Patent Publication Number: US-2018033228-A1

Title: Paper sheet storing mechanism, paper sheet handling machine, and paper sheet storing method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a paper sheet storing mechanism that stores a paper sheet, such as a banknote, in a storage bag, such as a pouch bag, having an opening on one side thereof. The present invention also relates to a paper sheet handling machine equipped with such a paper sheet storing mechanism, and a paper sheet storing method implemented by such a paper sheet storing mechanism. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A paper sheet handling machine, which performs a money deposition process of a paper sheet, such as a banknote, that stores the paper sheet taken inside a body thereof in a storage bag, such as a pouch bag, is known in the art. A paper sheet handling machine disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-174130 is known as a paper sheet handling machine of this type. According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-174130, such a paper sheet handling machine is used as a part of a cash teller machine (specifically, as a banknote teller machine) that is installed, for example, in a backyard area of a shop of a supermarket and the like. The cash teller machine is used to dispense money as a change reserve money to be loaded in a cash settlement device that is installed in a front area and to deposit money as proceeds of sales collected from the cash settlement device. 
     In the conventional paper sheet handling machine, when storing the paper sheet, such as the banknote, in a storage bag, such as a pouch bag, the number of paper sheets stored in the storage bag is counted in a counting unit, and it is determined that the storage bag is full of the paper sheets when the number of paper sheets stored in the storage bag reaches a predetermined number. That is, when the paper sheet is to be stored in a cassette-type storing unit, various sensors or a full detection lever can be arranged near the storing unit, and whether the storing unit is full or nearly full of the banknotes can be detected by using those sensors or the full detection lever; however, it is difficult to arrange such sensors or the full detection lever for a storage bag such as the pouch bag. Specifically, because the storage bag, such as the pouch bag, is not transparent on account of maintaining the security, it is not possible to directly detect the paper sheet stored in the storage bag from the outside of the storage bag with an optical sensor and the like. Moreover, when a mechanical component such as the full detection lever is used, an issue about space and cost arises as it is necessary to move the mechanical component upward from the storage bag when sealing the opening of the storage bag. Therefore, in the conventional paper sheet handling machine, the number of paper sheets stored in the storage bag is counted, and the operation of storing the paper sheet in the storage bag is stopped before the paper sheets overflow from the storage bag. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     However, in the conventional paper sheet handling machine, when counting the number of paper sheets stored in the storage bag, determining that the storage bag is full or nearly full with the paper sheets when the number of paper sheets stored in the storage bag reaches the predetermined number, and stopping the operation of storing the paper sheet in this storage bag, considering that a large number of inappropriate paper sheets, such as unfit banknotes, that may be curled and the like due to being in circulation for a long time, are stored in the storage bag, a number that is much smaller than the capacity of the storage bag when only normal paper sheets, such as new banknotes, are stored in the storage bag is set as the predetermined number. Therefore, when a large number of the normal paper sheets are stored in the storage bag, a large space remains empty in the storage bag even when the number of paper sheets stored in the storage bag has reached the predetermined number. Thus, there is a disadvantage that the storage space in the storage bag is not used effectively. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above discussion. One object of the present invention is to provide a paper sheet storing mechanism, a paper sheet handling machine, and a paper sheet storing method that make it possible to store a large number of paper sheets in the storage bag regardless of a state of the paper sheets stored in the storage bag allowing effective use of the storage space in the storage bag. 
     A paper sheet storing mechanism of the present invention is a paper sheet storing mechanism that stores a paper sheet in a storage bag having an opening on one side thereof, including a holding unit for holding a part near the opening of the storage bag; an image capturing unit that captures an image of an inside of the storage bag held by the holding unit; and a control unit that determines a storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag based on the image of the inside of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit. 
     In the paper sheet storing mechanism of the present invention, upon determining that the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag held by the holding unit is a predetermined storing state, the control unit may output information representing that the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag is the predetermined storing state. 
     In this case, the paper sheet storing mechanism of the present invention may further include an alarm unit that raises an alarm, when the control unit determines that the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag held by the holding unit is the predetermined storing state, that the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag is the predetermined storing state, based on the information output from the control unit. 
     In the paper sheet storing mechanism of the present invention, a mark for determining the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag may be arranged on an inner part of the storage bag to be held by the holding unit. 
     In this case, the mark may include a plurality of indicator lines that extends parallel to each other, and the control unit may determine the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag from the image of the inside of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit based on a state of discontinuity of one or some of the auxiliary lines among the auxiliary lines because of the paper sheet stored in the storage bag. 
     Alternatively, the control unit may determine the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag from the image of the inside of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit based on a distance between an upper edge of the paper sheet stored in the storage bag and an upper edge of the storage bag or a predetermined reference line. 
     Alternatively, the control unit may determine the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag from the image of the inside of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit based on a size of an area between an upper edge of the paper sheet stored in the storage bag and an upper edge of the storage bag or a predetermined reference line. 
     In the paper sheet storing mechanism of the present invention, information about a counting result representing number of paper sheets sent in the storage bag held by the holding unit may be sent to the control unit, and the control unit may determine the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag based on both the image of the inside of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit and the number of paper sheets sent in the storage bag. 
     The paper sheet storing mechanism of the present invention may further include a light source that emits a light on the storage bag held by the holding unit. 
     In this case, the light source may irradiate the inside of the storage bag held by the holding unit with the light. 
     Alternatively, the light source may irradiate the inside of the storage bag with the light that is transmitted through the storage bag held by the holding unit from outside of the storage bag. 
     In the paper sheet storing mechanism of the present invention, the image capturing unit may be capable of capturing the image of the inside of a plurality of the storage bags held by the holding units. 
     In this case, the image capturing unit may include a fisheye lens or a wide-angle lens. 
     In the paper sheet storing mechanism of the present invention, the control unit may acquire unique information about the storage bag based on the image of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit. 
     In this case, a unique information displaying unit indicating the unique information of the storage bag may be arranged on an inner part or an outer part of the storage bag to be held by the holding unit. 
     In the paper sheet storing mechanism of the present invention, the control unit may be capable of detecting an operation of removing the paper sheet from the storage bag based on the image of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit. 
     The paper sheet storing mechanism of the present invention may further include a pressing unit that enters into the storage bag held by the holding unit and presses the paper sheet stored inside the storage bag, based on the image of the inside of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit, upon determining that the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag is the predetermined state, the control unit may control the pressing unit to press the paper sheet stored inside the storage bag. 
     A paper sheet handling machine of the present invention is a paper sheet handling machine that handles a paper sheet, including a paper sheet storing mechanism that stores the paper sheet in a storage bag having an opening on one side thereof and includes a holding unit for holding a part near the opening of the storage bag, and an image capturing unit that captures an image of an inside of the storage bag held by the holding unit; a body unit that sends the paper sheet to the paper sheet storing mechanism; and a control unit that determines a storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag based on the image of the inside of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit. 
