Patent Publication Number: US-2013228104-A1

Title: Cashbox system, cashbox apparatus and management method by cashbox apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-048321, filed Mar. 5, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate to a cashbox system, a cashbox apparatus and a method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventionally, a cashbox system in which a checkout apparatus comprising a POS terminal and an automatic change dispensing machine, and a cashbox apparatus are connected to be capable of carrying out communication is known. In the cashbox system, a sales amount dispensed from the automatic change dispensing machine is stored in a cashbox by a shop clerk. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a system structure view illustrating a management system according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an external perspective view illustrating a checkout apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an automatic change dispensing machine according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an external perspective view illustrating a collection cassette according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a back wall of the collection cassette according to the first embodiment, which is observed from the side of a back surface; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware structure of the checkout apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an external perspective view illustrating a cashbox apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a storage unit of the cashbox apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a longitudinal sectional side view illustrating the storage unit of the cashbox apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a rear wall of an individual storage unit according to the first embodiment, which is observed from the side of a front surface; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating a part of a locking device according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware structure of the cashbox apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view illustrating a personal identification information ticket according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a flow chart illustrating a flow of the personal identification information output processing executed by the checkout apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a flow chart illustrating a flow of the recovery processing executed by the cashbox apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a block diagram illustrating the hardware structure of the checkout apparatus according to a second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating the hardware structure of the cashbox apparatus according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a cashbox system comprises a cashbox apparatus, a generation section, a first output section, a lock control section and a second output section. The cashbox apparatus includes a storage unit configured to receive a currency storage tool for storing currency, a door configured to open and close the storage unit, a locking device configured to lock and unlock the door, a detection section configured to detect the status of the door and an input section configured to input a first personal identification information. The generation section generates a second personal identification information. The first output section outputs the second personal identification information generated by the generation section. The lock control section enables the locking device to unlock if the second personal identification information generated by the generation section matches with the first personal identification information input by the input section. The second output section outputs the detection result of the detection section. 
     Hereinafter, a cashbox system, a cashbox apparatus and a management method according to the embodiment are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in a plurality of the following embodiments, same or similar components are included. Therefore, in the following descriptions, these same components are applied with common symbols or numerals, and the repeated descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     A First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a system structure view illustrating a management system  101  according to the present embodiment. The management system  101  includes a store computer  281  set in a store or shop  201 , a host computer  411  set in an integration section  401  for unifying each store  201 , and a security company computer  511  set in a security company  501  in charge of the security and the like for each store  201  according to a contract. The store computer  281 , the host computer  411  and the security company computer  511  are connected through a communication network  111  to be capable of carrying out a mutual data communication. 
     The store computer  281  is configured in a backyard of the store  201 . A plurality of POS terminals  211  are connected with the store computer  281  through a LAN cable  291 . The POS terminals  211  are installed in a sales floor of the store  201 . An automatic change dispensing machine  241  is connected with each POS terminal  211  to be capable of carrying out the data communication. The POS terminals  211  and the automatic change dispensing machine  241  constitute a checkout apparatus  210 . Moreover, the checkout apparatus  210  and the store computer  281  constitute the cashbox system  209 . In the present embodiment, a first checkout apparatus  210 A and a second checkout apparatus  210 B are arranged as the checkout apparatus  210 . Moreover, the cashbox apparatus  301  is connected with the store computer  281  and the POS terminals  211  through the LAN cable  291  to be capable of carrying out the data communication. The checkout apparatus  210  is an example of an information processing apparatus generating a personal identification number. More particularly, the POS terminal  211  in the checkout apparatus  210  is an example of the information processing apparatus generating a personal identification number. 
       FIG. 2  is an external perspective view illustrating the checkout apparatus  210  according to the present embodiment. The POS terminal  211  is placed on the automatic change dispensing machine  241 . The automatic change dispensing machine  241  is arranged on a checkout counter (not shown in figures) in the sales floor. 
     The POS terminal  211  comprises a housing  212  which arranges each portion of the POS terminal at the outside or inside thereof. A keyboard  213  is arranged on the upper surface of the housing  212 . The keyboard  213  comprises a numeric key or a ten-key on which numerals are respectively marked, a temporary closing key on which the “sub-total” is denoted, a closing key on which a “deposit/cash total” is denoted, a collection key on which the “collection” is denoted, and the like. A display  215  with an information display function for a cashier is arranged at a position above the keyboard  213 . As an example, the display  215  is a liquid crystal display. A touch panel  214  is set on the screen of the display  215 . A printer cover  217  is arranged at the left side of the display  215 . An issue port  217   a  is formed on the front surface of the printer cover  217 . A printer  229  (referring to  FIG. 6 ) is set inside the printer cover  217 . The printer  229  is an example of an output apparatus. As an example, the printer  229  prints a specified matter on a sheet and issues a receipt. A card slit  218  is formed at the right side of the keyboard  213 . The card slit  218  is used for reading of the card information carried out by a card reader  227  (referring to  FIG. 6 ) built in the housing  212 . 
     A display  216  serving as a display unit with the information display function for a customer is arranged at the side of the back surface of the display  215  at a position higher than the display  215 . The display  216  is mounted on a supporting column protruding from the housing  212  in a rotatable manner. As an example, the display  216  is the liquid crystal display. In addition, the POS terminal  211  has a bar code scanner  219 . The bar code scanner  219  reads out a commodity code or a bar code attached to a commodity. 
