U.S. patent application number 11/702651 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-03 for sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Yoshiaki Kida.
Application Number | 20080079211 11/702651 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38627009 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080079211 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kida; Yoshiaki |
April 3, 2008 |
Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing
Abstract
According to the present invention, when a jam occurs in any of
temporary accumulation sections or temporary accumulating doors are
opened or closed, even if non-established and established notes are
mixedly accumulated in the temporary accumulation sections, an
operator can collectively recount these notes without considering
the mixture.
Inventors: |
Kida; Yoshiaki;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
38627009 |
Appl. No.: |
11/702651 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/4.02 ;
271/4.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2553/43 20130101;
G03G 2215/00548 20130101; B65H 7/20 20130101; B65H 2511/512
20130101; B65H 2511/13 20130101; B65H 2701/1912 20130101; B65H
2511/528 20130101; B65H 7/06 20130101; B65H 2511/13 20130101; B65H
2511/30 20130101; B65H 2557/64 20130101; B65H 2511/417 20130101;
B65H 2511/417 20130101; B65H 2513/512 20130101; B65H 2511/30
20130101; B65H 2511/512 20130101; G03G 15/6538 20130101; B65H
2220/02 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101;
B65H 2220/03 20130101; B65H 2511/528 20130101; B65H 2513/512
20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H
2220/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/4.02 ;
271/4.01 |
International
Class: |
B65H 7/00 20060101
B65H007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 29, 2006 |
JP |
2006-268163 |
Claims
1. A sheet processing apparatus comprising: receiving means for
receiving a batch processing unit and each comprising an arbitrary
number of sheets, the sheet groups being separated from each other
by partition cards; taking-out means for sequentially taking out
one of the received partition cards or one of the received sheets
onto a conveying path as a process medium; first determining means
for determining that the process medium taken out by the taking-out
means and conveyed along the conveying path is a partition card;
second determining means for determining that the process medium
taken out by the taking-out means and conveyed along the conveying
path is a sheet; classifying means for selectively placing the
process medium in one of a plurality of temporary accumulation
sections on the basis of the determination by the second
determining means; counting means for counting classified sheets in
the sheet groups corresponding to the batch processing unit on the
basis of the determination of the partition card by the first
determining means; accommodating means for, once all the process
media received by the receiving means are taken out, accommodating
the sheets accumulated in all the temporary accumulation sections,
in a corresponding accommodation section, and when one of the
temporary accumulation sections becomes full, accommodating sheets
accumulated in that accumulation section in a corresponding
accommodation section; first processing means for, when a
conveyance error occurs on the conveying path with established and
non-established notes mixed together in the temporary accumulation
section, stopping the conveyance of the process medium executed by
the conveying path; setting means for taking out the established
and non-established sheets from the temporary accumulation section
and resetting the sheets for the receiving means; and second
processing means for, during the resetting by the setting means,
reversing the positive or negative sign of the count of the
established sheets in memory means to restart processing which
starts in the receiving means.
2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
partition card is set in front of and behind the sheet groups
corresponding to the batch processing unit.
3. A sheet processing apparatus comprising: receiving means for
receiving a batch processing unit and each comprising an arbitrary
number of sheets, the sheet groups being separated from each other
by partition cards; taking-out means for sequentially taking out
one of the received partition cards or one of the received sheets
onto a conveying path as a process medium; first determining means
for determining that the process medium taken out by the taking-out
means and conveyed along the conveying path is a partition card;
second determining means for determining that the process medium
taken out by the taking-out means and conveyed along the conveying
path is a sheet: classifying means for selectively placing the
process medium in one of a plurality of temporary accumulation
sections on the basis of the determination by the second
determining means; sensing means for sensing whether an open-close
door provided on an apparatus main body side of each of the
temporary accumulation sections to sense whether the open-close
door is open or closed; counting means for counting classified
sheets in the sheet groups corresponding to the batch processing
unit on the basis of the determination of the partition card by the
first determining means; accommodation means for, once all the
process media received by the receiving means are taken out,
accommodating the sheets accumulated in all the temporary
accumulation sections, in a corresponding accommodation section,
and when one of the temporary accumulation sections becomes full,
accommodating sheets accumulated in that accumulation section in a
corresponding accommodation section; first processing means for,
when the sensing means senses that the open-close door has been
opened or closed with established and non-established notes mixed
together in the temporary accumulation section, stopping the
conveyance of the process medium executed by the conveying path;
setting means for taking out the established and non-established
sheets from the temporary accumulation section and resetting the
sheets for the receiving means; and second processing means for,
during the resetting by the setting means, reversing the positive
or negative sign of the count of the established sheets in memory
means to restart processing which starts in the receiving
means.
4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
partition card is set in front of and behind the sheet groups
corresponding to the batch processing unit.
5. A sheet processing method comprising: a receiving step of
receiving a batch processing unit and each comprising an arbitrary
number of sheets, the sheet groups being separated from each other
by partition cards; a taking-out step of sequentially taking out
one of the received partition cards or one of the received sheets
onto a conveying path as a process medium; a first determining step
of determining that the process medium taken out in the taking-out
step and conveyed along the conveying path is a partition card; a
second determining step of determining that the process medium
taken out in the taking-out step and conveyed along the conveying
path is a sheet; a classifying step of selectively placing the
process medium in one of a plurality of temporary accumulation
sections on the basis of the determination in the second
determining step; a counting step of counting classified sheets in
the sheet groups corresponding to the batch processing unit on the
basis of the determination of the partition card in the first
determining step; an accommodation step of, once all the process
media received by the receiving means are taken out, accommodating
the sheets accumulated in all the temporary accumulation sections,
in a corresponding accommodation section, and when one of the
temporary accumulation sections becomes full, accommodating sheets
accumulated in that accumulation section in a corresponding
accommodation section; a first processing step of, when the sensing
step senses a conveyance error on the conveying path with
established and non-established notes mixed together in the
temporary accumulation section, stopping the conveyance of the
process medium executed by the conveying path; a setting step of
taking out the established and non-established sheets from the
temporary accumulation section and resetting the sheets for the
receiving step; and a second processing step of, during the
resetting in the setting step, reversing the positive or negative
sign of the count of the established sheets in memory means to
restart processing which starts in the receiving step.
