DESCRIPTION
BANKNOTE HANDLING APPARATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[OOOl]
The present invention relates to a banknote handling
apparatus for determining at least the fitness of a banknote.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
In a cash center or the like, there are performed an
operation for returning unfit notes to a central bank and an
operation for reusing fit banknotes. Since change instructions
about an unfit note reference medium are provided from the
central bank day by day, an operator changes a threshold value
for determining the fitness of a banknote, and conducts a
sorting process for a plurality of banknotes.
[0003]
As a banknote handling apparatus for sorting banknotes,
there is conventionally known a banknote handling apparatus
including: a housing; a placement unit disposed on the housing
for placing thereon a plurality of banknotes; a transport unit
configured to transport each banknote that has been taken in
the housing from the placement unit; a recognition sensor
configured to obtain information related to the banknote
transported by the transport unit; a stacking unit configured to
stack banknotes transported thereto by the transport unit; a
memory unit configured to store a threshold value for
determining the fitness of a banknote; and a control unit
configured to determine the fitness of a banknote by comparing
the threshold value and a detected value, which is based on the
information obtained by the recognition sensor.
[0004]
Such a conventional banknote handling apparatus can
determine the fitness of a banknote. However, when the
fitness of a plurality of banknotes is determined, it cannot be
known which unfit note factor is a main reason for the large or
small number of banknotes that have been determined as unfit
notes. Thus, when the number of banknotes to be determined
as an unfit note is changed, for example, it is necessary for an
operator to change a threshold value of a specific unfit note
factor at a guess among threshold values stored in the memory
unit, and then to actually preform again a banknote sorting
process. I n some cases, such an operation for changing a
threshold value for a specific unfit note factor and such a
banknote sorting process should be repeated plural times.
Thus, it is difficult for the conventional banknote handling
apparatus to suitably change the number of banknotes to be
determined as an unfit note, and it takes a long time therefor.
[0005]
There is known a banknote handling apparatus that
recognizes each banknote by comparing plural types of detected
values, which are detected for the banknote, and a threshold
value, which is stored in a memory unit (see W02009/11857).
However, the banknote handling apparatus described in
W02009/118857 is an apparatus for displaying a reject reason
and a detected value of one banknote. Thus, even by using the
banknote handling apparatus described in W02009/118857,
when the fitness of a plurality of banknotes is determined, it
cannot be also known which unfit note factor is a main reason
for the large or small number of banknotes that have been
determined as unfit notes.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006]
I n view of the above circumstances, the present invention
provides a banknote handling apparatus by which an operator
can easily know, when the fitness of a plurality of banknotes is
determined, which unfit note factor is a main reason for the
large or small number of banknotes that have been determined
as unfit notes.
[0007]
The banknote handling apparatus of the present invention
comprises:
a taking-in unit configured to take banknotes in one by
one;
a transport unit configured to transport each banknote
having been taken in from the taking-in unit;
a recognition sensor configured to obtain information
related at least to fitness of the banknote transported by the
transport unit;
a memory unit configured to store a threshold value for
an unfit note factor for determining the fitness of the banknote;
and
a control unit configured to determine the fitness of the
banknote by comparing the threshold value and a detected
value of the unfit note factor based on the information obtained
by the recognition sensor, and configured to count a number of
times of reason for each unfit note factor, which is a number of
times the unfit note factor has been used to determine the
banknote as an unfit note; and
an output unit configured to output the unfit note factor
and the number of times of reason.
[0008]
I n the banknote handling apparatus of the present
invention, the output unit may be configured to output the
threshold value.
[0009]
I n the banknote handling apparatus of the present
invention,
the memory unit may be configured to store two
threshold values for at least one unfit note factor;
the control unit may be configured to determine the
fitness of the banknote by comparing, as to the unfit note factor
for which the two threshold values are stored in the memory
unit, each threshold value and the detected value of the unfit
note factor based on the information obtained by the
recognition sensor, and be configured to count the number of
times of reason for each threshold value; and
the output unit may be configured to output, as to the
unfit note factor for which the two threshold values are stored
5 in the memory unit, the number of times of reason for each
threshold value.
