PAPER SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS

A paper sheet processing apparatus including a plurality of transport units connected in a transport direction to which a paper sheet is transported, each of the plurality of transport units including a paper sheet detection sensor configured to detect presence/absence of the paper sheet, a transport mechanism configured to transport the paper sheet, driving means configured to drive the transport mechanism, and a controller unit configured to control the driving means, wherein the controller unit controls the driving means so that the paper sheet is transported by the transport mechanism based on a detection result of the paper sheet detection sensor.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing apparatus that is provided with plural transport units, each having a controller unit.

BACKGROUND

In conventional paper sheet processing apparatuses such as ATM (Automated Teller Machine), paper sheets such as paper money are transported by belts or rollers and various types of processing such as discrimination are carried out.

A conveyer for paper sheets and the like that conveys paper sheets and the like has been proposed in which the conveyer includes plural conveyer units, plural conveyer motors that drive each of the conveyer units, and paper sheet sensors that detect the passage of the paper sheets at a fixed position in each of the conveyer units, and when the conveyance is not carried out due to abnormal occurrence, normally-conveyed paper money is stopped at a certain position so that presence/absence of the paper money can be readily checked (for example, see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H08-259042).

A voting paper classification device in which extension units can be connected to a base unit has been proposed in which the first controller unit of the base unit receives information of a connection order from the second controller units of the extension units in order to make the setting of the total number and the connection order of the extension units unnecessary (for example, see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2013-186870).

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the paper sheet processing apparatus is a paper sheet processing apparatus including plural transport units connected in the transport direction of paper sheets, each of the plural transport units including paper sheets detection sensors for detecting presence/absence of the paper sheets, a transport mechanism for conveying the paper sheets, a driving means for driving the transport mechanism, and a controller unit for controlling the driving means, and the controller unit controls the driving means to transport the paper sheets by means of the transport mechanism based on a detection result from the paper sheet detection sensors.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Paper sheet processing apparatuses may have divergent apparatus structures depending on their destinations, and although common designs are employed as much as possible for the forms of the paper sheet processing apparatuses, many destination-dependent designs remain. In addition, apparatus redesigning may be needed due to a change in the shape of the apparatus or the change in the number of mounted components (safe etc.).

Moreover, when the paper sheet processing apparatus has a design that depends on an individually tailored design, the transport path needs to have a unique transport path. In such a case, the transport path is constructed by connecting the entirety of the unique transport path by means of a belt etc., and the small number of large-output motors are used. Consequently, even in a portion at which no paper sheets are located, the belt is still operating, and this results in an increase in mechanical loss.

Note that in the above-described conveyer for paper sheets and voting paper classification device, individual transport units do not control transporting operations after detecting an input of paper sheets, and therefore a transport path cannot be flexibly constructed.

In the following description, an automated transaction apparatus that is an example of a paper sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention is explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a right-side view illustrating an internal structure of an automated transaction apparatus1.

The automated transaction apparatus1inFIG. 1is an ATM as an example. The automated transaction apparatus1carries out processing such as depositing/dispensing, discriminating, and storing paper money B that is an example of paper sheets. Note that a paper sheet processing apparatus having the automated transaction apparatus1as an example may be any apparatus that carries out any processing of paper sheets.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the automated transaction apparatus1includes a MPU (Micro Processing Unit)2, a deposit/dispense unit3, a discrimination unit4, a temporary holding unit5, a reject unit6, storages7and8, and a communication power cable9. The automated transaction apparatus1also includes plural transport units10that are connected with each other in the transport direction of paper money B so as to go through the deposit/dispense unit3, the discrimination unit4, the temporary holding unit5, the reject unit6, and the storages7and8.

MPU2is a processor storing firmware that controls operations of paper money processing units (the deposit/dispense unit3, the discrimination unit4, the temporary holding unit5, the reject unit6, the storages7and8, transport units10, and others) illustrated inFIG. 1. MPU2operates under control of a controller unit etc. (upper application) that controls the entirety of the automated transaction apparatus1. For example, in deposit processing, firmware executes processing such as transporting, discriminating, and storing of paper money B inserted into the deposit/dispense unit3via middleware under control of an upper application.

MPU2carries out processing via the communication power cable9, and such processing includes notifying initialization timing (wakeup), updating programs that MPU14described later in the transport units10reads out, and self-diagnosing the transport units10(e.g., test operations of medium detection sensors11ato11d, a motor R13a, and a motor L13b, which are described later).

In to the deposit/dispense unit3, paper money B is inserted by a customer, and the deposit/dispense unit3dispenses paper money B from within the automated transaction apparatus1.

The discrimination unit4carries out discrimination such as authentication and denomination determination of the paper money B inserted into the deposit/dispense unit3.

The temporary holding unit5temporarily holds the paper money B on which discrimination was performed by the discrimination unit4.

The reject unit6stores damaged paper money B that cannot be used for dispensing processing and paper money B of denominations that are not allowed to be stored in the storages7and8. For example, when the storages7and8are storages for paper money in 10000 yen denomination and paper money in 1000 yen denomination, respectively, deposited paper money in 5000 yen denomination are stored in the reject unit6.

The storages7and8store paper money B in different denominations.

The communication power cable9is connected to MPU2and each of the transport units10for communication connection between MPU2and each of the transport units10and for power supply to the transport units10. Note that the topology of communication channels of the communication power cable9may be properly configured in consideration of the reliability. As long as the communication power cable9carries out power line communications, separate signal lines for communication are not needed.