     The automatic change dispensing machine  241  comprises a housing  242  which arranges each portion of the machine  241  at the outside or inside thereof. A bill input port  246  for allowing depositing a bill is formed at the right side of the front surface of the housing  242 . A bill dispensing port  247  for dispensing the bill is formed at the left side of the bill input port  246 . A coin input port  243  which is open upwards is formed at the center of the side of the front surface of the housing  242 . The coin input port  243  allows the input of a plurality of coins at a time. A coin dispensing port  244  for dispensing a coin and a coin receiving tray  245  for receiving a coin dispensed from the coin dispensing port  244  are arranged at the left side of the coin input port  243 . Moreover, a cover  259  is arranged at the left side of the bill dispensing port  247  of the housing  242  in a detachable manner. The locking device  259   a  is arranged on the cover  259 . The locking device  259   a  carries out the locking and the unlocking of the cover  259 . A storage unit (not shown in the figures) is arranged at the inner side of the housing  242  and the cover  259 , and the storage unit receives a collection cassette  260  in the manner that the collection cassette  260  (referring to  FIG. 4 ) for collecting a bill or a bank note can be taken out. 
       FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram illustrating the automatic change dispensing machine  241  according to the present embodiment. The automatic change dispensing machine  241  comprises a coin depositing and dispensing unit  241   a  with a depositing and dispensing function for a coin (a 1-yen coin, a 5-yen coin, a 10-yen coin, a 50-yen coin, a 100-yen coin and 500-yen coin), and a bill depositing and dispensing unit  241   b  with the depositing and dispensing function for a bill (a 1000-yen bill, a 5000-yen bill and a 10000-yen bill). 
     First, the coin depositing and dispensing unit  241   a  is described. The coin depositing and dispensing unit  241   a  comprises a coin depositing unit  251  serving as a currency depositing unit, a coin selection unit  252 , a coin storing unit  253  serving as a currency storing unit, and a coin dispensing unit  254  serving as a currency dispensing unit. The coin depositing unit  251  includes the coin input port  243  (referring to  FIG. 2 ) and allows reception of a coin through the coin input port  243  to convey the coin to the inside thereof. The coin selection unit  252  sorts the coin which is received by the coin depositing unit  251  according to a denomination during the conveyance by the coin depositing unit  251 . The coin storing unit  253  stores the coin sorted by the coin selection unit  252  according to a denomination category. The coin dispensing unit  254  includes the coin dispensing port  244  and the coin receiving tray  245  (referring to  FIG. 2 ) and dispenses the coin stored in the coin storing unit  253  through the coin dispensing port  244  according to a dispensing instruction from the POS terminal  211 . 
     Moreover, the coin depositing and dispensing unit  241   a  has a coin depositing sensor  268   a  (referring to  FIG. 6 ) serving as a depositing detection device set in the coin selection unit  252  according to the respective denomination to detect the received coin, and has a coin dispensing sensor  269   a  (referring to  FIG. 6 ) serving as a dispensing detection device set in the coin dispensing unit  254  according to the respective denomination to detect the dispensed coin. 
     Next, the bill depositing and dispensing unit  241   b  is described. The bill depositing and dispensing unit  241   b  comprises a bill depositing unit  255  serving as the currency depositing unit, a bill selection unit  256 , a bill storing unit  257  serving as the currency storing unit, and a bill dispensing unit  258  serving as the currency dispensing unit. The bill depositing unit  255  includes the bill input port  246  (referring to  FIG. 2 ) and allows reception of a bill through the bill input port  246  to convey the bill to the inside thereof. The bill selection unit  256  sorts the bill which is received by the bill depositing unit  255  according to the denomination during the conveyance by the bill depositing unit  255 . The bill dispensing unit  258  includes the bill dispensing port  247  (referring to  FIG. 2 ) and dispenses the bill stored in the bill storing unit  257  through the bill dispensing port  247  according to the dispensing instruction from the POS terminal  211 . Moreover, as an example, the bill dispensing unit  258  dispenses the bill stored in the bill storing unit  257  towards the collection cassette  260  according to a collection instruction from the POS terminal  211 . 
     The bill depositing and dispensing unit  241   b  has a bill depositing sensor  268   b  (referring to  FIG. 6 ) serving as a depositing detection device set in the bill selection unit  256  to detect the deposited bill, and has a bill dispensing sensor  269   a  (referring to  FIG. 6 ) serving as a dispensing detection device set in the bill dispensing unit  258  to detect the dispensed bill. 
     For the structures and the like of the coin depositing unit  251 , the coin selection unit  252 , the coin storing unit  253 , the coin dispensing unit  254 , the bill depositing unit  255 , the bill selection unit  256 , the bill storing unit  257  and the bill dispensing unit  258  of such an automatic change dispensing machine  241 , their contents are known, and therefore, the descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     Hereinafter, the coin depositing sensor  268   a  and the bill depositing sensor  268   b  may collectively be called as a deposition sensor  268 . Also, the coin dispensing sensor  269   a  and the bill dispensing sensor  269   b  may collectively be called as a dispensing sensor  269 . 
       FIG. 4  is an external perspective view illustrating the collection cassette  260  according to the present embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the collection cassette  260  has a main body unit  260   a  in a rectangular box shape. A depositing port  260   c  is provided on the upper surface  260   b  of the main body unit  260   a . A bill is deposited from the depositing port  260   c  to the inside of the main body unit  260   a . A dispensing port (not shown in the figures) which dispenses a bill is formed on the main body unit  260   a . The dispensing port is covered by a cover (not shown in the figures), and the cover is locked by the locking device (not shown in the figures). Moreover, a pocket  260   e  is formed on the front surface  260   d  of the main body unit  260   a.    