     In this case, upon determining that the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag held by the holding unit of the paper sheet storing mechanism is a predetermined storing state, the control unit may output information representing that the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag is the predetermined storing state. 
     The paper sheet handling machine of the present invention may further include an alarm unit that raises an alarm, when the control unit determines that the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag held by the holding unit of the paper sheet storing mechanism is the predetermined storing state, based on the information output from the control unit, that the storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag is the predetermined storing state. 
     The paper sheet handling machine of the present invention may further include a housing; and a drawing unit that is capable of being pulled out of the housing, the holding unit and the image capturing unit are arranged in the drawing unit, the control unit, and based on the image of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit, may be capable of detecting an operation of removing the paper sheet from the storage bag after the drawing unit has been pulled out of the housing. 
     A paper sheet storing method of the present invention is a paper sheet storing method for storing a paper sheet in a storage bag having an opening on one side thereof, including sending the paper sheet into the storage bag to store the paper sheet in the storage bag; capturing an image of an inside of the storage bag with an image capturing unit; and determining a storing state of the paper sheet in the storage bag based on the image of the inside of the storage bag captured by the image capturing unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic configurational diagram of an example of a configuration of a banknote handling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a configuration of a pair of holding members and the like in a banknote storing mechanism of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a configuration of a banknote storage bag to be held by the holding members of the banknote storing mechanism of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1  and the like. 
         FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of a configuration of a control system of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1  and the like. 
         FIG. 5  is an example of an image of an inside of the banknote storage bag captured by an image capturing unit of the banknote storing mechanism of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1  and the like. 
         FIG. 6  is another example of an image of the inside of the banknote storage bag captured by the image capturing unit of the banknote storing mechanism of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1  and the like. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a situation in which two image capturing units are installed in the banknote storing mechanism of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1  and the like. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic configurational diagram of another example of a configuration of the banknote handling machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an example of an image of an inside of the banknote storage bags captured by the image capturing unit of the banknote storing mechanism of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIGS. 10( a ) to 10( d )  depict examples of various layouts of the image capturing unit and a light source in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8  and the like. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a top view of the banknote storing mechanism of yet another banknote handling machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another example of a configuration of a banknote storage bag to be held by the holding members of the banknote storing mechanism of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8  and the like. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic configurational diagram of yet another example of a configuration of the banknote handling machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIGS. 1 to 6  are views indicating a banknote handling machine and a banknote handling method according to the present embodiment. Among them,  FIG. 1  is a schematic configurational diagram of an example of a configuration of the banknote handling machine according to the present embodiment,  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a configuration of a pair of holding members and the like in a banknote storing mechanism of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a configuration of a banknote storage bag to be held by the holding members of the banknote storing mechanism shown in  FIG. 1  and the like.  FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of a configuration of a control system of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1  and the like. Moreover,  FIGS. 5 and 6  are examples of an image of an inside of the banknote storage bag captured by an image capturing unit of the banknote storing mechanism of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1  and the like. Note that, in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , a banknote stored in the banknote storage bag is shown with a reference letter P. 
     A banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment is typically installed in a front area or a backyard area of a shop of a supermarket and the like. The banknote handling machine  10  can perform various processes such as a money deposition process of a banknote. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment includes a housing  12  having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Note that, a surface on the left-hand side of the housing  12  shown in  FIG. 1  is a front surface (the surface facing an operator) of the housing  12 . Moreover, an upper unit  14  and a lower unit  16  are housed inside the housing  12  in such a manner that each of them can be pulled out forward from the front surface of the housing  12  (specifically, toward the left direction in  FIG. 1 ). Note that, a structure is allowable in which the lower unit  16  can be pulled out backward from a back surface (specifically, toward the right direction in  FIG. 1 ) instead of the structure in which the lower unit  16  can be pulled out forward from the front surface of the housing  12 . In the upper unit  14 , a depositing unit  20 , such as a receiving hopper, for depositing a banknote from an outside of the housing  12  to an inside thereof is arranged in a front upper surface of the housing  12  (upper left side surface in  FIG. 1 ). Moreover, in the upper unit  14 , an ejecting unit  22  for ejecting a banknote to the outside of the housing  12  from the inside thereof is arranged below the depositing unit  20  that has been arranged in the front surface of the housing  12  (the left side surface in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The depositing unit  20  includes a banknote feeding mechanism  20   a  to feed banknotes, set on the depositing unit  20  in a stacked manner by the operator, one by one to the inside of the housing  12 . Moreover, in the upper unit  14 , a transporting unit  24  for transporting the banknotes one by one inside the housing  12  is arranged in the housing  12  of the banknote handling machine  10 . The banknotes fed by the banknote feeding mechanism  20   a  of the depositing unit  20  are transported one by one by the transporting unit  24 . Moreover, the transporting unit  24  is provided with a recognition unit  26 . The recognition unit  26  recognizes a denomination, authenticity, face side up/back side up, fitness, version, transportation state, and the like of the banknote fed by the banknote feeding mechanism  20   a  to the transporting unit  24 . The recognition unit  26  includes, for example, an image sensor, and a serial number of the banknote is acquired from an image of the banknote captured by the image sensor. Information relating to the serial number of the banknote acquired by the recognition unit  26  is stored in a later-explained memory  54 . In this manner, the serial numbers of the banknotes stored in a later-explained banknote storage bag  34 , such as a pouch bag, and a storing and feeding unit  30  are stored in the memory  54 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the ejecting unit  22  is connected to the transporting unit  24 . The banknotes sent from the transporting unit  24  to the ejecting unit  22  are stacked in the ejecting unit  22 . Moreover, the ejecting unit  22  is accessible from the outside of the housing  12 . The operator can remove the banknotes stacked in the ejecting unit  22  from the front surface of the housing  12 . Moreover, a stacking wheel  22   a  is arranged at a joint of the ejecting unit  22  and the transporting unit  24 . The stacking wheel  22   a  is rotatable in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 1 . When the banknote is sent from the transporting unit  24  to the ejecting unit  22 , the stacking wheel  22   a  rotates in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 1  while the banknote is sandwiched between two blades of the stacking wheel  22   a . As a result, the banknote sandwiched between the two blades of the stacking wheel  22   a  is stacked and aligned in the ejecting unit  22 . 
