Patent Publication Number: US-2005116407-A1

Title: Paper sheets processor

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application is a continuation of international PCT application No. PCT/JP02/08815 filed on Aug. 30, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a paper sheets processor for taking in and processing paper sheets such as a banknote inserted into an insertion part.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      A paper sheets processor for taking in paper sheets inserted into an insertion slot and providing the paper sheets with a given process is in widespread use in society. For example, a paper sheets processor dealing with banknotes as paper sheets is in widespread use as a cash processor used for teller operation, or as a processor mounted on an automated device such as an automatic depositor (AD) and an automated-teller machine (ATM).  
      In the paper sheets processor dealing with banknotes, in general, banknotes to be deposited in bulk are collectively inserted into an insertion slot. The banknotes inserted into the insertion slot are run out one by one and judged. When the banknote is determined to be a true banknote by such a judgment, the banknote is carried to an accommodation part where the banknote should be accommodated, and accommodated. The number of the banknotes accommodated in the accommodation part is counted for each denomination. A deposit amount calculated by using the count result is shown to the customer who deposited the banknotes.  
      The banknotes run out from the insertion slot are carried along a carrying route. Therefore, the insertion slot guides the banknotes inserted therein to be located appropriately in relation to the carrying route.  
      A conventional paper sheets processor is provided with only one insertion slot mentioned above. However, since the insertion slot needs to guide the banknotes inserted therein, banknotes with highly different sizes cannot be inserted into the insertion slot. A mechanism to run out the banknotes from the insertion slot should be designed by considering a thickness, a medium and the like of banknotes. That is, even when sizes of banknotes are not highly different, the banknotes cannot be run out appropriately from the insertion slot if their thickness or mediums are different. Therefore, the conventional paper sheets processor provided with only one insertion slot can deal with few types of banknotes (paper sheets).  
      Currently, as business, anyone can do “exchange of foreign money”, that is, buying foreign moneys or travel checks to convert them to domestic currency; or adversely selling the foreign moneys or the travel checks to people in need thereof. Combined with such a background, it is thinkable that future paper sheets processors will be required to deal with more various types of banknotes.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper sheets processor capable of dealing more various paper sheets.  
      The paper sheets processor of the present invention is based on the promise that the paper sheets processor takes in and processes paper sheets such as a banknote inserted into insertion parts. The paper sheets processor comprises: a plurality of insertion parts provided according to differences of outer shapes or materials of the paper sheets, or differences of directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted; and a carrying unit for carrying the paper sheets respectively inserted into the plurality of insertion parts to given carrying destinations.  
      In the foregoing construction, it is desirable that part of a carrying route on which the carrying unit carries the paper sheets from the respective plurality of insertion parts to the given carrying destinations is shared in common. Further, it is desirable that a judging unit for judging the paper sheets inserted from the respective plurality of insertion parts is provided on the common carrying route.  
      A method of fabricating a paper sheets processor of the present invention is based on the promise that the method of fabricating a paper sheets processor is applied to fabrication of a paper sheets processor for taking in and processing paper sheets such as a banknote inserted into insertion parts. In the method of fabricating a paper sheets processor of the invention, a plurality of insertion parts are provided according to differences of outer shapes or materials of the paper sheets or differences of directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted, and part of a carrying route used for carrying the paper sheets from the respective plurality of insertion parts to given carrying destinations is shared in common.  
      In the invention, the plurality of insertion parts are provided according to the differences of outer shapes or materials of the paper sheets or the differences of directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted, and the paper sheets inserted into the respective plurality of insertion parts are carried.  
      It becomes possible to take in more various paper sheets through the insertion parts by providing the plurality of insertion parts according to the differences of outer shapes, materials, or directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted. Thereby, it becomes possible to deal with more various paper sheets. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an outline cross section of a depositor mounting a paper sheets processor according to this embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a view explaining a method of inserting paper sheets into respective insertion parts;  
       FIG. 3  is a view explaining constructions of the respective insertion parts and a carrying route, and a location relationship thereof;  
       FIG. 4  is a view explaining operations of the respective insertion parts; and  
       FIG. 5  is a construction view of the depositor mounting a paper sheets processor according to this embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Descriptions will be hereinafter given of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.  
