1
BANKNOTE HANDLING MACHINE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a banknote handling
5 machine configured to sort and stack banknotes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, a banknote handling machine includes a
plurality of stacking units, and is used for sorting banknotes, for
10 each denomination of money and/or each currency of the
banknotes, and then stacking such sorted banknotes in each
corresponding stacking unit. For instance, the banknote
handling machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes four
stacking units and is designed for storing a plurality of sorting
15 patterns. In this case, when one sorting pattern is designated,
among such a plurality of sorting patterns, the banknote
handling machine can serve to sort and stack the banknotes, for
each denomination of money thereof, in the four stacking units,
as well as serve to sort and stack the banknotes of a particular
20 denomination of money, with each of such banknotes being
oriented in a certain orientation, in the four stacking units.
Further, this banknote handling machine can serve to stack the
banknotes of the denomination of money that is first recognized,
in the four stacking units.
25 Today, various methods are known for sorting the
currency and denomination of money of the banknotes that are
inserted or deposited into the banknote handling machine
and/or sorting the banknotes that have been inserted or
deposited in the banknote handling machine. However, such
30 known methods are usually provided to designate anyone of
the sorting patterns that have been stored, in advance, in the
banknote handling machine, and thus may tend to unduly limit
the degree of freedom or flexibility in setting or assignment
concerning the banknotes to be stacked in each stacking unit.
35 Therefore, in some cases, such methods may not adequately
respond to the users' needs. In particular, as the number of
2
the stacking units provided in the banknote handling machine is
increased, a higher freedom or flexibility is required in the
setting for each stacking unit.
Patent Document 1: W02008/096430Al
5
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a banknote handling machine including a take-in unit
configured to take in a plurality of banknotes, one by one, a
10 recognition unit configured to recognize a kind of each banknote
taken in by the take-in unit, a plurality of stacking units,
respectively configured to stack therein the banknotes, a
transport unit configured to transport the banknotes,
respectively recognized by the recognition unit, to any of the
15 plurality of stacking units, an instruction accepting unit
configured to accept an instruction concerning an automatic
decision mode provided for deciding the kind of the banknotes
to be stacked, by utilizing a recognition result obtained by the
recognition unit, for each of the plurality of stacking units, and a
20 control unit configured to control the transport unit to transport
each banknote to a destination, which destination is decided
based on the instruction accepted by the instruction accepting
unit and on the recognition result obtained by the recognition
unit.
25
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the banknote handling
machine related to one embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross section taken parallel to a front view of
30 the banknote handling machine related to the embodiment
shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram for illustrating the banknote
handling machine related to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a diagram for showing one example of an
35 instruction accepting unit provided in the banknote handling
machine related to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.
3
Fig. 5 is a diagram for showing one example of setting for
an assignment mode concerning the currency.
Fig. 6 is a diagram for showing one example of the
setting for the assignment mode concerning the denomination
5 of money.
Fig. 7 is a diagram for showing one example of the
setting for the assignment mode.
Fig. 8 is a diagram for showing one example of decision
for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked.
10 Fig. 9 is a diagram for showing another example of the
decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked.
Fig. 10 is a diagram for showing still another example of
the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked.
Fig. 11 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
15 of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked.
Fig. 12 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked.
20 Fig. 13 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked.
Fig. 14 is a diagram for showing another example of the
setting for the assignment mode.
25 Fig. 15 is a diagram for showing another example of the
decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked.
Fig. 16 is a diagram for showing still another example of
the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked.
Fig. 17 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
30 of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked.
Fig. 18 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked.
35 Fig. 19 is a diagram for showing still another example of
the setting for the assignment mode.
4
Fig. 20 is a diagram for showing another example of the
decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked.
Fig. 21 is a diagram for showing still another example of
the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked.
5 Fig. 22 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked.
Fig. 23 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
10 stacked.
Fig. 24 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked.
Fig. 25 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
15 of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked.
Fig. 26 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked.
20 Fig. 27 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked.
Fig. 28 is a diagram for showing still yet another example
of the decision for the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
25 stacked.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Hereinafter, one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
30 Fig. 1 shows one perspective view of the banknote
handling machine related to the embodiment of the present
invention, and Fig. 2 shows one cross section taken parallel to
the front view of the banknote handling machine shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 shows one block diagram for illustrating the banknote
35 handling machine of this embodiment.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the banknote handling
5
machine 60 includes a casing 8, a hopper (or reception unit) 1,
a take-in unit 2, a transport unit 3, and a recognition unit 5.
The hopper 1 is provided to the casing 8 and adapted for
receiving the banknotes in a batch form. The take-in unit 2 is
5 adapted for taking the banknotes received in the batch form in
the hopper 1, one by one, into the casing 8. The transport unit
3 is adapted for transporting the banknotes respectively taken
in the casing 8 by the take-in unit 2. The recognition unit 5 is
provided to the transport unit 3 and adapted for recognizing
10 each banknote transported by the transport unit 3.
More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the take-in unit 2
includes a feed roller 2a adapted for feeding the banknotes, a
gate roller (or reversal roller) 2b provided to be opposite to the
feed roller 2a, and kicker rollers 2c, 2d, respectively adapted for
15 feeding each banknote received in the hopper 1 toward the feed
roller 2a. The transport unit 3 includes a transport path 3a
adapted for gUiding the banknotes, and a transport roller (not
shown) adapted for providing some driving force to each of the
gUided banknotes.
20 Further, as shown in Fig. 2, transport-condition sensors
21, 22, respectively adapted for detecting the transport
condition of each banknote taken in the casing 8 by the take-in
unit 2, are provided between the take-in unit 2 and the
recognition unit 5. The recognition unit 5 includes an
25 image-reading sensor Sa adapted for reading an image of each
banknote gUided along the transport path 3a. In this case, the
recognition unit 5 can serve to recognize the currency,
denomination, orientation, fitness, version (edition number or
newness), authenticity or the like of each banknote, based on
30 each image data read by the image-reading sensor Sa.
A reject unit 9 is connected with one end of the transport
unit 3 located on the downstream side relative to the
recognition unit 5. The reject unit 9 is provided for stacking
therein the banknotes respectively judged not to be stacked in
35 any of the stacking units 65a to 65h. This reject unit 9
includes a first reject unit 9a located in a lower position and a
6
second reject unit9b located in an upper position.
For instance, the first reject unit 9a is provided for
stacking therein the banknotes respectively judged as ones
involved in some recognition error and/or transport error.
5 Meanwhile, the second reject unit 9b is provided for stacking
therein the banknotes respectively judged, as counterfeit
banknotes, upon the recognition or judgment on the
authenticity performed by the recognition unit 5.
Herein, the "transport error" means some error seen
10 upon the transportation for each banknote performed by the
transport unit 3. For instance, this transport error includes
oblique transportation in which some banknote (or banknotes) is
transported in an oblique state, overlap transportation in which
some banknotes are transported while being overlapped one on
15 another, and chain transportation in which some banknotes are
transported without any interval therebetween.
