Sheet processing system and sheet processing method

A sheet processing system comprising:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2015-177510 filed on Sep. 9, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a sheet processing system and a sheet processing method.

BACKGROUND

In the past, paper sheets contained in an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and the like are contained in a housing of an ATM cassette and the like taken out from the Automated Teller Machine and the like. In the past, a person such as an operator has to manually count the paper sheets contained in the housing of the ATM cassette and the like.

Therefore, it used to be required to efficiently process the paper sheets contained in many housings (cases) collected from the Automated Teller Machine and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A paper sheet processing system according to an embodiment will be explained hereinafter with reference to drawings.

In the following embodiment, a paper sheet P to be processed is considered to be, for example, a banknote, but the paper sheet processing system may process paper sheets other than a banknote such as mails or various kinds of cards or tickets.

First, an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) cassette10to be processed by the paper sheet processing system1according to the embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 1is a figure illustrating how the ATM cassettes10according to the embodiment is collected and distributed. An Automated Teller Machine (ATM)200to which the ATM cassettes10can be detachably attached is installed in a bank B. In a case where the Automated Teller Machine200discharges the paper sheets P, the Automated Teller Machine200takes out the paper sheets P contained in the ATM cassette10, and in a case where the Automated Teller Machine200receives the paper sheets P, the Automated Teller Machine200loads the received paper sheets P into the ATM cassette10. The ATM cassette10is detached from the Automated Teller Machine200and collected by the collection company. The ATM cassette10A that has been collected (hereinafter referred to as a collection cassette10A) is carried by a delivery vehicle Va to a paper sheet processing center100. A paper sheet processing apparatus300installed in the paper sheet processing center100performs various kinds of processing on the paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A. The paper sheet processing apparatus300loads the paper sheets P having been subjected to various kinds of processing into the ATM cassette10again. An ATM cassette10B including the paper sheets P having been subjected to various kinds of processing (hereinafter referred to as a delivery cassette10B) is carried by a delivery vehicle Vb of a delivery company to the bank B and is attached to the Automated Teller Machine200. In this explanation, the ATM cassette10is detachably attached to the Automated Teller Machine200in the bank B, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the ATM cassette10may be configured to be detachably attached to a cash processing machine installed in a department store or a supermarket.

FIG. 2is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of the paper sheet cassette10according to the embodiment. The ATM cassette10includes a housing12(container) and a bar code14attached to the housing12. Multiple paper sheets P are contained in the housing12. The housing12is provided with a take out mechanism (not shown) of paper sheets P for taking out or capable of receiving the paper sheets P by the Automated Teller Machine200. A bar code14from which information for identifying the ATM cassette10(hereinafter referred to as a cassette ID (identification)) can be decoded is attached to the upper surface of the housing12. For example, the cassette ID is identification information attached to the ATM cassette10such as a serial number, a coded ID, or the like. In the present embodiment, the bar code14that makes the cassette ID readable will be explained, but the bar code14is not limited thereto. Alternatively, an RFID (Radio Frequency identifier) chip, a character string drawn on the housing12, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), and the like may also be employed. The ATM cassette10includes a type which can load the paper sheets P (deposit) only, a type capable of taking out the paper sheets P (withdrawal) only, or capable of loading and taking out the paper sheets P (deposit and withdrawal), but the ATM cassette10of the present embodiment may be of any type.

FIG. 3is a configuration diagram illustrating paper sheets P contained in the paper sheet cassette10according to the embodiment. Multiple paper sheets P are accumulated in the thickness direction of the paper sheet P, and are contained in the ATM cassette10. A batch card BC may be sandwiched in multiple paper sheets P. The batch card BC is, for example, formed to have the same external diameter dimension as the paper sheet P, and made by embedding a wireless chip IDC using an RFID technique into a paper base material. The wireless chip IDC includes a communication unit, a control unit, and a storage unit. The storage unit stores, for example, information about the type (kind) of the paper sheet P and the number of paper sheets P. The wireless chip IDC reads information stored in the storage unit and wirelessly outputs the information on the basis of a command from the reader writer, or reads the information transmitted by the reader writer and stores the information to the storage unit. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the collection cassette10A does not contain the batch card BC, and the delivery cassette10B contains the batch card BC as a result of processing of the paper sheet processing apparatus300.

The Automated Teller Machine200to which the ATM cassette10is detachably attached will be explained hereinafter.FIG. 4is a perspective view illustrating a front side of the Automated Teller Machine200according to the embodiment.FIG. 5is a perspective view illustrating a back surface of the Automated Teller Machine200according to the embodiment.

The Automated Teller Machine200includes a substantially rectangular box-shaped main body200A, and the front surface of the main body is provided with a substantially L shaped service panel202that faces the user. A display unit204also serving as a touch panel is provided in a horizontal portion of the service panel202. A card insertion port206, a bankbook insertion port208, and the like are provided in a vertical portion. A banknote deposit and withdrawal port210and a coin deposit and withdrawal port212each opened and closed by a door are provided at a corner portion of the service panel202. A banknote handling apparatus214for allowing the user to deposit and withdrawn the paper sheets P via the banknote deposit and withdrawal port210, a coin handling apparatus216for allowing the user to deposit and withdraw the coins via the coin deposit and withdrawal port212, a control unit218, a bankbook printer220, a card/slip processing apparatus222, and the like are provided in the main body200A.

