Patent Publication Number: US-8978970-B2

Title: Banknote processing apparatus and banknote bundle dispensing method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-225248, filed on Sep. 29, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a banknote processing apparatus that dispenses a predetermined number of banknotes that are bundled (hereinafter “banknote bundle”) to the outside of the apparatus and relates to a banknote bundle dispensing method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Banknote inserting and dispensing machines that include a sorting unit, a bundling unit, and a dispensing unit are well known conventional banknote processing apparatuses (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 3311088). The sorting unit sorts inserted banknotes according to predetermined denominations. The bundling unit bundles, with a bundling band, a predetermined number of banknotes of each of the predetermined denominations, which are sorted by the sorting unit, so that a banknote bundle is prepared. Once one banknote bundle is prepared, the dispensing unit dispenses the prepared banknote bundle from a bundle dispensing port to the outside of the apparatus. According to Japanese Patent No. 3311088, inserted banknotes are sorted according to predetermined denominations and a predetermined number of banknotes of each sorted predetermined denomination are bundled, with a bundling band, into a banknote bundle, and banknote bundles can be dispensed individually from the bundle dispensing port. 
     For conventional banknote processing apparatuses, a technology is known in which there is a selectable mode in which banknote bundles are stacked in a bundle stacking unit and a predetermined number of banknote bundles are collectively dispensed to the outside of the apparatus and in which there is a selectable mode in which banknote bundles are individually dispensed to the outside of the apparatus (see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 08-87636). According to Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 08-87636, banknote bundles can be dispensed individually or in multiples. 
     In addition, for conventional banknote processing apparatuses, a technology is known in which dispensing ports corresponding to the number of banknote bundles are provided and banknote bundles are dispensed through predetermined dispensing ports in accordance with the number of banknote bundles (for example, see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 11-278665). According to Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 11-278665, for example, banknote bundles are dispensed from the upper dispensing port when the number of the banknote bundles is less than three, and banknote bundles are dispensed from the lower dispensing port when the number of the banknote bundles is three or more. Thus, banknote bundles can be dispensed from corresponding dispensing ports in accordance with the number of banknote bundles. 
     In the conventional banknote processing apparatuses, banknote bundles are successively dispensed to the outside of the apparatus. However, users cannot designate the number of banknote bundles to be collectively dispensed and thus a user&#39;s desired specific number of banknote bundles cannot be dispensed; therefore, the above-described conventional banknote processing apparatuses require a user&#39;s manual operation when collecting a predetermined number of banknote bundles, which imposes an operational burden on the user. 
     For example, when banknote bundles are collected from circulated loose banknotes in a ten-banknote-bundles basis, the ten banknote bundles are manually collected. If the unbundled banknotes are unfit notes, the banknote bundles are bulky and the work accumulating and collecting the 10 banknote bundles is significantly time-consuming. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A banknote processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a bundle transport unit for transporting banknote bundles; a bundle stacking unit for stacking the banknote bundles that are transported by the bundle transport unit; a bundle dispensing unit for dispensing the banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit; a designating unit for designating a specific number of banknote bundles; and a control unit for controlling, when the number of banknote bundles reaches the specific number that is designated by the designating unit, the bundle dispensing unit to dispense the specific number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit, such that the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside. 
     A banknote bundle dispensing method according to another aspect of the present invention is for a banknote processing apparatus that includes a bundle transport unit for transporting banknote bundles, a bundle stacking unit for stacking the banknote bundles that are transported by the bundle transport unit, and a bundle dispensing unit for dispensing the banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit. The method includes designating a specific number of banknote bundles; and controlling, when the number of banknote bundles reaches the specific number, the bundle dispensing unit to dispense the specific number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit such that the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside. 
     The above and other features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the outer configuration of a banknote processing apparatus according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an explanatory view of the inner configuration of the banknote processing apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a plane view of the inner configuration of a bundling stacking unit; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing holding mechanism; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the inner configuration of the banknote processing apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow of the bundling stacking unit; 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow of a pre-bundling transport unit; 
         FIG. 8  is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow of a grip transport unit; 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow of a dispensing transport unit; 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow of the dispensing transport unit; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a process operation of the control unit that engages in a first banknote bundle dispensing process; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a banknote bundling unit illustrating that the bundle stacking unit protrudes from an front panel of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 13  is an explanatory view of the part of the bundle stacking unit in which banknote bundles are stacked; 
         FIG. 14  is an explanatory view illustrating a dispensing holding mechanism (direct dispensing unit) according to a second embodiment that is dispensing a banknote bundle; 
         FIG. 15  is a block diagram of the inner configuration of a banknote processing apparatus according to the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart of a process operation of the control unit that engages in a second banknote bundle dispensing process. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     First, an overview of the embodiments will be described. Banknote processing apparatuses include a bundle transport unit, a bundle stacking unit, a bundle dispensing unit, a designating unit, and a control unit. The bundle transport unit transports banknote bundles, which are bundled banknotes with bundling bands. The bundle stacking unit successively stacks the banknote bundles that are transported by the bundle transport unit. The designating unit designates a user&#39;s desired specific bundle number in accordance with a user&#39;s operation. When the number of banknote bundles reaches the specific number that is designated by the designating unit, the control unit controls the bundle dispensing unit in order to dispense the specific number of banknote bundles, which are stacked in the bundle stacking unit, such that the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus, when the number of banknote bundles reaches a specific number designated by the designating unit, the specific number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit are dispensed such that the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside. This significantly improves operability for collecting the user&#39;s desired specific number of banknote bundles. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the outer configuration of a banknote processing apparatus according to a first embodiment and  FIG. 2  is an explanatory view of the inner configuration of the banknote processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 
     A banknote processing apparatus  1  includes a banknote sorting unit  2 , a banknote bundling unit  3 , and a display unit  4 . Banknotes to be handled are successively put in the banknote sorting unit  2 , and the banknote sorting units  2  sorts and stacks the put banknotes according to banknote types and counts the number of each type of put banknotes. The banknote bundling unit  3  bundles a predetermined number of a specific denomination of banknotes, which are sorted by the banknote sorting unit  2 , for example, into a banknote bundle of 100 banknotes. The display unit  4  displays various types of information, for example, on the counting results. 
     The banknote sorting unit  2  includes a hopper unit  11 , a feeding unit  12 , a banknote transport unit  13 , a diverter unit  13 A, a banknote recognition unit  14 , a banknote reversing unit  15 , a stacker  16 , a first rejection unit  17 , a banknote transport path  18 , detection sensors  19 , and a second rejection unit  20 . The banknote transport path  18  includes a first transport path  18 A, a second transport path  18 B, and a third transport path  18 C. The first transport path  18 A is arranged in an upper position with respect to the stacker  16  and is connected to the hopper unit  11 . The second transport path  18 B is arranged such that it turns toward the position of the stacker  16  and is connected to the first transport path  18 A. The third transport path  18 C is connected to the second transport path  18 B and is connected to the stacker  16  and a bundling stacking unit  21  in the banknote bundling unit  3 . The second transport path  18 B consists of an attachable/detachable unit that is connected to the first transport path  18 A and the third transport path  18 C. 
     The hopper unit  11  corresponds to an insertion port for inserting banknotes to be handled onto the banknote transport path  18 . The feeding unit  12  feeds the inserted banknotes, which are to be handled, individually onto the banknote transport path  18 . The banknote transport unit  13  consists of a transport belt and transports the banknotes, which are fed by the feeding unit  12 , onto the banknote transport path  18 . 
     The diverter unit  13 A is arranged at a diverter portion on the banknote transport path  18  and sorts banknotes that are transported on the banknote transport path  18  into the stacker  16 , the bundling stacking unit  21 , the first rejection unit  17 , and the second rejection unit  20 . Upon detecting, via the detection sensor  19 , the entering of the tip of a transported banknote, a solenoid (not shown) is driven and thus the diverter unit  13 A sorts the transported banknotes. The banknote recognition unit  14  is arranged on the first transport path  18 A and recognizes the types of the banknotes that are transported by the banknote transport unit  13 . The banknote types include, in the case of Euro banknotes, seven denominations: 5 Euro, 10 Euro, 20 Euro, 50 Euro, 100 Euro, 200 Euro, and 500 Euro, and further includes authentication information for recognizing genuine banknotes and counterfeit banknotes, fit/unfit information for recognizing fit notes and unfit notes, and front/back information for recognizing the front and back of banknotes. In other currencies, the banknote types include print information for recognizing old or new version of banknotes of each denomination. 