In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, diverters 47, 48,
respectively adapted for sWitching the reject unit 9 (i.e., the
first reject unit 9a and second reject unit 9b) for gUiding the
20 banknotes, are provided to the transport path 3a.
One sensor 27 is provided between the diverter 47 and
the first reject unit 9a. This sensor 27 can serve to detect
whether or not each banknote guided by the diverter 47 is
normally gUided to the first reject unit 9a. Similarly, another
25 sensor 28 is provided between the diverter 48 and the second
reject unit 9b. This sensor 28 can serve to detect whether or
not each banknote gUided by the diverter 48 is normally gUided
to the second reject unit 9b.
Further, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the stacking units 65a
30 to 65h, respectively adapted for stacking therein the banknotes
respectively transported by the transport unit 3, are connected
with the one end of the transport unit 3 located on the
downstream side relative to the recognition unit 5.
Additionally, as shown in Fig. 2, another sensor 26 is
35 provided between the diverter 48 and the stacking unit 65a.
This sensor 26 can serve to detect whether or not each
•
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
7
banknote that is not gUided to the reject unit 9 is normally
gUided toward the stacking units 65a to 65h.
Furthermore, other sensors 31a to 31g, respectively
adapted for detecting whether or not each banknote is normally
transported, and/or other diverters 41a to 41g, respectively
adapted for sWitching the stacking units to which the banknotes
are respectively gUided, are provided to the transport path 3a.
In addition, count sensors 32a to 32h are provided on the
downstream side relative to the diverters 41a to 41g,
respectively. Each of the count sensors 32a to 32h can serve
to detect whether or not each banknote diverted by the
diverters 41a to 41g is normally guided to the stacking units
65a to 65h.
Further, residue sensors 36a to 36h, respectively adapted
for detecting the storage condition of the banknotes in the
stacking units 65a to 65b, are provided in the stacking units 65a
to 65b, respectively.
Now, returning to Fig. 1, display units 11a to 11h,
respectively adapted for displaying the kind and/or number of
the banknotes respectively stacked in the stacking units 65a to
65h, are provided to the casing 8. For instance, the kind or
sort of the banknotes displayed on each of the display units 11a
to 11h includes the currency, denomination, orientation, fitness,
version (edition number or newness) or the like of each
banknote. Herein, the orientation includes four orientations,
i.e., a face-up and portrait-up orientation, a face-up and
portrait-down orientation, a face-down and portrait-up
orientation, and a face-down and portrait-down orientation.
More specifically, the face-up and portrait-up orientation is the
orientation that the banknote is taken in the banknote handling
machine, with the portrait of this banknote facing upward and
being taken in from the head thereof. The face-up and
portrait-down orientation is the orientation that the banknote is
taken in the banknote handling machine, with the portrait of
this banknote facing upward and being taken in the opposite
direction to the head thereof. The face-down and portrait-up
•
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
8
orientation is the orientation that the banknote is taken in the
banknote handling machine, with the portrait of this banknote
facing downward and being taken in from the head thereof.
The face-down and portrait-down orientation is the orientation
that the banknote is taken in the banknote handling machine,
with the portrait of this banknote facing downward and being
taken in the opposite direction to the head thereof.
Each of the display units 11a to 11h may be any suitable
display device, such as an LCD or the like, or otherwise may be
any suitable combination of a printed letter and a light emission
element.
Further, as shown in Fig. 1, one instruction accepting unit
10 is provided to the casing 8. This instruction accepting unit
10 is adapted for accepting an instruction for setting the
assignment mode concerning the banknotes that will be
respectively stacked in the stacking units 65a to 65h. For
instance, the instruction accepting unit 10 is provided as a
touch panel.
Now, the assignment mode concerning the banknotes to
be respectively stacked in the stacking units 65a to 65h will be
described. Herein, the "assignment mode" means a way of
assigning the banknotes to be respectively stacked, and
includes a designation mode, an automatic decision mode, a
mixture mode, and a non-designation mode. Further, in the
case of the banknote handling machine 60 of this embodiment,
the automatic decision mode includes first to third automatic
decision modes and first to third dynamic decision modes.
Thus, as shown in the following Table 1, the assignment mode
prOVided herein includes the designation mode, first to third
automatic decision modes, first to third dynamic decision modes,
mixture mode and non-designation mode. Each of the first to
third automatic decision modes and first to third dynamic
decision modes is one kind of the automatic decision mode.
However, such first to third automatic decision modes and first
to third dynamic decision modes are used differently, depending
on a procedure for assigning the kind or sort of the banknotes
•
5
10
9
to be stacked and/or on the timing at which the assigned kind
or sort is cleared. For each of the stacking unit 65a to 65h,
anyone of the designation mode, first to third automatic
decision modes, first to third dynamic decision modes, mixture
mode and non-designation mode can be set, concerning the
currency, denomination of money, orientation, fitness, version
or the like of the banknotes to be stacked.
Table 1
Assignment mode Degree of preference
Designation mode 5
First to third automatic decision 4
modes
First to third dynamic decision 3
modes
Mixture mode 2
Non-designation mode 1
The designation mode is provided for designating the
kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked, and is the highest
in the degree of preference. Specifically, in the designation
mode, the currency and/or denomination of money of the
15 banknotes to be stacked is designated (or specified) in advance.
For instance, in the case in which the designation mode is set
concerning the currency of the banknotes to be stacked, one of
"dollar", "yen", "euro" and the like is designated. Meanwhile, in
the case in which the designation mode is set concerning the
20 denomination of money, it is necessary to set the designation
mode concerning the currency and designate a certain currency
of the banknotes to be stacked, before the setting concerning
the denomination of money is performed. This is because the
denomination of money that is issued varies with the currency.
25 Accordingly, for instance, in the case in which the designation
mode is set concerning the denomination of money and 100
dollar is designated, it is necessary to set the designation mode
concerning the currency and designate the dollar as the
currency, before the setting concerning the denomination of
30 money and the designation for the 100 dollar.
10
The designation mode is the highest in the degree of
preference. Therefore, each banknote of the kind or sort that
is designated in the designation mode will be transported to a
certain stacking unit for which the designation mode is set,
5 preferentially, relative to any other stacking units. For instance,
in the case in which the designation mode is set concerning the
currency and the dollar is designated, respectively for the
stacking unit 6Sa, dollar banknotes taken in the banknote
handling machine 60 are transported to and stacked in the
10 stacking unit 65a, preferentially, relative to any other stacking
units 65b to 65h.
The setting for the designation mode is valid even after
the handling for the banknotes for one transaction is ended, and
is kept until another setting is inputted or instructed by the user.
