[ O O O l ]
The present invention relates to a banknote handling
apparatus configured to perform a banknote sorting process.
10 BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
There has been conventionally known a banknote
handling apparatus configured to perform a banknote sorting
process, the banknote handling apparatus including: a taking-in
15 unit configured to take in a banknote one by one; a transport
unit configured to transport the banknote having been taken in
from the taking-in unit; a recognition sensor configured to
obtain information for recognizing the banknote transported by
the transport unit; a control unit configured to recognize the
20 banknote based on the information obtained by the recognition
sensor; and a plurality of stacking units configured to stack the
banknote based on a recognition result by the control unit.
[0003]
As such a banknote handling apparatus, there is known
25 an apparatus in which a user can freely decide a sorting
condition for each sorting category, such as a denomination of a
banknote stacked in each stacking unit, a version of the
banknote (version type), an orientation of the banknote, a
fitness of the banknote and so on, so as to set a sorting pattern
30 of the stacking units as a whole (see, e.g., W020081096429).
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004]
However, in the banknote handling apparatus disclosed in
35 W020081096429, a degree of freedom of setting is high, while a
setting operation is complicated. In addition, when banknotes
are sorted with a predetermined purpose, it is necessary for a
user to have a full knowledge about the sorting condition for
each sorting category set for each stacking unit. Thus, it is
very difficult to create a sorting pattern and to sort banknotes,
5 just as a purpose desired by the user.
[0005]
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention
provides a banknote handling apparatus capable of easily
sorting banknotes according to a purpose desired by a user.
10 [0006]
A banknote handling apparatus according to the present
invention is a banknote handling apparatus configured to
perform a sorting process of banknotes, the banknote handling
apparatus comprising:
15 a taking-in unit configured to take in a banknote one by
one;
a transport unit configured to transport the banknote
having been taken in from the taking-in unit;
a recognition unit configured to recognize the banknote
20 transported by the transport unit;
a control unit configured to control the transport unit,
such that the banknote having been recognized by the
recognition unit is transported to any one of a plurality of
staking units, based on a sorting pattern; and
25 a sorting-category receiving unit configured to receive at
least one sorting category;
wherein the control unit is configured to create the
sorting pattern, based on the number of stacking units and the
sorting category received by the sorting-category receiving unit.
3 0 [0007]
In the banknote handling apparatus according to the
present invention, the control unit may be configured to create
a plurality of the sorting patterns.
[OOOS]
In the banknote handling apparatus according to the
present invention, the control unit may be configured to decide
whether plural times of the sorting processes are required or
not, in order to sort banknotes based on the sorting category
received by the sorting-category receiving unit, and
when the control unit decides that the plural times of the
5 sorting processes are required, the control unit may create at
least two sorting patterns different from one another.
[0009]
In the banknote handling apparatus according to the
present invention, the control unit may be configured to decide
10 whether plural times of the sorting processes are required or
not, in order to sort banknotes based on the sorting category
received by the sorting-category receiving unit, and
when the control unit decides that the plural times of the
sorting processes are required, the control unit may sort the
15 banknotes by using a duplicated sorting pattern at least once
and may stack the banknotes in the stacking units.
[OOlO]
In the banknote handling apparatus according to the
present invention, the control unit may be configured to decide
20 whether three or more times of the sorting processes are
required or not, in order to sort banknotes based on the sorting
category received by the sorting-category receiving unit, and
when the control unit decides that three or more times of
the sorting processes are required, the control unit may create
25 at least two sorting patterns different from one another, may
sort the banknotes by using each sorting pattern and may stack
the banknotes in the stacking units, and the control unit may
sort the banknotes by using a duplicated sorting pattern at least
once and may stack the banknotes in the stacking units.
3 0 [OOll]
In the banknote handling apparatus according to the
present invention, the control unit may be configured to decide
whether plural times of the sorting processes are required or
not, in order to sort banknotes based on the sorting category
35 received by the sorting-category receiving unit, and
when the control unit decides that the plural times of the
sorting processes are required, the control unit may
automati.cally decide sorting patterns to be used and a using
order of the sorting patterns.
[0012]
5 In the banknote handling apparatus according to the
present invention, after finishing the sorting process of n-th
time, the control unit may be automatically set to sort
banknotes based on a sorting pattern to be used in the sorting
process of (n+l)-th time.
10 [0013]
In the banknote handling apparatus according to the
present invention, the control unit may be configured to output
information related to an operation to be next required or
related to the sorting process to be next performed.
15 [0014]
In the banknote handling apparatus according to the
present invention, the sorting category may include a
denomination of the banknote, and
the control unit may be configured to create the sorting
20 pattern by deciding contents of banknotes to be stacked in each
stacking unit, based on the number of the stacking units and at
least the denomination of the banknote.
[0015]
In the banknote handling apparatus according to the
25 present invention, the sorting category may include at least one
of a currency type, an orientation of the banknote, a fitness of
the banknote and a version of the banknote, and
the control unit may be configured to create the sorting
pattern by deciding contents of banknotes to be stacked in each
30 stacking unit, based on the number of the stacking units, and at
least one of the currency type, the orientation of the banknote,
the fitness of the banknote and the version of the banknote.
[0016]
In the banknote handling apparatus according to the
35 present invention, the sorting pattern may be created by
selecting a predetermined sorting mode out of a plurality of
sorting modes, for each stacking unit and for each sorting
category.
