US20050116407A1 - Paper sheets processor - Google Patents

Abstract

Different paper sheets such as banknotes and paper moneys are inserted into a plurality of insertion parts. The paper sheets inserted into the respective insertion parts are run out one by one, and carried on the same carrying route. The run-out paper sheet is judged during the carriage thereof. According to the judgment result, a carrying destination thereof is determined, and then the paper sheet is carried and accommodated into the determined carrying destination.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is a continuation of international PCT application No. PCT/JP02/08815 filed on Aug. 30, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a paper sheets processor for taking in and processing paper sheets such as a banknote inserted into an insertion part.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• A paper sheets processor for taking in paper sheets inserted into an insertion slot and providing the paper sheets with a given process is in widespread use in society. For example, a paper sheets processor dealing with banknotes as paper sheets is in widespread use as a cash processor used for teller operation, or as a processor mounted on an automated device such as an automatic depositor (AD) and an automated-teller machine (ATM).
• In the paper sheets processor dealing with banknotes, in general, banknotes to be deposited in bulk are collectively inserted into an insertion slot. The banknotes inserted into the insertion slot are run out one by one and judged. When the banknote is determined to be a true banknote by such a judgment, the banknote is carried to an accommodation part where the banknote should be accommodated, and accommodated. The number of the banknotes accommodated in the accommodation part is counted for each denomination. A deposit amount calculated by using the count result is shown to the customer who deposited the banknotes.
• The banknotes run out from the insertion slot are carried along a carrying route. Therefore, the insertion slot guides the banknotes inserted therein to be located appropriately in relation to the carrying route.
• A conventional paper sheets processor is provided with only one insertion slot mentioned above. However, since the insertion slot needs to guide the banknotes inserted therein, banknotes with highly different sizes cannot be inserted into the insertion slot. A mechanism to run out the banknotes from the insertion slot should be designed by considering a thickness, a medium and the like of banknotes. That is, even when sizes of banknotes are not highly different, the banknotes cannot be run out appropriately from the insertion slot if their thickness or mediums are different. Therefore, the conventional paper sheets processor provided with only one insertion slot can deal with few types of banknotes (paper sheets).
• Currently, as business, anyone can do “exchange of foreign money”, that is, buying foreign moneys or travel checks to convert them to domestic currency; or adversely selling the foreign moneys or the travel checks to people in need thereof. Combined with such a background, it is thinkable that future paper sheets processors will be required to deal with more various types of banknotes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper sheets processor capable of dealing more various paper sheets.
• The paper sheets processor of the present invention is based on the promise that the paper sheets processor takes in and processes paper sheets such as a banknote inserted into insertion parts. The paper sheets processor comprises: a plurality of insertion parts provided according to differences of outer shapes or materials of the paper sheets, or differences of directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted; and a carrying unit for carrying the paper sheets respectively inserted into the plurality of insertion parts to given carrying destinations.
• In the foregoing construction, it is desirable that part of a carrying route on which the carrying unit carries the paper sheets from the respective plurality of insertion parts to the given carrying destinations is shared in common. Further, it is desirable that a judging unit for judging the paper sheets inserted from the respective plurality of insertion parts is provided on the common carrying route.
• A method of fabricating a paper sheets processor of the present invention is based on the promise that the method of fabricating a paper sheets processor is applied to fabrication of a paper sheets processor for taking in and processing paper sheets such as a banknote inserted into insertion parts. In the method of fabricating a paper sheets processor of the invention, a plurality of insertion parts are provided according to differences of outer shapes or materials of the paper sheets or differences of directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted, and part of a carrying route used for carrying the paper sheets from the respective plurality of insertion parts to given carrying destinations is shared in common.
• In the invention, the plurality of insertion parts are provided according to the differences of outer shapes or materials of the paper sheets or the differences of directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted, and the paper sheets inserted into the respective plurality of insertion parts are carried.