15 Herein, the "banknotes for one transaction" refer to the
banknotes collected per totalization of money, and may be a
certain batch of the banknotes received at a time in the hopper
1, or otherwise may be the total of some batches of the
banknotes received several times in the hopper 1. For instance,
20 when there is a limit in the number of the banknotes that can
be received at a time in the hopper 1 and when the number of
the banknotes handled for the totalization of money is
considerably large, such banknotes are once separated into
several batches, and then such separated batches of the
25 banknotes will be put or inserted, several times, in the hopper 1.
Thereafter, when the user pushes an approval button (not
shown) for approving a count result and/or an ending button
(not shown) for instructing the end of handling the banknotes, a
certain instruction for ending the insertion operation for the
30 banknotes for one transaction is inputted to the banknote
handling machine 60.
Now, the first automatic decision mode, second automatic
decision mode and third automatic decision mode, each being
one kind of the automatic decision mode provided for assigning
35 the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked, depending on a
recognition result obtained from the recognition unit 5, will be
11
discussed. In the first automatic decision mode, the kind or
sort of the banknotes that is recognized first by the recognition
unit 5 is set, as the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked,
in the handling for the banknotes for one transaction. For
5 instance, in the case in which the first automatic decision mode
is set, concerning the currency, for the stacking unit 65a, and in
which euro banknotes are recognized first by the recognition
unit 5, the euro is assigned, as the currency of the banknotes to
be stacked, to the stacking unit 65a, and thereafter each
10 banknote that is recognized as the euro banknote will be
transported to and stacked in the stacking unit 65a.
Alternatively, in the case in which the designation mode
is set concerning the currency and the dollar is designated,
respectively for the stacking unit 65a, and in which the first
15 automatic decision mode is set, concerning the denomination of
money, for this stacking unit 65a, the denomination of money of
the dollar banknotes that is recognized first by the recognition
unit 5 is assigned to the stacking unit 65a. For instance, in the
case in which 100 dollar banknotes are recognized first by the
20 recognition unit 5, the 100 dollar is assigned, as the
denomination of money of the banknotes to be stacked, to the
stacking unit 65a.
In the second automatic decision mode, the kind or sort
of the banknotes that is recognized second by the recognition
25 unit 5 is set as the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked,
in the handling for the banknotes for one transaction. At this
time, it is preferred that the kind or sort of the banknotes that
is not set in the designation mode for any of the stacking units
and is recognized first by the recognition unit 5 is already
30 assigned to a certain stacking unit for which the first automatic
decision mode is set. Further, it is preferred that the second
automatic decision mode is set for one stacking unit, on
condition that the first automatic decision mode is already set
for any other stacking unit. For instance, in the case in which
35 the first automatic decision mode is set, concerning the currency,
for the stacking unit 65a, and in which the second automatic
12
decision mode is set, concerning the currency, for the stacking
unit 65b, and in which the euro banknotes are recognized first
and then the dollar banknotes are recognized second,
respectively by the recognition unit 5, the euro is assigned, as
5 the currency of the banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking
unit 65a, and the dollar is assigned, as the currency of the
banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking unit 65b.
In the third automatic decision mode, the kind or sort of
the banknotes that is recognized third by the recognition unit 5
10 is set as the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked, in the
handling for the banknotes for one transaction. Herein, it
should be appreciated that a fourth automatic decision mode, a
fifth automatic decision mode or the like may be further set.
As is seen from the above Table 1, the degree of the
15 preference of the first to third automatic decision modes is the
second highest relative to the designation mode. Therefore, in
the case in which a certain kind or sort of the banknotes is
designated in the designation mode, another kind or sort than
the certain kind of the banknotes to be stacked will be decided
20 or assigned in any of the first to third automatic decision modes.
For instance, in the case in which the designation mode is set
concerning the currency and the dollar is designated,
respectively for the stacking unit 65a, and in which the first
automatic decision mode is set, concerning the currency, for the
25 stacking unit 65b, and in which the dollar banknotes are
recognized first by the recognition unit 5, such dollar banknotes
are transported to the stacking unit 65a. Thereafter, when
another currency than the dollar banknote is recognized first by
the recognition unit 5, such recognized currency will be decided
30 as the currency of the banknotes to be stacked in the stacking
unit 65b.
Each of the first to third automatic decision modes may
be set for two or more stacking units. For instance, in the case
in which the first automatic decision mode is set, concerning the
35 currency, for the stacking units 65a and 65b, and in which the
euro banknotes are recognized first by the recognition unit 5,
•
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
13
the euro is assigned, as the currency of the banknotes to be
stacked, to the stacking unit 65a or 65b.
The kind or sort of the banknotes that is assigned, in the
first to third automatic decision modes, to each of the stacking
units 65a to 65h is cleared when the handling for the banknotes
for one transaction is ended.
Now, the dynamic decision mode will be described. The
dynamic decision mode is one kind of the automatic decision
mode and is provided for assigning the kind or sort of the
banknotes to be stacked, depending on the recognition result
obtained from the recognition unit 5, during the handling for the
banknotes. Unlike the first to third automatic decision modes,
the assignment in the dynamic decision mode can be performed
for any given banknotes, irrespectively of the order in which
those banknotes are recognized. For instance, in the case in
which a particular recognition factor (e.g., the currency,
denomination, authentication, fitness or the like) is recognized
for some banknotes and is not yet assigned to anyone of the
stacking units, and in which there is a certain stacking unit for
which the dynamic decision mode is set, among the stacking
units for which the assignment is not decided, such a particular
recognition factor will be assigned to the certain stacking unit.
More specifically, in the case in which the dynamic
decision mode is set, concerning the currency, for the stacking
unit 65h, and in which the dollar and euro are respectively
assigned, as the currency of the banknotes to be stacked, to the
stacking units 65a to 65g, and in which ruble banknotes are
recognized by the recognition unit 5, "ruble" will be assigned, as
the currency of the banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking
unit 65h.
The dynamic decision mode includes the first dynamic
decision mode, second dynamic decision mode and third
dynamic decision mode.
In the first dynamic decision mode, the assigned kind or
sort of the banknotes to be stacked is kept until the handling for
the banknotes for one transaction is ended, and then cleared
..
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
14
when this handling is ended.
In the second dynamic decision mode, the assigned kind
or sort of the banknotes to be stacked is cleared when the
handling for the banknotes for one transaction is ended or when
all of the banknotes are taken out from the stacking unit for
which the second dynamic decision mode is set.
In the third dynamic decision mode, the dynamic decision
mode can be set for two or more stacking units. In this case,
once the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked is decided
or determined in the way as described above, the decided kind
or sort of the banknotes is assigned to all of such two or more
stacking units. For instance, in the case in which the third
automatic decision mode is set, concerning the currency, for the
stacking units 65f to 65h, and in which the dollar is assigned, as
the currency of the banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking
units 65a to 65e, and in which the euro banknotes are
recognized by the recognition unit 5, the euro is assigned, as
the currency of the banknotes to be stacked, to the respective
stacking units 65f to 65h. Thereafter, the kind or sort of the
banknotes to be stacked that is assigned to such a plurality of
stacking units will be cleared when the handling for the
banknotes for one transaction is ended or when all of the
banknotes are taken out from those stacking units.