       FIG. 1  is an outline cross section of a depositor mounting a paper sheets processor according to the embodiment.  
      A depositor  100  can take in multiple types of paper sheets which cannot be inserted into the same insertion part since these paper sheets have different sizes, thickness, mediums and the like, for example, a combination of banknotes and paper moneys such as checks; a combination of banknotes of different countries; or combination of different types of paper moneys. Here, for convenience, suppose that the multiple types of paper sheets are constructed from the combination of banknotes and paper moneys.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the depositor  100  mounts inside a banknote deposit unit  101  for taking in and accommodating banknotes or paper moneys inserted (deposited) by users. The banknote deposit unit  101  comprises: two insertion parts  111  and  112  for inserting banknotes or paper moneys, a carrying route  113  provided for carrying the banknotes or the paper moneys inserted into the insertion part  111  or  112 ; a judgment part  114  provided on the carrying route  113  for determining authenticity and damage state of the banknotes or the paper moneys being carried; two accommodation parts  115  prepared for accommodating the banknotes or the paper moneys inserted into the insertion part  111 ; and two accommodation parts  116  prepared for accommodating the banknotes or the paper moneys inserted into the insertion part  112 . The paper sheets processor according to the embodiment is mounted on the depositor  100  as the banknote deposit unit  101 .  
      For example, banknotes are inserted into the insertion part  111 , and paper moneys such as checks and paper similar thereto (for example, “chit” or the like which is circulating in Korea) are inserted into the insertion part  112 . As indicated by arrows in  FIG. 2 , a banknote M is inserted into the insertion part  111  along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof, and a paper money (hereinafter suppose it is a “chit”) C is inserted into the insertion part  112  along the longitudinal direction thereof.  
      When the banknotes M are inserted into the insertion part  111  or the chits C are inserted into the insertion part  112 , and then a user directs the depositor  100  to take in the banknotes M or the chits C, the depositor  100  starts taking in the banknotes M or the chits C. After that, for example, the banknotes M inserted into the insertion part  111  are run out one by one from the insertion part  111  and carried toward the judgment part  114 . Regarding the banknotes M which have been carried to the judgment part  114 , the accommodation part  115  where the banknotes M should be accommodated is determined according to the judgment result. Then, the banknotes M are carried to the determined accommodation part  115 , and accommodated therein.  
      The number of the banknotes M accommodated in the accommodation part  115  is counted for each denomination. When accommodation of the banknotes M inserted into the insertion part  111  are finished, the number of the banknotes M counted for each denomination and a total sum (deposit amount) are notified to the user to make the user confirm the notified contents. After that, when the user directs the depositor  100  to continue the process (transaction), a given process is performed and transaction regarding deposit is completed. As for a process regarding the chits C inserted into the insertion part  112  is basically similar thereto.  
       FIG. 3  is a view for explaining constructions of the respective insertion parts  111  and  112  and the carrying route  113 , and a location relationship thereof. This is an overhead view of these constructions and the location relationship thereof. To be more precise, the physical relationship shown here is a location relationship in the longitudinal direction of the banknote M inserted into the insertion part  111 . Regarding the carrying route  113 , only the part in the vicinity of the judgment part  114  is excerpted and shown. In such a part, the banknote M and the chit C are carried in the direction indicated by arrow a.  
      The banknote M targeted for deposit is inserted into a space (hereinafter referred to as “insertion space”) surrounded by a partition plate  301 , a pressure plate  302  for pressing the banknote M toward the partition plate  301 , and a pair of guide plates  303  facing to each other. Power from a motor  304  is transmitted to the pressure plate  303  through a roller  305 , a belt  307  put around the roller  305  and a roller  306  provided in the vicinity thereof, and a part  308  linked with the belt  307 . Thereby, the pressure plate  302  is moved toward the partition plate  301  and moved in the opposite direction thereto through drive control of the motor  304 .  