• It becomes possible to take in more various paper sheets through the insertion parts by providing the plurality of insertion parts according to the differences of outer shapes, materials, or directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted. Thereby, it becomes possible to deal with more various paper sheets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is an outline cross section of a depositor mounting a paper sheets processor according to this embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a view explaining a method of inserting paper sheets into respective insertion parts;
• FIG. 3 is a view explaining constructions of the respective insertion parts and a carrying route, and a location relationship thereof;
• FIG. 4 is a view explaining operations of the respective insertion parts; and
• FIG. 5 is a construction view of the depositor mounting a paper sheets processor according to this embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Descriptions will be hereinafter given of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.
• FIG. 1 is an outline cross section of a depositor mounting a paper sheets processor according to the embodiment.
• Adepositor100 can take in multiple types of paper sheets which cannot be inserted into the same insertion part since these paper sheets have different sizes, thickness, mediums and the like, for example, a combination of banknotes and paper moneys such as checks; a combination of banknotes of different countries; or combination of different types of paper moneys. Here, for convenience, suppose that the multiple types of paper sheets are constructed from the combination of banknotes and paper moneys.
• As shown inFIG. 1, thedepositor100 mounts inside abanknote deposit unit101 for taking in and accommodating banknotes or paper moneys inserted (deposited) by users. Thebanknote deposit unit101 comprises: twoinsertion parts111 and112 for inserting banknotes or paper moneys, acarrying route113 provided for carrying the banknotes or the paper moneys inserted into theinsertion part111 or112; ajudgment part114 provided on thecarrying route113 for determining authenticity and damage state of the banknotes or the paper moneys being carried; twoaccommodation parts115 prepared for accommodating the banknotes or the paper moneys inserted into theinsertion part111; and twoaccommodation parts116 prepared for accommodating the banknotes or the paper moneys inserted into theinsertion part112. The paper sheets processor according to the embodiment is mounted on thedepositor100 as thebanknote deposit unit101.
• For example, banknotes are inserted into theinsertion part111, and paper moneys such as checks and paper similar thereto (for example, “chit” or the like which is circulating in Korea) are inserted into theinsertion part112. As indicated by arrows inFIG. 2, a banknote M is inserted into theinsertion part111 along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof, and a paper money (hereinafter suppose it is a “chit”) C is inserted into theinsertion part112 along the longitudinal direction thereof.
• When the banknotes M are inserted into theinsertion part111 or the chits C are inserted into theinsertion part112, and then a user directs thedepositor100 to take in the banknotes M or the chits C, thedepositor100 starts taking in the banknotes M or the chits C. After that, for example, the banknotes M inserted into theinsertion part111 are run out one by one from theinsertion part111 and carried toward thejudgment part114. Regarding the banknotes M which have been carried to thejudgment part114, theaccommodation part115 where the banknotes M should be accommodated is determined according to the judgment result. Then, the banknotes M are carried to thedetermined accommodation part115, and accommodated therein.
• The number of the banknotes M accommodated in theaccommodation part115 is counted for each denomination. When accommodation of the banknotes M inserted into theinsertion part111 are finished, the number of the banknotes M counted for each denomination and a total sum (deposit amount) are notified to the user to make the user confirm the notified contents. After that, when the user directs thedepositor100 to continue the process (transaction), a given process is performed and transaction regarding deposit is completed. As for a process regarding the chits C inserted into theinsertion part112 is basically similar thereto.
• FIG. 3 is a view for explaining constructions of therespective insertion parts111 and112 and the carryingroute113, and a location relationship thereof. This is an overhead view of these constructions and the location relationship thereof. To be more precise, the physical relationship shown here is a location relationship in the longitudinal direction of the banknote M inserted into theinsertion part111. Regarding thecarrying route113, only the part in the vicinity of thejudgment part114 is excerpted and shown. In such a part, the banknote M and the chit C are carried in the direction indicated by arrow a.
• The banknote M targeted for deposit is inserted into a space (hereinafter referred to as “insertion space”) surrounded by apartition plate301, apressure plate302 for pressing the banknote M toward thepartition plate301, and a pair ofguide plates303 facing to each other. Power from amotor304 is transmitted to thepressure plate303 through aroller305, abelt307 put around theroller305 and aroller306 provided in the vicinity thereof, and apart308 linked with thebelt307. Thereby, thepressure plate302 is moved toward thepartition plate301 and moved in the opposite direction thereto through drive control of themotor304.