Each of the dynamic decision modes is lower in the
degree of preference than the first to third automatic decision
modes. Although each of such dynamic decision modes can be
set, independently, for each kind or sort of the banknotes, the
setting for the dynamic decision mode concerning the
denomination of money may be optionally restricted or
controlled in the case in which the dynamic decision mode is set
concerning the currency of the banknotes to be stacked. This
is because the denomination of money cannot be decided before
the currency to be stacked is determined.
Next, the mixture mode will be described. This mixture
mode is provided for stacking the banknotes, irrespectively of
the recognition factor thereof (e.g., the currency, denomination,
15
authentication, fitness or the like). The mixture mode is lower
in the degree of preference than the dynamic decision mode.
Accordingly, in the stacking unit for which the mixture mode is
set, the banknotes of such a kind or sort that is not stacked in
5 any of the other stacking units, for which the kind or sort of the
banknotes to be stacked is decided in the designation mode,
automatic decision mode or dynamic decision mode, are stacked
in a mixed state.
Now, the non-designation mode will be described. This
10 non-designation mode is the lowest in the degree of preference.
Namely, the stacking unit for which the non-designation mode is
set is used for stacking therein the banknotes that are not
stacked in any other stacking units.
As shown in Fig. 3, the banknote handling machine 60
15 includes a memory 80 provided for storing therein a program for
instructing a computer about a sort decision algorism prepared
for deciding or determining the kind or sort of the banknotes to
be stacked, in response to the aforementioned designation
mode, automatic decision mode (including the first to third
20 automatic decision modes and/or dynamic decision modes),
mixture mode and non-designation mode. This memory 80
includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and/or an HDD (Hard Disk
Drive), each adapted for storing therein various programs and
data respectively provided for controlling the banknote handling
25 machine 60, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like
that can serve as a loading area provided for each program
and/or a working area used for execution of the program.
Further, the banknote handling machine 60 includes a
control unit 70 that is provided as an operation unit used for
30 controlling the entire body of the banknote handling machine 60
by executing each program stored in the memory 80. Once
receiving the instruction about the assignment mode set for the
banknotes to be stacked in the stacking units 65a to 65h, via
the instruction accepting unit 10, the control unit 70 serves to
35 decide or determine the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked in the respective stacking unit 65a to 65h, by utilizing
16
the recognition result obtained from the recognition unit 5, and
then control each stacking unit or destination to which such
banknotes will be transported.
Further, the control unit 70 can serve to drive each of the
5 display units 11a to 11h to display the kind or sort of the
banknotes to be stacked in the stacking units 65a to 65h. Once
the handling for the banknotes for one transaction is ended, the
control unit 70 outputs a totalization result (or count result).
Then, the totalization result is displayed on another display unit
10 12 (see Fig. 1) provided to the casing 8, and/or outputted to an
external computer.
Fig. 4 shows one example of the instruction accepting
unit 10. This instruction accepting unit 10 is provided as the
touch panel, and is capable of setting the assignment mode,
15 concerning the currency, denomination of money, version,
orientation, fitness or the like of the banknotes, for each of the
stacking units 65a to 65h.
For instance, when a currency key 101 as shown in Fig. 4
is pushed, a drop-down list as shown in Fig. 5 is displayed.
20 From this drop-down list, a desired assignment mode is selected.
As a result, if the designation mode is selected, a certain
currency, such as dollar, euro or the like, is further selected.
Alternatively, when a denomination key 102 as shown in
Fig. 4 is pushed, another drop-down list, as shown in Fig. 6, is
25 displayed. Although all of the denominations of money that are
respectively selectable can be displayed on the drop-down list,
only the denomination of money of certain currency may be
displayed in the case in which such currency is already set in
the designation mode. Fig. 6 shows the drop-down list
30 provided for selecting the denomination of money in the case in
which the dollar is set, as the currency, in the designation mode.
Then, from this drop-down list, a suitable assignment mode is
selected. As a result, if the designation mode is selected, a
certain denomination of money, such as 100 dollar, 50 dollar, 20
35 dollar or the like, is further selected.
Through the selections of the assignment mode as
17
described above, concerning each of the currency, denomination
of money, version, orientation, fitness or the like of the
banknotes, for the respective stacking units 6sa to 6sh, the
assignment mode will be finally set as shown in Fig. 7.
5 In the example shown in Fig. 7, the designation mode is
set concerning the currency and the dollar is designated,
respectively for the stacking unit 6sa. Further, for this stacking
unit 6sa, the designation mode is set concerning the
denomination of money and the 100 dollar is designated,
10 respectively. Additionally, in this case, the designation mode is
set concerning the version and the new (brand-new) banknote
is designated, respectively. In addition, the first automatic
decision mode is set concerning the orientation. Furthermore,
the designation mode is set concerning the fitness and the fit
15 banknote is designated, respectively.
For the stacking unit 6sb, the designation mode is set
concerning the currency and the dollar is designated,
respectively. Further, in this case, the first automatic decision
mode is set concerning the denomination of money. In addition,
20 the designation mode is set concerning version and the new
banknote is designated, respectively. Additionally, in this case,
the first automatic decision mode is set concerning the
orientation. Further, the designation mode is set concerning
the fitness and the fit banknote is designated, respectively.
25 For the stacking unit 6sc, as is similar to the stacking
unit 6sb, the designation mode is set concerning the currency
and fitness, and the dollar and fit banknote are designated,
respectively. Further, in this case, the first automatic
designation mode is set concerning the denomination of money
30 and orientation. In addition, the designation mode is set
concerning the version and the old (brand-old) banknote is
designated, respectively.
For the stacking unit 6sd, the designation mode is set
concerning the currency and the euro is designated, respectively.
35 Further, in this case, the first automatic decision mode is set
concerning the denomination of money. In addition, the
18
designation mode is set concerning the version and the new
banknote is designated, respectively. Additionally, in this case,
the first automatic decision mode is set concerning the
orientation. Furthermore, the designation mode is set
5 concerning the fitness and the fit banknote is designated,
respectively.
For the stacking unit 65e, the second dynamic decision
mode is set concerning the currency and denomination of money.
Further, in this case, the designation mode is set concerning the
10 version and the new banknote is designated, respectively. In
addition, the first automatic decision mode is set concerning the
orientation. Further, the designation mode is set concerning
the fitness and the fit banknote is designated, respectively.
For the stacking units 65f and 65g, the mixture mode is
15 set concerning the currency, denomination of money, version
(edition number or newness) and orientation. Further, in this
case, the designation mode is set concerning the fitness and the
fit banknote is designated, respectively.
Finally, for the stacking unit 65h, the mixture mode is set
20 concerning the currency, denomination of money, version and
orientation. Further, in this case, the designation mode is set
concerning the fitness and the unfit banknote is designated,
respectively.
