Patent Application
20190088066
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-178573 filed on Sep. 19, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a money handling apparatus performing at least dispensing process of money such as banknote and coin, a money handling system including such a money handling apparatus, and a money handling method conducted by such a money handling apparatus.
Various types of money handling apparatuses have been conventionally used as money handling apparatus for performing depositing process and dispensing process of money such as banknote and coin. Specifically, the money handling apparatus is used as a change machine of a cash register, a money exchange machine, an automated teller machine (ATM) and the like installed in a store of a commercial facility such as a supermarket or convenience store. As such a money handling apparatus, for example, one disclosed in International Patent Publication WO2008/152685 and the like has been known. In the money handling apparatus disclosed in International Patent Publication WO2008/152685, when an instruction of starting dispensing process of banknote is given, banknotes are fed out for each denomination from storage units, each of which stores the banknotes for each denomination, and sent to a banknote outlet.
In the conventional money handling apparatus as disclosed in International Patent Publication WO2008/152685 or the like, when the instruction of starting the dispensing process of the money is given, money of all denominations to be dispensed is sequentially fed out from storage and feeding units that store the money for each denomination. In this case, timing to dispense the money from each storage and feeding unit is fixed. For this reason, for example, when an operator wants to obtain the dispensed money separated by denomination, there is a problem that it is necessary to manually sort the money by denomination after taking out the money from an outlet, which is a burden on the operator.
The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a money handling apparatus, a money handling system and a money handling method capable of reducing a burden on an operator and improving working efficiency by performing dispensing process of the money at an arbitrary timing after certain process of the money is performed.
A money handling apparatus of the present invention for handling money includes: a storage and feeding unit configured to store the money and feed out the stored money; a dispensing unit configured to eject the money to an outside; a transport unit configured to transport the money fed out from the storage and feeding unit to the dispensing unit; and a control unit configured to perform dispensing process of the money by the dispensing unit by controlling at least one of the storage and feeding unit and the transport unit; and the control unit performs the dispensing process of the money at an arbitrary timing after certain process of the money is performed.
The money handling apparatus of the present invention may further include a money-dispensing instructing unit configured to send a money-dispensing instruction to the control unit at an arbitrary timing, and the control unit may perform the dispensing process of the money when receiving the money-dispensing instruction from the money-dispensing instructing unit after the certain process of the money is performed.
The money handling apparatus of the present invention may further include a detection unit configured to detect access of an operator to a specified area, and the money-dispensing instructing unit may send the money-dispensing instruction to the control unit when the access of the operator to the specified area is detected by the detection unit.
In the money handling apparatus of the present invention, the detection unit may be provided with the dispensing unit, and the detection unit detects the access of the operator to the dispensing unit.
In this case, the detection unit may detect at least an accumulation state of the money in the dispensing unit.
Further, the detection unit may detect whether the money is in a full state or a near-full state in the dispensing unit.
The money handling apparatus of the present invention may further include a depositing unit configured to deposit the money to an inside, and the detection unit may be provided with the depositing unit, and the detection unit detects the access of the operator to the depositing unit.
In the money handling apparatus of the present invention, the control unit may perform the dispensing process of the money at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed after a certain process of the money has been performed.
In the money handling apparatus of the present invention, the control unit may perform the dispensing process of the money at an arbitrary timing after certain dispensing process of the money is performed, when the dispensing process of the money is performed a plurality of times in a single transaction.
In this case, the control unit may successively perform the dispensing process of the money a plurality of times for each denomination in one transaction.
The money handling apparatus of the present invention may further include a depositing unit configured to deposit the money to an inside, and the control unit may perform the dispensing process of the money at an arbitrary timing after depositing process of the money in which the money put into the inside by the depositing unit is transported to the storage and feeding unit.
A money handling system of the present invention includes: a money handling apparatus that includes a storage and feeding unit configured to store money and feed out the stored money, a dispensing unit configured to eject the money to an outside, and a transport unit configured to transport the money fed out from the storage and feeding unit to the dispensing unit; and a managing apparatus provided separately from the money handling apparatus and communicatively connected to the money handling apparatus, and the managing apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform dispensing process of the money by the dispensing unit by controlling at least one of the storage and feeding unit and the transport unit of the money handling apparatus, and the control unit performs the dispensing process of the money at an arbitrary timing in the money handling apparatus after certain process of the money is performed in the money handling apparatus.
