Patent ID: 12190670

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.FIGS.1to3are diagrams showing a money handling system according to the present embodiment. Among them,FIG.1is a perspective view showing an appearance of the money handling system according to the present embodiment.FIG.2is a side view showing an internal configuration of a banknote handling apparatus in the money handling system shown inFIG.1.FIG.3is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the money handling system shown inFIG.1.

The money handling system according to the present embodiment is located in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores. The money handling system performs deposit processing of banknotes and coins as proceeds from sales and dispense processing of banknotes and coins as change. As shown inFIG.1, the money handling system according to the present embodiment comprises a banknote handling apparatus1and a coin handling apparatus101arranged side by side. In addition, a POS register200is connected to the banknote handling apparatus1so as to be communicable via a LAN or the like. The POS register200is used as a management apparatus for managing the banknote handling apparatus1and coin handling apparatus101. In addition, a settlement table (table or counter) is placed at a settlement area in the store, and the settlement table divides the settlement area into a clerk side and a customer side. The clerk waits on one side of the settlement table. In many cases, the POS register200is arranged on the side on which the clerk waits so that the clerk can operate it. On the other hand, the customer stands on the other side of the settlement table and places products the customer wishes to purchase on the settlement table. Then, the clerk registers the number and price of each product placed on the settlement table in the POS register200. Also, the clerk receives money from the customer and puts it into the money handling system. Details of such a money handling system will be described below.

First, the configuration of the banknote handling apparatus1will be described in detail with reference toFIG.2. A side surface on a right side of a housing1a(described later) inFIG.2is a front side of the banknote handling apparatus1(that is, the front side when the banknote handling apparatus1is seen from front as shown inFIG.1). A left direction inFIG.2is a depth direction of the housing1a.

As shown inFIG.2, the banknote handling apparatus1has the substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing1a. In addition, the banknote handling apparatus1has an upper assembly2and a lower assembly3. In the upper assembly2, a banknote inlet unit10, a transporting unit (or transporter)12, a recognition unit (or recognizer)14, and a banknote ejecting unit16are provided, respectively. The banknote inlet unit10is configured to insert banknotes from the outside to the inside of the housing1a. The transporting unit12transports the banknotes inserted into the housing1aby the banknote inlet unit10. The recognition unit14is disposed at the transporting unit12and recognizes each banknote being transported by the transporting unit12. The banknote ejecting unit16is configured to eject banknotes from the inside to the outside of the housing1a.

The banknote inlet unit10is provided with a plurality of rollers such as a feed roller and kicker roller. The lowermost banknote among the banknotes placed in the banknote inlet unit10in a stacked manner by the operator is kicked out one by one by the kicker roller toward the feed roller. This kicked banknote is fed one by one into the housing1aby the feed roller. The banknotes fed into the housing1aby the banknote inlet unit10are transported one by one by the transporting unit12. In addition, the recognition unit14recognizes denomination, authentication, fitness, new/old, face/back, transportation status, and the like of each banknote being transported by the transporting unit12. Each banknote recognized by the recognition unit14is sent by the transporting unit12to each storage/feeding unit20described later for each denomination, for example.

As shown inFIG.2, banknote detecting sensors12aare provided at various places in the transporting unit12. Each banknote detecting sensor12adetects the banknote being transported by the transporting unit12. Each banknote detecting sensor12ais composed of an optical sensor having a light emitting element and light receiving element, and the like. When a light emitted from the light emitting element is obstructed by the banknote being transported by the transporting unit12and is not received by the light receiving element, this banknote is detected by the banknote detecting sensor12a. Detection information of each banknote detected by each banknote detecting sensor12ais sent to a controller50to be described later. Based on the detection result of each banknote by each banknote detecting sensor12a, it is judged by the controller50whether or not an interval between the plurality of banknotes being transported by the transporting unit12is a predetermined size. If the controller50determines that the interval between the plurality of banknotes being transported by the transporting unit12greatly differs from the predetermined size, abnormal transportation, such as skew, linkage, chain, and the like of the banknote that is being transported by the transporting unit12is detected.