     Moreover, in the upper unit  14 , the transporting unit  24  is provided with the tape-type storing and feeding unit  30 . The banknote sent from the transporting unit  24  to the storing and feeding unit  30  is stored in this storing and feeding unit  30 . Moreover, the banknotes stored in this storing and feeding unit  30  can be fed one by one to the transporting unit  24 . More particularly, the storing and feeding unit  30  includes a drum  30   a  rotatable in both of a forward and a reverse direction. One end of a pair of belt-shaped tapes  31  is connected to an outer peripheral surface of the drum  30   a . When the banknote is sent from the transporting unit  24  to the storing and feeding unit  30 , the banknote is wound one by one, together with and between the tapes  31 , around the drum  30   a  by the belt-shaped tapes  31 . Alternatively, when the tapes  31  are unwound from the drum  30   a  by rotating the drum  30   a  in the reverse direction, the banknote that has been wound around the drum  30   a  is also released from the tapes  31  and fed to the transporting unit  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the present embodiment, in the lower unit  16  is arranged a banknote storing mechanism  32  that stores the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34 . The banknote storage bag  34  has an opening on one side thereof. The banknote storing mechanism  32  includes a pair of holding members  36 . The holding members  36  oppose each other with a space therebetween. Two parts of the banknote storage bag  34  that oppose each other and that are located near the opening are held by the holding members  36 . The position of one of the holding members  36  (specifically, for example, the holding member  36  on the right in  FIG. 1 ) is fixed whereas the other holding member  36  (specifically, for example, the holding member  36  on the left in  FIG. 1 ) is movable with respect to the fixed holding member  36 . Moreover, each of the holding members  36  includes a not-shown heating element. After the banknotes of a predetermined number are stored in the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , before the banknote storage bag  34  is removed from the banknote storing mechanism  32 , the movable holding member  36  moves toward the fixed holding member  36  so that both the holding members  36  contact each other. In this state, the opening in the banknote storage bag  34  is heat-sealed (heat sealing) by applying heat from the heating elements at places near the opening in the banknote storage bag  34 . In the banknote storing mechanism  32 , a configuration is allowable in which both the holding members  36  are movable relative to each other so as to contact each other instead of the configuration in which only one of the holding members  36  is movable relative to the other holding member  36 . 
     By pulling the lower unit  16  out forward (i.e., the left direction in  FIG. 1 ) from the front surface of the housing  12 , the operator can take out the banknote storage bag  34 , which contains the banknotes, from the banknote storing mechanism  32 , set an empty banknote storage bag  34  in the banknote storing mechanism  32 , and the like. 
     In the upper unit  14 , a plurality of (three in the example shown in  FIG. 1 ) branching transporting parts  25  branches from the transporting unit  24 . A banknote branched from the transporting unit  24  to any of the branching transporting part  25  is sent from that branching transporting part  25  to the banknote storage bag  34  set in the banknote storing mechanism  32  and stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . In this manner, in the present embodiment, a plurality of banknote inlets from the upper unit  14  to the lower unit  16  has been arranged for one banknote storage bag  34 . Moreover, the banknote storage bag  34  having a wide opening, which spans the plurality of (three in the example shown in  FIG. 1 ) inlets from the upper unit  14  to the lower unit  16 , is set in the banknote storing mechanism  32 . In this structure, regardless of to which of the branching transporting parts  25  the banknote is branched from the transporting unit  24  in the upper unit  14 , the banknote will be stored in the same banknote storage bag  34 . 
     In this manner, in the present embodiment, because one banknote storage bag  34  is arranged in the lower unit  16  for the plurality of (specifically, three) inlets from the upper unit  14  to the lower unit  16 , the number of banknotes that can be stored in the banknote storage bag  34  can be increased. Moreover, because the plurality of the inlets has been prepared for one banknote storage bag  34  for sending the banknotes to the banknote storage bag  34 , the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  get scattered in the banknote storage bag  34  so that the banknotes can be stored uniformly in the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     In the lower unit  16 , it is allowable to arrange a plurality of the banknote storing mechanism  32  side-by-side into each of which the banknote storage bag  34 , such as a pouch bag, can be set. Specifically, it is allowable to provide three banknote storing mechanisms  32  arranged side-by-side corresponding to the three branching transporting parts  25 . In this structure, each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  includes a pair of holding members that oppose each other with a space therebetween. Two parts of the banknote storage bag  34  that oppose each other and that are located near the opening are held by the holding members  36 . In the upper unit  14 , a banknote branched from the transporting unit  24  to the branching transporting part  25  is sent from the branching transporting part  25  to the banknote storage bag  34  set in the corresponding banknote storing mechanism  32  and stored in that banknote storage bag  34 . Moreover, in this structure, above the holding members in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  are arranged a temporary escrow unit for temporarily storing the banknote sent from the transporting unit  24  and a pushing plate for pushing the banknote temporarily stored in the temporary escrow unit into the banknote storage bag  34 . Specifically, the banknotes sent from the transporting unit  24  to the banknote storing mechanism  32  are stored in a stacked manner in the temporary escrow unit. The pushing plate moves downward when the banknotes, which have been stacked in the temporary escrow unit, are to be stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . As a result, the banknotes stacked in the temporary escrow unit are pushed downward and sent in the banknote storage bag  34 . Moreover, when the banknotes of a predetermined number are stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , the pushing plate moves downward and enters into the banknote storage bag  34  whereby the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  are pushed downward and compressed by the pushing plate. 
     A detailed explanation of a configuration of the holding members  36  is given below by using  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , among the pair of holding members  36  arranged on the right and left, the left holding member  36  is provided with a pantograph  37 . The left holding member  36  can be moved toward the right holding member  36  by the pantograph  37  so that the holding members  36  contact each other. More particularly, a guide pin  36   p  is arranged at one end of the left holding member  36 , and a frame  36   k  that supports the holding members  36  is provided with a linear slit  36   q  for guiding the guide pin  36   p . The slit  36   q  extends horizontally in the frame  36   k . When the pantograph  37  expands, the guide pin  36   p  of the left holding member  36  is guided along the slit  36   q  whereby the left holding member  36  moves toward the right holding member  36 . In the present embodiment, it is allowable to perform the movement of the left holding member  36  by using a rack and a pinion instead of performing the movement of the left holding member  36  by using the pantograph  37 . 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 2 , two pins  36   a  are arranged on a top surface of each of the right and left holding members  36 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the banknote storage bag  34  to be held by the holding members  36  has a pair of protruding parts  34   a  near the opening thereof (that is, near an upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34 ), and each of the protruding parts  34   a  is provided with a pair of holes  34   b . When the banknote storage bag  34  is to be held by the holding members  36 , the pins  36   a  of the holding members  36  are inserted in the corresponding holes  34   b  formed in the corresponding protruding parts  34   a  of the banknote storage bag  34 . As a result, the protruding parts  34   a  are held by the holding members  36 . 
