Patent ID: 12223793

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Medium Processing Device>

Hereinbelow, a medium processing device1according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG.1is a schematic cross-sectional view of the overall configuration of the medium processing device1according to the embodiment as viewed from the front.

FIG.2is a front view of a counting unit2and a stacking unit3of the medium processing device1according to the embodiment.

FIG.3is a schematic cross-sectional view of the counting unit2and the stacking unit3of the medium processing device1according to the embodiment as viewed from the front.

FIG.4is a perspective view of the counting unit2and the stacking unit3as viewed from the stacking unit3side.

FIG.5is a perspective view of the stacking unit3as seen from the counting unit2side, and shows a state in which the cover is removed.

FIG.6is a perspective view of the stacking unit3as seen from the stacking unit4side, and shows a state in which the cover is removed.

The medium processing device1is a device configured by combining units having one or a plurality of functions. One or more functions include, for example, a function of classifying media such as paper sheets and coins by type (for example, by denomination) and stacking in predetermined numbers set in advance, and a function of sealing every predetermined number of a medium such as paper sheets and coins that have been stacked. In the medium processing device1, a desired series of functions can be exhibited by connecting one or a plurality of units (for example, stacking units3to6or a sealing unit (not shown)) to the counting unit2, which is the device main body. A unit having one or more functions connected to the counting unit2is also called an expansion unit.

In the medium processing device1, the counting unit2controls the operation of expansion units (in the embodiment, the stacking units3to6). In the control system of the medium processing device1, the counting unit2is located on the upper side and the expansion unit is located on the lower side. In this medium processing device1, an operator (not shown) operates an operation display portion24(display device, seeFIG.2) provided in the counting unit2to instruct an operation, whereby a predetermined operation is performed in response to the operation instruction.

As the medium processing device1according to the embodiment, a case where four stacking units3to6having different numbers of stacking portions are connected to the counting unit2will be described as an example. The medium processing device1has a function of classifying paper sheets100such as banknotes, securities, and gold tickets charged into a receiving portion21of the counting unit2according to the type (for example, denomination) of each paper sheet100, and stacking the paper sheets in predetermined numbers in each of the stacking portions32,42,52, and62of the stacking units3to6in which stacking locations are set in advance for each type of paper sheet100.

In the following description, the operation display portion24side (front side of the paper surface inFIG.1) of the medium processing device1is defined as the front surface, and the opposite side of the operation display portion24of the medium processing device1(the back side of the paper surface inFIG.1) is defined as the back surface or rear surface. Further, when the medium processing device1is viewed from the front, the counting unit2side is defined as on the right side (the right side of the paper surface inFIG.1), and when the medium processing device1is viewed from the front, the plurality of stacking units3to6are defined as on the left side (the left side of the paper surface inFIG.1). Further, a reject portion23side (upper side of the paper surface inFIG.1) is defined as the upper side when the medium processing device1is viewed from the front, and the receiving portion21side (lower side of the paper surface inFIG.1) is defined as the lower side when the medium processing device1is viewed from the front. Further, in the medium processing device1, in the conveying direction in which the paper sheets100charged into the receiving portion21of the counting unit2are conveyed to the stacking units3to6, the receiving portion21side is defined as the upstream side, while the stacking portion32,42,52,62side is defined as the downstream side.

<Counting Unit>

First, the counting unit2of the medium processing device1will be described.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the counting unit2includes the receiving portion21, a counting main body22, the reject portion23, an operation display portion24(seeFIG.2), and a control portion25. The unprocessed paper sheets100are charged into the receiving portion21. The counting main body22identifies and conveys the charged paper sheets100. Rejected paper sheets are stacked in the reject portion23. The operation display portion24is used for operating the medium processing device1. The control portion25controls the entire medium processing device1. In the embodiment, the paper sheets100charged into the receiving portion21are banknotes having a rectangular shape in a plan view, for example, a 10,000 yen bill, a 5,000 yen bill, a 2,000 yen bill, a 1,000 yen bill, or the like.

As shown inFIG.3, the receiving portion21is provided in the lower right region of the counting unit2when viewed from the front. The receiving portion21has an opening portion211, a bottom wall212, a side wall213, a back wall214, a front wall215(seeFIG.2), a bill press216, and a kick-out roller217. The opening portion211is always open across the front surface and right surface at the lower right side of the counting unit2. The paper sheets100are placed on the bottom wall212. The side wall213is provided along the left edge of the bottom wall212and is provided vertically upward with respect to the bottom wall212. The back wall214is provided on the back side of the receiving portion21and covers at least the entire back surface of the opening portion211. The front wall215is provided on the front surface side facing the back wall214. The bill press216presses the paper sheets100placed on the bottom wall212from the upper side toward the bottom wall212side. The kick-out roller217is provided below the bottom wall212. A receiving space for storing the charged paper sheets100is formed by the bottom wall212, the side wall213, the back wall214, and the front wall215described above.

The bottom wall212is a flat surface. The paper sheets100are placed in a state where one surface of the paper sheets100is in contact with the flat surface of the bottom wall212. The bottom wall212is provided so as to be inclined to the upper right side with respect to the horizontal plane when viewed from the front. The plurality of paper sheets100placed on the bottom wall212are offset to the left along the inclination of the bottom wall212. As a result, the plurality of paper sheets100placed on the bottom wall212are stacked in the receiving space in a state of a long side portion of each paper sheet100abutting the side wall provided along the left edge of the bottom wall212whereby the positions are aligned in the width direction.

The distance between the back wall214and the front wall215is set to be slightly longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the paper sheets100. Therefore, at least either one of both short sides of the plurality of paper sheets100placed on the bottom wall212abuts either the back wall214or the front wall215, whereby the paper sheets100are stacked in the receiving space in a state of the positions thereof in the longitudinal direction being substantially aligned by the back wall214and the front wall215.

In the side wall213, a through hole (not shown) penetrating the side wall213in the thickness direction is provided in the vicinity of the bottom wall212. This through hole (not shown) is provided along the edge of the bottom wall212side of the side wall213, and is longer than the long side portion of the paper sheet100. Therefore, after being separated one by one from the bottom layer in the stacked state by the kick-out roller217(seeFIG.3) provided in the lower side of the bottom wall212, the paper sheets100stacked on the bottom wall212are conveyed to the counting main body22side by passing through the through hole (not illustrated) of the side wall213.

The plurality of paper sheets100are conveyed one by one from the through hole (not shown) provided in the side wall213to the counting main body22side in a state where the long side portion is in contact with the side wall213. Therefore, the plurality of paper sheets100are conveyed in the medium processing device1with the width direction being the conveying direction.

The bill press216is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction along the side wall213.

The bill press216presses the paper sheets100from the upper side to the lower side with a force corresponding to the number of paper sheets100stacked in the receiving space (thickness of the paper sheets100in the stacked state). Thereby, in the receiving portion21, at least the paper sheet at the lowest layer of the stacked paper sheets100is in close contact with the bottom wall212, and so separation of the paper sheets100can be accurately performed by the kick-out roller217.

As shown inFIG.3, the counting main body22includes a take-in roller221, a separation roller222, an endo-counting unit conveying mechanism223, a detection portion224, and an identifying portion225. The take-in roller221takes in the paper sheets100conveyed from the receiving portion21(receiving space) into the counting main body22. The separation roller222separates the paper sheets100taken in by the take-in roller221one by one. The conveying mechanism223in the counting unit conveys the taken-in paper sheets100. The detection portion224performs detection of the taken-in paper sheets100and the taken-in state. The identifying portion225identifies the authenticity of the taken-in paper sheets100and the like. An identification device is composed of the detection portion224and the identifying portion225.

The take-in roller221and the separation roller222are provided in the vicinity of the downstream side of the through hole (not shown) of the side wall213. The take-in roller221and the separation roller22are arranged so as to face each other in the thickness direction of the paper sheets100. The paper sheets100are sandwiched between the take-in roller221and the separation roller222, to be delivered one by one to the endo-counting unit conveying mechanism223by the rotation of these rollers221and222.

The endo-counting unit conveying mechanism223has a take-in conveyance path223a, an identification conveyance path223b, a reject side conveyance path223c, and a carry-out side conveyance path223d. The take-in conveyance path223aconveys the paper sheets100taken in from the receiving portion21into the counting main body22. The identification conveyance path223bis connected to the end portion of the take-in conveyance path223aopposite to the receiving portion21. The reject side conveyance path223cis connected to the opposite end of the take-in conveyance path223ain the identification conveyance path223b. The carry-out side conveyance path223dis an end portion of the identification conveyance path223band is connected to the same end portion as the end portion to which the reject side conveyance path223cis connected.