A money handling method of the present invention conducted by a money handling apparatus that includes a storage and feeding unit configured to store money and feed out the stored money, a dispensing unit configured to eject the money to an outside, and a transport unit configured to transport the money fed out from the storage and feeding unit to the dispensing unit includes: performing certain process of the money; and performing dispensing process at an arbitrary timing after the certain process of the money is performed.
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A money handling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is arranged such that a coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 shown in
First, an internal configuration of the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 in such a money handling apparatus 10 will be described with reference to
As shown in
A deposited-coin transport unit 120 is arranged in an upper part in the housing 102. The deposited-coin transport unit 120 transports one by one the coins fed by the accumulating and feeding unit 130. A recognition unit 122 is disposed at the deposited-coin transport unit 120. The recognition unit 122 recognizes a denomination, authentication, fitness, new/old, and the like of the coin transported by the deposited-coin transport unit 120. As shown in
A plurality of (specifically eight) storage and feeding units 150 is arranged below the deposited-coin transport unit 120 in the housing 102. Each of the storage and feeding units 150 receives coins from the deposited-coin transport unit 120 via chutes 126. Specifically, a plurality of sorting units 124 is provided with the deposited-coin transport unit 120, and each sorting member 124 sorts the coins to the appropriate chute 126 based on a recognition result of the coin obtained by the recognition unit 122. Moreover, a coin-to-be-rejected sorting unit 127 is provided with the deposited-coin transport unit 120, and the coin-to-be-rejected sorting unit 127 sorts coins to be rejected. A coin that is determined by the recognition unit 122 as being a counterfeit coin (a fake coin) is sent by the coin-to-be-rejected sorting unit 127 to a later-explained coin dispensing unit 172 via a chute 125 for reject coin. Moreover, separately from the coin dispensing unit 172, although not shown, a returning unit (a reject unit) that returns a reject coin to the outside can be arranged near the coin dispensing unit 172. When such a configuration is adopted, a coin that is determined by the recognition unit 122 as being a counterfeit coin is sent by the coin-to-be-rejected sorting unit 127 to the returning unit as a reject coin via the chute for reject coin.
Each of the storage and feeding units 150 feeds out the coins stored in the storage and feeding unit 150 one by one. More particularly, the storage and feeding unit 150 includes a rotating disk 152 and a cover member 154. The rotating disk 152 is inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, and it is rotatable while being in the inclined posture. The cover member 154 forms a coin storage space 153 for storing coins between the cover member 154 and a surface 152b of the rotating disk 152.
The coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 includes the coin dispensing unit 172 for ejecting coins to the outside of the housing 102. A coin-to-be-dispensed transport unit 170 is arranged inside the housing 102. The coin-to-be-dispensed transport unit 170 transports coins fed out by the storage and feeding units 150 to the coin dispensing unit 172. The coin-to-be-dispensed transport unit 170 includes a first coin-to-be-dispensed transport part 170a and a second coin-to-be-dispensed transport part 170b. The first coin-to-be-dispensed transport part 170a extends substantially horizontally below each of the storage and feeding units 150. The second coin-to-be-dispensed transport part 170b transports coins sent by the first coin-to-be-dispensed transport part 170a to the coin dispensing unit 172. The coin-to-be-dispensed transport unit 170 is constituted by an endless belt 170p that is stretched over a plurality of pulleys. The endless belt 170p is caused to perform a cyclic shift in both of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction in
As shown in
An overflow coin storage unit 180 is arranged below the coin-to-be-dispensed transport unit 170 in the housing 102. The overflow coin storage unit 180 is constituted by, for example, a collection box and the like detachably attached to the housing 102. When the endless belt 170p performs the cyclic shift in the clockwise direction in
Next, an internal configuration of the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200 in such a money handling apparatus 10 will be described with reference to
As shown in
A transport unit 264 is arranged inside the housing 202 of the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200. The transport unit 264 transports one by one the banknotes fed out to an inside of the housing 202 by the banknote feeding mechanism 252b. The transport unit 264 is provided with a recognition unit 266. The recognition unit 266 recognizes a denomination, authentication, fitness, new/old, and the like of the banknote fed out to the inside of the housing 202 by the banknote feeding mechanism 252b.
