U.S. patent application number 12/733520 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for currency storage cassette and currency handling apparatus.
Invention is credited to Kazuhiro Doi.
Application Number | 20100200448 12/733520 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40428560 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100200448 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Doi; Kazuhiro |
August 12, 2010 |
CURRENCY STORAGE CASSETTE AND CURRENCY HANDLING APPARATUS
Abstract
A currency storage cassette 4 includes a main body which has a
receiving opening 41 and a pickup opening 42 and in which a
currency deposited through the receiving opening 41 is stored, and
a display unit 9 attached to the main body. The display unit 9
displays a display mode that is switched among a plurality of
display modes including at least first and second display modes and
that is visible from the outside. The display mode of the display
unit 9 is automatically switched to another display mode according
to a state of the main body.
Inventors: |
Doi; Kazuhiro; (Hyogo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RENNER KENNER GREIVE BOBAK TAYLOR & WEBER
FIRST NATIONAL TOWER, SUITE 400, 106 SOUTH MAIN STREET
AKRON
OH
44308-1412
US
|
Family ID: |
40428560 |
Appl. No.: |
12/733520 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
September 7, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/067516 |
371 Date: |
March 5, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07D 11/22 20190101;
G07D 11/12 20190101; G07D 9/00 20130101; G07F 9/06 20130101; G07D
11/13 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A currency storage cassette for storing a currency, comprising:
a main body which has a receiving opening and a pickup opening and
in which a currency deposited through the receiving opening is
stored; and a display unit which is attached to the main body and
which displays a display mode that is switched among a plurality of
display modes including at least first and second display modes and
that is visible from the outside, wherein the display mode is
automatically switched to another display mode according to a state
of the main body.
2. The currency storage cassette of claim 1, wherein the main body
is detachably mounted in a mounting unit of the currency handling
apparatus, and a currency is deposited in the main body through the
receiving opening while the main body is mounted in the mounting
unit, and the display mode of the display unit is switched from the
first display mode to the second display mode after the main body
is mounted in the mounting unit until the main body is removed from
the mounting unit.
3. The currency storage cassette of claim 2, wherein the display
mode of the display unit is switched from the first display mode to
the second display mode in conjunction with a movement of the main
body being mounted into the mounting unit.
4. The currency storage cassette of claim 2, wherein the display
mode of the display unit is switched from the first display mode to
the second display mode by control from the currency handling
apparatus while the main body is mounted in the mounting unit.
5. The currency storage cassette of claim 1, wherein the main body
is detachably mounted in a mounting unit of the currency handling
apparatus, and a currency is deposited in the main body through the
receiving opening while the main body is mounted in the mounting
unit, and the display mode of the display unit is switched from the
second display mode to the first display mode when the currency in
the main body is removed through the pickup opening after the main
body is removed from the mounting unit.
6. The currency storage cassette of claim 5, further comprising: a
handling mechanism unit which is located in the main body and which
is manually moved for removal of the currency stored in the main
body through the pickup opening, wherein the display mode of the
display unit is switched from the second display mode to the first
display mode in conjunction with the movement of the handling
mechanism unit.
7. The currency storage cassette of claim 6, wherein the display
unit is mechanically linked with the movement of the handling
mechanism unit, thereby switching the display mode of the display
unit from the second display mode to the first display mode.
8. The currency storage cassette of claim 7, wherein the main body
stores a banknote, the handling mechanism unit is a stage which is
movable, in the main body, in a reciprocating manner in a direction
along which banknotes are deposited through the receiving opening,
and which holds a stack of the banknotes, the stage is manually
moved to a predetermined pickup position which is away from the
receiving opening to remove the banknotes held on the stage, and
the display unit engages with the stage when the stage is moved to
the pickup position, thereby switching the display mode of the
display unit from the second display mode to the first display
mode.
9. The currency storage cassette of claim 1, wherein the first
display mode indicates a checked state in which no currency is
stored in the main body as a result of removal of the currency
through the pickup opening, and the second display mode indicates
an unchecked state in which a currency is stored in the main
body.
10. The currency storage cassette of claim 1, wherein the first
display mode indicates that no currency is stored in the main body,
and the second display mode indicates that a currency is stored in
the main body.
11. A currency handling apparatus for handling a currency,
comprising: a currency storage cassette which has a receiving
opening and a pickup opening and in which a currency is stored; a
mounting unit in which the currency storage cassette is detachably
mounted; a handling section for depositing a currency in the
currency storage cassette mounted in the mounting unit through the
receiving opening; a display unit which is attached to the currency
storage cassette and which displays a display mode that is switched
among a plurality of display modes including at least first and
second display modes and that is visible from the outside; and a
switching unit for switching the display mode of the display unit
according to a state of the currency storage cassette.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to currency storage cassettes
and currency handling apparatus having the currency storage
cassettes.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Currency handling apparatus placed at retail stores, such as
supermarkets, for receiving sale proceeds of the retailers is known
(see, e.g., Patent Document 1). This currency handling apparatus
includes a currency storage cassette (a cashbox cassette). The
currency storage cassette is detachably mounted in a drawer unit
which can be drawn from the housing of the currency handling
apparatus. As a currency depositing process, the currency handling
apparatus distinguishes, for example, whether the currency is
genuine or counterfeit and whether the currency is fit or unfit
(i.e., whether the currency is a fit banknote that is suitable for
circulation, or an unfit banknote that is not suitable for
circulation because of tears, soiling, etc.) and after that only
acceptable currencies are stored in the currency storage
cassette.
[0003] The cassette in which the currencies are accumulated is
removed from the currency handling apparatus by a person in charge
from a cash-in-transit (CIT) company contracted in advance, and is
transported to a cash processing center of the CIT company
(collection of cassettes). At the cash processing center, the
currencies are taken from the cassette, counted, and checked by
comparing the count result to data about deposited currencies which
is provided to the cash processing center separately by a journal,
for example.
[0004] The empty cassette from which the currencies have been taken
is transported by the CIT company, and is mounted in the currency
handling apparatus again. In fact, the cassette in the currency
handling apparatus is replaced with an empty cassette when the
cassette in the currency handling apparatus is removed from the
currency handling apparatus.
[0005] For example, Patent Document 2 shows currency handling
apparatus which enables a visual check to distinguish whether
currencies are stored in a cassette or the cassette is empty, when
the cassette is removed from the currency handling apparatus. This
currency handling apparatus is configured such that the currency
receiving opening of a cassette is closed by a shutter in the case
where currencies are accumulated in the cassette and such that the
opening is open in the case where the cassette is empty, when the
drawer unit is drawn. With this structure, empty cassettes are
prevented from being collected from the currency handling
apparatus, and the cassettes can be collected more efficiently.
[0006] Patent Document 3 shows an example currency storage cassette
which includes a display panel for displaying the denominations of
the banknotes stored in the currency storage cassette.
[0007] Many currency storage cassettes collected from currency
handling apparatus s at various locations are gathered at the cash
processing center. Here, it is impossible to distinguish between a
cassette which is not yet checked, i.e., from which currency has
not been taken, and a cassette which has been checked, i.e., from
which currency has been taken. Thus, for example, a cassette which
has been checked may be mistaken for a cassette which is not yet
checked, and the empty cassette is opened to find no currency. This
means that vain efforts may be made, and efficiency of the cash
settlement is reduced.
[0008] In contrast, if a cassette which is not yet checked is
mistaken for a cassette which has been checked, it may result in
inconsistency between data about the deposited currencies and cash
in the drawer. Moreover, a cassette in which currencies are still
stored may be transported from the cash processing center to a
retail store and mounted in a currency handling apparatus placed at
the retail store.
CITATION LIST
[0009] PATENT DOCUMENT 1: Japanese Patent No. 3340176
[0010] PATENT DOCUMENT 2: Japanese Patent No. 3247275
[0011] PATENT DOCUMENT 3: Japanese Patent Publication No.
7-259434
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0012] According to conventional currency storage cassettes, as
described above, it is impossible to visually distinguish whether
the conventional currency storage cassettes are checked or not.
Therefore, the currency storage cassettes may be mixed up and
mistaken.
[0013] The present invention was made in view of the above
problems, and it is an object of the invention to make it possible
to visually distinguish whether a currency storage cassette is
checked or unchecked.
Solution to the Problem
[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a currency
storage cassette for storing a currency includes: a main body which
has a receiving opening and a pickup opening and in which a
currency deposited through the receiving opening is stored; and a
display unit which is attached to the main body and which displays
a display mode that is switched among a plurality of display modes
including at least first and second display modes and that is
visible from the outside, wherein the display mode is automatically
switched to another display mode according to a state of the main
body.
[0015] The currency storage cassette having this structure includes
a display unit. The display unit displays a display mode by
automatically switching among a plurality of display modes
including first and second display modes according to a state of
the main body. Thus, it is possible to know the state of the main
body by looking at the information displayed on the display unit.
Here, the term "automatically" refers to not switching the display
mode of the display unit directly by hand. For example, switching
the display mode of the display unit through normal operation of
the currency storage cassette, such as removing the banknotes from
the main body, without touching the display unit is an "automatic"
operation.