The take-in conveyance path223ais coupled to a through hole (not shown) of the side wall213in the receiving portion21, and is provided extending from the receiving portion21side to the left side. The detection portion224is provided on the downstream side of the take-in roller221and the separation roller222in the take-in conveyance path223a.

The detection portion224detects whether or not the paper sheets100have been taken into the counting main body22and detects the conveyance state of the taken-in paper sheets100. The detection portion224detects the presence or absence of double feeding from the light transmittance or the physical thickness of the conveyed paper sheets100. Double feeding means a state in which at least a part of two or more paper sheets100are overlapped. The detection portion224also detects the presence or absence of skew from the deviation of the detection timing of each of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the paper sheets100being conveyed. Skew means that the paper sheets100are conveyed in a state where the short side portion of the paper sheets100is inclined with respect to the conveying direction. Moreover, the detection portion224detects the presence or absence of near feed of the paper sheets100from the interval of each detection timing of the paper sheets100adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. In this way, the counting main body22can detect double feed, skew, and near feed of the paper sheets100by the detection portion224, and determine whether or not the paper sheets100are normally conveyed.

The identification conveyance path223bextends substantially perpendicular to the take-in conveyance path223afrom the end on the opposite side of the receiving portion21in the take-in conveyance path223a. The identifying portion225is provided at an intermediate position of this identification conveyance path223b.

The identifying portion225has an optical sensor (not shown) and an imaging device (not shown). The optical sensor has a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light having different wavelengths and a light receiving element that receives the light emitted from these light emitting elements. The image pickup device acquires the image information of the paper sheet100when the paper sheet100conveyed along the identification conveyance path223bis irradiated with light of a predetermined frequency from the light emitting element.

The identifying portion225emits visible light and ultraviolet rays from a plurality of light emitting elements at the paper sheets100conveyed along the identification conveyance path223b. The identifying portion225acquires by an imaging device image information of the paper sheets100at the time of irradiation with visible light and the time of irradiation with ultraviolet rays. The identifying portion225compares this acquired image information with reference image data created in advance for each type of the paper sheet100, and specifies the type of reference image data that can be determined to match as the type (denomination) of the paper sheet100.

The paper sheet whose type (denomination) is specified by the existence of the reference image data that matches in this way is specified as the paper sheet100with no identification abnormality. The paper sheets100with no identification abnormality are conveyed to the carry-out side conveyance path223d, which will be described later, to be delivered to a common conveyance path311of the stacking unit3. On the other hand, a paper sheet whose type cannot be specified because there is no matching reference image data is specified as a paper sheet100having an identification abnormality. The paper sheets100having the identification abnormality become the rejected paper sheets that are conveyed to the reject side conveyance path223cto be stored in the reject portion23.

The reject side conveyance path223cextends from the branch portion provided at the other end of the identification conveyance path223bto the vicinity of the reject portion23.

The reject portion23is provided in the upper right area of the counting unit2when viewed from the front. The reject portion23has an opening portion231, a bottom wall232, a side wall233, a back wall234, and an impeller235. The opening portion231is always open across the front surface and the right side surface on the upper right side of the counting unit2. The paper sheets100are placed on the bottom wall232. The side wall233is provided along the left edge of the bottom wall232and is provided vertically upward with respect to the bottom wall232. The back wall234is provided on the back side of the reject portion23and covers at least the entire back surface of the opening portion231. The bottom wall232, the side wall233, and the back wall234described above form a reject space for storing rejected paper sheets.

The bottom wall232is a flat surface. The rejected paper sheets are placed in a state where one surface of the rejected paper sheets is in contact with the flat surface of the bottom wall232. The bottom wall232is provided so as to be inclined to the upper right side with respect to the horizontal plane when viewed from the front. The plurality of rejected paper sheets placed on the bottom wall232are offset to the left. As a result, the plurality of rejected paper sheets are stacked in the reject space in a state of a long side portion of each paper sheet100abutting the side wall233provided along the left edge of the bottom wall232whereby the positions are aligned in the width direction.

The impeller235is provided on the upper side of the bottom wall232and near the end of the reject side conveyance path223c. The impeller235includes a rotating body235arotatably provided around the rotation axis and a plurality of blade bodies235bprovided at equal intervals over the entire circumference of the rotating body235ain the circumferential direction.

Each blade body235bis curved in the same direction along the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the rotating body235afrom the base end portion on the rotating body235aside to the outer tip portion. In the embodiment, each blade body235bis curved counterclockwise along the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the rotating body235a. As a result, the rejected paper sheets conveyed one by one along the reject side conveyance path223care delivered one by one between mutually adjacent blade235band blade235bof the impeller235, and thereby conveyed while rotating to the reject space side.

When the rejected paper sheets accommodated between the mutually adjacent blade235band the blade235babut the side wall233and are fed out from between the blade235band the blade235b, they are sequentially placed on the bottom wall232while being pushed toward the bottom wall232side by the rearward blade body235bin the rotation direction. That is, the rejected paper sheets are judged as being rejected paper sheets and so fed out to the reject portion23to be stacked in order from bottom to top, in the order in which they were taken into the counting main body22from the receiving portion21.

The reject portion23has a reject paper sheet detection sensor (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of rejected paper sheets stacked in the reject space, and a reject paper sheet notification portion (not shown) in which the lighting state is switched on the basis of the detection result of this reject paper sheet detection sensor.

The reject paper sheet detection sensor (not shown) is a sensor provided so as to be able to detect the presence/absence of rejected paper sheets and the stacking state in the reject space of the reject portion23. As this sensor, various sensors such as an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a capacitance sensor can be used. Either a transmissive sensor or a reflective sensor may be used as the optical sensor, which can detect the presence/absence and stacking state of rejected paper sheets in the reject space by detecting, with a light receiving element, the light receiving level of light emitted from the light emitting element. The magnetic sensor can detect the presence/absence and the stacking state of rejected paper sheets in the reject space by measuring the change in the magnetic flux generated in the reject space. The capacitance sensor can detect the presence/absence and the stacking state of rejected paper sheets in the reject space by measuring the change in the capacitance in the reject space.

The reject paper sheet notification portion (not shown) has a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The reject paper sheet notification portion changes the notification mode on the basis of the detection result of rejected paper sheets in the reject space detected by the reject paper sheet detection sensor. For example, the reject paper sheet notification portion may turn on the LED when it is detected by the reject paper sheet detection sensor that a rejected paper sheet is present in the reject space. The reject paper sheet notification portion may turn off the LED when it is detected by the reject paper sheet detection sensor that there is no rejected paper sheet in the reject space. Further, the reject paper sheet notification portion may blink the LED when the rejected paper sheets stacked in the reject space are in the full state.

It is preferable that the reject paper sheet notification portion (not shown) described above be provided at a position easily visible by the operator. For example, the bottom wall232of the reject portion23may be formed of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin material or the like, and the above-mentioned LED may be provided under the transparent or translucent bottom wall232. As a result, the light emitted from the LED of the reject paper sheet notification portion illuminates the entire transparent or translucent bottom wall232and becomes visible to the operator (not shown) through the opening portion231. Examples of the transparent or translucent synthetic resin material described above include an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, and the like.

The reject paper sheet notification portion (not shown) may be provided in a cover236(seeFIG.2) that covers the upper side of the reject portion23. In this case as well, by forming the cover236with a transparent acrylic resin or the like, the light emitted from the LED of the reject paper sheet notification portion illuminates the entire transparent cover236, and since the cover236is arranged at a height position closer to the line of sight of the operator (not shown), it is easily viewable by the operator (not shown).

The carry-out side conveyance path223dthat branches from the branch portion of the identification conveyance path223band extends to the left side is connected to an endo-stacking unit conveying mechanism31of the stacking unit3.

The counting unit2has a control portion25. The control portion25includes an arithmetic logic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores a control program for controlling the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6, and reference image data (master data) that serves as a reference for identification by the identifying portion225described above, and the like. The RAM stores data and the like of the identification and counting result. The control portion25implements each function for controlling the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6by loading the control program stored in the ROM.