Now, one example of a procedure for deciding or
25 determining the kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked,
associated with the progress of the handling for the banknotes,
in the case in which the setting for the assignment mode as
shown in Fig. 7 is performed, will be described.
In this example, before the handling for the banknotes is
30 started, the assignment of the kind or sort of the banknotes to
be stacked, to the respective stacking units 65a to 65h, is set or
determined as shown in Fig. 8. Each blank part shown in Fig. 8
expresses the kind or recognition factor (e.g., the currency,
denomination, orientation, fitness or the like) that is not
35 decided or determined at this point of time.
In the case in which the banknotes recognized first by
19
the recognition unit 5 are new and fit 20-dollar banknotes, and
in which the orientation of such banknotes is the face-up and
portrait-up orientation, the assignment of the kind or sort of the
banknotes to be stacked, to the respective stacking units 65a to
5 65h, will be set or determined as shown in Fig. 9. Namely, at
the point of time shown in Fig. 8, there is no stacking unit for
which the new and fit 20-dollar banknote oriented in the face-up
and portrait-up orientation is designated. Then, a certain
stacking unit, which is set in the automatic decision mode that
10 is high, in the degree of preference, second to the designation
mode, and thus will be capable of stacking therein such
20-dollar banknotes, is searched. As a result, it can be seen
that the stacking unit 65b will be capable of stacking therein
such 20-dollar banknotes, by setting the denomination of money
15 at the 20 dollar as well as by setting the orientation of each
banknote to be the face-up and portrait-up orientation, for this
stacking unit 65b. Thus, the denomination of money is set at
the 20 dollar and the orientation is set to be the face-up and
portrait-up orientation, for the banknotes to be stacked in the
20 stacking unit 65b. Namely, for each of the stacking units 65b
and 65c, as shown in Fig. 7, the dollar is designated as the
currency and the first automatic decision mode is set concerning
the denomination of money, respectively. As such, the 20
dollar can be assigned, as the denomination of money of the
25 banknotes to be stacked, to each of the stacking units 65b and
65c. Although the first automatic decision mode is also set for
the stacking unit 65d, the 20 dollar cannot be set for the
stacking unit 65d because the euro is already set, as the
currency, for this stacking unit 65d. Further, in this example,
30 as shown in Fig. 9, the face-up and portrait-up orientation is
assigned, as the orientation of the banknotes to be stacked, to
each of the stacking units 65a to 65e, for which the first
automatic decision mode is set concerning the orientation.
Thereafter, in the case in which the banknotes recognized
35 second by the recognition unit 5 are new and fit 100-dollar
banknotes, and in which the orientation of the banknotes is the
20
face-up and portrait-up orientation, such banknotes are stacked
in the stacking unit 65a.
Further, in the case in which the banknotes recognized
next by the recognition unit 5 are new and fit 1000-yen
5 banknotes, and in which the orientation of such banknotes is
the face-up and portrait-up orientation, the assignment of the
kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked, to the respective
stacking units 65a to 65h, will be set or determined as shown in
Fig. 10. Namely, at the point of time shown in Fig. 9, there is
10 no stacking unit to which the yen is assigned as the currency for
the banknotes to be stacked. However, it can be seen that the
stacking unit 65e will be capable of stacking therein the
1000-yen banknotes, by setting the currency to be the yen as
well as by setting the denomination of money at 1000 yen, for
15 this stacking unit 65e. Thus, in this way, the 1000-yen
banknote is assigned to the stacking unit 65e.
Subsequently, in the case in which the banknotes
recognized by the recognition unit 5 are new and fit 200-euro
banknotes, and in which the orientation of such banknotes is
20 the face-up and portrait-up orientation, the assignment of the
kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked, to the respective
stacking units 65a to 65h will be set or determined as shown in
Fig. 11. Namely, at the point of time shown in Fig. 10, there is
no stacking unit to which the 200-euro banknote is assigned.
25 However, for the stacking unit 65d, the euro is set as the
currency in the designation mode and the first automatic
decision mode is set concerning the denomination of money,
respectively. Therefore, by setting the denomination of money,
at 200 euro, for the stacking unit 65d, this stacking unit 65d will
30 be capable of stacking therein the 200-euro banknotes. Thus,
the 200-euro is assigned, as the denomination of money of the
banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking unit 65d.
In the handling for the banknotes that will be performed
thereafter, the new and fit 100-dollar banknotes, respectively
35 oriented in the face-up and portrait-up orientation, will be
stacked in the stacking unit 65a. Meanwhile, the new and fit
21
20-dollar banknotes, respectively oriented in the face-up and
portrait-up orientation, will be stacked in the stacking unit 65b.
Further, the old and fit 20-dollar banknotes, respectively
oriented in the face-up and portrait-up orientation, will be
5 stacked in the stacking unit 65c. In addition, the new and fit
200-euro banknotes, respectively oriented in the face-up and
portrait-up orientation, will be stacked in the stacking unit 65d.
Furthermore, the new and fit 1000-yen banknotes, respectively
oriented in the face-up and portrait-up orientation, will be
10 stacked in the stacking unit 65e.
Among the banknotes that are not stacked in the
respective stacking units 65a to 65e, the fit banknotes will be
stacked in the stacking units 65f or 65g, respectively, while the
unfit banknotes will be stacked in the stacking unit 65h. In
15 addition, when the number of the banknotes stacked in each of
the stacking units 65a to 65e reaches its upper limit, the
destination to which the banknotes are transported will be
changed or switched from the stacking units 65a to 65e to the
stacking unit 65f or 65g.
20 Thereafter, when all of the banknotes stacked in the
respective stacking units 65a to 65h are taken out therefrom,
the assignment of the kind or sort of the banknotes to be
stacked, to the respective stacking units 65a to 65h will be
changed as shown in Fig. 12. Namely, since the assignment
25 mode that has been set concerning the orientation and/or
denomination of money for the respective stacking units 65a to
65d is the first automatic decision mode, the assignment
concerning the denomination of money of the banknotes to be
stacked and/or orientation of the banknotes to be stacked is
30 kept even after the banknotes are taken out from each of such
stacking units 65a to 65d. Meanwhile, since the assignment
mode that has been set concerning the currency and/or
denomination of money for the stacking unit 65e is the second
automatic decision mode, the assignment concerning the
35 currency of the banknotes to be stacked and/or denomination of
money of the banknotes to be stacked is cleared, when the
•
S
10
lS
20
2S
30
3S
22
banknotes are taken out from this stacking unit 6Se. However,
since the assignment mode that has been set concerning the
orientation for the stacking unit 6Se is the first automatic
decision mode, the assignment concerning the orientation of the
banknotes to be stacked is kept even after the banknotes are
taken out from the stacking unit 6Se.
Further, in the case in which the banknotes recognized
thereafter by the recognition unit S are new and fit SOOO-yen
banknotes, and in which the orientation of such banknotes is
the face-up and portrait-up orientation, the assignment of the
kind or sort of the banknotes to be stacked in the respective
stacking units 6Sa to 6Sh is set or determined as shown in Fig.