[0010]
The banknote handling apparatus of the present invention
may further include a threshold-value changing unit configured
10 to change the threshold value for each unfit note factor.
[OOll]
I n the banknote handling apparatus of the present
invention,
the threshold value for each unfit note factor may be
15 changeable;
the memory unit may be configured to store the
information related to the fitness of the banknote obtained by
the recognition sensor;
the control unit may be configured to determine the
20 fitness of the banknote by comparing at least the changed
threshold value and a detected value of an unfit note factor
corresponding to the changed threshold value among the
detected values based on the information related to the fitness
of the banknote stored in the memory unit, and be configured to
25 calculate the number of times of reason for at least the unfit
note factor for which the threshold value is changed; and
the output unit may be configured to output the number
of times of reason for at least the unfit note factor for which the
threshold value is changed.
3 0 [0012]
The banknote handling apparatus of the present
invention may further include a display unit configured to
display the unfit note factor and the number of times of reason,
and configured to change an output manner for the unfit note
35 factor based on information of the number of times of reason.
[0013]
According to the present invention, the control unit is
configured to determine the fitness of a banknote by comparing
a threshold value for an unfit note factor and a detected value,
5 and is configured to count the number of times of reason for
each unfit note factor, which is a number of times the unfit note
factor has been used to determine the banknote as an unfit note.
Thus, an operator can easily know, when the fitness of a
plurality of banknotes is determined, which unfit note factor is a
10 main reason for the large or small number of banknotes that
have been determined as unfit notes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014]
15 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
according to the embodiment.
20 Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically
showing a structure of a recognition sensor shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a top plan view schematically showing the
structure of the recognition sensor shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a control block view of the banknote handling
25 apparatus according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 6 is a view showing an example of contents displayed
on a display unit of the banknote handling apparatus according
to the embodiment of the present invention.
30 Fig. 7 is a view showing another example of contents
displayed on the display unit of the banknote handling
apparatus according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
3 5 MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0015] 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 for
explaining the embodiment of the present invention.
[OO 161
As shown in Fig. 1, a banknote handling apparatus 100 in
this embodiment includes: a housing 1; a placement unit 11
disposed on the housing 1 for placing thereon a plurality of
banknotes; a taking-in unit 10 configured to take banknotes,
one by one, placed on the placement unit 11, in the housing 1;
a transport unit 70 (see Fig. 2) configured to transport each
banknote having been taken from the taking-in unit 10 in the
housing 1; a plurality of stacking units 60a to 60d configured to
stack the banknotes transported thereto by the transport unit
70; and reject units 61a and 61b configured to reject a
banknote that is not stacked in any of the stacking units 60a to
60d.
[0017]
As shown in Fig. 2, the aforementioned taking-in unit 10
is provided with kicker rollers 16 and 18, which are disposed on
the placement unit 11 and are configured to give a driving force
to a banknote located on a lowest position, and gate
mechanisms 12 and 14, which are configured to sandwich
therebetween the banknote to which a driving force has been
given by the kicker rollers 16 and 18 and to send the banknote
into the housing 1. The gate mechanisms 12 and 14 include a
feed roller 12 and a gate roller 14 disposed oppositely to the
feed roller 12.
[0018]
The placement unit 11 is equipped with an existence
sensor 85 for detecting whether a banknote is placed on the
placement unit 11. The transport unit 70 is equipped with a
plurality of passage sensors 80a to 801 for detecting whether a
banknote has passed through the transport unit 70. The
respective stacking units 60a to 60d are equipped with
remaining sensors 81a to 81d for detecting a stacking condition
of banknote(s).
[0019]
I n addition, the transport unit 70 is equipped with a
plurality of divergent members 71a to 71e configured to suitably
diverge banknotes transported by the transport unit 70.