<Stacking Unit>

Next, the stacking unit3connected to the counting unit2will be described.

As shown inFIG.3, the stacking unit3includes a stacking main body portion30, the endo-stacking unit conveying mechanism31, the stacking portion32, an impeller33, a control portion34, a storage portion35, an optical sensor36, and a status display portion37(seeFIG.2).

The control portion34and the storage portion35are housed inside the stacking main body portion30. The control portion34is an arithmetic computation unit such as a CPU, and controls the entire stacking unit3by executing a control program stored in the storage portion35. The storage portion35is a storage device such as a ROM or RAM. In the storage portion35, in addition to the control program for performing the overall control of the stacking unit3, the calculation result by the control portion34and the like are temporarily stored. Further, type information (seeFIG.9) for distinguishing the type of the stacking unit3(for example, types such as the stacking unit and the sealing unit) and identification information for identifying the stacking unit3(the unique ID of the CPU or the unique ID of the communication device: seeFIG.18) are stored in advance in the storage portion35.

As shown inFIG.5, the stacking main body portion30is a tubular member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Partition walls301and301for partitioning with other units are provided on the counting unit2side (right side) and the other stacking units4to6side (left side) of the stacking main body portion30, respectively.

Two unit coupling pins302and302are provided on the upper side of the partition wall301on the counting unit2side of the counting main body portion30. The two unit coupling pins302and302are provided at the same height position and are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The unit coupling pins302and302fit into unit coupling holes (not shown) provided at corresponding positions in the partition wall (not shown) on the stacking unit side of the counting unit2, or coupling holes303(seeFIG.6) provided at the corresponding positions of the partition wall in another stacking unit. Thereby, the counting unit2and each of the stacking units3to6are positioned and integrally coupled in a state of the positions thereof in the vertical direction and the left-right direction being matched.

Returning toFIG.3, the endo-stacking unit conveying mechanism31has the common conveyance path311and a branch conveyance path312. The common conveyance path311and the branch conveyance path312are driven independently by separate drive motors.

The common conveyance path311is provided on the upper side of the stacking main body portion30and extends in the horizontal direction (left-right direction). A conveyance inlet portion311a(seeFIG.5) is provided on the counting unit2side of the common conveyance path311. The conveyance inlet portion311ais continuously connected to the carry-out side conveyance path223dof the counting unit2in a state in which the counting unit2is connected to the stacking unit3. Therefore, the common conveyance path311of the stacking unit3and the carry-out side conveyance path223dof the counting unit2are integrally coupled, and the paper sheets100conveyed from the carry-out side conveyance path223dof the counting unit2are delivered to the common conveyance path311of the stacking unit3.

As shown inFIG.3, in the common conveyance path311, an optical sensor36for detecting the paper sheets100is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance inlet portion311a. The optical sensor36is arranged at a position where the paper sheets100conveyed along the common conveyance path311can be detected. When the optical sensor36detects the paper sheets100conveyed along the common conveyance path311, the optical sensor36generates a signal indicating that the paper sheets100have been detected and transmits the signal to the control portion25of the counting unit2.

A conveyance outlet311b(seeFIG.6) is provided on the opposite side (stacking unit4side) of the common conveyance path311from the counting unit2. The conveyance outlet portion311bis continuously connected to a conveyance inlet portion411aof a common conveyance path411in the stacking unit4in a state where the stacking unit4is connected to the side opposite to the counting unit2of the stacking unit3. Therefore, the common conveyance path311of the stacking unit3and the common conveyance path411of the stacking unit4are integrally coupled, and the paper sheets100conveyed from the common conveyance path311of the stacking unit3are delivered to the common conveyance path411of the stacking unit4.

Returning toFIG.3, a branch conveyance path312is provided on the conveyance outlet portion311bside of the common conveyance path311. The branch conveyance path312extends in a direction different from the horizontal direction in which the common conveyance path311extends.

The branch conveyance path312extends from the common conveyance path311in the downward direction perpendicular to the common conveyance path311. By switching the conveyance path of the paper sheets100conveyed along the common conveyance path311to the branch conveyance path312, the paper sheets100are conveyed along the branch conveyance path312in a downward direction perpendicular to the common conveyance path311, which is a direction different from the horizontal direction. Switching between conveying the paper sheets100conveyed on the common conveyance path311to the common conveyance path411of the stacking unit4coupled to the stacking unit3or to the branch conveyance path312is performed by a conveyance sorting mechanism (not shown). A selection is made by this conveyance sorting mechanism (not shown) whether to convey the paper sheets100to the common conveyance path411of the stacking unit4or to convey the paper sheets100to the branch conveyance path312side, whereby the conveyance direction of the paper sheets100is switched.

A plurality of horizontal conveyance paths312aconnected to each of a plurality of intermediate positions of the branch conveyance path312are provided. Each horizontal conveyance path312aextends substantially horizontally. In the embodiment, the four horizontal conveyance paths312aare connected to the branch conveyance path312at four intermediate positions at substantially equal intervals. Each horizontal conveyance path312aextends to the vicinity of the corresponding stacking portion32. The selection of which horizontal conveyance path312ato distribute the paper sheets100from the branch conveyance path312and the sorting is performed by a conveyance sorting mechanism (not shown) similar to the conveyance sorting mechanism described above.

An impeller33is provided at the end of each horizontal conveyance path312aon the stacking portion32side. The impeller33is rotatably provided around a rotation axis provided near the end of the horizontal conveyance path312a. The impeller33has the same configuration as the impeller235described above. The impeller33includes a rotating body331rotatably provided around the rotation axis and a plurality of blade bodies332provided at equal intervals over the entire circumference of the rotating body331in the circumferential direction.

Each blade body332is curved in the same direction along the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the rotating body331from the base end portion on the rotating body331side to the outer tip portion. In the embodiment, each blade body332is curved counterclockwise along the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the rotating body331. As a result, the paper sheets100conveyed along the horizontal conveyance path312aare delivered one by one between the mutually adjacent blade body332and the blade body332of the impeller33, and thereby conveyed while rotating to the stacking portion32side.

The paper sheets100accommodated between the mutually adjacent blade body332and the blade body332abut an accommodation bottom wall322of the stacking portion32, which will be described later, are fed out from between the blade body332and the blade body332, and then sequentially stacked in the stacking portion32while being pushed toward the accommodation bottom wall322side by the rearward blade body332in the rotation direction.

As shown inFIG.2, a plurality of stacking portions32are arranged in the vertical direction of the stacking main body portion30in the stacking unit3. In the stacking unit3of the embodiment, four stacking portions32are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the vertical direction of the stacking main body portion30. Since each of the stacking portions32has the same configuration, one stacking portion32of the four stacking portions32will be described in the present specification.

The stacking portion32includes an opening portion321that is always open on the front side, the accommodation bottom wall322, an accommodation back wall323that covers at least the back side of the opening portion321, and a sliding stage324on which the paper sheets100are placed. The accommodation bottom wall322, the accommodation back wall323, and the sliding stage324of the stacking portion32form a stacking space for stacking and accommodating a plurality of the paper sheets100.

The accommodation bottom wall322of the stacking portion32is a flat surface. The paper sheets100are stacked in a state where a long side portion of each of the paper sheets100, which are paid out one by one from the impeller33, is in contact with the flat surface of the stacking portion32. The flat surface of the accommodation bottom wall322is inclined to the lower right side with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the plurality of paper sheets100placed on the accommodation bottom wall322are offset to the left side in the state of a long side portion thereof being abutted against the accommodation bottom wall322, and one surface abutting the sliding stage324(the movable wall324adescribed later). Therefore, the paper sheets100are stacked in the stacking space in a state of the positions thereof in the width direction being aligned.

The sliding stage324includes the movable wall324aagainst which one surface of each of the paper sheets100abuts, and a slide mechanism324b(seeFIG.4) that slides this movable wall324ain the front direction and the back direction of the stacking main body portion30.

The movable wall324ais provided along the right edge of the accommodation bottom wall322, and is provided to be rotatable in a predetermined angle range with an axis provided along the right edge of the accommodation bottom wall322serving as the rotation axis. In the embodiment, the movable wall324ais provided to be rotatably movable between an extraction position P1(position of the movable wall324ain the second stage from the top ofFIG.2) located in a substantially perpendicular state with respect to the accommodation bottom wall322, and a stacking position P2(the position of the movable wall324aat the uppermost stacking portion32inFIG.2) which is rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction (counterclockwise) closer to the accommodation bottom wall322than the extraction position P1.