[0017]
In the present invention, there is provided the
5 sorting-category receiving unit that receives at least one sorting
category to be recognized by the control unit, and the control
unit is configured to create a sorting pattern by deciding types
of banknotes to be stacked in the respective stacking units,
based on the number of the stacking units and the sorting
10 category received by the sorting-category receiving unit. Thus,
banknotes can be easily sorted according to a purposed desired
by a user, without excessive burden on the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[OOlS]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a banknote handling
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically
showing an inside structure of the banknote handling apparatus
20 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a control block diagram of the banknote handling
apparatus according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 4 is a table showing an example of a sorting pattern
25 created by the banknote handling apparatus according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a table showing another example of a sorting
pattern created by the banknote handling apparatus according
to the embodiment of the present invention.
3 0 Fig. 6 is a table showing a sorting pattern used in
Example 1 of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a table showing a sorting pattern used in
Example 2 of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0019] Embodiment
<>
An embodiment of a banknote handling apparatus
according to the present invention will be described herebelow
with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 7 are views showing
5 the embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]
A banknote handling apparatus 100 in this embodiment is
configured to perform a banknote sorting process. As shown in
Fig. 1, the banknote handling apparatus 100 includes a housing
10 1, a placing unit 11 on which a banknote can be placed, and a
taking-in unit 10 configured to take a banknote, one by one,
from an inlet opening 15 into the housing 1.
[0021]
In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, the banknote handling
15 apparatus 100 also includes: a transport unit 70 configured to
transport a banknote having been taken in from the taking-in
unit 10; a recognition unit 20 configured to recognize a
banknote by obtaining information for recognizing a banknote
transported by the transport unit 70; a plurality of stacking
20 units 60a to 60h configured to stack a banknote; reject units
61a and 61b configured to reject a banknote that is not stacked
in any of the stacking units 60a to 60h; and a control unit 50
configured to control the transport unit 70 such that a taken-in
banknote is transported to any of the plurality of stacking units
25 60a to 60h or the reject units 61a and 61b, based on a
recognition result of the recognition unit 20.
[0022]
In this embodiment, the stacking units 60a to 60h include
a first stacking unit 60a, a second stacking unit 60b disposed
30 adjacently to the first stacking unit 60a, a third stacking unit
60c disposed adjacently to the second stacking unit 60b, a
fourth stacking unit 60d disposed adjacently to the third
stacking unit 60c, a fourth stacking unit 60d disposed adjacently
to the third stacking unit 60c, a fifth stacking unit 60e disposed
35 adjacently to the fourth stacking unit 60d, a sixth stacking unit
60f disposed adjacently to the fifth stacking unit 60e, a seventh
stacking unit 609 disposed adjacently to the sixth stacking unit
60f, and an eighth stacking unit 60h disposed adjacently to the
seventh stacking unit 609. Namely, the present invention is
explained using a case in which the eight stacking units are
5 provided. However, it goes without saying that the number of
stacking units 60a to 60h is not limited thereto. In addition,
although Fig. 1 shows a case in which a front surface of each of
the stacking units 60a to 60h is opened, the present invention is
not limited thereto. A case in which a front surface of the
10 housing 1 is not opened so that an inside of each of the stacking
units 60a to 60h cannot be seen from outside, and a case in
which an openable and closable door for covering an opening is
provided on a front surface of each of the stacking units 60a to
60h, are possible.
15 100231
Each of the stacking units 60a to 60h can stack five
hundreds banknotes, for example. In this embodiment, a
surface in which each of the stacking units 60a to 60h is opened
is referred to as "front surface" and a surface reverse thereto is
20 referred to as "rear surface".
lo0241
As shown in Fig. 2, the aforementioned taking-in unit 10
includes kicker rollers 16 and 18 provided on the placing unit 11
for giving a driving force to a lowermost banknote, and gate
25 mechanisms 12 and 14 configured to sandwich therebetween a
banknote, to which a driving force has been given by the kicker
rollers 16 and 18, to feed the banknote into the housing 11.
The gate mechanisms 12 and 14 include a feed roller 12 and a
gate roller 14 that are provided opposedly to the feed roller 12.
3 0 [0025]
The placing unit 11 is equipped with an existence sensor
85 configured to detect whether a banknote is placed. The
transport unit 70 is equipped with a plurality of passage sensors
80a to 80t configured to detect that a banknote has passed.
35 The stacking units 60a to 60h are respectively equipped with
remaining sensors 25a to 25h configured to detect a banknote
stacking condition.
100261
In addition, the transport unit 70 is equipped with a
plurality of diverter members 71a to 71i configured to suitably
5 diverge a banknote transported by the transport unit 70.
100271
The banknote handling apparatus 100 also includes a
sorting-category receiving unit 40 configured to receive at least
one sorting category to be recognized by the control unit 50.
10 In this embodiment, an operation unit 40 (see Fig. 1) provided
on the housing 1 serves as the sorting-category receiving unit
40.
[0028]
The housing 1 is provided with a main display unit 30
15 that is an LCD (liquid Crystal Display) configured to display
information outputted from the control unit 50, and an
individual display unit 31 that is an LED (Light Emitting Diode)
configured to display information outputted from the control
unit 50. The main display unit 30 includes two display screens.
20 The individual display unit 31 is disposed at a position
correspondingly to each of the stacking units 60a to 60h.
[0029]
The control unit 50 in this embodiment is configured to
create a sorting pattern by deciding types of banknotes to be
25 stacked in the respective stacking units 60a to 60h, based on
the number of the stacking units 60a to 60h ("eight" in this
embodiment) and a sorting category received by the operation
unit 40. The sorting pattern created by the control unit 50 is
stored in a memory unit 55 (see Fig. 3) connected to the control
30 unit 50.