13. Namely, at the point of time shown in Fig. 12, there is no
stacking unit to which the yen is assigned as the currency for
the banknotes to be stacked. Thus, the SOOO-yen banknote will
be assigned to the stacking unit 6Se.
Now, another example of the setting for the assignment
mode for the respective stacking units 6Sh to 6Sh and the
procedure for deciding or determining the kind or sort of the
banknotes to be stacked will be described. In this example,
when the handling for the banknotes is started, the assignment
mode is set, as shown in Fig. 14, for the respective stacking
units 6Sa to 6Sh. For convenience, it is noted that the mixture
mode is set concerning each of the version, orientation and
fitness, and the explanation and illustration for such settings are
omitted, respectively. Further, in this example, once the
handling for the banknotes is started, the SO-dollar banknotes,
20-dollar banknotes, 20-euro banknotes, 1000-yen banknotes,
SOOO-yen banknotes, 200-euro banknotes and 10000-yen
banknotes are taken in the banknote handling machine 60,
respectively, in this order.
Namely, the SO-dollar banknotes, respectively taken in
from the take-in unit 2 and then recognized by the recognition
unit S, are stacked first in the stacking unit 6Sb. Then, the
20-dollar banknotes are stacked in the stacking unit 6Sd.
Among the stacking units 6Sa to 6Sd at the point of time
•
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
23
shown in Fig. 14, to which the currency or denomination of
money is already assigned, there is no stacking unit that is
capable of stacking therein the 20-euro banknotes. Therefore,
once the 20-euro banknotes are recognized by the recognition
unit 5, a certain stacking unit that will be capable of stacking
therein the 20-euro banknotes is searched, among the stacking
units for which the automatic decision mode that is high, in the
degree of preference, second to the designation mode is set.
As a result, it can be seen that two stacking units 65e and 65f
are set, respectively, in the first automatic decision mode,
concerning the currency. Thus, as shown in Fig. 15, the euro
can be assigned, as the currency of the banknotes to be stacked,
to such two stacking units 65e and 65f. In addition, since the
first automatic decision mode is assigned, as the denomination
of money, to the stacking unit 65e, "20 euro" is assigned, as the
denomination of money of the banknotes to be stacked, to the
stacking unit 65e.
Further, among the stacking units 65a to 65d at the point
of time shown in Fig. 15, to which the currency or denomination
of money is already assigned, there is no stacking unit that is
capable of stacking therein the 1000-yen banknotes. Therefore,
once the 1000-yen banknotes are recognized by the recognition
unit 5, a certain stacking unit that will be capable of stacking
therein the 1000-yen banknotes is searched, among the
stacking units for which the automatic decision mode that is
high, in the degree of preference, second to the first automatic
decision mode is set. As a result, it can be seen that two
stacking units 65g and 65h are set, respectively, in the second
automatic decision mode, concerning the currency. Thus, as
shown in Fig. 16, the yen can be assigned, as the currency of
the banknotes to be stacked, to such two stacking units 65g and
65h. Additionally, since the first automatic decision mode is
assigned, as the denomination of money, to the stacking unit
65g, "1000 yen" is assigned, as the denomination of money of
the banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking unit 65g.
Further, among the stacking units 65a to 65e and 65g, at
•
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
24
the point of time shown in Fig. 16, to which the currency and
denomination of money are already assigned respectively, there
is no stacking unit that is capable of stacking therein the
SOOO-yen banknotes. However, once the SOOO-yen banknotes
are recognized by the recognition unit 5, it can be seen that the
stacking unit 6Sh, for which the yen (¥) is already decided as
the currency and to which the denomination of money is not yet
assigned, will be capable of stacking therein such SOOO-yen
banknotes. Thus, as shown in Fig. 17, "5000 yen" is assigned,
as the denomination of money of the banknotes to be stacked,
to the stacking unit 6Sh.
Similarly, once the 200-euro banknotes are recognized by
the recognition unit 5, "200 euro" is assigned, as the
denomination of money of the banknotes to be stacked, to the
stacking unit 6Sf, as shown in Fig. 18.
Subsequently, once the 10000-yen banknotes are
recognized by the recognition unit 5, such 10000-yen banknotes
will be transported to the reject unit 9. This is because there is
no longer any stacking unit capable of stacking therein the
10000-yen banknotes, among the stacking units 6Sa to 6Sh.
Now, still another example of the setting for the
assignment mode for the respective stacking units 6Sa to 6Sh
and the procedure for deciding or determining the kind or sort
of the banknotes to be stacked will be described. In this
example, when the handling for the banknotes is started, the
assignment mode is set, as shown in Fig. 19, for the respective
stacking units 6Sa to 6Sh. Again, for convenience, it is noted
that the mixture mode is set concerning each of the version,
orientation and fitness, and the explanation and illustration for
such settings are omitted, respectively. Further, in this
example, once the handling for the banknotes is started, the
50-dollar banknotes, 20-dollar banknotes, 20-euro banknotes,
1000-yen banknotes, SOOO-yen banknotes, 200-euro banknotes
and 10000-yen banknotes are taken in the banknote handling
machine 60, respectively, in this order.
Among the stacking units at the point of time shown in
•
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
25
Fig. 19, there is no stacking unit, to which the dollar banknote
is already assigned. Therefore, once the 50-dollar banknotes
are recognized by the recognition unit 5, a certain stacking unit
to which the dollar banknote can be assigned is selected, among
the stacking units for which the automatic decision mode that is
high, in the degree of preference, second to the designation
mode is set. As a result, it can be seen that the stacking units
65a to 65c of this example are set, respectively, in the first
automatic decision mode concerning the currency, and that no
specific or particular currency is assigned to such stacking units
65a to 65c. Thus, as shown in Fig. 20, the dollar can be
assigned, as the currency of the banknotes to be stacked, to
each of the stacking units 65a to 65c. Further, at the point of
time shown in Fig. 19, the first automatic decision mode is set,
concerning the denomination of money, for the stacking unit
65a, and no specific or particular denomination of money is
assigned to this stacking unit 65a. Therefore, a certain dollar
banknote can be set, newly, as the denomination of money of
the banknotes, for the stacking unit 65a. Therefore, as shown
in Fig. 20, "50 dollar" is assigned, as the denomination of
money of the banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking unit 65a.
Further, among the stacking units of this example at the
point of time shown in Fig. 20, there is no stacking unit to which
the 20-dollar banknote is already assigned. Therefore, once
the 20-dollar banknotes are recognized by the recognition unit 5,
a certain stacking unit to which the 20-dollar banknote can be
newly assigned is searched, among the stacking units to which
the dollar banknote is assigned as the currency. As a result, it
can be seen that the dollar banknote is already assigned, as the
currency, to the stacking unit 65b, and that the stacking unit
65b is set in the second automatic decision mode concerning
the denomination of money, and that no specific or particular
denomination of money is assigned to this stacking unit 65b.