When the movable wall324ais at the stacking position P2, the movable wall324ais in a state of being slightly tilted toward the extraction position (accommodation bottom wall322) with respect to the vertical line. Therefore, when a plurality of paper sheets100are brought into contact with the movable wall324ain a state of being stacked, the movable wall324ais pressed toward the extraction position P1side by the weight of the paper sheets100.

On the other hand, the movable wall324ais biased toward the stacked position P2direction by a biasing member324c(seeFIG.2) such as a spring. When the weight of the paper sheets100stacked on the movable wall324abecomes larger than the biasing force of the spring, the movable wall324arotates in the direction of the extraction position P1by an amount corresponding to the number of the paper sheets100stacked on the movable wall324a. When paper sheets100equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, 300 sheets) are stacked on the movable wall324a, the movable wall324arotates until the extraction position P1and stops.

As shown inFIG.4, the slide mechanism324bhas a guide (not shown) that slidably supports the movable wall324ain the front direction and the back direction, and a drive motor (not shown) that slides the movable wall324ain the front direction or the back direction along the guide.

In the stacking unit3, the drive motor is driven to slide the movable wall324ain the front direction along the guide, whereby it is possible to position at least a portion of the paper sheets100stacked on the movable wall324ain the longitudinal direction on the outer side of the opening portion321of the stacking portion32(position of the movable wall324ain the second-stage stacking portion32from the top inFIG.4). As a result, in the stacking unit3, the operator (not shown) can easily take out the paper sheets100from the stacking portion32.

The stacking portion32includes a paper sheet notification unit (not shown) having the same configuration as the reject paper sheet notification unit (not shown) described above. The paper sheet notification unit performs notifications such as turning on, off, and blinking of an LED in accordance with presence/absence of paper sheets in the stacking portion32, the amount of paper sheets (for example, a full state), and the like.

As shown inFIG.4, in the stacking main body portion30, a status display portion37corresponding to the stacking portion32is provided on the left side adjacent to each stacking portion32.

The status display portion37has a liquid crystal display portion37a, and this liquid crystal display portion37adisplays a status such as the number of paper sheets100stacked in the stacking space of the stacking portion32.

As shown inFIG.1, in the embodiment, the stacking units3to6are connected to the counting unit2in this order. The stacking unit4has three stacking portions42. The stacking unit5has two stacking portions52. The stacking unit6has one stacking portion62. These stacking units4to6differ only in the number of the stacking portions42,52,62respectively provided in the stacking units4to6, and have the same (common) functions with the same configurations as the endo-stacking unit conveying mechanism31and the conveyance sorting mechanism (not shown) described above, such as endo-stacking unit conveying mechanisms41,51,61and a conveyance sorting mechanism (not shown). In the stacking units4to6, the same configuration as the stacking unit3described above will be described as necessary without detailed description.

As described above, in the medium processing device1, different types of expansion units having various functions are connected (expansively added) to the counting unit2in accordance with the number of types of media and the processing content. For example, in the medium processing device1, one or a plurality of types of stacking units and/or a sealing unit for sealing stacked paper sheets can be connected to the counting unit2. As a result, the medium processing device1can flexibly respond to changes in functions (stacking, sealing, and the like) required by the user, and so it is easy to increase variations without changing the design.

As described above, in the medium processing device1, a plurality of types of stacking units3to6having different numbers of stacking portions are connected to the counting unit2. A connection cable is connected to a respective connection terminal in each of the stacking units3to6. This connection cable is connected to a connection port provided in the counting unit2.

Here, in the counting unit, in order to determine to which stacking portion of the target stacking unit preset for each type of paper sheet the paper sheets charged into the receiving portion should be sorted and stacked, it is necessary to set the connection order of the stacking units connected to the counting unit. Therefore, the installation worker who installs the medium processing device needs to connect the connection cable of each stacking unit to a predetermined connection port provided on the counting unit in order. However, when the number of stacking units connected to the counting unit increases, there is a risk that the installation worker will make a mistake in the connection order of the connection cables of the stacking units connected to the connection ports of the counting unit.

Therefore, in the medium processing device1according to the embodiment, the setting of the connection order of the stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2can be accurately performed regardless of the connection order of the connection cable of each stacking unit3to6to the connection port of the counting unit2by the installation worker.

<Example of Connection of Expansion Unit>

Hereinbelow, a connection example of the stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2will be described.

FIG.7is a diagram illustrating a method of setting the connection order of the stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2.

FIG.8is a diagram illustrating a method of setting the connection order when the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6are connected in parallel.

FIG.9is a diagram showing an example of a connection relationship when the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6are connected in parallel. In the example ofFIG.9, the connection relationship by the cables between the counting portion2and each of the stacking units3to6is parallel.

FIG.10is a diagram illustrating an example of the reception status of the reception signal generated by each of the stacking units3to6in the counting unit2when the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6are connected in parallel.

As shown inFIG.8, in the medium processing device1according to the embodiment, four different types of stacking units3,4,5, and6are coupled to the counting unit2in this order. Connection ports30a,40a,50a,60arespectively provided in the stacking units3to6and connection ports P1to Pn provided in the counting unit2are connected by connection cables38,48,58,68. Therefore, the stacking units3to6and the counting unit2are connected in parallel by the connection cables38,48,58,68. Information is transmitted and received via these connection cables. In the medium processing device1, the number of connection ports P1to Pn provided in the counting unit2is the maximum number of stacking units that can be connected to one counting unit2.

In the examples shown inFIGS.8and9, the connection cable38is connected to the connection port30aof the stacking unit3and the connection port P1of the counting unit2. The connection cable48is connected to the connection port40aof the stacking unit4having the three stacking portions42and the connection port P3of the counting unit2. The connection cable58is connected to the connection port50aof the stacking unit5having the two stacking portions52and the connection port P2of the counting unit2. The connection cable68is connected to the connection port60aof the stacking unit6having one stacking portion62and the connection port P4of the counting unit2.

As shown inFIGS.7and10, when the paper sheets100are conveyed along the common conveyance paths311,411,511, and611of the stacking units3to6, the paper sheets100that pass through each common conveyance path311to611are detected by the optical sensors36,46,56,66respectively provided in the common conveyance paths311to611.

In the paper sheet processing device1, the passage of the paper sheets100in the common conveyance path311of the stacking unit3is detected by the optical sensor36, and the detection signal generated by the optical sensor36and the unit type information are transmitted to the connection port P1of the counting unit2.

After that, the passage of the paper sheets100in the common conveyance paths411to611of the stacking units4to6is detected by the optical sensors46to66provided in the common conveyance paths411to611. The detection signals generated by the optical sensors46to66and the unit type information are transmitted to the connection ports P3, P2, and P4of the counting unit2in the order of detection by the optical sensors46to66.

<Display Screen>

As described above, the information relating to the medium processing device1is displayed on the display screen241of the operation display portion24. A display example of the display screen241of the operation display portion24will be described.

FIG.11is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display screen241of the operation display portion24.

As shown inFIG.11, when the operation display portion24is viewed from the front, the display screen241includes a first display area2411extending in the vertical direction. The first display area2411is provided linearly in the vertical direction along the left end portion of the display screen241.

A plurality of function selection buttons (operation buttons)2411ato2411care provided in the first display area2411. When the operator selects any of the function selection buttons2411ato2411c, various settings and controls are performed according to the function selection button that was selected.

When the operation display portion24is viewed from the front, the display screen241includes a second display area2412from the lower end of the first display area2411rightward. The second display area2412is provided in a linear manner along the lower side of the display screen241.

In the second display area2412, a device connection state diagram2412ais displayed showing the connection state with the counting unit2of the medium processing device1described above, and the stacking unit3connected to the counting unit2, a terminal accommodation cover7, and the like. The device connection state diagram2412ashows what kind of stacking unit3, sealing unit (not shown), terminal accommodation cover7, and the like are connected to the counting unit2, which is the base of the medium processing device1. In the embodiment, a case is shown where along with four stacking units3being connected to the counting unit2, the terminal accommodation cover7is connected to the last stacking unit3of the four stacking units3. In the device connection state diagram2412a, when the banknotes are stacked up in the stacking portion32, visibility is improved by displaying in color or the like. This makes it easier for the operator to know which stacking portion32the banknotes are stacked in.