[0016] The currency storage cassette may be such that the first
display mode indicates a checked state in which no currency is
stored in the main body as a result of removal of the currency
through the pickup opening, and the second display mode indicates
an unchecked state in which a currency is stored in the main body.
That is, the "state of the main body" includes whether the main
body is checked or unchecked. In this case, a currency storage
cassette which has been checked and a currency storage cassette
which is not yet checked are visually distinguishable from each
other by the display unit.
[0017] Alternatively, the currency storage cassette may be such
that the first display mode indicates that no currency is stored in
the main body, and the second display mode indicates that a
currency is stored in the main body. That is, the "state of the
main body" includes whether the main body stores a currency or not.
In this case, a currency storage cassette which stores a currency
and a currency storage cassette which stores no currency are
visually distinguishable from each other by the display unit.
[0018] Further, the "state of the main body" includes the type of
the currency stored in the main body, such as denomination and
currency unit.
[0019] It is preferable that the main body is detachably mounted in
a mounting unit of the currency handling apparatus, and a currency
is deposited in the main body through the receiving opening while
the main body is mounted in the mounting unit, and the display mode
of the display unit is switched from the first display mode to the
second display mode after the main body is mounted in the mounting
unit until the main body is removed from the mounting unit.
[0020] The currency storage cassette may be such that the display
mode of the display unit is switched from the first display mode to
the second display mode in conjunction with a movement of the main
body being mounted into the mounting unit.
[0021] According to this structure, the display mode of the display
unit is automatically switched in conjunction with an operation
conducted by a person in charge when he/she mounts the main body in
the mounting unit. Thus, the display unit indicates the second
display mode when the main body is removed from the mounting unit.
This means that the display mode of the display unit is switched at
an appropriate time, and accurately indicates the state of the
cassette, in the case where the first display mode indicates a
checked state and the second display mode indicates an unchecked
state, and in the case where the first display mode indicates that
no currency is stored in the main body and the second display mode
indicates that a currency is stored in the main body.
[0022] The currency storage cassette may be such that the display
mode of the display unit is switched from the first display mode to
the second display mode by control from the currency handling
apparatus while the main body is mounted in the mounting unit.
[0023] According to this structure, the display mode of the display
unit can be switched at an arbitrary time while the main body is
mounted in the mounting unit. Thus, the display unit indicates the
second display mode when the main body is removed from the mounting
unit.
[0024] It is preferable that the display mode of the display unit
is switched from the second display mode to the first display mode
when the currency in the main body is removed through the pickup
opening after the main body is removed from the mounting unit.
[0025] The currency storage cassette may further include a handling
mechanism unit which is located in the main body and which is
manually moved for removal of the currency stored in the main body
through the pickup opening, wherein the display mode of the display
unit is switched from the second display mode to the first display
mode in conjunction with the movement of the handling mechanism
unit.
[0026] According to this structure, the display mode of the display
unit is automatically switched from the second display mode to the
first display mode in conjunction with an operation conducted by a
person in charge when he/she removes the currency stored in the
main body through the pickup opening, that is, in conjunction with
an operation included in a cash settlement. This means that the
display mode of the display unit is switched at an appropriate
time, and accurately indicates the state of the cassette, in the
case where the first display mode indicates a checked state and the
second display mode indicates an unchecked state, and in the case
where the first display mode indicates that no currency is stored
in the main body and the second display mode indicates that a
currency is stored in the main body.
[0027] The currency storage cassette may be such that the display
unit is mechanically linked with the movement of the handling
mechanism unit, thereby switching the display mode of the display
unit from the second display mode to the first display mode.
[0028] The currency storage cassette may be such that the main body
stores a banknote; the handling mechanism unit is a stage which is
movable, in the main body, in a reciprocating manner in a direction
along which banknotes are deposited through the receiving opening,
and which holds a stack of the banknotes; the stage is manually
moved to a predetermined pickup position which is away from the
receiving opening to remove the banknotes held on the stage; and
the display unit engages with the stage when the stage is moved to
the pickup position, thereby switching the display mode of the
display unit from the second display mode to the first display
mode.
[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
currency handling apparatus for handling a currency includes: a
currency storage cassette which has a receiving opening and a
pickup opening and in which a currency is stored; a mounting unit
in which the currency storage cassette is detachably mounted; a
handling section for depositing a currency in the currency storage
cassette mounted in the mounting unit through the receiving
opening; a display unit which is attached to the currency storage
cassette and which displays a display mode that is switched among a
plurality of display modes including at least first and second
display modes and that is visible from the outside; and a switching
unit for switching the display mode of the display unit according
to a state of the currency storage cassette.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0030] According to the present invention, a currency storage
cassette is provided with a display unit, and therefore, it is
possible to visually distinguish whether the currency storage
cassette is checked or unchecked. This can prevent a checked
cassette and an unchecked cassette from being mixed up and
mistaken.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a general structure of a
currency handling apparatus.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a structure relating to control
of the currency handling apparatus.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a structure of a banknote
handling section.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a structure of a coin handling
section.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows a general configuration of the system, which
includes the currency handling apparatus, for receiving sale
proceeds.
[0036] FIG. 6 is an example screen displaying a result of
comparison made by a POS server.
[0037] FIG. 7 is an oblique view of a banknote storage
cassette.
[0038] FIG. 8 is an oblique view of the banknote storage
cassette.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a side view of the banknote storage cassette part
of which is cutaway.
[0040] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the banknote storage cassette part
of which is cutaway.
[0041] FIG. 11 is an oblique view of a display unit.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a flowchart relating to a cash settlement,
showing how the banknote storage cassette is handled and showing
the switching of a display mode displayed on the banknote storage
cassette.
[0043] FIG. 13 shows side views and plan views for illustrating the
process in which a display information of the display unit is
changed from unchecked to checked state.
[0044] FIG. 14 shows side views and plan views for illustrating the
process in which a display information of the display unit is
changed from checked to unchecked state.
[0045] FIG. 15 is an oblique view of a banknote storage cassette
which includes a display unit having a structure different from the
structure of the display unit shown in FIG. 7.
[0046] FIG. 16 shows a structure of the display unit shown in FIG.
15 and the switching of a display mode of the display unit.
[0047] FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing an engagement state of a
banknote storage cassette and a coin storage cassette.
[0048] FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing an engagement state of a
banknote storage cassette and a coin storage cassette that is
different from the engagement state shown in FIG. 17.
[0049] FIG. 19 is an oblique view of a banknote storage cassette
having a fit banknote storage section and an unfit banknote storage
section.
[0050] FIG. 20 is an oblique view of a banknote storage cassette
having a fit banknote storage section and an unfit banknote storage
section.
[0051] FIG. 21 is a schematic view of a structure for depositing
unfit banknotes in an unfit banknote storage section of a currency
handling apparatus.
[0052] FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a structure for depositing
unfit banknotes that is different from the structure shown in FIG.
21.
[0053] FIG. 23 is a schematic view of another structure of the
banknote handling section.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0054] 1 Currency handling apparatus [0055] 2 Handling section
[0056] 311 Mounting unit [0057] 4 Note storage cassette [0058] 41
Receiving opening [0059] 42 Pickup opening [0060] 46 Stage [0061] 5
Coin storage cassette [0062] 7 Note storage cassette [0063] 77
Pickup opening [0064] 9 Display unit
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0065] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in
detail hereinafter, based on the drawings. Essentially, the
following descriptions of the preferable embodiment are merely
examples which are not intended to limit the present invention, its
application, or its range of use.
[0066] (General Structure of Currency Handling Device)
[0067] FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of a currency handling
apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the
currency handling apparatus 1 is a so-called cash depositing
machine placed at retail stores such as supermarkets. The currency
handling apparatus 1 performs at least a counting process in which
currencies are counted, and a transfer process in which the counted
currencies are stored in currency storage cassettes 4 and 5 and are
transferred from the retailer to a CIT company contracted in
advance. The CIT company performs a collecting process by replacing
the currency storage cassettes 4 and 5 with empty currency storage
cassettes 4 and 5 and collecting the currency storage cassettes 4
and 5.
[0068] The currency handling apparatus 1 includes a handling
section 2 and a cashbox section 3. The handling section 2 and the
cashbox section 3 are arranged such that the handling section 2 is
located above the cashbox section 3. In this example, the handling
section 2 is controlled by the retailer, and the cashbox section 3
is controlled by the CIT company. The retailer cannot touch the
inside of the cashbox section 3.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 2, the handling section 2 is configured to
include: a banknote handling section 21 for handling banknotes; a
coin handling section 22 for handling coins; a communication
section 23 for receiving and transmitting data via a communication
line 64, described later; a display 24 for displaying various
information; an operating section 25 controlled by a user to
execute aforementioned various processes using the currency
handling apparatus 1; a printer 26 for printing a journal etc.,
described later; a card reader 27 which performs an authentication
process for verifying the identity of the user who executes the
various processes using the currency handling apparatus 1; and a
controller 28 for controlling these devices.
