Paper Sheet Handling Machine and Paper Sheet Handling
Method
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paper sheet handling
machine and a paper sheet handling method, each adapted for
reading a serial number printed on each paper sheet, such as a
banknote or the like.
10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Usually, on each of the paper sheets, such as the
banknotes, checks, gift certificates or the like, the serial number
(i.e., character information of a predetermined digit number
including alphabetical letters and figures) is printed for
15 identifying each paper sheet.
For instance, in financial institutions, one machine, which
is adapted for character-identifying (or performing character
identification for) the serial number of each banknote,
registering each character-identified serial number at a
20 database, and then managing the banknotes used in a certain
transaction performed by using this machine, has been known in
recent years (e.g., see JP2004-213559). In such a known
machine, when some characters of a certain serial number are
not identified, each part corresponding to such unidentified
25 characters is rewritten and displayed by using an error letter
(e.g., ' ? I f ) . In this case, the user of this machine checks,
visually, each actual banknote and then inputs, manually, each
character corresponding to the error letter '?". However, for
this checking and input operation, it is necessary for the user to
30 keep or prepare each actual banknote at hand. Therefore, such
a manual input operation for each error letter tends to lay a
heavy burden on the user.
In order to reduce such a heavy burden on the user,
another machine, which is adapted for registering each
35 unidentified character, as an unaccepted character, at the
database, without the need for the manual input operation or
the like, when there are some character (or characters) that
cannot be identified, has been known (e.g., see
W02010/032335AI). In this case, however, if there is some
unaccepted character even for only one digit position included in
5 a certain serial number, or even if there is only one digit
position that has no character information for the characters
constituting together the serial number, such information on the
serial number should be registered, as unclear information, at
the database.
10 Namely, in such conventional paper sheet handling
machines as described above, the manual input operation for
each error character tends to lay the heavy burden on the user,
and there is a risk that some serial number may be registered,
as the unclear information, at the database.
15
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a paper sheet handling machine including: an
imaging unit configured to take an image of a paper sheet and
20 generate a paper sheet image; an identification unit configured
to identify a character of each digit position included in a serial
number, from a serial number region of the paper sheet image;
an output unit configured to output the image of a part
corresponding to the serial number region of the paper sheet
25 image, when there is a digit position whose character therein
cannot be identified by the identification unit; a display unit
configured to display each character identified by the
identification unit and the image outputted from the output
unit; and an input unit configured to accept input of each
30 character corresponding to the digit position whose character
therein cannot be identified by the identification unit.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a paper sheet handling machine including: an
imaging unit configured to take an image of a paper sheet and
35 generate a paper sheet image; an identification unit configured
to identify a character of each digit position included in a serial
number, from a serial number region of the paper sheet image;
an output unit configured to output a region image
corresponding to the serial number region of the paper sheet
image, when there is a digit position whose character therein
5 cannot be identified by the identification unit; and a memory
unit configured to store therein the serial number, all digits of
which are respectively character-identified by the identification
unit, wherein the memory unit stores therein each character
identified by the identification unit, with the region image being
10 associated with the character, when there is a position whose
character therein cannot be identified by the identification unit.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a paper sheet handling machine including: a
reception unit configured to take in paper sheets respectively
15 put into the paper sheet handling machine, one by one; an
imaging unit configured to take an image of each paper sheet
taken in by the reception unit and generate a paper sheet
image; an identification unit configured to identify a character
of each digit position included in a serial number, from a serial
20 number region of the paper sheet image; a first stacking unit
and a second stacking unit, each configured to stack therein the
paper sheets respectively character-identified, with respect to
the serial number thereof, by the identification unit; a transport
unit configured to transport the paper sheets from the reception
25 unit to the first and second stacking units; a control unit
configured to control the transport unit, such that first paper
sheets, all digits of each serial number of which are respectively
character-identified by the identification unit, are transported to
the first stacking unit, and such that second paper sheets, one