More specifically, as will be described later, the device connection state diagram2412agenerated according to the number and type of units determined or recognized by the setting work of a plurality of units is displayed in the second display area2412. That is, when the control portion25recognizes that the device configuration is as shown inFIG.1, the device connection state diagram2412ais displayed in which four stacking units3are connected and the terminal accommodation cover7is connected behind the last stacking unit3. Further, by increasing or decreasing the number of units and performing the work of setting the units, the control portion25recognizes a new connection configuration and displays the device connection state diagram2412acorresponding thereto.

As described above, the first display area2411and the second display area2412are substantially L-shaped in front view, with predetermined function selection buttons2411ato2411cand function selection buttons2412band2412cbeing arranged in the respective areas. Further, the display screen241includes a third display area2413, which is partitioned by the first display area2411and the second display area2412.

In the third display area2413, for example, when a predetermined setting is selected by using the function selection buttons2411ato2411cof the first display area2411, a setting screen corresponding to the selected setting is displayed. In the third display area2413, for example, a diagram showing the counting result of money counted by the medium processing device1, and the connection state between the counting unit2, the stacking unit3and the terminal accommodation cover7are displayed.

The width of the first display area2411and the second display area2412is automatically changed according to the size and width of the function selection buttons2411ato2411c,2412b,2412cand the device connection state diagram2412a. A part of the first display area2411and the second display area2412is enlarged or reduced depending on whether or not the function selection buttons2411ato2411c,2412band2412care displayed.

<How to Set Connection Order of Expansion Units>

Next, a method of setting the connection order of the stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2will be described.

The medium processing device1has a stacking mode and a connection order setting mode. In the stacking mode, the medium processing device1sorts and stacks the paper sheets100charged into the receiving portion21of the counting unit2in the stacking portions32,42,52of the stacking units3to6according to the paper sheet type. In the connection order setting mode, the medium processing device1conveys the paper sheets100that were charged into the receiving portion21of the counting unit2to the terminal accommodation cover7through the common conveyance paths311,411,511,611of the stacking units3to6, without any sorting by any of the stacking units3to6.

The connection order of the stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2described below is set in the connection order setting mode described above. This connection order setting mode is executed when the medium processing device1is installed because the installation worker who installs the medium processing device1sets the connection order of the expansion unit with respect to the counting unit2.

<Connection Order Setting Process in Counting Unit>

First, the connection order setting process performed by the control portion25of the counting unit2will be described.

FIG.12is a flowchart showing a connection order setting process performed by the counting unit2of the medium processing device1.

As shown inFIG.12, in Step S101, the control portion25of the counting unit2uses the kick-out roller217to take the paper sheets100charged into the receiving portion21of the counting unit2into the counting main body portion22of the counting unit2. After being taken in, the counting sheets100are delivered to the endo-stacking unit conveying mechanism31of the stacking unit3by endo-counting unit conveying mechanism223.

In Step S102, the control portion25determines whether or not a detection signal generated by detecting with the optical sensor36the paper sheets100conveyed along the endo-stacking unit conveying mechanism31(common conveyance path311) and unit type information of the stacking unit3were received from the stacking unit3.

When the control portion25determines that the detection signal from the optical sensor36and the unit type information of the stacking unit3have been received (Step S102: YES), the control portion25advances to the process of Step S103. When the control portion25determines that the detection signal from the optical sensor36and the unit type information of the stacking unit3have not been received (Step S102: NO), the control portion25advances to the process of Step S106.

In Step S103, the control portion25increases the value of the order counter “n” indicating the order of reception of the detection signal received from the stacking unit3by “+1”. In the embodiment, the order counter “n” is set to “0” as an initial value at the start of the connection order setting mode. When the detection signal that is generated upon detection of the paper sheet100is received from the optical sensor36of the stacking unit3, the value of the order counter “n” becomes “1”. As a result, the control portion25determines that the detection signal received from the stacking unit3is the first received signal and that the connection order of the stacking unit3is the first. Therefore, the control portion25determines that the expansion unit connected to the connection port P1of the counting unit2is the stacking unit3, and that this stacking unit3is connected first.

In Step S104, the control portion25stores the value of the order counter “n (=1)” updated in Step S103in a storage device (not shown) such as a ROM of the control portion25.

In Step S105, the control portion25transmits the value of the order counter “n (=1)” calculated in Step S103to the control portion34of the stacking unit3, which is the transmission source of the detection signal of the paper sheets100and the unit type information. In the embodiment, the control portion25transmits the order counter “1” to the control portion34of the stacking unit3and returns to the process of Step S102.

Next, upon having determined that the detection signal indicating detection of the paper sheet100and the unit type information have not been received from the optical sensor36of the stacking unit3(Step S102: NO), in Step S106, the control portion25determines whether or not the time Tx during which the detection signal of the paper sheet100is not received from the stacking unit3has exceeded the predetermined time Tn (Tx>Tn). In an example of the embodiment, the predetermined time Tn is set to “3 seconds”. Upon having determined that the detection signal from the optical sensor36of the stacking unit3has not been received for more than “3 seconds”, the control portion25determines there to be a conveyance error (jam) of the paper sheet100in the stacking unit3or that the stacking unit3is the last stacking unit connected to the counting unit2, and ends the connection order setting mode.

In Step S106, upon having determined that the time Tx during which a detection signal is not received from the optical sensor36of the stacking unit3does not exceed the predetermined time Tn (3 seconds) (Step S106: NO), the control portion25returns to the process of S102. The control portion25waits for reception of the detection signal from the stacking unit until determining that the time Tx during which the detection signal is not received from the optical sensor exceeds the predetermined time Tn.

The control portion25repeats the above-mentioned processes of steps S101to S106until the paper sheets100pass all the stacking units3to6.

<Paper Sheet Detection Process in Stacking Unit>

Next, the paper sheet detection process performed by the control portion34of the stacking unit3will be described. This paper sheet detection process is performed in the connection order setting mode described above.

FIG.13is a flowchart showing a paper sheet detection process performed by the control portion34of the stacking unit3.

As shown inFIG.13, in Step S201, the control portion34of the stacking unit3controls the conveyance sorting mechanism (not shown). The control portion34of the stacking unit3does not convey the paper sheet100received from the carry-out side conveyance path223dof the counting unit2to the branch conveyance path312, but instead conveys the paper sheet100along the common conveyance path311to deliver the paper sheet100to the common conveyance path411of the stacking unit4.

In Step S202, the control portion34determines whether or not the optical sensor36has detected the paper sheet100conveyed along the common conveyance path311.

Upon having determined that the optical sensor36has detected the paper sheet100conveyed along the common conveyance path311(Step S202: YES), in Step S203, the control portion34transmits to the control portion25of the counting unit2a detection signal generated on the basis of the optical sensor36having detected the paper sheet100, and ends the process.

On the other hand, upon having determined that the optical sensor36has not detected the paper sheet100conveyed along the common conveyance path311(Step S202: NO), the control portion34performs the process of Step S204.

In Step S204, the control portion34determines whether or not the time Tx during which the paper sheet100is not detected by the optical sensor36has exceeded the predetermined time Tn (Tx>Tn). In the example of the embodiment, the predetermined time Tn is set to “3 seconds”. Upon having determined that the time Tx during which the paper sheet100is not detected by the optical sensor36has exceeded “3 seconds” (Step S204: YES), the control portion34determines that a conveyance error (for example, a jam) of the paper sheet100has occurred in the stacking unit3and ends the process.

On the other hand, upon having determined that the time Tx during which the paper sheet100is not detected by the optical sensor36is “3 seconds” or less (Step S204: NO), the control portion34returns to Step S202and continuously determines whether or not the paper sheet100is detected by the optical sensor36until the time Tx during which the paper sheet100is not detected by the optical sensor36exceeds the predetermined time “3 seconds”.

<Connection Order Storage Process in Stacking Unit>

Next, the connection order storage process performed by the control portion34of the stacking unit3will be described. This connection order storage process is performed in the connection order setting mode described above.

FIG.14is a flowchart showing a connection order storage process performed by the control portion34of the stacking unit3.