      A total of five running-out rollers  312  installed on a shaft  311  and a total of four separation rollers  314  installed on a shaft  313  are arranged below the insertion space. The separation roller  314  does not rotate clockwise from point of view of the motor  304  side unless a given force is applied thereto. Power of a motor  315  is transmitted to the shaft  311 . The rotation direction shall be hereinafter expressed from point of view of the motor  304  side unless otherwise noted.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , a shutter  401  is provided above the insertion space of the insertion part  111 . When the banknote M is inserted into the insertion part  111 , the shutter  401  is opened. When the insertion is finished, the shutter  401  is closed. After the shutter  401  is closed, the banknotes M inserted into the insertion part  111  pressed by the pressure plate  302 .  
      When the banknote M pressed by the pressure plate  302  is run out, power from the motor  315  is transmitted to the shaft  311  to rotate the running-out rollers  312  counterclockwise. Due to this left-handed rotation, power to move objects downward is transmitted to the banknote M located closest to the partition plate  301  side. Even if the banknote M located adjacent to this banknote M located closest to the partition plate  301  side is moved together due to the transmission of power, the banknote M located adjacent to such a banknote M located closest to the partition plate  301  side is stopped in its position due to friction resistance with the separation rollers  314 . Thereby, only the banknote M located closest to the partition plate  301  side is run out.  
      Meanwhile, similarly to the banknote M, the chit C is inserted into an insertion space surrounded by a partition plate  321 , a pressure plate  322  for pressing the banknote M toward the partition plate  321 , and a pair of guide plates  323  facing to each other. As in the insertion part  111 , power from a motor  324  is transmitted to the pressure plate  323  through a roller  325 , a belt  327  put around the roller  325  and a roller  326  provided in the vicinity thereof, and a member  328  linked with the belt  327 . Thereby, the pressure plate  322  is moved through drive control of the motor  324 .  
      A total of five running-out rollers  332  installed on a shaft  331  and a total of four separation rollers  334  installed on a shaft  333  are arranged below the insertion space. As the separation roller  314 , the separation roller  334  does not rotate clockwise unless a given force is applied thereto. Power of a motor  335  is transmitted to the shaft  331 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , a shutter  402  is provided above the insertion space of the insertion part  112  as well. When the chit C is inserted into the insertion part  112 , the shutter  402  is opened as well. When the insertion is finished, the shutter  402  is closed as well. After the shutter  402  is closed, the chit C inserted into the insertion part  112  pressed by the pressure plate  322 . Operation in running out the chit C pressed by the pressure plate  322  is basically the same as the operation in the banknote M.  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , the carrying route  113  is provided with shafts  341 . The respective shafts  341  are provided with two carrying rollers  242  in the vicinity of the center thereof. Power from a motor  344  is transmitted to the respective shafts  341 .  
      In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the insertion part  111  is provided so that a center in the longitudinal direction of the banknote M inserted therein corresponds with a center of the carrying route  113 . The insertion part  112  is provided so that a center in the direction of the chit C inserted therein corresponds with the center in the longitudinal direction of the banknote M inserted into the insertion part  111 . Thereby, both the banknote M and the chit C are carried in the center of the carrying route  113 .  
      Since the center of the banknote M corresponds with the center of the chit C, it is possible to arrange the carrying rollers  342  on the shaft  341  provided on the carrying route  113  by corresponding to these aligned centers. It is not necessary to prepare the carrying rollers  342  for the banknote M and for the chit C respectively. Therefore, the number of the carrying rollers  342  provided on the shaft  341  can be kept to the minimum. This is the reason why the centers of the banknote M and the chit C correspond with each other. In this embodiment, the banknote M and the chit C can be carried while a construction of the carrying route  113  is prevented from being complicated by making their centers correspond with each other.  
      Compared to a case that the banknote M and the chit C are carried on separate carrying routes, when the banknote M and the chit C are carried on the same route  113 , a construction of the depositor  100  becomes simplified, and the inner space thereof becomes more utilizable. The number of accommodated banknotes M and the chits C becomes larger, and it becomes enough that the number of the judgment part  113  is one. These are the reasons why the banknote M and the chit C have the carrying route  113  in common.  