• A total of five running-outrollers312 installed on ashaft311 and a total of fourseparation rollers314 installed on ashaft313 are arranged below the insertion space. Theseparation roller314 does not rotate clockwise from point of view of themotor304 side unless a given force is applied thereto. Power of amotor315 is transmitted to theshaft311. The rotation direction shall be hereinafter expressed from point of view of themotor304 side unless otherwise noted.
• As shown inFIG. 4, ashutter401 is provided above the insertion space of theinsertion part111. When the banknote M is inserted into theinsertion part111, theshutter401 is opened. When the insertion is finished, theshutter401 is closed. After theshutter401 is closed, the banknotes M inserted into theinsertion part111 pressed by thepressure plate302.
• When the banknote M pressed by thepressure plate302 is run out, power from themotor315 is transmitted to theshaft311 to rotate the running-outrollers312 counterclockwise. Due to this left-handed rotation, power to move objects downward is transmitted to the banknote M located closest to thepartition plate301 side. Even if the banknote M located adjacent to this banknote M located closest to thepartition plate301 side is moved together due to the transmission of power, the banknote M located adjacent to such a banknote M located closest to thepartition plate301 side is stopped in its position due to friction resistance with theseparation rollers314. Thereby, only the banknote M located closest to thepartition plate301 side is run out.
• Meanwhile, similarly to the banknote M, the chit C is inserted into an insertion space surrounded by apartition plate321, apressure plate322 for pressing the banknote M toward thepartition plate321, and a pair ofguide plates323 facing to each other. As in theinsertion part111, power from amotor324 is transmitted to thepressure plate323 through aroller325, abelt327 put around theroller325 and aroller326 provided in the vicinity thereof, and amember328 linked with thebelt327. Thereby, thepressure plate322 is moved through drive control of themotor324.
• A total of five running-outrollers332 installed on a shaft331 and a total of fourseparation rollers334 installed on a shaft333 are arranged below the insertion space. As theseparation roller314, theseparation roller334 does not rotate clockwise unless a given force is applied thereto. Power of amotor335 is transmitted to the shaft331.
• As shown inFIG. 4, ashutter402 is provided above the insertion space of theinsertion part112 as well. When the chit C is inserted into theinsertion part112, theshutter402 is opened as well. When the insertion is finished, theshutter402 is closed as well. After theshutter402 is closed, the chit C inserted into theinsertion part112 pressed by thepressure plate322. Operation in running out the chit C pressed by thepressure plate322 is basically the same as the operation in the banknote M.
• As shown inFIG. 3, the carryingroute113 is provided withshafts341. Therespective shafts341 are provided with two carrying rollers242 in the vicinity of the center thereof. Power from a motor344 is transmitted to therespective shafts341.
• In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3, theinsertion part111 is provided so that a center in the longitudinal direction of the banknote M inserted therein corresponds with a center of the carryingroute113. Theinsertion part112 is provided so that a center in the direction of the chit C inserted therein corresponds with the center in the longitudinal direction of the banknote M inserted into theinsertion part111. Thereby, both the banknote M and the chit C are carried in the center of the carryingroute113.
• Since the center of the banknote M corresponds with the center of the chit C, it is possible to arrange the carryingrollers342 on theshaft341 provided on the carryingroute113 by corresponding to these aligned centers. It is not necessary to prepare the carryingrollers342 for the banknote M and for the chit C respectively. Therefore, the number of the carryingrollers342 provided on theshaft341 can be kept to the minimum. This is the reason why the centers of the banknote M and the chit C correspond with each other. In this embodiment, the banknote M and the chit C can be carried while a construction of the carryingroute113 is prevented from being complicated by making their centers correspond with each other.
• Compared to a case that the banknote M and the chit C are carried on separate carrying routes, when the banknote M and the chit C are carried on thesame route113, a construction of thedepositor100 becomes simplified, and the inner space thereof becomes more utilizable. The number of accommodated banknotes M and the chits C becomes larger, and it becomes enough that the number of thejudgment part113 is one. These are the reasons why the banknote M and the chit C have the carryingroute113 in common.
• 351 and352 inFIG. 3 are image sensors for reading images provided on thejudgment part114. Theimage sensor351 is intended to read an image of the banknote being carried. Meanwhile, theimage sensor352 is intended to read an image of the chit C being carried.