[0030]
The control unit 50 in this embodiment can create a
plurality of sorting patterns. The control unit 50 is configured
to decide whether plural times of sorting processes are required
35 or not, in order to sort banknotes based on a sorting category
received by the operation unit 40. When the control unit 50
decides that the plural times of sorting processes are required,
the control unit 50 creates two or more sorting patterns
different from one another, so that banknotes can be sorted by
using these sorting patterns and stacked in the stacking units
5 60ato60h.
[003 11
Even when the plural times of sorting processes are
required, it is not always necessary to use two or more sorting
patterns different from one another. The control unit 50 in this
10 embodiment is configured to decide whether the plural times of
sorting processes are required or not in order to sort banknotes
based on a sorting category received by the operation unit 40,
and even when the control unit 50 decides that the plural times
of sorting processes are required, the banknotes can be sorted
15 by using a duplicated sorting pattern and stacked in the
stacking units 60a to 60h.
[0032]
In addition, banknotes can be sorted by using both two
or more sorting patterns different from one another and the
20 duplicated sorting pattern and stacked in the stacking units 60a
to 60h. Namely, the control unit 50 in this embodiment is
configured to decide whether three or more times of sorting
processes are required or not, in order to sort banknotes based
on a sorting category received by the operation unit 40. When
25 the control unit 50 decides that three or more times of sorting
processes are required, the control unit 50 can create at least
two sorting patterns different from each other, sort the
banknotes by using each pattern and stack the banknotes in the
stacking units 60a to 60h, and the control unit 50 can sort the
30 banknotes by using a duplicated sorting pattern at least once
and stack the banknotes in the stacking units 60a to 60h.
100331
The case in which the plural times of sorting processes
are required includes, for example, a case in which a "product"
35 of the number of elements of the sorting category received by
the operation unit 40 is greater than the number of the stacking
units 60a to 60h, a case in which a banknote is transported to
the reject unit 61a or 61b, and so on. The example is
explained taking as a currency "yen" by way of example. The
number of banknote denomination elements is four: 1,000 yen,
5 2,000 yen, 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen. The number of
banknote fitness elements is three, which will be described later.
The number of banknote version (version type) elements is two:
new banknote and old banknote. The number of banknote
orientation elements is four: A orientation (an orientation in
10 which, when a banknote is placed on the placing unit 11, the
front surface is oriented upward and an upper part of the
portrait is oriented in the transport direction); B orientation (an
orientation in which, when the banknote is placed on the placing
unit 11, the front surface is oriented upward and a lower part of
15 the portrait is oriented in the transport direction); C orientation
(an orientation in which, when the banknote is placed on the
placing unit 11, the front surface is oriented downward and the
lower part of the portrait is oriented in the transport direction);
and D orientation (an orientation in which, when the banknote is
20 placed on the placing unit 11, the front surface is oriented
downward and the upper part of the portrait is oriented in the
transport direction).
[0034]
The control unit 50 in this embodiment is configured to
25 output information related to an operation to be next required
and related to the sorting process to be next performed, and to
cause the information to be displayed on the main display unit
30.
[0035]
30 In this embodiment, although there is explained a case in
which the main display unit 30 of the banknote handling
apparatus 100 displays the information outputted from the
control unit 50, the present invention is to limited thereto. An
external apparatus, such as a personal computer, connected to
35 the banknote handling apparatus 100 may display the
information outputted from the control unit 50, and the main
display unit 30 of the banknote handling apparatus 100 may not
display the information outputted from the control unit 50.
100361
The contents to be displayed on the main display unit 30
5 may include a message requesting a user to perform a
predetermined operation such as 'Select category for sorting.",
a message showing the sorting process to be next performed
and requesting a user to perform a predetermined operation
such as "Sorting based on denomination and orientation is
10 performed. Set banknotes in inlet opening." and "Sorting
based on orientation is performed. Set banknotes in inlet
opening.", for example.
[0037]
The control unit 50 in this embodiment is configured to
15 decide whether the plural times of sorting processes are
required or not, in order to sort banknotes based on a sorting
category received by the operation unit 40. When the control
unit 50 decides that the plural times of sorting processes are
required, the control unit 50 automatically decides, not only
20 sorting patterns to be used, but also a using order of the sorting
patterns to be used.
[0038]
Further, after finishing the sorting process of n-th time,
the control unit 50 in this embodiment is automatically set so as
25 to sort banknotes based on a sorting pattern to be used in the
sorting process of (n+l)-th time.
[0039]
It goes without saying that to automatically decide a
using order of the sorting patterns as described above is not
30 necessary. The control unit 50 decides whether the plural
times of sorting processes are required or not in order to sort
banknotes based on a sorting category received by the
operation unit 40, and when the control unit 50 decides that the
plural times of sorting processes are required, a plurality of
35 sorting patterns may be displayed on the main display unit 30,
and an operator may select a desired sorting pattern through
the operation unit 40.
[0040]
In addition, it also goes without saying that to
automatically set the control unit 50 to sort banknotes based on
5 a next sorting pattern is not necessary. After finishing the
sorting process of n-th times, the control unit 50 may cause the
main display unit 30 to display a sorting pattern to be next
performed, and a user may select a desired sorting pattern
through the operation unit 40. When there are a plurality of
10 sorting patterns to be next performed, the plurality of sorting
patterns may be displayed on the main display unit 30, or only
one recommended sorting pattern may be displayed on the main
display unit 30.