       351  and  352  in  FIG. 3  are image sensors for reading images provided on the judgment part  114 . The image sensor  351  is intended to read an image of the banknote being carried. Meanwhile, the image sensor  352  is intended to read an image of the chit C being carried.  
      The image sensor  351  is intended to recognize stain and a damage state of the banknote M. Meanwhile, the image sensor  352  is intended to recognize a damage state of the chit C, and a date and a chit number printed thereon. Since it is not necessary to read the image high-precisely in recognition of the damage state, a low resolution sensor is adopted for the image sensor  351 . Meanwhile, since the image needs to be read high-precisely in recognition of the date and the chit number, a high-resolution sensor is adopted for the image sensor  352 .  
      The high-resolution image sensor is expensive. However, as evidenced by  FIG. 3 , when the chit C is carried along the longitudinal direction thereof, a range which should be read by the image sensor becomes narrowed compared to the case wherein the chit C is carried along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. That is, a more inexpensive image sensor can be adopted. This is also a reason why the chit C is carried along the longitudinal direction thereof in this embodiment.  
      It becomes possible to deal with more various types of banknotes M, chits C and the like by providing the two insertion parts  111  and  112 . In this embodiment, as described above, the banknote M and the chit C are carried on the same carrying route  113  while the location relationship between the banknote M and the chit C inserted into the insertion parts  111  and  112  is devised. Therefore, a complicated construction of the depositor  110  and rise of manufacturing cost, which are associated with dealing with more various types of banknotes M, chits C and the like are restrained.  
       FIG. 5  is a construction view of the foregoing depositor  100 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 5 , the depositor  100  comprises: a control part  501  for controlling the whole depositor  100 ; the judgment part  114  for judging the banknote M or the chit C run out from the insertion part  111  or  112 ; a display part  502  such as a liquid crystal display (LCD); an operation part  503  with a touch panel or the like installed on a screen of the display part  502 ; a communications control part  504  for communicating with other devices through, for example, LAN; a motor group  505  having the motors  304 ,  315 ,  324 ,  335 , and  343  shown in  FIG. 3 ; a motor drive part  506  for driving the motors constructing the motor group  505  according to directions from the control part  501 ; a sensor group  507  constructed from various sensors arranged in respective parts of the depositor  100 ; a sensor control part  508  for controlling the sensors constructing the sensor group  507 ; a solenoid group  509 ; and a solenoid drive part  510  for driving the solenoids constructing the solenoid group  509  according to directions from the control part  501 . The solenoids constructing the solenoid group  509  are provided in order to switch carrying destinations of the banknote M or the chit C.  
      The operation part  503 , for example, performs scanning of the touch panel as needed, and outputs the scanning result to the control part  501 . The control part  501  analyzes the scanning result, and thereby detects operation conducted by a user and executes control corresponding to the detection result. Thereby, the depositor  100  is operated according to the direction of the user.  
      When it is clarified that the user directs deposit after the scanning result is analyzed, the control part  501  makes the display part  502  show a screen to inquire, for example, a deposit method. The user selects any of the following options: only the banknote M; only the chit C; and both the banknote M and the chit C. The shutters  401  and  402  respectively covering the insertion parts  111  and  112  are opened according to the selection result.  
      When the user selects both the banknote M and the chit C as a deposit method, the control part  501  directs the motor drive part  506  to drive the motors for opening and closing the shutters to open the shutters  401  and  402  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). On the display part  502 , a message prompting the user to insert the banknote M and the chit C into the insertion parts  111  and  112  is shown.  
      The control part  501  makes the shutters  401  and  402  closed after, for example, the user operates the operation part  503  to direct taking in the banknote M and the chit C (refer to  FIG. 4 ). After the shutters  401  and  402  are closed, the control part  501  directs the sensor control part  508  to make the sensors respectively arranged in the insertion parts  111  and  112  perform sensing to determine presence of the banknote M and the chit C respectively. When it is determined that the banknote M or the chit C is inserted into only one of the insertion parts  111  and  112 , taking-in is started for such only one of the insertion parts  111  and  112 . When the banknote M or the chit C are inserted into both the insertion parts  111  and  112 , taking-in is started in the order of, for example, firstly the banknote M and secondly the chit C.  