[0070] The banknote handling section 21 is located at a right
portion of the housing of the currency handling apparatus 1 (a
right portion of the currency handling apparatus 1 when viewed from
the front). As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the banknote handling section 21
includes: a banknote receiving unit 211 having a banknote receiving
opening 210 through which banknotes are deposited; a banknote
recognition unit 212 for recognizing the banknotes deposited in the
banknote receiving section 211; a banknote escrow unit 213 for
temporarily holding the banknotes after recognition; a banknote
reject unit 214 for returning a banknote based on the result of the
recognition by the banknote recognition unit 212; and a transport
path for connecting the banknote receiving unit 211, the banknote
recognition unit 212, the banknote escrow unit 213, and the
banknote reject unit 214 together, and includes: a banknote
transport unit 215 for transporting a banknote with its short sides
parallel to the transport path; and a banknote storage cassette 4
which is detachably mounted in the currency handling apparatus 1.
Here, the transport of a banknote with its short sides parallel to
the transport path means that a rectangular banknote having long
sides and short sides is transported with its short sides along the
transport direction.
[0071] The banknote receiving opening 210 is an opening into which
a stack of banknotes is deposited. The banknote receiving opening
210 is provided at an upper end portion of the front face of the
housing of the currency handling apparatus 1, and is open forwardly
upward and horizontally. In FIG. 1, the banknote receiving opening
210 is closed by an openable door.
[0072] Although not shown, the banknote receiving unit 211 includes
a feeding mechanism which delivers the plurality of banknotes
deposited in the banknote receiving opening 210 to the banknote
recognition unit 212, one by one.
[0073] The banknote recognition unit 212 at least identifies the
denomination of each banknote delivered from the banknote receiving
unit 211, whether the each banknote is genuine or counterfeit, and
whether the each banknote is fit or unfit. Particularly in this
embodiment, the currency handling apparatus 1 is configured to be
able to handle currencies of different countries. Therefore, the
banknote recognition unit 212 identifies the kind of the
currencies.
[0074] The banknote escrow unit 213 is a section to which banknotes
identified by the banknote recognition unit 212 are transported and
in which the banknotes are temporarily held. The banknote escrow
unit 213 is provided at a location above the banknote storage
cassette 4 in the housing of the currency handling apparatus 1. The
banknote escrow unit 213 has a banknote return opening 216 which is
provided at a generally central location of the front face of the
housing along a vertical direction of the housing and which is open
toward the front. In FIG. 1, the banknote return opening 216 is
closed by an openable door. The openable door is locked/unlocked by
the controller 28.
[0075] The banknotes held in the banknote escrow unit 213 are
returned to the user or dropped in the banknote storage cassette 4,
depending on the process executed by the currency handling
apparatus 1. That is, in the case where the currency handling
apparatus 1 performs, for example, a counting process, the openable
door of the banknote escrow unit 213 is unlocked after the counting
of the banknotes, and the banknotes held in the banknote escrow
unit 213 are returned to the user. In contrast, in the case where
the currency handling apparatus 1 performs, for example, a transfer
process, the banknotes held in the banknote escrow unit 213 are
dropped in the banknote storage cassette 4 through the receiving
opening 41 formed in the top surface of the banknote storage
cassette 4. A mechanism for dropping banknotes from the banknote
escrow unit 213 to the banknote storage cassette 4 will be
described in detail later.
[0076] The banknote reject unit 214 is a section to which a
banknote (e.g., an unfit note) identified as being unacceptable by
the banknote recognition unit 212 is transported, and from which
the unfit banknote etc. is returned to the user. The banknote
reject unit 214 has a banknote reject opening 218 which is provided
at a location between the banknote receiving opening 210 and the
banknote return opening 216 in the front face of the housing and
which is open toward the front. The banknote reject unit 214 is
connected to a transport path branched from a transport path
combining the banknote recognition unit 212 and the banknote escrow
unit 213. The banknote transport unit 215 switches between the
transport paths, depending on the result of recognition by the
banknote recognition unit 212, and thereby, unfit banknotes are
transported to the banknote reject unit 214.
[0077] The coin handling section 22 is located at a left portion of
the housing of the currency handling apparatus 1 (an upper left
portion of FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the coin handling
section 22 includes: a coin receiving opening 220 which is formed
in the top surface of the housing of the currency handling
apparatus 1 and which is open upward; a reservoir hopper unit 221
which communicates with the coin receiving opening 220 and into
which coins are poured; a coin recognition unit 222 for recognizing
the coins dispensed from the reservoir hopper unit 221; a coin
escrow unit 223 for temporarily holding the coins after
recognition; a coin reject unit 224 for returning a coin based on
the result of the recognition by the coin recognition unit 222; and
a transport path for connecting the reservoir hopper unit 221, the
coin recognition unit 222, the coin escrow unit 223, and the coin
reject unit 224 together, and includes: a coin transport unit 225
for transporting a coin along the transport path; and a coin
storage cassette 5 which is detachably mounted in the currency
handling apparatus 1. In FIG. 1, the coin receiving opening 220 is
closed by an openable door.
[0078] The reservoir hopper unit 221 is a section which accumulates
coins poured therein through the coin receiving opening 220, and
which dispenses the coins, one by one, to the coin recognition unit
222.
[0079] The coin recognition unit 222 at least identifies the
denomination of each coin dispensed from the reservoir hopper unit
221, whether the each coin is genuine or counterfeit, whether the
each coin is fit or unfit, and the kind of the currency.
[0080] The coin escrow unit 223 is a section to which coins after
recognition by the coin recognition unit 222 are transported and
which temporarily holds the coins. The coin escrow unit 223 is
connected to a chute 226 branched from the transport path
connecting the coin recognition unit 222 and the coin reject unit
224. A gate 227 is provided at a location where the chute 226 is
branched and connected. The gate 227 is opened and closed based on
the result of recognition by the coin recognition unit 222, and
thereby acceptable coins are transported to the coin escrow unit
223. The coin escrow unit 223 is configured to be able to move
forward and backward in the housing. When the coin escrow unit 223
moves forward, the coin escrow unit 223 is positioned at a location
above a return box 228. When the coin escrow unit 223 moves
backward, the coin escrow unit 223 is positioned at a location
above the coin storage cassette 5. The return box 228 is provided
at a generally central location of the front face of the housing
along a vertical direction of the housing, and can be pulled out in
a forward direction.
[0081] The coins held in the coin escrow unit 223 are returned to
the user or dropped in the coin storage cassette 5, depending on
the process executed by the currency handling apparatus 1. That is,
in the case where the currency handling apparatus 1 performs, for
example, a counting process, the coin escrow unit 223 moves forward
after the counting of the coins, and the coins held in the coin
escrow unit 223 are dropped in the return box 228. In contrast, in
the case where the currency handling apparatus 1 performs, for
example, a transfer process, the coin escrow unit 223 moves
backward after the counting of the coins, and the coins held in the
coin escrow unit 223 are dropped in the coin storage cassette 5
through the receiving opening 51 formed in the top surface of the
coin storage cassette 5.
[0082] The coin reject unit 224 is a section to which coins having
been identified by the coin recognition unit 222 as being
unacceptable because they are, for example, currencies of different
countries, and from which the coins are returned to the user. The
coin reject unit 224 has a coin reject opening 229 which is
provided at a location of the front face of the housing above the
return box 228, and which is open toward the front.
[0083] The display 24 is made of such as a liquid crystal panel.
The display 24 is provided at a location of the top surface of the
housing on the rear side of the banknote receiving opening 210, and
faces upward.
[0084] The operating section 25 includes a plurality of push button
type control keys. The operating section 25 is provided at a
location of the top surface of the housing adjacent to a lateral
side of the display 24.
[0085] The printer 26 is, for example, a thermal type printer. The
printer 26 is provided at a location of the top surface of the
housing on the rear side of the coin receiving opening 220.
[0086] The card reader 27 is a magnetic card reader having a slit
extending vertically. The card reader 27 is provided at a location
of the front surface of the housing on the right side of the
banknote receiving opening 210 and the banknote reject opening
218.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 1, the cashbox section 3 includes a drawer
unit 31 which can be pulled out forward from the housing. The
drawer unit 31 is locked unless it is unlocked to be pulled out for
a collecting process described later. Two mounting units 311 and
312, each being open upward, are provided at predetermined
locations within the drawer unit 31 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The
banknote storage cassette 4 and the coin storage cassette 5
(hereinafter collectively referred to as "cassettes") are mounted
in the mounting units 311 and 312, respectively, by inserting them
from above, and removed from the mounting units 311 and 312 by
pulling them up. That is, each of the cassettes 4 and 5 is
removable from the drawer unit 31.
[0088] Although not shown in detail, the coin storage cassette 5
has a generally rectangular box-like shape, and has an
accommodation space for accommodating coins. The coin storage
cassette 5 also has the receiving opening 51 through which coins
are dropped from the coin escrow unit 223, and an opening for
removing the coins in the coin storage cassette 5 after the coin
storage cassette 5 is removed from the drawer unit 31. As shown in
FIG. 17, a side surface of the coin storage cassette 5 has an
engagement recess 52, described in detail later, which extends
vertically for engaging with the banknote storage cassette 4.