[0041]
15 The sorting category may include a denomination of the
banknote. In this case, the control unit 50 creates a sorting
pattern by deciding contents of banknotes to be stacked in the
respective stacking units 60a to 60h, based on the number of
stacking units 60a to 60h and the denomination of the banknote.
20 I f the recognition unit 20 can recognize currencies of a plurality
of countries, a type of a currency to be sorted may be selected
after selection of a denomination as the sorting category. Thus,
denomination elements to be sorted may be limited to a
denomination of the selected currency.
25 [0042]
In addition, the sorting category may include at least one
of a currency type, an orientation of the banknote, a fitness of
the banknote and a version of the banknote. In this case, the
control unit 50 creates a sorting pattern by deciding contents of
30 banknotes to be stacked in the respective stacking units 60a to
60h, based on the number of the stacking units 60a to 60h and
at least one of the currency type, the orientation of the
banknote, the fitness of the banknote and the version of the
ban knote.
3 5 [0043]
A sorting pattern may be created, for example, by
selecting a predetermined sorting mode out of a plurality of
sorting modes, for each of the stacking units 60a to 60h and for
each sorting category (see Figs. 4 and 5). To be more specific,
a predetermined sorting mode can be selected for the respective
5 stacking units 60a to 60h as to the denomination of the
banknote, the orientation of the banknote, the fitness of the
banknote and the version of the banknote.
[0044]
The sorting mode may include any of a "specified mode"
10 in which a concrete element of each sorting category is specified,
an "automatic mode" to be automatically decided (for example,
automatically decided based on an order of recognition), and a
"mixed mode" in which banknotes are stacked in a mixed
manner.
15 [0045]
In an example shown in Fig. 4, banknotes are stacked in
the respective stacking units 60a to 60h in such a manner that
the denomination of the banknote is under the "automatic
mode", banknotes are stacked in the respective stacking units
20 60a to 60h in such a manner that the orientation of the
banknote is under the "mixed mode", banknotes are stacked in
the respective stacking units 60a to 60h in such a manner that
the fitness of the banknote is under the "mixed mode". A
banknote to be stacked in the first stacking units 60a, the third
25 stacking unit 60c, the fifth stacking unit 60e and the seventh
stacking unit 609 is a "new banknote", and a banknote to be
stacked in the second stacking unit 60b, the fourth stacking unit
60d, the sixth stacking unit 60f and the eighth stacking unit 60h
is an "old banknote".
3 0 [0046]
In addition, in an example shown in Fig. 5, a
denomination of banknotes to be stacked in the first stacking
unit 60a, the second stacking unit 60b, the third stacking unit
60c and the fourth stacking unit 60d is a denomination of a
35 banknote ('first banknote") that is firstly decided, a
denomination of banknotes to be stacked in the fifth stacking
unit 60e, the sixth stacking unit 60f, the seventh stacking unit
609 and the eighth stacking unit 60h is a denomination of a
banknote (denomination of "second banknote") that is decided
secondly or later and decided for the first time to be different
5 from the denomination of the banknote that is firstly decided,
an orientation of banknotes to be stacked in the first stacking
unit 60a and the fifth stacking unit 60e is the 'A orientation", an
orientation of banknotes to be stacked in the second stacking
unit 60b and the sixth stacking unit 60f is the 'B orientation",
10 an orientation of banknotes to be stacked in the third stacking
unit 60c and the seventh stacking unit 609 is the 'C orientation",
and an orientation of banknotes to be stacked in the fourth
stacking unit 60d and the eighth stacking unit 60h is the 'D
orientation". In addition, banknotes are stacked in the
15 respective stacking units 60a to 60h in such a manner that the
fitness of the banknote is under the "mixed mode", and
banknotes are stacked in the respective stacking units 60a to
60h in such a manner that the version of the banknote is under
the "mixed mode".
20 [0047]
The aspect, in which a denomination of banknotes to be
stacked in the first stacking unit 60a, the second stacking unit
60b, the third stacking unit 60ca and the fourth stacking unit
60d is a denomination of the "first banknote" and a
25 denomination of banknotes to be stacked in the fifth stacking
unit 60e, the sixth stacking unit 60f, the seventh stacking unit
609 and the eighth stacking unit 60h is a denomination of the
"second banknote", is one type of the "automatic mode".
[0048]
30 When banknotes are sorted by the fitness of the
banknote, the banknotes are sorted into three groups: a
banknote that can be used as a banknote to be dispensed from
an ATM installed in a financial facility such as a bank; a
banknote that cannot be used in an ATM but can be used as a
35 banknote to be dispensed from a counter of a financial facility
such as a bank; and a banknote that cannot be used as a
banknote to be dispensed from an ATM and cannot be used as a
banknote to be dispensed from a counter of a financial facility
such as a bank.
[0049]
5 As shown in Fig. 3, connected to the control unit 50 are
the existence sensor 85, the passage sensors 80a to 80t, the
diverter members 71a to 71i, the recognition unit 20, the
remaining sensors 25a to 25h, the memory unit 55, the
taking-in unit 10, the transport unit 70, the operation unit 40,
10 the main display unit 30, the individual display unit 31 and so
on. , The control unit 50 is configured to obtain information
from them and to transmit an operation command to them.
[0050] <>
Next, an operation / effect of the embodiment as
15 structured above will be explained.