Moreover, a plurality of storage and feeding units 270 is arranged inside the housing 202. Each of the storage and feeding units 270 is connected to the transport unit 264. Further, each of the storage and feeding units 270 stores therein banknotes for each denomination. More particularly, based on a recognition result obtained by the recognition unit 266, the banknote fed out to the inside of the housing 202 by the banknote feeding mechanism 252b is sent to one of the storage and feeding units 270 by the transport unit 264 based on the denomination of the banknote. Moreover, each of the storage and feeding units 270 can feed out the banknotes stored in the storage and feeding unit 270 to the transport unit 264 one by one. Each of the storage and feeding units 270 can be a tape-reel style storage and feeding unit shown in
As shown in
The banknote dispensing unit 260 is provided with a shutter 260a. After the banknotes are sent to the banknote dispensing unit 260, the operator can open the shutter 260a and take out the banknotes stacked in the banknote dispensing unit 260. Alternatively, the shutter 260a can be opened automatically after the money dispensing is completed.
As shown in
Next, a configuration of a control system in such a money handling apparatus 10 will be described with reference to
As shown in
Next, operation of such a money handling apparatus 10 will be described below. Note that the operation of the money handling apparatus 10 as described below is performed by the control unit 12 controlling each component of the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 and the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200.
First, operation when depositing process of money is done in the money handling apparatus 10 will be described below. Specifically, when depositing process of coin is performed in the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 as shown in
When depositing process of banknote is performed in the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200 as shown in
Next, operation when money dispensing process is performed in the money handling apparatus 10 will be described. Specifically, when dispensing process of coin is performed in the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 shown in
When dispensing process of banknote is performed in the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200 shown in
In the money handling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the dispensing process of money described above is performed, after dispensing process of money of a certain denomination is performed, dispensing process of money of another denomination can be performed at an arbitrary timing. That is, instead of sending money of all denominations to the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260 at once for each of coin and banknote, it is possible to send money to the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260 for each denomination several times. As a result, the operator can take out the money from the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260 for each denomination several times, instead of taking out the money in a denomination mixed state from the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260. Details of such operation will be described below with reference to a flowchart shown in
In the money handling apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, as a mode of dispensing process of money, it is possible to select “mode of dispensing money of all denominations collectively” or “mode of dispensing money for each denomination”. More specifically, when the screen of the operation/display unit 20 is a standby screen or the like, “normal dispensing button” and “change fund dispensing button” are displayed on the operation/display unit 20. When “normal dispensing button” is pressed by the operator, “mode of dispensing money of all denominations collectively” is selected as the mode of dispensing process of money. On the other hand, when “change fund dispensing button” is pressed by the operator, “mode of dispensing money for each denomination” is selected as the mode of dispensing process of money. If “mode of dispensing money of all denominations collectively” is selected as the mode of dispensing process of money, when an instruction of dispensing process of money is inputted to the control unit 12, money of all denominations to be dispensed is sent to the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260 at once, and then money of a plurality of denominations is accumulated in a denomination mixed state in the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260. Therefore, the operator takes out the money from the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260 in a denomination mixed state. On the other hand, if “mode of dispensing money for each denomination” is selected as the mode of dispensing process of money, dispensing process can be performed multiple times for each denomination of money in one transaction. At this time, after dispensing process of money of a certain denomination is performed, then dispensing process of money of the next denomination will be performed at an arbitrary timing. Specifically, when “mode of dispensing money for each denomination” is selected as the mode of dispensing process of money, an instruction of dispensing process of money of a specific denomination is sent by the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 to the control unit 12, for each denomination of money to be dispensed, at an arbitrary timing. Each time the control unit 12 receives the instruction of dispensing process of money from the money-dispensing instructing unit 24, dispensing process of money of each denomination is performed. Such “mode of dispensing money for each denomination” will be described in detail below.