A door224that can be opened and closed to allow the ATM cassette10, the banknote handling apparatus214, and the coin handling apparatus216to be removed from the main body is provided on the back surface of the main body200A. The banknote handling apparatus214has a long and narrow box shaped housing232, and the ATM cassettes10serving as loading storages are arranged in a line in this housing232. For example, ATM cassettes10containing 10,000 yen banknotes, 1,000 yen banknotes, and the like are arranged in a line in the Automated Teller Machine200. These ATM cassettes10can be detached from the housing232or attached to the inside of the housing232by opening the door224and pulling out the housing232. In addition, provided inside of the housing232are an accumulation unit which receives the paper sheets P given from the banknote deposit and withdrawal port210and through which the withdrawal banknotes are withdrawn, a deposit temporary accumulation unit temporarily accumulating the deposit banknotes, a determination processing unit for determining deposit banknotes and withdrawal banknotes, a pair of rejection storages containing rejection banknotes, and a collection storage containing damaged bills and the like. The ATM cassette10removed from the Automated Teller Machine200is detachably attached to an attachment unit310bof the paper sheet processing apparatus300explained later.

The paper sheet processing apparatus300according to the embodiment will be explained hereinafter.FIG. 6is a configuration diagram illustrating the paper sheet processing apparatus300according to the embodiment.FIG. 7is a functional configuration diagram illustrating the paper sheet processing apparatus300according to the embodiment.

The paper sheet processing apparatus300includes a take out module310, a main module320, an aligning module330, a sealing module340, and a loading module350. The take out module310, the main module320, the aligning module330, the sealing module340, and the loading module350are arranged in a line in this order, and are coupled with each other electrically and mechanically. A main controller322controlling operation of the main module320and the entire apparatus is provided in the main module320.

The take out module310is provided at the upstream side of the main module320. The take out module310includes an attachment unit310band a take out mechanism310c. The ATM cassette10is detachably attached to the attachment unit310b. The take out mechanism310ctakes out the paper sheets P contained in the ATM cassette10and conveys the paper sheets P to the conveying path connected to the take out mechanism324of the main module320. The conveying path of the take out module310is in communication with the conveying path304provided at the take out mechanism324of the main module320. In a case where the ATM cassette10is attached to the attachment unit310b, the take out module310may have a bar code reader for reading the bar code14of the ATM cassette10. The take out module310uses the bar code reader to decode the bar code14and outputs the cassette ID to the main controller322.

The main controller322is achieved with an information processing apparatus implemented on a control board in the main module320. The main controller322includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)322acontrolling operation of each module, a memory322bstoring various kinds of data, control programs, management information, and the like. The cassette ID of the ATM cassette10, the operator ID, information about the date, the time and the like, multiple levels of processing speeds of the paper sheets P, and the like are stored in the memory322bas various kinds of data.

The main controller322is connected to an operation unit327for inputting various kinds of information to the apparatus, and a monitor325serving as a display apparatus for displaying input information, the operation state and the processing state of the apparatus, and the like. The take out module310, the aligning module330, the sealing module340, and the loading module350include sub controllers310a,330a,340a, and350a, respectively, for controlling the operation of the modules. The sub controllers310a,330a,340a, and350aare connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) to the main controller322of the main module320.

The operation unit327receives operation by the administrator of the paper sheet processing apparatus300. The main controller322performs various kinds of operation setting of the processing apparatus on the basis of operation received with the operation unit327, for example, such as a setting of a transaction method such as a deposit operation, organizing operation, and the like, inspection processing of the paper sheets P in the ATM cassette10, loading processing to the ATM cassette10, setting of sealing processing, and normal/damaged level setting which is a determination level of the paper sheets P.

The main controller322calculates management information in accordance with processing information which is output from the inspection apparatus328, including the processing efficiency in unit time, the processing efficiency of each of multiple days, the processing efficiency of each operator ID, the total processing number, or the total operation time. The main controller322stores the calculated information to the memory322b, and displays the information on the monitor325.

The main module320includes a supply unit321in which many banknotes P are placed in a stacked state, a take out mechanism324for taking out each of the paper sheets P one by one from the supply unit311, and a conveying path326for conveying the paper sheets P taken out by the retrieval mechanism324. In the conveying path326, multiple endless conveying belts, not shown, are extended to sandwich the conveying path. The taken out paper sheets P are conveyed while being sandwiched by the conveying belts. The take out module310conveys the paper sheets P taken out from the ATM cassette10to the main module320. The main module320conveys the paper sheets P conveyed from the take out module310to the inspection apparatus328.

The main controller322adjusts the take out amount of the paper sheets P of the take out mechanism324or the take out speed into multiple steps in accordance with the amount of paper sheets P which are to be processed or in accordance with an input command given by the operator. More specifically, the main controller322controls a driver323ato adjust the rotation speed of the pickup roller of a driving motor323, and, for example, the main controller322sets the take out amount of 1000 sheets, 800 sheets, or 600 sheets per minute. The main controller322adjusts the take out amount of the paper sheets P in accordance with the inspection state of the inspection apparatus328. For example, in a case where the inspection apparatus328cannot smoothly perform inspection of the paper sheets P, the main controller322reduces the take out amount from 1000 sheets per minute to 800 sheets per minute. Further, in a case where the inspection apparatus328detects a double feed of the paper sheets P or a short pitch of the paper sheets P, the main controller322temporarily stops or reverses the pickup roller, thus preventing double feed of the paper sheets P and normalizing the feeding pitch of the paper sheets P.