30 or more digits of each serial number of which are not
character-identified by the identification unit, are transported to
the second stacking unit; a memory unit configured to store
therein each serial number of the first paper sheets that is
character-identified by the identification unit; and a display unit
35 configured to display the characters respectively included in
each serial number of the second paper sheets and identified by
the identification unit.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a paper sheet handling method including: taking an
5 image of each paper sheet and generating a paper sheet image,
by using an imaging unit; identifying a character of each digit
position in a serial number, from a serial number region of the
paper sheet image, by using an identification unit; extracting
the image of a part corresponding to the serial number region
10 from the paper sheet image and outputting the image of the
part , when there is a digit position whose character therein
cannot be identified by the identification unit; displaying each
character identified by the identification unit, together with the
outputted image; and inputting the character corresponding to
15 each digit position whose character therein cannot be identified
by the identification unit.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a paper sheet handling method including: taking an
image of each paper sheet and generating a paper sheet image,
20 by using an imaging unit; identifying a character of each digit
position included in a serial number, from a serial number
region of the paper sheet image, by using an identification unit;
extracting a region image corresponding to the serial number
region from the paper sheet image and outputting the region
25 image, when there is a digit position whose character therein
cannot be identified by the identification unit; storing each
serial number, all digits of which are respectively
character-identified by the identification unit, in a memory unit;
and storing each character identified by the identification unit,
30 with the region image being associated with the character, in
the memory unit, when there is a digit position whose character
therein cannot be identified by the identification unit.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a paper sheet handling machine including: an
35 imaging unit configured to take an image and generate a paper
sheet image; an identification unit configured to identify a
character of each digit position included in a serial number, from
a serial number region of the paper sheet image; and a list
generating unit configured to generate and output a list of each
serial number including a digit position whose character therein
5 cannot be identified by the identification unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a diagram for illustrating external appearance of
one exemplary banknote handling machine related to one
10 embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a diagram for schematically illustrating the
interior of the banknote handling machine related to the
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram for illustrating a control system
15 provided for the banknote handling machine related to the
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a diagram for illustrating one exemplary
positional relationship among a plurality of serial numbers
respectively printed on one banknote;
20 Fig. 5 is a flow chart for illustrating one banknote
handling method related to the embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 6 is a diagram for illustrating one example of a
display screen;
25 Fig. 7 is a diagram for illustrating another example of the
display screen;
Fig. 8 is a diagram for illustrating still another example of
the display screen;
Fig. 9 is a diagram for illustrating still another example of
30 the display screen;
Fig. 10 is a diagram for illustrating still yet another
example of the display screen;
Fig. 1 is a diagram for illustrating still yet another
example of the display screen; and
35 Fig. 12 is a diagram for illustrating still yet another
example of the display screen.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODOMENTS
Hereinafter, one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Figs. I through 3 are provided for respectively illustrating
5 the banknote handling machine related to the embodiment of
the present invention. Of these drawings, Fig.1 is a perspective
view for illustrating one external appearance of the banknote
handling machine, Fig. 2 is one diagram provided for
schematically illustrating the interior of the banknote handling
10 machine shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is one exemplary block
diagram for illustrating the control system provided for the
banknote handling machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the banknote handling
machine 10 includes a casing 12, a placing unit (or hopper) 14
15 adapted for placing thereon a plurality of banknotes to be
counted, in a stacked condition, a feeding unit 16 adapted for
feeding out the banknotes, one by one, into the casing 12, from
the banknote located at the lowermost layer among the
banknotes respectively placed on the placing unit 14, and a
20 transport unit 18 provided in the casing 12 and adapted for
transporting the ban knotes respectively fed into the casing 12
by the feeding unit 16, one by one. Further, a recognition unit
20 is provided to the transport unit 18. This recognition unit
20 is adapted for recognizing each banknote fed into the casing
25 12 by the feeding unit 16.