Between plural transport units10, a guide member41that guides paper money B and a transport direction switching guide42that divides a transport path of the paper money B are arranged. However, as described later in detail, because two transport units10may be connected with each other as illustrated inFIG. 4, the guide member41can be omitted. In addition, because the transport direction of paper money B can be switched by transport direction switching guides23and24in the transport units10(10B and10C) as illustrated inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, the transport direction switching guide42may also be omitted.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a transport unit10.

FIG. 3Ais a front view of an internal structure of a transport unit10.

FIG. 3Bis a top view of an internal structure of a transport unit10.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, a transport unit10has a paper money detection sensor11(in this specification, an input-side paper money detection sensor L11a, an input-side paper money detection sensor R11b, an output-side paper money detection sensor L11c, and an output-side paper money detection sensor Rild are collectively referred to as a paper money detection sensor11.), MPU14, a paper money data detection sensor15, a motor driver K16a, a motor driver R16b, and an interface unit17. As illustrated inFIG. 3B, the transport unit10has a transport mechanism12, a motor L13a, a motor R13b, a power transmission belt L18a, a power transmission gear L18b, a power transmission belt R18c, a power transmission gear R18d, a frame19, a base plate20, and an attachment member21.

The paper money detection sensor11is an example of a paper sheet detection sensor that detects presence/absence of paper money B (paper sheets). This paper money detection sensor11may be a single sensor, but may be preferably arranged on an input side that is an upstream side of a transport direction T of the paper money B (the input-side paper money detection sensor L11aand the input-side paper money detection sensor R11b) and an output side that is a downstream side of the transport direction T of the paper money B (the output-side paper money detection sensor L11cand the output-side paper money detection sensor R11d), as illustrate inFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B. In addition, the paper money detection sensor11may be preferably arranged at different positions with respect to a width direction W in such a manner that the input-side paper money detection sensor L11aand the output-side paper money detection sensor L11care arranged at the left side toward the transport direction T and the input-side paper money detection sensor R11band the output-side paper money detection sensor R11dare arranged at the right side toward the transport direction T.

Note that when the paper money B is transported in both ways (the forward direction and the backward direction) of the transport direction T in the transport units10, the input-side paper money detection sensor L11aand the input-side paper money detection sensor R11bmay become the output side in the transport direction and the output-side paper money detection sensor L11cand the output-side paper money detection sensor R11dmay become the input side in the transport direction. Similarly, when the paper money B is transported in both ways of the transport direction T in the transport units10, the input-side paper money detection sensor L11aand the output-side paper money detection sensor L11cthat are arranged at the left side toward the transport direction T may be at the right side toward the transport direction, and the input-side paper money detection sensor R11band the output-side paper money detection sensor R11dthat are arranged at the right side toward the transport direction T may be at the left side toward the transport direction.

FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Billustrate an example in which each of the paper money detection sensors11(the input-side paper money detection sensor L11a, the input-side paper money detection sensor R11b, the output-side paper money detection sensor L11c, and the output-side paper money detection sensor R11d) includes two pairs (four sensors in total). The two pairs of (four) paper money detection sensors11are arranged at different positions with respect to the width direction W, and each pair includes top and bottom sensors facing each other (in a thickness direction orthogonal to both the transport direction T and the width direction W), one sensor being an emission unit that emits detection light to a transport path of the paper money B, the other being a reception unit that receives the detection light. Instead of the above two top-and-bottom pairs of the paper money detection sensors11, each of the paper money detection sensors11may include four different sensors including an emission unit that emits detection light either from the top or bottom (here, the bottom as an example) to the other (here, the top as an example), a reflection unit that reflects the detection light to the width direction W, a reflection unit that reflects the light reflected by the reflection unit either to the top and bottom (here, to the bottom as an example), and a reception unit that receives the reflected light.

The input-side roller L12aand the input-side roller C12bare provided on the input-side shaft L12g. The input-side roller R12cand the input-side roller C12dare provided on the input-side shaft R12h. The output-side roller L12eis provided on the output-side shaft L12i. The output-side roller R12fis provided on the output-side shaft R12j.

The input-side shaft L12gand the input-side shaft R12hare coaxially arranged, but are separated from each other since these shafts are driven by different motors, i.e., the motor L13aand the motor R13b. For the same reason, the output-side shaft L12iand the output-side shaft R12jare coaxially arranged but are separated from each other.

Note that when only one motor is arranged in the transport unit10, the transport unit10needs only two shafts, a shaft in which the input-side shaft L12gand the input-side shaft R12hare combined as one shaft and a shaft in which the output-side shaft L12iand the output-side shaft R12jare combined as one shaft. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the four input-side rollers, the input-side roller L12a, the input-side roller C12b, the input-side roller R12c, and the input-side roller C12d, and the two output-side rollers, the output-side roller L12eand the output-side roller R12f, are arranged at different positions with respect to the transport direction T. However, when the rollers are arranged at one position with respect to the transport direction T, only one shaft is needed. In addition, three or more shafts that are arranged at different positions in the transport direction T may be arranged.

The motor L13athat is an example of driving means for driving the transport mechanism12is, for example, arranged only on the top side of the transport unit10, rotates the output-side shaft L12ithrough the power transmission belt L18a, and rotates the input-side shaft L12gthrough a gear provided on the output-side shaft L12i, the power transmission gear L18b, and a gear provided on the input-side shaft L12g.

The motor R13bthat is an example of driving means for driving the transport mechanism12is, for example, arranged only on the top side of the transport unit10, rotates the output-side shaft R12jthrough the power transmission belt L18c, and rotates the input-side shaft R12hthrough a gear provided on the output-side shaft R12j, the power transmission gear R18d, and a gear provided on the input-side shaft R12h.