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a back wall  260   f  of the collection cassette  260  according to the present embodiment, which is observed from the side of a back surface  260   g . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a clamping unit  260   i  is provided on the back surface  260   g  (outside surface of the back wall  260   f ) of the collection cassette  260 . The clamping unit  260   i  has a plurality of recesses (female keys)  260   h . The clamping unit  260   i  is an example of a second clamping unit. The clamping unit  260   i  (collection cassette  260 ) includes a plurality of varieties according to the difference in shape thereof. An example of the difference in shape of the clamping unit  260   i  is the difference in position of the recess  260   h . Different varieties of the collection cassette  260  are provided among a plurality of checkout apparatuses  210 . In other words, different varieties of the collection cassette  260  are prepared for the plurality of POS terminals  211 . Different varieties of the collection cassette  260  are provided for a plurality of automatic change dispensing machines  241 . Moreover, a plurality of collection cassettes  260  of the same variety are provided for one checkout apparatus  210  (POS terminal  211 , automatic change dispensing machine  241 ). As an example, one of the plurality of collection cassettes  260  is set in the automatic change dispensing machine  241 , and other collection cassettes  260  are kept near the cashbox apparatus  301  as the collection cassettes for replacement in the backyard of the store  201  (referring to  FIG. 1 ). The collection cassette  260  is an example of a currency receiving tool for storing a currency. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware structure of the checkout apparatus  210  according to the present embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the POS terminal  211  comprises a control unit  221  for drive-controlling each portion or section of the POS terminal  211 . The control unit  221  is composed of a ROM  223  for previously storing fixed data such as a control program and the like and a RAM  224  for storing various data in a rewritable manner to function as a work area and the like are connected with a CPU  222  for centrally controlling each portion of the POS terminal  211  through a bus line  235 . Therefore, the control unit  221  constitutes an information processing unit executing information processing. A part of the RAM  224  is a non-volatile memory in which a stored content is not vanished even though a power supply to the POS terminal  211  is cut off. 
     In the control unit  221 , an input controller  225  connected with the keyboard  213  and the touch panel  214 , a display controller  226  connected with the displays  215  and  216 , a card reader controller  228  connected with the card reader  227 , a printer controller  230  connected with the printer  229 , a scanner controller  233  connected with the bar code scanner  219 , an LAN interface  231 , a connection interface  234  and an HDD  232  are connected through the bus line  235 . 
     The control unit  221  acquires an input signal from the keyboard  213  or the touch panel  214  by the input controller  225 . The display controller  226  drives the display  215  or the display  216  based on an image data and displays an image corresponding to the image data on the display  215  or the display  216 . The card reader controller  228  drives the card reader  227 , and the control unit  221  acquires card information and the like read by the card reader  227 . The printer controller  230  carries out the printing corresponding to printing data on the sheet. The scanner controller  233  drives the bar code scanner  219 , and the control unit  221  acquires the commodity code read by the bar code scanner  219 . The data communication with the store computer  281  through the LAN cable  291  (referring to  FIG. 1 ) is carried out by the LAN interface  231 . The connection interface  234  is connected with a connection interface  273  of the automatic change dispensing machine  241  through a communication cable  234   a . That is, the data communication with the automatic change dispensing machine  241  through the communication cable  234   a  is carried out by the connection interface  234 . The HDD  232  stores various files such as an operation or application program, a PLU file, an image file, a sound file, a sales file and the like. All or part of these programs, various files and the like are transferred to the RAM  224  to be used when the POS terminal  211  is started. The PLU file stores a unit price and the like corresponding to the commodity code for specifying each commodity in a rewritable manner. The PLU file is distributed from the store computer  281  (referring to  FIG. 1 ) to be stored in the HDD  232 . 
     The control unit  221  of the POS terminal  211  constituted in such a manner executes commodity sales data processing including retrieval processing and checkout processing. 
     The retrieval processing is the following processing that, in case that a bar code attached to the commodity is read by the bar code scanner  219 , the commodity code represented by the read bar code is recognized, and the PLU file is retrieved, so as to acquire a unit price, a weight and a commodity display corresponding to the commodity code. 
     The checkout processing is the processing that a total amount that a customer should pay is calculated based on the unit price acquired in the retrieval processing and the checkout of the total amount is executed. The total amount is provisionally registered in the RAM  224  or is registered in the sales file. In the checkout processing, a checkout amount (equal to or greater than the total amount) from the customer is received and is input by operating the numeric key of the keyboard  213 , and a dispensed amount is determined based on the total amount and the checkout amount. 
     Next, the hardware structure of the automatic change dispensing machine  241  connected with the POS terminal  211  between which a data communication is carried out is described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the automatic change dispensing machine  241  includes a control unit  261  carrying out the drive control on each portion or section thereof. The control unit  261  includes a CPU  262  centrally controlling each portion or section of the machine  241 , a ROM  263  previously storing the fixed data such as the control program and the like and a RAM  264  storing the various data in the rewritable manner to function as the work area and the like, which are connected through a bus line  274 . Therefore, the control unit  261  constitutes an information processing unit executing the information processing. The RAM  264  includes a non-volatile memory in which the stored content is not vanished even though a power supply to the automatic change dispensing machine  241  is cut off. A balance file for storing the current amount of the currency stored in the coin storing unit  253  (referring to  FIG. 3 ) and the bill storing unit  257  (referring to  FIG. 3 ) is formed in the RAM  264 . 
     In the control unit  261 , a motor controller  266  connected with a motor  265 , a solenoid controller  272  connected with a solenoid  271 , a sensor controller  270  connected with a sensor set  267  including a deposition sensor  268  and a dispensing sensor  269 , and the connection interface  273  are connected through the bus line  274 . 