     The banknote reversing unit  15  is arranged on the second transport path  18 B and sorts transported banknotes at the diverter unit  13 A, which is provided in front of the banknote reversing unit  15 , into a reverse route and a non-reverse route in accordance with front/back information that represents a banknote type from the banknote recognition unit. The banknote reversing unit  15  transports the sorted banknotes to the third transport path  18 C with all the transported banknotes facing up or all the transported banknotes facing down. The reverse route has a reversing member  15 A, a transport belt (not shown), a drive motor that drives the transport belt, and a guide unit (not shown) (see Japanese Patent No. 4119664). The reversing member  15 A has a curved surface that extends in the direction in which the banknotes are transported. The transport belt is suspended so as to be oblique to the longitudinal direction of the reversing member  15 A such that a part of the transport belt runs along the curved surface of the reversing member  15 A. The guide unit is sandwiched by the transport belt and the reversing member  15 A, slides on the banknote surface, and guides the banknote, which is transported in the longitudinal direction of the reversing member  15 A while being wound around the curved surface of the reversing member  15 A. 
     In the banknote reversing unit  15 , if a banknote is transported with the transport belt being driven by the drive motor, the banknote is sandwiched between the transport belt and the reversing member  15 A and is moved in accordance with the movement of the transport belt in the transport direction. In this case, because the transport belt is suspended over the curved surface such that the transport belt is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the reversing member  15 A, the banknote is transported while being wound around the curved surface and is reversed while rotating. During the reversion, because the guide unit guides the banknote while sliding on the banknote surface, the banknote is reliably reversed while the movement of the banknote is regulated during transport. 
     For example, when transporting a banknote while keeping it facing up to the third transport path  18 C, the banknote reversing unit  15  transports the banknote to the third transport path  18 C via the non-reverse route while keeping the transported banknote facing up without performing a reversing process by the banknote reversing unit  15 . For example, when transporting a banknote that faces down to the third transport path  18 C while reversing the transported banknote to face up, the banknote reversing unit  15  puts the banknote, which faces down, to face up by performing a longitudinal reversing process of the banknote reversion unit  15  via the reverse route and transports the banknote to the third transport path  18 C. 
     The stacker  16  includes first to fourth stackers  16 A to  16 D for sorting and stacking transported banknotes according to each banknote type, which is set. Each stacker  16  has a stacking wheel  16 E that individually stacks transported banknotes in a predetermined position in a banknote stacking space. 
     Two first rejection units  17  are arranged. The first rejection units  17  reject banknotes that do not apply to the banknote types corresponding to the stacker  16  and the banknote bundling unit  3 . The first rejection unit  17  has a stacking wheel  17 C that stacks transported banknotes individually in a predetermined position in a banknote stacking space. The detection sensor  19  detects that a transported banknote enters or passes thorough a diverter portion, a confluent portion, or a portion in which devices are connected, on the banknote transport path  18 . The second rejection unit  20  is arranged at the end of the third transport path  18 C, and a fin wheel  20 A for stacking transported banknotes individually in a predetermined position in a banknote stacking space is arranged in the second rejection unit  20 . 
     The banknote bundling unit  3  includes, in addition to the banknote transport unit  13 , the bundling stacking unit  21 , a bundling unit  22 , a bundle dispensing port  23 , an odd note return port  24 , a pre-bundling transport unit  25 , and a post-bundling transport unit  26 . The banknote transport unit  13  transports a specific money type of banknotes from the banknote transport path  18  in the banknote sorting unit  2  into the banknote bundling unit  3 . The bundling stacking unit  21  is vertically three-layered in the banknote bundling unit  3  and sorts and stacks the specific money type of banknotes that are transported. 
       FIG. 3  is an explanatory view of an inner configuration of the bundling stacking unit  21 . The bundling stacking unit  21  includes a stacking space  31 , a stage unit  32 , a fin wheel  33 , an enter detection sensor  34 , and a size adjustment mechanism  35 . The stacking space  31  consists of left and right wall portions  31 A and a back wall portion  31 B. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the stage unit  32  is arranged in the stacking space such that it can elevate and lower, and transported banknotes are stacked on the stage unit  32 . In order to keep the level of the top banknote at a certain level, the stage unit  32  gradually lowers each time a transported banknote is stacked. The fin wheel  33  adjusts the position of transported banknotes that are stacked in the stacking space  31 . The enter detection sensor  34  detects entering of a transported banknote into the stacking space  31 . The size adjustment mechanism  35  adjusts the stacking space  31  in accordance with the size that is set for banknotes that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21 . 
     The size adjustment mechanism  35  includes a banknote arrangement mechanism  36  and a short-edge adjustment mechanism  37 . The banknote arrangement mechanism  36  adjusts the position of the to-be-bundled-banknotes in a longitudinal direction, which are stacked in the stacking space  31 , in accordance with the size of the set banknote that is to be stacked. The banknote arrangement mechanism  36  includes left and right arm units  36 A and left and right stepping motors  36 B. The arm units  36 A are rotatably arranged at the end portions of the side wall portions  31 A in the stacking space  31  and rotate in an inner direction Y in the stacking space  31 . The stepping motors  36 B rotate the left and right arm units  36 A to the set rotation portions in accordance with the set banknote. The tip portions of the left and right arm units  36 A, which rotate to the set rotation positions in accordance with the set banknote, hit the edges of stacked banknotes that are stacked on the stage unit  32  in the stacking space  31  so that the position of the stacked banknotes in a longitudinal direction is adjusted. 
     The short-edge adjustment mechanism  37  can move the back wall portion  31 B backwards and forwards in the stacking space  31  in the transport direction X of the banknotes, and adjusts the short edge size of the stacking space  31  in the stacking space  31  in accordance with the short edge size of the set banknote that is to be stacked. The back wall portion  31 B has, for example, three cutouts  31 C that let a hand unit  41  (see  FIG. 2 ) enter the stacking space  31 . The lower portion of the back wall portion  31 B is an openable and closable shutter structure such that the hand unit  41  that enters via the cutouts  31 C grips the long edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes in the stacking space  31  and the gripped to-be-bundled-banknotes can be pulled out of the stacking space  31 . 
     The bundling unit  22  is arranged in a lower position with respect to these three bundling stacking units  21  (see  FIG. 2 ). If the number of to-be-bundled-banknotes that are sorted and stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21  reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100), the bundling unit  22  prepares a banknote bundle by bundling  100  banknotes with a bundling band. The bundling unit  22  further includes a bundling band reel  51 , a bundling band stopper  52 , a pivot arm  53 , a cutter unit  54 , a heater unit  55 , and a printing unit  56 . The bundling band reel  51  is a part for storing bundling bands. In a state in which a bundling position on the to-be-bundled-banknotes is set to a bundling operation position on a bundling stage, the bundling band stopper  52  stops the tip of a bundling band, which is drawn from the bundling band reel  51 , in the bundling position on the to-be-bundled-banknotes. The bundling stage corresponds to a bundling operation area in the bundling unit  22 . 
     The pivot arm  53  draws the bundling band, which is stopped in the bundling position on the to-be-bundled-banknotes, from the bundling band reel  51  and winds the drawn bundling band in the bundling position around the bundling subject banknotes. The cutter unit  54  cuts the other end of the bundling band, which is wound around the bundling position on the to-be-bundled-banknotes. The heater unit  55  thermally bonds the other end of the bundling band, which is cut by the cutter unit  54 . The printing unit  56  prints arbitrary characters on the bundling band, which is drawn from the bundling band reel. 
     The bundle ejecting port  23  is arranged near the hopper unit  11  and corresponds to a dispensing port for dispensing a banknote bundle, which is bundled by the bundling unit  22 , to the operator. The odd note return port  24  is arranged near the bundling stacking unit  21  and corresponds to a return port for ejecting odd banknotes that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21  to the operator when the handling is complete. 
     The pre-bundling transport unit  25  transports to-be-bundled-banknotes that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21  to the bundling unit  22  or the odd note return port  24 . The pre-bundling transport unit  25  grips the long edge of 100 to-be-bundled-banknotes out of the to-be-bundled-banknotes, which are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21 , and transports the 100 to-be-bundled-banknotes to the bundling stage in the bundling unit  22 . When the handling is complete, the pre-bundling transport unit  25  grips the odd banknotes, which are less than 100 out of the to-be-bundled-banknotes and which are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21 , and transports the odd banknotes to the odd note return port  24 . 
     The pre-bundling transport unit  25  includes a transport unit  42  including the hand unit  41  and includes a horizontal movement mechanism  43  and a vertical movement mechanism  44 . The hand unit  41  of the transport unit  42  collectively grips the long edge of to-be-bundled-banknotes that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21 . The horizontal movement mechanism  43  is a mechanism that moves the transport unit  42  backwards and forwards (horizontally). The vertical movement mechanism  44  is a mechanism that moves the transport unit  42  up and down (vertically). The vertical movement mechanism  44  includes a guide shaft  44 A that is set vertically and extends from the bottom end to the upper end in the banknote bundling unit  3  and a drive belt  44 B that guides the transport unit  42  to elevate or lower the transport unit  42  using the guide shaft  44 A. 