In the upper assembly2, two banknote storage units18,19(specifically, capture bins) are connected to the transporting unit12. In each banknote storage unit18,19, the banknotes sent from the transporting unit12are stored, respectively. However, the banknotes stored in each banknote storage unit18,19can not be fed out from these banknote storage units18,19to the transporting unit12. The positions of these banknote storage units18,19are designed so that the banknotes can be sent from the transporting unit12to each of the banknote storage units18,19in case of both deposit and dispense processing of banknotes. In the present embodiment, one banknote storage unit among the two banknote storage units18,19(for example, the banknote storage unit19closer to the banknote ejecting unit16) is selected as a storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note (that is, a destination where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note is to be transported) is to be transported, by a destination selector52to be described later. Also, when dispense processing of banknotes is performed, a banknote that is fed out from each storage/feeding unit20to be described later to the transporting unit12but can not be ejected to the outside of the housing1aby the banknote ejecting unit16(specifically, the banknote of abnormal transportation, for example) is sent from the transporting unit12to the other banknote storage unit (for example, the banknote storage unit18far from the banknote ejecting unit16). Details of such technical matters will be described later.

Further, as shown inFIG.2, the transporting unit12is located so as to extend over the upper assembly2and lower assembly3. In the lower assembly3, a plurality (four in the example shown inFIG.2) of storage/feeding units20are connected to the transporting unit12. Each storage/feeding unit20stores banknotes sent from the transporting unit12. In addition, the banknotes stored in each storage/feeding unit20can be fed out one by one to the transporting unit12. More specifically, each of the uppermost storage/feeding unit20and lowermost storage/feeding unit20among the four storage/feeding units20has one drum22. Then, the banknotes sent from the transporting unit12are wound on the drum22together with a pair of tapes in a state of being sandwiched between the pair of tapes one by one. When the drum22rotates in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the tapes, as the tapes are unwound from the drum22, the banknotes sandwiched between the pair of tapes are fed out one by one to the transporting unit12. Each of the second and third storage/feeding units20from the top among the four storage/feeding units20has two drums24and26. The two drums24and26have different maximum storage capacities of banknotes. In particular, these storage/feeding units20have two drums24,26with different lengths of tapes to be wound on the drum24,26. The banknotes sent from the transporting unit12are wound on each drum24,26, with the pair of tapes in such a manner that the banknotes are sandwiched between the pair of tapes one by one. When each drum24,26rotates in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the tapes, as the tapes are unwound from the drum24,26, the banknotes sandwiched between the pair of tapes are fed out to the transporting unit12one by one. The length of each tape to be wound on the drum26is larger than the length of each tape to be wound on the drum24. Thus, the maximum storage capacity of banknotes in the drum26is greater than the maximum storage capacity of banknotes in the drum24. In the banknote handling apparatus1according to the present embodiment, instead of using each storage/feeding unit20of tape-reel type as shown inFIG.2, a storage/feeding unit of stacker type for storing banknotes in a stacked manner may be used.

In the lower assembly3, the transporting unit12is provided with a collecting unit30. The collecting unit30is used for collecting banknotes stored in each storage/feeding unit20.

More specifically, a banknote storage bag (not shown) for storing banknotes is detachably attached to the collecting unit30. The banknotes sent from each storage/feeding unit20to the collecting unit30through the transporting unit12are stored in the banknote storage bag. Also, a banknote of denomination not assigned to each storage/feeding unit20is stored in the banknote storage bag attached to the collecting unit30. Further, an overflow banknote that the storage/feeding unit20of the corresponding denomination can not store because of a full state is also stored in the banknote storage bag attached to the collecting unit30. Then, by taking out the banknote storage bag from the collecting unit30, the banknotes are collected from the banknote handling apparatus1with the banknote storage bag in which the banknotes are stored. As the collecting unit30, instead of the banknote storage bag (not shown) for storing the banknotes that is removably attached, a banknote collection cassette for storing the banknotes that is removably attached may be used. In this case, the banknotes sent from the transporting unit12to the collecting unit30are stored in the banknote collection cassette. Then, after the banknotes are stored in the banknote collection cassette, by taking out the banknote collection cassette from the banknote handling apparatus1, the banknotes can be collected from the collecting unit30with the banknote collection cassette in which the banknotes are stored.