[0051]
According to this embodiment, there is provided the
operation unit (sorting-category receiving unit) 40 that receives
at least one sorting category recognized by the control unit 50,
20 and the control unit 50 is configured to create a sorting pattern
by deciding types of banknotes to be stacked in the respective
stacking units 60a to 60h, based on the number of the stacking
units 60a to 60h and the sorting category received by the
operation unit 40. Thus, banknotes can be easily sorted
25 according to a purposed desired by a user, without excessive
burden on the user.
[0052]
Namely, in the conventional banknote handling apparatus
described in W02008/096429, a user can freely decide a sorting
30 condition for each sorting category, such as the denomination of
the banknote, the version of the banknote, the orientation of
the banknote, the fitness of the banknote and so on, to be
staked in each stacking unit. However, in such the banknote
handling apparatus, a degree of freedom of setting is high,
35 while a setting operation is complicated. When banknotes are
sorted based on a predetermined purpose, it is necessary for a
user to have a full knowledge about the sorting condition for
each sorting category set for each stacking unit. Thus, it is
very difficult to create a sorting pattern to sort banknotes, just
as a purpose desired by the user. In particular, in a case where
5 plural times of sorting in different settings are required for a set
of banknotes to be sorted, it is necessary to switch settings. It
makes an operation complicated.
[0053]
On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the
10 control unit 50 is configured to create a sorting pattern by
deciding types of banknotes to be stacked in the respective
stacking units 60a to 60h, based on the number of stacking
units 60a to 60h (in this embodiment 'eight") and the sorting
category received by the operation unit 40, and configured to
15 perform a banknote sorting process in accordance with the
sorting pattern. Thus, banknotes can be easily sorted
according to a purposed desired by a user, without excessive
burden on the user.
[0054]
20 In addition, in this embodiment, since the control unit 50
is configured to create a plurality of sorting patterns, banknotes
can be stacked in the respective stacking units 60a to 60h with
the plurality of sorting patterns. More specifically, when the
control unit 50 in this embodiment decides that plural times of
25 sorting process are necessary and that two or more sorting
patterns different from one another are needed to be created, in
order to sort banknotes based on the sorting category received
by the operation unit 40, the control unit 50 sorts the banknotes
by using these sorting patterns and stacks the banknotes in the
30 sorting units 60a to 60h.
[0055]
Thus, according to this embodiment, even when it is
necessary to perform plural times of the sorting process and it
is necessary to create two or more sorting patterns different
35 from one another, in order to sort banknotes according to a
purpose desired by a user, the banknote can be suitably sorted
and stacked in the stacking units 60a to 60h.
[0056]
On the other hand, it is not always necessary to create
two or more sorting patterns different from one another, even
5 when the plural times of sorting processes are required. When
the control unit 50 in this embodiment decides that it is
necessary to use a duplicated sorting pattern for sorting
banknotes based on the sorting category, the control unit 50
sorts the banknotes by using the duplicated sorting pattern and
10 stacks the banknotes in the stacking units 60a to 60h.
[0057]
Thus, according to this embodiment, even when it is
necessary to use a duplicated sorting pattern in order to sort
banknotes according to a purpose desired by a user, the
15 banknotes can be suitably sorted and stacked in the stacking
units 60a to 60h.
[0058]
Further, when the control unit in this embodiment decides
that it is necessary to use three or more times of sorting
20 processes for sorting banknotes based on the sorting category,
the control unit 50 can create different sorting patterns for each
time, and sort the banknotes by using the sorting patterns to
stack the banknotes in the stacking units 60a to 60h.
Alternatively, the control unit 50 can use both two or more
25 sorting patterns different from one another and a duplicated
sorting pattern, and sort the banknotes to stack the banknotes
in the stacking units 60a to 60h.
[0059]
Thus, according to this embodiment, since different
30 sorting patterns and the same sorting pattern can be used in a
mixed manner if required, banknotes can be more suitably
sorted and stacked in the stacking units 60a to 60h.
[0060]
In this embodiment, the control unit 50 decides whether
35 the plural times of sorting processes are required or not in order
to sort banknotes based on the sorting category received by the
operation unit 40, and when the control unit 50 decides that the
plural times of sorting processes are required, the control unit
50 automatically decides, not only sorting patterns to be used,
but also a using order of the sorting patterns. Thus, it is not
5 necessary for a- user to decide even an order of the sorting
processes, and a burden on the user can be more reduced. The
control unit 50 may automatically select an order along which
the number of banknotes to be rejected decreases, based on a
previous record stored in the memory unit 55. According to
10 such an example, an efficiency of the banknote sorting process
can be enhanced.
[0061]
In addition, in this embodiment, after finishing the
sorting process of n-th time, the control unit 50 is automatically
15 set to sort banknotes based on a sorting pattern to be used in
the sorting process of (n+l)-th time. Thus, it is not necessary
for a user to set a sorting pattern, which enhances the
convenience for the user.
[0062]
20 In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 50 is
configured to output information related to an operation to be
next required and related to a sorting process to be next
performed, and the main display unit 30 is configured to display
the information. Thus, a user can easily understood an
25 operation to be performed by himselflherself and the sorting
process to be next performed.
[0063]
A plurality of sorting patterns created by the control unit
50 is stored in the memory unit 55. The control unit 50 is
30 configured to suitably read out the sorting patterns stored in the
memory unit 55, so as to sequentially perform the banknote
sorting process.
100641
In addition, it is possible that the memory unit 55 stores
35 a sorting pattern created by the control unit 50 for a long period
of time, and that, in the next or later banknote sorting process,
the control unit 50 reads out the sorting pattern stored in the
memory unit 55 so as to perform the banknote sorting process.