In the main module320, two rejection units320aand320bare provided along the conveying path326. Multiple accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329deach accumulating the paper sheets P are arranged in a line in the main module320. The main controller322controls a gate (not shown) to distribute the paper sheets P having passed through the inspection apparatus328into a rejected bill and a processed bill. The rejected bill means a bill that is determined to be counterfeit (false) by the inspection apparatus328, or a bill that is determined to be indeterminable because of fold, tear, skew, double feed, and the like. The skew is a state in which the paper sheet P is obliquely inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The rejected bill is distributed into and accumulated in the rejection unit320aor320b. The rejected bills may be set again, excluding the false bills, in the supply unit321to be taken in again, or it may be counted in the counting data by manual input. The inspection result such as the amount to be processed, the number of sheets, and the like given by the inspection apparatus328is sent to the main controller322, an is saved and displayed on the monitor325.

The processed bill means that the paper sheet P determined by the inspection apparatus328is a genuine (true) and normal bill, or is a true bill and damaged bill. The processed bill is conveyed to and accumulated in the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329d. For example, the main controller322distributes and accumulates the processed bill in any one of the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329dcorresponding to the types (kinds) of banknotes. The main controller322collectively accumulates the damaged bills in one of the accumulation cases.

The conveying path326is connected to the loading module350. In a case where the loading module350loads the paper sheets P to the ATM cassette10, some or all of the processed bills inspected by the inspection apparatus328of the main module320are conveyed via the conveying path326to the loading module350. It should be noted that the main module320includes a driving mechanism and a power supply, not shown, for driving the take out mechanism324, the inspection apparatus328, conveying mechanisms, and the like, and in addition, includes various kinds of sensors.

The aligning module330is provided between the main module320and the sealing module340. The aligning module330includes a conveying path331for conveying the paper sheets P conveyed by the main module320, an aligning mechanism332provided at the upstream of the conveying path331, a reversing apparatus334provided along the conveying path331at the downstream side of the aligning mechanism332, and multiple accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, and336darranged in a line along the conveying path331.

The aligning mechanism332aligns the central position of the paper sheet P conveyed in the conveying path331with the central position of the conveying path331. The aligning mechanism332corrects the skewed paper sheet P so that one side thereof is in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The reversing apparatus334reverses the direction of the paper sheet P conveyed in the conveying path331, so that the paper sheet P is fed after the direction of the front and back sides or the forward or backward orientations of the paper sheet P is aligned in any given direction. The paper sheets P of which directions have been aligned and fed by the reversing apparatus334are conveyed to the loading module350along the conveying path331, or conveyed to and accumulated in any one of the accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, and336din accordance with the types of the sheets. The paper sheets P of which directions have been aligned and fed to the loading module350may be returned back to the main module320, and may be accumulated in the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, or329dof the main module320. The accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, or336dmay be used as accumulation cases accumulating the paper sheets P taken out from the ATM cassette10in accordance with the denominations, or may be used as a rejection storage or damaged bill storage accumulating rejected bills or damaged bills taken out from the ATM cassettes10.

In a case where the sealing processing of the paper sheets P is set, the normal bills taken out from the accumulation case329are sent via the aligning mechanism332to the sealing module340, and every predetermined number of normal bills is sealed. The sealing module340includes a conveying path342in communication with the conveying path352of the loading module350, a first accumulation apparatus344aand a second accumulation apparatus344baccumulating predetermined numbers of paper sheets P fed via the conveying path342, and a sealing apparatus348for sealing, with a band, a bundle of a predetermined number of paper sheets P, for example, a bundle of 100 paper sheets P accumulated by the accumulation apparatuses. The second accumulation apparatus344bmay be arranged in an obliquely lower direction with respect to the first accumulation apparatus344a, and the sealing apparatus348may be arranged below the second accumulation apparatus344b. Further, the discharge unit receiving and accumulating the bundle of paper sheets P sealed by the sealing apparatus348is provided below the sealing apparatus348.

The loading module350is connected to the downstream side of the sealing module340. The loading module350includes an attachment unit351, a conveying path352, and a take in mechanism354. A vacant ATM cassette10# not containing any paper sheet P is detachably attached to the attachment unit351. The conveying path352conveys the paper sheets P conveyed by the sealing module340. The take in mechanism354takes in the paper sheets P conveyed by the conveying path352, and loads the paper sheets P to the ATM cassette10#.

When the paper sheets P are put into the ATM cassette10#, the paper sheet processing apparatus300controls the main module320and the aligning module330so as to take out the paper sheets P accumulated in the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329d, or the accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, and336d. The paper sheet processing apparatus300takes out the paper sheets P from any one of the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329dand the accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, and336d, for example, on the basis of cassette information included in a processing request explained later (i.e., the number of sheets for each type of sheet), and conveys the paper sheets P to the loading module350, and puts the paper sheets P into the ATM cassette10#. The paper sheet processing apparatus300may put a batch card BC, to which identification information about the paper sheets P contained in the ATM cassette10# is written, into the ATM cassette10#.