Also, in the banknote handling apparatus1according to the present embodiment, the lower assembly3is configured as a safe cabinet of which only an operator having a predetermined authority can access the interior. More specifically, the control competence of the banknotes stored in each storage/feeding unit20and collecting unit30inside the lower assembly3is under a cash in transit company. Then, only the guard of the cash in transit company can access the inside of the lower assembly3by opening a door (not shown) of the lower assembly3. Specifically, a lock mechanism (not shown) for locking the door of the lower assembly3in a closed state is provided. The key or password for unlocking the door locked by the locking mechanism is given only to the operator who is allowed to access the inside of the lower assembly3(for example, the guard of the cash in transit company). Thus, only the guard of the cash in transit company can collect the banknote storage bag attached to the collecting unit30from the inside of the lower assembly3. That is, the clerk and the like of the store can not access the inside of the lower assembly3, so that the clerk can not take out the banknotes stored in each storage/feeding unit20and collecting unit30. As a result, it is possible to enhance the anti-theft property of the banknotes stored in each storage/feeding unit20and collecting unit30.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the banknote ejecting unit16is provided with a shutter mechanism17for opening and closing a banknote outlet of the banknote ejecting unit16. As shown inFIGS.1and2, if the banknote outlet of the banknote ejecting unit16is closed by the shutter mechanism17, the operator can not take out the banknotes, sent from the transporting unit12to the banknote ejecting unit16, from the banknote ejecting unit16to the outside of the housing1a. On the other hand, when the banknote outlet of the banknote ejecting unit16is opened by the shutter mechanism17, the operator can take out the banknotes, sent from the transporting unit12to the banknote ejecting unit16, from the banknote ejecting unit16to the outside of the housing1a. When the banknote handling apparatus1is in a standby state, the shutter mechanism17closes the banknote outlet of the banknote ejecting unit16.

In the present embodiment, each banknote storage unit18,19, each storage/feeding unit20, and collecting unit30are configured such that the stored banknotes are not exposed to the outside. On the other hand, the banknote ejecting unit16is configured such that the stored banknotes can be exposed to the outside.

Next, a detailed configuration of the coin handling apparatus101will be briefly described. The coin handling apparatus101includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing101a, a coin inlet unit110, and a coin ejecting unit172. The coin inlet unit110is configured to insert coins from the outside to the inside of the housing101a. The coin ejecting unit172is configured to eject coins from the inside to the outside of the housing101a. Inside the housing101a, a recognition unit (not shown) and a plurality of storage/feeding units (not shown) in which coins recognized by the recognition unit are stored for each denomination are provided, respectively. The recognition unit recognizes the coins inserted into the housing101aby the coin inlet unit110. Coins fed from each storage/feeding unit are ejected from the inside to the outside of the housing101aby the coin ejecting unit172. A collecting box (not shown) used as an overflow coin storage unit is provided inside the housing101a. The collecting box can be withdrawn to the front side in the horizontal direction with respect to a collecting box accommodating unit (not shown) provided in a lower area of the housing101a. The collecting box stores overflow coins that can not be stored in each storage/feeding unit. Also, coins to be collected that are fed out from each storage/feeding unit are stored in the collecting box. Then, after the coins are stored in the collecting box, the guard and the like of the cash in transit company withdraws the collecting box from the collecting box accommodating unit toward the front side, so that the guard and the like can collect the coins with the collecting box.

Next, a configuration of the control system of the money handling system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.3. As shown inFIG.3, the controller50is provided inside the housing1aof the banknote handling apparatus1. Each component of the banknote handling apparatus1is controlled by the controller50. More specifically, the controller50is connected to each of the banknote inlet unit10, the transporting unit12, each banknote detecting sensor12a, the recognition unit14, the shutter mechanism17, each storage/feeding unit20, and the like. A signal related to the recognition result of each banknote by the recognition unit14and a signal related to the detection result of each banknote by each banknote detecting sensor12aare sent to the controller50. The controller50controls the components such as the banknote inlet unit10, the transporting unit12, the shutter mechanism17, and each storage/feeding unit20by sending command signals to each component. A controller180for controlling each component of the coin handling apparatus101is provided in the housing101aof the coin handling apparatus101. The controller50provided inside the housing1aof the banknote handling apparatus1and the controller180provided inside the housing101aof the coin handling apparatus101are connected by a signal line. Signals are transmitted between the controller50and the controller180.

As shown inFIG.3, the destination selector52, an operation/display unit (or input interface)54, a memory unit56, and a communication interface unit58are connected to the controller50. The destination selector52selects a storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, from the two banknote storage units18,19. Details of the function of the destination selector52will be described later. Further, the operation/display unit54is composed of, for example, a touch panel provided on the front surface or upper surface of the housing1a. The processing status of banknotes and coins in the banknote handling apparatus1and coin handling apparatus101is displayed on the operation/display unit54. In addition, information such as the amount of banknotes stored in each storage/feeding unit20of the banknote handling apparatus1and coins stored in each storage/feeding unit of the coin handling apparatus101for each denomination are displayed on the operation/display unit54. Further, the operator can input various commands to the controller50of the banknote handling apparatus1and the controller180of the coin handling apparatus101by using the operation/display unit (or input interface)54. In addition, processing history of banknotes and coins in the banknote handling apparatus1and coin handling apparatus101is stored in the memory unit56. Further, information such as the amount of banknotes stored in each storage/feeding unit20of the banknote handling apparatus1and coins stored in each storage/feeding unit of the coin handling apparatus101for each denomination are stored in the memory unit56. In addition, the controller50can transmit and receive a signal to and from an external device (specifically, the POS register200, for example) provided separately from the banknote handling apparatus1and coin handling apparatus101via the communication interface unit58. Also, in the money handling system according to the present embodiment, when a mobile terminal210such as mobile phone, smart phone, iPad (registered trademark) and the like can be used, the controller50can transmit and receive a signal to and from the mobile terminal210via the communication interface unit58.