     The transport unit  42  includes the hand unit  41  that can move forward or back via a drive belt  43 A in the horizontal movement mechanism  43 . In the hand unit  41 , for example, three grip claws of an upper hand  41 A and three grip claws of a lower hand  41 B are opposed to each other and the grip claws grip the long edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21 . While the lower hand  41 B is fixed, the upper hand  41 A can move vertically via a drive belt  41 C. 
     The transport unit  42  grips the long edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes using the grip claws of the upper hand  41 A and the grip claws of the lower hand  41 B and transports the gripped to-be-bundled-banknotes to the operation preparation position on the bundling stage in the bundling unit  22  or to the odd note return port  24 . While gripping the long edge of 100 to-be-bundled-banknotes using the transport unit  42 , the pre-bundling transport unit  25  transports the to-be-bundled-banknotes to the operation preparation position on the bundling stage in the bundling unit  22  and arranges the banknotes thereon. 
     After gripping the banknote bundle that is bundled by the bundling unit  22  and transporting them in the longitudinal direction of the banknotes, the post-bundling transport unit  26  transports them toward the bundle ejecting port  23 . The post-bundling transport unit  26  includes a grip transport unit  27  and a dispensing transport unit  28 . After the pre-bundling transport unit  25  transports the to-be-bundled-banknotes to the bundling stage in the bundling unit  22 , the grip transport unit  27  grips the short edge of the transported to-be-bundled-banknotes and transports the gripped banknotes in the longitudinal direction of the banknotes. The grip transport unit  27  then grips the banknote bundle that has been bundled by the bundling unit  22  and transports the banknote bundle. 
     While gripping the long edge of 100 to-be-bundled-banknotes via the transport unit  42 , the grip transport unit  27  grips the short edge of the 100 to-be-bundled-banknotes at the operation preparation position on the bundling stage in the bundling unit  22 . The transport unit  42  in the pre-bundling transport unit  25  releases the grip on the long edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes, in accordance with operations of the grip transport unit  27  for gripping the short edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes, and moves to a waiting position. 
     The grip transport unit  27  includes a grip unit  27 A including upper and lower hands that collectively grip the short edge of banknotes. The grip unit  27 A grips and transports the to-be-bundled-banknotes in the longitudinal direction of the banknotes from the operation preparation position in order to set the banknotes to the bundling operation position on the bundling stage. 
     While the short edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes is gripped by the grip unit  27 A of the grip transport unit  27 , once the bundling position on the to-be-bundled-banknotes is positioned and set in the bundling operation position on the bundling stage, the bundling unit  22  performs the bundling operations for winding the bundling band around the bundling position on the to-be-bundled-banknotes. 
     When the operations for bundling the to-be-bundled-banknotes are completed by the bundling unit  22 , the grip unit  27 A of the grip transport unit  27  returns the banknote bundle to the operation preparation position and transports the banknote bundle into a banknote bundle lift unit  61  in the dispensing transport unit  28 . Once the banknote bundle is transported into the banknote bundle lift unit  61 , the grip transport unit  27  releases the grip on the short edge of the banknote bundle. 
     After the pre-bundling transport unit  25  transports the to-be-bundled-banknotes to the operation preparation position on a bundling stage  22 A in the bundling unit  22 , the grip transport unit  27  grips the short edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes in the operation preparation position (see  FIG. 8(C) ). The pre-bundling transport unit  25  releases the grip on the long edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes in accordance with the operation of the grip transport unit  27  for gripping the short edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes. The operation preparation position corresponds to the position in which the to-be-bundled-banknotes are moved and adjusted with respect to the bundling operation position on the bundling stage  22 A in which the bundling operations are performed, i.e., the position in which movement in the longitudinal direction of the to-be-bundled-banknotes is started. The bundling operation position corresponds to the operation position in which a bundling band is wound around the to-be-bundled-banknotes. 
     Once the grip transport unit  27  grips the to-be-bundled-banknotes in the operation preparation position on the bundling stage  22 A of the bundling unit  22 , the grip transport unit  27  moves and adjusts the to-be-bundled-banknotes in the longitudinal direction of the banknotes in order to set the bundling position on the to-be-bundled-banknotes in the bundling operation position on the bundling stage  22 A (see  FIG. 8(E)  for which a description will be given). The bundling position on the to-be-bundled-banknotes is set in the bundling operation position on the bundling stage  22 A and thus the bundling unit  22  winds the bundling band in the bundling position around the to-be-bundled-banknotes. 
     When the operation for bundling the to-be-bundled-banknotes is complete while the short edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes is gripped by the bundling unit  22  in the bundling operation position on the bundling stage  22 A, the grip transport unit  27  transports the banknote bundle to the operation preparation position (see  FIG. 8(F) ) and transports the banknote bundle to the dispensing transport unit  28 . 
     The dispensing transport unit  28  transports the banknote bundle, which is gripped and transported by the grip transport unit  27 , to the bundle dispensing port  23 . The dispensing transport unit  28  includes the banknote bundle lift unit  61 , a push-out mechanism  62 , and a dispensing holding mechanism  63 . The banknote bundle lift unit  61  transports the banknote bundle, which is transported by the grip transport unit  27 , to an upper position of the banknote bundling unit  3 . The push-out mechanism  62  pushes out the banknote bundle, which has been transported by the banknote bundle lift unit  61  to the upper position of the banknote bundling unit  3 , toward the bundle dispensing port  23  (toward the front surface of the apparatus). The dispensing holding mechanism  63  stacks the banknote bundle, which has been pushed out by the push-out mechanism  62  to the apparatus front surface, and dispenses the banknote bundle. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing holding mechanism  63 . The dispensing holding mechanism  63  illustrated in  FIG. 4  includes a bundle stacking unit  71  and a bundle dispensing unit  72 . The bundle stacking unit  71  includes a banknote bundle stage  71 A and an open/close plate  71 B. The banknote bundle stage  71 A is arranged in the bundle stacking unit  71 , and a banknote bundle, which has been pushed by the push-out mechanism  62 , is placed on the banknote bundle stage  71 A. The banknote bundle stage  71 A has a mechanism that adjusts the level of the banknote bundle stage  71 A such that banknote bundles are set to keep the level of the top banknote bundle at a specific position in the bundle stacking unit  71 . The open/close plate  71 B corresponds to a plate that opens or closes an upper opening  71 C of the bundle stacking unit  71 . When the bundled banknotes are pushed toward the front surface of the apparatus by the push-out mechanism  62 , the bundled banknotes fall on the banknote bundle stage  71 A in the bundle stacking unit  71  in accordance with an opening operation of the open/close plate  71 B. The open/close plate  71 B performs a closing operation by a spring back force and, for example, performs the opening operation using the weight of a banknote bundle. Alternatively, the open/close operations may be performed by a drive control. 
     The bundle dispensing unit  72  pushes out the bundle stacking unit  71  toward the front panel of the apparatus by releasing the lock of the bundle stacking unit  71  on the dispensing holding mechanism  63  (see  FIG. 12  for which description will be given) so that the bundle stacking unit  71  protrudes from the front panel of the banknote bundling unit  3 . 
     Banknote bundles are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  with the short edge of the banknote bundles being aligned in the back and forth direction of the bundle stacking unit  71 , i.e., the direction of the pushing operation, and with the long edge of the banknote bundles being aligned with the left and right side surfaces of the bundle stacking unit  71 . The bundle stacking unit  71  further includes a take-out opening  71 D such that the side surface of the banknote bundles can be seen, i.e., contents printed on the bundling band can be seen from the take-out opening  71 D. Banknote bundles can be taken out easily from the long edge side of the banknote via the take-out opening  71 D. Thus, banknote bundles can be taken out of the bundle stacking unit  71  easily compared with taking out banknote bundles from the short edge of the banknotes. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an inner configuration of the banknote processing apparatus  1 . The banknote processing apparatus  1  illustrated in  FIG. 5  includes the banknote recognition unit  14 , a stacker mechanism  110 , a bundling mechanism  120 , an operation unit  130 , a display control unit  140 , a drive control unit  150 , a size adjustment drive control unit  160 , and a control unit  170 . The stacker mechanism  110  corresponds to the mechanism in the banknote sorting unit  2  and includes the pay-out unit  12 , the banknote transport unit  13 , the diverter unit  13 A, the banknote reversing unit  15 , the stacking wheel  16 E ( 17 C), and the detection sensor  19 . 
     The bundling mechanism  120  corresponds to a mechanism in the banknote bundling unit  3  and includes the banknote transport unit  13 , the diverter unit  13 A, the detection sensor  19 , the bundling unit  22 , the pre-bundling transport unit  25 , the post-bundling transport unit  26 , the fin wheel  33 , and the size adjustment mechanism  35 . The post-bundling transport unit  26  includes the grip transport unit  27 , the dispensing transport unit  28 , and the bundle dispensing unit  72 . The size adjustment mechanism  35  includes the banknote arrangement mechanism  36  and the short-edge adjustment mechanism  37 . 