If “mode of dispensing money for each denomination” is selected as a mode of dispensing process of money, when an instruction of dispensing process of money is inputted to the control unit 12 by the operation/display unit 20 or the like by the operator (STEP 1), a money-dispensing instruction of money of some denomination (first denomination) among a plurality of denominations of money to be dispensed is sent from the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 to the control unit 12. Then, the control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money of the first denomination in the money handling apparatus 10 (STEP 2). Thereafter, when the access of the operator to the specified area is detected (“YES” in STEP 3), the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 sends the money-dispensing instruction of money of another denomination (second denomination) to the control unit 12 (STEP 4). Specifically, when dispensing process of money of the first denomination is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, coins of this first denomination are stacked in the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknotes of the first denomination are stacked in the banknote dispensing unit 260. When the operator's hand is put into the coin dispensing unit 172 and the coins of the first denomination are taken out from the coin dispensing unit 172, the hand of the operator is detected by the full-state detection sensor 176. Also, when the operator's hand is put into the banknote dispensing unit 260 and the banknotes of the first denomination are taken out from the banknote dispensing unit 260, the hand of the operator is detected by the access detection sensor 262. In this way, when the access of the operator to the specified area (that is, the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260) is detected by a detection unit such as the full-state detection sensor 176 or access detection sensor 262 (“YES” in STEP 3), the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 sends the money-dispensing instruction of money of another denomination (second denomination) to the control unit 12 (STEP 4). It should be noted that the remaining coin detection sensors 174 and 261 may be used as the detection unit for detecting access of the operator to the specified area (that is, the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260), instead of the full-state detection sensor 176 or access detection sensor 262. Further, when the money-dispensing instruction of money of another denomination is sent from the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 to the control unit 12, the control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money of the second denomination in the money handling apparatus 10 (STEP 4). Thereafter, when the access of the operator to the specified area is detected (“YES” in STEP 5), the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 sends the money-dispensing instruction of money of still another denomination (third or later denomination) to the control unit 12 (STEP 6). When the money-dispensing instruction of money of still another denomination is sent from the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 to the control unit 12, the control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money of the third or later denomination in money handling apparatus 10. The dispensing process of money for each denomination as described above is performed until money of all denominations to be dispensed is actually dispensed (“NO” in STEP 7). When money of all denominations to be dispensed is actually dispensed, dispensing process of money by “mode of dispensing money for each denomination” is completed.
In the present embodiment, dispensing process of money by “mode of dispensing money for each denomination” is not limited to the above aspect. For example, after dispensing process of money of some denomination is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, the operator may put his/her hand on the human detection sensor 112 provided near the coin depositing unit 110 of the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 or the human detection sensor 290 provided near the banknote depositing unit 252 of the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200. In this case, when the access of the operator to the specified area (that is, the area near the coin depositing unit 110 or banknote depositing unit 252) is detected by a detection unit such as the human detection sensor 112, 290, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 may send a money-dispensing instruction of money of another denomination to the control unit 12. As another example, after dispensing process of money of some denomination is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, when money is taken out from the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260 and then money is no longer detected by the remaining coin detection sensors 174, 261, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 may send a money-dispensing instruction of money of another denomination to the control unit 12. As still another example, after dispensing process of money of some denomination is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, when the operator puts his/her hand into the coin depositing unit 110 or banknote depositing unit 252 and the hand of the operator is detected by the deposited-coin detection sensor 111, 253, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 may send a money-dispensing instruction of money of another denomination to the control unit 12. As still another example, when dispensing process of money by “mode of dispensing money for each denomination” is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, after the dispensing process of money of some denomination is performed and money of this denomination is stacked in the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260, a button of “Next” may be displayed on the operation/display unit 20. In this case, when money is taken out from the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260 by the operator and then the button “next” is pressed by the operator, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 sends a money-dispensing instruction of money of another denomination to the control unit 12. In this manner, arbitrary timing at which the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 sends money-dispensing instruction to the control unit 12 can be set to various timings.