As shown inFIG.2, the controller50includes a data processing substrate50aand a lower substrate50cprovided inside the lower assembly3, respectively, and an upper substrate50bprovided inside the upper assembly2. The data processing substrate50aand the upper substrate50bare connected to each other, and the upper substrate50band the lower substrate50care connected to each other. The upper substrate50bcontrols each component provided inside the upper assembly2(specifically, the transporting unit12, the shutter mechanism17and the like provided inside the upper assembly2). On the other hand, the lower substrate50ccontrols each component provided inside the lower assembly3(specifically, the transporting unit12, each storage/feeding unit20and the like provided inside the lower assembly3). The recognition result of each banknote by the recognition unit14is sent to the data processing substrate50a. Also, the communication interface unit58is connected to the data processing substrate50a. Various information is sent from the external device such as the POS register200and the mobile terminal210to the data processing substrate50avia the communication interface unit58.

Next, an operation of the money handling system according to the present embodiment will be explained. Specifically, the operation relating to deposit and dispense processing of banknotes in the banknote handling apparatus1will be described below. Note that the operation of the banknote handling apparatus1as described below is performed by the controller50controlling each component of the banknote handling apparatus1.

In the money handling system according to the present embodiment, when deposit processing of banknotes is performed, the storage unit, where the banknote recognized as a counterfeit note or suspect note by the recognition unit14is to be transported, is selected from the two banknote storage units18,19in advance by the destination selector52. Note that the counterfeit note is a banknote which is recognized as clearly not a genuine note (that is, a banknote legitimately issued by a country or regional integrated body consisting of a plurality of countries) by the recognition unit14, and the suspect note is a banknote which is unclear whether a genuine note or counterfeit note in the recognition result by the recognition unit14. In some specific country or regional integrated body that issues money, when a counterfeit note or suspect note is found, it is necessary to collect the found counterfeit note or suspect note and send it to the central bank or the like. Also, when dispense processing of banknotes is performed, the banknote that is fed out from each storage/feeding unit20to the transporting unit12but can not be ejected to the outside of the housing1aby the banknote ejecting unit16(more specifically, abnormal transportation banknote) is sent to a banknote storage unit, that is not selected by the destination selector52as the storage unit where a counterfeit notes or suspect note is to be transported, of the two banknote storage units18,19, as dispense reject banknote.

More specifically, the operator can input information on which of the two banknote storage units18,19is the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note is to be transported, by the operation/display unit54. Based on the information inputted by the operation/display unit54, the destination selector52selects the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes being transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, from the two banknote storage units18,19. Note that the operator may input the information that one of the two banknote storage units18,19is the storage unit, where both counterfeit note and suspect note are to be transported, by the operation/display unit54. In this case, the banknote storage unit selected by the destination selector52from the two banknote storage units18,19stores both counterfeit note and suspect note. On the other hand, dispense reject banknote is sent to the banknote storage unit not selected by the destination selector52. Otherwise, the operator may input information that only one of the two banknote storage units18,19is the storage unit, where one type of a counterfeit note and suspect note is to be transported, by the operation/display unit54. In this case, the banknote storage unit selected by the destination selector52stores one of the counterfeit note and suspect note from the two banknote storage units18,19. On the other hand, the banknote of the other type of the counterfeit note and suspect note, and the dispense reject banknote are sent to the banknote storage unit not selected by the destination selector52.