According to the paper sheet processing apparatus300according to the embodiment, by attaching the collection cassette10A to the take out module310, the paper sheets P taken out by the take out module310from the collection cassette10A can be determined by the inspection apparatus328, and can be accumulated in the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329d, or the accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, and336d. According to the paper sheet processing apparatus300of the embodiment, the paper sheets P accumulated in the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329dand the accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, and336dcan be taken out, and the paper sheets P can be put into the vacant ATM cassette10# attached to the loading module350.

FIG. 8is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of the paper sheet processing system1according to the embodiment. The paper sheet processing system1is installed in the paper sheet processing center100. The paper sheet processing system1includes an auto loader (automatic loading apparatus)102, a conveyer system (conveying unit)104, multiple distribution apparatuses (distribution units)106, a vacant cassette accumulation unit108, multiple delivery cassette accumulation units110-1, . . . ,110-N, multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300-1, . . . , and300-M. N and M are any given natural numbers. In the following explanation, in a case where the delivery cassette accumulation units110-1, . . . ,110N are not distinguished from other delivery cassette accumulation units110, the delivery cassette accumulation units will be simply referred to as “delivery cassette accumulation units110”, and in a case where paper sheet processing apparatuses300-1, . . . ,300M are not distinguished from other paper sheet processing apparatuses, the paper sheet processing apparatuses will be simply referred to as “paper sheet processing apparatuses300”.

The auto loader102loads and conveys many collection cassettes10A, which are delivered to the paper sheet processing center100, to the conveyer system104. The conveyer system104includes a belt conveyer for conveying the collection cassette10A with, for example, a motor, a drive pulley, a belt, and the like. The conveyer system104uses the power generated by the motor to convey the collection cassette10A. In the conveying process of the conveyer system104, the distribution apparatus106distributes the collection cassette10A to any one of multiple paths branched in the conveyer system104. A vacant ATM cassette10D, which is one of the collection cassettes10A delivered to the paper sheet processing center100, and which does not include any paper sheet P, is accumulated in the vacant cassette accumulation unit108. The delivery cassette accumulation units110are installed according to delivery destinations of the delivery cassettes10B. The ATM cassette10E including the paper sheets P processed by the paper sheet processing apparatus300, is conveyed by the conveyer system104, and accumulated in the delivery cassette accumulation unit110.

The entire processing of the paper sheet processing center100will be explained hereinafter.FIG. 9is a figure illustrating a flow of processing performed by the paper sheet processing center100according to the embodiment. First, the paper sheet processing center100receives the collection cassette10A delivered from the bank B and the like, and the collection cassette10A is accumulated in the auto loader102(step S100). When the paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A are processed by the paper sheet processing apparatus300in the paper sheet processing center100, the collection cassette10A is provided from the auto loader102to the conveyer system104. The collection cassette10A provided to the conveyer system104is carried along the path L1, and is distributed by the distribution apparatus106A into the path L2or the path L3(step S102).

In step S102, in a case where the collection cassette10A is a vacant ATM cassette10, the distribution apparatus106A distributes the collection cassette10A into the path L2, and conveys the ATM cassette10E to the vacant cassette accumulation unit108. In a case where the collection cassette10A is not a vacant ATM cassette10, the distribution apparatus106A distributes the collection cassette10A into the path L3. The distribution apparatus106B distributes the collection cassette10A, which has been distributed to the path L3, to a path Lf-1, Lf-2, . . . , or Lf-p (p is any given natural number) connected to the paper sheet processing apparatus300. The collection cassette10A is distributed to the path L4or L5, and further, the collection cassette10A is distributed to the path Lf-1, Lf-2, . . . , or Lf-p. As a result, the collection cassette10A is conveyed to any one of the multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300. The vacant ATM cassette10D# accumulated in the vacant cassette accumulation unit108is carried along the path L4to any one of the multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300. The vacant ATM cassette10# (10D#) is attached to the take out module310of the paper sheet processing apparatus300.

The paper sheet processing apparatus300takes out the paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A, and performs the above processing, and accumulates the paper sheets P in the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329d, or the accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, and336d(step S104). The vacant ATM cassette10D is provided to the paper sheet processing apparatus300via the path L4, and the paper sheets P accumulated in the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329d, or the accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, and336dare put into the vacant ATM cassette10D (step S106).

In the paper sheet processing center100, when the ATM cassette10containing the paper sheets P processed by the paper sheet processing apparatus300is carried to the delivery cassette accumulation unit110, the ATM cassette10E attached to the attachment unit351of the paper sheet processing apparatus300is placed on the conveyer system104. The ATM cassette10E is detached from the attachment unit351, and placed on the conveyer system104. The ATM cassette10E is conveyed along the paths Le-1, Le-2, . . . , and Le-m (m is any given natural number) corresponding to the paper sheet processing apparatus300, and is distributed by the delivery distribution apparatus106C (step S108). As a result, the ATM cassette10E is conveyed along the path Ld-1, Ld-2, . . . , and Ld-n (n is any given natural number), and conveyed to one of multiple delivery cassette accumulation units110-1,110-2. . . and110-N, and is delivered as the delivery cassette10B from the paper sheet processing center100to the bank B and the like of the delivery destination (step S110).

In this paper sheet processing center100, the paper sheet processing apparatus300may processes the paper sheets P contained in a pouch10C. In a case where the paper sheet processing apparatus300processes the paper sheets P contained in the pouch10C, the paper sheet processing apparatus300processes the paper sheets P taken out by the operator from the pouch B and stacked on the supply unit321. Accordingly, the paper sheet processing apparatus300processes both of the paper sheets P conveyed by the collection cassette10A and the paper sheets P conveyed by the pouch10C.