In the present embodiment, dispensing process of money by “mode of dispensing money for each denomination” is not limited to the aspect in which dispensing process of money for each denomination is performed by sending a money-dispensing instruction of money for each denomination from the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 to the control unit 12. As another example of dispensing process of money by “mode of dispensing money for each denomination”, the time setting unit 26 may arbitrarily set a time (for example, 20 seconds) from a time when dispensing process of money of a certain denomination is performed to a time when dispensing process of money of another denomination is to be performed. When the setting screen is displayed on the operation/display unit 20, the setting of time by such a time setting unit 26 can be performed as the operator operates the setting screen. In this case, after dispensing process of money of some denomination is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, the control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money of another denomination at a timing when the time set by the time setting unit 26 has elapsed. The time arbitrarily set by the time setting unit 26 may be changed depending on identification information of the operator (operator ID) who sets the time or depending on the time zone in which dispensing process of money is performed. Specifically, for a veteran operator who is accustomed to handling the money handling apparatus 10, for example, by shortening the time set by the time setting unit 26, it is possible to quickly perform dispensing process of money. On the other hand, for a beginner operator who is not accustomed to handling the money handling apparatus 10, by extending the time set by the time setting unit 26, it is possible to give the operator enough time for taking out money from the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260.
In the above description, it is described that it is possible to perform “mode of dispensing money for each denomination” such as sending money to the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260 for each denomination when dispensing process of money is performed. However, in the present embodiment, in addition to performing dispensing process of money a plurality of times continuously for each denomination in one transaction, or instead of performing dispensing process of money a plurality of times continuously for each denomination in one transaction, it may be possible to perform dispensing process of money a plurality of times continuously for each number of money or for each monetary amount of money in one transaction. Specifically, when dispensing process of money is performed, dispensing process of money is interrupted each time a predetermined number of money or predetermined monetary amount of money is sent to the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260. Then, when money is taken out from the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260 by the operator, if the access of the operator to the specified area (that is, the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260) is detected by the detection unit such as the full-state detection sensor 176 or access detection sensor 262, a money-dispensing instruction of money is sent from the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 to the control unit 12. This restarts dispensing process of money.
In the money handling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, dispensing process of money may be continued at an arbitrary timing after depositing process of money is performed. Continuous depositing/dispensing process in which such depositing process and dispensing process are performed in succession will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in
When the money handling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is used as a teller machine installed in a back office area in a store such as a supermarket, the operator may want to continuously perform the following operations at once. That is, the operator may want to perform depositing process of money as proceeds from sales collected from the cash settlement apparatus provided in a front office area in the money handling apparatus 10, and dispensing process of money as change fund to be replenished into the cash settlement apparatus in the money handling apparatus 10 continuously at a time. In this case, continuous depositing/dispensing process of money is performed in which, after depositing process of money is performed, dispensing process of money is continued at an arbitrary timing. This makes it unnecessary for the operator to input an instruction of dispensing process of money to the control unit 12 by the operation/display unit 20. When such continuous depositing/dispensing process of money is performed, the number of money for each denomination to be dispensed from the money handling apparatus 10 as change fund is preset.
When continuous depositing/dispensing process of money is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, the operator first inputs an instruction of starting continuous depositing/dispensing process of money into the control unit 12 by the operation/display unit 20 (STEP 11). More specifically, on the standby screen or the like of the operation/display unit 20, “start button for continuous depositing/dispensing process of money” is displayed on the operation/display unit 20, and when this “start button for continuous depositing/dispensing process of money” is pressed by the operator, an instruction of starting the continuous depositing/dispensing process of money is input to the control unit 12.