6. The sheet processing method according to claim 5, wherein the
partition card is set in front of and behind the sheet groups
corresponding to the batch processing unit.
7. A sheet processing method comprising: a receiving step of
receiving a batch processing unit and each comprising an arbitrary
number of sheets, the sheet groups being separated from each other
by partition cards; a taking-out step of sequentially taking out
one of the received partition cards or one of the received sheets
onto a conveying path as a process medium; a first determining step
of determining that the process medium taken out in the taking-out
step and conveyed along the conveying path is a partition card; a
second determining step of determining that the process medium
taken out in the taking-out step and conveyed along the conveying
path is a sheet; a classifying step of selectively placing the
process medium in one of a plurality of temporary accumulation
sections on the basis of the determination in the second
determining step; a sensing step of sensing whether an open-close
door provided on an apparatus main body side of each of the
temporary accumulation sections is open or closed; a counting step
of counting classified sheets in the sheet groups corresponding to
the batch processing unit on the basis of the determination of the
partition card in the first determining step; an accommodation step
of, once all the process media received in the receiving step are
taken out, accommodating the sheets accumulated in all the
temporary accumulation sections, in a corresponding accommodation
section, and when one of the temporary accumulation sections
becomes full, accommodating sheets accumulated in that accumulation
section in a corresponding accommodation section; a first
processing step of, when the sensing step senses that the
open-close door has been opened or closed with established and
non-established notes mixed together in the temporary accumulation
section, stopping the conveyance of the process medium executed by
the conveying path; a setting step of taking cut the established
and non-established sheets from the temporary accumulation section
and resetting the sheets for the receiving step; and a second
processing step of, during the resetting in the setting step,
reversing the positive or negative sign of the count of the
established sheets in memory means to restart processing which
starts in the receiving step.
8. The sheet processing method according to claim 7, wherein the
partition card is set in front of and behind the sheet groups
corresponding to the batch processing unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-268163,
filed Sep. 29, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a sheet processing
apparatus and method which collectively processes at least two
sheet groups corresponding to a batch processing unit with the
sheet groups separated from each other by partition cards.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Known sheet processing apparatuses collectively process at
least two sheet groups corresponding to a batch processing unit
with the sheet groups separated from each other by partition cards
(see, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
2004-224481).
[0006] Plural types of notes are mixed and all are introduced into
a paper money processing apparatus (sheet processing apparatus) at
a time without being arranged so that all the notes have a front
facing upwards or back facing upwards or have a normal or reversed
top/bottom (the patterns on all the notes lie in a normal or
reversed top/bottom direction). Each of the notes is taken out and
conveyed on a conveying path. The conveyed notes are accumulated in
a temporary accumulation section on the basis of the type of note
and whether the note has a front facing upwards or back facing
upwards. Then, when all the introduced notes have been classified
or the temporary accumulation section becomes full, the notes in
the temporary accumulation section are accommodated in an
accommodation section.
[0007] In this case, if the sheet processing apparatus uses header
cards as partition cards, it does not perform an accommodation
operation every time one batch is completed taking into account a
decrease in processing efficiency caused by an accommodation
operation performed every time batch operation is completed.
Consequently, established notes corresponding to the finished batch
processing are mixed with non-established notes corresponding to
batch processing in progress.
[0008] Description will be given of conventional processing
executed if jamming occurs in the paper money processing apparatus
with the established and non-established notes mixed together in
the temporary accumulation section.
[0009] When an operator opens the door of the temporary
accumulation section in order to clear a jam, the sheet processing
apparatus prints the established and non-established notes in the
accumulation section in a log.
[0010] The operator classifies the notes in the temporary
accumulation section into the established and non-established notes
on the basis of the printed log. The established notes are stored,
while the non-established notes are re-supplied to the paper money
processing apparatus.
[0011] In this case,
[0012] (I) the jam processing requires much time and effort from
the operator.
[0013] The operator needs to classify the notes collected from the
temporary accumulation section through its opened door, into the
established and non-established notes on the basis of the printed
log. A cash processor has up to 17 temporary accumulation sections.
This requires much time and effort from the operator.
[0014] (2) Miscounting during classification is likely to result in
a count mismatch.
[0015] Since the human operator classifies the notes into the
established and non-established notes, miscounting
(misclassification) is likely to result in a count mismatch (Jpn.
Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2004-224481 and Jpn. Pat. Appln.
KOKAI Publication No. 2002-334362).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet
processing apparatus and method in which with established and
non-established notes mixed together in a temporary accumulation
section, the number of the established notes is subtracted from a
count value when the door of the temporary accumulation section is
opened, making it possible to simplify an operator's jam
processing, that is, to reduce the time and effort required to
classify sheets, the apparatus and method further making it
possible to prevent a count mismatch resulting from jam processing
mis-operation.