• Theimage sensor351 is intended to recognize stain and a damage state of the banknote M. Meanwhile, theimage sensor352 is intended to recognize a damage state of the chit C, and a date and a chit number printed thereon. Since it is not necessary to read the image high-precisely in recognition of the damage state, a low resolution sensor is adopted for theimage sensor351. Meanwhile, since the image needs to be read high-precisely in recognition of the date and the chit number, a high-resolution sensor is adopted for theimage sensor352.
• The high-resolution image sensor is expensive. However, as evidenced byFIG. 3, when the chit C is carried along the longitudinal direction thereof, a range which should be read by the image sensor becomes narrowed compared to the case wherein the chit C is carried along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. That is, a more inexpensive image sensor can be adopted. This is also a reason why the chit C is carried along the longitudinal direction thereof in this embodiment.
• It becomes possible to deal with more various types of banknotes M, chits C and the like by providing the twoinsertion parts111 and112. In this embodiment, as described above, the banknote M and the chit C are carried on thesame carrying route113 while the location relationship between the banknote M and the chit C inserted into theinsertion parts111 and112 is devised. Therefore, a complicated construction of the depositor110 and rise of manufacturing cost, which are associated with dealing with more various types of banknotes M, chits C and the like are restrained.
• FIG. 5 is a construction view of the foregoingdepositor100.
• As shown inFIG. 5, thedepositor100 comprises: acontrol part501 for controlling thewhole depositor100; thejudgment part114 for judging the banknote M or the chit C run out from theinsertion part111 or112; adisplay part502 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD); anoperation part503 with a touch panel or the like installed on a screen of thedisplay part502; acommunications control part504 for communicating with other devices through, for example, LAN; amotor group505 having themotors304,315,324,335, and343 shown inFIG. 3; amotor drive part506 for driving the motors constructing themotor group505 according to directions from thecontrol part501; asensor group507 constructed from various sensors arranged in respective parts of thedepositor100; asensor control part508 for controlling the sensors constructing thesensor group507; asolenoid group509; and asolenoid drive part510 for driving the solenoids constructing thesolenoid group509 according to directions from thecontrol part501. The solenoids constructing thesolenoid group509 are provided in order to switch carrying destinations of the banknote M or the chit C.
• Theoperation part503, for example, performs scanning of the touch panel as needed, and outputs the scanning result to thecontrol part501. Thecontrol part501 analyzes the scanning result, and thereby detects operation conducted by a user and executes control corresponding to the detection result. Thereby, thedepositor100 is operated according to the direction of the user.
• When it is clarified that the user directs deposit after the scanning result is analyzed, thecontrol part501 makes thedisplay part502 show a screen to inquire, for example, a deposit method. The user selects any of the following options: only the banknote M; only the chit C; and both the banknote M and the chit C. Theshutters401 and402 respectively covering theinsertion parts111 and112 are opened according to the selection result.
• When the user selects both the banknote M and the chit C as a deposit method, thecontrol part501 directs themotor drive part506 to drive the motors for opening and closing the shutters to open theshutters401 and402 (refer toFIG. 4). On thedisplay part502, a message prompting the user to insert the banknote M and the chit C into theinsertion parts111 and112 is shown.
• Thecontrol part501 makes theshutters401 and402 closed after, for example, the user operates theoperation part503 to direct taking in the banknote M and the chit C (refer toFIG. 4). After theshutters401 and402 are closed, thecontrol part501 directs thesensor control part508 to make the sensors respectively arranged in theinsertion parts111 and112 perform sensing to determine presence of the banknote M and the chit C respectively. When it is determined that the banknote M or the chit C is inserted into only one of theinsertion parts111 and112, taking-in is started for such only one of theinsertion parts111 and112. When the banknote M or the chit C are inserted into both theinsertion parts111 and112, taking-in is started in the order of, for example, firstly the banknote M and secondly the chit C.
• Before the banknote M is taken in, the banknote M inserted into theinsertion part111 is pressed by thepressure plate302 based on a direction to themotor drive part506 to drive themotor304. Similarly, before the chit C is taken in, the chit C inserted into theinsertion part112 is pressed by thepressure plate302 based on a direction to themotor drive part506 to drive themotor304.
• When the banknote M is taken in, thecontrol part501 makes themotor drive part506 drive themotor343, a power source for the carryingroute113. Themotor315, a power source for the running-outrollers312 is driven intermittently. Thereby, the banknotes M are run out one by one from theinsertion part111 as needed.