     When the number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  reaches a specific number, the bundle dispensing unit  72  pushes out the bundle stacking unit  71  toward the front panel of the apparatus of the banknote bundling unit  3  so that the bundle stacking unit  71  protrudes from the front panel of the apparatus. The operation unit  130  inputs various commands and includes, for example, a designating unit  131  and a dispensing button  132 . The designating unit  131  designates, as a specific number of banknote bundles, the number of banknote bundles with which the bundle stacking unit  71  is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus, and the user can designate the number of times the specific number of banknote bundles is dispensed. In addition, a user can designate, via the designating unit  131 , the total number of times the specific number of banknote bundles are dispensed. The dispensing button  132  starts the operation of the bundle dispensing unit  72  for causing the bundle stacking unit  71  to protrude. 
     The display control unit  140  performs display control on the display unit  4 . The drive control unit  150  performs drive control on the stacker mechanism  110  and the bundling mechanism  120 . Upon acquiring banknote types of transported banknotes that are recognized by the banknote recognition unit  14 , if the banknotes that are being transported on the banknote transport path  18  are of a banknote type (stacked banknote) that is set for the stacker  16  or for the bundling stacking unit  21 , the drive control unit  150  performs drive control on the banknote transport unit  13  and the diverter unit  13 A in order to sort and stack the transported banknotes in the stacker  16  or the bundling stacking unit  21 . 
     When banknotes which are being transported on the banknote transport path  18  are other than banknotes that are set for the stacker  16  and the bundling stacking unit  21  or banknotes that cannot be recognized due to, for example, a transport error, the drive control unit  150  performs drive control on the banknote transport unit  13  and the diverter unit  13 A in order to transport the banknotes to the first rejection unit  17 . Upon detecting an error in transport upstream relative to a first rejection unit  17 B by the detection sensor  19 , the drive control unit  150  successively transports the banknotes that are present upstream relative to the first rejection unit  17 B, to the first rejection unit  17 B. 
     Upon detecting an error in transport downstream relative to the first rejection unit  17 B by the detection sensor  19 , the drive control unit  150  performs drive control on the banknote transport unit  13  and the diverter unit  13 A in order to successively transport the banknotes that are downstream relative to the first rejection unit  17 B, to the second rejection unit  20 . For example, in a location downstream relative to the first rejection unit  17 B, such as in the second transport path  18 B or the third transport path  18 C, when an error occurs, for example, when a skewed banknote, chained banknotes, or overlapped banknotes are transported on the banknote transport path  18 , the error can be recovered more quickly by transporting the error banknotes to the second rejection unit  20  rather than by stopping the banknote transport. 
     When the banknotes that are being transported on the banknote transport path  18  are of a banknote type (banknotes to be stacked) that is set for the bundling stacking unit  21 , the drive control unit  150  performs drive control on the banknote transport unit  13  and the diverter unit  13 A in order to sort the transported banknotes and transport the banknotes to the bundling stacking unit  21 . When, as banknote types (banknotes to be stacked), a 10 Euro banknote is set for a first bundling stacking unit  21 A, a 20 Euro banknote is set for a second bundling stacking unit  21 B, and a reserve is set for a third bundling stacking unit  21 C, once the number of to-be-bundled-banknotes, which are stacked in the first bundling stacking unit  21 A, reaches 100, the drive control unit  150  performs drive control on the pre-bundling transport unit  25  in order to pull out the bundling subject banknotes that are stacked in the first bundling stacking unit  21 A by the hand unit  41  in the transport unit  42  of the pre-bundling transport unit  25 . 
     The size adjustment drive control unit  160  performs adjustment control on the size adjustment mechanism  35  in the bundling mechanism  120 . The control unit  170  controls the entire banknote processing apparatus  1 . The control unit  170  sets, for example, the types of banknotes to be stacked (banknotes to be stacked) for the stacker  16 , the first rejection unit  17 , the second rejection unit  20 , and the bundling stacking unit  21 . For example, the control unit  170  sets a 5 Euro banknote for the first stacker  16 A, sets a 50 Euro banknote for the second stacker  16 B, sets a 100 Euro banknote for the third stacker  16 C, sets a 200 Euro banknote for the fourth stacker  16 D, and sets a 500 Euro banknote for a first rejection unit  17 A. As an initial setting, the control unit  170  further sets a 10 Euro banknote for the first bundling stacking unit  21 A, sets a 20 Euro banknote for the second bundling stacking unit  21 B, and sets a reserve for the third bundling stacking unit  21 C. The first rejection unit  17 A can be used as a stacker for stacking a rare type of banknote, such as a 500 Euro banknote. The control unit  170  identifies errors, such as jamming of banknotes on the banknote transport path  18 , according to the detection results of the detection sensor  19 . 
     The control unit  170  further includes a bundle number counting unit  171 , a bundle number determining unit  172 , a warning control unit  173 , a dispensing control unit  174 , and a transport control unit  175 . The bundle number counting unit  171  counts the number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  in accordance with the open operation of the open/close plate  71 B. The bundle number determining unit  172  determines whether the number of banknote bundles, which is counted by the bundle number counting unit  171 , reaches the designated number. When the number of banknote bundles reaches the designated number, the warning control unit  173  performs control to output warning sounds or a warning display. The warning display corresponds to, for example, a blinking display by the LED of the dispensing button  132 . According to the warning sounds or warning display, the user can recognize that the number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  has reached a designated banknote bundle number. 
     Upon detecting a button operation of the dispensing button  132 , the dispensing control unit  174  releases the lock of the bundle stacking unit  71  on the dispensing holding mechanism  63  and performs drive control on the bundle dispensing unit  72  in order to perform the operation for causing the bundle stacking unit  71  to protrude (see  FIG. 12 ). Upon detecting the releasing of the lock of the bundle stacking unit  71 , the transport control unit  175  temporarily stops the operation for transporting a banknote bundle to the bundle stacking unit  71 , such as the operation of the push-out mechanism  62  for transporting a banknote bundle to the bundle stacking unit  71 . Upon detecting that the bundle stacking unit  71  is locked on the dispensing holding mechanism  63 , the transport control unit  175  restarts the operation of the push-out mechanism  62  for a transport to the bundle stacking unit  71 . 
     For example, when the number of 10 Euro banknotes that are stacked in the first bundling stacking unit  21 A reaches 100, the control unit  170  switches the setting of the banknote type (banknotes to be stacked) for the reserve third bundling stacking unit  21 C to a 10 Euro banknote. Further, the control unit  170  pulls out the 10 Euro banknotes, the number thereof has reached 100 banknotes, by the hand unit  41  in the transport unit  42 , switches the setting of the banknote type (banknotes to be stacked) for the first bundling stacking unit  21 A to “a reserve”. 
     At the time when 100 to-be-bundled-banknotes that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21  are pulled out, the control unit  170  can recognize the designated number of banknote bundles that should be stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  before they are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71 . The control unit  170  controls the printing unit  56 , when preparing banknote bundles, in order to print an identical identification number on each of the bundling bands of the designated number of banknote bundles that are collectively dispensed from the bundle stacking unit  71 . Because the identical identification numbers are printed on the bundling bands on the side surfaces of the banknote bundles, the user can recognize the identification numbers on the bundling bands from the take-out opening  71 D of the bundle stacking unit  71 . 
     When the number of 10-Euro banknotes that are stacked in the first bundling stacking unit  21 A reaches 100 and the setting of the banknote type for the reserve third bundling stacking unit  21 C (stacked banknotes) is switched to a 10 Euro banknote, the size adjustment drive control unit  160  performs drive control on the size adjustment mechanism  35  of the third bundling stacking unit  21 C in order to adjust the third bundling stacking unit  21 C in accordance with the set banknote, i.e., the banknote size of a 10 Euro banknote. The size adjustment drive control unit  160  manages the setting rotation position of the arm units  36 A of the banknote arrangement mechanism  36  and the short edge size in the short-edge adjustment mechanism  37  according to each banknote type. 
     An operation of the size adjustment drive control unit  160  for adjusting the size of the bundling stacking unit  21  in accordance with a set banknote will be described below.  FIG. 6  is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow of the bundling stacking unit  21 . The size adjustment drive control unit  160  illustrated in  FIG. 6  performs drive control on the short-edge adjustment mechanism  37  in order to adjust the stacking space  31  by moving the back wall portion  31 B in accordance with the set banknote to be stacked. The size adjustment drive control unit  160  performs drive control on the banknote arrangement mechanism  36  in order to set the set rotation position of the arm units  36 A of the banknote arrangement mechanism  36  in accordance with the longitudinal size of the set banknote. 
