for storing the coins, respectively put into the coin handling machine130, as the coins managed on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money, in the money storing unit140will be described. Namely, in this first delivery process for the coins, when the operator puts the coins into the coin handling machine130via the coin inlet131, the coins respectively inserted through the coin inlet131are first fed to the accumulation and feeding unit134, and then fed, one by one, to the transport unit135from the accumulation and feeding unit134. At this time, the escrow unit137is located in the first storing position “a”, and the bottom plate137ais located in the first position “m”. Then, the coins fed to the transport unit135are respectively recognized by the recognition unit135a. As a result, the coins, respectively recognized, as the normal coins, by the recognition unit135a, are diverted from the transport path of the transport unit135by the diverter135band fed to the escrow unit137via the chute135c. Meanwhile, the coins, respectively recognized, as the reject coins, such as the unrecognizable coins for the recognition unit135a, are directly fed to the coin return slot133, without being diverted from the transport path of the transport unit135.

After this process for the coins is performed, if the operator pushes the “ACCEPT” key in the operation unit145and inputs the command for performing the delivery accept process to the control unit115, the bottom plate137awill be moved from the first position “m” to the second position “n”, by the drive mechanism137f, and thus the bottom portion of the escrow unit137will be opened. Therefore, the coins transported to this escrow unit137will be dropped into the coin storing cassette142aof the banknote storing unit140. In this way, the coins can be stored in the coin storing cassette142a.

Next, a second delivery process (or depositing process) for the coins for storing the coins, respectively put into the coin handling machine130, as the coins used as the change and managed on the side of the store, in the money storing unit140will be described. Namely, in this second delivery process for the coins, when the operator puts the coins into the coin handling machine130via the coin inlet131, the coins respectively inserted through the coin inlet131are first fed to the accumulation and feeding unit134, and then fed, one by one, to the transport unit135from the accumulation and feeding unit134. At this time, the escrow unit137is located in the first storing position “a”, and the bottom plate137ais located in the first position “m”. Then, the coins fed to the transport unit135are respectively recognized by the recognition unit135a. As a result, the coins, respectively recognized, as the normal coins, by the recognition unit135a, are diverted from the transport path of the transport unit135by the diverter135band fed to the escrow unit137via the chute135c. Meanwhile, the coins, respectively recognized, as the reject coins, such as the unrecognizable coins for the recognition unit135aare directly fed to the coin return slot133, without being diverted from the transport path of the transport unit135.

After this process for the coins is performed, if the operator pushes the “ACCEPT” key in the operation unit145and inputs the command for performing the delivery accept process to the control unit115, the escrow unit137will be moved from the first storing position “a” to the second storing position “d” by the drive mechanism137b, and thus the bottom portion of this escrow unit137will be opened. Therefore, the coins transported to the escrow unit137will be dropped into the coin storing cassette142bof the money storing unit140. In this way, the coins can be stored in the coin storing cassette142b.

In this case, the number for each denomination of the banknotes or coins on the side of the store to be stored in the banknote storing cassette141bor coin storing unit142bof the money storing unit140and used as the change in the store is set in advance in the control unit115, and is stored in the memory unit147.

Namely, in the money handling machine10in which the management authority for managing the money storing unit140is separated into the two sides as described above, the banknote storing cassette141aand coin storing cassette142ain the money storing unit140are respectively managed under the first management authority (i.e., the management authority provided on the person in charge of collecting the money), while the banknote storing cassette141band coin storing cassette142bin the money storing unit140are respectively managed under the second management authority (i.e., the management authority provided on the side of the store). In this case, the control unit115serves to count the number for each denomination of the banknotes or coins transported to the escrow unit129or137, based on the recognition result sent from each recognition unit126,135a. As a result, in regard to the banknotes or coins of a certain denomination recognized by the recognition unit126or135a, if the total number of the banknotes or coins obtained by adding the number of the banknotes or coins escrowed or temporarily held in the escrow unit129or137to the number of the banknotes or coins stored in the banknote storing cassette141bor coin storing cassette142bis insufficient for the number set and stored in the memory unit147, the control unit115serves to transport the banknotes or coins of the certain denomination to the escrow unit129or137. However, in regard to the banknotes or coins of a certain denomination recognized by the recognition unit126or135a, if the total number of the banknotes or coins obtained by adding the number of the banknotes or coins escrowed or temporarily held in the escrow unit129or137to the number of the banknotes or coins stored in the banknote storing cassette141bor coin storing cassette142bis equal to or greater than the number set and stored in the memory unit147, the control unit115serves to transport such money to the banknote reject slot122or coin return slot133.

Once the transportation for all of the banknotes or coins put into the money handling machine is ended, or when the total number of the banknotes or coins obtained by adding the number for each denomination of the banknote or coins transported to the escrow unit129or137to the number of the banknotes or coins stored in the banknote storing cassette141bor coin storing cassette142bis coincident with the number for each denomination of the banknotes or coins stored in the storing unit147, the control unit115serves to transport the money escrowed or temporarily held in the escrow unit129or137to the money storing unit140, so as to store such transported money in the banknote storing cassette141bor coin storing cassette142b. In this way, the banknotes or coins can be stored in the banknote storing cassette141bor coin storing cassette142b, until the number of such money reaches the number for each denomination set in advance. Therefore, such banknotes or coins stored in the banknote storing cassette141bor coin storing cassette142bcan be used, as the change in the store, by the operator on the side of the store.

If the operator wants to deliver the banknotes or coins put into the banknote handling machine120or coin handling machine130to the person in charge of collecting the money, the operator inputs a command for performing the first delivery process for the banknotes or coins in the banknote handling machine120or coin handling machine130, via the operation unit145. As a result, the banknotes or coins put into the banknote handling machine120or coin handling machine130will be stored in the banknote storing cassette141aor coin storing cassette142aof the money storing unit140. As described above, since the banknote storing cassette141aor coin storing cassette142aof the money storing unit140is managed under the management authority provided on the side of the person in charge of collecting the money, the banknotes or coins stored in such a cassette141aor142awill be delivered to the person in charge of collecting the money.

It should be noted that the operation of the money handling machine110in which the management authority for managing the money storing unit140is separated into the two sides is not limited to the aforementioned example. For instance, in one alternative operation, the operator may optionally select either one of the first delivery process (or depositing process) and second delivery process (or depositing process), via the operation unit145for each time.