The destination selector52is not limited to one that selects the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, from the two banknote storage units18,19based on the information inputted by the operation/display unit54. As another embodiment, information on the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, may be transmitted from the external device such as POS register200or mobile terminal210to the controller50via the communication interface unit58. In this case, the destination selector52selects, based on the information received from the external device such as the POS register200or the mobile terminal210via the communication interface unit58, the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, from the two banknote storage units18,19. If information concerning the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, is not inputted to the operation/display unit54, the storage unit, where at least one of the counterfeit note and suspect note is to be transported, may be automatically set to one certain banknote storage unit (specifically, for example, the banknote storage unit19) by the destination selector52. In addition, when information on the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, is not transmitted from the external device such as the POS register200or the mobile terminal210to the controller50via the communication interface unit58, the storage unit, where at least one of the counterfeit note and suspect note is to be transported, may be automatically set to one certain banknote storage unit (specifically, for example, the banknote storage unit19) by the destination selector52. Also, based on a predetermined condition, the storage unit, where at least one of the counterfeit note and suspect note is to be transported, may be automatically set by the destination selector52. The predetermined condition is, for example, one of the business style in which the money handling system is used, the store or area in which the money handling system is installed, the type of operator using the money handling system (for example, a general customer or store clerk) or authority of the operator using the money handling system (for example, administrator or general clerk), and the like. Specifically, for example, when the operator using the money handling system is the general customer, the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note is to be transported, is set to be the banknote storage unit19by the destination selector52. On the other hand, if the operator using money handling system is the store clerk, the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note is to be transported, is set to be the banknote ejecting unit16by the destination selector52.

Next, an operation related to deposit processing of banknotes in the banknote handling apparatus1will be described. In the following description, a case where the banknote storage unit19among the two banknote storage units18,19is selected by the destination selector52as the storage unit, where the banknote recognized as a counterfeit note or suspect note by the recognition unit14is to be transported, when deposit processing of banknotes is performed will be described. First, the operator inputs a start command of deposit processing of banknotes by the operation/display unit54and puts the banknotes into the banknote inlet unit10. The banknotes put into the banknote inlet unit10is fed out one by one into the housing1aby a plurality of rollers such as the feed roller and kicker roller provided in the banknote inlet unit10. Then, the fed banknotes are transported by the transporting unit12. In addition, the denomination, authentication, fitness, new/old, face/back, transportation status, and the like of each banknote transported by the transporting unit12are recognized by the recognition unit14. The banknote judged to be a normal banknote based on the recognition result by the recognition unit14is transported from the upper assembly2to the lower assembly3by the transporting unit12. Then, the banknote transported from the upper assembly2to the lower assembly3is stored in each storage/feeding unit20provided in the lower assembly3for each denomination. On the other hand, the banknote recognized as a counterfeit note or suspect note by the recognition unit14is sent to the banknote storage unit19by the transporting unit12and stored in the banknote storage unit19. In this manner, the banknotes recognized as both counterfeit note and suspect note by the recognition unit14are stored in the banknote storage unit19. Also, a banknote of a denomination which is not assigned to each storage/feeding unit20and an overflow banknote that can not be stored in a corresponding storage/feeding unit20because of a full state are sent to the collecting unit30by the transporting unit12. The banknotes sent to the collecting unit30are stored in the banknote storage bag attached to the collecting unit30. Then, when all the banknotes put into the banknote inlet unit10are fed out into the housing1aand the fed banknotes are sent to each storage/feeding unit20, banknote storage unit19or collecting unit30, deposit processing of banknotes in the banknote handling apparatus1is completed.

Next, an operation related to dispense processing of banknotes in the banknote handling apparatus1will be described. First, the operator inputs the number of banknotes to be dispensed for each denomination, or total monetary amount of banknotes to be dispensed and inputs a start command of dispense processing of banknotes by the operation/display unit54. Then, banknotes to be dispensed are fed out one by one from each storage/feeding unit20to the transporting unit12. The fed banknotes are transported from the lower assembly3to the upper assembly2by the transporting unit12. The banknote judged not to be abnormal transportation based on the detection result by each banknote detecting sensor12ais sent to the banknote ejecting unit16and stacked in the banknote ejecting unit16. If the banknote storage unit19among the two banknote storage units18,19is selected by the destination selector52as the storage unit, where the banknote recognized as a counterfeit note or suspect note by the recognition unit14is to be transported, when deposit processing of banknotes is performed, the banknote judged as abnormal transportation based on the detection result by each banknote detecting sensor12a(that is, dispense reject banknote) is sent to the banknote storage unit18that is not selected by the destination selector52. The banknote sent to the banknote storage unit18is stored in this banknote storage unit18. When all the banknotes to be dispensed are sent to the banknote ejecting unit16and stacked in the banknote ejecting unit16, the banknote outlet of the banknote ejecting unit16is opened by the shutter mechanism17. This allows the operator to take the banknotes out of the housing1afrom the banknote ejecting unit16. In this manner, dispense processing of banknotes in the banknote handling apparatus1is completed.