     First, the size adjustment drive control unit  160  moves the back wall portion  31 B and sets the back wall portion  31 B in a position corresponding to the short edge size of the set banknote so that the arm units  36 A of the banknote arrangement mechanism  36  are kept in the set rotation position corresponding to the longitudinal size of the set size (see  FIG. 6(A) ). 
     Upon detecting the entering of a transported banknote into the stacking space  31  by the enter detection sensor  34 , the size adjustment drive control unit  160  opens the left and right arm units  36 A (see  FIG. 6(B) ). After detecting that the transported banknote has passed by the enter detection sensor  34  and then a predetermined time has passed, the size adjustment drive control unit  160  rotates the left and right arm units  36 A to the set rotation position and adjusts the position of the long edge of the transported banknotes, which are stacked in the stacking space  31 , using the tip portions of the left and right arm units  36 A (see  FIG. 6(C) ). Accordingly, the transported banknotes are successively stacked in the stacking space  31  of the bundling stacking unit  21 . 
     An operation of the pre-bundling transport unit  25  for transporting banknotes that are successively stacked in the stacking space  31  of the bundling stacking unit  21  to the operation preparation position in the bundling unit  22  or to the odd note return port  24  will be described below.  FIG. 7  is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow of the pre-bundling transport unit  25 . 
     When pulling out to-be-bundled-banknotes P that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21  by the transport unit  42 , the pre-bundling transport unit  25  lowers the stage unit  32  in the bundling stacking unit  21 , from which banknote are pulled out, to its lowest position (see  FIG. 7(A) ). In accordance with the operation of the drive belt  44 B via the guide shaft  44 A, the pre-bundling transport unit  25  lowers the transport unit  42  to a position corresponding to the bundling stacking unit  21 , from which banknote are pulled out, i.e., to a position such that the upper surface of the lower hand  41 B is lower than the bottom banknote of the to-be-bundled-banknotes P, which are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21  (see  FIG. 7(A) ). 
     The pre-bundling transport unit  25  elevates, by the drive belt  41 C, the upper hand  41 A of the transport unit  42  by the drive belt  41 C to a position such that the bottom surface of the upper hand  41 A is higher than the top banknote of the to-be-bundled-banknotes P that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21  (see  FIG. 7(A) ). Accordingly, the space between the upper hand  41 A and the lower hand  41 B increases. 
     The transport unit  42  moves forwards in accordance with the operation of the drive belt  43 A of the horizontal movement mechanism  43 . In accordance with this forward movement, the upper hand  41 A and the lower hand  41 B enter the bundling stacking unit  21  via the cutouts  31 C, which are formed on the back wall portion  31 B of the bundling stacking unit  21 . Accordingly, the to-be-bundled-banknotes P are positioned between the upper hand  41 A and the lower hand  41 B (see  FIG. 7(B) ). The transport unit  42  lowers the upper hand  41 A via the drive belt  41 C. In accordance with this lowering operation, the long edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes on the stage unit  32  is tightly gripped between the upper hand  41 A and the lower hand  41 B (see FIG.  7 (C)). 
     The transport unit  42  recedes in accordance with the operation of the drive belt  43 A of the horizontal movement mechanism  43 . In accordance with this receding operation, the to-be-bundled-banknotes P, which are held by the upper hand  41 A and the lower hand  41 B, can be moved to the operation preparation position on the bundling stage  22 A in the bundling unit  22  or to the odd note return port  24  via the vertical movement mechanism  44  (see  FIG. 7(D) ). 
     For example, when the number of to-be-bundled-banknotes that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21  reaches 100, the drive control unit  150  causes the hand unit  41  of the transport unit  42  in the pre-bundling transport unit  25  to enter the stacking space  31  via the cutouts  31 C on the back wall portion  31 B. The hand unit  41  grips the long edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes on the stage unit  32  and pulls out the gripped to-be-bundled-banknotes from the bundling stacking unit  21 . The drive control unit  150  performs drive control on the pre-bundling transport unit  25  in order to transport the pulled-out to-be-bundled-banknotes to the bundling unit  22  via the horizontal movement mechanism  43  and the vertical movement mechanism  44 . 
     If the number of to-be-bundled-banknotes that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21  does not reach 100 at the time when the handling finishes, the drive control unit  150  causes the hand unit  41  of the transport unit  42  to enter the stacking space  31  via the cutouts  31 C on the back wall portion  31 B. The hand unit  41  grips the long edge of the banknotes on the stage unit  32  and pulls out the gripped odd banknotes from the bundling stacking unit  21 . The drive control unit  150  performs drive control on the pre-bundling transport unit  25  in order to transport the pulled-out odd to-be-bundled-banknotes to the odd note return port  24  via the horizontal movement mechanism  43  and the vertical movement mechanism  44 . After the banknotes that are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21  are pulled out, the drive control unit  150  elevates the stage unit  32  in the bundling stacking unit  21  to the normal banknote stacking waiting position. 
     The operation of the grip transport unit  27  for transporting the 100 to-be-bundled-banknotes P that are transported by the pre-bundling transport unit  25  will be described below.  FIG. 8  is an explanatory view illustrating the operation flow of the grip transport unit  27 . The transport unit  42  of the pre-bundling transport unit  25  illustrated in  FIG. 8  grips the long edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes P, which are stacked in the bundling stacking unit  21 , and transports the gripped to-be-bundled-banknotes P to the vicinity of the port of the bundling unit  22  via the horizontal movement mechanism  43  and the vertical movement mechanism  44  (see  FIG. 8(A) ). The grip unit  27 A of the grip transport unit  27  is arranged in the operation preparation position on the bundling stage  22 A as illustrated in  FIG. 8(A) . 
     The transport unit  42  of the pre-bundling transport unit  25  transports the to-be-bundled-banknotes to the bundling stage  22 A in the bundling unit  22  via the horizontal movement mechanism  43  (see  FIG. 8(B) ) and transports the to-be-bundled-banknotes to the operation preparation position on the bundling stage  22 A (see  FIG. 8(C) ). Accordingly, the grip unit  27 A of the grip transport unit  27  grips the short edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes P in the operation preparation position in response to the transport of the to-be-bundled-banknotes P to the operation preparation position by the transport unit  42  (see  FIG. 8(C) ). 
     In accordance with the operation of the grip unit  27 A of the grip transport unit  27  for gripping the to-be-bundled-banknotes P, the transport unit  42  of the pre-bundling transport unit  25  releases the grip on the long edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes P (see  FIG. 8(D) ) and returns to the normal banknote stacking waiting position. The grip unit  27 A of the grip transport unit  27  moves in the longitudinal direction of the to-be-bundled-banknotes P in order to position and set the bundling position on the to-be-bundled-banknotes P in the bundling operation position on the bundling stage  22 A (see  FIG. 8(E) ). With the short edge of the to-be-bundled-banknotes P being gripped by the grip unit  27 A, the bundling unit  22  prepares a banknote bundle P 1  by winding a bundling band R in the bundling position around the to-be-bundled-banknotes P, which is positioned in the bundling operation position on the bundling stage  22 A. The grip unit  27 A of the grip transport unit  27  moves the banknote bundle P 1 , which is set and positioned in the bundling operation position on the bundling stage  22 A, to the operation preparation position (see  FIG. 8  (F)) and transports the banknote bundle P 1  to the dispensing transport unit  28  (see  FIG. 8(G) ). 
     The operation, of the dispensing transport unit  28  of the post-bundling transport unit  26 , for transporting the banknote bundle P 1 , which is transported by the grip transport unit  27 , toward the bundle dispensing port  23  will be described below.  FIGS. 9 and 10  are explanatory views illustrating the operation flow of the dispensing transport unit  28 . The banknote bundle lift unit  61  of the dispensing transport unit  28  keeps, at the bottom position, a transport lift  61 A for placing the banknote bundle P 1  that is gripped and transported by the grip transport unit  27  (see  FIG. 9(A) ). While gripping the banknote bundle P 1  on the transport lift  61 A of the banknote bundle lift unit  61 , the grip transport unit  27  transports the banknote bundle P 1  (see  FIG. 9(B) ). The banknote bundle lift unit  61  places the banknote bundle P 1  on the transport lift  61 A in accordance with the elevating operation of the transport lift  61 A (see  FIG. 9(C) ). After placing the banknote bundle P 1  on the transport lift  61 A and then releasing the grip on the banknote bundle P 1  (see FIG.  9 (D)), the grip transport unit  27  moves to the operation preparation position (see  FIG. 9(E) ). 
     The banknote bundle lift unit  61  then elevates the transport lift  61 A on which the banknote bundle P 1  is placed, pushes out a push-out transport unit  62 A of the push-out mechanism  62 , using a link mechanism  61 B, in accordance with the elevation of the transport lift  61 A (see FIG.  9 (F)), and sets the banknote bundle P 1 , which has been placed on the transport lift  61 A, in the push-out transport unit  62 A (see  FIG. 9(G) ). 