FIG. 10is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the paper sheet processing system1according to the embodiment. The paper sheet processing system1includes, for example, a central processing apparatus100A, a collection cassette distribution system100B, a delivery cassette distribution system100C, a management apparatus100D, and a paper sheet processing apparatus300.

The central processing apparatus100A includes, for example, a communication unit120, a control unit (controller)122, and a storage unit (memory)124. The communication unit120is a communication I/F for communicating via the communication network NW with multiple bank terminals400. The communication network NW includes, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a VPN (Virtual Private Network), and the like. For example, the bank terminal400receives operator's operation in the bank B, and transmits information to the central processing apparatus100A. The bank terminal400transmits, to the central processing apparatus100A, the cassette ID (ID-1) of the collection cassette10A taken out from the Automated Teller Machine200in the bank B, the cassette information (CD-1) about the paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A, and the processing request (Req) about the paper sheets P contained in the delivery cassette10B.

The cassette information corresponding to the cassette ID includes various kinds of information about the paper sheets P contained in the ATM cassette10. For example, the type of the sheets contained in the ATM cassette10(the currency, the denomination, the series, or the like) and the category, the number of sheets for each of the types of sheets, the serial numbers of the paper sheets P, the ID of the Automated Teller Machine200, a branch number (branch bank number), and the like are associated with the cassette information. Of such cassette information, some or all of the information is transmitted from the bank terminal400to the central processing apparatus100A. The processing request includes some or all of the information about the paper sheets P contained in the delivery cassette10B.

The control unit122is achieved by, for example, causing a processor such as a CPU to execute a program stored in the program memory. A part or all of the control unit122may be achieved with hardware such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The control unit122performs various kinds of information processing, and controls operation of the paper sheet processing apparatus300, the collection cassette distribution system100B, and the delivery cassette distribution system100C. The control unit122transmits to the bank terminal400from the communication unit120, a result obtained by causing the paper sheet processing apparatus300to process the paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A, and the cassette ID (ID-2) and the cassette information (CD-2) of the delivery cassette10B.

The storage unit124is achieved with, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like. The storage unit124stores the cassette ID and the cassette information received by the communication unit120in such a manner that the cassette ID and the cassette information are associated with each other. Further, for example, the storage unit124stores a processing request in association with the branch number of the bank B. Further, the storage unit124stores the cassette information based on the processing result of the paper sheet processing apparatus300in association with the cassette ID read by the ID reader130. Further, the storage unit124stores the cassette information about the paper sheets P contained in the delivery cassette10B in association with the cassette ID issued by an ID writer (information attachment unit)140. Further, the storage unit124stores the processing situation information in each of the multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300.FIG. 11is a figure illustrating an example of processing situation information of the paper sheet processing apparatus300according to the embodiment.FIG. 11indicate the processing situation information corresponding to the loading storages (accumulation cases) #1, #2, #3, #4, and the ATM cassette10#, but the processing situation information may be set in association with all of the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329d, and the accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, and336d. For example, #1corresponds to one of or both of the accumulation cases329a,336a.

As shown inFIG. 11, the processing situation information is information about, e.g., the distribution processing of the multiple accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329d, and the multiple accumulation cases336a,336b,336c, and336d, or ATM cassettes10# performed with each of the paper sheet processing apparatuses300, the type of the sheets assigned to each of the multiple accumulation cases or the ATM cassettes10, the number of sheets that can be contained in each of the accumulation cases or the ATM cassettes10#, and the current number of sheets in each of the accumulation cases or the ATM cassettes10. The distribution processing of each of the accumulation cases or the ATM cassettes10# is fixing processing, auto assign processing, and the like. The fixing processing is processing for previously fixing the type of the sheets accumulated in each of the accumulation cases or the ATM cassettes10#. The auto assign processing is processing in which the type of the sheet accumulated in each of the accumulation cases or the ATM cassettes10# is dynamically and automatically changed for each series of accumulation of operation. In the auto assign processing, in a case where the paper sheets P are accumulated until the accumulation case or the ATM cassette10# becomes full, and thereafter, the paper sheets P accumulated from the accumulation case are removed or the ATM cassette10# is removed, the setting of the type of the sheets associated with the accumulation case or the ATM cassette10# at this occasion is erased, and the newly set type of the sheets is associated with the accumulation case or the ATM cassette10#.

The collection cassette distribution system100B includes, for example, an ID reader130, a loader driving unit132, a conveying driving unit134, and a distribution driving unit136. The ID reader130is a bar code reader. For example, the ID reader130emits infrared light to the upper surface of the collection cassette10A conveyed along the path L1of the collection cassette10A, and reads the bar code14based on the reflection light. The ID reader130analyzes the reading result to decode the cassette ID (ID-1) of the collection cassette10A, and outputs it to the central processing apparatus100A. The loader driving unit132, the conveying driving unit134, and the distribution driving unit136are operated on the basis of the control signal which is output from the control unit122. The loader driving unit132includes a driving mechanism and the like for feeding the collection cassette10A placed on the auto loader102to the conveyer system104. The conveying driving unit134drives a motor and the like of the conveyer system104to convey the collection cassette10A. The distribution driving unit136drives the distribution apparatus106to distribute the collection cassette10A.