     Moreover, as shown with a two-dot chain line in  FIG. 1 , a pushing plate  40  is arranged above the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36 . A not-shown pantograph is arranged above the pushing plate  40 . When the pantograph expands downward, the pushing plate  40  is moved downward from its position shown in  FIG. 1  and enters into the banknote storage bag  34 . In the present embodiment, because of entry of the pushing plate  40  into the banknote storage bag  34 , the banknotes that have been stored in the banknote storage bag  34  are pressed further into the banknote storage bag  34  by the pushing plate  40  and are compressed. Accordingly, a storage space for the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  can be increased. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the banknote storing mechanism  32 , an image capturing unit  60 , such as a camera, for capturing an image of an inner wall part of the banknote storage bag  34  is arranged near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36 . A mark  34   c  is arranged on an inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36 . An image of this mark  34   c  is captured by the image capturing unit  60 . A detailed explanation of the mark  34   c  arranged on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  is given later. Moreover, a light source  62  that emits a light on the inner wall part of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is arranged near the image capturing unit  60 . By emitting the light on the inner wall part of the banknote storage bag  34  from the light source  62 , a clear image of the mark  34   c , which is arranged on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34 , can be captured by the image capturing unit  60 . A detailed explanation of the image captured by the image capturing unit  60  is given later. 
     As mentioned earlier, in a structure in which three banknote storing mechanisms  32  are arranged side-by-side corresponding to the three branching transporting parts  25 , and in the upper unit  14 , a banknote branched from the transporting unit  24  to the branching transporting part  25  is sent from the branching transporting part  25  to the banknote storage bag  34  set in the corresponding banknote storing mechanism  32  and stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , the image capturing unit  60  is arranged in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , and an image of the inner wall part of each of the banknote storage bags  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  is captured by the corresponding image capturing unit  60 . 
     Moreover, a control unit  50  that controls various structural components of the banknote handling machine  10  is arranged in the banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment. More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the banknote feeding mechanism  20   a  arranged in the depositing unit  20 , a stacking wheel driving unit  22   b  for driving the stacking wheel  22   a  arranged in the ejecting unit  22 , the transporting unit  24 , the branching transporting parts  25 , the recognition unit  26 , the storing and feeding unit  30 , the banknote storing mechanism  32 , the image capturing unit  60 , the light source  62 , and the like are connected to the control unit  50  in a communicable manner. A signal representing a recognition result of a banknote by the recognition unit  26  and an image captured by the image capturing unit  60  are sent to the control unit  50 . Moreover, the control unit  50  controls the operation of the various structural components of the banknote handling machine  10  by sending a command signal to each of these structural components. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , an operation and displaying unit  52 , the memory  54 , a printing unit  56 , and a communication interface unit  58  are connected to the control unit  50  in a communicable manner. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the operation and displaying unit  52  is constituted by, for example, a touch panel and the like arranged on a top surface of the housing  12 . A handling state of the money deposition process and the like of the banknote in the banknote handling machine  10 , and information about inventory amounts and the like of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , are displayed on the operation and displaying unit  52 . Moreover, the operator can give various commands to the control unit  50  by operating the operation and displaying unit  52 . 
     The handling history of the money deposition process and the like of the banknote in the banknote handling machine  10 , and the information about the inventory amounts and the like of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  are stored in the memory  54 . Moreover, as mentioned earlier, serial numbers of the banknotes that have been stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , such as a pouch bag, and the banknotes stored in the storing and feeding unit  30  are stored in the memory  54 . The printing unit  56  prints on a receipt and the like the handling history of the money deposition process and the like of the banknote in the banknote handling machine  10 , and the information about the inventory amounts and the like of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . The control unit  50  can transmit to and receive a signal from an external device (specifically, for example, a host terminal), provided separately from the banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment, via the communication interface unit  58 . For example, when the banknote storage bag  34  is collected by a guard and the like of a secure transportation company, the control unit  50  transmits information about the banknote storage bag  34  to the secure transportation company via the communication interface unit  58 . 
     While the control unit  50  is arranged inside the housing  12  of the banknote handling machine  10  to control the various structural components of the banknote handling machine  10 , if the banknote storing mechanism  32  is used singly, a control unit for controlling various structural components of this banknote storing mechanism  32  and/or an operation and displaying unit that also functions as an alarm unit for raising an alarm to the operator as explained below, can be arranged in the banknote storing mechanism  32 . 
     An operation performed by the banknote handling machine  10  having the above-explained configuration is explained below. The operation explained below of the banknote handling machine  10  is realized by the control unit  50  by controlling the various structural components of the banknote handling machine  10 . 
     At first, an operation performed by the banknote handling machine  10  when performing the money deposition process of the banknote is explained below. When the operator sets the banknote in the depositing unit  20  and gives a command to start the money deposition process to the control unit  50  by using the operation and displaying unit  52 , the banknotes set in the depositing unit  20  are fed inside the housing  12  one by one by the banknote feeding mechanism  20   a , and the banknotes are transported one by one by the transporting unit  24 . A denomination, authenticity, face side up/back side up, fitness, version, transportation state, and the like of the banknote transported by the transporting unit  24  are recognized by the recognition unit  26 . Moreover, an image of the banknote is captured by the image sensor arranged in the recognition unit  26 , and a serial number of the banknote is acquired from the image of the banknote. Information of the serial number of the banknote acquired by the recognition unit  26  is stored in the memory  54 . A banknote that is recognized by the recognition unit  26  as not being a normal banknote, i.e., a reject banknote, is sent to the ejecting unit  22  by the transporting unit  24  and stacked in the ejecting unit  22 . The operator can manually remove the reject banknote that has been stacked in the ejecting unit  22  from the front surface of the housing  12 , and set the reject banknote in the depositing unit  20 . 
     Meanwhile, a banknote that is recognized as being a normal banknote by the recognition unit  26  is branched from the transporting unit  24  to one of the branching transporting parts  25  among the plurality of the branching transporting parts  25 , and then sent from that branching transporting part  25  to the banknote storage bag  34  and stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     When the banknote storage bag  34  in which the banknotes recognized by the recognition unit  26  are sent is full or nearly full so that no more banknotes can be stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , the banknote recognized by the recognition unit  26  is sent to the storing and feeding unit  30  and stored in the storing and feeding unit  30 . When the full or nearly full banknote storage bag  34  is removed from the banknote storing mechanism  32  of the lower unit  16  by a guard of the secure transportation company, a salesclerk of the shop, and the like, and an empty banknote storage bag  34  is set in the banknote storing mechanism  32 , the banknotes are fed one by one from the storing and feeding unit  30  to the transporting unit  24  and sent in the banknote storage bag  34  by the transporting unit  24 . 
     In the present embodiment, when the banknote is stored in the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , an image of the mark  34   c  arranged on the inner wall part of the banknote storage bag  34  is captured by the image capturing unit  60 . As mentioned earlier, in a structure in which three banknote storing mechanisms  32  are arranged side-by-side corresponding to the three branching transporting parts  25 , and the temporary escrow unit, the pushing plate, and the image capturing unit  60  are arranged above the holding members of each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , the images of the marks  34   c  arranged on the inner wall parts of the banknote storage bags  34  are captured by the image capturing units  60  at a timing that is after the banknotes temporarily escrowed in the temporary escrow units are stored in the banknote storage bags  34  by the pushing plates. In a configuration in which the operation of pushing the banknotes, which have been stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , downward by the pushing plate when the banknotes of the predetermined number have been stored in the banknote storage bag  34  is performed regularly, the image of the mark  34   c  arranged on the inner wall part of the banknote storage bag  34  is captured by the image capturing unit  60  after the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  are pushed downward by the pushing plate. 