     The push-out transport unit  62 A pushes out and transports the banknote bundle P 1 , which has been set, toward the front panel of the apparatus (see  FIG. 9(H) ). The dispensing holding mechanism  63  drops the banknote bundle P 1  to the banknote bundle stage  71 A in the bundle stacking unit  71  in accordance with the open operation of the open/close plate  71 B of the bundle stacking unit  71  and stacks the banknote bundle P 1  (see  FIG. 9(I) ). The bundle number counting unit  171  counts the number of banknote bundles in accordance with the open operation of the open/close plate  71 B. The banknote bundle lift unit  61  then lowers the transport lift  61 A to the bottom position and the push-out transport unit  62 A returns to the original waiting state in accordance with the operation of the link mechanism  61 B that links with the lowering operation (see  FIGS. 9(I) and 9(J) ). 
     The dispensing holding mechanism  63  adjusts the banknote bundle stage  71 A in the bundle stacking unit  71  in order to keep the level of the top banknote bundles P 1 , which are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71 , at a specific position (see  FIG. 9(K) ). Thereafter, the dispensing holding mechanism  63  successively stacks banknote bundles P 1  in the bundle stacking unit  71  in accordance with the operation of the push-out transport unit  62 A for transporting banknote bundles P 1  (see  FIG. 10(A) ). Thereafter, when the number of banknote bundles P 1  that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  reaches the designated number, the bundle dispensing unit  72  releases the lock of the bundle stacking unit  71 , in which the designated number of banknote bundles P 1  are stacked, on the dispensing holding mechanism  63 . For this description, it is assumed that the designated number is, for example, 10. When the lock of the bundle stacking unit  71  is released, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the bundle dispensing unit  72  pushes the front portion of the bundle stacking unit  71  toward the front panel of the apparatus so as to cause the bundle stacking unit  71  to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus (see  FIG. 10(B) ). 
     A user takes out the designated number of banknote bundles from the take-out opening  71 D on the side surface of the bundle stacking unit  71 , which is caused to protrude from the front panel, of the apparatus (see  FIG. 10(C) ). The user pushes back the protruded bundle stacking unit  71  into the dispensing holding mechanism  63  (see  FIG. 10(D) ). As a result, the dispensing holding mechanism  63  locks the bundle stacking unit  71 , holds the bundle stacking unit  71  in the dispensing holding mechanism  63 , and similarly repeats dispensing of bundles. 
     A first banknote bundle dispensing process for dispensing the designated number of banknote bundles P 1  will be described below.  FIG. 11  is a flowchart of internal process operations of the control unit  170  that engages in the first banknote bundle dispensing process. The first banknote bundle dispensing process illustrated in  FIG. 11  is a process in which, when the number of banknote bundles P 1  that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  reaches the designated number, the bundle stacking unit  71  in which the designated number of banknote bundles P 1  is stacked is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus. 
     The control unit  170  determines whether a banknote bundle P in the bundle stacking unit  71  is detected via the open/close plate  71 B in the bundle stacking unit  71  (step S 11 ). Upon detecting a banknote bundle in the bundle stacking unit  71  (YES at step S 11 ), the bundle number counting unit  171  in the control unit  170  increments the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  by one (step S 12 ). 
     The bundle number determining unit  172  in the control unit  170  determines whether the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number (step S 13 ). The designated number corresponds to the number that is designated by the designating unit  131 . When the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number (YES at step S 13 ), the warning control unit  173  in the control unit  170  issues and outputs a warning (step S 14 ). The warning output is, for example, an output of a blinking display of the LED of the dispensing button  132  or an audio output of warning sounds. The issuance and output of the warning let the user recognize that the number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  has reached the designated number. 
     After the issuance and output of the warning, the dispensing control unit  174  in the control unit  170  determines whether a button operation of the dispensing button  132  is detected (step S 15 ). Upon detecting a button operation of the dispensing button  132  (YES at step S 15 ), the dispensing control unit  174  releases the lock of the bundle stacking unit  71  on the dispensing holding mechanism  63  (step S 16 ) and pushes the bundle stacking unit  71  toward the front panel of the apparatus via the bundle dispensing unit  72  so that the bundle stacking unit  71  is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus (Step S 17 ). Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the user can take out banknote bundles P 1  from the take-out opening  71 D on the side surface of the bundle stacking unit  71  that is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus. 
     When the operation for causing the bundle stacking unit  71  to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus is complete, the transport control unit  175  in the control unit  170  stops the operation for transporting banknote bundles to the bundle stacking unit  71 , for example, the operation of the push-out transport unit  62 A for transporting banknote bundles (step S 18 ). The bundle number counting unit  171  clears the count value of the number of banknote bundles (step S 19 ). 
     When the count value of the number of banknote bundles is cleared, the dispensing control unit  174  determines whether it is detected that the bundle stacking unit  71  is locked on the dispensing holding mechanism  63  by pushing back the bundle stacking unit  71  into the dispensing holding mechanism  63  (step S 20 ). When it is detected that the bundle stacking unit  71  is locked on the dispensing holding mechanism  63  (YES at step S 20 ), the dispensing control unit  174  increments the count value of the number of times of dispensing by 1 (step S 21 ) and determines whether the count value of the number of times of dispensing has reached the number of times of dispensing that is designated by the designating unit  131  (step S 22 ). When the count value of the number of times of dispensing reaches the designated number of times of dispensing (YES at step S 22 ), the dispensing control unit  174  completes the process operations illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
     When the count value of the number of times of dispensing does not reach the designated dispensing time number (NO at step S 22 ), the transport control unit  175  restarts the operation for transporting banknote bundles P 1  to the bundle stacking unit  71 , for example, the operation of the push-out transport unit  62 A for transporting banknote bundles (step S 23 ). The control unit  170  then goes to step S 11  in order to determine whether a banknote bundle P 1  is detected. When a banknote bundle P 1  is not detected (NO at step S 11 ), the control unit  170  goes to step S 11  in order to determine whether a banknote bundle is detected. 
     When the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  does not reach the designated number (No at step S 13 ), the control unit  170  determines whether a button operation of the dispensing button  132  is detected (step S 24 ). When a button operation of the dispensing button  132  is detected (YES at step S 24 ) and even if the designated number is not satisfied, the control unit  170  goes to step S 17  in order to cause the bundle stacking unit  71  to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus. When a button operation of the dispensing button  132  is not detected (NO at step S 24 ), the control unit  170  goes to step S 11  in order to determines whether a banknote bundle P 1  is detected. 
     When a button operation of the dispensing button  132  is not detected (NO at step S 15 ) after a warning is issued and output, the transport control unit  175  stops the operation for transporting banknote bundles P 1  to the bundle stacking unit  71 , i.e., the operation of the push-out transport unit  62 A for transporting banknote bundles, (step S 25 ) and goes to step S 15 . Accordingly, additional stacking of new banknote bundles P 1  in the bundle stacking unit  71  in excess of the designated number can be prevented. 
     When it is not detected that the bundle stacking unit  71  is locked on the dispensing holding mechanism  63  (No at step S 20 ), the transport control unit  175  goes to step S 20  in order to monitor the lock of the bundle stacking unit  71 . 
     In the first banknote bundle dispensing process illustrated in  FIG. 11 , when the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  reaches the designated number, if a button operation of the dispensing button  132  is detected after a warning is issued and output, the bundle stacking unit  71  is pushed out toward the front panel of the apparatus so that the bundle stacking unit  71  is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus. The issuance and output of the warning let the user recognize that the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  has reached the designated number and let the user acquire the designated number of banknote bundles P 1  from the take-put opening  71 D of the bundle stacking unit  71 . 
     Furthermore, in the first banknote bundle dispensing process, even when the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number, if a button operation of the dispensing button  132  is not detected, the operation for transporting banknote bundles P 1  to the bundle stacking unit  71  is stopped. Accordingly, additional stacking of banknote bundles P 1  in the bundle stacking unit  71  in excess of the designated number can be prevented. 
     In the first banknote bundle dispensing process, even when the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  does not reach the designated number, if a button operation of the dispensing button  132  is detected, banknote bundles P 1  that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  can be acquired. 
     In the first embodiment, a user&#39;s desired designated number of banknote bundles and a user&#39;s desired number of times the designated number of banknote bundles is dispensed are arbitrarily set using the designating unit  131 . In the first embodiment, when the number of banknote bundles P 1  that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  reaches the designated number, the bundle stacking unit  71  is pushed out toward the front panel of the apparatus so that the bundle stacking unit  71  is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus. Accordingly, in the first embodiment, operability for collecting the user&#39;s desired designated number of banknote bundles P 1  is significantly improved. 