     The motor controller  266  drives the motor  265  to rotate the motor  265 . The motor  265  is a drive source for rotating a conveyor belt (not shown in the figures) arranged at the inside of the automatic change dispensing machine  241 . The conveyor belt is provided in the coin depositing unit  251 , the coin dispensing unit  254 , the bill depositing unit  255 , the bill dispensing unit  258  and the like, and the depositing and the dispensing of the currency, which are carried out for the automatic change dispensing machine  241 , are carried out by the rotation of the conveyor belt. The solenoid controller  272  drives the solenoid  271  to shift the solenoid  271 . The solenoid  271  is provided in the coin dispensing unit  254  and carries out the dispensing of coins the number of which is instructed. The sensor controller  270  makes the control section  261  acquire the detection output of the sensor set  267 . The connection interface  273  is connected with the connection interface  234  of the POS terminal  211  through the communication cable  234   a . That is, the data communication with the POS terminal  211  through the communication cable  234   a  is carried out by the connection interface  273 . 
     The control unit  261  of the automatic change dispensing machine  241  formed in such a manner described above specifies the denomination of the deposited currency based on the detection output of the deposition sensor  268 . Moreover, the control unit  261  of the automatic change dispensing machine  241  specifies the denomination of the dispensed currency based on the detection output of the dispensing sensor  269 . Contents of the processing procedures and the like specifying the denomination are well known and therefore, the descriptions thereof are omitted. 
       FIG. 7  is an external perspective view illustrating the cashbox apparatus  301  according to the present embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the cashbox apparatus  301  has a main body unit  302 , a door  303  and a locking device  320  (referring to  FIG. 12 ). 
     The main body unit  302  is formed in a rectangular box shape. An open unit  302   b  is provided on the front surface  302   a  of the main body unit  302 . A storage unit  310  (referring to  FIG. 8 ) is arranged inside the main body unit  302 . 
     The door  303  is mounted on the front surface  302   a  of the main body unit  302  by a hinge  304 . The door  303  opens and closes the storage unit  310 . An opening-closing lever  305  is provided on the door  303 . A user holds the opening-closing lever  305  to open or close the door  303 . The door  303  is locked and unlocked by the locking device  320 . As an example, the locking device  320  has a lock pin provided on the door  303 , a solenoid (drive source) driving the lock pin to carry out a reciprocating action of the lock pin, and an clamping recess, arranged on the main body unit  302 , with which the lock pin is engaged. The locking device  320  carries out the locking of the door  303  when the lock pin driven by the solenoid is engaged with the clamping recess, and carries out the unlocking of the door  303  when the lock pin driven by the solenoid is disengaged with the clamping recess. 
     Moreover, a key unit  306 , a display  307  and a bar code scanner  308  are arranged on the front surface  302   a  of the main body unit  302 . The key unit  306 , the display  307  and the bar code scanner  308  constitute an input unit  309 . The input unit  309  is an example of the input element for inputting a personal identification number serving as the personal identification information. The key unit  306  has a numeric key, an enter key and the like. As an example, the display  307  is a liquid crystal display. As an example also, the bar code scanner  308  reads the personal identification number denoted in the bar code. Particularly, the bar code scanner  308  reads the bar code  391   b  denoted on the following personal identification information ticket  391 . The personal identification number is an example of the personal identification information. The personal identification information may be a character except a numeral and may also be the combination of a numeral and a character. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the storage unit  310  of the cashbox apparatus  301  according to the present embodiment, and  FIG. 9  is a longitudinal sectional side view of the storage unit  310  of the cashbox apparatus  301  according to the present embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the storage unit  310  is formed in the rectangular box shape and the front surface thereof is open. The storage unit  310  stores a collection bag  290  ( FIG. 8 ) and the collection cassette  260  ( FIG. 8 ). The storage unit  310  has an upper wall  310   a , a lower wall  310   b , one pair of side walls  310   c  and a rear wall  310   d . The inside of the storage unit  310  is divided by a partition wall  310   e  into a coin storage unit  310   f  and a bill storage unit  310   g . The partition wall  310   e  has a first portion  310   h  and a second portion  310 I ( FIG. 9 ). The first portion  310   h  is arranged along the upper wall  310   a , and the second portion  310 I extends downwards from the rear end of the first portion  310   h  along the rear wall  310   b  and comes to the lower wall  310   b.    
     The coin storage unit  310   f  stores the collection bag  290  ( FIG. 8 ). An open section  310   n  is formed on the front surface of the coin storage unit  310   f , and the collection bag  290  is taken out of the open section  310   n  of the coin storage unit  310   f . As an example, the collection bag  290  stores the coin dispensed by the automatic change dispensing machine  241  according to the collection instruction. The collection bag  290  is an example of the currency storing tool for storing the currency. 