     The control unit  50  determines a storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60 . When the control unit  50  determines that the storing state is a predetermined storing state (specifically, full or nearly full), the control unit  50  outputs information representing that the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  is the predetermined storing state. More particularly, when the control unit  50  determines that the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  is the predetermined storing state, the information representing that the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  is the predetermined storing state can be displayed on the operation and displaying unit  52 , this information can be printed on a receipt and the like by the printing unit  56 , or this information can be transmitted to the external device by the communication interface unit  58 . The operation and displaying unit  52  functions as the alarm unit for raising the alarm, based on the information output from the control unit  50 , the information representing that the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  is the predetermined storing state, when the control unit  50  determines that the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is the predetermined storing state. A detailed explanation of this technical feature is explained below by using  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 5  is an example of an image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  of the banknote storing mechanism  32  of the banknote handling machine  10  shown in  FIG. 1  and the like. In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , as the mark  34   c , a plurality of indicator lines that extends horizontally and parallel to each other are formed on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34 . The control unit  50  determines the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  from the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  based on a state of discontinuity of some of the auxiliary lines among the auxiliary lines because of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . In  FIG. 5 , an upper edge of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  is shown with a reference letter Q. 
     Specifically, in the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the number of auxiliary lines that are not discontinuous by the upper edge (see the reference letter Q in  FIG. 5 ) of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  is less than a predetermined number set previously, the control unit  50  determines that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full. In the image shown in  FIG. 5 , the number of auxiliary lines that are not discontinuous by the upper edge of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  is four. However, when more banknotes are stored in the banknote storage bag  34  from the state shown in  FIG. 5 , and when the number of auxiliary lines that are not discontinuous by the upper edge of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  becomes, for example, less than two, the control unit  50  determines that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full. As another example, in the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  shown in  FIG. 5 , when the total of the number of auxiliary lines that are not discontinuous by the upper edge of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  and the number of auxiliary lines whose length of the discontinuous parts by the upper edge of the banknotes is equal to or less than a predetermined value set previously, among the auxiliary lines as the mark  34   c , is less than a predetermined value set previously, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full. 
       FIG. 6  is another example of an image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  of the banknote storing mechanism  32  of the banknote handling machine  10  shown in  FIG. 1  and the like. In the example shown in  FIG. 6 , as the mark  34   c , a plurality of indicator lines that extends horizontally and vertically and parallel to each other are formed on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34 . That is, the auxiliary lines form a grid pattern. Accordingly, a plurality of square portions is formed by the auxiliary lines on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34 . The control unit  50  determines the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  from the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  based on a state of incompleteness of some of the square portions among the square portions formed by the auxiliary lines because of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . In  FIG. 6 , an upper edge of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  is shown with the reference letter Q. 
     Specifically, in the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  shown in  FIG. 6 , when the number of square portions that are not incomplete by the upper edge (see the reference letter Q in  FIG. 6 ) of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  is less than a predetermined number set previously, the control unit  50  determines that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full. In the image shown in  FIG. 6 , the number of square portions that are not incomplete by the upper edge of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  is 46. However, when more banknotes are stored in the banknote storage bag  34  from the state shown in  FIG. 6 , and when the number of square portions that are not incomplete by the upper edge of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  becomes, for example, less than 20, the control unit  50  determines that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full. 
     As another example, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  from the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  based on a distance between the upper edge of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  and the upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34  or a predetermined reference line. More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 5 , assume that a plurality of indicator lines that extends horizontally and parallel to each other are formed on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  as the mark  34   c . In this structure, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  when the distance between the upper edge (see the reference letter Q in  FIG. 5 ) of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  and the upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34  or the predetermined reference line (for example, the topmost auxiliary line among the auxiliary lines as the mark  34   c ) is less than a predetermined distance set previously. 
     As yet another example, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  from the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  based on a size of an area between the upper edge of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  and the upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34  or the predetermined reference line. More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 5 , assume that a plurality of indicator lines that extends horizontally and parallel to each other are formed on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  as the mark  34   c . In this structure, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  when the size of the area between the upper edge (see the reference letter Q in  FIG. 5 ) of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  and the upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34  or the predetermined reference line (for example, the topmost auxiliary line among the auxiliary lines as the mark  34   c ) is less than a predetermined size set previously. 
     In the present embodiment, information about a counting result representing the number of banknotes sent in the banknote storage bag  34  based on the recognition result of the banknote by the recognition unit  26  is sent to the control unit  50 , and it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  based on both the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  and the number of banknotes sent in the banknote storage bag  34 . Specifically, even when the control unit  50  determines that the banknote storage bag  34  is not full or not nearly full based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60 , but if the control unit  50  determines that the number of banknotes sent in the banknote storage bag  34  has exceeded a predetermined number set previously (more specifically, a number that is large enough to determine that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full) from the recognition result of the banknote obtained in the recognition unit  26 , the control unit  50  outputs information that indicates that the banknote storage bag  34  is in the predetermined storing state (specifically, full or nearly full). Further, from the recognition result of the banknote obtained in the recognition unit  26 , even when the control unit  50  determines that the number of banknotes sent in the banknote storage bag  34  has not exceeded the predetermined number set previously, but if the control unit  50  determines that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60 , the control unit  50  outputs the information that indicates that the banknote storage bag  34  is in the predetermined storing state (specifically, full or nearly full). 
     Based on internal information of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  (specifically, information relating to the upper edge of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 ), the control unit  50  can determine whether there is an unevenness in a lateral direction in the storing state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . Upon determining that there is the unevenness in the lateral direction in the storing state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , the control unit  50  causes the pushing plate  40  to move downward from its position shown in  FIG. 1  and enter into the banknote storage bag  34 . In this manner, because of entry of the pushing plate  40  into the banknote storage bag  34 , the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  are pressed further inside the banknote storage bag  34  by the pushing plate  40  and are compressed. Accordingly, the unevenness in the lateral direction in the storing state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  can be removed. The operation of pushing the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  downward by the pushing plate  40  is performed each time a predetermined number of the banknotes are stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . Moreover, when the banknote storage bag  34  is determined to be full or nearly full based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  even if the banknote storage bag  34  is not really full or nearly full, the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  are pressed downward by the pushing plate  40  and compressed. 