[0065]
In an example in which the denomination of the banknote
5 is included in the sorting category, a sorting pattern can be
created based on a denomination of a banknote to be stacked in
each of the stacking units 60a to 60h, and banknotes can be
sorted based on the denomination of the banknote.
[0066]
10 In addition, in an example in which the currency type is
included in the sorting category, a sorting pattern can be
created based on a type of currency to be stacked in each of the
stacking units 60a to 60h, and banknotes can be sorted based
on the currency type.
15 [0067]
In addition, in an example in which the orientation of the
banknote is included in the sorting category, a sorting pattern
can be created based on an orientation of a banknote to be
stacked in each of the stacking units 60a to 60h, and banknotes
20 can be sorted based on the orientation of the banknote.
[0068]
In addition, in an example in which the fitness of the
banknote is included in the sorting category, a sorting pattern
can be created based on a fitness of a banknote to be stacked in
25 the each of the stacking units 60a to 60h, and banknotes can be
sorted based on the fitness of the banknote.
[0069]
In addition, in an example in which the version of the
banknote is included in the sorting category, a sorting pattern
30 can be created based on a version of a banknote to be stacked
in each of the stacking units 60a to 60h, and banknotes can be
sorted based on the version of the banknote.
[0070]
Herebelow, the present invention is explained using
35 concrete examples.
[0071] Example 1
In Example 1, there is explained an example in which not
only a sorting pattern but also a using order of sorting patterns
is automatically decided. In Example 1, after finishing the
5 sorting process of n-th time, the control unit SO is automatically
set to sort banknotes based on a sorting pattern to be used in
the sorting process of (n+l)-th time.
[0072]
A user firstly inputs an instruction for starting the
10 banknote sorting process through the operation unit 40.
[0073]
The control unit 50, which has received the instruction for
starting the sorting process, transmits an operation command to
the main display unit 30, and causes the main display unit 30 to
15 display "Select category for sorting.".
[0074]
In accordance with the instruction, the user selects a
desired sorting category for sorting, through the operation unit
(sorting-category receiving unit) 40. Herebelow, the present
20 invention is explained by taking an example in which the user
desires that banknotes are sorted by denomination, fitness and
version. The 'product" of the number of elements in this case
is 4x3x2=24, which is larger than the number of the stacking
units 60a to 60h (eight). Thus, this example corresponds to a
25 case in which the plural times of sorting processes are required.
[0075]
Then, upon receipt of the operation command from the
control unit 50, the main display unit 30 displays "Sorting based
on denomination is performed. Set banknotes in inlet
30 opening.".
[0076]
In accordance with the instruction, the user places
banknotes on the placing unit 11, and inputs an instruction for
performing the sorting process through the operation unit 40.
35 [0077]
When the instruction for performing the sorting process
has been inputted from the operation unit 40, the banknote
handling apparatus 100 starts the sorting process based on the
denomination. As a sorting pattern at this time, for example,
the denomination is under the "specified mode", a 10,000-yen
5 banknote is stacked in the first stacking unit 60a, a 5,000-yen
banknote is stacked in the second stacking unit 606, a
2,000-yen banknote is stacked in the third stacking unit 60c,
and a 1,000-yen banknote is stacked in the fourth stacking unit
60d (see Fig. 6(a)). At this time, the banknotes are stacked in
10 such a manner that the orientation of the banknote, the fitness
of the banknote and the version of the banknote are under the
"mixed mode".
[0078]
When the sorting process based on the denomination of
15 the banknote has been finished, the user takes out the
banknotes from the respective stacking units 60a to 60d. After
the taking out of the banknotes has been finished, the control
unit 50 decides it based on the information from the remaining
sensors 25a to 25d. Then, the control unit 50 transmits an
20 operation command to the main display unit 30 and causes the
main display unit 30 to display "Sorting based on fitness and
version is performed. Set 10,000-yen banknotes in inlet
opening.".
[0079]
25 In accordance with this instruction, the user places
10,000-yen banknotes on the placing unit 11, and inputs an
instruction. for performing the sorting process through the
operation unit 40.
[0080]
30 When the instruction for performing the sorting process
has been inputted from the operation unit 40, the banknote
handling apparatus 100 starts the sorting process based on the
fitness and the version. st he sorting pattern at this time, for
example, the version i s under the "automatic mode", and the
35 fitness is under the 'specified mode". A banknote that is sorted
as a version of a banknote firstly decided (first banknote) and
as "ATM" is stacked in the first stacking unit 60a, a banknote
sorted as "first banknote" version and as "TLR is stacked in the
second stacking unit bob, a banknote sorted as "first banknote"
version and as "UNFIT" is stacked in the third stacking unit 60c,
5 a banknote that is sorted as a version different from the version
of the banknote having been firstly decided ("second banknote")
and as "ATM" is stacked in the fourth stacking unit bod, a
banknote sorted as "second banknote" version and as "TLR" is
stacked in the fifth stacking unit 60e, and a banknote sorted as
10 "second banknote" version and as "UNFIT" is stacked in the
sixth stacking unit 60f (see Fig. 6(b)).
[0081]
The aforementioned "ATM" means a banknote that can be
used as a banknote to be dispensed from an ATM installed in a
15 financial facility such as a bank, "TLR means a banknote that
cannot be used in an ATM but can be used as a banknote to be
dispensed from a counter of a financial facility such as a bank,
and ""UNFIT" means a banknote that cannot be used as a
banknote to be dispensed from an ATM and cannot be used as a
20 banknote to be dispensed from a counter of a financial facility
such as a bank.