Thus, as shown in Fig. 21, "20 dollar" can be assigned, as the
denomination of money of the banknotes to be stacked, to the
stacking unit 65b.
26
• In addition, among the stacking units of this example at
the point of time shown in Fig. 21, there is no stacking unit to
which the euro banknote is already assigned. Therefore, once
the 20-euro banknotes are recognized by the recognition unit 5,
5 a certain stacking unit to which the euro banknote can be
assigned is searched, among the stacking units for which the
automatic decision mode that is high, in the degree of
preference, second to the first automatic decision mode is set.
Then, it can be seen that the stacking units 65d and 65e are set,
10 respectively, in the second automatic decision mode, concerning
the currency, and that no specific or particular currency is
assigned to each of the stacking units 65d and 65e. Therefore,
the euro banknote can be assigned to such stacking units 65d
and 65e. Thus, as shown in Fig. 22, the euro is assigned, as
15 the currency of the banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking
units 65d and 65e. Further, at the point of time shown in Fig.
19, the first automatic decision mode is set, concerning the
denomination of money, for the stacking unit 65d, and no
specific or particular denomination of money is assigned to this
20 stacking unit 65d. Therefore, a certain euro banknote can be
set, newly, as the denomination of money of the banknotes, for
the stacking unit 65d. Thus, as shown in Fig. 22, "20 euro" is
assigned, as the denomination of money of the banknotes to be
stacked, to the stacking unit 65d.
25 Further, among the stacking units at the point of time
shown in Fig. 22, there is no stacking unit, to which the yen
banknote is already assigned. Therefore, once the 1000-yen
banknotes are recognized by the recognition unit 5, a certain
stacking unit to which the yen banknote can be assigned is
30 searched, among the stacking units for which the automatic
decision mode that is high, in the degree of preference, next to
the second automatic decision mode is set. Then, it can be
seen that the stacking units 65f and 65g are set, respectively, in
the third automatic decision mode concerning the currency, and
35 that no specific or particular currency is assigned to each of the
stacking units 65f and 65g. Therefore, the yen banknote can
•
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
27
be assigned to such stacking units 65f and 65g. Thus, as
shown in Fig. 23, the yen is assigned, as the currency of the
banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking units 65f and 65g.
Further, at the point of time shown in Fig. 19, the first
automatic decision mode is set, concerning the denomination of
money, for the stacking unit 65f, and no specific or particular
denomination of money is assigned to this stacking unit 65f.
Therefore, a certain yen banknote can be set, newly, as the
denomination of money of the banknotes, for the stacking unit
65f. Thus, as shown in Fig. 23, "1000 yen" is assigned, as the
denomination of money of the banknotes to be stacked, to the
stacking unit 65f.
Further, once l-dollar banknotes are recognized by the
recognition unit 5, a certain stacking unit that will be capable of
stacking therein the l-dollar banknotes is searched, among the
stacking units to which the dollar banknote is already assigned.
As a result, it can be seen that the dollar banknote is already
assigned, as the currency, to the stacking unit 65c, and that the
stacking unit 65c is set in the third automatic decision mode
concerning the denomination of money, and that no specific or
particular denomination of money is assigned to this stacking
unit 65c. Therefore, a certain denomination of money can be
assigned, newly, to the stacking unit 65c. Thus, as shown in
Fig. 24, "1 dollar" is assigned, as the denomination of money of
the banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking unit 65c.
Thereafter, once the 5000-yen banknotes are recognized
by the recognition unit 5, a certain stacking unit that will be
capable of stacking therein the 5000-yen banknotes is searched,
among the stacking units to which the yen banknote is already
assigned. As a result, it can be seen that the yen banknote is
already assigned, as the currency, to the stacking unit 65g, and
that the stacking unit 65g is set in the second automatic
decision mode concerning the denomination of money, and that
no specific or particular denomination of money is assigned to
this stacking unit 65g. Therefore, a certain denomination of
money can be set, newly, to the stacking unit 65g. Thus, as
•
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
28
shown in Fig. 25, "5000 yen" is assigned, as the denomination
of money of the banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking unit
65g.
Thereafter, once the 200-euro banknotes are recognized
by the recognition unit 5, a certain stacking unit that will be
capable of stacking therein the 200-euro banknotes is searched,
among the stacking units to which the euro banknote is already
assigned. As a result, it can be seen that the euro banknote is
already assigned, as the currency, to the stacking unit 65e, and
that the stacking unit 65e is set in the second automatic
decision mode concerning the denomination of money, and that
no specific or particular denomination of money is assigned to
this stacking unit 65e. Therefore, a certain denomination of
money can be set, newly, to the stacking unit 65e. Thus, as
shown in Fig. 26, "200 euro" is assigned, as the denomination
of money of the banknotes to be stacked, to the stacking unit
65e.
In addition, another case in which the 10000-yen
banknotes are recognized by the recognition unit 5 will be
discussed. At the point of time shown in Fig. 26, some specific
currency and particular denomination of money are already
assigned, respectively, to any of the stacking units 65a to 65g,
and there is no stacking unit to which the 10000-yen banknote
is assigned. Therefore, once the 10000-yen banknotes are
recognized by the recognition unit 5, another stacking unit that
will be capable of stacking therein the 10000-yen banknotes is
searched. This search is performed, in the order of the
designation mode, automatic decision mode, dynamic decision
mode, mixture mode and non-designation mode, in accordance
with the degree of preference provided to the assignment mode.
As a result, it can be seen that the stacking unit 65h, for which
the mixture mode is set concerning the currency and
denomination of money, is capable of stacking therein the
10000-yen banknotes. As such, the 10000-yen banknotes are
stacked in the stacking unit 65h.
Thereafter, when the 5000-yen banknotes are taken out
•
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
29
from the stacking unit 65g, the assignment of the yen banknote
is not cleared, because the automatic decision mode is set,
concerning the currency, for the stacking unit 65g. However,
since the dynamic decision mode is set, concerning the
denomination of money, for the stacking unit 65g, the
assignment concerning the denomination of money of the
banknotes and set for this stacking unit 65g is cleared, as
shown in Fig. 27. Thereafter, if the 10000-yen banknotes are
recognized by the recognition unit 5, "10000 yen" will be
assigned, as the denomination of money of the banknotes to be
stacked, to the stacking unit 65g, as shown in Fig. 28.
As stated above, according to this embodiment, the
designation mode can be designated, independently or
separately, for each of the stacking units 65a to 65h, as well as
independently or separately, for each of the currency,
denomination of money, version, orientation and fitness of the
banknotes to be stacked. Further, the automatic decision mode
and/or dynamic decision mode provided for deciding or
determining the banknotes to be stacked depending on the
recognition result obtained from the recognition unit 5 can be
set, independently, for each of the stacking units 65a to 65h, as
well as independently, for each of the currency, denomination of
money, version, orientation and fitness of the banknotes.