As shown inFIG.14, in Step S301, the control portion34of the stacking unit3determines whether or not the value of the order counter “n” has been received from the control portion25of the counting unit2(Step S105ofFIG.12). Upon having determined that the value of the order counter “n” has been received (Step S301: YES), the control portion34proceeds to the process of Step S302. On the other hand, upon having determined that the value of the order counter “n” has not been received (Step S301: NO), the control portion34waits until the value of the order counter “n” is received from the control portion25. In the embodiment, the value of the order counter “n” first received by the control portion34is “1”.

In Step S302, the control portion34stores the value of the order counter “n (=1)” received from the control portion25of the counting unit2in the storage portion35, and ends the process.

The control portion34of the stacking unit3transmits the value of the order counter “n (=1)” stored in the storage portion35to the control portion25of the counting unit2in response to a predetermined transmission request.

<Connection Order Transmission Process in Stacking Unit>

Next, the connection order transmission process performed by the control portion34of the stacking unit3will be described. This connection order transmission process is performed in the connection order setting mode described above.

FIG.15is a flowchart showing the connection order transmission process performed by the control portion34of the stacking unit3.

In Step S401, the control portion34of the stacking unit3determines whether or not there is a transmission request for the connection order from the control portion25of the counting unit2.

Upon determining that there is a transmission order transmission request from the control portion25of the counting unit2(Step S401: YES), in Step S402the control portion34transmits the value of the order counter “n (=1)” stored in the storage portion35to the control portion25of the counting unit2.

On the other hand, upon determining that there is no transmission request for the connection order from the control portion25of the counting unit2(Step S401: NO), the control portion34waits until there is a transmission request (the process of Step S401is repeated).

As an example of the transmission request for the connection order described above, there is a case where the main power supply of the medium processing device1is turned off. Even if the storage content of the connection order of the expansion unit stored in the RAM or the like of the control portion25is erased by disconnecting the main power supply of the medium processing device1, the control portion25of the counting unit2can acquire the connection order stored in each expansion unit. Therefore, the connection order of the stacking units3to6can be reset without setting the medium processing device1to the connection order setting mode and once again performing the work of conveying the paper sheets100and setting the connection order of the stacking units3to6.

The control portion25of the counting unit2performs a transmission request for the connection order, and on the basis of the value of a series of order counters “nx” received in the previous connection order setting process from each expansion unit (the stacking units3to6in the embodiment), and the value of a series of order counters “nt” received in the current connection order setting process, can check the continuity of changes in the connection order of expansion units, changes in the types of expansion units, increases or decreases in the number of expansion units, and the like.

<Continuity Check Process>

Next, the process of the expansion unit continuity check by the control portion25of the counting unit2will be described.

FIG.16is a flowchart showing the process of checking the continuity of the expansion units performed by the control portion25of the counting unit2.

In Step S501, the control portion25of the counting unit2calls the value of the series of order counters “nx” for each stacking unit3to6acquired in the previous connection order setting process received from each stacking unit3to6(expansion unit) stored in a storage device (not shown) such as ROM of the control portion25.

In Step S502, the control portion25of the counting unit2calls the value of the series of order counters “nt” of each of the stacking units3to6acquired in the current connection order setting process.

In Step S503, the control portion25compares the values of the series of order counters “nx” acquired in the previous time with the values of the series of order counters “nt” received this time from each stacking unit (expansion unit). When the values of the series of order counters “nt” received this time and the values of the series of order counters “nx” received last time are all the same (nt=nx), the control portion25proceeds to the process of Step S504. When at least some of the values of the series of order counters “nt” and the values of the series of order counters “nx” are different (nt>nx or nt<nx), the control portion25proceeds to the process of Step S505.

In Step S504, when the control portion25has determined that the values of the series of order counters “nx” acquired last time and the series of order counters “nt” acquired this time completely match (Step S504: YES), the control portion25determines that there is no change in the connection state (connection order, increase/decrease, unit type) of the stacking units3to6(expansion units) connected to the counting unit2.

On the other hand, when the control portion25has determined that at least some the values of the series of order counters “nx” acquired last time and the series of order counters “nt” acquired this time differ (Step S504: NO), in Step S505the control portion25determines that the connection state (connection order, increase/decrease, unit type) of the stacking units3to6(expansion units) connected to the counting unit2has changed.

Then, in Step S506, the control portion25requests the installation worker to reset the connection order by displaying in the operation display portion24(FIG.1) that it is necessary to reconvey the paper sheets100and reset the connection order of each stacking unit, and then ends the process.

In the above-described embodiment the case was illustrated of the control portion25of the counting unit2ending the connection order setting mode when the predetermined time Tn has elapsed in a state of a detection signal indicating detection of the paper sheet100not being input from any of the optical sensors36,46,56,66of the stacking units3to6during the connection order setting mode, and determining the stacking unit3to6that output a detection signal from the optical sensor36,46,56,66last received during this connection order setting mode to be the last stacking unit3to6farthest from the counting unit2. However, the detection method of the stacking unit3to6connected last among the stacking units3to6connected to the counting unit2is not limited thereto.

For example, an installation worker (not shown) who installs the medium processing device1may input in advance the number of stacking units (expansion units) connected to the counting unit2from the operation display portion24of the counting unit2. By doing so, the control portion25compares the number of stacking units input in advance with the value of the order counter “n”, and when the updated value of the order counter “n” matches the input number, it can be determined that the stacking unit3to6that transmitted the order counter “n” is the stacking unit last connected to the counting unit2.

Further, in the medium processing device1, the stacking unit last connected to the counting unit2may be detected by attaching the terminal accommodation cover7at the end of the downstream side of the plurality of stacking units3to6(in the embodiment, the stacking unit6) sequentially connected to the counting unit2. Specifically, the attachment of the terminal accommodation cover7is detected by the stacking unit3to6, and a signal indicating the attachment of the terminal accommodation cover7is transmitted to the control portion25of the counting unit2. By doing so, the control portion25can determine that the stacking unit3to6that transmitted the signal indicating that the terminal accommodation cover7is attached is the unit connected last to the counting unit2. In this case, each of the stacking units3to6may include a dedicated detection sensor for detecting the terminal accommodation cover7. By providing the terminal accommodation cover7so as to cross the optical axis of each optical sensor provided in the common conveyance paths311,411,511,611of the stacking units3to6, the terminal accommodation cover7may be detected by the optical sensor. In this case, the conventional configuration can be used as is, and the product cost can be suppressed.

As described above, in the embodiment, the medium processing device1has the following configuration.

(1) A medium processing device1including a counting unit2(first unit) and a plurality of stacking units3to6(second units) connected to the counting unit2, the plurality of stacking units3to6respectively including a common conveyance path311,411,511,611(conveying mechanism) that conveys a paper sheet100(medium), and an optical sensor36,46,56,66(medium detection portion) that detects the paper sheet100conveyed by the common conveyance path311,411,511,611, being configured to determine the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2on the basis of signals indicating that the optical sensors36,46,56,66of the plurality of stacking units3to6have detected the paper sheet100.

With this configuration, the medium processing device1determines the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2on the basis of a detection signal of the paper sheet100received from each of the stacking units3to6. Therefore, it is possible to accurately, easily and automatically set the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2. Further, it is not necessary to provide a physical setting means (switch or the like), and so the product cost can be reduced.

(2) The counting unit2is configured to determine the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2on the basis of the order in which the detection signals indicating detection of the paper sheets100transmitted from each of the optical sensors36,46,56,66of the plurality of stacking units3to6are received.

With this configuration, the counting unit2determines the connection order of the stacking units3to6on the basis of the order of the detection signals of the paper sheets100received from each of the plurality of stacking units3to6, and so can accurately and easily set the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2. Further, it is not necessary to provide a physical setting means (switch or the like), and so the product cost can be reduced.

(3) The counting unit2is configured to be positioned at a higher order than the plurality of stacking units3to6in the control system of the medium processing device1.

In the control system of the medium processing device1, in order to perform control of the lower order stacking units3to6, the higher order counting unit2needs to recognize the connection order of the respective stacking units3to6. With this configuration, the counting unit2can automatically recognize the connection order of the respective stacking units3to6, and so can appropriately perform control of the stacking units3to6.

(4) The plurality of stacking units3to6are configured to have common functions (in the embodiment, common conveyance paths311,411,511,611, optical sensors36,46,56,66, and a conveyance sorting mechanism).