[0089] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the banknote storage cassette 4
has a generally rectangular box-like shape, and has an
accommodation space for accommodating banknotes. For convenience of
understanding, a handle is not shown in FIG. 8. The top surface of
the banknote storage cassette 4 is provided with a rectangular
receiving opening 41 having a size which allows banknotes to pass
therethrough. The front surface of the banknote storage cassette 4
(the surface facing toward a lower right side of FIG. 7) is
provided with a pickup opening 42 which can be opened/closed by an
openable door 43. The surface opposed to the front surface will
hereinafter be referred to as "rear surface." The surface facing
toward a lower left side of FIG. 7 will be referred to as "left
side surface" and the surface opposed to the left side surface will
be referred to as "right side surface."
[0090] The receiving opening 41 is an opening for allowing
banknotes dropped from the banknote escrow unit 213 to pass
therethrough while the banknote storage cassette 4 is mounted in
the drawer unit 31. A shutter 44 is attached to the receiving
opening 41, and the receiving opening 41 can be opened/closed by
the shutter 44. The shutter 44 is controlled by the controller 28
of the currency handling apparatus 1 to open the receiving opening
41 while the banknote storage cassette 4 is mounted in the drawer
unit 31. When the banknote storage cassette 4 is removed from the
drawer unit 31, the shutter 44 is controlled by the controller 28
to close and lock the receiving opening 41. Also, the shutter 44
keeps the receiving opening 41 closed and locked even after the
banknote storage cassette 4 is removed from the drawer unit 31.
FIG. 7 shows the state in which the receiving opening 41 is closed
by the shutter 44. FIG. 8 shows the state in which the shutter 44
is opened to open the receiving opening 41.
[0091] The pickup opening 42 is for taking out banknotes from the
banknote storage cassette 4 after the banknote storage cassette 4
is removed from the drawer unit 31. The openable door 43 hinged at
the front surface of the banknote storage cassette 4 is provided
with a lock 47 having a keyhole into which a key (not shown) is
inserted. The openable door 43 is locked by this lock 47. The lock
47 is locked and unlocked at a cash processing center 66 described
later.
[0092] The rear surface of the banknote storage cassette 4 has an
engagement projection 45 which extends vertically. The engagement
projection 45 is a portion to be engaged with the engagement recess
52 of the coin storage cassette 5, as shown in FIG. 17, and has a
shape capable of being engaged with the engagement recess 52
(described in detail later).
[0093] Next, operation of the currency handling apparatus 1 at the
time of a transfer process will be described with reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4. To perform the transfer process, a "transfer" key of
the operating section 25 is pressed first and authentication is
done by inserting a magnetic card into the card reader 27.
[0094] Notes are placed in the banknote receiving opening 210, and
coins are deposited in the coin receiving opening 220, and in this
state, a "start" key of the operating section 25 is pressed. By
this operation, in the banknote handling section 21, the banknotes
are delivered one by one by the feeding mechanism of the banknote
receiving unit 211 to be recognized by the banknote recognition
unit 212 and counted. In the coin handling section 22, the coins
are delivered one by one from the reservoir hopper unit 221 to be
recognized by the coin recognition unit 222 and counted.
[0095] Among the banknotes having passed the banknote recognition
unit 212, acceptable banknotes are transported to the banknote
escrow unit 213, and unacceptable banknotes are transported to the
banknote reject unit 214, according to the result of recognition by
the banknote recognition unit 212. Similarly, among the coins
having passes the coin recognition unit 222, acceptable coins are
transported to the coin escrow unit 223, and unacceptable coins are
transported to the coin reject unit 224, according to the result of
recognition by the coin recognition unit 222.
[0096] When the counting of all the banknotes and coins located in
the banknote receiving opening 210 and the coin receiving opening
220 is completed, the count result is displayed on the display 24.
If the user presses an "enter" key of the operating section 25
after he/she checks the count result, the banknotes in the banknote
escrow unit 213 are stored in the banknote storage cassette 4, and
the coins in the coin escrow unit 223 are stored in the coin
storage cassette 5. This is the completion of the transfer process.
Data about the transfer process, such as the count result, is
stored in the currency handling apparatus 1. The count data is
transferred to a POS server 63 by the communication section 23 and
printed on a journal 261 at the time of the collection of the
cassettes 4 and 5, as described later.
[0097] On the other hand, if the user presses a "cancel" key of the
operating section 25 because, for example, the count result
displayed on the display 24 is incorrect, the openable door of the
banknote escrow unit 213 is unlocked so that the banknotes are
returned to the user, and the coins in the coin escrow unit 223 are
dropped in the return box 228 to be returned to the user. In this
case, the returned banknotes and coins may be located in the
banknote receiving opening 210 and the coin receiving opening 220
to perform the transfer process again.
[0098] In the case where banknotes and coins are returned to the
banknote reject opening 218 and the coin reject opening 229 in the
transfer process, the banknotes and coins are located again in the
banknote receiving opening 210 and the coin receiving opening 220,
followed by a press of the "start" key, thereby making it possible
to perform the aforementioned process again. The banknotes etc.
which are eventually returned are separately controlled as unfit
banknotes. In general, the unfit banknotes are handed over to a
person in charge from the CIT company who came to collect the
cassettes 4 and 5, as described later.
[0099] Notes and coins are stored in the banknote storage cassette
4 and the coin storage cassette 5, respectively, by the handling
section 2 of the currency handling apparatus 1 in the manner as
described above.
[0100] (Structure of System for Receiving Sale Proceeds)
[0101] FIG. 5 shows an entire structure of the system 6, which
includes the currency handling apparatus 1, for receiving sale
proceeds. As mentioned earlier, the currency handling apparatus 1
is placed in retail stores. A POS (point of sales) system 61 is
built in the retail stores or chain stores including retail stores.
The POS system 61 includes first to n.sup.th POS registers 621 to
62n, the POS server 63, and the wired or wireless communication
line 64 connecting each of the POS registers 62 and the POS server
63. The currency handling apparatus 1 is connected to the
communication line 64. Also, as an example of terminals other than
the POS server 63, a cash consolidation terminal 65 is connected to
the communication line 64.
[0102] As mentioned earlier, the currency handling apparatus 1 is
configured to be able to handle a plurality of kinds of currencies.
The POS system 61 including the currency handling apparatus 1 is
also configured to be able to handle a plurality of kinds of
currencies including the country's own currency and currencies of
different countries. Here, as an example, the POS system 61 is
configured to be able to handle both of US dollars as the country's
own currency and Canadian dollars as a currency of a different
country. That is, each of the POS registers 62 can accept both US
dollars and Canadian dollars. Here, change is given in only US
dollars.
[0103] Each POS register 62 has a function of transferring its
sales data to the POS server 63 via the communication line 64.
Here, the sales data transferred by each POS register 62 may be
sales data converted to US dollars, or may be data in which sales
in US dollars and sales in Canadian dollars are separate.
[0104] The sale proceeds collected from each POS register 62 are
transferred to the currency handling apparatus 1, as described
earlier. This transfer process is performed for each POS register
62. The currency handling apparatus 1 sends the count data for each
POS register 62 to the POS server 63 via the communication line 64.
Here, the data sent by the currency handling apparatus 1 is data in
which count data in US dollars and count data in Canadian dollars
are separate.
[0105] The POS server 63 has a function which determines a
conversion rate between the US dollar and the Canadian dollar, and
converts the currency unit of the count data sent from the currency
handling apparatus 1 to the US dollar. If necessary, the POS server
63 converts the currency unit of the sales data sent from the POS
registers 62 to the US dollar as well. The POS server 63 compares
the sales data and the count data for each POS register 62, and
calculates an amount of difference between the sales data and the
count data in the US dollar. The comparison result may be displayed
on the display of the POS server 63 in the manner, for example, as
shown in FIG. 6. Although not shown in the drawing, the comparison
results for the POS registers 62 may be displayed as a list, and
may be displayed such that registers of which the amount of
difference between the sales data and the count data exceeds an
acceptable range determined in advance, and the registers of which
the amount of difference is within the acceptable range, are
distinctively shown. This makes it possible to calculate the amount
of difference in a specific currency unit, and therefore possible
to know a precise amount of difference in the POS system 61 capable
of handling a plurality of kinds of currencies.
[0106] In this example, the POS server 63 compares the sales data
and the count data. However, the structure is not limited to this
structure. For example, the currency handling apparatus 1 may have
a function which sets a conversion rate. In this case, the sales
data of each POS register 62 may be transferred from the POS server
63 to the currency handling apparatus 1, and the sales data and the
count data may be compared by the currency handling apparatus 1.
Also, the sales data and the count data may be compared by another
terminal, such as the cash consolidation terminal 65, which is
connected to the communication line 64.
[0107] A transfer process is performed at the currency handling
apparatus 1, and the banknote storage cassette 4 and the coin
storage cassette 5 storing banknotes and coins, respectively, are
collected by a CIT company as shown in FIG. 5, and transported to
the cash processing center 66 of the CIT company.