     In the first embodiment, the bundle stacking unit  71  is locked on the dispensing holding mechanism  63  until just before the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number, and, when the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number, the lock of the bundle stacking unit  71  is released to cause the bundle stacking unit  71  to protrude. Accordingly, in the first embodiment, because the user&#39;s desired number of banknote bundles is dispensed, operability for collecting banknote bundles can be significantly improved. 
     In the first embodiment, once the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number, a waning is issued and output, and, after the warning is issued and output, the bundle stacking unit  71  is caused to protrude in accordance with a button operation of the dispensing button  132 . Thus, in the first embodiment, the issuance of the warning notifies the user that the number of banknote bundles P 1  has reached the designated number and it can be prevented that the bundle dispensing unit  72  is automatically caused to protrude without any button operation of the dispensing button  132 . 
     In the first embodiment, even with a bundling function for preparing banknote bundles P 1 , the operability for collecting the user&#39;s desired designated number of banknote bundles P 1  while successively preparing banknote bundles P 1  can be significantly improved. 
     In the first embodiment, identical identification numbers are printed on the bundling bands of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  and are to be collectively dispensed. Accordingly, the user see the identification numbers that are printed on the bundling bands and thus the user can recognize the designated number of banknote bundles P 1  that are collectively dispensed. This makes it easy to manage the designated number of banknote bundles. 
     In the first embodiment, banknote bundles P 1  are stacked with the short edge of the banknote bundles P 1  being aligned in the back and forth direction of the bundle stacking unit  71 , the bundle stacking unit  71  is pushed out toward the front panel of the apparatus, and thus the bundle stacking unit  71  is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus. In the first embodiment, the banknote bundles P 1  that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  can be taken out from the take-out opening  71 D on the side surface of the bundle stacking unit  71 . Accordingly, the bundle stacking unit  71  protrudes and thus the user can take out the designated number of banknote bundles P 1  from the take-out opening  71 D on the side surface of the bundle stacking unit  71 , which leads to preferable operation for taking out the banknote bundles. 
     In the first embodiment, banknote bundles P 1  are successively stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  via the push-out transport unit  62 A of the dispensing transport unit  28 . Alternatively, instead of successively stacking banknote bundles P 1  in the bundle stacking unit  71 , a direct dispensing method of directly dispensing banknote bundles P 1  may be employed. This method will be described as a second embodiment below. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 14  is an explanatory view illustrating the dispensing holding mechanism  63  (direct dispensing unit) according to the second embodiment that is dispensing banknote bundles P 1 . The same components as those of the banknote processing apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment will be omitted and are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the banknote processing apparatus  1  and the redundant description on the configurations and operations will be omitted below. In the banknote bundling unit  3  of a banknote processing apparatus  1 A according to the second embodiment, the bundle stacking unit  71  in the dispensing holding mechanism  63  is arranged to be attachable to and detachable from a direct dispensing unit  81  and to be switchable. The direct dispensing unit  81  includes an open/close plate  81 A, a banknote sliding unit  81 B, and an upper opening  81 C. When the push-out transport unit  62 A pushes out a banknote bundle P 1  directly to the direct dispensing unit  81  and the banknote bundle P 1  drops from the upper opening  81 C in accordance with an open operation of the open/close plate  81 A, the banknote sliding unit  81 B slides the banknote bundle P 1  and dispenses the banknote bundle P 1  directly to the outside of the apparatus. 
       FIG. 15  is a block diagram of an inner configuration of the banknote processing apparatus  1 A according to the second embodiment. The banknote processing apparatus  1 A illustrated in  FIG. 15  is different from the banknote processing apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment in that a switching unit  176  for switching between the bundle stacking unit  71  and the direct dispensing unit  81  is provided in a control unit  170 A. When the bundle stacking unit  71  is set, until just before the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches a designated number of banknote bundles, the control unit  170 A successively stacks banknote bundles P 1  in the bundle stacking unit  71  in accordance with the operation of the push-out transport unit  62 A for pushing out a banknote bundle P 1 . Once the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number, the transport control unit  175  inhibits stacking of banknote bundles P 1  in the bundle stacking unit  71  by stopping the push-out operation of the push-out transport unit  62 A. 
     In contrast, when the direct dispensing unit  81  is set, until just before the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number, the control unit  170 A successively dispenses banknote bundles P 1  from the direct dispensing unit  81  in accordance with the operation of the push-out transport unit  62 A for pushing out a banknote bundle P 1 . Once the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number, the transport control unit  175  inhibits direct dispensing of banknote bundles P 1  from the direct dispensing unit  81  by stopping the push-out operation of the push-out transport unit  62 A. 
       FIG. 16  is a flowchart of internal process operations of the control unit  170 A that engages in a second banknote bundle dispensing process. The second banknote bundle dispensing process illustrated in  FIG. 16  is a process in which, each time the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  that are directly dispensed reached the designated number, the user is notified of completion of dispensing of the designated number of banknote bundles P 1 . 
     The control unit  170 A determines whether a banknote bundle P 1  in the direct dispensing unit  81  is detected via the open/close plate  81 A (step S 31 ). When a banknote bundle P 1  is detected (YES at step S 31 ), the bundle number counting unit  171  in the control unit  170 A increments the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  by 1 (step S 32 ). 
     The bundle number determining unit  172  in the control unit  170 A determines whether the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number (step S 33 ). When the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number (YES at step S 33 ), the warning control unit  173  in the control unit  170 A issues and outputs a warning (step S 34 ). According to, for example, an audio output of warning, the user can recognize that the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number. 
     After the issuance and output of the warning, the transport control unit  175  in the control unit  170 A stops the operation of the push-out transport unit  62 A for pushing out a banknote bundle P 1  in order to stop the operation for transporting a banknote bundle P 1  to the direct dispensing unit  81  (step S 35 ). The bundle number counting unit  171  clears the count value of the number of banknote bundles (step S 36 ). 
     Once the count value of the number of banknote bundles is cleared, the transport control unit  175  starts a stop timer (step S 37 ) and determines whether the timer is up (step S 38 ). When the timer is up (YES at step S 38 ), the transport control unit  175  increments the count value of the number of times of dispensing by 1 (step S 39 ) and determines whether the count value of the number of times of dispensing reaches the number of times of dispensing that is designated by the designating unit  131  (step S 40 ). When the count value of the number of times of dispensing reaches the designated number (YES at step S 40 ), the transport control unit  175  finishes the process operations illustrated in  FIG. 16 . When the count value of the number of times of dispensing does not reach the designated number (NO at step S 40 ), the transport control unit  175  restarts the operation of the push-out transport unit  62 A for pushing out a banknote bundle P 1  in order to restart the operation for transporting a banknote bundle P 1  to the direct dispensing unit  81  (step S 41 ) and the transport control unit  175  goes to step S 31  in order to determine whether a banknote bundle P 1  is detected. In other words, the stop of direct dispensing during time counting by the stop timer let the user recognize that dispensing of the designated number of banknote bundles P 1  is complete. 
     When dispensing of a banknote bundle P 1  to the direct dispensing unit  81  is not detected (NO at step S 33 ), the control unit  170 A goes to step S 31  in order to continuously monitor a banknote bundle P 1  to the direct dispensing unit  81 . When the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  does not reach the designated number (NO at step S 33 ), the bundle number determining unit  172  goes to step S 31  in order to monitor a banknote bundle P 1  to the direct dispensing unit  81 . 
     When the stop time is not up (NO at step S 38 ), the transport control unit  175  determines whether a button operation of a restart button  133  is detected (step S 42 ). Upon detecting a button operation of the restart button  133  (YES at step S 42 ), the transport control unit  175  goes to step S 39  in order to increment the count value of the number of times of dispensing by 1. 
     When an operation of the restart button  133  is not detected (NO at step S 42 ), the transport control unit  175  goes to step S 38  in order to continuously monitor whether the stop timer times up. 
     In the second banknote bundle dispensing process illustrated in  FIG. 16 , when the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  that are dispensed to the direct dispensing unit  81  reaches the designated number, a warning is issued and output and, while the stop timer is counting the time, dispensing of a banknote bundle P 1  from the direct dispensing unit  81  is inhibited. As a result, in accordance with issuance and output of the warning and the stop of dispensing a banknote bundle while the stop timer is counting the time, it can be recognized that the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  has reached the designated number and it can be recognized that dispensing of the designated number of banknote bundles P 1  is complete. 
     Furthermore, in the second banknote bundle dispensing process, when the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  that are dispensed to the direct dispensing unit  81  reaches the designated number, dispensing of a banknote bundle from the direct dispensing unit  81  is stopped and, after the stop timer is up, the operation for dispensing a banknote bundle P 1  is restarted. Thus, even if the operation for dispensing a banknote bundle P 1  stops in accordance with the start of the stop timer, the user can restart the operation for dispensing a banknote bundle P 1  once the stop timer is up. 