The delivery cassette distribution system100C includes, for example, an ID writer140, a conveying driving unit142, and a distribution driving unit144. The ID writer140includes, for example, an internal computer for generating the bar code14obtained by encoding a new cassette ID (ID-2), a printer for printing the bar code14, and the like. The ID writer140prints a new bar code14which is to be attached to the ATM cassette10E on the basis of a new cassette ID that is output from the control unit122. The cassette ID encoded in this new bar code14is attached to the ATM cassette10as the cassette ID corresponding to the bank terminal400of the request transmission source that transmitted the processing request. The bar code14printed by the ID writer140is pasted to the upper surface of the ATM cassette10E. The conveying driving unit142and the distribution driving unit144are operated on the basis of the control signal that is output from the control unit122. The conveying driving unit142drives a motor and the like in the conveyer system104to convey the ATM cassette10E. The distribution driving unit144drives the distribution apparatus106to distribute the ATM cassette10E.

The management apparatus100D is an information processing apparatus including an operation device, a display apparatus, and a calculation apparatus. The management apparatus100D outputs the control signal transmitted by the control unit122of the central processing apparatus100A to multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300, so that the paper sheet processing apparatus300processes the paper sheet P. The management apparatus100D receives the processing results of multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300, and transmits the processing results of multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300to the central processing apparatus100A.

A flow of processing of the paper sheet processing system1according to the embodiment will be explained hereinafter. First, a flow will be explained in which the paper sheet processing center100receives the collection cassette10A, and the paper sheet processing apparatus300processes the paper sheets P.FIG. 12is a figure illustrating a flow for processing of the collection cassette10A in the paper sheet processing center100according to the embodiment.

First, the paper sheet processing system1receives the cassette ID (ID-1), the cassette information (CD-1), and the processing request (Req) received from the bank terminal400by the central processing apparatus100A, and stores the cassette ID (ID-1), the cassette information (CD-1), and the processing request (Req) to the storage unit124(step S200). The paper sheet processing system1uses the auto loader102and the conveyer system104to convey the collection cassette10A conveyed to the paper sheet processing center100(step S202). The ID reader130reads the bar code14of the collection cassette10A being conveyed, so that the cassette ID (ID-1) is output to the central processing apparatus100A (step S204). The central processing apparatus100A stores the cassette ID, which is output by the ID reader130, to the storage unit124. On the other hand, the control unit122reads, from the storage unit124, the cassette information corresponding to the cassette ID stored in the storage unit124, i.e., the cassette information CD-1received form the bank terminal400and stored in the storage unit124(step S206), and determines whether the collection cassette10A being conveyed is a vacant cassette or not (step S208). In a case where the collection cassette10A being conveyed is determined to be a vacant cassette, the control unit122controls the distribution driving unit136so as to distribute the collection cassette10A to the vacant cassette accumulation unit108(step S210).

In a case where the collection cassette10A being conveyed is determined not to be a vacant cassette, the control unit122selects a paper sheet processing apparatus300that processes the paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A (step S212). The control unit122controls the distribution apparatus106so as to distribute the collection cassette10A to the selected paper sheet processing apparatus300(step S214). The collection cassette10A conveyed by the conveyer system104is attached to the paper sheet processing apparatus300, and the paper sheet processing apparatus300processes the paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A (step S216).

Subsequently, processing for selecting the paper sheet processing apparatus300in the paper sheet processing system1according to the embodiment will be explained.FIG. 13is a figure illustrating a flow of processing for selecting the paper sheet processing apparatus300in the paper sheet processing system1according to the embodiment.

The control unit122reads cassette information such as the number of paper sheets P corresponding to the cassette ID stored in the storage unit124in step S204(step S300). The control unit122reads the processing situation information stored in the storage unit124(step S302). The control unit122designates any given paper sheet processing apparatus300(step S304), and determines whether the collection cassette10A can be received on the basis of information about the processing situation of the designated paper sheet processing apparatus300and the paper sheets P to be processed (step S306). For example, in a case where the number of receivable sheets obtained by subtracting the current number of sheets from the number of sheets that can be processed is more than the number of paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A, the control unit122determines that the designated paper sheet processing apparatus300can receive the collection cassette10A. For example, in a case where the number of sheets that can be received is less than the number of paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A, the control unit122determines that the designated paper sheet processing apparatus300cannot receive the collection cassette10A. In a case where the control unit122determines that the designated paper sheet processing apparatus300cannot receive the collection cassette10A, the processing in step S304is executed again, and another paper sheet processing apparatus300is designated. The control unit122selects the paper sheet processing apparatus300that is determined to receive the collection cassette10A as the processing subject of the collection cassette10A (step S308).

It should be noted that the determination condition for selecting the processing subject of multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300is not limited to the number of sheets that can be received by the paper sheet processing apparatus300, and may be other conditions. The determination condition for selecting the processing subject of multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300may be, for example, selecting a paper sheet processing apparatus300of which amount of accumulation of paper sheets P is the highest (or the lowest). The determination condition for selecting the processing subject of multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300may be making selection in the order of the code numbers attached to the paper sheet processing apparatuses300. The control unit122may determine the processing schedule of the multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300for processing multiple collection cassettes10A on the basis the cassette information about multiple collection cassettes10A conveyed continuously and the processing situation information about multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300.