     The bill storage unit  310   g  stores the collection cassette  260 . The bill storage unit  310   g  is divided into a plurality of individual storage units  310 I by a longitudinal partition wall  310   j  and a transverse partition wall  310   k . As an example, the individual storage unit  310 I is provided according to the configuration of two lines and two rows. As an example, two individual storage units  310 I at an upper layer in the plurality of individual storage units  310 I are used for the first checkout apparatus  210 A, and two individual storage units  310 I at a lower layer in the plurality of individual storage units  310 I are used for the second checkout apparatus  210 B. The individual storage unit  310 I stores the collection cassette  260 . Open sections  310   m  are provided on the front surfaces of the individual storage units  310 I, and the collection cassette  260  is taken out of the open section  310   m  of the individual storage unit  310 I. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a rear wall of the individual storage unit  310 I according to the first embodiment, which is observed from the side of a front surface. As shown in  FIG. 10 , a clamping unit  310   r  is provided on the internal surface  310   p  of the rear wall of the individual storage unit  310 I. The clamping unit  310   r  has a plurality of convex potions (external keys)  310   q . The clamping unit  310   r  is an example of a first clamping unit. The clamping unit  310   r  (individual storage unit  310 I) includes a plurality of varieties thereof. The difference of the varieties of the clamping unit  310   r  is the difference in the position of the convex portion  310   q . The clamping unit  310   r  provided in the two individual storage units  310 I at the upper layer engages with the clamping unit  260   i  of the collection cassette  260  of the first checkout apparatus  210 A and does not engage with the clamping unit  260   i  of the collection cassette  260  of the second checkout apparatus  210 B. On the other hand, the clamping unit  310   r  provided in the two individual storing units  310 I at the lower layer engages with the clamping unit  260   i  of the collection cassette  260  of the second checkout apparatus  210 B and does not engage with the clamping unit  260   i  of the collection cassette  260  of the first checkout apparatus  210 A. In the individual storage unit  310 I, in case that the clamping unit  310   r  engages with the clamping unit  260   i  provided on the collection cassette  260 , the whole collection cassette  260  is stored inside the individual storage unit  310 I, and a restriction bar  330   a  described later positions at a stop position and can carry out a movement-restriction by a restriction unit  330 . On the other hand, in case that the clamping unit  310   r  does not engage with the clamping unit  260   i  provided in the collection cassette  260 , the collection cassette  260  is in a state such that a portion thereof protrudes from the open section  310   m  of the individual storing unit  310 I. In such a case, the restriction bar  330   a  cannot be positioned at the stop position, and the restriction unit  330  cannot carry out the movement-restriction. 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the restriction unit  330  is provided on the individual storage unit  310 I. The restriction unit  330  is provided each individual storage unit  310 I. The restriction unit  330  restricts the takeout of the collection cassette  260  from the individual storage unit  310 I. The restriction unit  330  has the restriction bar  330   a  and a locking device  330   b.    
     The restriction bar  330   a  is provided in a rotatable manner on the front surface  310   s  of the storage unit  310  constituting the front surface of the individual storage unit  310 I. The restriction bar  330   a  is rotatable between a restriction position (the position of two restriction bars  330   a  on a left side in  FIG. 8 ) and a releasing position (the position of two restriction bars  330   a  on a right side in  FIG. 8 ). The restriction position is a position where the restriction bar  330   a  traverses the open section  310   m  of the storage unit  310 , so as to restrict the takeout and the receipt of the collection cassette  260  from and into the individual storage unit  310 I. The releasing position is a position where the restriction bar  330   a  releases the open section  310   m , so as to allow the takeout and the receipt of the collection cassette  260  from and into the individual storage unit  310 I. The locking device  330   b  carries out the locking and the unlocking of the restriction bar  330   a . The locking device  330   b  locks the restriction bar  330   a  positioned at the restriction position. The locking device  330   b  has an operation unit  330   c  which can be pressed into against the restriction bar  330   a . The locking device  330   b  locks the restriction bar  330   a  by carrying out a pressing operation on the operation unit  330   c  by an operator while the restriction bar  330   a  is positioned at the restriction position. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 11 , a keyhole  330   d  is provided on the operation unit  330   c . The locking device  330   b  unlocks the restriction bar  330   a  by the rotation of a key (not shown in the figures) inserted into the keyhole  330   d . Thus, in the restriction unit  330 , the above-described restriction carried out by the restriction bar  330   a  can be released by the key, and moreover, the above-described restriction by the restriction bar  330   a  can be carried out by a manual operation. Such a locking device  330   b  is a so-called push-type locking device, and since its structure is known, the detailed description thereof is omitted. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware structure of the cashbox apparatus  301  according to the present embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the cashbox apparatus  301  includes a control unit  341  carrying out the drive control on each portion or section of the cashbox apparatus  301 . The control unit  341  is composed of a ROM  343  previously storing the fixed data such as the control program and the like and a RAM  344  storing the various data in the rewritable manner to function as the work area and the like which are connected with a CPU  342  centrally controlling each portion or section through a bus line  345 . Therefore, the control unit  341  constitutes the information processing unit executing the information processing. The RAM  344  includes a non-volatile memory in which the stored content is not vanished even though a power supply to the cashbox apparatus  301  is cut off. 
     In the control unit  341 , an input controller  346  connected with the key unit  306 , a display controller  347  connected with the display  307 , a lock controller  348  connected with the locking device  320 , a scanner controller  349  connected with the bar code scanner  308 , a sensor controller  351  and a LAN interface  350  are connected through the bus line  345 . 
     The control unit  341  acquires an input signal from the key unit  306  by the input controller  346 . The display controller  346  carries out the drive control on the display  307  based on the image data and displays the image corresponding to the image data on the display  307 . The lock controller  348  carries out the drive control on the locking device  320  and enables the locking device  320  to execute the locking and the unlocking. The scanner controller  349  carries out the drive control on the bar code scanner  308  to read a bar code and the control unit  341  acquires the bar code read by the bar code scanner  308 . The LAN interface  350  carries out the data communication with the store computer  281  and the POS terminal  211  through the LAN cable  291  (referring to  FIG. 1 ). 
     Moreover, a sensor set  352  is connected with the CPU  342  through the bus line  345  and the sensor controller  351 . A plurality of detection sensors  353 - 356  are included in the sensor set  352 . The control unit  341  acquires detection outputs (detection results) of the sensor set  352  by the sensor controller  351 . 
     The detection sensor  353  detects the status of the door  303 . The detection sensor  353  is an example of the detection element (a first detection element). The detection sensor  353  detects the locking and the unlocking of the door  303  as the status of the door  303 . As an example, the detection sensor  353  is provided in the clamping recess of the locking device  320  and detects the existence of the lock pin in the clamping recess. The detection sensor  353 , for example, is an optical sensor or a micro-switch and the like. 