[0108] Now, a collecting process at the currency handling apparatus
1 will be briefly described. First, a "collection" key of the
operating section 25 is pressed and authentication is made by a
magnetic card. As a result of this operation, a journal 261
relating to cash in the banknote storage cassette 4 and the coin
storage cassette 5 is printed by the printer 26. In addition, the
drawer unit 31 of the cashbox section 3 is unlocked, so that the
drawer unit 31 can be pulled out. Consequently, the banknote
storage cassette 4 and the coin storage cassette 5 which are
mounted in the drawer unit 31 can be removed from the drawer unit
31. An empty banknote storage cassette 4 and an empty coin storage
cassette 5 are mounted in the mounting units 311 and 312,
respectively. The drawer unit 31 is placed in the housing and
locked to complete the collecting process at the currency handling
apparatus 1. If there is an unfit banknote as described above, the
unfit banknote is handed over to a person in charge from the CIT
company.
[0109] The person in charge from the CIT company transports the
cassettes 4 and 5, the printed journal and unfit banknotes, if any,
to the cash processing center 66.
[0110] In the cash processing center 66, banknotes and coins are
removed from the banknote storage cassette 4 and the coin storage
cassette 5, and a counting process is performed again. Then, the
result of counting and the count data of the journal 261 are
compared. The cash is deposited in the retailer's account by the
CIT company according to the result of comparison. Information
about the deposited amount may be sent to the POS system 61 when
the cash is deposited in the retailer's account.
[0111] The empty banknote storage cassette 4 and the empty coin
storage cassette 5, from which banknotes and coins have been
removed at the cash processing center 66, are transported and
mounted in the currency handling apparatus 1 when the cassettes in
the currency handling apparatus 1 are collected next time. The
cassettes 4 and 5 collected from each retail store may be
transported to the bank, not to the cash processing center 66.
[0112] (Cassette Structure Suitable for Distinguishing Between
Checked and Unchecked Cassettes)
[0113] Here, many cassettes 4 and 5 collected from various places
are gathered at the cash processing center 66. Thus, it is
preferable if it is possible to distinguish whether the cassettes 4
and 5 are checked, i.e., currencies have been taken, or unchecked,
i.e., currencies are not yet taken, in terms of work efficiency of
a cash settlement performed at the cash processing center 66.
[0114] As shown in FIGS. 7-11, the banknote storage cassette 4 is
provided with a display unit 9. The display unit 9 distinctively
indicates whether the banknote storage cassette 4 is unchecked,
i.e., currencies are not yet taken, or checked, i.e., currencies
have been taken. The display unit 9 automatically changes its
display information from unchecked to checked state, when a person
in charge removes the currencies from the banknote storage cassette
4 at the cash processing center 66. Further, the display unit 9
automatically changes its display information from checked to
unchecked state, after an empty banknote storage cassette 4 is
mounted in the currency handling apparatus 1 until the banknote
storage cassette 4 is collected from the currency handling
apparatus 1. The change in display information from unchecked to
checked state results from the movement of the stage 46 provided in
the banknote storage cassette 4. On the other hand, the change in
display information from checked to unchecked state results from
the movement of the banknote storage cassette 4 when the banknote
storage cassette 4 is mounted in the currency handling apparatus
1.
[0115] The stage 46 has a function of holding a stack of banknotes
in the banknote storage cassette 4. The stage 46 is movable along a
vertical direction in a reciprocating manner in the banknote
storage cassette 4. The stage 46 includes a base 461, a mounting
board 462 on which banknotes are placed, and a pantograph mechanism
463 provided between the base 461 and the mounting board 462. The
basic structure of the stage 46 is known. Thus, the structure of
the stage 46 will be briefly described.
[0116] Guides 464 are attached to both right and left end portions
of the base 461, the guides 464 protruding outward. The guides 464
engage with guide rails 465 which are attached on the right and
left side walls in the banknote storage cassette 4 and which extend
vertically. Thus, the base 461 is guided along the guide rails 465
to move vertically in a reciprocating manner. Although not shown in
the drawings, a belt of a pulley-belt mechanism which is provided
in the banknote storage cassette 4 so as to extend vertically, is
fixed to the base 461. The pulley-belt mechanism is controlled by
the controller 28 of the currency handling apparatus 1 while the
banknote storage cassette 4 is mounted in the currency handling
apparatus 1. As a result of this drive control, the stage 46 moves
along a vertical direction in a reciprocating manner in the
banknote storage cassette 4, from the position above the receiving
opening 41 (the uppermost position), illustrated in solid line in
FIG. 8, to the position of the bottom face in the banknote storage
cassette 4 (the lowermost position), illustrated in dashed line in
the same drawing.
[0117] Further, while the banknote storage cassette 4 is removed
from the currency handling apparatus 1, the pulley-belt mechanism
is locked and the stage 46 cannot move along the vertical
direction. The pulley-belt mechanism is unlocked by operating an
unlock lever (not shown) provided in the banknote storage cassette
4, thereby making it possible to move the stage 46 manually along a
vertical direction. The pulley-belt mechanism is unlocked to bring
the stage 46 down to the lowermost position so that the banknotes
can be taken from inside the banknote storage cassette 4 as
described later.
[0118] One of characteristic features of the stage 46 according to
this banknote storage cassette 4 is an engagement bar 466 which is
fixed to the base 461 and which protrudes outward from the left
side portion of the base 461. The engagement bar 466 is for
engaging with a display changing unit 92 as described later.
[0119] The mounting board 462 is a generally rectangular plate-like
member whose top face is a mounding surface on which banknotes are
mounted and whose size is the same as or larger than the size of a
banknote.
[0120] The pantograph mechanism 463 includes two members which are
pivotally connected to each other so as to form an X shape when
viewed from the front. The mounting board 462 is supported by the
pantograph mechanism 463 such that the relative movement of the
mounting board 462 with respect to the base 461 along a vertical
direction is possible. Further, the pantograph mechanism 463
includes a spring member (not shown). The mounting board 462 is
biased by the spring force of the spring member in a direction away
from the base 461, that is, upward.
[0121] Further, the banknote storage cassette 4 includes, as shown
only in FIGS. 8 and 10, four claw portions 467 and 468, in total,
which press the upper surface of the banknotes stacked on the
mounting board 462. Two of the four claw portions 467 and 468 are
provided so as to correspond to right and left side portions of the
generally-rectangular mounting board 462. The other two claw
portions are provided so as to correspond to rear side portions of
the mounting board 462, with a predetermined space left
therebetween in a lateral direction. The claw portions 467 and 468
are located above the receiving opening 41 while the banknote
storage cassette 4 is mounted in the currency handling apparatus 1
to store banknotes. The claw portions 467 and 468 are accommodated
in the banknote storage cassette 4 when the shutter 44 is closed,
such as when the storage is finished and when the banknote storage
cassette 4 is removed from the currency handling apparatus 1.
[0122] Each of the claw portions 467 and 468 extends from the
locations outside the mounting board 462 toward a center of the
mounting board 462, and the tip end portion of each of the claw
portions 467 and 468 overlaps the mounting board 462 in plan view
(see FIG. 10). The base end portion of each of the claw portions
467 and 468 is rotatably attached to and supported by a support
member 469 which is provided so as to surround the rear side of the
mounting board 462, and is biased to extend horizontally by an
biasing force of biasing means (not shown). Thus, as indicated by
arrows in FIG. 8, each of the claw portions 467 and 468 can be
switched between the position at which the claw portion extends in
a horizontal direction and the position at which the claw portion
extends in a vertical direction after rotating downward from the
horizontal position.
[0123] In the case where the banknote storage cassette 4 is mounted
in the currency handling apparatus 1, a stack of banknotes are
pushed out from the banknote escrow unit 213 downward to the
mounting board 462 and mounted on the mounting board 462. Here, the
claw portions 467 and 468 are pushed downward, and thereby rotate
by the stack of banknotes moving downward, to allow the banknotes
to pass through the claw portions 467 and 468. After the stack of
banknotes pass through the claw portions 467 and 468, the claw
portions 467 and 468 return to the horizontal position by the
aforementioned biasing force. Since the mounting board 462 is
biased upward by the pantograph mechanism 463 as described before,
the stack of banknotes mounted on the mounting board 462 are
sandwiched between the mounting board 462 and the claw portions 467
and 468 in a vertical direction.
[0124] The base 461 moves downward by appropriate control of the
pulley-belt mechanism by the controller 28, according to the amount
of banknotes mounted on the mounting board 462. The banknotes are
successively stacked on the mounting board 462 in this manner.
[0125] The display unit 9 is configured to include a display window
91 formed in a lower portion of the left side surface of the
banknote storage cassette 4, and a display changing unit 92
provided in the banknote storage cassette 4 so as to face the
display window 91.
[0126] The display window 91 is made of a transparent material
fitted in the left side wall of the banknote storage cassette 4,
and has a strip-like shape extending in a vertical direction. The
display window 91 may be made of a through hole formed in the left
side wall of the banknote storage cassette 4 so as to pass through
the thickness of the left side wall.
[0127] The display changing unit 92 is attached to the banknote
storage cassette 4 such that the display changing unit 92 can
rotate, in this case, only through 90 degrees on an axis extending
in a vertical direction, both clockwise and counterclockwise. The
display information of the display unit 9, the display information
being shown to the outside through the display window 91, is
changed by the rotation of the display changing unit 92.