Subsequently, processing will be explained in which the paper sheet processing apparatus300processes the collection cassette10A in the paper sheet processing system1according to the embodiment and transmits the processing result to the bank terminal400.FIG. 14is a figure illustrating a flow for processing the collection cassette10A in the paper sheet processing system1according to the embodiment.

First, the paper sheet processing apparatus300reads the bar code14of the collection cassette10A attached to the take out module310, and decodes the cassette ID of the collection cassette10A (step S400). The paper sheet processing apparatus300causes the take out module310to take out the paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A, causes the inspection apparatus318to count the paper sheets P, and classifies the paper sheets P on the basis of the types of paper sheets P and the like determined by the inspection apparatus318, and conveys the paper sheets P to the accumulation cases329a,329b,329c, and329d, or the ATM cassette10# attached to the loading module350(step S402). The paper sheet processing apparatus300generates, as a processing result, cassette information about the number of paper sheets P, the type of the paper sheets P, and the like contained in the collection cassette10A (or10#) (step S404), and transmits the processing result in association with the cassette ID decoded in step S400to the central processing apparatus100A (step S406). The processing result generated by the paper sheet processing apparatus300is transmitted via the management apparatus100D to the central processing apparatus100A. The central processing apparatus100A receives the processing result transmitted by the paper sheet processing apparatus300. The bank terminal400to which the processing result is transmitted is determined on the basis of the cassette ID associated with the processing result, and the processing result is transmitted to the bank terminal400(step S408). The cassette ID is associated with the processing result by the paper sheet processing apparatus300, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The central processing apparatus100A may associate the cassette ID with the processing result. In a case where the processing result is related to the collection cassette (ATM cassette10A) attached to the take out module310, the information about the number of paper sheets P and the type of the paper sheets P of the collection cassette and further information indicating whether there is a false bill or not are transmitted to the bank terminal. In a case where the processing result is related to the collection cassette (ATM cassette10#) attached to the loading module350, the information about the number of paper sheets P and the type of the paper sheets P of the collection cassette is transmitted to the bank terminal.

Subsequently, processing will be explained in which the paper sheet processing apparatus300in the paper sheet processing system1according to the embodiment puts the paper sheets P into a vacant ATM cassette10and conveys the ATM cassette10to the delivery cassette accumulation unit110.FIG. 15is a figure illustrating a flow of loading and conveying the paper sheets P to the vacant ATM cassette10in the paper sheet processing system1according to the embodiment

First, the central processing apparatus100A reads, from the storage unit124, a processing request transmitted from the bank terminal400(step S500), and controls the conveyer system104to convey the vacant ATM cassette10D from the vacant cassette accumulation unit108to the paper sheet processing apparatus300(step S502). Therefore, the vacant ATM cassette10D is attached to the attachment unit351of the loading module350. The central processing apparatus100A transmits the processing result to the paper sheet processing apparatus300to which the vacant ATM cassette10D is attached, so that the paper sheets P satisfying the processing request are loaded to the ATM cassette10D. The central processing apparatus100A determines whether the paper sheets P satisfying the processing request are contained in the ATM cassette10or not (step S504). In a case where the paper sheets P satisfying the processing request are determined to be contained in the ATM cassette10, the central processing apparatus100A controls the conveying driving unit142so as to convey the ATM cassette10E to the delivery cassette accumulation unit110(step S506). The central processing apparatus100A stores the cassette information about the ATM cassette10E containing the paper sheets P satisfying the processing request to the storage unit124. Subsequently, the ID writer140prints the bar code14, in which the cassette ID is encoded, to the ATM cassette10E (step S508). The central processing apparatus100A reads the cassette information (CD-2) of the ATM cassette10E from the storage unit124, and transmits it to the bank terminal400in association with the cassette ID (ID-2) that is output by the ID writer140. The central processing apparatus100A adopts the ATM cassette10E as the delivery cassette10B, and controls the distribution driving unit144so as to assign the delivery cassette accumulation unit110corresponding to the destination bank B to which it is transported (step S512).

According to at least one embodiment explained above, there is provided; the conveyer system104conveying the ATM cassette10containing multiple paper sheets P; the distribution apparatus106assigning the ATM cassette10to any one of the multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300in the conveying process with the conveyer system104; the central processing apparatus100A obtaining information about the processing situation of the paper sheet processing apparatus300; the ID reader130for obtaining the cassette ID of the ATM cassette10from the ATM cassette10; the communication unit120for receiving the cassette information associated with the cassette ID from another apparatus such as a bank terminal; and the control unit122controlling the distribution destination of the ATM cassette10distributed by the distribution apparatus106on the basis of information about the processing situations of multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300, the cassette ID obtained by the ID reader130, and the cassette information obtained by the communication unit120; so that the efficiency for processing the paper sheets P contained in the collection cassette10A can be improved.