[0020]
As shown in Fig. 5, the banknote handling apparatus 100
includes a recognition sensor 20 (see Fig. 2) configured to
obtain information related at least to the fitness of a banknote
transported by the transport unit 70, a memory unit 55
configured to store a threshold value for an unfit note factor for
determining the fitness of a banknote, a control unit 50 (see Fig.
2) configured to determine the fitness of the banknote by
comparing the threshold value and a detected value of the unfit
note factor based on the information obtained by the
recognition sensor 20, and configured to count the number of
times of reason for each unfit note factor, and an output unit 35
configured to output, to display units 30a and 30b which will be
described later, the unfit note factor, the threshold value for
each unfit note factor, and the number of times of reason for
each unfit note factor. The above "number of times of reason"
means the number of times the unfit note factor has been used
to determine the banknote as an unfit note.
[0021]
The recognition sensor 20 in this embodiment is
configured to obtain information related to a version of a
banknote, an authenticity thereof, a denomination thereof, a
direction thereof, a facelback thereof, a transport condition
thereof and so on. Based on the information related to a
version of a banknote, an authenticity thereof, a denomination
thereof, a direction thereof, a facelback thereof, a transport
condition thereof and so on, the control unit 50 can recognize a
banknote(s) taken in by the taking-in unit 10 and stack the
banknote in(s) the stacking units 60a to 60d.
[0022]
Although this embodiment is explained by giving an
example in which the threshold value takes 0 to 255, of course
the threshold value is not limited to 0 to 255 and may take
5 another range. I n addition, although this embodiment is
explained by giving an example in which, when a detected value
of a banknote is not less than the threshold value, the banknote
is determined as a fit banknote, while when a detected value a
banknote is less than the threshold value, the banknote is
10 determined as an unfit note, the present invention is not limited
thereto. There may be employed an embodiment in which,
when a detected value of a banknote is larger than the
threshold value, the banknote is determined as an unfit note.
[0023]
15 As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the above-described
recognition sensor 20 includes an infrared light sensor 22
configured to obtain information related to a banknote by using
infrared light, a thickness detection sensor 24 configured to
detect a thickness of a banknote, a magnetic sensor 26
20 configured to obtain information related to a banknote by using
magnetism, and a red light sensor 28 configured to obtain
information related to a banknote by using red light. Timing
sensors 21 and 29 configured to detect arrival of a banknote are
disposed on an upstream side of the infrared light sensor 22 and
25 a downstream side of the red light sensor 28, respectively. In
Figs. 3 and 4, an object indicated by the reference number B is
a banknote transported in the recognition sensor 20. The
two-dot chain line arrow depicts a transport direction of the
banknote B. The structure of the recognition sensor 20 can be
30 suitably changed depending on information to be obtained. For
example, in place of the infrared light sensor 22, there may be
disposed a line sensor configured to detect reflected light and
transmitted light on both sides of a banknote by means of red
light and green light. I n addition, an ultraviolet light sensor
35 maybe disposed in place of the infrared light sensor 22. In
addition, the thickness detection sensor 24 and the magnetic
sensor may be a sensor having a length capable of detecting an
overall width perpendicular to the banknote transport direction.
[0024]
As shown in Fig. 1, at the housing 1 of the banknote
handling apparatus 100, an operation unit 40 having an input
button for receiving an instruction from an operator, and the
display units 30a and 30b, which are configured to display
information outputted from the output unit 35 such as an unfit
note factor, the number of times of reason and so on, are
provided. The display units 30a and 30b include a first display
unit 30a and a second display unit 30b disposed adjacent to the
first display unit 30a. These first display unit 30a and the
second display unit 30b are for example LCD display units. In
this embodiment, a display manner of an unfit note factor is
changed based on information of the number of times of reason.
For example, an unfit note factor having the largest number of
times of reason is emphatically displayed (e.g., blinkingly
displayed).