     In the second embodiment, the direct dispensing unit  81  and the bundle stacking unit  71  are set to be detachable from and attachable to the dispensing holding mechanism  63  and thus the direct dispensing unit  81  and the bundle stacking unit  71  can be switched; therefore, the user can manage direct dispensing of banknote bundles P 1  in accordance with the switching to the direct dispensing unit  81 . 
     In the second embodiment, when the setting is switched to the direct dispensing unit  81 , dispensing of a banknote bundle from the direct dispensing unit  81  is continued until just before the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number, and dispensing of banknote bundles P 1  is stopped when the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number. Accordingly, in the second embodiment, when the count value of the number of banknote bundles P 1  reaches the designated number, the direct dispensing from the direct dispensing unit  81  is stopped; therefore, the user can be notified that direct dispensing of the designated number of banknote bundles P is complete in accordance with the stop of dispensing of banknote bundles P 1 . Furthermore, operability for collecting the designated number of banknote bundles P 1  can be significantly improved. 
     In the first and second embodiments, identical identification numbers are printed on bundling bands of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  and are to be dispensed collectively. Instead of identical identification numbers, sequential numbers may be printed. In this case, the user sees the sequential numbers that are printed on the bundling bands and thus the user can recognizes the banknote bundles of the designated number of banknote bundles that are collectively dispensed. This makes it easy to manage the designated number of banknote bundles. 
     In the first and second embodiments, the single banknote bundling unit  3  is connected to the banknote sorting unit  2  and, when the number of banknote bundles P 1  of a specific category of, i.e., of a specific denomination, reaches the designated number, the bundle stacking unit  71  is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus. Alternatively, multiple banknote bundling units  3  may be provided and the banknote bundling units  3  may be allocated with different categories. For example, the first banknote bundling unit  3  is allocated with a category of 20 Euro, the second banknote bundling unit  3  is allocated with a category 10 Euro, and the third banknote bundling unit  3  is allocated with a category of unfit 50-Euro banknote. 
     In this case, when the number of 20-Euro banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  in the first banknote bundling unit  3  reaches a designated number of banknote bundles, the bundle stacking unit  71  is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus. Similarly, when the number of 10-Euro banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  in the second banknote bundling unit  3  reaches the designated number, the bundle stacking unit  71  is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus. Furthermore, when the number of unfit 50-Euro banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit  71  in the third banknote bundling unit  3  reaches the designated number, the bundle stacking unit  71  is caused to protrude from the front panel of the apparatus. In other words, by additionally providing multiple banknote bundling units  3  and allocating the banknote bundling units  3  with different categories (for example, denomination or fit/unfit banknote), the designated number of banknote bundles of each can be dispensed according to each category. 
     Instead of additionally providing multiple banknote bundling units  3 , by arranging multiple bundle stacking units  71  for respective categories in a single banknote bundling unit  3 , every of the designated number of banknote bundles can be dispensed according to each category. 
     In the first and second embodiments, out of the three bundling stacking units  21 , a reserve is set as stacked banknotes for one bundling stacking unit  21 , and different denominations of banknotes are set for the rest of two bundling stacking unit  21 . Similar effects can be obtained by setting the same denomination of banknotes for the rest of two bundling stacking units  21 . 
     In the first and second embodiments, descriptions are provided taking, as an example, the banknote bundling unit  3  that bundles to-be-bundled-banknotes with a bundling band. Similar effects can be obtained in a case where banknotes, such as gift vouchers or valuable securities, are bundled with a bundling band. 
     Among the processes described in the first and second embodiments, the processes that are described as those automatically performed may be entirely or partially performed manually and the processes that are described as those manually performed may be entirely or partially performed automatically. In addition, the process procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including various types of data and parameters that are illustrated in the first and second embodiments may be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise noted. 
     The components of each device illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily required to be physically configured as illustrated in the drawings. In other words, the specific modes of separation or integration of the components are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings. The components may be configured in a way that they are entirely or partially separated or integrated functionally or physically on an arbitrary basis in accordance with various loads or how they are used. For example, the drive control unit  150  and the size adjustment drive control unit  160  may be integrated into a single unit. Among the processes described in the embodiments, the processes that are described as those automatically performed may be entirely or partially performed manually. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention with the above-described configuration, when the number of banknote bundles reaches the designated number of banknote bundles that is designated by the designating unit, the designated number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the stacking unit is dispensed such that the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside. Accordingly, in the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, effects can be achieved in which operability for collecting the user&#39;s desired designated number of banknote bundles can be improved significantly. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, the number of times the designated number of banknote bundles is dispensed or the total number of banknote bundles to be dispensed can be designated and dispensing is repeated until the designated number of times of dispensing is reached or the total number of dispensed banknote bundles reaches the total number of banknote bundles to be dispensed. Accordingly, in the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, effects are achieved in which a user can arbitrarily set the number of times of dispensing or the total number of banknote bundles to be dispensed, and, furthermore, operability for collecting banknote bundles until the user&#39;s desired designated number of times of dispensing or the user&#39;s desired total number of banknote bundles to be dispensed is reached can be significantly improved. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, the banknote bundles cannot be taken out from the outside until just before the number of banknote bundles reaches the designated number, and the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside when the number of banknote bundles reaches the designated number. Accordingly, in the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, because the user&#39;s desired designated number of banknote bundles are dispensed, effects are achieved in which the operability for collecting the banknote bundles can be improved significantly. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, the bundle stacking unit in which the banknote bundles are stacked is caused to protrude to the outside such that the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside. Accordingly, the effects can be achieved in which the user can collect the designated number of banknote bundles from the protruding bundle stacking unit. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, when the number of banknote bundles reaches the designated number, a warning is issued, and, after the warning is issued, in accordance with a predetermined operation, the banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit are dispensed such that the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside. Accordingly, in the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, effects are achieved in which the issuance of the warning notifies the user that the number of banknote bundles reaches the designated number and it can be prevented that the banknote bundles are automatically dispensed suddenly without the predetermined operation. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, effects are achieved in which, even with a bundling function for preparing banknote bundles, operability for collecting the user&#39;s desired designated number of banknote bundles while successively preparing banknote bundles can be significantly improved. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, the identical identification information is printed on the bundling bands of the banknote bundles that are dispensed collectively by the bundle dispensing unit. Accordingly, because the user can see the identification information, which is printed on the bundling bands, and recognize the designated number of banknote bundles that are dispensed collectively, effects are achieved in which the designated number of banknote bundles can be easily managed. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, the sequential numbers are printed on the bundling bands of the banknote bundles that are collectively dispensed by the bundle dispensing unit. Accordingly, because the user can see the sequential numbers that are printed on the bundling bands and recognize the designated number of banknote bundles that are collectively dispensed, effects are achieved in which the designated number of banknote bundles can be managed easily. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, because the banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit can be taken out in the longitudinal direction of the banknote bundles, effects are achieved in which the user&#39;s operation for taking out the designated number of banknote bundles in the longitudinal direction of the banknote bundles becomes preferable. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, the banknote bundles are stacked with the short edge of the banknote bundles being aligned with the back and forth direction of the bundle stacking unit, the front portion of the bundle stacking unit is pushed toward the front panel, and thus the bundle stacking unit is caused to protrude from the front panel. Accordingly, because the bundle stacking unit protrudes, effects are achieved in which the user&#39;s operation for taking out the designated number of banknote bundles from the bundle stacking unit becomes preferable. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, once the bundle stacking unit is caused to protrude from the front panel, the banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit can be taken out from the take-out opening on the side surface of the bundle stacking unit. Accordingly, because the user can take out the designated number of banknote bundles from the take-out opening on the side surface of the bundle stacking unit, effects are achieved in which the take-out operation becomes preferable. 
     In addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes the direct dispensing unit that dispenses the banknote bundles, which are transported by the bundle transport unit, to the outside and the bundle stacking unit and the direct dispensing unit can be switched. Accordingly, in the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, effects are achieved in which direct dispensing of the banknote bundles can be managed in accordance with the switching. 
     In the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects of the present invention, after the setting is switched to the direct dispensing unit, dispensing of the banknote bundles from the direct dispensing unit is continued until just before the number of banknote bundles reaches the designated number, dispensing of the banknote bundles from the direct dispensing unit is stopped once the number of banknote bundles reaches the designated number. Accordingly, in the banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention, because dispensing from the direct dispensing unit is stopped when the number of banknote bundles reaches the designated number, effects are achieved in which the user can recognize that dispensing of the designated number of banknote bundles is complete. 
     In the banknote bundle dispensing method according to the present invention with the above-described configuration, when the number of banknote bundles reaches the designated number of banknote bundles, the designated number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit are dispensed such that the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside. Accordingly, in the banknote bundle dispensing method according to the present invention, effects are achieved in which operability for collecting the user&#39;s desired designated number of banknote bundles can be significantly improved. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.