     The banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment and the banknote storing mechanism  32  included in the banknote handling machine  10  having the configuration as explained above includes the image capturing unit  60 , such as a camera, that can capture an image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36 , and the control unit  50  determines the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60 . In this manner, by capturing the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  with the image capturing unit  60 , and determining the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  based on the captured image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34 , a large number of banknotes can be stored in the storage bag regardless of the state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , and the storage space in the banknote storage bag  34  can be used effectively. More specifically, in the conventional technique, the number of banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag is counted, it is determined that the banknote storage bag is full or nearly full when the number of banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag has reached a predetermined number and the operation of storing the banknotes in the banknote storage bag is stopped. However, considering that a large number of inappropriate banknotes, such as unfit banknotes, that may be curled and the like due to being in circulation for a long time, are stored in the banknote storage bag, a number that is much smaller than the capacity of the banknote storage bag when only normal banknotes, such as new banknotes, are stored in the banknote storage bag is set as the predetermined number. Therefore, when storing a large number of the normal banknotes in the banknote storage bag, a large space remains empty inside the banknote storage bag even when the number of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag has reached the predetermined number. Thus, the storage space in the banknote storage bag is not used effectively. In contrast, in the banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment and the banknote storing mechanism  32  included in the banknote handling machine  10 , whether the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full is determined based on the actual state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . A large number of the banknotes can be stored in the banknote storage bag  34  regardless of whether the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  are normal banknotes or banknotes that are curled and the like due to being in circulation for a long time. 
     Moreover, in the banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment and the banknote storing mechanism  32  included in the banknote handling machine  10 , as mentioned earlier, upon determining that the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is the predetermined storing state, the control unit  50  outputs information representing that the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  is the predetermined storing state. Moreover, when the control unit  50  determines that the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is the predetermined storing state, based on the information output from the control unit  50 , the information representing that the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  is the predetermined storing state is alarmed by the alarm unit such as the operation and displaying unit  52 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment and the banknote storing mechanism  32  included in the banknote handling machine  10 , as mentioned earlier, the mark  34   c  that serves as the reference for determining the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  is arranged on an inner part of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36 . More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the indicator lines that extends horizontally and parallel to each other constitute the mark  34   c . The control unit  50  determines the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  from the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  based on the state of discontinuity of some of the auxiliary lines among the auxiliary lines because of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . Alternately, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  from the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  based on the distance between the upper edge of the banknotes and the upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34  or the predetermined reference line. As yet another example, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  from the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  based on the size of the area between the upper edge of the banknotes and the upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34  or the predetermined reference line. 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment and the banknote storing mechanism  32  included in the banknote handling machine  10 , as mentioned earlier, the information about the counting result representing the number of banknotes sent in the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is sent to the control unit  50 , and it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  based on both the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60  and the number of banknotes sent in the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment and the banknote storing mechanism  32  included in the banknote handling machine  10 , as mentioned earlier, the light source  62  is arranged that emits the light on the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36 . Specifically, the light source  62  emits the light in the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment and the banknote storing mechanism  32  included in the banknote handling machine  10 , as mentioned earlier, the pushing plate  40  and the pantograph that operates this pushing plate  40  are arranged as a pressing unit that enters into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  and presses the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . Based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  captured by the image capturing unit  60 , upon determining that the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  is the predetermined state (specifically, there is the unevenness in the lateral direction in the storing state of the banknotes), the control unit  50  controls the pantograph of the pushing plate  40  to operate the pushing plate  40  and press the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     The banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment and the banknote storing mechanism  32  included in the banknote handling machine  10  are not limited to the above-explained embodiments and various changes can be made as appropriate. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , two image capturing units  60   a  and  60   b  can be arranged for the one banknote storing mechanism  32 .  FIG. 7  is a top view of a situation in which the two image capturing units  60   a  and  60   b  are installed for the banknote storing mechanism  32  of the banknote handling machine  10  shown in  FIG. 1  and the like. In this manner, when the two image capturing units  60   a  and  60   b  are arranged for one banknote storing mechanism  32 , directions from which an image of the inner wall part of the banknote storage bag  34  is captured by each of the image capturing units  60   a  and  60   b  are orthogonal to each other. Accordingly, whether there is the unevenness in the lateral direction in the storing state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  can be detected from various directions. For example, when the banknote storing mechanism  32  includes only one image capturing unit  60 , it is possible to detect from only one direction whether the unevenness in the lateral direction has occurred in the storing state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . However, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the two image capturing units  60   a  and  60   b  are arranged for one banknote storing mechanism  32 , whether the unevenness in the lateral direction has occurred in the storing state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  can be detected in an X-direction (specifically, an imaging direction of the image capturing unit  60   b ) and a Y-direction (specifically, an imaging direction of the image capturing unit  60   a ). Therefore, it can be more surely detected whether the unevenness in the lateral direction has occurred in the storing state of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     Moreover, instead of using the banknote handling machine  10  having one banknote storing mechanism  32  in the lower unit  16  as shown in  FIG. 1 , it is allowable to use a banknote handling machine  10   a  having a plurality of (two in the example shown in  FIG. 8 ) banknote storing mechanism  32  in the lower unit  16  as shown in  FIG. 8 . In this case, one image capturing unit  64  is arranged for both the banknote storing mechanism  32 , and the image capturing unit  64  can capture one image of the inner wall part of the banknote storage bag  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 . This embodiment is explained below by using  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 11 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  10   a  shown in  FIG. 8 , the image capturing unit  64 , such as a camera, is arranged between the two banknote storing mechanism  32 . The camera and the like that constitutes the image capturing unit  64  is provided with a fisheye lens or a wide-angle lens. An image captured by the image capturing unit  64  looks like the one shown in  FIG. 9 . A left half of the image shown in  FIG. 9  is an image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  set in the left banknote storing mechanism  32  in  FIG. 8 , and a right half of the image shown in  FIG. 9  is an image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  set in the right banknote storing mechanism  32  in  FIG. 8 . Note that, in  FIG. 9 , the banknote stored in the banknote storage bag  34  is shown with the reference letter P. In this manner, because the camera and the like that constitutes the image capturing unit  64  has the fisheye lens or the wide-angle lens, the image of the inside of the two banknote storage bags  34  can be captured simultaneously with one image capturing unit  64 . 
     A plurality of indicator lines that extends horizontally and parallel to each other are formed, as the mark  34   c , on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 . More particularly, a reference symbol  34   c   1  in  FIG. 9  depicts an auxiliary line located at a highest level among the auxiliary lines constituting the mark  34   c  formed on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34 , and a reference symbol  34   c   2  depicts an auxiliary line located at a lowest level among the auxiliary lines constituting the mark  34   c  formed on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34 . When the banknotes are stored in the plurality of (specifically, two) banknote storage bags  34  each set in the banknote storing mechanism  32  in the banknote handling machine  10   a , the image of the marks  34   c  formed on the inner wall parts of the banknote storage bags  34  is captured by the image capturing unit  64 . The control unit  50  determines the storing state of the banknotes in each of the banknote storage bags  34  based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  64 . For example, in the image of the inside of the two banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  64  as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the number of auxiliary lines that are not discontinuous by the upper edge of the banknotes stored in any of the banknote storage bag  34  is less than a predetermined number set previously, the control unit  50  determines that this banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full. As another example, in the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  64 , when the total of the number of auxiliary lines that are not discontinuous by the upper edge of the banknotes stored in any of the banknote storage bag  34  and the number of auxiliary lines whose length of the discontinuous parts by the upper edge of the banknotes is equal to or less than a predetermined value set previously, among the auxiliary lines as the mark  34   c , is less than a predetermined value set previously, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full. 