[0025]
I n addition to the embodiment in which the banknote
handling apparatus 100 includes the display units 30a and 30b,
there may be employed an embodiment in which a display unit
etc. of an external apparatus, such as a personal computer,
constitutes the display unit, and a banknote handling system
includes the display unit.
[0026]
I n Fig. 6, "DEFECTl", "DEFECT2", "DEFECT3", "DEFECT4",
"STAINI", "STAIN2", "STAIN3", "STAIN4", "STAIN5", "STAIN6",
"STAIN7", "STAIN8", "STAINg", "THICKNESSl", "THICKNESS2",
"FATIGUEl" and "FATITUE2" shown in the display units 30a and
30b are unfit note factors. Although not described herein in
detail, "DEFECTl", "DEFECTZ", "DEFECT3" and "DEFECT4" are
unfit note factors relating to a defect. "STAINl", "STAIN2",
"STAIN3", "STAIN4", "STAIN5", "STAING", "STAIN7", "STAIN8"
and "STAIN9" are unfit note factors relating to a stain.
"THICKNESSl" and "THICKNESS2" are unfit note factors relating
to a thickness of a banknote. "FATIGUEI" and "FATITUE2" are
unfit note factors relating to a material fatigue of a banknote.
[0027]
The memory unit 55 (see fig. 5) in this embodiment is
configured to store two threshold values for at least one unfit
note factor. As to the unfit note factor for which two threshold
values are stored in the memory unit 55, the control unit 50 is
configured to determine the fitness of a banknote by comparing
each threshold value (i.e., each of the two threshold values) and
a detected value of the unfit note factor based on information
obtained by the recognition sensor, and is configured to count
the number of times of reason for each threshold value. Note
that, although the term "two threshold values" is used in the
claims, more than two threshold values, e.g., three threshold
values, four threshold values and so on belong to the "technical
scope" of the term "two threshold values".
[0028]
As to the unfit note factor for which two threshold values
are stored in the memory unit 55, the output unit 35 is
configured to output each threshold value and the number of
times of reason for eachthreshold value. The display units 30a
and 30b are configured to display each threshold value and the
number of times of reason for each threshold value.
[0029]
The present invention is explained with a concrete
example. I n the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, two threshold
values are stored in the memory unit 55 for each of "DEFECTl",
"DEFECT2", "DEFECT4", "FATIGUEI" and "FATITUE2". Namely,
threshold values "150" and "100" are stored for "DEFECTl".
Threshold values "160" and "150" are stored for "DEFECT2".
Threshold values "255" and "200" are stored for "DEFECT4".
Threshold values "255" and "128" are stored for "FATIGUEI".
Threshold values "255" and "128" are stored for "FATIGUE2".
As to these "DEFECTl", "DEFECT2", "DEFECT4","FATIGUElU and
"FATITUE2", the fitness of a banknote is determined by
comparing each of the aforementioned two threshold values and
11
a detected value of each of "DEFECTI", "DEFECT2",
"DEFECT4","FATIGUEl" and "FATITUE2" based on information
obtained by the recognition sensor 20, and the number of times
of reason is counted for each threshold value.
[0030]
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the first display unit
30a displays strict threshold values (larger threshold values in
this embodiment) and the display unit 30b displays permissive
threshold values (smaller threshold values in this embodiment).
As to the number of times of reason which is not determined by
using the two threshold values, the same threshold value is
displayed on the first display unit 30a and the second display
unit 30b, respectively.
[0031]
I n addition, the second display unit 30b displays the
number of times of reason when a detected value is compared
to a permissive threshold value. For example, the second
display 30b displays the number of times at which a banknote is
determined as a banknote that cannot be used in an ATM
installed in a financial facility such as a bank, and also cannot
be used in a reception of a financial facility such as a bank
(so-called "UNFIT"). On the other hand, the first display unlt
30a displays a difference obtained by deducting the number of
times of reason when a detected value is compared to a
permissive threshold value, from the number of times of reason
when a detected value is compared to a strict threshold value.