Note that instead of arranging the power transmission gear L18b, the power transmission belt L18amay be put around the input-side shaft L12gin addition to the output-side shaft L12i, or a belt different from the power transmission belt L18amay be used for the output-side shaft L12iand the input-side shaft L12gso that the output-side shaft L12iand the input-side shaft L12grotates together. Similarly, instead of arranging the power transmission gear R18d, the power transmission belt R18cmay be put around the input-side shaft R12hin addition to the output-side shaft R12j, or a belt different from the power transmission belt R18cmay be used for the output-side shaft R12jand the input-side shaft R12hso that the output-side shaft R12jand the input-side shaft R12hrotates together. Alternatively, the output shafts of the motor L13aand the motor R13bcan be the output-side shaft L12iand the output-side shaft R12j, respectively.

When the motor L13aand the motor R13bare provided only on the top side of the transport unit10, the input-side roller L12a, the input-side roller C12b, the input-side roller R12c, the input-side roller C12d, the output-side roller L12e, and the output-side roller R12f, which are arranged on the top side of the transport unit10, function as driving rollers. On the other hand, the power transmission belt L18a, the power transmission gear L18b, the power transmission belt R18c, and the power transmission gear R18dare not arranged on the bottom side of the transport unit10, and the input-side roller L12a, the input-side roller C12b, the input-side roller R12c, the input-side roller C12d, the output-side roller L12e, and the output-side roller R12f, which are on the bottom side, function as driven rollers. When the rollers on the bottom side (the driven rollers) directly contact with the rollers on the top side (the driving rollers) or are arranged to make a space to hold paper money B with the rollers on the top side, the rollers on the bottom side rotate with the rollers on the top side.

Note that when the motor L13aand the motor R13bare stepping motors etc. that can rotate in both forward and backward directions, the paper money B can be transported in two ways of the transport direction T as described above.

The transporting rate of paper money B that is a rotation speed of the rollers may be preset in MPU14or may be calculated in accordance with differences in time at which paper money B is detected by the paper money detection sensors11of plural transport units10on the upstream side of the transport direction T.

MPU14illustrated inFIG. 2is an example of a processor (controller unit) that controls the transport unit10. For example, MPU14reads out and executes a specific control program from ROM (Read only memory) that is not illustrated but is arranged in the transport unit10, and uses RAM (Random Access Memory) that is not illustrated but is arranged in the transport unit10as a storage area at the time of executing the control program.

MPU14controls the motor L13athrough the motor driver L16aand also controls the motor R13bthrough the motor driver R16b. For example, MPU14controls the motor L13abased on a detection result of the input-side paper money detection sensors L11aand the output-side paper money detection sensors L11cand also controls the motor R13bbased on a detection result of the input-side paper money detection sensors R11band the output-side paper money detection sensors R11d.

Note that in order to simplify the control, MPU14individually controls the motor L13aand the motor R13bonly in the transport unit10arranged at a position at which skewed paper money B cannot be accepted such as the transport unit10immediately before the discrimination unit4, and in the transport unit10arranged at a position at which skewed paper money B can be accepted, when at least one of the input-side paper money detection sensor L11aand the input-side paper money detection sensor R11bdetects paper money B without distinction between the two sensors, MPU14collectively controls the motor L13aand the motor R13b.

Alternatively, motors (the motor L13aand the motor R13b) and the paper money detection sensors11may be arranged on each of the right and left sides of the width direction W, as illustrated inFIG. 3Bonly in the transport unit10arranged at a position at which skewed paper money B cannot be accepted, and in the transport unit10arranged at a position at which skewed paper money B can be accepted, one motor may be provided, and a sensor may be arranged in the center etc. of the width direction W.

Note that MPU14may control the motor L13aand the motor R13bnot only by obtaining a detection result of the paper money detection sensors11of the transport unit10to which such MPU14belongs, but also by obtaining a detection result of the paper money detection sensors11of another transport unit10.

The paper money data detection sensors15are an example of paper sheet information detection sensors and are used for authentication etc. by detecting information that is different from presence/absence of paper money B (e.g. the thickness of paper money B) rather than for detection of presence/absence of the paper money B as in the paper money detection sensors11. The paper money data detection sensors15may be optical sensors like the paper money detection sensors11or may be magnetic sensors or infrared sensors. Note that althoughFIG. 3Billustrates two paper money data detection sensors15, two paper money data detection sensors15may detect information of paper money B as a pair, or one paper money data detection sensor15or three or more paper money data detection sensors15may be arranged. Alternatively, since the automated transaction apparatus1has a discrimination unit4as descried above, the paper money data detection sensors15may be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the interface unit17communicates with MPU2. The interface unit17may be used for obtaining detection results of presence/absence of paper money B from the other transport units10such as upstream side transport units10of the transport direction T.

The frame19illustrated inFIG. 3AandFIG. 3Bincludes flat guide plates19aand19athat are provided as a top-and-bottom pair to guide paper money B and flat side plates19band19bthat are provided at both ends of the width direction W.

As described above, the paper money detection sensors11emit detection light to a transport path of paper money B. The input-side roller L12a, the input-side roller C12b, the input-side roller R12c, the input-side roller C12d, the output-side roller L12e, and the output-side roller R12ftransport paper money B while contacting with the paper money B. For that reason, the guide plates19aand19ahave cutouts and holes that are not illustrated in the drawings for avoiding interference with the detection light and the rollers.

As illustrated inFIG. 3B, a stepped portion19b-1is provided at a one end side of the transport direction T of the side plate19bin order to avoid interference with the side plate19bof the adjacent transport unit10. This stepped portion19b-1is parallel to and has the same thickness as the other portion of the side plate19b, but is provided at a position away from paper money B in the width direction W than the other portion.

The base plate20has, for example, the paper money detection sensors11etc. mounted and two base plates20are provided as a top-and-bottom pair.