     As the mark  34   c , it is allowable to form a plurality of indicator lines that extends horizontally and vertically and parallel to each other on the inner wall part near the opening of each of the banknote storage bags  34 . That is, the auxiliary lines can form a grid pattern. In this case, the control unit  50  determines the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bag  34  from the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  64  based on a state of incompleteness of some of the square portions among the square portions formed by the auxiliary lines because of the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . As another example, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bags  34  from the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  64  based on a distance between the upper edge of the banknotes stored in any of the banknote storage bag  34  and an upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34  or a predetermined reference line. More particularly, assume that a plurality of indicator lines that extends horizontally and parallel to each other are formed on the inner wall part near the opening of each of the banknote storage bags  34  as the mark  34   c . In this structure, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  64  when a distance between the upper edge of the banknotes stored in any of the banknote storage bag  34  and the upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34  or the predetermined reference line (for example, the topmost auxiliary line among the auxiliary lines as the mark  34   c ) is less than a predetermined distance set previously. As another example, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine the storing state of the banknotes in the banknote storage bags  34  from the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  64  based on a size of an area between the upper edge of the banknotes stored in any of the banknote storage bag  34  and an upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34  or a predetermined reference line. More particularly, assume that a plurality of indicator lines that extends horizontally and parallel to each other are formed on the inner wall part near the opening of each of the banknote storage bags  34  as the mark  34   c . In this structure, it is allowable for the control unit  50  to determine that the banknote storage bag  34  is full or nearly full based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  64  when the size of the area between the upper edge of the banknotes stored in any of the banknote storage bag  34  and the upper edge of the banknote storage bag  34  or the predetermined reference line (for example, the topmost auxiliary line among the auxiliary lines as the mark  34   c ) is less than a predetermined size set previously. 
       FIGS. 10( a ) to 10( d )  depict examples of various layouts of the image capturing unit  64  and the light source  66  in the banknote handling machine  10   a  having the plurality of the banknote storing mechanism  32  shown in  FIG. 8 . In  FIGS. 10( a ) to 10( d ) , imaging directions of the image capturing unit  64  are shown with arrows. As shown in  FIG. 10( a ) , the image capturing unit  64  and the light source  66  can be arranged at the same position between the two banknote storing mechanism  32 . In this structure, the light emitted by the light source  66  falls on the two banknote storage bags  34  each set in the banknote storing mechanism  32 , and the image capturing unit  64  captures the image of the inside of each of the banknote storage bags  34  that is irradiated with the light of the light source  66 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 10( b ) , the image capturing unit  64  and the light source  66  can be arranged between the two banknote storing mechanism  32  with a space therebetween. Even in this structure, the light emitted by the light source  66  falls on the two banknote storage bags  34  each set in the banknote storing mechanism  32 , and the image capturing unit  64  captures the image of the inside of each of the banknote storage bags  34  that is irradiated with the light of the light source  66 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 10( c ) , the image capturing unit  64  can be arranged between the two banknote storing mechanism  32 , whereas one light source  66  can be arranged on the other side of each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  as seen from the image capturing unit  64  so that an outer part of the banknote storage bag  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  can be irradiated with the light. In this structure, when the light emitted by each of the light sources  66  falls on the outer part of the banknote storage bag  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , the light passes through as a transmissive light and the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  is irradiated with the transmissive light. Accordingly, the image capturing unit  64  can capture the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  that are irradiated by the transmissive light. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 10( d ) , the image capturing unit  64  and the light source  66  can be arranged between the two banknote storing mechanism  32  with a space therebetween and an outer part of the banknote storage bag  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  can be irradiated with the light from the light source  66 . Even in this structure, when the light emitted by the light source  66  falls on the outer part of the banknote storage bag  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , the light passes through as a transmissive light and the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  is irradiated with the transmissive light. Accordingly, the image capturing unit  64  can capture the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  that is irradiated by the transmissive light. 
     In yet another banknote handling machine according to the present embodiment, four banknote storing mechanism  32  can be arranged in the lower unit  16  as shown in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 11  depicts a top view of the banknote storing mechanism  32  of a yet another banknote handling machine  10   b  according to the present embodiment. In the banknote handling machine  10   b  shown in  FIG. 11 , the image capturing unit  64  is arranged between the plurality of the banknote storing mechanism  32  like the banknote handling machine  10   a  shown in  FIG. 8  and the like. An image of the inside of the plurality of (specifically, four) banknote storage bags  34  can be captured simultaneously with the image capturing unit  64 . More particularly, in the banknote handling machine  10   b  shown in  FIG. 11 , the camera and the like that constitutes the image capturing unit  64  is also provided with a fisheye lens or a wide-angle lens. Accordingly, the image of the inside of the four banknote storage bags  34  can be captured simultaneously with the image capturing unit  64 . A plurality of indicator lines that extends horizontally and parallel to each other are formed as the mark  34   c  on the inner wall part near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 . When the banknotes are stored in the plurality of (specifically, four) banknote storage bags  34  each set in the banknote storing mechanism  32  in the banknote handling machine  10   b , the image of the marks  34   c  formed on the inner wall parts of the banknote storage bags  34  is captured by the image capturing unit  64 . The control unit  50  determines the storing state of the banknotes in each of the banknote storage bags  34  based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  64 . 
     In the banknote handling machines  10   a  and  10   b  shown in  FIGS. 8 to 11 , because one image capturing unit  64  is arranged for the plurality of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , the number of image capturing units  64  can be reduced in comparison to a case in which one image capturing unit  64  is arranged for each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 . Thus, the production cost of the banknote handling machines  10   a  and  10   b  can be reduced. 