      Before the banknote M is taken in, the banknote M inserted into the insertion part  111  is pressed by the pressure plate  302  based on a direction to the motor drive part  506  to drive the motor  304 . Similarly, before the chit C is taken in, the chit C inserted into the insertion part  112  is pressed by the pressure plate  302  based on a direction to the motor drive part  506  to drive the motor  304 .  
      When the banknote M is taken in, the control part  501  makes the motor drive part  506  drive the motor  343 , a power source for the carrying route  113 . The motor  315 , a power source for the running-out rollers  312  is driven intermittently. Thereby, the banknotes M are run out one by one from the insertion part  111  as needed.  
      The judgment part  114  judges the banknote M which is run out from the insertion part  111  and carried on the carrying route  113 , and outputs the judgment result to the control part  501 . Based on this judgment result, the control part  501  determines the accommodation part  115  becoming a carrying destination of the banknote M run out from the insertion part  111 . The control part  501  directs the solenoid drive  510  to drive the solenoid corresponding to the accommodation part  115 . Thereby, the judged banknote M is accommodated in the accommodation part  115 . In addition, the number of the banknotes M run out from the insertion part  111  is counted for each denomination.  
      The control part  501  determines whether the banknote M remains in the insertion part  111  or not by inputting a detection result of the sensor arranged in the insertion part  111  from the sensor control part  508 . Thereby, running out the banknote M from the insertion part  111  is performed until no banknote M exists therein. If the chit C is inserted into the insertion part  112 , taking in the chit C is started after taking in the banknote M is finished.  
      When the chit C is subsequently taken in, the control part  501  intermittently drives the motor  335 , a power source for the running-out rollers  332 , and thereby the chits C are run out one by one from the insertion part  112  as needed.  
      The judgment part  114  judges the chit C which is run out from the insertion part  112  and carried on the carrying route  113 , and outputs the judgment result to the control part  501 . Based on this judgment result, the control part  501  determines the accommodation part  116  becoming a carrying destination of the chit C run out from the insertion part  112 . The control part  501  directs the solenoid drive  510  to drive the solenoid corresponding to the accommodation part  116 . Thereby, the judged chit C is accommodated in the accommodation part  116 . The number of the chits C run out from the insertion part  112  is counted for each value.  
      The control part  501  determines whether the chit C remains in the insertion part  112  or not by inputting a detection result of the sensor arranged in the insertion part  112  from the sensor control part  508 . Thereby, running out the chit C from the insertion part  112  is performed until no chit C exists therein.  
      When taking-in is finished by running out the last banknote M remaining in the insertion part  111  and accommodating that banknote M in the accommodation part  115 , or accommodating the last chit C remaining in the insertion part  112  in the accommodation part  116 , the control part  501  directs the motor drive part  506  to stop driving the motor being driven. On the display part  502 , the number of the banknotes M or the chits C counted for each denomination and deposit amount are shown, and the user is made to confirm these. After that, when the user notifies the confirmation by operating the operation part  503 , a process such as transmitting the deposit amount from the communications control part  504  to an external device (for example, host computer) is performed, and the transaction regarding deposit is completed. On the display part  502 , a menu screen is displayed.  
      In this embodiment, the two insertion parts  111  and  112  are provided. However, three or more insertion parts can be provided. It is also possible that a plurality of insertion parts are provided by preparing an expansion unit having an insertion part and a mechanism to run out paper sheets inserted therein, and installing one-or more of the expansion units on a main body according to need.  
      As described above, in the present invention, the plurality of insertion parts are provided according to differences of outer shapes or materials of paper sheets, or differences of directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted, and the paper sheets respectively inserted into the plurality of insertion parts are carried.  
      It becomes possible to take in more various paper sheets through the insertion parts by providing the plurality of insertion parts according to the differences of outer shapes, materials, or directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted. Therefore, more various paper sheets can be dealt.