The attachment member21is a member such as a screw used for connecting a transport unit10with an adjacent transport unit10or for fixing a transport unit10within the automated transaction apparatus1.

FIG. 4is a front view illustrating an internal structure of two transport units10and10that are connected with each other.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the two adjacent transport units10and10are fixed by the attachment member21at one point in each of the top-and-bottom side plates19band19blocated at both ends of the frame10in the width direction W, as illustrated inFIG. 3B.

Note that when the two transport units10are the same (have the same structure), the structure of the automated transaction apparatus1can be made simple. However, the transport units10may have different structures as long as each transport unit10has the paper money detection sensors11, the transport mechanism12, at least one driving means (the motor L13aor the motor R13b), MPU14and others.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, a space P1between two rollers (shafts) in the front and the rear in the transport unit10with respect to the transport direction T is desirably shorter than the length BL in the transport direction T of paper money B. A space P2between rollers (shafts) in two adjacent transport units10and10with respect to the transport direction T is also desirably shorter than the length BL in the transport direction T of the paper money B. Although it is not illustrated, the length in the transport direction T of the transport unit10itself is preferably shorter than the length BL in the transport direction T of the paper money B.

Note that in order to avoid interference between the guide plates19aand19aof two adjacent transport units10and10, the guide plate19aat both ends in the transport direction T may have a projected portion that projects in the transport direction T and a recessed portion (a portion other than the projected portion) provided alternately over the width direction W like an inclined portion19a-1as illustrated inFIG. 6described later so that projected portions of one transport unit10is inserted into recessed portions of the adjacent transport unit10.

Here, a control of MPU14in the above-describe transport unit10is explained.

FIG. 5is a flowchart for explaining the control of the transport unit10.

Note that each processing inFIG. 5is processing carried out by MPU14executing a program stored in a storage unit such as ROM.

MPU14, first, repeats a determination of whether the input-side paper money detection sensors L11aand the input-side paper money detection sensors R11bdetect input of paper money B or not, or, for more specific example, whether detection light of the input-side paper money detection sensors L11aand the input-side paper money detection sensors R11bis blocked or not until the paper money B is detected (step S11).

When the input of paper money B is detected (step S11: YES), MPU14determines whether there is a time lag (or the time lag is a specific period of time or longer) between the detection in the input-side paper money detection sensors L11aand the detection in the input-side paper money detection sensors R11bor not (step S12). This determination processing is determination processing of whether the paper money B is input in a skewed state or not.

When a result of the determination is no time lag (step S12: NO), MPU14controls the motor L13aand the motor R13bconcurrently through the motor driver L16aand the motor driver R16bso that the paper money B is transported by the transport mechanism12(step S13).

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a time lag (step S12: YES), MPU14controls the motor L13aand the motor R13bso as to correct the skewness of the paper money B (step S14). For example, when the input-side paper money detection sensors L11adetected the paper money B before the input-side paper money detection sensors R11bdetected the paper money B, MPU14reduces the rotation speed of the motor L13aso as to be slower than the rotation speed of the motor R13b.When the input-side paper money detection sensors R11bdetected the paper money B before the input-side paper money detection sensors L11adetected the paper money B, MPU14reduces the rotation speed of the motor R13bso as to be slower than the rotation speed of the motor L13a.

Next, MPU14repeats a determination of whether the output-side paper money detection sensors L11cand the output-side paper money detection sensors R11ddetect output of paper money B or not, or, for more specific example, whether detection light of the output-side paper money detection sensors L11aand the output-side paper money detection sensors R11bis no longer blocked or not until output of the paper money B is detected (step S15). Note that when the output-side paper money detection sensors L11cand the output-side paper money detection sensors R11dare not arranged in the transport unit10, instead of the determination processing as to whether the output is detected or not, determination processing as to whether a specific driving time has been elapsed or not may be carried out.

When output of the paper money B is detected (step S15: YES), MPU14controls the motor L13aand the motor R13bso as to stop transporting the paper money B by the transport mechanism12(step S16).

By means of MPU14of each of the transport units10carrying out the above-described processing, paper money B can be transported within the automated transaction apparatus1.

FIG. 6Ais a front view illustrating an internal structure of a transport unit10A according to the first modification example.

FIG.6B is a top view illustrating the internal structure of the transport unit10A according to the first modification example.

The first modification example is different from the transport unit10illustrated inFIG. 3AandFIG. 3Bin such a point that inclined portions19a-1are provided at both ends of a top-and-bottom pair of guide plates19aand19awith respect to the transport direction T so as to increase the space between the top-and-bottom pair of guide plates19ato facilitate the input of paper money B.

The inclined portions19a-1are portions at both ends of the guide plates19awith respect to the transport direction T and in each of the portions, a projected portion that is discontinuously provided in the width direction W and projects in the transport direction T is inclined away from the facing guide plate19a. The inclined portions (projected portions)19a-1may be projected portions provided for avoiding interference between the guide plates19aof two adjacent transport units10as described above.

As described above, by providing the inclined portions19a-1to the guide plates19a, when two transport units10A are connected obliquely so that there is an inclination (an inclination from the width direction W) between the two transport units10A as illustrated inFIG. 7, paper money B slipping out of a space between the transport units10A and10A can be prevented.

FIG. 8is a front view illustrating an internal structure of two transport units10A and10A that are obliquely connected to each other by using the guide members31and32according to the second modification example.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, when an angle between the two adjacent transport units10A and10A (an angle from the width direction W) is greater that the angle illustrated inFIG. 7and paper money B can possibly slip out of the space between the transport units10A and10A, the guide members31and32that are arranged independently from the transport units10A may be used to fill the space.