[0017] A sheet processing apparatus of the present invention
comprises receiving means for receiving a batch processing unit and
each comprising an arbitrary number of sheets, the sheet groups
being separated from each other by partition cards, taking-out
means for sequentially taking out one of the received partition
cards or one of the received sheets onto a conveying path as a
process medium, first determining means for determining that the
process medium taken out by the taking-out means and conveyed along
the conveying path is a partition card, second determining means
for determining that the process medium taken out by the taking-out
means and conveyed along the conveying path is a sheet, classifying
means for selectively placing the process medium in one of a
plurality of temporary accumulation sections on the basis of the
determination by the second determining means, counting means for
counting classified sheets in the sheet groups corresponding to the
batch processing unit on the basis of the determination of the
partition card by the first determining means, accommodation means
for, once all the process media received by the receiving means are
taken out, accommodating the sheets accumulated in all the
temporary accumulation sections, in a corresponding accommodation
section, and when one of the temporary accumulation sections
becomes full, accommodating sheets accumulated in that accumulation
section in a corresponding accommodation section, first processing
means for, when a conveyance error occurs on the conveying path
with established and non-established notes mixed together in the
temporary accumulation section, stopping the conveyance of the
process medium executed by the conveying path, setting means for
taking out the established and non-established sheets from the
temporary accumulation section and resetting the sheets for the
receiving means, and second processing means for, during the
resetting by the setting means, reversing the positive or negative
sign of the count of the established sheets in memory means to
restart processing which starts in the receiving means.
[0018] A sheet processing apparatus of the present invention
comprises receiving means for receiving a batch processing unit and
each comprising an arbitrary number of sheets, the sheet groups
being separated from each other by partition cards, taking-out
means for sequentially taking out one of the received partition
cards or one of the received sheets onto a conveying path as a
process medium, first determining means for determining that the
process medium taken out by the taking-out means and conveyed along
the conveying path is a partition card, second determining means
for determining that the process medium taken out by the taking-out
means and conveyed along the conveying path is a sheet, classifying
means for selectively placing the process medium in one of a
plurality of temporary accumulation sections on the basis of the
determination by the second determining means, sensing means for
sensing whether an open-close door provided on an apparatus main
body side of each of the temporary accumulation sections is open or
closed, counting means for counting classified sheets in the sheet
groups corresponding to the batch processing unit on the basis of
the determination of the partition card by the first determining
means, accommodation means for, once all the process media received
by the receiving means are taken out, accommodating the sheets
accumulated in all the temporary accumulation sections, in a
corresponding accommodation section, and when one of the temporary
accumulation sections becomes full, accommodating sheets
accumulated in that accumulation section in a corresponding
accommodation section, first processing means for, when the sensing
means senses that the open-close door has been opened or closed
with established and non-established notes mixed together in the
temporary accumulation section, stopping the conveyance of the
process medium executed by the conveying path, setting means for
taking out the established and non-established sheets from the
temporary accumulation section and resetting the sheets for the
receiving means, and second processing means for, during the
resetting by the setting means, reversing the positive or negative
sign of the count of the established sheets in memory means to
restart processing which starts in the receiving means.
[0019] As described above, the present invention can provide a
sheet processing apparatus and method which allows jam processing
to be achieved without the need to shift sheets among plural
batches of sheets separated from each other by partition cards,
thus making it possible to improve reliability.
[0020] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention, and together with the general description given
above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the internal
structure of a sheet processing apparatus to describe an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the internal
structure of the sheet processing apparatus;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a counting table
in which the numbers of sheets are registered;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a counting table
in which the numbers of sheets are registered;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a control
circuit in the sheet processing apparatus;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for
collectively counting plural batches of notes P; and
[0028] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed when a
conveyance error occurs during the collective counting for plural
batches of notes P.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] FIG. 1 shows the general configuration of a paper money
processing apparatus (sheet processing apparatus) according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper money processing
apparatus is composed of a paper money processing apparatus 1 and
an instructing apparatus (superordinate apparatus, teller) 202 that
gives instructions to the paper processing apparatus 1. The
superordinate apparatus 202 may control one or more paper money
processing apparatuses.
[0031] Plural types of notes of different sizes are all introduced
into the paper money processing apparatus 1 at a time. The notes
are classified according to the note type and are accumulated so
that all the notes have a front facing upwards or back facing
upwards. The paper money processing apparatus 1 has a function for
sealing every predetermined number of notes of only a particular
type with a paper band.
[0032] The superordinate apparatus 202 has a function for
instructing the paper money processing apparatus 1 to perform a
certain operation, for example, indicating, to the paper money
processing apparatus 1, the type of notes to be sealed and a
function for displaying count data provided by the paper money
processing apparatus 1. The superordinate apparatus 202 is composed
of a personal computer consisting of an input section 203 for
setting of the instructions, a display section 204, and a control
section 205 for general control. The superordinate apparatus 202
has a database 206 such as a magnetic disk.
[0033] The database 206 is provided with a counting table 206a that
stores the contents of counting executed by the paper money
processing apparatus 1.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a physical note count, a
non-established note count, and an established note count are
registered in the counting table 206a.
[0035] The type of notes to be sealed by a sealing device 50 can be
changed at any time by an operator via the input section 203.
[0036] The paper money processing apparatus main body 1 has a
housing 2 constituting a shell of the apparatus. A stage portion
located in the right of the housing 2 in the figure is provided
with an introducing section 4 into which plural notes P accumulated
in their sheet surface direction are collectively introduced so as
to have a reversed top/bottom. Each of the notes P has a front and
back sides and an upper and lower ends extending along its
longitudinal direction. The notes P are introduced via the
introducing section 4 so that their upper or lower ends face
downward.
[0037] Plural batches (corresponding to one processing unit) of
notes P separated from each other by header cards Ca and trailer
cards Cb are collectively introduced into the paper money
processing apparatus 1. The paper money processing apparatus 1 then
sequentially takes out a sheet and conveys it along a conveying
path 12.