[0128] As shown in FIG. 11, the display changing unit 92 includes:
rotational bars 921 and 922 which protrude upward and downward from
the upper end and the lower end of the display changing unit 92,
respectively, and which are rotatably supported by bearings
provided at the banknote storage cassette 4; a display surface 923
which is provided so as to extend between the two rotational bars
921 and 922 in a vertical direction; an inclined engagement portion
924 which is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and
with which the engagement bar 466 of the banknote storage cassette
4 engages; and an engagement protrusion 925 with which an
engagement plate 313 (described later) located in the mounting unit
311 of the currency handling apparatus 1 engages. The engagement
plate 313 protrudes into the banknote storage cassette 4 through a
through hole formed in the bottom wall of the banknote storage
cassette 4, when the banknote storage cassette 4 is mounted in the
mounting unit 311 of the drawer unit 31 (described in detail
later).
[0129] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, one end of an extension spring
926 is attached to the display changing unit 92, and other end of
the extension spring 926 is attached and fixed at a predetermined
location of the banknote storage cassette 4.
[0130] In the position as shown in the drawings on the left side of
FIG. 13 and the drawings on the right side of FIG. 14, that is, the
position in which the display surface 923 does not face the display
window 91, the extension spring 926 is located on one of opposing
sides with respect to the rotational bars 921 and 922 (at the side
close to the left side wall of the banknote storage cassette 4).
Thus, the display changing unit 92 is biased in a counterclockwise
direction. This means that the position in which the display
surface 923 does not face the display window 91 is maintained.
[0131] On the other hand, in the position as shown in the drawings
on the right side of FIG. 13 and drawings on the left side of FIG.
14, that is, the position in which the display surface 923 faces
the display window 91 after the rotation of the display changing
unit 92 only through 90 degrees in a clockwise direction, the
extension spring 926 is located on the other side of the opposing
sides with respect to the rotational bars 921 and 922 (at the side
farther from the left side wall of the banknote storage cassette
4). Thus, the display changing unit 92 is biased in a clockwise
direction. This means that the position in which the display
surface 923 faces the display window 91 is maintained.
[0132] As described above, the display unit 9 is switched between
the state in which the display surface 923 faces the display window
91 and is visible from outside the banknote storage cassette 4
through the display window 91, and the state in which the display
surface 923 does not face the display window 91 and is invisible
from outside the banknote storage cassette 4 through the display
window 91, by the rotation of the display changing unit 92. In
other words, as described later, when the display surface 923 is
invisible, the display information indicates unchecked state, and
when the display surface 923 is visible, the display information
indicates checked state.
[0133] Next, flows of collecting and checking the banknote storage
cassette 4, and a switching movement of the display information of
the display unit 9, the switching movement corresponding to the
flows, will be described with reference to FIGS. 12-14.
[0134] First, when the drawer unit 31 of the currency handling
apparatus 1 is pulled out to collect the banknote storage cassette
4, the shutter 44 of the banknote storage cassette 4 is closed to
seal the receiving opening 41. A stack of banknotes 10 are thereby
stored in the banknote storage cassette 4. Here, the display
surface 923 of the display changing unit 92 does not face the
display window 91, and thus, the display unit 9 indicates unchecked
state. The banknote storage cassette 4 is transported to the cash
processing center 66, with the display unit 9 maintained to
indicate unchecked state (see P1 of FIG. 12).
[0135] To perform a cash settlement at the cash processing center
66, the lock 47 of the openable door 43 is unlocked with a key to
open the openable door 43, and the stage 46 is brought down to the
lowermost position by operating the unlock lever (not shown) as
mentioned above. The stage 46 is fixed at its lowermost position by
a lock mechanism (not shown). After that, the stack of banknotes
held on the stage 46 is removed from the banknote storage cassette
4.
[0136] Here, when the stage 46 is brought down to the lowermost
position, the engagement bar 466 attached to the base 461 of the
stage 46 comes into contact with the inclined engagement portion
924 of the display changing unit 92, as shown in the drawings on
the left side of FIG. 13. As the engagement bar 466 goes down more,
the inclined engagement portion 924 is pushed in a horizontal
direction, and the display changing unit 92 is rotated in a
clockwise direction on the rotational bars 921 and 922 (see the
arrows in the same drawing). As a result, the display changing unit
92 is in the position in which the display surface 923 faces the
display window 91, as shown in the drawings on the right side of
FIG. 13. That is, the display surface 923 is visible from the
outside through the display window 91, and therefore the display
unit 9 indicates checked state (see P2 of FIG. 12).
[0137] The display unit 9 continues to indicate checked state even
after the openable door 43 is closed thereafter and the inside of
the banknote storage cassette 4 is invisible. It is thus possible
to know, from the outside, that the banknote storage cassette 4 has
been checked. This means that the display information of the
display unit 9 differs between the unchecked banknote storage
cassette 4 illustrated as P1 in FIG. 12 and the checked banknote
storage cassette 4 illustrated as P2 and P3 of FIG. 12. Therefore,
the unchecked cassette and the checked cassette are prevented from
being mistaken at the cash processing center 66. As a result,
efficiency of the cash settlement can be improved.
[0138] The empty banknote storage cassette 4 which has been checked
at the cash processing center 66 is transported to a retail store
and mounted in the currency handling apparatus 1 again, as
described earlier. The display unit 9 maintains the display
information indicating the checked state at the time of
transportation and mounting as well, as illustrated as P3 in FIG.
12. It is therefore possible to check again from the outside that
the banknote storage cassette 4 is empty, immediately before the
drawer unit 31 is pulled out to mount the banknote storage cassette
4 in the mounting unit 311. This can prevent the banknote storage
cassette 4 which has banknotes inside to be mistakenly mounted in
the currency handling apparatus 1.
[0139] The engagement plate 313 provided at the mounting unit 311
moves relatively upward with respect to the banknote storage
cassette 4 as shown in the drawings on the left side of FIG. 14,
when the banknote storage cassette 4 is inserted in the mounting
unit 311 in a downward direction to mount the banknote storage
cassette 4 in the currency handling apparatus 1. Thus, the
engagement plate 313 projects into the banknote storage cassette 4
through the through hole 48 formed in the bottom wall of the
banknote storage cassette 4. The engagement plate 313 includes an
inclined face which is inclined with respect to a vertical
direction, and the inclined face engages with the engagement
protrusion 925 of the display changing unit 92. This results in the
display changing unit 92 rotating in a counterclockwise direction
on the rotational bars 921 and 922 (see the arrows in the same
drawing). As a result, the display changing unit 92 is in the
position in which the display surface 923 does not face the display
window 91, as shown in the drawings on the right side of the FIG.
14. That is, the display surface 923 is invisible through the
display window 91, and therefore, the display unit 9 indicates
unchecked state. After the mounting of the banknote storage
cassette 4 in the currency handling apparatus 1, the shutter 44 of
the banknote storage cassette 4 is opened by the controller 28 of
the currency handling apparatus 1, and the stage 46 is moved to the
uppermost position to be ready for receiving banknotes (see P4 of
FIG. 12).
[0140] As mentioned earlier, the display unit 9 maintains the
indication of unchecked state, until the banknote storage cassette
4 is removed from the currency handling apparatus 1, and the stage
46 is brought down to the lowermost position at the cash processing
center 66.
[0141] As described above, whether the banknote storage cassette 4
is checked or unchecked is visually distinguishable. Therefore, the
unchecked banknote storage cassette 4 and the checked banknote
storage cassette 4 are prevented from being mistaken at the cash
processing center 66. As a result, vain efforts such as trying to
open the openable door 43 of the banknote storage cassette 4 and
picking the banknotes therein can be prevented. Therefore,
efficiency of the cash settlement can be improved.
[0142] Further, the banknote storage cassette 4 which has banknotes
inside is prevented from being transported to a retail store etc.
and mounted in a currency handling apparatus 1 at the retail store,
with the banknotes inside the banknote storage cassette 4. Thus, it
is possible to prevent cash discrepancies which result from such a
mistake.
[0143] The banknote storage cassette 4 is configured such that the
display information of the display unit 9 is changed from unchecked
to checked state at a time of cash settlement when the stage 46 is
brought down to the lowermost position, particularly in conjunction
with the operation by a person in charge to remove banknotes from
the banknote storage cassette 4. Further, the display information
of the display unit 9 is changed from checked to unchecked state in
conjunction with the movement of mounting the banknote storage
cassette 4 in the currency handling apparatus 1. In other words,
the display information of the display unit 9 is automatically
changed. Thus, the display information of the display unit 9
accurately represents the state of the banknote storage cassette 4.
As a result, efficiency of the above-described cash settlement can
be improved and cash discrepancies can be prevented more
reliably.
[0144] The engagement plate 313 may be attached to the mounting
unit 311 such that the engagement plate 313 is movable along a
vertical direction in a reciprocating manner, and the reciprocating
movement of the engagement plate 313 may be controlled by the
controller 28 of the currency handling apparatus 1. This enables
the engagement plate 313 to project upward and engage with the
engagement protrusion 925 of the display changing unit 92 at a
desired time. In other words, the display information of the
display unit 9 that indicates checked state can be changed into the
display information that indicates unchecked state at an arbitrary
time.