The guide member31on the top side inFIG. 8has a U-shape as an example when the guide member31is viewed from the transport direction T and guides paper money B with its bottom surface. The guide member31may be fixed by the attachment member21in a manner that the guide member31is put around the two adjacent transport units10A and10A. The guide member on the bottom side has an inverted U-shape as an example when viewed from the transport direction T and guides the paper money B with its top surface.

FIG. 9is a front view illustrating internal structures of plural transport units10,10,10B and10including a transport unit10B that has a transport direction switching guide23according to the third modification example.

The transport unit10B inFIG. 9has a transport direction switching guide23that switches the transport direction T of paper money B to a different angle (an angle from the width direction W). This transport direction switching guide23is preferably movable between a switching position as illustrated inFIG. 9for switching the transport direction T of paper money B and a retracted position that is a position at which the transport direction switching guide23is retracted from the switching position so as not to switch the transport direction T. However, when the transport direction T is switched by a certain switching angle, or in other word when the transport path of the paper money B is not divided, the transport direction switching guide23may be immobile. Note that the transport direction switching guide23is arranged as a portion of a transport unit10but may be arranged between two adjacent transport units10and10independently from either of the transport units10as in the transport direction switching guide42illustrated inFIG. 1.

In the transport unit10B inFIG. 9, an input-side paper money detection sensor L11aand an input-side paper money detection sensor R11bare not arranged as a top-and-bottom pair, which is illustrated inFIG. 3A, but these sensors are emission units that are arranged only on the top side of the transport unit10B and emit detection light L1downward. The detection light L1is reflected by a prism unit22arranged so as to face the input-side paper money detection sensor L11aand the input-side paper money detection sensor R11b, is transmitted in the prism unit22in the transport direction T (transmitted light L2), and is again reflected upward in the prism unit22. An output-side paper money detection sensor L11cand the output-side paper money detection sensor R11darranged only on the top side of the transport unit10B receive this reflected light L3a. Note that the prism units22hare arranged separately across the transport path so as not to block the transport path of paper money B. When the detection light L1emitted by the input-side paper money detection sensor L11aand the input-side paper money detection sensor R11bis not received by the output-side paper money detection sensor L11cand the output-side paper money detection sensor R11d, the paper money B is determined to be located within the transport unit10B.

Note that in the transport unit10B, when paper money B is transported in the transport direction T, the rollers on the top side rotate anticlockwise inFIG. 9and the rollers on the bottom side rotate clockwise inFIG. 9. However, in a case of the transport direction T of paper money B being switched to the downward direction by the transport direction switching guide23, the bottom right roller in the transport unit10B needs to rotate anticlockwise when the roller is in contact with the bottom left roller inFIG. 9. In order to prevent the bottom right roller from contacting with the bottom left roller, the transport direction switching guide23is formed so that paper money B does not directly contact with the bottom right roller.

The position of the transport direction switching guide23is controlled by MPU14through a motor and a motor driver that are not illustrated. MPU14, for example, causes the transport direction switching guide23to move in accordance with a moving instruction of the transport direction switching guide23from the above-described MPU2inFIG. 1.

Note that, as illustrated inFIG. 9, an external paper money detection sensor33(an example of external paper sheet detection sensors) that detects presence/absence of paper money B independently from the transport units10and10B may be arranged between the two adjacent transport units10and10B. Alternatively, the external paper money detection sensor33may be used for authentication etc. by detecting information that is different from presence/absence of paper money B (e.g. the thickness of paper money B) similarly to the above-described paper money data detection sensor15illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3B.

The external paper money detection sensor33is a line sensor extending in the width direction W, although it is merely an example. MPU2may issue a moving instruction of the transport direction switching guide23based on a destination of the paper money B determined in accordance with the detection result of the external paper money detection sensor33.

On the opposite side (the bottom side) across the transport path of paper money B from the external paper money detection sensor33, a guide member34that guides paper money B may be arranged. Note that when a top-and-bottom pair of guide members34located across paper money B is arranged between the two adjacent transport units10and10B, a space between the two adjacent transport units10and10B, or in other words a length of the transport path configured by plural transport units10, can be adjusted.

FIG. 10is a front view illustrating internal structures of two transport units10C and10C that have a transport direction switching guide24according to the fourth modification example.

The transport direction switching guide24according to the fourth modification example is the same as the above-described transport direction switching guide23according to the third modification example except that the transport direction T of paper money B is switched to the vertical direction. For that reason, detailed descriptions are omitted.

The transport direction switching guide24of the transport unit10C switches the transport direction T of paper money B to the vertical direction. In order to do so, the transport direction switching guide24of the first transport unit10C switches the transport direction T from the rightward direction to the downward direction inFIG. 10. Next, the transport direction switching guide24of the second transport unit10C switches the transport direction of paper money B from the downward direction to the leftward direction inFIG. 10. In this manner, the transport direction T of paper money B can be switched to an opposite direction. Note that the above-described second transport unit10C is arranged in such an orientation that the first transport unit10C is rotated clockwise by90degrees inFIG. 10.

Similarly to the above-described transport direction switching guide23in the transport unit10B inFIG. 9, the transport direction switching guide24is preferably movable between a switching position as illustrated inFIG. 10for switching the transport direction T of paper money B and a retracted position that is a position at which the transport direction switching guide24is retracted from the switching position so as not to switch the transport direction T. When the transport direction T is switched by a certain switching angle, or in other word when the transport path of the paper money B is not divided, the transport direction switching guide24may be immobile.

FIG. 11is a flowchart for explaining a control of the transport units10B and10C that have the transport direction switching guides23and24, respectively, according to the third and fourth modification examples. Explanations of the items that are the same as the flowchart inFIG. 5and the explanations of the above-described transport units10B inFIGS. 9 and 10CinFIG. 10are omitted as appropriate.