[0038] The header card Ca is placed at the leading position of the
notes in each batch. The trailer card Cb is placed at the trailing
position of the notes in each batch. Identification codes are
provided on the front and back surfaces of each of these cards. To
be distinguished from the notes P, each of the cards has a
thickness equal to two notes P.
[0039] The introducing section 4 has a stage 4a on which plural
batches of notes P separated from each other by the header cards Ca
and trailer cards Cb are aligned with one another so that their
upper or lower ends contact the stage 4a. A backup plate 6 is
provided at the right end of the introducing section 4 shown in the
figure so as to stand upright in a vertical direction with respect
to the stage 4a. The backup plate 6 can be moved leftward in the
figure along the stage 4a by the urging force of a spring 8.
[0040] The header cards Ca, trailer cards Cb, and notes P
introduced into the introducing section 4 so as to have a reversed
top/bottom are urged in their sheet surface direction by the backup
plate and moved leftward in the figure. Then, the leftmost note P
in the figure is pressed against two takeout rollers 10 (taking-out
section) arranged in the left of the paper money introducing
section 4 in the figure and adjacent to each other in the vertical
direction. Rotating the takeout rollers in a predetermined
direction sequentially takes out one of the header cards Ca,
trailer cards Cb, and notes P which is located at the leftmost
position, onto the conveying path 12. The note P taken out onto the
conveying path 12 moves in a latitudinal direction with its upper
or lower end located at its leading position. On this occasion, the
notes are not arranged so that all of them have a front facing
upwards or back facing upwards. In the present embodiment, the
notes P are taken out downward from the introducing section 4.
[0041] The conveying path 12 is defined by endless conveying belts
14 and 16 extended above and below the conveying path 12 so that
the belts 14 and 16 can travel along a conveying direction. The
conveying belts 14 and 16 are wound around plural rollers 15
extended across the width (sheet surface direction).
[0042] A sensing section 30 is disposed beyond the conveying path
12 bent upward by the conveying belts 14 and 16 to sense the header
cards Ca and trailer cards Cb, the type of the note P, the front or
back facing upwards, the normal or reversed top/bottom, and the
presence or absence of contamination or damage. The sensing section
30 determines the header card Ca and trailer card Cb on the basis
of the thickness of the header card Ca and trailer card Cb conveyed
along the conveying path 12 as well as read bar codes. The sensing
section 30 also reads various information from the surface of the
note P conveyed along the conveying path 12. The sensing section 30
then logically calculates the read information and compares it with
reference information to sense the above characteristics of the
note P.
[0043] Plural gates G1, G2, and G3 to G8 are provided on the
conveying path 12 extended downstream of the sensing section 30 to
selectively switch the conveying direction of the header card Ca,
trailer card Cb, and note P on the basis of the sensing results by
the sensing section 30.
[0044] The sensing section 30 reads the thickness and bar codes to
determine the header card Ca and trailer card Cb, which are then
conveyed rightward in the figure via the gate G1 and discharged
into a reject box 32.
[0045] The following are conveyed rightward in the figure via the
gate G1 and discharged into the reject box 32: notes determined to
be unprocessable in the subsequent stages, such as notes determined
by the sensing section 30 to have been taken out together with
another note or to have skewed at a level higher than a
predetermined one, notes (not limited to paper money) such as debit
or counterfeit notes which are not determined to be regular
recirculatable notes. The reject box 32 is accessible from outside
the housing 1 of the paper money processing apparatus 1.
[0046] On the other hand, notes P determined by the sensing section
30 to be normal and processable are conveyed leftward in the figure
toward the gate G2 via the gate G1. The notes P having passed
through the gate G1 are not arranged so that all of them have a
front or back facing upwards and a normal or reversed top/bottom as
described above. Upon selectively passing through a turning-over
mechanism 34 described below, the notes P that are not arranged so
that all of them have a front or back facing upwards and a normal
or reversed top/bottom are arranged so that all of them have a
front or back facing upwards. The notes are then classified
according to their types and accumulated.
[0047] The conveying path located downstream of the gate G2
branches to two directions. Selectively switching the gate G2
between two positions allows the conveyance of the notes P to be
selectively switched between the two directions.
[0048] The turning-over mechanism 34 (turning-over section) is
provided on one of the branches of the conveying path located
downstream of the gate G2, to turn over the note P. The conveying
path passing through the turning-over mechanism 34 forms a twisted
conveying path rotated around a center axis through 180.degree.
between the inlet and outlet of the turning-over mechanism 34. Two
conveying belts 33 and 35 are provided along the twisted conveying
path so as to be twisted and so that their surfaces contact each
other. The other branch of the conveying path located downstream of
the gate G2 constitutes a conveying path 36 that only allows the
notes P to pass through.
[0049] Notes P sorted via the gate G2 and conveyed through the
twisted conveying path in the turning-over mechanism 34 are, for
example, turned over. In this example, notes (FF notes) carried in
the turning-over mechanism 34 with a front facing upwards and a
reversed top/bottom are turned over and carried out of the
turning-over mechanism 34 as BF notes having a back facing upwards
and a reversed top/bottom.
[0050] Thus, all the notes P are fed into the gate G3 via a joining
section 38; the notes include those turned over by passing through
the turning-over mechanism 34 and those not having passed through
the turning-over mechanism 34 but through the conveying path 36. In
this case, the length of the conveying path 36 is set so that the
processing time required for the notes P to reach the joining
section 38 via the turning-over mechanism 34 after passing through
the gate G2 is equal to the conveying time required for the notes P
to reach the joining section 38 after passing through the conveying
path 36. This allows the notes P conveyed through the turning-over
mechanism 34 to pass through the joining section 38 at the same
timing as that when the notes P having passed through the conveying
path 36 pass the joining section 38. This enables all the notes P
to be processed under the same conditions regardless of the
processing form.