For example, the first display unit 30a displays the number of
times at which a banknote is determined as a banknote that
cannot be used in an ATM installed in a financial facility such as
a bank but can be used in a reception of a financial facility such
as a bank (so-called "Teller-FIT").
[0032]
Various embodiments can be considered as embodiments
to be displayed on the first display unit 30a and the second
display unit 30b. As an example different from the example
shown in Fig. 6, an embodiment shown in Fig. 7 can be
employed, for example. I n the embodiment shown in Fig. 7,
the second display unit 30b displays both the strict threshold
values (larger threshold values in this embodiment) and the
permissive threshold values (smaller threshold values in this
embodiment). As to the number of times of reason which is
not determined by using two threshold values, the same
threshold value is displayed overlappingly. Meanwhile, the
second display unit 30b displays the number of times of reason
at which a detected value is compared to a permissive threshold
value, and a difference obtained by deducting the number of
times of reason at which a detected value is compared to a
permissive threshold value from the number of times of reason
at which a detected value is compared to a strict threshold
value. On the other hand, the fitness of a banknote is
determined based on the fitness determination result obtained
by comparing a threshold value and a detected value of each
unfit note factor of each banknote, and the display unit 30a
displays the number of fit notes and the number of unfit notes
of all the determined banknotes. For example, "ATM CNT" in
Fig. 7 shows the number of banknote(s) which is(are)
determined as a fit note in comparison with the strict threshold
values for all unfit note factors (e.g., the number of banknotes
which are determined as "ATM FIT"). I n addition, "TLR CNT" in
Fig. 7 shows the number of banknote(s) for which there is(are)
one or more unfit note factors based on which the banknote is
determined as an unfit note in comparison with the strict
threshold values but is determined as a fit note in comparison
with the permissive threshold values, but for which there is not
any unfit note factor based on which the banknote is determined
as an unfit note in comparison with the permissive threshold
values (e.g., the number of banknotes which are determined as
"Teller FIT"). In addition, "UNF CNT" in Fig. 7 shows the
number of banknote(s) for which there is(are) one or more unfit
note factors based on which the banknote is determined as an
unfit note in comparison with the permissive threshold values
(e.g., the number of banknotes which are determined as
"UNFIT"). The first display unit 30a may display a type a
currency banknote, a denomination thereof a detailed fitness
type, etc. I n addition, the procedure for determining the
fitness of a certain banknote by using a fitness determination
5 result for each unfit note factor of the banknote can be suitably
changed. For example, when there are three or more unfit
note factors based on which a banknote is determined as an
unfit note in comparison with the permissive threshold values,
the banknote may be determined as an unfit note ("UNFIT").
10 The fitness of a banknote may be determined by weighting each
unfit note factor.
[0033]
I n addition, the banknote handling apparatus 100 further
includes a threshold-value changing unit configured to change
15 threshold values for each unfit note factor. In this embodiment,
the display units 30a and 30b being as touch panels constitute
the threshold-value changing unit. I n addition to this
embodiment in which the banknote handling apparatus 100
includes the threshold-value changing unit (display units 30a
20 and 30b in this embodiment), there may be employed an
example in which an external apparatus such as a personal
computer functions as the threshold-value changing unit, and a
banknote handling system includes the threshold-value
changing unit.
25 [0034]
The memory unit 55 may store information related to the
fitness of a banknote obtained by the recognition sensor 20.
The control unit 50 may determine the fitness of the banknote
by comparing a threshold value which is changed through the
30 display units (threshold-value changing unit) 30a and 30b, and
a detected value of an unfit note factor corresponding to the
changed threshold value among detected values based on the
information related to the fitness of the banknote stored in the
memory unit 55, and may calculate the number of times of
35 reason of the unfit note factor for which the threshold value is
changed. In this case, the output unit 35 outputs the number
of times of reason for at least the unfit note factor for which the
threshold value is changed, and the display units 30a and 30b
display the number of times of reason outputted from the
output unit 35.