Note that each processing inFIG. 11is processing carried out by MPU14executing a program stored in a storage unit such as ROM.

MPU14, first, determines whether a division instruction, or in other word the above-described moving instruction regarding the transport direction switching guide23or24, has been received from MPU2or not (step S21). This moving instruction is preferably issued, for example, in accordance with a discrimination result of the discrimination unit4or a detection result of a sensor outside of the transport units10B and10C such as the above-described external paper money detection sensor33inFIG. 9.

When the moving direction regarding the transport direction switching guide23or24is received, MPU14causes the transport direction switching guide23or24to move to the above-described switching position (step S22).

Afterwards, MPU14determines whether the input-side paper money detection sensors L11aand the input-side paper money detection sensors R11bdetect input of paper money B or not (step S23).

When the input of the transport path of paper money B is not detected (step S23: NO), MPU14, again, carries out the determination processing (step S21) of a moving instruction regarding the transport direction switching guide23or the transport direction switching guide24.

When the input of paper money B is detected (step

S23: YES), MPU14determines whether there is a time lag (or the time lag is a specific period of time or longer) between the detection in the input-side paper money detection sensors L11aand the detection in the input-side paper money detection sensors R11bor not (step S24).

When a result of the determination is no time lag (step S24: NO), MPU14controls the motor L13aand the motor R13bconcurrently through the motor driver L16aand the motor driver R16bso that the paper money B is transported by the transport mechanism12(step S25).

On the other hand, when a time lag is determined (step S24: YES), MPU14controls the motor L13aand the motor R13bso as to correct the skewness of the paper money B (step S26).

Next, MPU14repeats a determination of whether the output-side paper money detection sensors L11cand the output-side paper money detection sensors R11ddetect output of paper money B or not until output of the paper money B is detected (step S27).

When output of the paper money B is detected (step S27: YES), MPU14controls the motor driver L16aand the motor driver R16bso as to stop transporting the paper money B by the transport mechanism12(step S28).

By means of MPU14of each of the transport units10B and10C carrying out the above-described processing, paper money B can be transported within the automated transaction apparatus1while the transport direction T is properly switched.

FIG. 12is a front view illustrating internal structures of two connected transport units10D and10E according to the fifth modification example.

Compared with the transport unit10illustrated inFIG. 2,FIG. 3AandFIG. 3B, the transport unit10D and the transport unit10E illustrated inFIG. 12, which are an example of the first transport unit and the second transport unit arranged adjacent to each other, are different only in such points that paper money detection sensors25(in this description, input-side paper money detection sensors L25a, input-side paper money detection sensors R25b, output-side paper money detection sensor L25c, and output-side paper money detection sensors R25dare collectively referred to as paper money detection sensors25) are arranged instead of the paper money detection sensors11and that the first reflection member26and the second reflection member27are arranged. For that reason, detailed explanations are omitted.

The paper money detection sensors25are arranged in top-and-bottom pairs, and the sensors in the bottom side are an example of emission units that emit detection light upward to the transport path of paper money B and the sensors in the top side are an example of reception units that receive the detection light.

The first reflection member26is arranged around the top-side sensors of the output-side paper money detection sensors L25cand the output-side paper money detection sensors R25d. The second reflection member27is arranged around the top-side sensors of the input-side paper money detection sensors L25aand the input-side paper money detection sensors R25b.

Note thatFIG. 12illustrates an example in which only the first reflection member26is arranged in the transport unit10D and only the second reflection member27is arranged in the transport unit10E. However, the second reflection member27may be further arranged around the input-side paper money detection sensors L25aand the input-side paper money detection sensors R25bof the transport unit10D and the first reflection member26may be further arranged around the output-side paper money detection sensors L25cand the output-side paper money detection sensors R25dof the transport unit10E.

Although the first reflection member26is arranged around each of the output-side paper money detection sensors L25cand R25d, when a single output-side paper money detection sensor is arranged in the transport unit10D or10E, the first reflection member26may be arranged around the single output-side paper money detection sensor. Similarly, although the second reflection member27is arranged around each of the input-side paper money detection sensors L25aand R25b, when a single output-side paper money detection sensor is arranged in the transport unit10D or10E, the second reflection member27may be arranged around the single output-side paper money detection sensor.

As illustrated inFIG. 13(an enlarged view of a portion A inFIG. 12), the top-side sensors of the output-side paper money detection sensors L25cand the output-side paper money detection sensors R25dof the transport unit10D receive a portion of detection light L11and the detection light L21emitted by the bottom-side sensors.

As illustrated inFIG. 14(a bottom view of the first reflection member26and the second reflection member27inFIG. 13viewed from the direction C), the first reflection member26of the transport unit10D is a prism that has a rectangular plane inclined face26aprovided to surround an optical path26bof the detection line L21toward the top-side sensor of the output-side paper money detection sensors L25cor the output-side paper money detection sensors R25dand that reflects, with the inclined face26a, the detection light L11and the detection light L21deviated from the output-side paper money detection sensor L25cor the output-side paper money detection sensor R25dto the transport unit10E(reflected light L21and reflected light L22). Note that instead of the plane inclined face26ain the first reflection member26, a reflection face with other shapes such as a curved face or a concave face may be used. In addition, the first reflection member26is not limited to a prism, but may be other members such as a half mirror arranged at a position of the inclined face26a. The half mirror can be provided on the optical path of the detection light L21.

The top-side sensors of the output-side paper money detection sensors L25cand the output-side paper money detection sensors R25dof the transport unit10E receive detection light L30emitted by the bottom-side sensors.