After the instruction of starting the continuous depositing/dispensing process of money is input to the control unit 12, when money is put into the coin depositing unit 110 or banknote depositing unit 252, depositing process of money is performed in the money handling apparatus 10 (STEP 12). After depositing process of money is completed, if the access of the operator to the specified area is detected (“YES” in STEP 13), dispensing process of money is continued (STEP 14). Specifically, after depositing process of money is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, when the operator puts his/her hand into the coin depositing unit 110 or banknote depositing unit 252 and the hand of the operator is detected by the deposited-coin detection sensor 111, 253, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 sends to the control unit 12 the money-dispensing instruction of money of some denomination (first denomination) out of a plurality of denominations of money to be dispensed. Alternatively, after depositing process of money is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, when the operator puts his/her hand on the human detection sensor 112 provided in the vicinity of the coin depositing unit 110 of the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 or the human detection sensor 290 provided in the vicinity of the banknote depositing unit 252 of the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200 and the access of the operator to the specified area (that is, the vicinity of the coin depositing unit 110 or banknote depositing unit 252) is detected by the detection unit such as the human detection sensor 112, 290 and the like, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 may send to the control unit 12 the money-dispensing instruction of money of some denomination (first denomination) out of a plurality of denominations of money to be dispensed. Alternatively, after depositing process of money is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, when the time set by the time setting unit 26 has elapsed, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 may send to the control unit 12 the money-dispensing instruction of money of some denomination (first denomination) out of a plurality of denominations of money to be dispensed. As described above, the timing at which the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 sends the money-dispensing instruction to the control unit 12 after depositing process of money is performed can be set to various timings.
In this way, after depositing process of money is performed, the money-dispensing instruction of money of some denomination (first denomination) among a plurality of denominations of money to be dispensed is sent from the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 to the control unit 12 at an arbitrary timing. As a result, the control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money of the first denomination in the money handling apparatus 10 (STEP 14). Thereafter, when the access of the operator to the specified area is detected (“YES” in STEP 15), the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 sends the money-dispensing instruction of money of another denomination (second denomination) to the control unit 12. When the money-dispensing instruction of money of another denomination is sent from the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 to the control unit 12, the control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money of the second denomination in the money handling apparatus 10 (STEP 16). Thereafter, when the access of the operator to the specified area is detected (“YES” in STEP 17), the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 sends the money-dispensing instruction of money of still another denomination (third or later denomination) to the control unit 12 (STEP 18). When the money-dispensing instruction of money of still another denomination is sent from the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 to the control unit 12, the control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money of the third or later denomination in the money handling apparatus 10. The dispensing process of money for each denomination as described above is performed until money of all denominations to be dispensed is actually dispensed (“NO” in STEP 19). When money of all denominations to be dispensed is actually dispensed, continuous depositing/dispensing process of money is completed.
According to the money handling apparatus 10 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money at an arbitrary timing after certain process of money (specifically dispensing process or depositing process of money) is performed. In this manner, by performing dispensing process of money at an arbitrary timing after certain process of money is performed, it is possible to reduce a burden on the operator, so that work efficiency can be improved. More specifically, in the conventional money handling apparatus, given the instruction of dispensing process of money, all money to be dispensed is fed out from the storage and feeding unit and the fed money is sent to the dispensing unit. In this case, the timing of feeding out money from each storage and feeding unit is fixed. For this reason, for example, when the operator wants to obtain dispensed money separated by denomination, it is necessary to manually sort the money by denomination after taking out the money from the outlet, which causes a burden on the operator. On the other hand, in the money handling apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, by performing dispensing process of money at an arbitrary timing after certain process of money is performed, it is possible to take out the money from dispensing unit frequently, and the problem of the conventional money handling apparatus described above can be solved.
In particular, in the present embodiment, when the money handling apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration is provided as a cash settlement apparatus in a front office area, the money handling apparatus 10 used as the cash settlement apparatus in such a front office area can be used as a teller machine even in a back office area. More specifically, in the teller machine installed in the back office area, it is necessary to dispense money as change fund to be replenished into the cash settlement apparatus provided in the front office area. If the money handling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, which was installed in the front office area, is used as the teller machine installed in the back office area, by performing dispensing process of money at an arbitrary timing after certain process of money is performed, money can be taken out frequently from the dispensing unit. For this reason, for example, money as change fund can be obtained in a separated state for each denomination.