[0051] The conveying path located downstream of the gate G3
branches to two directions. Selectively switching the gate G3
between two positions allows the conveyance of the notes P to be
selectively switched between the two directions.
[0052] One of the branches of the conveying path located downstream
of the gate G3 and extending rightward in the figure constitutes a
horizontal conveying path 40 extending in a substantially
horizontal direction above a plurality of accumulation sections 41a
to 46a. The five gates G4 to G8 are provided on the horizontal
conveying path 40 so that the conveyed note P is sorted and
accumulated in one of the six temporary accumulation sections 41a
to 46a.
[0053] The note P selectively sorted via the gate G4, located on
the most upstream side of the horizontal conveying path 40, is
accumulated in the temporary accumulation section 41a. The note P
selectively sorted via the gate G5 is accumulated in the temporary
accumulation section 42a. The note P selectively sorted via the
gate G6 is accumulated in the temporary accumulation section 43a.
The note P selectively sorted via the gate G7 is accumulated in the
temporary accumulation section 44a. The note P selectively sorted
via the gate G8 is accumulated in the temporary accumulation
section 46a.
[0054] Accumulating sections 51 of the sealing device are provided
at the terminal of the other branch of the conveying path located
downstream of the gate G3 and extending leftward in the figure. The
sealing device 50 accumulates, for example, 100 notes P and winds a
paper band around the notes to form a bundle of notes P.
[0055] Notes P of a particular type to which sealing with a paper
band has been assigned are fed into the accumulation sections 51 of
the sealing device 50 according to a rule described below. On the
other hand, notes P of other types are accumulated in any of the
above temporary accumulation sections 41 to 46.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 1, the sealing device 50 is composed of the
accumulation section 51, a supply section 53, a single sealing
section (sealing mechanism) 54, a printing mechanism 55, and a band
supplying section 56.
[0057] The accumulation sections 51 accumulate notes P fed via the
gate V3 in themselves.
[0058] The sealing section 54 is a single sealing mechanism that
seals, with a paper band, 100 notes supplied by the supply section
53 and accumulated in the accumulation section 51.
[0059] The supply section 53 supplies the 100 notes accumulated in
the accumulation section 51 to the sealing section 54.
[0060] The printing mechanism 55 prints desired print data on the
notes used by the sealing section 54.
[0061] The band supplying section 56 supplies a band used by the
sealing section 54.
[0062] Notes P are accumulated in each accumulation section 51
according to the rule described below.
[0063] Notes P accumulated in the accumulation section 51 via the
gate G3 are fed into the sealing section 54 by the supply section
53 and sealed with a paper band supplied by the band supplying
section 56. The sealed bundle of a predetermined number of notes P
is transferred to a conveyor 58 by a transfer mechanism 57. The
notes P are subsequently carried out of the apparatus via the
conveyor 58.
[0064] The sealing section 54 receives the predetermined number
notes P accumulated in the accumulation section 51. The sealing
section 54 winds a paper band around the notes P along the
latitudinal direction of the notes P, at a position biased toward
one side in the longitudinal direction of the notes P (in the
present embodiment, the rear of the paper money processing
apparatus main body 1). An end of the band is then bonded to the
other end to seal the predetermined number of sheets to form a
bundle.
[0065] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a control system that
controls the operation of the above paper money processing
apparatus 1.
[0066] The paper money processing apparatus 1 is composed of a
control section 80, a memory 81, a determining section 82, a
take-out control section 83, a conveyance control section 84, a
gate control section 85, a jam sensing section 86, and driving
circuits 91 and 92.
[0067] The control section 80 controls the general operation of the
apparatus in accordance with preset operation programs.
[0068] The memory 81 is used to store the operation programs and
data such as count data including a physical note count and
non-established count data.
[0069] The determining section 82 determines the header card Ca and
trailer card Cb as partition cards on the basis of sensing results
provided by the sensing section 30. The determining section 82
further determines whether or not the note P is recirculatable and
whether the note P has a front or back facing upwards and a normal
or reversed top/bottom. The determining section 82 outputs the
determinations to the control section 80.
[0070] The takeout control section 83 rotates the takeout rollers
10 under the control of the control section 80.
[0071] The conveyance control section 84 rotates the conveying
rollers, constituting the conveying path 12, under the control of
the control section 80.
[0072] The gate control section 85 drives the gates G1 to G9 under
the control of the control section 80.
[0073] The jam sensing section 86 senses jamming, an error in the
conveyance of conveying media conveyed by the paper money conveying
mechanism, under the control of the control section 80.
[0074] The driving circuit 91 drives the sealing mechanism 54 under
the control of the control section 80.
[0075] The driving circuit 92 drives the printing mechanism 55
under the control of the control section 80.
[0076] The control section 80 is connected to the superordinate
apparatus 202 via an interface 201.
[0077] Now, description will be given of a process executed by the
paper money processing apparatus 1 to sort notes.
[0078] First, plural batches of notes P separated by the header
cards Ca and trailer cards Cb are collectively introduced into the
introducing section 4. An operator instructs the apparatus to
start, via an operation panel (not shown). This instruction causes
the control section 80 to control the control section 83 to rotate
the takeout rollers 10. Rotation of the takeout rollers 10
sequentially takes out the notes in the introducing section 4
starting with the leftmost header card Ca. The taken-out notes P
are conveyed on the conveying path 12 (the notes P are loaded onto
the conveying path 12).