5 [0035] <>
Next, an operation and an effect of the embodiment as
structured above are explained.
[0036]
According to this embodiment, the control unit 50
10 determines the fitness of a banknote by comparing a threshold
value for an unfit note factor, which is stored in the memory
unit 55, and a detected value of the unfit note factor based on
information obtained by the recognition sensor 20, and counts
the number of times of reason for each unfit note factor. Then,
15 the output unit 35 outputs the unfit note factor and the number
of times of reason, and the display units 30a and 30b display
the number of times of reason outputted from the output unit
35.
[0037]
20 Thus, according to this embodiment, when the fitness of
a plurality of banknotes is determined, an operator can easily
know which unfit note factor is a main reason for the large or
small number of banknotes that have been determined as unfit
notes. Therefore, as compared with a conventional banknote
25 handling apparatus, the present invention can provide an
advantageous effect.
[0038]
Namely, in the conventional banknote handling apparatus,
it cannot be known at all which unfit note factor is a main
30 reason for the large or small number of banknotes that have
been determined as unfit notes. Thus, when the number of
banknotes to be determined as an unfit note is changed, for
example, it is necessary for an operator to change a threshold
value for a specific unfit note factor at a guess among threshold
35 values stored in the memory unit, and then to actually preform
again a banknote sorting process. In some cases, such an
operation for changing a threshold value for a specific unfit note
factor and a banknote sorting process should be repeated plural
times, Thus, it is difficult for the conventional banknote
handling apparatus to suitably change the number of banknotes
to be determined as an unfit note, and it takes a long time
therefor.
[0039]
On the other hand, according to the banknote handling
apparatus in this embodiment, the control unit 50 is configured
to count the number of times of reason for each unfit note factor,
the output unit 35 is configured to output the unfit note factors
and the number of times of reason, and the display units 30a
and 30b are configured to display the unfit note factors and the
number of times of reason. Thus, when the fitness of a
plurality of banknotes is determined, an operator can easily
know which unfit note factor is a main reason for the large or
small number of banknotes that have been determined as unfit
notes.
[0040]
Further, in this embodiment, there are provided the
display units 30a and 30b functioning as the threshold-value
changing unit configured to change a threshold value for each
unfit note factor. Thus, an operator can easily change a
threshold value for the unfit note factor, which is a main reason,
through the display units 30a and 30b, and also easily can
change the number of banknotes to be determined as an unfit
note.
[0041]
In addition, according to this embodiment, the output
unit 35 is configured to output a threshold value for each unfit
note factor, and the display units 30a and 30b are configured to
display the threshold value. Thus, an operator can confirm the
threshold value set for each unfit note factor displayed on the
display units 30a and 30b, and can refer to the threshold value
when changing a threshold value. As a result, changing a
threshold value by an operator can be further facilitated.
[0042]
In addition, according to this embodiment, as to at least
one unfit note factor for which two threshold values are stored
in the memory unit 55, the control unit 50 is configured to
determine the fitness of a banknote by comparing each
threshold value and a detected value, and is configured to count
the number of times of reason for each threshold value. In
addition, as to the unfit note factor for which the two threshold
values are stored in the memory unit 55, the output unit 35 is
configured to output the number of times of reason for each
threshold value, and the display units 30a and 30b are
configured to display the number of times of reason for each
threshold value outputted from the output unit 35.
[0043]
Therefore, according to this embodiment, as to an unfit
note factor for which two threshold values are set, an operator
can know the number of times of reason for each of the two
threshold values. Thus, for example, an operator can suitably
know which unfit note factor is a main reason for unfit notes
determined as banknotes that cannot be used in an ATM
installed in a financial facility such as a bank and also cannot be
used in a reception of a financial facility such as a bank
(so-called "UNFIT"). At the same time, the operator can
suitably know which unfit note factor is a main reason for unfit
notes determined as banknotes that cannot be used in an ATM
installed in a financial facility such as a bank but can be used in
a reception of a financial facility such as a bank (so-called
"Teller-FIT").