     In the banknote handling machine  10   a  in which the plurality of (for example, two) the banknote storing mechanism  32  are arranged in the lower unit  16  as shown in  FIG. 8 , it is allowable to use, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the banknote storage bag  34 , which should be held by the holding members  36  in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , on each of the protruding parts  34   a  of which a barcode  34   d  (unique information displaying unit) is arranged. When the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  is captured by the image capturing unit  64 , an image of the barcode  34   d  on the protruding part  34   a  on each of the banknote storage bags  34  is also captured, and the unique information of each of the banknote storage bags  34  can be acquired by reading the information of the corresponding barcode  34   d .  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another example of a configuration of the banknote storage bag  34  to be held by the holding members  36  of the banknote storing mechanism  32  of the banknote handling machine  10   a  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     In the banknote storage bag  34  shown in  FIG. 12 , the barcode  34   d  is arranged on an inner part of each of the protruding parts  34   a . The barcodes  34   d  contain the unique information (for example, the information about a type and an identification number of the banknote storage bag  34 ) about the banknote storage bag  34 . When the banknote storage bag  34  is to be held by the holding members  36  shown in  FIG. 2 , the pins  36   a  of the holding members  36  are inserted into the corresponding holes  34   b  formed in the corresponding protruding parts  34   a  of the banknote storage bag  34 . As a result, the protruding parts  34   a  are held by the holding members  36  and the barcodes  34   d  face upward. Accordingly, the barcodes  34   d  also appear in the image captured by the image capturing unit  64 . By reading the information contained in the barcodes  34   d  based on the image captured by the image capturing unit  64 , the control unit  50  acquires the unique information about the banknote storage bag  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 . In this manner, the barcodes  34   d  are arranged on the inner part of the protruding parts  34   a  of the banknote storage bag  34 , the information contained in the barcodes  34   d  can be read by capturing the image of the barcodes  34   d  with the image capturing unit  64 , and the unique information about the banknote storage bag  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  can be acquired automatically. Accordingly, when setting the banknote storage bag  34  in the banknote storing mechanism  32 , if a wrong banknote storage bag  34  is set in the banknote storing mechanism  32 , the fact that the wrong banknote storage bag  34  has been set can be detected by the control unit  50 . In this case, the efforts put in by the operator can be reduced greatly in comparison to a case in which the barcodes  34   d  of the banknote storage bag  34 , which is set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , are, for example, manually read with a barcode reader. Moreover, when setting the banknote storage bags  34  in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , there is a possibility that a different type of the banknote storage bag  34  is set by mistake instead of the banknote storage bag  34  that actually should have been set in a certain banknote storing mechanism  32 . This error can be prevented by first reading the unique information about each of the banknote storage bags  34  with a barcode reader from the barcodes  34   d  of the banknote storage bags  34 , and then setting each of the banknote storage bags  34  in the banknote storing mechanism  32 . 
     Note that, the place where the barcode  34   d , which functions as the unique information displaying unit, that contains the unique information about the banknote storage bag  34  can be arranged is not limited to the inner part of the banknote storage bag  34 , but can be an outer part of the banknote storage bag  34 . Moreover, when the auxiliary lines are arranged on the inner part of the banknote storage bag  34 , the barcode  34   d  can be arranged between these auxiliary lines. Moreover, when a structure in which the barcode  34   d  is arranged on the inner part of the protruding parts  34   a  of the banknote storage bag  34  and the image of the barcode  34   d  is captured by the image capturing unit is adopted, instead of using the image capturing unit  64  that simultaneously captures the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  each set in the banknote storing mechanism  32  as shown in  FIG. 8  and the like, it is allowable to arrange one image capturing unit for each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  and capture the image of the barcode  34   d  of the banknote storage bag  34  set in the corresponding banknote storing mechanism  32  with the corresponding image capturing unit. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic configurational diagram of yet another example of a configuration of the banknote handling machine according to the present embodiment. In a banknote handling machine  10   c  shown in  FIG. 13 , as shown with a hollow arrow in  FIG. 13 , the lower unit  16  is accommodated therein such that it can be pulled out forward (specifically, the left direction in  FIG. 13 ) from the front surface of the housing  12 . A plurality of the banknote storing mechanism  32  and an image capturing unit  68  are arranged in the lower unit  16 . In the banknote handling machine  10   c , the image capturing unit  68  captures an image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32 , and the image capturing unit  68  also captures an image of the hand of the operator when the operator attempts to insert his hand in the banknote storage bag  34  set in any of the banknote storing mechanism  32  in a state in which the lower unit  16  has been pulled out forward from the front surface of the housing  12 . In this structure, the control unit  50  can detect whether an operation of removing the banknote from the banknote storage bag  34  is performed based on the image captured by the image capturing unit  68 . Accordingly, when a need arises to pull the lower unit  16  out from the banknote handling machine  10   c , for example, due to occurrence of an error, even if the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  is kept open, when the banknote is about to be removed from any of the banknote storage bag  34 , the fact that the operation of removing the banknote from the banknote storage bag  34  is being performed can be detected based on the image captured by the image capturing unit  68 . Accordingly, a storing efficiency of the banknotes can be increased as it is not necessary to heat-seal the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  each time the lower unit  16  is pulled out. Moreover, when a need arises to pull the lower unit  16  out from the banknote handling machine  10   c , for example, due to occurrence of an error, instead of heat-sealing the opening of the banknote storage bag  34 , the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  can be sandwiched between the pair of the holding members  36  thereby closing the opening. 
     As shown with arrows in  FIG. 13 , it is allowable for the image capturing unit  68  to capture an image of the face of the operator who is attempting to remove the banknote from the banknote storage bag  34  set in any of the banknote storing mechanism  32 . In this structure, when the fact that an operation of removing the banknote from the banknote storage bag  34  is being performed is detected based on the image captured by the image capturing unit  68 , because the image of the face of the operator who is attempting to remove the banknote from the banknote storage bag  34  is also captured by the image capturing unit  68 , the antitheft property when the lower unit  16  is pulled out forward from the front surface of the housing  12  can be improved further. 
     When a structure is adopted in which not only the image of the inside of the banknote storage bag  34  that is set in each of the banknote storing mechanism  32  but also the image of the face or the hand of the operator who is attempting to remove the banknote from any of the banknote storage bag  34  is captured by the image capturing unit  68  arranged in the lower unit  16 , the camera and the like that constitutes the image capturing unit  68  is provided with a fisheye lens or a wide-angle lens. Alternatively, it is allowable to always change an imaging direction of the image capturing unit  68  within a predetermined angle range. 
     Moreover, in the banknote handling machine  10   c  shown in  FIG. 13 , it is allowable for the control unit  50  to detect, based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  68 , whether the status inside any of the banknote storage bag  34  has changed before and after the lower unit  16  was pulled out forward from the front surface of the housing  12 . When it is detected by the control unit  50 , based on the image of the inside of the banknote storage bags  34  captured by the image capturing unit  68 , that the status inside any of the banknote storage bag  34  has changed before and after the lower unit  16  was pulled out forward from the front surface of the housing  12 , the control unit  50  can determine that the banknote is removed from the banknote storage bag  34  when the lower unit  16  was pulled out forward from the front surface of the housing  12 . 
     Note that the paper sheet handling machine according to the present invention and the paper sheet storing mechanism included in the paper sheet handling machine are not limited to the above-mentioned banknote handling machines  10 ,  10   a ,  10   b , and  10   c  that perform various processes such as the money deposition process of the banknote, and to the banknote storing mechanism  32  included in the banknote handling machines  10 ,  10   a ,  10   b , and  10   c . A device that can handle the paper sheet such as a check and a gift certificate, other than the banknote, can be used as the paper sheet handling machine and the paper sheet storing mechanism according to the present invention.