     The detection sensor  354  detects the opening/closing status of the door  303  as the status of the door  303 . As an example, the detection sensor  354  is arranged at the edge portion of the open section  302   b  in the main body unit  302  and detects the existence of the door  303  in the open section  302   b . The detection sensor  354 , for example, is the optical sensor or the micro-switch and the like. 
     The detection sensor  355  detects the above-described restriction by the restriction unit  330 . The detection sensor  355  is an example of a second detection element. The detection sensor  355 , for example, is provided on the wall surface of the individual storage unit  310 I and detects whether or not the restriction bar  330   a  is positioned at the restriction position. Thus, the detection sensor  355  detects whether or not the restriction bar  330   a  performs the above restriction. 
     The detection sensor  356  is provided on each individual storage unit  310 I. The detection sensor  356  detects whether or not the collection cassette  260  is received in the individual storage unit  310 I. As an example, the detection sensor  356  is provided on the internal surface  310   p  of the rear wall (the second portion  310   i ) of the individual storage unit  310 I and detects the collection cassette  260  in the state that the clamping unit  260   i  of the collection cassette  260  engages with the clamping unit  310   r . As an example, the detection sensor  356  (or the sensor controller  351 ) attaches the identification information of the detection sensor  356  to the result of the detection sensor  356  to input to the control unit  341 . 
     Next, the currency collection processing in the cashbox system  209  with the above structure is described. The currency collection processing is executed as a collection key of the POS terminal  211  is operated. When the collection key is operated, the CPU  222  displays an input screen for receiving the input of the personal identification number on the display  215 , and executes the currency collection processing in case that the input personal identification number is a correct one. As an example, the personal identification number is the shop clerk number of a shop clerk with an administrator authority. The CPU  222  retains the input personal identification number (the shop clerk number) in a log. Moreover, the automatic change dispensing machine  241  retains such a content that the locking device  259   a  of the cover  259  of the collection cassette  260  is subjected to the unlocking in the log. 
     In the currency collection processing, the CPU  222  of the POS terminal  211  executes personal identification information output processing. At the moment, the CPU  222  of the POS terminal  211 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , functions as a generation section  222   a , an output section  222   b  (the first output section) and a transmission section  222   c  in accordance with the program. 
     The generation section  222   a  generates the personal identification number as the personal identification information. The generation section  222   a  randomly generates the personal identification number. The generation section  222   a  encodes the personal identification number. The generation section  222   a  associates the personal identification with specific information for specifying the collection cassette  260 . The specific information, for example, is the identification information (identification number) of the checkout apparatus  210  corresponding to the collection cassette  260 , the identification information (identification number) of the POS terminal  211  or the identification information (identification number) of the automatic change dispensing machine  241 . The generation section  222   a  associates the personal identification number with the specific information for specifying the collection cassette  260  by generating collection information including the personal identification number and the specific information for specifying the collection cassette  260 . 
     The output section  222   b  outputs the personal identification number generated by the generation section  222   a  to the printer  229 . Particularly, the output section  222   b  outputs the personal identification information ticket  391  (referring to  FIG. 13 ) showing the personal identification number generated by the generation section  222   a  to the printer  229 . The printer  229  prints the specified matter on the sheet and cuts off an area in which the specified matter is printed to issue the area as the personal identification information ticket  391 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the personal identification information ticket  391  shows the personal identification number  391   a  and the bar code  391   b  of the personal identification number  391   a . The bar code  391   b  is a code symbol that the personal identification number  391   a  is encoded. 
     Moreover, the output section  222   b  outputs a collection ticket  392  (referring to  FIG. 1 ) to the printer  229 . The collection ticket  392  shows the number of banknotes and the total amount of the banknotes stored in the collection cassette  260 . The output section  222   b  inquires the number of banknotes and the total amount of the banknotes stored in the collection cassette  260  to the automatic change dispensing machine  241  to acquire them. 
     The transmission section  222   c  sends the personal identification number generated and encoded by the generation section  222   a  to the cashbox apparatus  301 . Particularly, the transmission section  222   c  sends the collection information to the cashbox apparatus  301 . 
     Moreover, in the currency collection processing, the CPU  342  of the cashbox apparatus  301  executes the collection processing. At the moment, the CPU  342  of the cashbox apparatus  301  functions as a reception section  342   a , a lock control section  342   b , an output section  342   c  (the second output element) and an identification section  342   d  in accordance with the program, as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The reception section  342   a  receives the personal identification information sent by the transmission section  222   c . The reception section  342   a  decodes the personal identification number encoded. 
     The lock control section  342   b  enables the locking device  320  to unlock the door  303  if the personal identification information (that is, the personal identification information generated by the generation section  222   a ) received by the reception section  342   a  matches with the personal identification information input by the input section  309 . 
     The output section  342   c  sends the detection result (the locking/unlocking status of the door  303 ) of the detection sensor  353  to the store computer  281  serving as an external apparatus of the cashbox apparatus  301 . At the moment, the output section  342   c  sends the status information including the detection result of the detection sensor  353  to the store computer  281 . The output section  342   c  sends information indicating the locking/unlocking status of the door  303  to the store computer  281  if the locking/unlocking status of the door  303  changes. 