[0079] During conveyance along the conveying path 12, any of the
header card Ca, note P, and trailer card Cb passes by an opposite
part of the sensing section 30 as a passing medium. During the
passage, the sensing section 30 senses the thickness of the passing
medium and reads bar codes from it to sense characteristics such as
the type of the note P, the front or back facing upwards, the
normal or reversed top/bottom, and contamination or damage. The
sensing section 30 thus outputs the sensing results and the read
bar code contents to the determining section 82.
[0080] Thus, on the basis of the sensing results and read bar code
contents from the sensing section 30, the determining section 82
determines whether the passing medium is the header card Ca, the
note P, or the trailer card Cb. The determining section 82 further
determines whether or not the note P is recirculatable and whether
the note has a front or back facing upwards and a normal or
reversed top/bottom. The determining section 82 outputs the
determinations to the control section 80.
[0081] Then, on the basis of the determinations, the control
section 80 controls sorting of the passing medium. Specifically,
the control section 80 controllably sorts the non-recirculatable
notes P, header cards Ca, and trailer cards Cb into the reject box
32, while controllably sorting the recirculatable notes P into the
temporary accumulation sections 41a to 46a and accumulation
sections 51 according to the money type.
[0082] When the re-determining operation determines that the note
is not recirculatable, the gate G1 is switched so as to direct the
conveying path for the note P to the reject box 32. The note P is
rejected to the reject box 32.
[0083] When the determining operation determines that the note P is
not recirculatable, the conveying path for the note P is switched
from the gate G1 to the direction of the gate G2. At this time, if
the note P has been determined to be being conveyed with a front
facing upwards, the gate G2 is switched to the direction of the
conveying path 36. If the note P has been determined to be being
conveyed with a back facing upwards, the gate G2 is switched to the
direction of the turning-over mechanism 34 to turn over the note.
The gate G3 is then switched to the direction of the horizontal
conveying path 40. Notes all having a front or back facing upwards
(in the present embodiment, front facing upwards) and having passed
through the joining section 38 are selectively accumulated in the
accumulation section 41 to 46 (temporary accumulation sections 41a
to 46a) according to the note types. At this time, the gates G4 to
G8 are switched depending on the determined types of the notes
P.
[0084] If the determining section 82 determines that the note P is
of a particular type, the gate G1 is switched to the direction of
the gate G3, which is further switched to the direction of the
accumulation section 51. Notes all having a front or back facing
upwards (in the present embodiment, front facing upwards) and
having passed through the joining section 38 are selectively
accumulated in the accumulation section 51.
[0085] A predetermined number of notes P accumulated in the
accumulation section 51 are fed into the sealing section 54 by the
supply section 53 and sealed with a paper band supplied by the band
supplying section 56. The sealed bundle of a predetermined number
of notes P is transferred to the conveyor 58 by the transfer
mechanism 57. The notes P are subsequently carried out of the
apparatus via the conveyor 58.
[0086] Each of the accumulation sections 41 to 46 is provided with
a separator mechanism (not shown) serving as partitioning means for
separating the current transaction from the previous ones. This
enables the temporary accumulation sections 41a to 46a and paper
money accumulating cassettes 41d to 46d to be formed between
accumulating and taking-out devices (not shown).
[0087] Open-close doors 41b to 46b are provided opposite the
temporary accumulation section 41a to 46a and closer to the main
body 2. The open-close doors 41b to 46b are provided with sensors
41c to 46c that are used for both opening and closing of the
door.
[0088] An open-close door 51b is provided opposite the accumulation
section 51 and closer to the main body 2. Each open-close door 51b
is provided with a sensor 51c that is used for both opening and
closing of the door.
[0089] With the above configuration, the operator uses the
superordinate apparatus 202, connected to the paper money
processing apparatus 1, to operate the paper money processing
apparatus 1. A note processed by the paper money processing
apparatus 1 is conveyed to any of the temporary accumulation
sections 41a to 46a and finally accommodated in any of the paper
money accumulating cassettes 41d to 46d.
[0090] Now, the operations of normal functions of a paper money
processing system will be described in brief with reference to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 6 and the stored contents of a counting
table 206a during each process stage shown in FIG. 3.
[0091] When a process is started, the operator sets a counting
operation mode via the input section 203 of the superordinate
apparatus 202. The operator sets plural batches of notes P
separated from each other by the header cards Ca and trailer cards
Cb, in the paper money introducing section 4 (ST1). The operator
then instructs a counting operation to be started via the input
section 203 of the superordinate apparatus 202 (ST2). For example,
a first batch of 200 notes P and a second batch of 60 notes P are
set with the header cards Ca and trailer cards Cb interposed
between the batches at appropriate positions. At this time, a count
value managed by the superordinate apparatus 202 is stored in the
counting table 206a. In this case, the counting table 206a has a
physical note count of zero, an established note count of zero, and
a non-established note count of zero stored in itself.
[0092] Thus, on the basis of the operation mode set by the
superordinate apparatus 202, the control section 80 starts loading
notes or the like from the paper money introducing section 4 (ST3).
The control section 80 performs a counting operation on the basis
of the determinations by the determining section 82 and controls
conveyance via the paper money conveying mechanism 6
(classification control).
[0093] First, the determining section 82 determines the header card
Ca (ST4) and thus the leading position of the first batch. This
header card Ca is conveyed rightward in the figure via the gate G1
and then discharged into the reject box 32.
[0094] The determining section 82 subsequently determines the note
P, and on the basis of this determination, the control section 80
controls conveyance via the paper money conveying mechanism
(classification control).