According to the embodiment, in a case where the paper sheets P are contained in the ATM cassette10, the distribution apparatus106A is controlled so as to distribute the ATM cassette10to any one of the multiple paper sheet processing apparatuses300, and in a case where the paper sheets P are not contained in the ATM cassette10, the distribution apparatus106A is controlled to distribute the ATM cassette10to the vacant cassette accumulation unit108. Therefore, the load for distributing the vacant ATM cassette10can be alleviated, and the processing efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the embodiment, with the conveyer system104and the distribution apparatus106, the vacant ATM cassette10accumulated in the vacant cassette accumulation unit108is distributed and conveyed to the paper sheet processing apparatus300containing the paper sheets P. Therefore, the load for attaching the vacant ATM cassette10to the paper sheet processing apparatus300processing the paper sheets P can be alleviated, and the processing efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the embodiment, the ID writer140for attaching the cassette ID information to the ATM cassette10and the communication unit120for receiving a request for loading the paper sheets P to the ATM cassette10from the bank terminal400are provided, and the control unit122causes the paper sheets P to be loaded to the vacant ATM cassette10attached to the paper sheet processing apparatus300on the basis of the request received by the communication unit120, and the ID writer140attaches the cassette ID corresponding to the bank terminal400that transmitted the request. Therefore, the cassette ID and the cassette information about the ATM cassette10containing the paper sheets P in response to the processing request can be transmitted efficiently.

Further, according to the embodiment, on the basis of the cassette ID attached to the ATM cassette10by the ID writer140, the delivery distribution apparatus106C is controlled such that the ATM cassette10containing the paper sheets P is distributed to the delivery cassette accumulation unit110corresponding to the bank terminal400that transmitted the request. Therefore, the load for distributing the ATM cassette10containing the paper sheets P in response to the processing request can be alleviated, and the processing efficiency can be improved.

As described above, an embodiment provides the following sheet processing system.

More specifically, a sheet processing system includes:

a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses;

a conveying unit conveying a container containing a plurality of sheets;

a distribution unit for distributing the container to any one of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses;

an identification information reading unit for obtaining identification information from the container;

a communication unit for receiving information about the sheets contained in the container; and

a controller for controlling a distribution destination of the container, on the basis of information about processing situations of the plurality of paper sheet processing apparatuses, the identification information about the container, and the information about the sheets contained in the container.

The embodiment may include one or more of the following features.

The communication unit receives identification information and information about the sheets contained in the container.

The controller distributes the container to any one of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses.

The controller determines whether the sheets are contained in the container or not, on the basis of information about the sheets received by the communication unit, and in a case where the sheets are determined to be contained in the container, the controller distributes the container to any one of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses.

The controller determines whether the sheets are contained in the container or not, on the basis of information about the sheets received by the communication unit, and in a case where the sheets are determined not to be contained in the container, the control unit conveys the container to the vacant container accumulation unit, and distributes the conveyed container to any one of the sheet processing apparatuses.

The controller determines whether the sheets are contained in the container or not, and determines whether any one of the sheet processing apparatuses can receive the container or not, and distributes the container to the sheet processing apparatus that can receive the container.

The controller loads the sheets having a requested specification to the container, on the basis of a request received by the communication unit, and records information capable of identifying the container to the container.

The controller loads the sheets having a requested specification to the container, on the basis of a request received by the communication unit, and records information capable of identifying the container to the container, and transmits the identification information about the container and a processing result via the communication unit.

The controller distributes the container to any one of the paper sheet processing apparatuses, and distributes the container processed by the paper sheet processing apparatus to any one of a plurality of delivery container accumulation units.

The controller loads the sheets having a requested specification to the container, and distributes the sheets to a delivery container accumulation unit in accordance with a delivery destination.

The communication unit receives and/or transmits information to/from an Automated Teller Machine of banknotes.

As to the material of the sheet, other than a paper, resin, cloth or the like may be used.

The embodiment also provides a sheet processing method.

A sheet processing method, using a sheet processing system, the sheet processing system including:

a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses;

a container containing a plurality of sheets; and

a conveying unit for conveying the container,

wherein the sheet processing method comprises:

obtaining identification information about the container from the container;

receiving information about the sheets contained in the container by a communication unit; and

controlling a distribution destination of the container, on the basis of information about processing situations of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses, the identification information about the container, and the information about the sheets contained in the container.

The method may include one or more of the following features.

The communication unit receives identification information and information about the sheets contained in the container.

The container is distributed to any one of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses.

A determination is made as to whether the sheets are contained in the container or not, on the basis of information about the sheets received by the communication unit, and in a case where the sheets are determined to be contained in the container, the container is distributed to any one of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses.

A determination is made as to whether the sheets are contained in the container or not, on the basis of information about the sheets received by the communication unit, and in a case where the sheets are determined not to be contained in the container, the container is conveyed to the vacant container accumulation unit, and the conveyed container is distributed to any one of the sheet processing apparatuses.

A determination is made as to whether the sheets are contained in the container or not, and whether any one of the sheet processing apparatuses can receive the container or not, and the container is distributed to the sheet processing apparatus that can receive the container.

The sheets having a requested specification are loaded to the container, on the basis of a request received by the communication unit, and information capable of identifying the container is recorded to the container.

The sheets having a requested specification are loaded to the container, on the basis of a request received by the communication unit, and information capable of identifying the container is recorded to the container, and the identification information about the container and a processing result are transmitted via the communication unit.

The container is distributed to any one of the sheet processing apparatuses, and the container processed by the sheet processing apparatus is distributed to any one of a plurality of delivery container accumulation units.

The sheets having a requested specification are loaded to the container, and the sheets are distributed to a delivery container accumulation unit in accordance with a delivery destination.

Information is receive and/or transmitted to/from an Automated Teller Machine of banknotes.