[0145] The structure of the display unit 9 is not limited to the
structure shown in such as FIGS. 7 and 9. For example, the display
unit 9 may have the structure shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0146] According to this structure, the display window 93 formed in
the banknote storage cassette 4 includes a plurality of slits 931
arranged in a vertical direction at predetermined equal spacings.
The height of each slit 931 and the spacing between adjacent slits
931 are designed to be generally equal to each other.
[0147] On the other hand, the display changing unit 94 is attached
to the banknote storage cassette 4 so as to slide along a vertical
direction. Specifically, the display changing unit 94 has a
strip-like shape, and is provided with guide grooves 941 and 942
which extend in a vertical direction at its both upper end portion
and lower end portion. A guide pin 49 attached to a side wall of
the banknote storage cassette 4 is inserted in each of the guide
grooves 941 and 942. With this structure, the display changing unit
94 can slide up to a relatively upper position and down to a
relatively lower position, along a vertical direction.
[0148] The display changing unit 94 includes, at its middle portion
along a vertical direction, a display surface 943 which faces the
display window 91. In this example, colored portions 944 and
colorless portions 945 are alternately provided in stripes at the
display surface 943.
[0149] A right side portion of the display changing unit 94 is
provided with a holding mechanism 95 for positioning the display
changing unit 94 at the upper position (see the drawing on the left
side of FIG. 16) and the lower position (see the drawing on the
right side of FIG. 16). The holding mechanism 95 includes a holding
recess unit 953 which is provided on the banknote storage cassette
4 and in which two recesses 951 and 952 are formed next to each
other along a vertical direction, and a plate spring 954 attached
to the display changing unit 94. The plate spring 954 has a
projecting portion which engages with each of the two recesses 951
and 952 of the holding recess unit 953. The position of the
projecting portion is switched between the position in which the
projecting portion engages with the recesses 951 and 952, and the
position in which the projecting portion is out of the recesses 951
and 952, by the elastic force of the plate spring 954 as
illustrated in solid line and phantom line in FIG. 16. The display
changing unit 94 is located at the upper position and the lower
position by the projecting portion engaging with each of the two
recesses 951 and 952 of the holding recess unit 953. Conversely,
the holding recess unit 953, i.e., the two recesses, may be formed
in the side portion of the display changing unit 94, and the
projecting portion which engages with the recesses may be attached
to the banknote storage cassette 4.
[0150] An outwardly extending protrusion 946 is integrally formed
at a left side portion of the display changing unit 94. The
protrusion 946 is a portion with which the engagement bar 466
attached to the stage 46 engages when the stage 46 is brought down
to the lowermost position. That is, the engagement bar 466 which is
brought down and engages with the protrusion 946, causes the
display changing unit 94 located at the upper position to slide
down to the lower position, with an elastic deformation of the
plate spring 954. Further, the protrusion 946 is also a portion
with which the engagement plate 313 provided on the currency
handling apparatus 1 engages. That is, the engagement plate 313
which moves relatively upward with respect to the banknote storage
cassette 4 and engages with the protrusion 946, causes the display
changing unit 94 located at the lower position to slide up to the
upper position, with an elastic deformation of the plate spring
954.
[0151] When the display changing unit 94 is located at the upper
position, the colored portions 944 of the stripe pattern on the
display surface 943 face the slits 931 of the display window 93.
Thus, the colored portions 944 are visible from the outside through
the slits 931. The display unit 9 therefore indicates unchecked
state (see the drawing on the left side of FIG. 16). On the other
hand, when the display changing unit 94 is located at the lower
position, the colorless portions 945 of the stripe pattern on the
display surface 943 face the slits 931 of the display window 93.
Thus, the colorless portions 945 are visible from the outside
through the slits 931. The display unit 9 therefore indicates
checked state (see the drawing on the right side of FIG. 16).
[0152] The display information of the display unit 9 having this
structure is automatically changed from unchecked to checked state
in conjunction with the movement of the stage 46 brought down to
the lowermost position. Further, the display information of the
display unit 9 is automatically changed from checked to unchecked
state in conjunction with the movement of mounting the banknote
storage cassette 4 in the currency handling apparatus 1. As a
result, an unchecked banknote storage cassette 4 and a checked
banknote storage cassette 4 are reliably prevented from being
mistaken.
[0153] The mechanism for changing the display information of the
display unit 9 from unchecked to checked state is not limited to
the mechanism which operates in conjunction with the movement of
the stage 46. Any mechanism may be used as long as the mechanism
operates in conjunction with the movement of a portion which a
person in charge moves when he/she removes banknotes from the
banknote storage cassette 4.
[0154] For example, the display information may be changed from
unchecked to checked state in conjunction with the movement of
unlocking the lock 47 of the openable door 43 of the banknote
storage cassette 4, the movement of opening of the openable door
43, the operation of the unlock lever, the movement of closing the
openable door 43, or the movement of locking the lock 47 of the
openable door 43, or a combination of these movements.
[0155] Further, the mechanism for changing the display information
of the display unit 9 from checked to unchecked state is not
limited to the mechanism which operates in conjunction with the
movement of placing the banknote storage cassette 4 in the currency
handling apparatus 1. For example, the display information may be
changed from checked to unchecked state in conjunction with the
movement of the stage 46 moving upward after the banknote storage
cassette 4 is mounted in the currency handling apparatus 1, and the
movement of banknotes thrown into the banknote storage cassette
4.
[0156] Further, the change in display information of the display
unit 9 does not have to be mechanically linked, but may be, for
example, electrically or magnetically linked with various
mechanisms. If the display information is electrically or
magnetically linked with the various mechanisms, it becomes easy to
change the display information of the display unit 9 at an
arbitrary time, in particular to change the display information
while the banknote storage cassette 4 is mounted in the mounting
unit 311.
[0157] Further, the display information of the display unit 9 does
not have to be changed in conjunction with various mechanisms. For
example, the display information of the display unit 9 may be
manually changed. However, in the case of manually changing the
display information, the changing operation may be forgotten or
done incorrectly. Therefore, the structure in which the display
information is automatically changed is preferable in terms of
accuracy of the display information.
[0158] Further, the coin storage cassette 5 may be provided with a
display unit which distinctively indicates, so as to be visible
from the outside, whether the coin storage cassette 5 is checked or
unchecked.
[0159] Moreover, the display unit 9 does not only distinctively
indicate whether a cassette is checked or unchecked. The display
information of the display unit may include various information.
For example, the display unit may indicate whether a banknote is
stored in the cassette or not, or may indicate kinds (e.g.,
denominations or currency units) of the banknotes stored in the
cassette. For example, in the case where the currency handling
apparatus 1 is configured such that banknotes of different
denominations are stored in different cassettes, the display
information of the display unit of each cassette may be changed
according to the denomination stored in the cassette. In that case,
the display information of the display unit may be automatically
changed according to the location in the currency handling
apparatus 1 at which the cassette is mounted.
[0160] The display mode of the display unit can be changed not only
by switching between display/undisplay modes and changing colors,
but also by changing letters and signs, by switching between
lightening, blinking, and shutting off of a lamp, and by changing
the frequency of the blinking, for example.
[0161] Further, the display unit 9 does not only switch between two
display modes, but also may switch between three or more display
modes according to the types of information the display unit 9
indicates.
[0162] (Cassette Structure Suitable For Easy Handling During
Transportation etc.)
[0163] As described above, the banknote storage cassette 4 is
provided with the engagement projection 45, and the coin storage
cassette 5 is provided with the engagement recess 52. This
structure enables the banknote storage cassette 4 and the coin
storage cassette 5 to be engaged and aligned with each other, as
shown in FIG. 17, in a vehicle transporting the cassettes 4 and 5
or at the cash processing center 66. This is effective in avoiding
load shifting.
[0164] Further, the engagement projection and the engagement recess
do not have to be configured to connect the banknote storage
cassette 4 and the coin storage cassette 5 in pairs. If, for
example, the currency handling apparatus 1 is configured to include
a plurality of banknote storage cassettes 4, the engagement
projection and the engagement recess may be configured to connect
the plurality of banknote storage cassettes 4 with one another,
although not shown in the drawing. Similarly, if the currency
handling apparatus 1 is configured to include a plurality of coin
storage cassettes 5, the engagement projection and the engagement
recess may be configured to connect the plurality of coin storage
cassettes 5 with one another.
[0165] The collecting process performed by a CIT company includes
visiting retail stores by a transportation car and collecting the
banknote storage cassette 4 and the coin storage cassette 5 from
each retail stores. This means that there are a plurality of
banknote storage cassettes 4 and a plurality of coin storage
cassettes 5 in the transportation car. Thus, as shown for example
in FIG. 18, the banknote storage cassettes 4 may be engaged with
one another, and the coin storage cassettes 5 may be engaged with
one another. In this case, the shapes of the engagement projection
and the engagement recess formed in each banknote storage cassette
4 and the shapes of the engagement projection and the engagement
recess formed in each coin storage cassette 5 may be different from
each other.