• Thejudgment part114 judges the banknote M which is run out from theinsertion part111 and carried on the carryingroute113, and outputs the judgment result to thecontrol part501. Based on this judgment result, thecontrol part501 determines theaccommodation part115 becoming a carrying destination of the banknote M run out from theinsertion part111. Thecontrol part501 directs thesolenoid drive510 to drive the solenoid corresponding to theaccommodation part115. Thereby, the judged banknote M is accommodated in theaccommodation part115. In addition, the number of the banknotes M run out from theinsertion part111 is counted for each denomination.
• Thecontrol part501 determines whether the banknote M remains in theinsertion part111 or not by inputting a detection result of the sensor arranged in theinsertion part111 from thesensor control part508. Thereby, running out the banknote M from theinsertion part111 is performed until no banknote M exists therein. If the chit C is inserted into theinsertion part112, taking in the chit C is started after taking in the banknote M is finished.
• When the chit C is subsequently taken in, thecontrol part501 intermittently drives themotor335, a power source for the running-outrollers332, and thereby the chits C are run out one by one from theinsertion part112 as needed.
• Thejudgment part114 judges the chit C which is run out from theinsertion part112 and carried on the carryingroute113, and outputs the judgment result to thecontrol part501. Based on this judgment result, thecontrol part501 determines theaccommodation part116 becoming a carrying destination of the chit C run out from theinsertion part112. Thecontrol part501 directs thesolenoid drive510 to drive the solenoid corresponding to theaccommodation part116. Thereby, the judged chit C is accommodated in theaccommodation part116. The number of the chits C run out from theinsertion part112 is counted for each value.
• Thecontrol part501 determines whether the chit C remains in theinsertion part112 or not by inputting a detection result of the sensor arranged in theinsertion part112 from thesensor control part508. Thereby, running out the chit C from theinsertion part112 is performed until no chit C exists therein.
• When taking-in is finished by running out the last banknote M remaining in theinsertion part111 and accommodating that banknote M in theaccommodation part115, or accommodating the last chit C remaining in theinsertion part112 in theaccommodation part116, thecontrol part501 directs themotor drive part506 to stop driving the motor being driven. On thedisplay part502, the number of the banknotes M or the chits C counted for each denomination and deposit amount are shown, and the user is made to confirm these. After that, when the user notifies the confirmation by operating theoperation part503, a process such as transmitting the deposit amount from the communications controlpart504 to an external device (for example, host computer) is performed, and the transaction regarding deposit is completed. On thedisplay part502, a menu screen is displayed.
• In this embodiment, the twoinsertion parts111 and112 are provided. However, three or more insertion parts can be provided. It is also possible that a plurality of insertion parts are provided by preparing an expansion unit having an insertion part and a mechanism to run out paper sheets inserted therein, and installing one-or more of the expansion units on a main body according to need.
• As described above, in the present invention, the plurality of insertion parts are provided according to differences of outer shapes or materials of paper sheets, or differences of directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted, and the paper sheets respectively inserted into the plurality of insertion parts are carried.
• It becomes possible to take in more various paper sheets through the insertion parts by providing the plurality of insertion parts according to the differences of outer shapes, materials, or directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted. Therefore, more various paper sheets can be dealt.

Claims (4)

1. A paper sheets processor for taking in and processing paper sheets such as a banknote inserted into insertion parts, comprising:

a plurality of insertion parts provided according to differences of outer shapes or materials of the paper sheets, or differences of directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted; and

a carrying unit for carrying the paper sheets respectively inserted into the plurality of insertion parts to given carrying destinations.

2. The paper sheets processor according toclaim 1, wherein part of a carrying route on which the carrying unit carries the paper sheets from the respective plurality of insertion parts to the given carrying destinations is shared in common.

3. The paper sheets processor according toclaim 2, wherein a judgment unit for judging the paper sheets inserted into the respective plurality of insertion parts is provided on the common carrying route.

4. A method of fabricating a paper sheets processor for taking in and processing paper sheets such as a banknote inserted into insertion parts, wherein

a plurality of insertion parts are provided according to differences of outer shapes or materials of the paper sheets or differences of directions in which the paper sheets should be inserted, and

part of a carrying route used for carrying the paper sheets from the respective plurality of insertion parts to given carrying destinations is shared in common.

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