As illustrated inFIG. 14, the second reflection member27of the transport unit10E is a prism that has a rectangular plane inclined face27aprovided to surround an optical path27bof the detection line L30toward the top-side sensor of the output-side paper money detection sensors L25aor the output-side paper money detection sensors R25band that reflects, with the inclined face27a, the above-described detection light L21and the above-described detection light L22to the input-side paper money detection sensor L25aor the input-side paper money detection sensor R25b. Note that when the reception unit of the transport unit10E receives the reflected light of the detection light L21emitted by the emission unit of the transport unit10D, MPU14may stop the emission unit of the transport unit10E emitting the detection light.

Note that regarding the plane inclined face27ain the second reflection member27, a reflection face with other shapes such as a curved face or a concave face may also be used instead of the plane inclined face27a. In addition, the second reflection member27is not limited to a prism, but may be other members such as a half mirror arranged at a position of the inclined face27a.

By means of the above-described first and second reflection members26and27, the reception units (the top-side sensors) of the input-side paper money detection sensor L25aand the input-side paper money detection sensor R25bof the transport unit10E can receive the detection light (a portion of the detection light L11and the detection light L21) emitted by the emission units (the bottom-side sensors) of the output-side paper money detection sensor L25cand the output-side paper money detection sensor R25dof the transport unit10D that is an upstream side transport unit adjacent to the transport unit10E in the transport direction T.

FIG. 15Ais a front view illustrating an internal structure of the transport unit1OF according to the sixth modification example.

FIG. 15Bis a top view illustrating an internal structure of the transport unit1OF according to the sixth modification example.

In the sixth modification example, transport mechanism28is mainly different from the above-described transport mechanism12in a point that the transport mechanism28uses belts28ato28cas a transporting member to transport paper money B while contacting with the paper money B, instead of the rollers such as the input-side roller L12aof the above-described transport mechanism12. For that reason, detailed explanations are omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 15AandFIG. 15B, the transport mechanism28includes belts28ato28c, input-side belt rollers28dto28f, output-side belt rollers28dto28i, an input-side shaft28jand an output-side shaft28k, each of which being arranged in top-and-bottom pairs, to transport paper money B.

The belts28ato28care put around the input-side belt rollers28dto28fand the output-side belt rollers28gto28i.

In the sixth modification example, the output-side belt rollers28gto28iare rotated by rotating the output-side shaft28kby a single motor L13aarranged on the top side of the transport unit10through the power transmission belt L18a. As a result, the belts28ato28cthat are put around the output-side belt rollers28gto28iare rotated.

However, when a motor R13bis further arranged as illustrated inFIG. 3B, the input-side shaft28jmay be separated into coaxial two shafts like the input-side shaft L12gand the input-side shaft R12hand the output-side shaft28kmay be separated into coaxial two shafts like the output-side shaft K12iand the output-side shaft R12j, and a single belt, for example, may be put around the separated shafts to enable correction of skewness as described above.

FIG. 16Ais a front view to explain a positional relationship between the belts28ato28c,29a, and29bof two adjacent transport units1OF and10G according to the seventh modification example.

FIG. 16Bis a top view to explain a positional relationship between the belts28ato28c,29aand29bof two adjacent transport units1OF and10G according to the seventh modification example.

The belts28ato28cof the transport unit10F, which is an example of the third transport unit, have been described in the sixth modification example. On the other hand, the belts29aand29bof the transport unit10G, which is an example of the fourth transport unit arranged adjacent to the third transport unit (transport unit10F), are put around the input-side shafts28jand28killustrated inFIG. 15AandFIG. 15Bat positions shifted from the belts28ato28ctoward the width direction W, for example. When a number of transport units10are connected with one another, the transport units are preferably connected in a manner that the transport unit1OF and the transport unit10G are arranged alternately. Note that the number of belts is different between the transport unit1OF and the transport unit10E, but the number may be the same when the belts are arranged at different positions with respect to the width direction W.

Rear ends28a-1,28b-1, and28c-1, which are end portions of the belts28ato28cof the transport unit10F on the side of the transport unit10G (the downstream side of the transport direction T), are, in terms of the positions with respect to the transport direction T, aligned with front ends29a-1and29b-1, which are end portions of the belts29aand29bof the transport unit10G on the side of the transport unit1OF (the upstream side of the transport direction T). In other words, the rear ends28a-1,28b-1, and28c-1of the belts28ato28cand the front ends29a-1and29b-1of the belts29aand29bare located on the same face S.

Note that the positions of the rear ends28a-1,28b-1, and28c-1of the belts28ato28cin the transport direction T may be located so as to overlap with the front ends29a-1and29b-1of the belts29aand29bat the downstream side of the transport direction T (i.e., there may be portions at which the belts28ato28coverlap with the belts29aand29bin the transport direction T).

As a transporting member, rollers are arranged instead of the belts28ato28c,29aand29b, and the positions of ends of the rollers with respect to the transport direction T are aligned with or overlap with each other on the same face S between adjacent transport units10and10as described above.

According to the above-described embodiments, the automated transaction apparatus1, which is an example of a paper sheet processing apparatus, includes plural transport units10connected one another in a transport direction T of paper money B, which is an example of paper sheets. Each of the plural transport units10includes paper money detection sensors11(input-side paper money detection sensors L11a, input-side paper money detection sensors R11b, output-side paper money detection sensors L11c, output-side paper money detection sensors R11d), which are an example of paper sheet detection sensors that detect presence/absence of paper money B, a transport mechanism12that transports paper money B, a motor L13aand a motor R13b, which are an example of driving means to drive the transport mechanism12, and MPU14, which is an example of a control unit that controls the motor L13aand the motor R13b, MPU14controls the motor L13aand the motor R13bso as to transport paper money B by means of the transport mechanism12based on a detection result of the paper money detection sensors11.