[0095] Further, on the basis of the determination, the control
section 80 adds +1 to each of the physical note count and
non-established note count in the memory 81 (ST5).
[0096] The determining section 82 then determines the trailer card
Cb (ST6), and on the basis of this determination, the control
section 80 determines that the first batch has been completely
counted. The trailer card Cb is thus conveyed rightward in the
figure via the gate G1 and then discharged into the reject box
32.
[0097] Thus, the control section 80 transmits the completion of the
counting for the first batch as well as the physical note count and
non-established note count, the note counts in the memory 81, to
the superordinate apparatus 202 (ST7). As a result, a physical note
count of 200, a non-established note count of zero, and an
established note count of 200 are stored in the counting table 206a
in the superordinate apparatus 202 as counting results for the
first batch (ST8).
[0098] After determining the trailer card Cb, the determining
section 82 determines the header card Ca (ST9). On the basis of
this determination, the control section 80 determines the leading
position of the second batch. This header card Ca is conveyed
rightward in the figure via the gate G1 and then discharged into
the reject box 32.
[0099] The determining section 82 subsequently determines the note
P, and on the basis of this determination, the control section 80
controls conveyance via the paper money conveying mechanism 6
(classification control).
[0100] Thus, on the basis of the determination of the note, the
control section 80 adds +1 to each of the physical note count and
non-established note count in the memory 81 (ST10).
[0101] The determining section 82 then determines the trailer card
Cb (ST11), and on the basis of this determination, the control
section 80 determines that the second batch has been completely
counted. The trailer card Cb is thus conveyed rightward in the
figure via the gate G1 and then discharged into the reject box
32.
[0102] Thus, the control section 80 transmits the completion of the
counting for the second batch as well as the physical note count
and non-established note count, the note counts in the memory 81,
to the superordinate apparatus 202 (ST12). As a result, a physical
note count of 260, a non-established note count of zero, and an
established note count of 60 are stored in the counting table 206a
in the superordinate apparatus 202 as counting results for the
first batch (ST13).
[0103] If the control section 80 determines that no batches of
notes or the like have been set in the note introducing section 4,
it ends the counting operation and houses all the notes accumulated
in the temporary accumulation sections 41a to 46a, in the opposite
paper money accumulating cassettes 41d to 46d.
[0104] The control section 80 also transmits the end of counting to
the superordinate apparatus 202 (ST14). The superordinate apparatus
202 thus shows, on the display section 204, the end of counting, of
which the operator is noticed (ST15).
[0105] Now, a process that is executed when a conveyance error
occurs during the collective counting for plural batches of notes P
will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4
and the stored contents of the counting table 206a during each
process stage shown in FIG. 4.
[0106] When a process is started, the operator sets a counting
operation mode via the input section 203 of the superordinate
apparatus 202. The operator sets plural batches of notes P
separated from each other by the header cards Ca and trailer cards
Cb, in the paper money introducing section 4 (ST1). The operator
then instructs a counting operation to be started via the input
section 203 of the superordinate apparatus 202 (ST2). For example,
a first batch of 200 notes P and a second batch of 60 notes P are
set with the header cards Ca and trailer cards Cb interposed
between the batches at appropriate positions. At this time, the
count value managed by the superordinate apparatus 202 is stored in
the counting table 206a. In this case, the counting table 206a has
a physical note count of zero, an established note count of zero,
and a non-established note count of zero stored in itself.
[0107] Thus, on the basis of the operation mode set by the
superordinate apparatus 202, the control section 80 starts loading
notes or the like from the paper money introducing section 4 (ST3).
The control section 80 performs a counting operation on the basis
of the determinations by the determining section 82 and controls
conveyance via the paper money conveying mechanism (classification
control).
[0108] First, the determining section 82 determines the header card
Ca (ST4) and thus the leading position of the first batch. This
header card Ca is conveyed rightward in the figure via the gate G1
and then discharged into the reject box 32.
[0109] The determining section 82 subsequently determines the note
P, and on the basis of this determination, the control section 80
controls conveyance via the paper money conveying mechanism
(classification control).
[0110] Thus, on the basis of the determination, the control section
80 adds +1 to each of the physical note count and non-established
note count in the memory 81 (ST5).
[0111] The determining section 82 then determines the trailer card
Cb (ST6), and on the basis of this determination, the control
section 80 determines that the first batch has been completely
counted. The trailer card Cb is thus conveyed rightward in the
figure via the gate G1 and then discharged into the reject box
32.
[0112] Thus, the control section 80 transmits the completion of the
counting for the first batch as well as the physical note count and
non-established note count, the note counts in the memory 81, to
the superordinate apparatus 202 (ST7). As a result, a physical note
count of 200, a non-established note count of zero, and an
established note count of 200 are stored in the counting table 206a
in the superordinate apparatus 202 as counting results for the
first batch (ST8).
[0113] After determining the trailer card Cb, the determining
section 82 determines the header card Ca (ST9). On the basis of
this determination, the control section 80 determines the leading
position of the second batch. This header card Ca is conveyed
rightward in the figure via the gate G1 and then discharged into
the reject box 32.
[0114] The determining section 82 subsequently determines the note
P, and on the basis of this determination, the control section 80
controls conveyance via the paper money conveying mechanism 6
(classification control).
[0115] Thus, on the basis of the determination of the note, the
control section 80 adds +1 to each of the physical note count and
non-established note count in the memory 81 (ST10).
[0116] Under these conditions, when the control section 80 of the
paper money processing apparatus 1 senses jamming (ST21), the paper
money processing apparatus 1 itself is stopped (ST22).