In the money handling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 that sends a money-dispensing instruction to the control unit 12 at an arbitrary timing is provided. The control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money when receiving the money-dispensing instruction from the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 after certain process of money is performed. Further, various sensors such as the full-state detection sensor 176 and the access detection sensor 262 are provided as the detection unit for detecting the access of the operator to the specified area. When the access of the operator to the specified area is detected by such detection unit, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 sends the money-dispensing instruction to the control unit 12. The detection unit is provided with the coin dispensing unit 172 and the banknote dispensing unit 260, and the detection unit detects the access of the operator to the coin dispensing unit 172 and the banknote dispensing unit 160. When the full-state detection sensor 176 or the remaining coin detection sensor 174, 261 is used as the detection unit, the detection unit detects the accumulation state of money in at least the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260. When the full-state detection sensor 176 is used as the detection unit, the detection unit detects whether the coin is in the full state or the near-full state in the coin dispensing unit 172.
Further, in the money handling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the detection unit for detecting the access of the operator to the specified area may be provided in the coin depositing unit 110 or banknote depositing unit 252. That is, the deposited-coin detection sensors 111, 253 may be used as the detection unit. In this case, the detection unit detects the access of the operator to the coin depositing unit 110 or banknote depositing unit 252.
Further, in the money handling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the time setting unit 26 is provided for arbitrarily setting a time from a time when certain process of money is performed to a time when next process of money is to be performed, and the control unit 12 may perform dispensing process of money at a timing when the time set by the time setting unit 26 has elapsed as arbitrary timing after the certain process of money is performed.
Further, in the money handling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, when a plurality of dispensing processes of money is performed continuously in one transaction, the control unit 12 performs a next dispensing process of money at an arbitrary timing after certain dispensing process of money is performed. At this time, the control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money a plurality of times for each denomination of money in one transaction. It should be noted that, as described above, the control unit 12 may perform dispensing process of money a plurality of times continuously for each number of money or for each monetary amount of money in one transaction, instead of performing dispensing process of money a plurality of times continuously for each denomination in one transaction.
Further, in the money handling apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 12 performs dispensing process of money at an arbitrary timing after depositing process of money such as sending money put into the apparatus by the coin depositing unit 110 or banknote depositing unit 252 to the storage and feeding units 150, 270. In this case, by performing continuous depositing/dispensing process of money in which dispensing process of money is performed at an arbitrary timing continuously after depositing process of money is performed, the operator can omit the operation of inputting instruction of dispensing process of money to the control unit 12 by the operation/display unit 20.
It should be noted that the money handling apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above described aspect, and various modifications can be made.
For example, a money handling system according to the present invention may be configured by combining the above described money handling apparatus 10 and the external apparatus 90 such as an upper-level terminal. In this case, the external apparatus 90, such as an upper-level terminal, functions as a managing apparatus that is provided separately from the money handling apparatus 10 and communicably connected to the money handling apparatus 10. In such a money handling system, depositing process or dispensing process of money is not performed by the control unit 12 controlling each component of the money handling apparatus 10. Instead, command signal relating to depositing process or dispensing process of money may be sent from the external apparatus 90 to the money handling apparatus 10 via the communication interface unit 30, and depositing process or dispensing process of money may be performed in the money handling apparatus 10 based on this command signal. In other words, the external apparatus 90 as a managing apparatus has a control unit that controls at least one of the storage and feeding units 150, 270 and the transport units 170, 264 of the money handling apparatus 10 to perform dispensing process of money for dispensing money from the coin dispensing unit 172 or banknote dispensing unit 260 Further, the control unit provided in the external apparatus 90 performs dispensing process of money at an arbitrary timing after certain process of money (specifically, dispensing process or depositing process of money) is performed in the money handling apparatus 10. In such a money handling system, a money-dispensing instructing unit or a time setting unit having the same function as the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 or time setting unit 26 provided in the money handling apparatus 10 can be provided in the external apparatus 90.