Each of the plural transport units10detects paper money B with the paper money detection sensors11, transports paper money B by means of MPU14controlling the motor L13aand the motor R13bbased on the detection result as described above. In this manner, each transport unit10can autonomously carry out the transporting operation as long as paper money B exists. In addition, a large-sized transport path can be constructed by properly connecting transport units10. Furthermore, separate designing can be extremely easily considered at the time of configuring a large-sized automated transaction apparatus1.

According to the present embodiments, it is possible to flexibly construct a transport path by using transport units10, each being independently controlled.

Moreover, in each of the transport units10, because paper money B is transported depending on the determination of MPU14and by using the power of the motor L13aand the motor R13b, driving belts that connect all transport paths in the automated transaction apparatus1do not need to be driven all the time. Consequently, since the power is used only in a portion in which paper money B is present, mechanical inertia force can be kept small, and mechanical loss can be reduced. Since a large-capacity motor driving circuit, which is used when a driving belt for connecting all transport paths in the automated transaction apparatus1is used, is not needed, the need of components that can tolerate the large capacity power can be eliminated.

Furthermore, performance can be ensured for each transport unit10, designing can be carried out without giving strong consideration to EOL for each component.

In addition, because ATM that is produced in small quantities can be produced by manufacturing the transport units10in large quantities and combining those transport units10, the volume efficiency is very high. Additionally, as the number of the transport units10becomes larger, the production is in larger quantities and even when a custom-made component is used, an impact to the cost can be reduced.

Moreover, various forms of transport path can be constructed by combining the transport units10, which allows flexible response to requests from the destination about the specification in a short period of time. The attachment members21can be combined with the transport units10at the time at which large-volume production is determined, and the transport units10can be recycled.

The fifth modification example of the embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 12andFIG. 13, plural transport units10include the transport units10D and10E, which are examples of the first transport unit and the second transport unit arranged adjacent to each other. Paper money detection sensors25of the transport units10D and10E (input-side paper money detection sensors L25a, input-side paper money detection sensors R25b, output-side paper money detection sensors L25c, output-side paper money detection sensors R25d) includes emission units (the paper money detection sensors25on the bottom side) that emit detection light L11, detection light L21, and detection light L30to the transport path of paper money B and reception units (the paper money detection sensors25on the top side) that receive the detection light. The reception units of the transport unit10E (the paper money detection sensors25on the top side) receive detection light that is emitted by emission units of the transport unit10D (the paper money detection sensors25on the bottom side).

Accordingly to this structure, the paper money detection sensors25of the transport unit10E can optically detect presence/absence of paper money B in the transport unit10D, which is on the upstream side of the transport direction T. MPU14can ensure the control (activation) of the motor L13aand the motor R13bat the time of input of paper money B, or in particular paper money B transported at high speed, without obtaining a detection result via a signal line from the transport unit10D.

According to the present embodiments, the transport unit10D has the first reflection member26that reflects a portion of detection light L11and detection light L21, which is emitted by the emission units of the transport unit10D (the paper money detection sensors25on the bottom side), toward the transport unit10E. The transport unit10E has the second reflection member27that reflects reflected light L12and reflected light L22, which was reflected by the first reflection member26, toward the reception units of the transport unit10E (the paper money detection sensors25on the top side). As a result of this simple structure using the first reflection member26and the second reflection member27, the paper money detection sensors25of the transport unit10E can detect presence/absence of paper money B in the transport unit10D.

According to the present embodiments, the transport mechanism12has plural transporting members (an input-side roller L12a, an input-side roller C12b, an input-side roller R12c, an input-side roller C12d, an output-side roller L12e, an output-side roller R12f), which are rollers or belts that transport paper money B while contacting with paper money B at different positions in the width direction W orthogonal to the transport direction T. The transport unit10has plural paper money detection sensors11(input-side paper money detection sensors L11a, input-side paper money detection sensors R11b, output-side paper money detection sensors L11c, output-side paper money detection sensors R11d) that detect presence/absence of paper money B at different positions in the width direction W and a motor L13aand a motor R13b, which are examples of plural driving means that drive the plural transporting members. MPU14controls the motor L13aand the motor R13bto correct skewness of paper money B based on a detection result of the plural paper money detection sensors11. The skewness of paper money B can be thereby corrected in each transport unit10.

According to the seventh modification example of the present embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 16AandFIG. 16B, plural transport units include the transport units1OF and10G, which are examples of the third transport unit and the fourth transport unit arranged adjacent to each other, the transport units1OF and10G have transporting members (belts28ato28c,29a,29b) that are rollers or belts to transport paper money B while contacting with paper money B. Rear ends28a-1to28c-1, which are end portions of the belts28ato28cof the transport unit1OF on the side of the transport unit10G (the downstream side of the transport direction T), are, in terms of the positions with respect to the transport direction T, aligned with front ends29a-1and29b-1, which are end portions of the belts29aand29bof the transport unit10G on the side of the transport unit1OF (the upstream side of the transport direction T) or are located closer to the side of the transport unit10G than the front ends29a-1and29b-1. Consequently, since a space between the transporting members in the transport direction T is not created between the plural transport units1OF and10G, it is possible to prevent paper money B from jamming and to prevent paper money B from falling off the transport units10.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but components can be modified and embodied without departing from the scope of the invention at the implementation. In addition, various inventions may be formed by appropriate combination of multiple components disclosed in the embodiments. For example, all components provided in the embodiments may be combined as appropriate. In this manner, the present invention can take various modifications or applications without departing from the scope of the invention.