(Counts Managed by the Superordinate Apparatus 202: Physical Note
Count of 200+.alpha., Non-Established Note Count of .alpha., and
Established Note Count of 200)
[0117] The control section 80 of the paper money processing
apparatus 1 notices the control section 205 of the superordinate
apparatuses 202 of jamming (ST23).
[0118] The control section 205 of the superordinate apparatus 202
allows the display section 204 to show, on a screen, that jam is
occurring (ST24).
[0119] The operator opens the temporary accumulating doors 41b to
46b of the paper money processing apparatus 1 (ST25). The control
section 80 of the paper money processing apparatus 1 notices, via
sensing signals from the sensors 41c to 46c, the control section
205 of the superordinate apparatuses 202 that the temporary
accumulating doors 41b to 46b are open (ST26).
[0120] The control section 205 of the superordinate apparatus 202
clears the physical count and subtracts the established note count
from the physical note count. (Counts managed by the superordinate
apparatus 202: physical note count of -200, non-established note
count of zero, and established note count of 200)
[0121] The operator collects the remaining notes through the
temporary accumulating doors 41b to 46b of control section 80 of
the paper money processing apparatus 1. The operator then
re-supplies all the collected notes to the paper money introducing
section 4 (ST28).
[0122] The operator closes the temporary accumulating doors 41b to
46b of control section 80 of the paper money processing apparatus 1
(ST29).
[0123] The control section 80 of the paper money processing
apparatus 1 notices the control section 205 of the superordinate
apparatuses 202 that the temporary accumulating doors 41b to 46b
are closed (ST30).
[0124] The operator instructs jamming to be eliminated, via the
input section 203 of the superordinate apparatus 202 (ST31).
[0125] The control section 205 of the superordinate apparatus 202
transmits the jam elimination instruction to the control section 80
of the paper money processing apparatus 1 (ST32).
[0126] The control section 80 of the paper money processing
apparatus 1 executes an initializing process in accordance with the
jam elimination instruction (ST33).
[0127] The operator subsequently instructs counting to be started,
via the input section 203 of the superordinate apparatus 202
(ST34).
[0128] The control section 205 of the superordinate apparatus 202
transmits the counting start instruction to the control section 80
of the paper money processing apparatus 1 (ST35).
[0129] The determining section 82 subsequently determines the note
P, and on the basis of this determination, the control section 80
controls conveyance via the paper money conveying mechanism 6
(classification control).
[0130] Thus, on the basis of the determination of the note, the
control section 80 adds +1 to each of the physical note count and
non-established note count in the memory 81 (ST36).
[0131] When the determining section 82 determines the trailer card
Cb (ST37), the control section 80 determines, on the basis of this
determination, that the counting for the second batch based on the
resetting has been completed. The trailer card Cb is conveyed
rightward in the figure via the gate G1 and then discharged into
the reject box 32.
[0132] Thus, the control section 80 transmits the completion of the
counting for the second batch based on the resetting as well as the
physical note count and non-established note count, the note counts
in the memory 81, to the superordinate apparatus 202 (ST38). As a
result, a physical note count of 260, a non-established note count
of 60, and an established note count of 200 are stored in the
counting table 206a in the superordinate apparatus 202 as counting
results.
[0133] On this occasion, the control section 80 determines that no
batches of notes or the like have been set in the note introducing
section 4, it ends the counting operation and houses all the notes
accumulated in the temporary accumulation sections 41a to 46a, in
the opposite paper money accumulating cassettes 41d to 46d. This
results in a count confirming process of storing a physical note
count of 260, a non-established note count of zero, and an
established note count of 260 in the counting table 206a in the
superordinate apparatus 206 as counting results (ST39).
[0134] The control section 80 of the paper money processing
apparatus 1 also transmits the end of counting to the control
section 205 of the superordinate apparatus 202 (ST40). The control
section 205 of the superordinate apparatus 202 thus shows, on the
display section 204, the end of counting, of which the operator is
noticed (ST41).
[0135] In the above case, when jam occurs in any of the temporary
accumulation sections 41a to 46a or the temporary accumulating
doors 41b to 46b are opened or closed, even if non-established and
established notes are mixedly accumulated in the temporary
accumulation sections 41a to 46a, the operator can recount these
notes without considering the mixture. This prevents much time and
effort from being required from the operator. This in turn prevents
a count mismatch that may result from miscounting during
classification into non-established and established notes.
[0136] That is to say, the operator's jam processing can be
reduced. The operator has only to re-supply all the notes collected
from the temporary accumulation sections without considering the
mixture of established and non-established notes. This eliminates
sorting operations to enable a reduction in the operator's
processing.
[0137] Further, a count mismatch resulting from miscounting during
classification can be prevented.
[0138] In the description of the above example, the notes
accumulated in the temporary accumulation sections 41a to 46a are
re-supplied when jam occurs in any of the temporary accumulation
sections 41a to 46a or when the temporary accumulating doors 41b to
46b are opened or closed. However, the above embodiment is also
applicable to the case in which the notes in the temporary
accumulation sections 41a to 46a and accumulation section 51 are
re-supplied.
[0139] Further, in the above description, the notes accumulated in
the temporary accumulation sections 41a to 46a are re-supplied when
jam occurs in any of the temporary accumulation sections 41a to 46a
or when the temporary accumulating doors 41b to 46b are opened or
closed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The
above embodiment is also applicable to the case in which the notes
in the temporary accumulation sections 41a to 46a and accumulation
section 51 are re-supplied when jam occurs in any of the temporary
accumulation sections 41a to 46a or when the temporary accumulating
doors 41b to 46b are opened or closed.
[0140] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *