Patent Publication Number: US-11030842-B2

Title: Banknote handling apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/000,687 filed on Nov. 22, 2013, incorporated herein by reference, which was based upon and claimed the benefit of priority from the prior PCT/JP2012/054010 filed on Feb. 20, 2012; Japanese Patent Application No. JP2011-036338, filed on Feb. 22, 2011 and Japanese Patent Application No. JP2011-036345 filed on Feb. 22, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a banknote handling apparatus. For example, the present invention pertains to a banknote handling apparatus configured to replenish a cash settlement apparatus installed in a checkout counter of a store with banknotes, and configured to collect banknotes from the cash settlement apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In order that cash (a′ banknote, a coin) is handed over between a clerk and a customer in a checkout counter of a store, a cash settlement apparatus has been conventionally used. The cash settlement apparatus has a function for counting cash having been put thereinto, for storing the cash, and for dispensing cash stored therein as change. Generally, the checkout counter is composed of a banknote settlement apparatus (banknote change machine), a coin settlement apparatus (coin change machine) and a money register such as a POS (Point Of Sales) register, which are communicably connected to each other. 
     On the other hand, in a back office of the store, in order that cash such as a change fund is loaded (replenished) to the cash settlement apparatus installed in the store, or that sales proceeds in the cash settlement apparatus are collected, a cash accounting apparatus is used. The cash accounting apparatus has a function for storing (depositing) cash having been collected from the cash settlement apparatus, and for dispensing cash to be loaded to the cash settlement apparatus. The cash accounting apparatus includes a banknote accounting apparatus and a coin accounting apparatus. 
     In recent years, there has been proposed to use a cassette for transporting cash (hereinafter referred to as “cash transport cassette”) in order to ensure security when cash is transported between a cash settlement apparatus and a cash accounting apparatus. 
     Citation 1 discloses a system for transporting banknotes between a cash station (10) including a cash safe (12) and a teller safe (26) including a docking station (28), with the use of a banknote container (14) capable of containing banknotes. In addition, Citation 2 discloses a replenishing and collecting cassette (8) configured to collect and store banknotes. 
     Patent Document 1: EP2031567B 
     Patent Document 2: JP2007-034522A 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Actually, there is case in which a banknote settlement apparatus cannot deal with a depositing/dispensing process by a cash transport cassette for containing banknotes (hereinafter referred to as “banknote cassette”), and a clerk manually deposits and dispenses banknotes. In order to cope with this case, a banknote accounting apparatus is preferably capable of not only dealing with a depositing/dispensing process by the banknote cassette, but also dealing with the conventional manual depositing/dispensing process. 
     In addition, conventionally, a banknote accounting apparatus is configured to recognize a denomination, an authenticity, a suspiciousness in authenticity, a fitness, an version and so on of a deposited banknote, and configured to dispense an unrecognizable banknote as a reject banknote to the outside of the apparatus. However, when a banknote is deposited to the banknote accounting apparatus by using the banknote cassette, it is not preferable to dispense a reject banknote having been deposited from the banknote cassette to the outside of the banknote accounting apparatus, because of inconsistency in terms of security securement. 
     Thus, the object of the present invention is to enable a depositing process without dispensing a reject banknote, which has been deposited from a banknote cassette, to the outside, in a banknote accounting apparatus (banknote handling apparatus) capable of dealing with both a depositing/dispensing process by the transport cassette and a manual depositing/dispensing process. 
     A banknote handling apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention is a banknote handling apparatus configured to receive a banknote from at least two kinds of banknote feeding units, the banknote handling apparatus comprising: a transport unit configured such that the banknote feeding unit is connected thereto, the transport unit configured to transport a received banknote; a recognition unit configured to recognize the banknote being transported; an apparatus-internal reject unit configured to store a reject banknote inside the banknote handling apparatus; an apparatus-external reject unit configured to dispense a reject banknote outside the banknote handling apparatus; a unit deciding part configured to decide the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote; and a control unit configured to decide, when the recognition unit recognizes a banknote having been received from the banknote feeding unit as a reject banknote, to which one of the apparatus-internal reject unit and the apparatus-external reject unit the reject banknote is transported, based on the banknote feeding unit having fed the banknote. 
     In the banknote handling apparatus in the one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the unit deciding part is configured to decide the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote, based on a connection condition of the banknote feeding unit to the transport unit. 
     The banknote handling apparatus in the one embodiment of the present invention preferably further includes a process reception unit configured to receive an instruction for process, wherein the unit deciding part is configured to decide the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote, based on process contents having been received by the process reception unit. 
     In the banknote handling apparatus in the one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the banknote feeding units are: a banknote receiving unit configured to receive a banknote(s) from outside and configured to feed the banknotes one by one; and a banknote cassette configured to store a banknote therein and configured to feed the banknote stored therein. 
     In the banknote handling apparatus in the one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit is configured to perform a control process such that a reject banknote having been received from the banknote receiving unit is transported to the apparatus-external reject unit, and that a reject banknote having been received from the banknote cassette is transported to the apparatus-internal reject unit. 
     The banknote handling apparatus in the one embodiment of the present invention preferably further includes a process reception unit configured to receive an instruction for process, wherein the control unit is configured to perform a control process such that a reject banknote having been received from the banknote cassette is transported to the apparatus-external reject unit, based on an instruction having been received by the process reception unit. 
     In the banknote handling apparatus in the one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit is configured to perform a control process such that a predetermined reject banknote having been received from the banknote cassette is transported to the apparatus-external reject unit, based on information in a memory unit of the banknote cassette, related to a stored banknote. 
     The banknote handling apparatus in the one embodiment of the present invention preferably further includes a storing unit configured to store a banknote, wherein the control unit is configured to perform a control process, when a banknote having been fed out from the storing unit is recognized as a reject banknote by the recognition unit, such that the reject banknote is transported to the apparatus-internal reject unit. 
     A banknote handling apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention is a banknote handling apparatus including a transport unit configured to receive a banknote from an end portion thereof and configured to transport the banknote into the banknote handling apparatus; and a banknote-feeding-unit connecting unit on which at least two kinds of banknote feeding units can be attached thereon, the banknote-feeding-unit connecting unit configured to connect the banknote feeding unit and the transport unit to each other such that a banknote having been fed out from the banknote feeding unit is transported from the end portion of the transport unit. 
     In the banknote handling apparatus in the one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the banknote feeding units are a banknote receiving unit configured to receive a banknote(s) from outside and configured to feed the banknotes one by one; and a banknote cassette configured to store a banknote therein and configured to feed the banknote stored therein. 
     In the banknote handling apparatus in the one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the banknote receiving unit is integrally formed with the banknote handling apparatus; the banknote receiving unit is configured to be movable between a first position at which the banknote receiving unit is connected to the transport unit and a second position at which the banknote receiving unit is disconnected from the transport unit; and when the banknote receiving unit is placed on the second position, the banknote cassette is attachable to the first position. 
     In the banknote handling apparatus in the one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the banknote receiving unit can be attached to and detached form the banknote handling apparatus. 
     According to the banknote handling apparatus of the present invention, a banknote, which has been deposited from the banknote feeding unit with its security being ensured, can be transported to the apparatus-internal reject unit to be stored therein. Thus, a banknote security can be maintained. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block view showing a structural example of a cash management system  1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view showing an example of an appearance of a cash accounting apparatus  21 . 
         FIG. 3  is a block view showing a structural example of a banknote accounting apparatus  22 . 
       Each of  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  is sectional view showing an example of an inside structure of the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , in which  FIG. 4A  shows a condition where a banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached to a depositing unit  210   a , and  FIG. 4B  shows a condition in which a banknote cassette  30   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a.    
       Each of  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  is a view for explaining a depositing process of the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , in which  FIG. 5A  shows a banknote transport route when the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached, and  FIG. 5B  shows a banknote transport route when the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached. 
         FIG. 6  is a view for explaining a dispensing process of banknote accounting apparatus  22 , in which  FIG. 6A  shows banknote transport route when the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached, and  FIG. 6B  shows a banknote transport route when the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached. 
         FIG. 7A  is a view showing a banknote transport route in a replenishing process of the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , and  FIG. 7B  is a view showing a banknote transport route in a collecting process of the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view showing an inside structure of a banknote accounting apparatus  22 X. 
       Each of  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  in a first embodiment. 
       Each of  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  in a second embodiment. 
       Each of  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  in a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     A cash management system  1  shown in  FIG. 1  is described as an example of a system in which a banknote accounting apparatus in this embodiment is used. 
       FIG. 1  is a block view showing a structural example of the cash management system  1 . The cash management system  1  is a system configured to handle and manage cash having been received by a clerk from a customer and cash to be paid from the clerk to the customer. 
     The cash management system  1  is composed of a checkout counter  1  installed in a checkout area in a store and configured to deposit and dispense cash handed over between a clerk and a customer, a back office  20  configured to manage cash in the checkout counter  10  and products, and a cash transport cassette  30  configured to transport cash between the checkout counter  10  and the back office  20 . 
     The checkout counter  10  includes a cash settlement apparatus  11  configured to deposit and dispense cash so as to perform a settlement process with respect to a customer, and a register  14 . The register  14  is, for example, a POS register to be operated by a clerk or a self checkout register to be operated by a customer. In  FIG. 1 , the checkout area includes the three checkout counters  10 . 
     The cash settlement apparatus  11  is operated by a clerk through the register  14 , and is used in a settlement process between a clerk and a customer. For example, the cash settlement apparatus  11  deposits expense paid by a customer or dispenses change to be paid to the customer. The cash settlement apparatus  11  is communicably connected to the register  14  and is configured to perform a settlement process in cooperation with the register  14  corresponding thereto. The cash settlement apparatus  11  may be integrally formed with the register  14 . 
     The back office  20  includes a cash accounting apparatus  21 , a cash management apparatus  25  and a POS management apparatus  26 . The cash accounting apparatus  21  is communicably connected to the cash settlement apparatuses  11 , and is configured to dispense a change fund to be loaded to the cash settlement apparatuses  11 , or configured to deposit sales proceeds having been collected from the cash settlement apparatuses  11 . The cash management apparatus  25  is communicably connected to the cash settlement apparatuses  11  and the cash accounting apparatus  21  through a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. The cash management apparatus  25  is configured to manage cash stored in the cash settlement apparatuses  11  and the cash accounting apparatus  21 . For example, the cash management apparatus  25  is configured to manage cash having been settled in the respective cash settlement apparatuses  11 , and cash passed between each cash settlement apparatus  11  and the cash accounting apparatus  21 . In addition, the cash management apparatus  25  may monitor whether the cash transport cassette  30  is attached or not on the cash settlement apparatus  11  or the cash accounting apparatus  21 . The POS management apparatus  26  is configured to manage a flow of commercial products. Since the flow of commercial products is not directly related to the present invention, detailed description of the POS management apparatus  26  is omitted. 
     The cash transport cassette  30  can be attached to and detached from the cash settlement apparatus  11  and the cash accounting apparatus  21 . When the cash transport cassette  30  is attached to the cash settlement apparatus  11  or the cash accounting apparatus  21 , the cash transport cassette  30  can pass cash between the cash transport cassette  30  and the cash settlement apparatus  11 , or pass cash between the cash transport cassette  30  and the cash accounting apparatus  21 . On the other hand, when the cash transport cassette  30  is detached from the cash settlement apparatus  11  and the cash accounting apparatus  21 , the cash transport cassette  30  is configured to store cash therein such that the cash cannot be taken out therefrom. 
     A clerk transports cash between the cash settlement apparatus  11  and the cash accounting apparatus  21 , by using the cash transport cassette  30 . For example, when a change fund is loaded, a clerk transports cash having been dispensed from the cash accounting apparatus  21  to be loaded to the cash settlement apparatus  11 , from the cash accounting apparatus  21  to the cash settlement apparatus  11 , by using the cash transport cassette  30 . In addition, when sales proceeds are collected, a clerk transports cash having been collected from the cash settlement apparatus  11  to be deposited to the cash accounting apparatus  21 , from the cash settlement apparatus  11  to the cash accounting apparatus  21 , by using the cash transport cassette  30 . Since the clerk cannot touch the cash in the cash transport cassette  30  during cash transporting, the cash can be transported safely in terms of security. 
     The cash transport cassette  30  may be configured to be capable of storing and feeding any one of a banknote and a coin, or may be configured to be capable of storing and feeding both a banknote and a coin. 
     The cash transport cassette  30  for banknote (banknote cassette  30   a ) may be a cassette of a stacking type in which banknotes are stacked on one another, or may be a cassette of a tape reeling type in which banknotes, which are sandwiched, one by one, by one tape or a plurality of tapes, are reeled up together with the tapes. The cash transport cassette  30  for coin may be a cassette configured to store coins in a denomination mixed state. 