     The identification section  342   d  identifies the collection cassette  260  received in the individual storage unit  310 I. As an example, in the ROM  343 , for the individual storing unit  310 I, storage unit information for associating the identification information of the detection sensor  356  provided in the individual storage unit  310 I with the identification information of the collection cassette  260  which can be received in the individual storage unit  310 I for each individual storage unit  310 I is stored. The identification section  342   d  checks the identification information of the detection sensor  356  which is given to the detection result of the detection sensor  356  detecting the collection cassette  260  with the storage unit information to acquire the identification information of the collection cassette  260  received in the individual storage unit  310 I. 
     Next, a flow of the personal identification information output processing executed by the CPU  222  of the POS terminal  211  is described according to a flow chart shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     The CPU  222  generates the personal identification number when the collection key of the keyboard  213  is operated by the user, for example (ACT S 1 ). At the moment, the CPU  222  outputs the collection instruction to the automatic change dispensing machine  241 . The automatic change dispensing machine  241  to which the collection instruction is input dispenses a coin to the coin receiving tray  245 , and moreover, dispenses a banknote to the collection cassette  260  in the manner that the specified numbers of coins and banknotes for each denomination are remained in the coin storage unit  253  and the banknote storage unit  257 . The automatic change dispensing machine  241  sends dispensing information including each denomination, the number and the total amount of the dispensed currencies to the POS terminal  211 . The CPU  222  receives the dispensing information. 
     Next, the CPU  222  sends the generated personal identification number to the cashbox apparatus  301  (ACT S 2 ). Particularly, the CPU  222  sends the generated personal identification number and the collection information including the specific information of the collection cassette  260  provided in the POS terminal  211  with the CPU  222  to the cashbox apparatus  301 . 
     Next, the CPU  222  outputs the generated personal identification number to the printer  229  (ACT S 3 ). Particularly, the CPU  222  enables the printer  29  to issue the personal identification information ticket  391  showing the generated personal identification number. Next, the CPU  222  enables the printer  229  to issue the collection ticket  392  (ACT S 4 ). The user puts the personal identification information ticket  391  and the collection ticket  392  into the pocket  260   e  of the collection cassette  260  taken out from the automatic change dispensing machine  241 . 
     Next, a flow of the collection processing executed by the CPU  342  of the cashbox apparatus  301  is described according to a flow chart shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     The CPU  342  waits the reception of the collection information including the personal identification number sent from the POS terminal  211  (No in ACT S 11 ). The CPU  342  stores the collection information including the personal identification number in the RAM  344  (ACT S 12 ) when the collection information including the personal identification number is received (Yes in ACT S 11 ). 
     Next, the CPU  342  sends the status information to the store computer  281  (ACT S 13 ). In such a case, as an example, as the door  303  is kept in locked, the status information indicates that the door  303  is locked. The CPU  342  periodically sends the status information to the store computer  281  (ACT S 13 ) during a specified period after the personal identification number is received (ACT S 14 , No) if the personal identification number is not inputted by the input unit  309  (No in ACT S 15 ). IF the specified period passes after the personal identification number is received (Yes in ACT S 14 ), the CPU  342  cancels the received personal identification number from the RAM  344  to invalidate the personal identification number (ACT S 23 ). That is, in the present embodiment, the personal identification number is only valid during the specified period. 
     In case that the specified period does not pass after the personal identification number is received (No in ACT S 14 ), if the personal identification number is inputted by the input unit  309  (Yes in ACT S 15 ), the CPU  342  judges whether or not the input personal identification number matches with the personal identification number received in ACT S 11  (ACT S 16 ). The input of the personal identification number by the input unit  309  may be carried out by the keyboard and may also be carried out by reading the bar code. If the input personal identification number is judged to match with the received personal identification number (Yes in ACT S 16 ), the CPU  342  enables the locking device  320  to unlock the door  303  (ACT S 17 ). When the detection result of the content that the unlocking is detected is input from the detection sensor  353 , the CPU  342  sends the status information denoting that the door  303  is in an unlocked state to the store computer  281  (ACT S 18 ). Afterwards, the CPU  342  waits that the door  303  is locked (No in ACT S 19 ). 
     Herein, by unlocking the door  303 , the user can open the door  303  to take the collection cassette  260  and the collection bag  290  into the cashbox apparatus  301 . The user puts the collection cassette  260  taken out from the automatic change dispensing machine  241  into the specified individual storage unit  310 I and closes the door  303  after the collection bag  290  is put into the coin storage unit  310   f . At the moment, the user previously puts the coin dispensed from the automatic change dispensing machine  241  into the collection bag  290 . At the moment, the detection sensor  356  arranged at the individual storage unit  310 I receiving the collection cassette  260  detects the collection cassette  260  and inputs the detection result into the CPU  342 . The detection sensor  354  detects the closing state of the door  303  and inputs the detection result into the CPU  342 . 
     When the detection result that the closing state of the door  303  is detected is input from the detection sensor  354  to the CPU  342 , the CPU  342  enables the locking device  320  to lock the door  303 . If the detection result in which the locking is detected is input from the detection sensor  353  to the CPU  342  to recognize the locking (Yes in ACT S 19 ), the CPU  342  sends the status information indicating that the door  303  is in the locked state to the store computer  281  (ACT S 20 ). In the status information, as an example, information that the processing has been normally completed, the specific information of the collection cassette  260  and locking date and time information are included. 
     The store computer  281  receiving the status information sends collection report information including the status information, the shop clerk number (person in charge) carrying out the operation and the number of currencies (banknote and coin) data classified according to the denomination in the collection cassette  260  to the host computer  411 . In addition, the host computer  411  discloses the collection report information to the user whose login is allowed. At the moment, limitation for the disclosure of the collection report information can be also set for each user. The host computer  411  sends the storage status of the collection cassette  260  in the cashbox apparatus  301 , which is acquired from the status information, to the security company computer  511 . Thus, the security company  501  can recognize the status in the cashbox apparatus  301 . 
     If it is judged that the personal identification number is not match in ACT S 16  (No in ACT S 16 ), the CPU  342  judges whether or not the number of input actions of the personal identification number in ACT S 15  reaches a specified number of times (such as three times) after the personal identification number is received (ACT S 21 ). The CPU  342  stores the number of input actions of the personal identification number in ACT S 15  in the RAM  344 . If the number of input actions of the personal identification number in ACT S 15  do not exceed the specified number of times (No in ACT S 21 ), the CPU  342  returns to ACT S 15 . On the other hand, if the number of input actions of the personal identification number exceed the specified number of times (Yes in ACT S 21 ), the CPU  342  executes an error processing in ACT S 22 . As an example, the error processing is carried out such that the declaration in which the input of the personal identification number is not accepted is displayed on the display  307  and the received personal identification number is canceled from the RAM  344  to invalidate the personal identification number. 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, as an example, since the output section  342   c  outputs the status (the locking/unlocking status) of the door  303 , the store  201  or the integration section  401  and the security company  501  can grasp the status of the door  303 . 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, the POS terminal  211  is described as an example of the information processing apparatus generating a personal identification number, but it is not limited to that. The information processing apparatus generating a personal identification number may be the automatic change dispensing machine  241 . In such a case, as an example, the automatic change dispensing machine  241  may generate a personal identification number according to a requirement from an external apparatus such as the POS terminal  211  and the like, and sends the personal identification number to the external apparatus. At the moment, it may also be constructed such that the personal identification number is encoded by respective encoding keys, registered beforehand, which are mutually different from one another for each external apparatus, and so long as it is not the external apparatus of a request source, the decoding cannot be carried out. 
     A Second Embodiment 
     In the following second embodiment, portions of the second embodiment different from the first embodiment are mainly described. 
       FIG. 16  is a block diagram illustrating the hardware structure of the checkout apparatus  210  according to the present embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the CPU  262  of the automatic change dispensing machine  241  of the present embodiment is connected with a wireless communication apparatus  276  through a bus line  274  and a wireless controller  275 . The wireless communication apparatus  276  is an example of the output apparatus. The wireless communication apparatus  276  is built in the bill depositing and dispensing unit  241   b . Moreover, a wireless tag  260   j  acting as an information storage medium (wireless storage medium) is attached to the collection cassette  260  of the present embodiment. The wireless tag  260   j  has an IC chip, a storage section and an antenna. The wireless communication apparatus  276  carries out short-distance wireless communication with the wireless tag  260   j  which is attached to the collection cassette  260  of the bill depositing and dispensing unit  241   b . The wireless communication is carried out by utilizing a frequency used in RFID (Wireless Frequency Identification). 
       FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating the hardware structure of the cashbox apparatus  301  according to the present embodiment. The CPU  342  of the cashbox apparatus  301  of the present embodiment is connected with a wireless communication apparatus  361  through the bus line  345  and a wireless controller  360 . The wireless communication apparatus  361  is an example of the input apparatus. The wireless communication apparatus  361 , for example, is provided on the front surface  302   a  (referring to  FIG. 7 ) of the main body unit  302 , and carries out the short-distance wireless communication with the wireless tag  260   j  of the collection cassette  260  positioned on the front surface of the cashbox apparatus  301 . The wireless communication is carried out by utilizing the frequency used in the RFID. The wireless communication apparatus  361  reads out a personal identification number stored in the wireless tag  260   j  and the specific information of the collection cassette  260  and inputs them into the CPU  342 . 
     Next, the currency collection processing (the personal identification information output processing and the collection processing) in the cashbox system  209  with the above structure is described. 
     The CPU  222  of the POS terminal  211  of the present embodiment sends the specific information of the collection cassette  260  together with the personal identification number to the cashbox apparatus  301  in ACT S 2  (referring to  FIG. 14 ) in the personal identification information output processing. Moreover, in ACT S 3  (referring to  FIG. 14 ), the CPU  222  outputs the specific information of the collection cassette  260  together with the personal identification number to the wireless tag  260   j . Particularly, the CPU  222  enables the wireless communication apparatus  276  to write the personal identification number and the specific information of the collection cassette  260  in the wireless tag  260   j.    
     On the other hand, the CPU  342  of the cashbox apparatus  301  of the present embodiment receives the specific information of the collection cassette  260  together with the personal identification number from the POS terminal  211  in ACT S 11  (referring to  FIG. 15 ) in the collection processing, and stores the specific information of the collection cassette  260  and the personal identification number in the RAM  344  in ACT S 12 . In ACT S 15 , the personal identification number and the specific information of the collection cassette  260  are input from the wireless communication apparatus  361 . 
     Afterwards, in ACT S 16 , the CPU  342  enables the locking device  320  to unlock the door  303  if the personal identification number received from the POS terminal  211  matches with the personal identification number input from the wireless communication apparatus  361 , and further, the specific information of the collection cassette  260 , which is received from the POS terminal  211 , matches with the specific information of the collection cassette  260 , which is input from the wireless communication apparatus  361 . That is, the CPU  342  of the present embodiment enables the locking device  320  to carry out the unlocking in case that the personal identification information generated by the generation section  222   a  matches with the personal identification information input by the wireless communication apparatus  361 , and further, the specific information of the collection cassette  260 , which is input by the wireless communication apparatus  361 , matches with the specific information associated with the personal identification information received by the receiving section  342   a.    
     In the present embodiment described above, similar to the first embodiment, as an example, since the output section  342   c  outputs the status (the locking/unlocking status) of the door  303 , the store  201 , the integration section  401  and the security company  501  can recognize the status of the door  303 . 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.