Next, an operation related to collection processing of banknotes in the banknote handling apparatus1will be described. First, the guard and the like of the cash in transit company inputs a start command of collection processing of banknotes by the operation/display unit54. Then, all the banknotes stored in each storage/feeding unit20are fed out one by one to the transporting unit12. All the fed banknotes are sent to the collecting unit30by the transporting unit12. Specifically, a banknote storage bag (not shown) for storing banknotes is detachably attached to the collecting unit30. The banknotes sent from each storage/feeding unit20to the collecting unit30by the transporting unit12are stored in the banknote storage bag. When all the banknotes are sent from each storage/feeding unit20to the collecting unit30and stored in the banknote storage bag attached to the collecting unit30, the guard and the like of the cash in transit company opens the door of the lower assembly3to take out the banknote storage bag from the collecting unit30. In this manner, the banknotes are collected from the banknote handling apparatus1together with the banknote storage bag. In this way, when the banknote storage bag in which the banknotes are stored is taken out from the banknote handling apparatus1, collection process of banknotes in the banknote handling apparatus1is completed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a banknote recognized as a counterfeit note or suspect note by the recognition unit14is stored in one banknote storage unit (for example, the banknote storage unit19) among the two banknote storage units18,19when deposit processing of banknotes is performed. On the other hand, a dispense reject banknote which can not be dispensed to the outside of the housing1aby the banknote ejecting unit16due to abnormal transportation and the like is stored in the other banknote storage unit (for example, the banknote storage unit18) when dispense processing of banknotes is performed. For this reason, compared with the case where only one banknote storage unit is provided and a banknote recognized as a counterfeit note or suspect note by the recognition unit14and a dispense reject banknote are stored in the same banknote storage unit, it is possible to perform flexible processing of banknotes according to the operation form. Specifically, if only one banknote storage unit is provided and a banknote recognized as a counterfeit note or suspect note by the recognition unit14and a dispense reject banknote are stored in the same banknote storage unit, the following problem may happen. That is, after the banknotes are taken out from the banknote storage unit, the operator must manually sort the banknotes taken out from the banknote storage unit into a counterfeit note, suspect note and dispense reject banknote, and such an operation is laborious for the operator. On the other hand, the banknote handling apparatus1according to the present embodiment can prevent such a problem.

In the banknote handling apparatus1according to the present embodiment, when deposit processing of banknotes is performed, banknote data of deposit processing of one transaction (specifically, information such as serial number of deposited banknote) is temporarily stored in the upper substrate50bof the controller50. On the other hand, banknote data related to the banknote that is judged to be a counterfeit note or suspect note by the recognition unit14and sent to the banknote storage unit (for example, the banknote storage unit19) selected by the destination selector52(that is, capture data, specifically information on serial number and image data of the counterfeit note or suspect note) is temporarily stored in the recognition unit14. When all the banknotes are fed out from the banknote inlet unit10into the housing1aand sent to each storage/feeding unit20, banknote storage unit19or collecting unit30, the data processing substrate50asends a command to the recognition unit14and upper substrate50b, respectively. As a result, capture data is sent from the recognition unit14to the data processing substrate50a. In addition, banknote data of deposit processing of one transaction is sent from the upper substrate50bto the data processing substrate50a. Then, to the capture data and banknote data of deposit processing of one transaction sent to the data processing substrate50a, information on date and time, identification number of money handling system, transaction number, information on presence/absence of return of banknote and the like are given in the data processing substrate50a. Thereafter, the capture data and banknote data of deposit processing of one transaction to which the information on the date and time and the like is given are sent from the data processing substrate50ato the POS register200by the communication interface unit58. In addition, the clerk of the store asks the customer to obtain information on the customer (for example, the identification number of the customers license, the name, the address, and the like), and enters the obtained information into the POS register200. As a result, the customers information is stored in the memory unit of the POS register200. At this time, customer information is linked to capture data and banknote data of deposit processing of one transaction sent to the POS register200from the data processing substrate50a. In this way, when collecting a counterfeit note or suspect note and sending it to the central bank and the like, it is possible to track which customer originally have the counterfeit note or suspect note stored in banknote storage unit19.

In the above description, the mode in which the destination selector52selects the storage unit, where a counterfeit note or suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, from the two banknote storage units18,19has been described. However, in the present embodiment, the destination selector52may select the storage unit, where a counterfeit note or suspect note is to be transported, from the component other than the two banknote storage units18,19. For example, the destination selector52may select the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, from two banknote storage units18,19, each storage/feeding unit20and collecting unit30. Also, the number of banknote storage units provided in the banknote handling apparatus1may be one. In this case, the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, may be selected from this one banknote storage unit, each storage/feeding unit20and collecting unit30by the destination selector52.