[0082]
In the manner as described above, when the sorting
process of 10,000-yen banknotes based on the fitness and the
25 version has been finished, the user takes out the 10,000-yen
banknotes from the respective stacking units 60a to 60h.
[0083]
Thereafter, the sorting process for the 5,000-yen
banknotes, the 2,000-yen banknotes and 1,000-yen banknotes
30 are respectively performed based on the fitness and the version.
LO0841
In the above-described Example 1, the sorting patterns
that are different from one another are used in the sorting
process based on the denomination and the sorting process
35 based on the fitness and the version. On the other hand, the
duplicated sorting pattern is used in the sorting process based
on the fitness and based on the version in each denomination.
[0085] Example 2
In Example 2, the aspect, in which a sorting pattern is
decided, but an order of the sorting processes to be performed
5 is selected by a user, is used and explained.
[0086]
A user firstly inputs an instruction for starting a banknote
sorting process through the operation unit 40.
[0087]
10 The control unit 50, which has received the instruction for
starting the sorting process, transmits an operation command to
the main display unit 30 and causes the main display unit 30 to
display "Select category for sorting.".
[0088]
In accordance with the instruction, the user selects a
desired sorting category for sorting, through the operation unit
(sorting-category receiving unit) 40. Herebelow, the present
invention is explained by taking an example in which the user
desires that banknotes are sorted based on the denomination
20 and the orientation. The "product" of the number of elements
in this case is 4x4=16, which is larger than the number of the
stacking units 60a to 60h (eight). Thus, this example
corresponds to a case in which the plural times of sorting
processes are required.
[0089]
When the user has selected that banknotes are to be
sorted based on the denomination and the orientation, the
control unit 50 creates a sorting pattern for sorting banknotes
based on the denomination and the orientation. To be specific,
30 for example, read out are the sorting patterns such as: a
sorting pattern (see Fig. 7(a)) in which the denomination and
the orientation are under the "specified mode", a 10,000-yen
banknote in the A orientation is stacked in the first stacking unit
60a, a 10,000-yen banknote in the B orientation is stacked in
35 the second stacking unit 60b, a 10,000-yen banknote in the C
orientation is stacked in the third stacking unit 60c, a
10,000-yen banknote in the D orientation is stacked in the
fourth stacking unit 60d, a 1,000-yen banknote in the A
orientation is stacked in the fifth stacking unit 60e, a 1,000-yen
banknote in the B orientation is stacked in the sixth stacking
5 unit 60f, a 1,000-yen banknote in the C orientation is staked in
the seventh stacking unit 609, and a 1,000-yen banknote in the
D orientation is stacked in the eighth stacking unit 60h; and a
sorting pattern (see Fig. 7(b)) in which the denomination is
under the 'automatic mode" and the orientation is under the
10 "specified mode", a banknote of a denomination of a banknote
firstly decided (first banknote) in the A orientation is stacked in
the first stacking unit 60a, a banknote of a denomination of the
"first banknote" in the B orientation is stacked in the second
stacking unit 60b, a banknote of a denomination of the "first
15 denomination" in the C orientation is stacked in the third
stacking unit 60c, a banknote of a denomination of the 'first
denomination" in the D orientation is stacked in the fourth
stacking unit 60d, a banknote of a denomination firstly decided
as a denomination different from the denomination of the firstly
20 decide banknote (denomination of the "second banknote") in the
A orientation is stacked in the fifth stacking unit 60e, a
banknote of a denomination of the 'second banknote" in the B
orientation is stacked in the sixth stacking unit 60f, a banknote
of a denomination of the "second banknote" in the C orientation
25 is stacked in the seventh stacking unit 609, and a banknote of a
denomination of the "second banknote" in the D orientation is
stacked in the eighth stacking unit 60h.
[0090]
The read out the sorting patterns are displayed on the
30 main display unit 30, and the main display unit 30 displays
"Select sorting pattern.".
[0091]
Then, the user selects one sorting pattern out of the read
out sorting patterns through the operation unit 40. In this
35 example, it is supposed that the sorting pattern in which the
denomination and the orientation are under the "specified
mode" (see Fig. 7(a)) is selected out of the above-described
sorting patterns.
[0092]
Then, upon receipt of the operation command from the
5 control unit 50, the main display unit 30 displays "Sorting based
on denomination and orientation is performed. Set banknotes
in inlet opening.".
[0093]
In accordance with the instruction, the user places
10 banknotes on the placing unit 11, and inputs an instruction for
performing a sorting process through the operation unit 40.
[0094]
When the instruction for performing the sorting process
has been inputted from the operation unit 40, the banknote
15 handling apparatus 100 starts the sorting process based on the
denomination of the banknote and the orientation of the
banknote. At this time, the banknotes are sorted in such a
manner that the fitness and the version are under the "mixed
mode".
20 [0095]
After finishing the first sorting process based on the
denomination and the orientation, the user takes out the
banknotes from the respective stacking units 60a to 60h. In
the sorting pattern in which the denomination and the
25 orientation are under the "specified mode", a 2,000-yen
banknote and a 5,000-yen banknote are transported to the
reject unit. In this case, if the set of banknotes placed on the
placing unit 11 includes neither 2,000-yen banknote nor
5,000-yen banknote, there is no banknote that is transported to
30 the reject unit. Thus, the banknote sorting process based on
the denomination and the orientation is finished only by this
first sorting process based on the denomination and the
orientation.
[0096]
3 5 Meanwhile, when there is a banknote having been
transported to the reject unit, the main display unit 30 displays
"Sorting based on denomination and orientation is performed.