[0166] The cassettes do not have to be engaged with one another so
as to align in a horizontal direction, but may be engaged with one
another so as to be stacked in a vertical direction. That is, parts
of the cassettes 4 and 5 at which the engagement projection and the
engagement recess are formed are not specifically limited.
[0167] (Cassette Structure Effective in Increasing Efficiency in
Handling Unfit Notes)
[0168] As described above, the unfit banknotes rejected by the
currency handling apparatus 1 are separately controlled and handed
over to a person in charge from the CIT company at the time of
collection of the cassettes 4 and 5. Thus, a person at the retail
store has to meet the person from the CIT company. This is
bothersome and inefficient.
[0169] Therefore, the cassette may be divided into a fit banknote
storage section for storing fit banknotes and an unfit banknote
storage section for storing unfit banknotes, thereby making it
possible to collect both of the fit banknotes and unfit banknotes
by collecting a single cassette. As a result, the person at the
retail store does not have to meet the from the CIT company at the
time of collection of a cassette.
[0170] The banknote storage cassette 7 shown in FIGS. 19-21 is
provided with a partition plate 71 within its interior. The
partition plate 71 divides the cassette interior into two spaces,
i.e., upper and lower spaces. In this banknote storage cassette 7,
the upper space is a fit banknote storage section 72, and the lower
space is an unfit banknote storage section 73. For convenience of
understanding, a handle is not shown in FIG. 20.
[0171] A receiving opening 74 is formed in the top surface of the
banknote storage cassette 7. As mentioned above, fit banknotes are
dropped in the fit banknote storage section 72 through the
receiving opening 74. The aforementioned stage 46 is provided in
the fit banknote storage section 72. The stage 46 is configured to
be movable along a vertical direction in a reciprocating manner in
the fit banknote storage section 72. Further, the display window 91
of the display unit 9 is formed in the left side wall of the
banknote storage cassette 7.
[0172] The rear surface of the banknote storage cassette 7 is
provided with a pickup opening 77 which extends across the fit
banknote storage section 72 and the unfit banknote storage section
73. The pickup opening 77 can be opened and closed by an openable
door 78 hinged at the rear surface of the banknote storage cassette
7.
[0173] A slit 75 for receiving an unfit banknote into the unfit
banknote storage section 73 is formed in a lower portion of the
front surface of the banknote storage cassette 7. It is preferable
that the slit 75 has a width which allows banknotes to pass through
and a height which does not allow a finger of a person to pass
therein.
[0174] As shown in FIG. 21, a pair of rollers 76 are provided in
the interior of the banknote storage cassette 7. The pair of
rollers 76 is positioned right behind the slit 75. The pair of
rollers 76 vertically sandwiches the unfit banknote passing through
the slit 75, and rotates to take the unfit banknote into the unfit
banknote storage section 73. The pair of rollers 76 is controlled
by the controller 28 of the currency handling apparatus 1.
[0175] As schematically shown in FIG. 21, an opening 315 for
receiving unfit banknotes is formed in the front panel 314 of the
drawer unit 31. A transportation mechanism 316 including a pair of
rollers is provided so as to connect the opening 315 and the slit
75 of the cassette 7. The transportation mechanism 316 is
controlled such that it transfers the unfit banknote received from
the opening 315 to the slit 75, and feed the unfit banknote into
the unfit banknote storage section 73 of the banknote storage
cassette 7.
[0176] As shown in FIG. 21, the receiving opening 74 of the
banknote storage cassette 7, the receiving opening 74 communicating
with the fit banknote storage section 72, is formed in the top
surface of the banknote storage cassette 7. Thus, as described
earlier, the fit banknotes held in the banknote escrow unit 213 are
stored in the fit banknote storage section 72 through the receiving
opening 74.
[0177] On the other hand, the unfit banknotes discharged into the
banknote reject opening 218 are deposited in the opening 315 formed
in the front panel 314, and thereby stored in the unfit banknote
storage section 73 through the transportation mechanism 316 and the
pair of rollers 76. Data, specifically the denominations and the
number of the unfit banknotes stored in the unfit banknote storage
section 73, is input through a predetermined operation using the
operating section 25 of the currency handling apparatus 1, in the
case where the unfit banknotes are deposited in the opening 315.
The currency handling apparatus 1 stores the count data of the fit
banknotes and the data about the unfit banknotes.
[0178] The currency handling apparatus 1 prints the count data of
the fit banknotes and the data about the unfit banknotes on the
journal 261 by using the printer 26, at the time of collection of
the banknote storage cassette 7. The journal 261 may be thrown into
the unfit banknote storage section 73 through the slit 75.
[0179] Thus, it is possible to collect both of fit banknotes and
unfit banknotes by collecting the single cassette 7. In addition,
at the cash processing center 66, it is possible to remove all of
the fit banknotes stored in the fit banknote storage section 72,
the unfit banknotes stored in the unfit banknote storage section
73, and the journal 261 if any, by simply opening one openable door
78. This can advantageously improve efficiency of the cash
settlement.
[0180] The mechanism for transferring unfit banknotes into the
unfit banknote storage section 73 does not have to be the
transportation mechanism 316, but may be, for example, a simple
transport path 79 as shown in FIG. 22. The transport path 79
connects between the opening 315 formed in the front panel 314 of
the drawer unit 31 and the slit 75 of the cassette 7 with each
other. It is preferable that one end of the transport path 79 is
inserted in the slit 75 to achieve smooth transfer of the unfit
banknotes. If this structure is utilized, the one end of the
transport path 79 has to be pulled back from the slit 75 when the
cassette 7 is pulled up and removed from the mounting unit 311.
Thus, it is preferable to provide a mechanism by which the one end
of the transport path 79 is pulled back from the slit 75 when, for
example, the drawer unit 31 is pulled up.
[0181] In this structure, it is preferable that instead of a pair
of rollers, a shutter 710 is provided in the banknote storage
cassette 7, for opening/closing the slit 75.
[0182] An advantage of the structure shown in FIG. 22 is that the
structure of the transport path 79 can be simplified. However, the
opening 315 for receiving unfit banknotes has to be located at
approximately the same height as the height of the slit 75 of the
cassette 7, which means that the opening 315 is located at a
relatively low height. Thus, it is difficult to deposit the unfit
banknotes.
[0183] On the other hand, an advantage of the structure shown in
FIG. 21 is that it is possible to decide the location of the
opening 315 relatively freely. That is, it is possible to place the
opening 315 at a relatively high location so that the unfit
banknotes can be deposited easily.
[0184] (Another Structure of Currency Handling Device)
[0185] The structure of the currency handling apparatus,
particularly the structure of the banknote handling section is not
limited to the structure shown in FIG. 3. For example, as shown in
FIG. 23, the currency handling apparatus may include a plurality of
tape-type stackers 81 in the cashbox section 3, instead of having
the banknote escrow unit 213.
[0186] A detailed description of the tape-type stackers 81 is
omitted because the structure of the tape-type stackers 81 is
known. Each of the tape-type stackers 81 includes a rotating drum
811 which takes up banknotes transferred thereto, with the
banknotes sandwiched between two tapes. This tape-type stacker 81
can receive and dispense a plurality of banknotes without changing
the order of the banknotes.
[0187] A currency handling apparatus 8 having the above structure
includes: a transport path for connecting the banknote recognition
unit 212 with a dispensing unit 82 (the dispensing unit 82
functions as both the banknote reject unit 214 and a return opening
as shown in FIG. 2); a transport path for connecting the banknote
recognition unit 212 with each of the tape-type stackers 81; a
transport path for connecting each tape-type stacker 81 with the
dispensing unit 82; and a transport path for connecting each
tape-type stacker 81 with the banknote storage cassette 4. Part of
these transport paths is shared with each other.
[0188] An advantage of the currency handling apparatus 8 having the
above structure is that the tape-type stackers 81 can function as a
banknote escrow unit. Specifically, banknotes after recognition can
be temporarily held in the tape-type stackers 81, and transported
from the tape-type stackers 81 to the dispensing unit 82 according
to the operation of the operating section 25, thereby making it
possible to return the banknotes to the user. Further, the
banknotes can be stored in the banknote storage cassette 4, that
is, can be received in the banknote storage cassette 4 by
transporting the banknotes from the tape-type stackers 81 to the
banknote storage cassette 4.
[0189] In addition, since the tape-type stackers 81 are provided in
the cashbox section 3, banknotes can be stored in the tape-type
stackers 81 when the banknote storage cassette 4 is filled up with
banknotes. This is equivalent to increasing the capacity of the
cashbox section 3. Thus, it is possible to reduce frequency in the
cassette collection.
[0190] Further, it is possible to dispense a desired denomination,
such as for the purpose of change, by using the plurality of
tape-type stackers 81 as banknote escrow units for different
denominations. That is, the currency handling apparatus 8 can
function as a depositing/dispensing machine.
[0191] The currency handling apparatus is not limited to a
depositing machine or a depositing/dispensing machine. The currency
handling apparatus may be anything as long as it is a currency
handling apparatus in which a detachable cassette is mounted.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0192] As described above, the present invention is useful as a
currency storage cassette and a currency handling apparatus having
the currency storage cassette.
* * * * *