     The cash transport cassette  30  includes a memory unit configured to store identification information (cassette ID) for specifying the cash transport cassette  30  and information related to stored cash (an amount for each denomination and so on). When the cash transport cassette  30  is of a tape reeling type, the memory unit is configured to store a storing order of cash stored in the cash transport cassette  30 , and information relating to a denomination, an authenticity and so on of each cash. 
       FIG. 2  is a view showing an example of an appearance of the cash accounting apparatus  21 . The cash accounting apparatus  21  includes a banknote accounting apparatus  22  and a coin accounting apparatus  23 . The banknote accounting apparatus  22  is configured to dispense a banknote to be loaded to the banknote settlement apparatus  12 , and configured to deposit a banknote having been collected from the banknote settlement apparatus  12 . The coin accounting apparatus  23  is configured to dispense a coin to be loaded to the coin settlement apparatus  13 , and configured to deposit a coin having been collected from the coin settlement apparatus  13 . 
     Next, a structure of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  as a banknote handling apparatus is described. The banknote accounting apparatus  22  includes a housing  200   a , a depositing unit  210   a , a dispensing unit  220   a  and an operation display unit  295   a . As will be described in detail below, the banknote accounting apparatus  22  is configured to be capable of receiving a banknote from a banknote feeding unit. The banknote feeding unit is a unit capable of feeding a banknote(s). The banknote feeding unit includes a banknote receiving unit  201   a  configured to receive a banknote(s) from an outside of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  and configured to feed the banknotes one by one, and a banknote cassette  30   a  configured to store a banknote(s) therein and configured to feed the banknote(s) stored therein. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the depositing unit  210   a  is disposed on an end portion  231   a  of a transport unit  230   a , and is configured such that the banknote feeding unit can be attached (deposited) thereon. When the banknote feeding unit is attached to the depositing unit  210   a , a banknote having been fed out from the banknote feeding unit can be transported into the banknote accounting apparatus  22  through the end portion  231   a  of the transport unit  230   a . Namely, the depositing unit  210   a  connects the banknote feeding unit and the transport unit  230   a  to each other, such that a banknote having been fed out from the banknote feeding unit can be transported into the apparatus from the end portion  231   a  of the transport unit  230   a . Thus, the depositing unit  210   a  may be referred to as banknote-feeding-unit connecting unit. For example, when a clerk manually deposits a banknote to the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a . On the other hand, when a clerk deposits a banknote to the banknote accounting apparatus  22  by using the banknote cassette  30   a  (hereinafter referred to also as “cassette depositing”), the banknote cassette  30   a , in place of the banknote receiving unit  201   a , is attached to the depositing unit  210   a  (see  FIG. 4B ). Namely, the banknote accounting apparatus  22  is configured such that the banknote cassette  30   a , in place of the banknote receiving unit  201   a , can be attached to and detached from the depositing unit  210   a.    
     Not limited to the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30   a , the depositing unit  210   a  may be configured such that a banknote feeding unit of another structure can be connected thereto. 
     The dispensing unit  220   a  is provided for dispensing a banknote to an outside of the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . 
     The operation display unit  295   a  is configured to display conditions of the cash management apparatus  21 , the cash settlement apparatus  11  and the cash transport cassette  30 , and configured such that an operator such as a clerk can input instructions and data therethrough. The operation display unit  295   a  may be a display of a touch panel type. The operation display unit  295   a  is disposed on any one of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  and the coin accounting apparatus  23 , and is commonly used to display information of both. In addition, as means for operating the cash settlement apparatus  21 , a card reader (not shown) may be disposed on the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block view showing a structural example of the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . In addition to the aforementioned depositing unit  210   a , the dispensing unit  220   a  and the operation display unit  295   a , the banknote accounting apparatus  22  further includes the transport unit  230   a , a recognition unit  240   a , a storing unit  250   a , a collecting unit  255   a , a reading/writing unit  257   a , a unit deciding part  260   a , an apparatus-external reject unit  222   a , an apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a , a memory  270   a , a communication unit  280   a  and a control unit  290   a.    
     The transport unit  230   a  is configured such that the banknote feeding unit is connected thereto, and configured to transport a banknote having been received into the apparatus. In more detail, the transport unit  230   a  is configured to transport, to the storing unit  250   a , a banknote having been put into the banknote receiving unit  201   a  attached to the depositing unit  210   a , or configured to transport, from the storing unit  250   a , a banknote to be dispensed from the dispensing unit  220   a . In addition, the transport unit  230   a  is configured to transport a banknote from the storing unit  250   a  to the banknote cassette  30   a , or configured to transport a banknote from the banknote cassette  30   a  to the storing unit  250   a . As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , sensors  242   a  such as photosensors are disposed on the transport unit  230   a  and predetermined locations. The sensors  242   a  are configured to detect presence, of a banknote and passage of a banknote. 
     The recognition unit  240   a  includes a sensor such as a magnetic sensor, a fluorescent sensor, a metal thread sensor, a thickness sensor or an image sensor, and is configured to recognize whether a banknote being transported by the transport unit  230   a  is an acceptable banknote or a reject banknote that is unacceptable, by comparing a feature of each banknote stored therein and a sensor output with each other. The reject banknote is, for example, a paper sheet other than a banknote, a foreign banknote not to be handled, and a banknote that cannot be recognized because it is torn or stained. In addition, banknotes which are transported in an overlapped state, and banknotes which are transported with an interval therebetween being smaller than a predetermined interval, are also handled as reject banknotes. 
     Further, the recognition unit  240   a  is configured to recognize a denomination, an authenticity, a fitness (fit note/unfit note), an version and so on of a banknote that is not a reject banknote. The fit note and the unfit note are banknotes whose denomination can be recognized, but the fit note is a banknote suited for circulation and the unfit note is a banknote unsuited for circulation because it is torn or stained. 
     The storing unit  250   a  is configured to store, by denomination, banknotes having been recognized by the recognition unit  240   a , and configured to feed, one by one, banknotes stored therein. The storing unit  250   a  may be a storing unit of a stacking type or a storing unit of a tape reeling type. The collecting unit  255   a  is used when a banknotes stored in the storing unit  250   a  is collected. The collecting unit  255   a  is made of a box or a pouch. 
     The reading/writing unit  257   a  is wiredly or wirelessly connected communicably to the memory unit disposed on the banknote cassette  30   a , and is configured to read out information stored in the memory unit or configured to write information to the memory unit. The memory unit of the banknote cassette  30   a  stores at least cassette ID information for specifying the banknote cassette  30   a , and may store information related to a banknote stored in the banknote cassette  30   a , such as a denomination and an amount of the banknote, according to need. In addition, the communication unit  280   a  in place of the reading/writing unit  257   a  may receive information (e.g., a denomination and an amount of a stored banknote) other than cassette ID from the banknote settlement apparatus  12  that has stored a banknote to the banknote cassette  30   a , through a communication line such as LAN. 
     The unit deciding part  260   a  is configured to decide the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote. More specifically, the unit deciding part  260   a  is configured to decide the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote, based on a connection condition of the banknote feeding unit to the transport unit  230   a . The unit deciding part  260   a  recognizes a connection condition of the banknote feeding unit to the transport unit  230   a , by means of information from a set detection sensor and a unit connector, and decides the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote. The set detection sensor is a sensor configured to detect that the banknote receiving unit  201   a  has been attached to the depositing unit  210   a . The set detection sensor is formed of, e.g., a photo interrupter. When a light shielding plate disposed on the banknote receiving unit  201   a  shields light, the photo interrupter detects that the banknote receiving unit  201   a  has been attached to the depositing unit  210   a . The unit connector is connected to terminals (connectors) of the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30  so that the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30   a  are connected to a driving power source line and a signal line. 
     The unit deciding part  260   a  is configured to detect whether the banknote feeding unit is attached to the depositing unit  210   a  or not, from a conducting condition of the unit connector, and configured to detect a kind of the banknote feeding unit attached to the depositing unit  210   a , by means of the set detection sensor. 
     The banknote accounting apparatus  22  can access (read and write) the memory unit in the banknote cassette  30   a  through the unit connector. In this case, the unit deciding part  260   a  can recognize a kind of the banknote feeding unit based on recognition information stored in the memory unit. In addition, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  may have a memory unit configured to store recognition information and so on. In this case, the unit deciding part  260   a  can recognize a kind of the banknote feeding unit, based on the recognition information stored in the memory unit of the banknote receiving unit  201   a.    
     When the set detection sensor and the unit connector are used, the unit deciding part  260   a  is configured to detect attachment of the banknote feeding unit by the unit connector. When the unit deciding part  260   a  detects attachment of the banknote receiving unit  201   a  by means of the set detection sensor, the unit deciding part  260   a  is configured to detect that a banknote is fed out from the banknote receiving unit  201   a . On the other hand, when the unit deciding part  260   a  detects attachment of the banknote feeding unit by means of the unit connector and does not detect attachment of the banknote receiving unit  201   a  by means of the set detection sensor, the unit deciding part  260   a  is configured to decide that a banknote is fed out from the banknote cassette  30   a.    
     The unit deciding part  260   a  may decide the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote, based on process contents having been received by the operation display unit  295   a  and the cash management apparatus  25  and so on (hereinafter referred to as “process reception unit”). Thus, for example, when both the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30   a  can be simultaneously attached to a banknote handling apparatus  22 X which will be described below, a user can instruct from which a banknote is to be fed out, through the process reception unit. 
     The apparatus-external reject unit  222   a  and the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a  are both provided for stacking reject banknotes. The apparatus-external reject unit  222   a  is configured to store a banknote, which has been recognized as a reject banknote by the recognition unit  240   a , such that the banknote can be take out from the outside of the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . On the other hand, the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a  is configured to store a banknote, which has been recognized as a reject banknote by the recognition unit  240   a , such that the banknote is securely stored in the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . The apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a  is disposed inside the housing  200   a , and configured to store a banknote in the apparatus. Thus, a user who does not have a management authority, such as a clerk, cannot take out the banknote in the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a.    
     The memory  270   a  includes various programs for controlling the cash accounting apparatus  22 , a ORM or a HDD storing data, and a RAM serving as a program loading area or a working area when a program is executed, and so on. Further, the memory  270   a  is configured to store information (a denomination, an amount and so on) of a banknote stored in the storing unit  250   a  and the collecting unit  255   a . Furthermore, the memory  270   a  is configured to store contents of a process having performed by the banknote accounting apparatus  22  (date and time, a process type, a banknote transport destination, a denomination of a processed banknote, quantities of a fit note(s) and an unfit note(s), an operator&#39;s ID, etc.). When the soring unit  250   a  is a storing unit of a tape reeling type, the memory  270   a  is configured to store a storing order of banknotes stored in the storing unit  250   a  and information such as a denomination, a fitness and so on of each of the banknotes. 
     The communication unit  280   a  is provided for communication with other apparatuses (the cash settlement apparatus  11 , the cash management apparatus  25 , the POS management apparatus  26  and so on) which constitute the cash handling system  1 . 
     The control unit  290   a  is configured to execute a program in the memory  270   a  to control the banknote accounting apparatus  22  as a whole. When the recognition unit  240   a  recognizes banknote having been received from the banknote feeding unit as a reject banknote, the control unit  290   a  is configured to decide to which one (destination) of the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a  and the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a  the reject banknote is transported, based on the banknote feeding unit having fed the banknote. For example, the control unit  290   a  is configured to decide that a reject banknote having been received from the banknote receiving unit  201  is transported to the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a , and configured to decide that a reject not having been received from the banknote cassette  30  is transported to the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a . Then, the control unit  290   a  controls the transport unit  230   a  such that the reject banknote is transported to the decided transport destination. 
     Since banknotes in the banknote cassette  30   a  have been once recognized when the banknotes were stored into the banknote cassette  30   a , it can be considered that all the banknotes are not reject banknotes. However, actually, depending on properties of recognition unit of each apparatus and differences in level setting, there is a possibility that a banknote, which has been judged as a fit note upon cassette depositing, might be judged as an unfit note or a reject banknote. In addition, when banknotes including a reject banknote are collected, there is a possibility that a reject banknote might be stored into the banknote cassette  30 . 
     Next, an example of an inside structure of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  is described with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
       FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  are sectional views each showing an example of an inside structure of the banknote accounting apparatus  22 .  FIG. 4A  shows a condition in which the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a , and  FIG. 4B  shows a condition in which the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached to the depositing unit  201   a . In  FIGS. 4A and 4B , illustration of the operation display unit  295   a  is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , when a banknote is deposited to the banknote accounting apparatus  22  by using the banknote receiving unit  201   a , a clerk attaches the banknote receiving unit  201   a  to the depositing unit  210   a . Thus, the unit deciding part  260   a  decides the banknote receiving unit  201   a  as the banknote feeding unit, and a banknote having been put into the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is fed to the transport unit  230   a.    
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 4B , when a banknote in the banknote cassette  30   a  is deposited to the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , a clerk attaches the banknote cassette  30   a  to the depositing unit  210   a . Thus, the unit deciding part  260   a  decides the banknote cassette  30  as the banknote feeding unit, and a banknote stored in the banknote cassette  30   a  is fed to the transport unit  230   a.    
     When a banknote is dispensed from the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , the storing unit  250   a  feeds, one by one, a banknote(s) to the transport unit  230   a . The transport unit  230   a  transports the fed banknote to the dispensing unit  220   a  so as to dispense the banknote. 
     In this manner, the banknote accounting apparatus  22  can store a banknote having been put into the banknote receiving unit  201   a  into the storing unit  250   a , and can reversely dispense a banknote stored in the storing unit  250   a  to the dispensing unit  220   a . Namely, the banknote accounting apparatus  22  is configured to reuse a deposited banknote as a banknote to be dispensed. 
     When a banknote(s) is loaded to the banknote settlement apparatus  12 , the storing unit  250   a  feeds, one by one, banknotes to the transport unit  230   a , in order that the banknotes are transported to the banknote cassette  30   a . The transport unit  230   a  dispenses the fed banknotes to the banknote cash transport cassette  30   a . Thus, the banknote accounting apparatus  22  can dispense, to the banknote cassette  30   a , the banknotes to be loaded to the banknote settlement apparatus  12 . When a banknote(s) is collected from the banknote settlement apparatus  12 , the banknote cassette  30   a  feeds, one by one, a banknote(s) stored therein to the transport unit  230   a . The transport unit  230   a  stores the fed banknote into the storing unit  250   a.    
     In this manner, the banknote accounting apparatus  22  is configured to dispense, to the banknote cassette  30   a , a banknote to be loaded to the banknote settlement apparatus  12 , or configured to deposit, from the banknote cassette  30   a , a banknote having been collected from the banknote settlement apparatus  12 . 
     Next, a depositing/dispensing process of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  is descried in more detail with reference to the drawings. The depositing/dispensing process is roughly classified into a depositing process, a dispensing process, a replenishing process and a collecting process. The respective processes are described with reference to  FIGS. 5A to 7B . 
     (Depositing Process) 
     A depositing process is a process by which a banknote is deposited to the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . For example, the depositing process is performed when a banknote having been collected from the banknote settlement apparatus  12  is deposited to the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . A banknote can be deposited, by using either the banknote receiving unit  201   a  or the banknote cassette  30   a.    
       FIG. 5A  shows transport routes (a route a, a route b and a route c) of a banknote to be deposited, when the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a.    
     When a clerk has put a banknote(s) to the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the process reception unit has received a depositing instruction, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  feeds, one by one, the banknotes having been put thereinto, to the transport unit  230   a . The transport unit  230   a  causes the fed banknotes to pass through the recognition unit  240   a  so as to recognize whether each banknote is a reject banknote or not Based on the recognition result, when a banknote is a normal banknote (that is not a reject banknote), the transport unit  230   a  transports the banknote to the storing unit  250   a  corresponding to a denomination of the banknote (the route a in  FIG. 5A ). Even when the banknote is a normal banknote but the storing unit  250   a  is full, the transport unit  230   a  transports the banknote to a collecting and stacking unit  254   a  (the route c in  FIG. 5A ). The collecting and stacking unit  254   a  stacks banknotes having been transported thereto, and opens a bottom surface of the collecting and stacking unit  254   a  so as to let down the stacked banknotes. Thus, the banknotes stacked in the collecting and stacking unit  254   a  are stored into the collecting unit  255   a . When the number of banknotes stacked in the collecting and stacking unit  254   a  exceeds a full number (the maximum number of stackable banknotes), the transport of a banknote to the collecting and stacking unit  254   a  is stopped. After banknotes stacked therein have been stored into the collecting unit  255   a , the transport is restarted. 
     On the other hand, when a banknote has been recognized as a reject banknote by the recognition unit  240   a , the transport unit  230   a  transports the reject banknote to the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a  (the route b in  FIG. 5A ). 
       FIG. 5B  shows transport routes (a route a, a route b and a route c) of a banknote to be deposited, when the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a.    
     When the process reception unit has received a depositing instruction, the cassette  30   a  feeds, one by one, banknotes stored therein, to the transport unit  230   a . The transport unit  230   a  causes the fed banknotes to pass through the recognition unit  240   a  so as to recognize whether each banknote is a reject banknote or not. Based on the recognition result, when a banknote is a normal banknote, the transport unit  230   a  transports the banknote to the storing unit  250   a  corresponding to a denomination of the banknote (the route a in  FIG. 5B ). Even when the banknote is a normal banknote but the storing unit  250   a  is full, the transport unit  230   a  transports the banknote to the collecting and stacking unit  254   a  so as to be stored into the collecting unit  255   a  (the route c in  FIG. 5B ). 
     On the other hand, when a banknote has been recognized as a reject banknote by the recognition unit  240   a , the transport unit  230   a  transports the reject banknote to the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a  (the route b in  FIG. 5B ). 
     As described above, the banknote accounting apparatus  22  changes a transport destination of the reject banknote having been received into the apparatus, depending on whether the reject banknote is a banknote having been fed out from the banknote receiving unit  201   a  or a banknote having been fed out from the banknote cassette  30   a . To be more specific, when the reject banknote is a banknote having been fed out from the banknote receiving unit  201   a , the control unit  290   a  controls the transport unit  230   a  such that the reject banknote is transported to the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a . On the other hand, when the reject banknote is a banknote having been fed out from the banknote cassette  30   a , the control unit  290   a  controls the transport unit  230   a  such that the reject banknote is transported to the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a . The contents of the depositing process are stored in the memory  270   a.    
     Since a reject banknote in the banknote cassette  30  is transported to be stored into the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a  disposed inside the housing  200   a , a user who does not have a management authority, such as a clerk, cannot touch the banknote having been stored in the banknote cassette  30   a , whereby the security of a banknote in the banknote cassette  30   a  can be maintained. In addition, during the cassette depositing, when the banknote accounting apparatus  22  can recognize a storing order of banknotes in the banknote cassette  30   a  and information of each banknote such as a denomination, a fitness and so on, from the memory unit of the banknote cassette  30   a , for example, the depositing process can be performed without the banknotes being recognized in the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . 
     (Dispensing Process) 
     A dispensing process is a process by which a banknote is dispensed from the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . For example, the dispensing process is performed when a banknote is replenished to the banknote settlement apparatus  12 . A banknote can be dispensed, by using either the banknote receiving unit  201   a  or the banknote cassette  30   a .  FIG. 6A  shows a transport route of a banknote to be dispensed when the banknote receiving unit  201  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a  (a route a), and  FIG. 6B  shows transport routes of a banknote to be dispensed when the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a  (the route a and a route b). 
     When the process reception unit has received a dispensing instruction, the storing unit  250   a  feeds, one by one, banknotes stored therein, to the transport unit  230   a . The transport unit  230   a  causes the fed banknotes to pass through the sensor  242   a , and the sensor  242   a  recognizes whether each banknote is a reject banknote or not. Based on the recognition result, when a banknote is a normal banknote, the transport unit  230   a  transports the banknote to the dispensing unit  220   a  if the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached, or transports the banknote to the banknote cassette  30   a  if the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached (the route a in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ). 
     The banknotes having been transported to the banknote cassette  30   a  are stored into the banknote cassette  30   a , and the memory unit of the banknote cassette  30   a  stores the number of the stored banknotes for each denomination. When the banknote cassette  30   a  is of a tape reeling type, the memory unit stores a storing order of the banknotes and information of each banknote such as a denomination, a fitness and so on. 
     On the other hand, when a banknote has been recognized as a reject banknote by the sensor  242   a , the transport unit  230   a  transports the reject banknote to the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a , regardless of the banknote feeding unit attached to the depositing unit  210   a  (the route b in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ). The contents of the dispensing process are stored in the memory  270   a.    
     (Replenishing Process) 
     A replenishing process is a process by which a banknote is replenished to the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . For example, the replenishing process is performed when a banknote in a safe is deposited to the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . When the process reception unit has received a replenishing instruction, the replenishing process is performed similarly to the depositing process. 
       FIG. 7A  shows a transport route of a banknote having been replenished from the banknote receiving unit  201   a . Namely, a route in  FIG. 7A  shows a transport route of a banknote having been recognized to be normal by the recognition unit  240   a , and a route b shows a transport route of a banknote having been recognized as a reject banknote by the recognition unit  240   a . As can be understood from  FIG. 7A , the banknote transport routes in the replenishing process are the same as the banknote transport routes in the depositing process (the route a and the route b in  FIG. 5A ). The contents of the replenishing process are store in the memory  270   a.    
     (Collecting Process) 
     A collecting process is a process by which a banknote in the banknote accounting apparatus  22  is collected. For example, the collecting process is performed when a banknote in the banknote accounting apparatus  22  is dispensed to a safe.  FIG. 7B  shows a transport route of a banknote having been stored in the storing unit  250   a , in the collecting process. Namely, a route  1  in  FIG. 7B  shows a transport route of a banknote having been recognized to be normal by the sensor  242   a , and a route b shows a transport route of a banknote having been recognized as a reject banknote by the sensor  242   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 7B , in the collecting process, when the process reception unit has received a collecting instruction, a normal banknote in the storing unit  250   a  is transported to the collecting unit  255   a , and a reject banknote is transported to the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a . The banknote having been transported to the collecting unit  255   a  is taken out to the outside of the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , by a user who has a management authority. When the collecting unit  255   a  becomes full in the course of the collecting process, the collecting unit  255   a  is replaced with another vacant collecting unit  255   a , whereby the collecting process can be continued. The contents of the collecting process are stored in the memory  270   a.    
     In the depositing process and the replenishing process, as to a banknote having been recognized as a banknote of a specific type by the recognition unit  240   a , even when the banknote has been deposited from the banknote receiving unit  201   a , the transport unit  230   a  may transport the banknote to the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a . For example, in order to prevent circulation of a banknote of category  2  (counterfeit banknote) and a banknote of category  3  (suspicious banknote), which are set up by EC Forum Regulation  1338 , paragraph  6 , such banknotes are preferably transported to the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a , regardless of a type of the banknote feeding unit. 
     In addition, not limited to an instruction from the process reception unit, change of a transport destination of a reject banknote having been received from the banknote cassette  30   a  may be performed based on the information related to a stored banknote, which is stored in the memory unit of the banknote cassette  30   a . For example, when information showing that a paper sheet (e.g., a check), which has been fed out n th  from the banknote cassette  30   a , is other than a banknote is stored in the memory unit of the banknote cassette  30   a , the control unit  290   a  may perform a control process such that the paper sheet, which has been fed out n th  from the banknote cassette, is transported to the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a.    
     Although one of the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a  of the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , the present invention is not limited thereto. Namely, the present invention includes a banknote accounting apparatus on which the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30   a  are simultaneously attachable. 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view showing an inside structure of such a banknote accounting apparatus  22 X. Both the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30   a  are attached to the banknote accounting apparatus  22 X. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the transport unit  230   a  is configured to be capable of transporting a banknote to a predetermined part in the apparatus (the storing unit  250   a , the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a , the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a  and the collecting and stacking unit  254   a ), irrespective of whether the banknote has been received from the banknote receiving unit  201   a  or the banknote cassette  30   a . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the recognition unit  240   a  is disposed on the transport unit  230   a  that is common to a banknote having been fed out from the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and a banknote having been received from the banknote cassette  30   a.    
     The control unit  290   a  performs a control process such that a reject banknote having been received from the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is transported to the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a , and performs a control process such that a reject banknote having been received from the banknote cassette  30   a  is transported to the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a.    
     In the banknote accounting apparatus  22 X, a user can optionally select the banknote feeding unit, by giving an instruction to the process reception unit. Based on the process contents having been received by the process reception unit, the unit deciding part  260   a  decides the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote. 
     In the aforementioned description, two kinds of banknote feeding units (the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30   a ) can be attached to the banknote accounting apparatuses  22  and  22 X. However, not limited thereto, the present invention can be applied to a banknote accounting apparatus capable of receiving a banknote from three or more kinds of banknote feeding units. 
     As described above, the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment is capable of receiving a banknote from at least two kinds of banknote feeding units (e.g., the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30   a ), and includes the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a  configured to store a reject banknote inside the banknote handling apparatus  22 , and the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a  configured to dispense a reject banknote to the outside of the banknote handling apparatus  22 . In addition, the banknote handling apparatus  22  incudes the unit deciding part  260   a  configured to decide the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote, and the control unit  290   a  configured to decide, when the recognition unit  240   a  has recognized that a banknote having been received from the banknote feeding unit is a reject banknote, to which one of the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a  and the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a  the reject banknote is transported, depending on the banknote feeding unit having fed the banknote. 
     According to such a banknote handling apparatus  22 , depending on the banknote feeding unit having fed the banknote, whether the reject banknote is transported to the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a  or the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a  is automatically decided. As a result, since it is not necessary for a user to instruct the transport destination of the reject banknote, the banknote accounting apparatus  22  can be easier to handle. 
     In addition, as described above, in the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment, the unit deciding part  260   a  decides the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote, based on a connection condition of the banknote feeding unit to the transport unit  230   a . Thus, the unit deciding part  26  can decide the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote, without any instruction from a user. 
     In addition, as described above, the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment further includes the process reception unit (the operation display unit  295   a , the cash management apparatus  25  and so on). Based on the process contents having been received by the process reception unit, the unit deciding part  260   a  decides the banknote feeding unit for feeding a banknote. Thus, when both the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30   a  are simultaneously attachable, as in the case of the banknote handling apparatus  22 X, a user can instruct whether a banknote is fed out from the banknote receiving unit  201   a  or the banknote cassette  30   a , through the process reception unit. 
     In addition, as described above, in the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment, the banknote feeding unit incudes the banknote receiving unit  201   a  configured to receive a banknote(s) from outside and configured to feed, one by one, the banknotes, and the banknote cassette  30   a  configured to store a banknote(s) and configured to feed the banknotes stored therein. 
     In addition, as described above, in the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment, the control unit  290   a  performs a control process such that a reject banknote having been received from the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is transported to the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a , and that a reject banknote having been received from the banknote cassette  30   a  is transported to the apparatus-internal reject unit  224   a . Thus, even when a banknote in the banknote cassette  30   a  is a reject banknote, a person other than a user having a management authority cannot touch the reject banknote, whereby consistency in security can be ensured. 
     In addition, as described above, the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment further has the process reception unit (the operation display unit  295   a , the cash management apparatus  25 , etc.) configured to receive an instruction for process, and the control unit  290   a  performs a control process such that a reject banknote having been received from the banknote cassette  30   a  is transported to the apparatus-external reject unit  222   a , depending on an instruction having been received by the process reception unit. Thus, when it is necessary to perform an irregular process that is different from an ordinary process, the banknote handling apparatus  22  can deal with the case. For example, when a user having a management authority wants to observe and confirm a reject banknote in the banknote cassette  30   a , the banknote handling apparatus  22  can deal with the case. 
     It is desirable that the banknote cassette is attachable at a height where a user such as a clerk can easily operate the banknote cassette, and that a banknote can be manually deposited at such a height, while preventing enlargement of the banknote accounting apparatus. That is to say, it is desirable that a user can perform a depositing/dispensing process by the banknote cassette as well as a manual depositing/dispensing process, at substantially the same height, while maintaining a space of the banknote accounting apparatus as little as possible. 
     Next, in order to achieve the above object, there are described three embodiments (first to third embodiments) of the banknote handling apparatus  22  on which the banknote cassette  30   a  is attachable by moving the banknote receiving unit  201   a.    
     In the first embodiment, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is integrally formed with the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , and is configured to be rotatable about a predetermined axis. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are perspective views of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  in this embodiment.  FIG. 9A  shows a condition where the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a , and  FIG. 9B  shows a condition where the banknote cassette  30   a  is being attached to the depositing unit  210   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 9B , a unit connector  310   a  is disposed on the depositing unit  210   a . The unit connector  310   a  is connected to a connector  320   a  of the banknote receiving unit  201   a , or a connector  330   a  of the banknote cassette  30   a.    
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 9B , a photo interrupter  410   a  is disposed on the depositing unit  210   a . A light-shielding plate  42  configured to shield light from the photo interrupter  410   a  is disposed on the banknote receiving unit  210   a . When the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a  (see  FIG. 9A ), the light-shielding plate  420  shields light from the photo interrupter  410   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , when the banknote cassette  30  in place of the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached, a set lock of the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is released, and the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is then brought up and rotated about the axis A, so that the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is withdrawn onto an upper surface of the housing  200   a . At this time, the unit connector  310   a  and the connector  320   a  are disconnected from each other, and the light-shielding plate  420   a  is displaced from the photo interrupter  410   a . Thus, the photo interrupter  410   a  becomes a floodlighting condition where light from a light emitting unit is received by a light receiving unit. 
     In the first embodiment, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is rotated, so that a space for attaching the banknote cassette  30   a  is provided. 
     After the banknote receiving unit  201   a  has been withdrawn, as shown in  FIG. 9B , the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a . At this time, since a width of the banknote cassette  30   a  and an interval between side surfaces of the depositing unit  210   a  are substantially the same with each other, a recessed part defined by a bottom surface and the side surfaces of the depositing unit  210   a  functions as a guide of the banknote cassette  30   a.    
     When the cassette  30   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a , the unit connector  310   a  and the connector  330   a  are connected to each other. The banknote cassette  30   a  is not provided with a light shielding plate such as the light shielding plate  420   a . Thus, even when the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a , the photo interrupter  410   a  remains in the floodlighting condition. 
     In addition, positions of the banknote outlets of the banknote cassette  30   a  and the banknote receiving unit  201   a  correspond to a position of the end portion  231   a , when the banknote cassette  30  or the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a . Thus, the banknote cassette  30   a  attached to the depositing unit  210   a  is connected to the transport unit  230   a , so that a banknote having been fed out from the banknote cassette  30   a  can be transported into the apparatus by the transport unit  230   a.    
     The aforementioned structure of the banknote receiving unit  201   a  other than the withdrawal manner is the same as structures in the second and third embodiments. 
     In the first embodiment, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is rotated so as to be withdrawn, and the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached to the place where the banknote receiving unit  201   a  has been attached. Thus, it is not necessary to provide an additional space for attaching the banknote cassette  30   a . In addition, a depositing/dispensing process by the banknote cassette and a manual depositing/manual dispensing process can be performed at substantially the same height. 
     Further, a banknote having been fed out from the banknote cassette  30   a  is transported from the end portion  231   a  of the transport unit  230   a  into the apparatus, similarly to a banknote having been fed out from the banknote receiving unit  201   a . Thus, it is not necessary to additionally provide a transport path for transporting a banknote having been received from the banknote cassette  30   a  into the apparatus. 
     Namely, the banknote accounting apparatus in the first embodiment can deal with both a depositing/dispensing process by the banknote cassette, and a manual depositing/dispensing process. The depositing/dispensing process by the banknote cassette and the manual depositing/dispensing process can be performed a substantially the same height, while a space is saved. 
     In the below-described second embodiment, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is integrally formed with the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , and is configured to be vertically translatable by a moving mechanism. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are perspective views of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  in the second embodiment.  FIG. 10A  shows a condition where the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a , and  FIG. 10B  shows a condition where the banknote cassette  30   a  is being attached to the depositing unit  210   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , when the banknote cassette  30   a  in place of the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is translated upward so as to be withdrawn to an upper side of the housing  200   a . For example, by pressing down a button  211   a  for operating a moving mechanism (not shown) configured to vertically translate the banknote receiving unit  201   a , the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is withdrawn to the upper side of the housing  200   a . Namely, in the second embodiment, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is translated, so that a space for attaching the banknote cassette  30   a  is provided. 
     After the banknote receiving unit  201   a  has been withdrawn, as can be understood from  FIG. 10B , the banknote cassette  30   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a . Thus, the banknote cassette  30   a  is connected to the transport unit  230   a , whereby a banknote having been fed out from the banknote cassette  30   a  can be transported into the apparatus by the transport unit  230   a.    
     As can be understood from above, also in the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, according to the second embodiment, it is not necessary to make room on the upper surface of the housing  200   a  as a withdrawal space of the banknote receiving unit  201   a . Thus, it is possible to increase a space on the upper surface of the housing  200   a  where an equipment such as a printer and a card reader can be placed. 
     In the below-described third embodiment, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the banknote accounting apparatus  22 . 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  are perspective views of the banknote accounting apparatus  22  in the third embodiment.  FIG. 11A  shows a condition where the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a , and  FIG. 11B  shows a condition where the banknote cassette  30   a  is being attached to the depositing unit  210   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , when the banknote cassette  30   a  in place of the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is attached, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is detached from the banknote accounting apparatus  22  so as to be withdrawn. Namely, in the third embodiment, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is detached from the banknote accounting apparatus  22 , so that a space for attaching the banknote cassette  30   a  is provided. 
     After the banknote receiving unit  201   a  has been withdrawn, as can be understood from  FIG. 11B , the banknote cassette  30  is attached to the depositing unit  210   a . Thus, the banknote cassette  30   a  is connected to the transport unit  230   a , whereby a banknote having been fed out from the banknote cassette  30   a  can be transported into the apparatus by the transport unit  230   a.    
     As can be understood from above, also in the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained. 
     As described above, the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment includes the transport unit  230   a  configured to receive a banknote from the end portion  231   a  and configured to transport the banknote into the banknote handling apparatus  22 , and a banknote-feeding-unit connecting unit (depositing unit)  210   a  configured such that at least two kinds of banknote feeding units (e.g., the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and the banknote cassette  30   a ) can be attached thereto, the banknote-feeding-unit connecting unit being configured to connect the banknote feeding unit and the transport unit  230   a  to each other, such that a banknote having been fed out from the banknote feeding unit is transported from the end portion  231   a  of the transport unit  230   a.    
     Due to such a structure, according to the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment, a banknote having been fed out from the banknote feeding unit is transported from the end portion  231   a  of the transport unit  230   a  into the apparatus, irrespective of the kind of the banknote feeding unit attached to the depositing unit  210   a . Thus, it is not necessary to additionally provide a transport path for transporting a banknote having been fed out from the banknote cassette  30   a  into the apparatus. As a result, a cost required for the banknote handling apparatus  22  can be reduced. 
     In addition, as described above, in the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment, the banknote feeding units are the banknote receiving unit  201   a  configured to receive a banknote(s) from outside and configured to feed, one by one, the banknotes, and the banknote cassette  30   a  configured to store a banknote(s) therein and configured to feed out the banknote stored therein. 
     In addition, as described above, in the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment, the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is integrally formed with the banknote handling apparatus  22 . The banknote receiving unit  201   a  is configured to be movable between a first position at which the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is connected to the transport unit  230   a  and a second position at which the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is disconnected from the transport unit  230   a . When the banknote receiving unit  201   a  is placed on the second position, the banknote cassette  30   a  is attachable to the first position. 
     Due to such a structure, according to the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide an additional space for attaching the banknote cassette  30   a . In addition, a banknote having been fed out from the banknote cassette  30   a  attached to the depositing unit  201   a  is transported from the end portion  231   a  of the transport unit  230   a  into the apparatus, similarly to a banknote having been fed out from the banknote receiving unit  201   a . Further, since a user can perform a depositing process by the banknote receiving unit  201   a  and a depositing process by the banknote cassette  30   a  at the same height, it is easy to use the banknote handling apparatus  22 . 
     In addition, in the banknote handling apparatus  22  in this embodiment, as described with reference to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the banknote receiving unit  201   a  may be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the banknote handling apparatus  22 . 
     Based on the above description, those skilled in the art can come up with additional effects and various modifications of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. The present invention can be variously added, modified and partially deleted, without departing from a scope of the claims and a conceptual idea of the present invention derived from an equivalence.
       1  Cash management system     10  Checkout counter     11  Cash settlement apparatus     12  Banknote settlement apparatus     13  Coin settlement apparatus     14  Register     20  Back office     21  Cash accounting apparatus     22  Banknote accounting apparatus     23  Coin accounting apparatus     25  Cash management apparatus     26  POS management apparatus     30  Cash transport cassette     30   a  Banknote cassette     200   a  Housing     201   a  Banknote receiving unit     210   a  Depositing unit     220   a  Dispensing unit     222   a  Apparatus-external reject unit     224   a  Apparatus-internal reject unit     230   a  Transport unit     231   a  End portion     240   a  Recognition unit     242   a  Sensor     250   a  Storing unit     254   a  Collecting and stacking unit     255   a  Collecting unit     260   a  Unit deciding part     270   a  Memory     280   a  Communication unit     290   a  Control unit     295   a  Operation display unit     310   a  Unit connector     320   a ,  330   a  Connector     410   a  Photo interrupter     420   a  Light shielding plate