When combining the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 and the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200 described above, after depositing process of banknote in the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200 is performed, dispensing process of coin in the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 may be performed at an arbitrary timing. More specifically, if the money handling apparatus 10 combining the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 and the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200 is used as a money exchange apparatus, when money exchange mode is selected by the operator, the following operation is performed. First, banknotes before exchanged are put into the banknote depositing unit 252 by the operator, whereby depositing process of banknote is performed in the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200. Then, the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 performs dispensing process of coin corresponding to the amount of banknotes put into the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200 at an arbitrary timing by using the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 as described above. Further, the principle of the money exchange process described above can also be applied to the case where the money handling apparatus 10 performs reverse money exchange process in which coins are exchanged to banknotes. Also, when the money exchange process described above is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 may be provided in the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200 to cause the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 to perform dispensing process of coin. Further, when the reverse money exchange process described above is performed in the money handling apparatus 10, the money-dispensing instructing unit 24 may be provided in the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 to cause the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200 to perform dispensing process of banknote.
The money handling apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the money depositing and dispensing apparatus that performs both depositing process and dispensing process of money. That is, money handling apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the apparatus that combines the coin depositing and dispensing apparatus 100 and the banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus 200. As a money handling apparatus according to the present embodiment, a money dispensing apparatus that performs only dispensing process of money may be used. That is, as a money handling apparatus according to the present embodiment, a money dispensing apparatus that combines a coin dispensing apparatus that performs only dispensing process of coin and a banknote dispensing apparatus that performs only dispensing process of banknote may be used. In a money handling apparatus that functions as such a money dispensing apparatus, when dispensing process of money is performed a plurality of times continuously in a single transaction, a control unit performs a next dispensing process of money at an arbitrary timing after certain dispensing process of money is performed. At this time, the control unit performs dispensing process of money a plurality of times for each denomination of money in one transaction. It should be noted that the control unit may perform dispensing process of money a plurality of times continuously for each number of money or for each monetary amount of money in one transaction, instead of performing dispensing process of money a plurality of times continuously for each denomination in one transaction.
As a money handling apparatus according to the present embodiment, a coin change machine 300 as shown in
As shown in
The coin depositing unit 310 takes coins received via a coin inlet into the housing 302 one by one in a state of one layer and one row. The coin depositing unit 310 is provided with a remaining coin detection sensor 313, and the coin received in the coin depositing unit 310 is detected by the remaining coin detection sensor 313. In the coin depositing unit 310, a feeding unit 312 including a feeding belt or the like moving in the left direction in
The deposited-money transport unit 316 has a transport surface extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and coins are transported in a substantially horizontal posture on the transport surface. The deposited-money transport unit 316 has a circulation belt 316a stretched by a plurality of pulleys 316b, and the coins fed out to the inside of the housing 302 by the feeding unit 312 are transported inside the housing 302 by a frictional force working with the circulation belt 316a. Specifically, the circulation belt 316a is disposed above the transport surface with a gap of a slight size from the transport surface (specifically, a gap having substantially the same size as the thickness of one coin). A drive motor is connected to one pulley 316b among the plurality of pulleys 316b, and this pulley 316b is rotated by the drive motor, so that the circulation belt 316a circulates in the counterclockwise direction in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As described above, each coin storage unit 390a to 390f stores the coins for each denomination. Each coin storage unit 390a to 390f is provided with a feeding unit 392 such as a strip-shaped feeding belt that feeds out the coins stored in the coin storage units 390a to 390f one by one. The coins fed out from each coin storage unit 390a to 390f by the feeding unit 392 are sent to the coin dispensing unit 320 and accumulated in this coin dispensing unit 320. More specifically, as shown in
In such a coin change machine 300, in the same manner as the money handling apparatus 10 described above, dispensing process of coin is performed at an arbitrary timing after certain process of coin (specifically, dispensing process or depositing process of coin) is performed. By performing dispensing process of coin after certain process of coin is performed at an arbitrary timing in this manner, a burden on the operator can be reduced, so that the work efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, since dispensing process of coin is not performed at a timing that the operator does not intend, security can be improved. More specifically, in the coin change machine 300 as shown in
Next, a configuration of the coin dispensing unit 320 will be described in detail with reference to
Further, as a coin dispensing unit, a coin dispensing unit 330 shown in
Further, as a coin dispensing unit, a coin dispensing unit 350 shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-178573 | Sep 2017 | JP | national |