[0044]
I n addition, in this embodiment, a display manner of an
unfit note factor is changed based on information of the number
of times of reason. For example, an unfit note factor having
the largest number of times of reason is emphatically displayed
(e.g., blinkingly displayed). Thus, it is more easy for an
operator to know which unfit note factor is a main reason for
the large or small number of banknotes that have been
determined as unfit notes, without mistake.
[0045]
According to the embodiment in which the memory unit
55 is configured to store information related to the fitness of a
5 banknote obtained by the recognition sensor 20, the control unit
50 is configured to determine the fitness of the banknote by
comparing a threshold value which has been changed by the
display units (threshold-value changing unit) 30a and 30b, and
a detected value of an unfit note factor corresponding to the
10 changed threshold value, and is configured to count the number
of times of reason for the unfit note factor for which the
threshold value is changed, the fitness of a banknote whose
detected value has been already obtained can be determined
and the number of times of reason can be calculated, only by
15 changing a threshold value through the display units 30a and
30b without actually detecting again a detected value of the
banknote. Therefore, an operator can know the number of
times of reason for the changed unfit note factor, without
actually taking a banknote in the banknote handling apparatus
20 100, whereby a suitable threshold value can be set more easily
and more promptly.
[0046]
The above-described embodiment and the disclosure of
the drawings are nothing more than an example for explaining
25 the inventions recited in the claims. The inventions recited in
the claims should not be limited by the above-described
embodiment and the disclosure of the drawings.
CLAIMS
1. A banknote handling apparatus comprising:
a taking-in unit configured to take banknotes in one by
one;
a transport unit configured to transport each banknote
having been taken in from the taking-in unit;
a recognition sensor configured to obtain information
related at least to fitness of the banknote transported by the
transport unit;
a memory unit configured to store a threshold value for
an unfit note factor for determining the fitness of the banknote;
and
a control unit configured to determine the fitness of the
banknote by comparing the threshold value and a detected
value of the unfit note factor based on the information obtained
by the recognition sensor, and configured to count a number of
times of reason for each unfit note factor, which is a number of
times the unfit note factor has been used to determine the
banknote as an unfit note; and
an output unit configured to output the unfit note factor
and the number of times of reason.
2. The banknote handling apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein
the output unit is configured to output the threshold
value.
3. The banknote handling apparatus according to claim 1 or
2, wherein:
the memory unit is configured to store two threshold
values for at least one unfit note factor;
the control unit is configured to determine the fitness of
the banknote by comparing, as to the unfit note factor for which
the two threshold values are stored in the memory unit, each
threshold value and the detected value of the unfit note factor
based on the information obtained by the recognition sensor,
and is configured to count the number of times of reason for
each threshold value; and
the output unit is configured to output, as to the unfit
note factor for which the two threshold values are stored in the
memory unit, the number of times of reason for each threshold
value.
4. The banknote handling apparatus according to any one of
claims 1 to 3, further comprising a threshold-value changing
unit configured to change the threshold value for each unfit note
factor.
5. The banknote handling apparatus according to any one of
claims 1 to 4, wherein:
the threshold value for each unfit note factor is
changeable;
the memory unit is configured to store the information
related to the fitness of the banknote obtained by the
recognition sensor;
the control unit is configured to determine the fitness of
the banknote by comparing at least the changed threshold value
and a detected value of an unfit note factor corresponding to
the changed threshold value among the detected values based
on the information related to the fitness of the banknote stored
in the memory unit, and is configured to calculate the number
of times of reason for at least the unfit note factor for which the
threshold value is changed; and
the output unit is configured to output the number of
times of reason for at least the unfit note factor for which the
threshold value is changed.
6. The banknote handling apparatus according to any one of
claims 1 to 5, further comprising a display unit configured to
display the unfit note factor and the number of times of reason,
and configured to change an output manner for the unfit note
factor based on information of the number of times of reason.