Furthermore, the mixture mode and/or non-designation mode
can be set, independently, for each of the stacking units 65a to
65h, as well as independently, for each of the currency,
denomination of money, version, orientation and fitness of the
banknotes. Thus, various kinds of banknotes can be stacked,
in a properly mixed state, in the stacking units 65a to 65h.
However, for certain recognition factors or kinds, such as the
currency and denomination of money, respectively having a
certain relationship with each other and falling in a particular
category, proper restriction may be provided to the setting for
one factor or kind, depending on the setting for the other factor
or kind.
Therefore, according to this embodiment, the degree of
30
• freedom or flexibility in the setting for each stacking unit can be
significantly enhanced. As such, the banknotes can be sorted
and stacked, in various sorting patterns.
In the above embodiment and in the case in which the
5 user performs the setting for the assignment mode, as shown in
Figs. 7, 14 and 19, by using the instruction accepting unit 10,
this setting may be stored in the memory 80. With this
operation, the setting for a certain assignment mode can be
read with ease from the memory 80. Thus, the handling for
10 the banknotes can be started, in a significantly qUick manner,
without the need for performing again such a complicated
setting for the assignment mode.
Further, in the above embodiment, proper color-light
emission units may be arranged in the vicinity and/or on the
15 periphery of a banknote take-out slot of each stacking unit.
With such arrangement, the light emission units can emit light
of the same color, for the stacking units respectively stacking
therein the banknotes of the recognition factors or kinds
respectively falling in the same or similar category. For
20 instance, in the case in which the dollar banknotes are stacked
in the stacking units 65a to 65d, respectively, and in which the
euro banknotes are stacked in the stacking units 65e and 65f,
respectively, and in which the yen banknotes are stacked in the
stacking units 65g and 65h, respectively, the aforementioned
25 arrangement can enable some emission units, respectively
corresponding to the stacking units 65a to 65d, to emit red light,
and enable other emission units, respectively corresponding to
the stacking units 65e and 65f, to emit green light, as well as
enable the other emission units, respectively corresponding to
30 the stacking units 65g and 65h, to emit blue light. In this way,
the user can readily check certain stacking units, respectively
stacking therein the banknotes of the recognition factors or
kinds respectively falling in the same or similar category, and
thus the efficiency in handling the banknotes can be
35 significantly enhanced.
Further, the banknote handling machine 60 may be
•
31
adapted for informing the user of inadvertent or improper
selection of some restricted assignment mode and/or some
unsuitable assignment mode. For instance, upon setting the
assignment mode concerning the currency, if the user selects
5 the second automatic decision mode without the first automatic
decision mode being set for any of the related stacking units,
the banknote handling machine 60 is capable of driving a
suitable display unit to display the fact that such selection
cannot be performed, or otherwise capable of generating a beep
10 sound.
Additionally, in the above embodiment and in the case in
which the same kind or sort of the banknotes is assigned to two
or more stacking units, such stacking units or destination, to
which the banknotes of the same kind or sort will be transported,
15 may be decided or determined at random, or otherwise such
banknotes may be transported, preferentially, to certain
stacking units respectively located near the take-in unit 2
and/or instruction accepting unit 10.
Further, in the above embodiment, although eight
20 stacking units are provided in the banknote handling machine
60, the number of the stacking units may be less than eight, or
otherwise may be greater than eight.
While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and
25 are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed,
the novel methods and systems described herein may be
embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various
omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the
methods and systems described herein may be made without
30 departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying
claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or
modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the
inventions.

•
32
CLAIMS
1. A banknote handling machine comprising:
a take-in unit configured to take in a plurality of
banknotes, one by one;
a recognition unit configured to recognize a kind of each
banknote taken in by the take-in unit;
a plurality of stacking units configured to stack therein
the banknotes;
a transport unit configured to transport the banknotes,
recognized by the recognition unit to any of the plurality of
stacking units;
an instruction accepting unit configured to accept an
instruction concerning an automatic decision mode provided for
deciding the kind of the banknotes to be stacked, by utilizing a
recognition result obtained by the recognition unit, for each of
the plurality of stacking units; and
a control unit configured to control the transport unit to
transport each banknote to a destination, which destination is
decided based on the instruction accepted by the instruction
accepting unit and on the recognition result obtained by the
recognition unit.
2. The banknote handling machine according to claim 1,
wherein the automatic decision mode for the banknotes to be
stacked includes a first automatic decision mode provided for
deciding the kind of the banknotes that has been recognized
first by the recognition unit, as the kind of the banknotes to be
stacked in any of the stacking units.
3. The banknote handling machine according to claim 2,
wherein the automatic decision mode for the banknotes to be
stacked includes a second automatic decision mode provided for
deciding the kind of the banknotes that has been secondarily
• 33
recognized by the recognition unit, as the kind of the banknotes
to be stacked in any of the stacking units.
4. The banknote handling machine according to claim 1,
wherein the instruction accepting unit is configured to accept an
instruction concerning the kind of the banknotes to be stacked,
for each of the plurality of stacking units.
5. The banknote handling machine according to claim 2,
wherein
the instruction accepting unit accepts the instruction
concerning the kind of the banknotes to be stacked, for each of
the plurality of stacking units, and
when the kind of the banknotes to be stacked in a first
stacking unit has been assigned and the first automatic decision
mode has been set for a second stacking unit, the control unit
controls the transport unit to transport banknotes whose kind is
recognized first by the recognition unit and is different from the
kind that has been assigned to the first stacking unit.
6. The banknote handling machine according to claim 1,
wherein
the automatic decision mode for the banknotes to be
stacked includes a dynamic decision mode provided for deciding
the kind of the banknotes that has been recognized first by the
recognition unit and is different from each kind of the banknotes
assigned to certain stacking units, as the kind of the banknotes
to be stacked in another stacking unit than the certain stacking
units, and
when all of the banknotes are taken out from a first
stacking unit for which the dynamic decision mode is set, the
control unit newly decides the kind of the banknotes that is
recognized first by the recognition unit after the banknotes are
taken out and has not been assigned to any of the other
stacking units, as the kind of the banknotes to be stacked in the
first stacking unit.
• 34
7. The banknote handling machine according to claim 1,
wherein the kind of the banknotes includes the kind related to
at least one category of currency, denomination, orientation,
fitness and version.
8. The banknote handling machine according to claim 1,
wherein
the kind of the banknotes includes the kind related to a
plurality of categories selected from currency, denomination,
orientation, fitness and version, and
the instruction accepting unit accepts the instruction
concerning the automatic decision mode, independently, for
each of the plurality of kinds of the banknotes.
9. The banknote handling machine according to claim 1,
further comprising a reject unit configured to stack therein
reject banknotes and banknotes not stacked irJ the plurality of
stacking units.
10. The banknote handling machine according to claim 1,
further comprising a display unit configured to display each kind'
of the banknotes to be stacked in each stacking unit.
11. The banknote handling machine according to claim 1,
further comprising a plurality of display units, wherein
each of the display units displays the kind of the
banknotes to be stacked in the respective corresponding
stacking unit.