As the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, the case where the second or third storage/feeding unit20from the top inFIG.2is selected by the destination selector52will be described. In this case, among the two drums24,26in the storage/feeding unit20, the drum24with a smaller maximum storage capacity of banknotes is assigned as the storage unit where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note is to be transported. In this case, the banknote recognized as a normal banknote based on the recognition result by the recognition unit14, when deposit processing of banknotes is performed, is not send to the drum24of the storage/feeding unit20selected by the destination selector52. On the other hand, the banknote recognized as a counterfeit note or suspect note based on the recognition result by the recognition unit14is stored in the drum24of the storage/feeding unit20selected by the destination selector52. When deposit processing of banknotes is performed, it is considered that the number of banknotes that are recognized as counterfeit notes or suspect notes based on the recognition result by the recognition unit14is not large.

Therefore, as the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note is to be transported, the drum24with a smaller maximum storage capacity of banknotes is assigned among the two drums24,26in the storage/feeding unit20. This makes it possible to store normal banknotes in the drum26with a larger maximum storage capacity of banknotes. Therefore, it is possible to increase the storage amount of the normal banknotes in the entire four storage/feeding units20.

In the present embodiment, the destination selector52may select the banknote ejecting unit16as the storage unit where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported. More specifically, the operator can select and set the storage unit, where a counterfeit note or suspect note is to be transported, from each banknote storage unit18,19and banknote ejecting unit16by the operation/display unit54. If the banknote ejecting unit16is selected as the storage unit, where a counterfeit note or suspect note is to be transported, by the operation/display unit54by the operator, the banknote judged as a counterfeit note or suspect note based on the recognition result by the recognition unit14, when deposit processing of banknotes is performed, is sent to the banknote ejecting unit16by the transporting unit12and stacked in this banknote ejecting unit16. Further, while deposit processing of banknotes is performed, the banknote outlet of the banknote ejecting unit16is closed by the shutter mechanism17. Therefore, the operator can not take out the counterfeit note or suspect note sent to the banknote ejecting unit16to the outside of the housing1a.

Then, when all the banknotes are fed from the banknote inlet unit10into the housing1aand sent to each storage/feeding unit20, banknote ejecting unit16or collecting unit30, if a counterfeit note or suspect note is stacked in the banknote ejecting unit16, a message indicating that a counterfeit note or suspect note exists in the banknote ejecting unit16is displayed on the operation/display unit54. Further, a screen for selecting whether or not the customer (operator) accepts collection of the counterfeit note or suspect note sent to the banknote ejecting unit16is displayed on the operation/display unit54. Then, when the operator inputs to accept collection of the counterfeit note or suspect note sent to the banknote ejecting unit16by the operation/display unit54, this information is notified to the clerk and the like of the store, and the clerk and the like move to the area beside the banknote handling apparatus1. Thereafter, the clerk and the like gives a command to the controller50to open the banknote outlet closed by the shutter mechanism17by the operation/display unit54and the banknote outlet is opened by the shutter mechanism17. After that, if there is a box for collection of a counterfeit note or suspect note near the money handling system, the clerk and the like of the store takes out the counterfeit note or suspect note from the banknote ejecting unit16and put it in an envelope. Then, the clerk or the like of the store puts the envelope storing the counterfeit note or suspect note into the box and the like. On the other hand, if there is no box for collection of a counterfeit note or suspect note beside the money handling system, the clerk and the like of the store takes out a counterfeit note or suspect note from the banknote ejecting unit16. Then, the counterfeit note or suspect note taken out from the banknote ejecting unit16is managed separately at the cash register. In this way, the counterfeit note or suspect note is collected at the store, and the collected counterfeit note or suspect note is sent to the central bank and the like. On the other hand, when the operator inputs a command not to accept collection of the counterfeit note or suspect note sent to the banknote ejecting unit16by the operation/display unit54, a command to open the banknote outlet by the shutter mechanism17is sent to the controller50, and the banknote outlet is opened by the shutter mechanism17. This allows customers to take out the counterfeit note or suspect note from the banknote ejecting unit16.

According to the banknote handling apparatus1of the present embodiment having the above configuration, as the plurality of storage units connected to different places in the transporting unit12and storing banknotes sent from the transporting unit12, at least two (specifically, for example, two banknote storage units18,19) selected from the storage units18,19, each storage/feeding unit20, collecting unit30and banknote ejecting unit16are provided. At least one storage unit is configured such that the stored banknotes are not exposed to the outside. Further, the destination selector52for selecting the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, from a plurality of storage units is provided. The controller50controls the transporting unit12to transport at least one of the counterfeit note and suspect note to the storage unit (for example, banknote storage unit19) selected by the destination selector52among the plurality of storage units. In this manner, at least one storage unit, where the counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, is selected in advance from the plurality of storage units by the destination selector52, and at least one of the counterfeit note and suspect note is transported to the storage unit selected by the destination selector52. This makes it possible to perform flexible processing of banknotes according the operation form as compared with the case where there is only one storage unit capable of storing a counterfeit money or suspect money sent from the transporting unit12.