In this type of medium processing device1, it is desirable that each of the plurality of stacking units3to6has a common function from the viewpoint of versatility and productivity. As an example of the common function, each of the plurality of stacking units3to6has a common conveyance path311,411,511,611for conveying the paper sheets100, optical sensors36,46,56,66, and a conveyance sorting mechanism (not shown) for sorting the paper sheets100to the target stacking unit3to6.

When installing the medium processing device1in the field, in terms of advantages with respect to transportation of the medium processing device1, it is preferable to transport the counting unit2and each of the stacking units3to6separately, and then connect the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6by wiring at the installation location. Since the medium processing device1described above can automatically determine and set the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3to6with respect to the counting unit2on the basis of a detection signal indicating detection of the paper sheets100received from each of the stacking units3to6, the medium processing device1can accurately and easily set the connection order of the stacking units3to6to the counting unit2during installation.

(5) Among the plurality of expansion units, at least one expansion unit (for example, a sealing unit) has a function different from that of another expansion unit (for example, a stacking unit) (for example, a sealing function for wrapping a band around a bundle of paper sheets).

With this configuration, in the medium processing device1, the counting unit2and a plurality of expansion units having different functions connected to the counting unit2can be easily connected in any order. Therefore, in the medium processing device1, the counting unit2and the plurality of expansion units having different functions can be appropriately connected in an arbitrary order, and the flexibility of unit connection in the medium processing device1can be enhanced.

(6) The counting unit2is a counting unit having the receiving portion21(reception portion) that receives the paper sheets100, and the endo-counting unit conveying mechanism223(conveying portion) capable of conveying the paper sheets100received by this receiving portion21to the side of the plurality of stacking units3to6, in which the plurality of stacking units3to6are expansion units respectively having the common conveyance path311,411,511,611(first conveyance path) for conveying the paper sheets100in the horizontal direction (first direction); the branch conveyance path312,412,512,612for conveying the paper sheets100in a vertical direction (second direction) different from the horizontal direction; and an optical sensor36,46,56,66(detection device) that detects the paper sheets100conveyed along the common conveyance path or branch conveyance path, a plurality of the stacking units3to6being coupled in a state of at least one of the common conveyance path and the branch conveyance path being communicated with each other; and the counting unit2determining the connection order of the stacking units3to6on the basis of the order of receiving signals indicating detection of the paper sheets100conveyed by at least one of the common conveyance path and the branch conveyance path of the coupled stacking units3to6by the respective optical sensor36,46,56,66of the stacking sensors3to6.

With this configuration, by connecting a plurality of stacking units3to6to the counting unit2in the medium processing device1, it is possible to improve the flexibility of sorting the paper sheets100identified and counted by the counting unit2to the stacking units3to6. For example, by making the stacking units3to6have a plurality of the stacking portions32,42,52,62stacking the paper sheets100or serve as sealing units that seal bundles of the stacked paper sheets100instead of the stacking units3to6, stacking and sealing of multiple denominations becomes possible. On the other hand, if the number of expansion units connected to the counting unit2increases, the wiring connection of the expansion units with respect to the counting unit2becomes complicated. As described above, the medium processing device1determines the connection order of the plurality of expansion units3with respect to the counting unit2on the basis of a signal indicating detection of the paper sheets100received from the optical sensor provided in each of the expansion units. Therefore, the medium processing device1can accurately, easily and automatically set the connection order of the expansion units with respect to the counting unit2. Further, it is not necessary to provide a physical setting means (switch or the like), and so the product cost can be reduced.

(7) The counting unit2is constituted to notify the stacking units3to6corresponding to the connection order of the determined connection order of the stacking units3to6.

With this configuration, as a result of the counting unit2being able to notify each of the stacking units3to6of the connection order of the stacking unit3to6itself, each of the stacking units3to6can recognize its own connection order among the plurality of stacking units3to6.

(8) The plurality of stacking units3to6are respectively configured to have storage units35,45,55, and65that store the connection order notified from the counting unit2.

With this configuration, each of the plurality of stacking units3to6can store its own connection order in the storage portion35,45,55,65. As a result, in the medium processing device1, after the power is turned on, the counting unit2can acquire the connection order from the storage portion35,45,55,65of the stacking units3to6without the need to convey the paper sheets100again to set the connection order.

(9) The plurality of stacking units3to6are configured to transmit their own connection order stored in the storage units35,45,55,65to the counting unit2.

With this configuration, since each of the plurality of stacking units3to6transmits its own connection order to the counting unit2, the counting unit2can recognize the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3with respect to the counting unit2without the need to convey the paper sheets100again after turning on the power.

The counting unit2is configured to receive the connection order (first connection order) in the previous cycle from the plurality of stacking units3to6in a first timing (previous cycle in Step S501ofFIG.16), receive the connection order (second connection order) in the current cycle from the plurality of stacking units3to6in a second timing after the first timing in chronological order (the current cycle in Step S502inFIG.16), compare the connection order in the previous cycle received at the first timing with the connection order in the current cycle received at the second timing, and determine whether or not there is continuity (identity) between the connection order in the previous cycle and the connection order in the current cycle (Step S503inFIG.16).

With this configuration, if the counting unit2determines that there are duplications or omissions in the connection order received from the plurality of stacking units3to6in the previous cycle and the current cycle, the counting unit2can recognize the possibility of recombination of the plurality of stacking units3to6between the previous period and the current period, and can prompt a reset of the connection order. That is, the counting unit2determines whether or not there is continuity (identity) in the connection order between the previous cycle and the current cycle received from the plurality of stacking units3to6. When the counting unit2determines that there is no continuity (identity), the counting unit2can convey the paper sheets100again and determine the connection order in the latest state.

(11) Further provided is an operation display portion24(display device) that displays information relating to the medium processing device1, the operation display portion24being configured to have a first display area2411and a second display area2412that is provided close to or in contact with the first display area2411, and the determined connection order between the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6being displayed in at least one of the first display area2411and the second display area2412.

With this configuration, since the connection order between the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6determined by the control portion25is displayed in at least one of the first display area2411and the second display area2412of the operation display unit24, it is possible to easily ascertain the connection state of the unit.

(12) The first display area2411is provided extending in the vertical direction with respect to the display area of the operation display portion24, and the second display area2412is provided extending in the left-right direction with respect to the display area of the operation display portion24, and the connection state between the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6is displayed in the second display area2412.

With this configuration, since the connection status of the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6is displayed in the second display area2412extending in the left-right direction of the display area, the connection status of each unit can be seen at a glance and visibility is improved.

(13) The second display area2412is configured be provided extending in either one direction in the left-right direction from either end extending in the vertical direction of the first display area2411.

With this configuration, the first display area2411and the second display area2412are arranged roughly in an L-shape in front view. As a result, since the function selection buttons2411ato2411c(operation portions) for controlling the medium processing device1are arranged in the vertical direction of the operation display unit24, and the connection state of the unit is arranged in the left-right direction of the operation display unit24, it is easy to visually ascertain and the visibility can be further improved.

Second Embodiment

In the above-described embodiment, the case of the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6(expansion units) being connected in parallel was described as an example, but the counting unit2and the stacking units3to6(expansion units) may be connected in series.

Hereinbelow, a medium processing device1A when a counting unit2A and stacking units3A to6A are connected in series will be described. In the medium processing device1A according to the second embodiment, the same configurations and functions as those of the medium processing device1according to the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and will be described as necessary.

FIG.17is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a connection state between the counting unit2A and the stacking units3A to6A in the medium processing device1A according to the second embodiment. In the example ofFIG.17, the connection relationship by the cable between the counting unit2A and the stacking units3A to6A is in series.

FIG.18is a diagram illustrating an example of information transmitted to the control portion25of the counting unit2A according to the second embodiment.

FIG.19is a diagram explaining, in the case of the counting unit2A and the stacking units3A to6A of the medium processing device1A according to the second embodiment being connected in series, an example of the reception state in the counting unit2A of the reception signals generated in each stacking unit3A to6A.

As shown inFIG.17, in the medium processing device1A, the serial connection terminals30b,40b,50b,60brespectively provided in the stacking units3A to6A and the serial connection connector PT of the counting unit2A are connected by a common serial cable80. Therefore, the stacking units3A to6A and the counting unit2A are serially connected, and information can be transmitted and received via the common serial cable80.

Optical sensors36,46,56,66are respectively provided in the stacking units3A to6A. The optical sensors36,46,56,66transmit a detection signal generated when the paper sheet100is detected to the control portion25of the counting unit2A via the common serial cable80.