Set banknote in reject unit in inlet opening.", upon receipt of an
operation command from the control signal 50.
[0097]
5 In accordance with the instruction, the user places the
banknotes in the placing unit 11, and inputs an instruction for
performing the sorting process through the operation unit 40.
[0098]
When the instruction for performing the sorting process
10 has been inputted from the operation unit 40, the banknote
handling apparatus 100 starts the sorting process based on the
denomination and the orientation. At this time, there is used a
sorting pattern in which the denomination and the orientation
are under the "specified mode", a 5,000-yen banknote in the A
15 orientation is stacked in the first stacking unit 60a, a 5,000-yen
banknote in the B orientation is stacked in the second stacking
unit 60b, a 5,000-yen banknote in the C orientation is stacked
in the third stacking unit 60c, a 5,000-yen banknote in the D
orientation is stacked in the fourth stacking unit 60d, a
20 2,000-yen banknote in the A orientation is stacked in the fifth
stacking unit 60e, a 2,000-yen banknote in the B orientation is
stacked in the sixth stacking unit 60f, a 2,000-yen banknote in
the C orientation is stacked in the seventh stacking unit 609,
and a 2,000-yen banknote in the D orientation is stacked in the
25 eight stacking unit 60h (see Fig. 7(c)). In addition, the
banknotes are sorted in such a manner that the fitness and the
version are under the "mixed mode". In addition, the sorting
pattern shown in Fig. 7(b) may be used in the second sorting
process. Since the banknotes to be sorted in the second
30 sorting process are only a 5,000-yen banknote and a 2,000-yen
banknote. Thus, out of a 5,000-yen banknote and a 2,000-yen
banknote, a banknote of a denomination that is recognized
earlier is stacked in the first to fourth stacking units 60a to 60d,
and a banknote of a denomination that is recognized later is
35 stacked in the fifth to eighth stacking units 60e to 60h.
[0099]
After finishing the sorting process based on the
denomination and the orientation, the user takes out the
banknotes from the respective stacking units 60a to 60h, and
5 the sorting process based on the denomination and the
orientation to the set of banknotes is finished.
[ O l O O ]
The disclosure by the embodiment, the examples
described above and the drawings is a mere example for
10 explaining the inventions recited in the claims, and the
inventions recited in the claims will not be limited by the
disclosure of the embodiment, the examples described above
and the drawings.

WE CLAIMS:-
1. A banknote handling apparatus configured to perform a sorting process of banknotes, the banknote handling apparatus comprising:
a taking-in unit configured to take in a banknote one by one; a transport unit configured to transport the banknote having been taken in from the taking-in unit; a recognition unit configured to recognize the banknote transported by the transport unit; a control unit configured to control the transport unit, such that the banknote having been recognized by the
recognition unit is transported to any one of a plurality of staking units, based on a sorting pattern; and a sorting-category receiving unit configured to receive at least one sorting category; wherein the control unit is configured to create the sorting pattern, based on the number of stacking units and the sorting category received by the sorting-category receiving unit.
2. The banknote handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to create a plurality of the sorting patterns.
3. The banknote handling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit is configured to decide whether plural times of the sorting processes are required or not, in order to
sort banknotes based on the sorting category received by the sorting-category receiving unit, and when the control unit decides that the plural times of the sorting processes are required, the control unit creates at least two sorting patterns different from one another. 4. The banknote handling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit is configured to decide whether plural times of the sorting processes are required or not, in order to sort banknotes based on the sorting category received by the sorting-category receiving unit, and
when the control unit decides that the plural times of the sorting processes are required, the control unit sorts the banknotes by using a duplicated sorting pattern at least once
and stacks the banknotes in the stacking units.
5. The banknote handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit is configured to decide whether three or
more times of the sorting processes are required or not, in order to sort banknotes based on the sorting category received by the sorting-category receiving unit, and when the control unit decides that three or more times of the sorting processes are required, the control unit creates at least two sorting patterns different from one another, sorts the banknotes by using each sorting pattern and stacks the banknotes in the stacking units, and the control unit sorts the banknotes by using a duplicated sorting pattern at least once
and stacks the banknotes in the stacking units.
6. The banknote handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit is configured to decide whether plural
times of the sorting processes are required or not, in order to sort banknotes based on the sorting category received by the sorting-category receiving unit, and when the control unit decides that the plural times of the sorting processes are required, the control unit automatically
decides sorting patterns to be used and a using order of the sorting patterns.
7. The banknote handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein after finishing the sorting process of n-th time, the
control unit is automatically set to sort banknotes based on a sorting pattern to be used in the sorting process of (n+l)-th time.
8. The banknote handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit is configured to output information
related to an operation to be next required or related to the sorting process to be next performed.
9. The banknote handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein
the sorting category includes a denomination of the banknote, and the control unit is configured to create the sorting pattern by deciding contents of banknotes to be stacked in each
stacking unit, based on the number of the stacking units and at least the denomination of the banknote.
10. The banknote handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sorting category includes at least one of a currency
type, an orientation of the banknote, a fitness of the banknote and a version of the banknote, and
the control unit is configured to create the sorting pattern by deciding contents of banknotes to be stacked in each stacking unit, based on the number of the stacking units, and at least one of the currency type, the orientation of the banknote, the fitness of the banknote and the version of the banknote.
11. The banknote handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sorting pattern is created by selecting a predetermined sorting mode out of a plurality of sorting modes,
for each stacking unit and for each sorting category.