Further, in the banknote handling apparatus1of the present embodiment, as described above, if the plurality of storage units to be a target selected by the destination selector52as the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, are at least two storage units selected from each banknote storage unit18,19, each storage/feeding unit20, and collecting unit30, all the storage units are configured not to be exposed to the outside.

If the storage/feeding unit20is included in the plurality of storage units to be the target selected by the destination selector52, a counterfeit note or suspect note stored in the storage/feeding unit20can be fed out from the storage/feeding unit20to the transporting unit12and sent to the banknote ejecting unit16, collecting unit30, and the like.

Further, when the banknote ejecting unit16is included in the plurality of storage units to be the storage unit selected by the destination selector52, when the customer requests that a counterfeit note or suspect note is returned, the counterfeit note or suspect note can be ejected to the outside of the housing1aby the banknote ejecting unit16. In addition, if at least one of the counterfeit note and suspect note is transported to the banknote ejecting unit16, when the banknote outlet is closed by the shutter mechanism17as the opening and closing member and then a command to open the banknote outlet is given, the banknote opening is opened by the shutter mechanism17and it becomes possible to access the banknote ejecting unit16from outside the banknote handling apparatus1. By this way, it is possible to return the counterfeit note or suspect note to the customer, or clerk and the like of the store can take out of the counterfeit note or suspect note from the banknote ejecting unit16and put it in the box, cash register, and the like.

In addition, in the banknote handling apparatus1of the present embodiment, as described above, if the banknote ejecting unit16is included in the plurality of storage units to be the target selected by the destination selector52as the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, the following operation is conducted. That is, when at least one of the counterfeit note and suspect note is transported to the banknote ejecting unit16, this information is notified to the operator by the operation/display unit54. In this way, the operation/display unit54functions as a notifying unit for informing the matter when at least one of the counterfeit note and suspect note is transported to the banknote ejecting unit16. It should be noted that such a notifying unit is not limited to the operation/display unit54.

A speaker or the like notifying the operator by sound may be used as the notifying unit, as long as it can notify the operator.

Note that the banknote handling apparatus1and the money handling system according to the present embodiment are not limited to the above-described aspects, and various modifications can be made.

For example, the money handling system according to the present embodiment is not limited to one having the banknote handling apparatus1and coin handling apparatus101. As the money handling system according to the present embodiment, the banknote handling apparatus1may be used as a standalone type.

In the banknote handling apparatus1according to the present embodiment, as the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit note and suspect note among the banknotes transported by the transporting unit12is to be transported, the destination selector52can select two or more storage units among the plurality of storage units. In this case, it is possible to handle the banknotes even when many counterfeit notes or suspect notes are inserted into the banknote handling apparatus1. Note that when sending a dispense reject banknote to one of the two banknote storage units18,19, the destination selector52cannot select the two banknote storage units18,19as the storage unit where a counterfeit note or suspect note is to be transported.

In the above description, the principle of the present invention is applied to the banknote handling apparatus1, but the principle of the present invention may be applied to the coin handling apparatus101. That is, a transporting unit (not shown) configured to transport coins and a plurality of storage units (not shown) connected to different places in the transporting unit and storing coins sent from the transporting unit are respectively provided in the coin handling apparatus101. In the case where at least one storage unit is configured so that the stored coins are not exposed to the outside, a storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit coin and suspect coin among the coins transported by the transporting unit is to be transported, may be selected from a plurality of storage units by a destination selector (not shown). In this case, when deposit processing of coins is performed, the controller180controls the transporting unit to transport at least one of the counterfeit coin and suspect coin to the storage unit selected by the destination selector among the plurality of storage units. Further, when dispense processing of coins is performed, the controller180controls the transporting unit to transport the coin not to be dispensed (specifically, dispense reject coin) among the coins fed out from a storage/feeding unit (not shown) to a storage unit that is not selected by the destination selector among the plurality of storage units. Even in such a coin handling apparatus101, similar to the banknote handling apparatus1described above, the storage unit, where at least one of a counterfeit coin and suspect coin among coins transported by the transporting unit is to be transported, is selected from a plurality of storage units by the destination selector in advance. Then, at least one of the counterfeit coin and suspect coin is transported to the selected storage unit. This makes it possible to perform flexible processing of coins according to the operation form as compared with the case where there is only one storage unit that can store the counterfeit coin or suspect coin sent from the transporting unit.