Further, control portions34,44,54,64are respectively provided in the stacking units3A to6A. Each of the control portions34,44,54,64stores unique unit identification information for identifying the stacking unit3A to6A including the control portion, and unit type information (refer toFIG.18) for determining the type of stacking unit3A to6A including the control portion. The control portion34,44,54,64transmits the unit identification information and the unit type information together with the detection signal generated by the optical sensor36,46,56,66via the common serial cable80to the control portion25of the counting unit2A.

The above-mentioned example of unit identification information for identifying a unit includes information such as a unique ID (identifier) of the CPU mounted in each stacking unit and a unique ID of a communication device mounted in each stacking unit. Further, examples of information regarding the unit type for determining the type of unit include information regarding the type of the stacking unit due to the difference in the number of stacking units, the type of the unit due to the difference in the function such as stacking and sealing, and the like. Regarding the transmission of the unique ID, for example, the first (or last) few bytes of the series of information (multiple bytes) to be transmitted may be used as the information indicating the unique ID, or the unique ID information associated with the detection signal of paper sheet may be transmitted separately.

In the embodiment, as shown inFIG.18, the unit identification information and the unit type are preset for each of the stacking units3A to6A. Specifically, the unit identification information “003” and the unit type “stacking unit (4stacking portions)” are preset in the stacking unit3A. The unit identification information “001” and the unit type “stacking unit (3stacking portions)” are preset in the stacking unit4A. The unit identification information “002” and the unit type “stacking unit (2stacking portions)” are preset in the stacking unit5A. The unit identification information “004” and the unit type “stacking unit (1stacking portion)” are preset in the stacking unit6A.

Therefore, as shown inFIG.19, in the paper sheet processing device1A, the paper sheets100are sequentially conveyed along the common conveyance paths311,411,511, and611of the respective stacking units3A to6A in the connection order setting mode.

First, the paper sheets100are conveyed along the common conveyance path311of the stacking unit3A. Then, the detection signal generated by the optical sensor36of the stacking unit3A, the unit identification information “003” from the control portion34, and information regarding the unit type “stacking unit (4stacking portions)” are transmitted to the control portion25of the counting unit2A.

Next, the paper sheets100are conveyed along the common conveyance path411of the stacking unit4A. Then, the detection signal generated by the optical sensor46of the stacking unit4A, the unit identification information “001” from the control portion44, and information regarding the unit type “stacking unit (3stacking portions)” are transmitted to the control portion25of the counting unit2A.

The paper sheets100are conveyed along the common conveyance path511of the stacking unit5A. Then, the detection signal generated by the optical sensor56of the stacking unit5A, the unit identification information “002” from the control portion54, and information regarding the unit type “stacking unit (2stacking portions)” are transmitted to the control portion25of the counting unit2A.

Finally, the paper sheets100are conveyed along the common conveyance path611of the stacking unit6A. Then, the detection signal generated by the optical sensor66of the stacking unit6A, the unit identification information “004” from the control portion64, and information regarding the unit type “stacking unit (1stacking portion)” are transmitted to the control portion25of the counting unit2A.

Then, the paper sheets100are conveyed to the terminal accommodation cover7connected at the end of the counting unit2A, and the setting of the connection order is completed.

The control portion25of the counting unit2A determines which stacking unit each stacking unit is on the basis of the unit identification information and the unit type information transmitted from the respective control portion34,44,54,64of the stacking units3A to6A, and stores the connection order of the stacking unit for which this type or the like is determined in the storage unit35,45,55,65. The control portion25sets the connection order of the stacking units3A to6A in the order in which the detection signals transmitted from the optical sensors36,46,56,66are received.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where a plurality of types of stacking units3to6(3A to6A) are sequentially connected to the counting unit2(2A) has been described as an example, but the unit connected to the counting unit2(2A) is not limited to a stacking unit. For example, a sealing unit having a function of bundling a predetermined number of media with a band may be connected to the counting unit2(2A), or a sealing unit or the like may be connected in any combination with a stacking unit or another unit.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the medium to be conveyed for setting the connection order was the paper sheet100was illustrated and described, but the medium is not limited to the paper sheet100, and may for example be a coin.

The method of connecting units according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the case of setting the connection order of units constituting the medium processing device, and can be applied to the method of connecting units to a device main body in various other devices.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the medium processing device1A has the following configuration.

(14) The counting unit2A and the plurality of stacking units3A to6A are configured to be connected in series via a common serial cable80, and the plurality of stacking units3A to6A transmit to the counting unit2A own unique identification information in addition to information indicating the connection order of the stacking units3A to6A stored in the storage portions35,45,55,65(detection signals of the optical sensors36,46,56,66).

When the plurality of stacking units3A to6A and the counting unit2A are connected in series, the counting unit2A cannot recognize from which of the plurality of stacking units3A to6A information indicating the connection order has been received. For this reason, the counting unit2A requires unique identification information for specifying the plurality of stacking units3A to6A. Therefore, the plurality of stacking units3A to6A transmit to the counting unit2A own unique identification information in addition to the information indicating own connection order (detection signals of the optical sensors36,46,56,66), whereby the counting unit2A, by associating the unique identification information of the plurality of stacking units3A to6A and the connection order, can specify the plurality of stacking units3A to6A and recognize the connection order. Further, since the counting unit2A and the plurality of stacking units3A to6A can be connected in series, owing to the system configuration the plurality of stacking units3A to6A and other expansion units can be expanded indefinitely without being affected by the number of connection ports of the counting unit2A.

(15) A method of connecting units of the medium processing device1A that has the counting unit2A and the plurality of stacking units3A to6A connected to this counting unit2A and that determines the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3A to6A with respect to the counting unit2A (a connection order determination method for the medium processing device1A), the method being configured to convey the paper sheets100to each of the plurality of stacking units3A to6A, receive signals output from each of the plurality of stacking units3A to6A in accordance with the conveyance of the paper sheets100, and determine the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3A to6A with respect to the counting unit2A on the basis of the order of signals output from the plurality of stacking units3A to6A.

With this configuration, since the medium processing device1A determines the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3A to6A with respect to the counting unit2A on the basis of the detection signals of the paper sheets100received from each of the stacking units3A to6A, it is possible to accurately, easily and automatically set the connection order of the plurality of stacking units3A to6A with respect to the counting unit2A. Further, it is not necessary to provide a physical setting means (switch or the like), and the product cost can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, a case was illustrated and described in which the device connection state diagram2412aof the counting unit2, the stacking unit3, the terminal accommodation cover7, and the like is displayed in the second display area2412of the display screen241of the operation display unit24, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. The control portion25may display the device connection state diagram2412ain the first display area2411or both the first display area2411and the second display area2412.

With this configuration, the device connection state diagram can be appropriately displayed in at least one of the first display area2411and the second display area2412even in the case of a device configuration that vertically connects stacking units3or the like to the counting unit2, and the case of a device configuration that horizontally or vertically connects stacking units3or the like to the counting unit2.

In the embodiment described above, the case where the first display area2411and the second display area2412being orthogonal to each other was described as an example, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the first display area2411and the second display area2412may be in contact with each other, or there may be a gap between the first display area2411and the second display area2412, with the respective display areas being adjacent to each other.

Even with this configuration, since the first display area2411and the second display area2412are arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction and the left-right direction of the display screen241, it is possible to improve the operability of the function selection buttons2411ato2411cprovided in the first display area2411, and improve the visibility of the device connection state diagram2412aof the counting unit and the stacking units displayed in the second display area2412.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention may be applied to a medium processing device and a method of connecting units of the medium processing device.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1: Medium processing device2: Counting unit21: Reception portion22: Counting main body portion223: Endo-counting unit conveying mechanism223a: Take-in conveyance path223b: Identification conveyance path223c: Reject side conveyance path223d: Carry-out side conveyance path23: Reject portion24: Operation display portion (display device)241: Display screen25: Control portion3to6: Stacking unit30,40,50,60: Stacking main body portion31,41,51,61: Endo-stacking unit conveying mechanism311:411,511,611: Common conveyance path312,412,512,612: Branch conveyance path32,42,52,62: Stacking portion33,43,53,63: Impeller34,44,54,64: Control portion35,45,55,65: Storage portion36,46,56,66: Optical sensor37,47,57,67: Status display portion100: Paper sheetP1to Pn: Connection port