The feeding unit 16 has a kicker roller 16a provided to be
in contact with one face of the banknote located at the
lowermost layer among the banknotes respectively placed, in
the stacked condition, on the placing unit 14, and a feed roller
30 16b located on the downstream side relative to the kicker roller
16a in the feed direction of the banknotes and adapted for
feeding out each banknote kicked out by the kicker roller 16a,
into the casing 12. In addition, a reverse rotation roller (or
gate roller) 16c is located in a position opposite to the feed
35 roller 16b. In this case, a gate part G is provided between the
feed roller 16b and the reverse rotation roller 16c. With this
configuration, the ban knotes, respectively kicked out by the
kicker roller 16a, are fed out, one by one, toward the transport
unit 18 in the casing 12, through the gate part G. Further, a
feeding-unit drive mechanism 17 (see Fig. 3) adapted for
5 driving the feeding unit 16 is provided in the casing 12.
In addition, as shown in Fig. 2, a banknote presence
sensor 15 is provided to the placing unit 14. This banknote
presence sensor 15 can serve to detect presence or absence of
the banknotes on the placing unit 14. More specifically, the
10 banknote presence sensor 15 is a reflection-type optical sensor
including a light emission section and a light reception section,
which are integrally provided in the sensor. In this case, when
some banknotes are present on the placing unit 14, light
emitted from the light emission section can reach the light
15 reception section, after reflected by the banknotes. Meanwhile,
when there are no banknotes on the placing unit 14, the light is
not reflected by the banknotes, thus cannot reach the light
reception section. With this configuration, the banknote
presence sensor 15 can detect the presence or absence of the
20 banknotes on the placing unit 14.
In the banknote handling machine 10 of this embodiment,
the placing unit 14, banknote presence sensor 15 and feeding
unit 16 constitute together a reception unit adapted for
receiving therein the plurality of banknotes, one by one, in
25 order to take them into the machine 10.
The transport unit 18 is composed of a plurality of
combinations of a plurality of transport rollers and a transport
belt provided over the transport rollers. In this case, each
banknote is held between each transport belt and the transport
30 rollers and transported by circulation of the transport belt along
each transport path. Additionally, a transport-unit drive
mechanism 19 (see Fig. 3) adapted for driving the transport
unit 18 is provided in the casing 12.
Further, as described above, the recognition unit 20
35 adapted for recognizing each banknote fed into the casing 12 by
the feeding unit 16 is provided to the transport unit 18. As
shown in Fig. 2, the recognition unit 20 includes an image
scanner (or line sensor) 20a, a thickness detection sensor 20b
and a magnetic sensor 20c, wherein such sensors 20a, 20b and
20c are arranged in a line. The image scanner 20a is
5 composed of a light irradiation section (or light emission
element) and a proper light reception section, wherein the light
irradiation section is adapted for irradiating each banknote
transported by the transport unit 18, with several kinds of light,
such as visible light, infrared light, green light and the like.
10 More specifically, in this image scanner 20a, the light
irradiation section can serve to successively irradiate each
banknote transported by the transport unit 18, with the several
kinds of light, at a predetermined pitch, and the light reception
section can serve to successively receive the light reflected by
15 the banknote, and then combining such received light together.
In this way, the images of the face and back of each banknote
can be generated, respectively. An imaging unit 21 is provided
for taking the so-generated images of each banknote.
Further, in the image scanner 20a, the irradiation section
20 irradiates each banknote with the infrared light, and then the
light reception section receives the light transmitted through the
face and back of the banknote. In this way, a
transmitted-infrared-light image of each banknote can be
obtained.
25 The magnetic sensor 20c of the recognition unit 20 is
provided for detecting magnetic distribution over the face and
back of each banknote. Namely, the magnetic distribution in
each banknote can be detected and obtained by this magnetic
sensor 20c.
30 Accordingly, the imaging unit 21 can serve to generate
the image of each banknote (or each banknote image), by using
the images of the face and back of the banknote transported by
the transport unit 18. Thereafter, each banknote image
generated by the imaging unit 21 is fed to an identification unit
35 26 (see Fig. 3) adapted for identifying the serial number (as will
be described later) of the banknote.
The thickness detection sensor 20b of the recognition
unit 20 is provided for detecting the thickness of each banknote
passing through this sensor 20b. More specifically, this
thickness detection sensor 20b can serve to detect a folded
5 banknote, some banknotes overlapped one on another or those
each having a tape or the like attached thereto, based on the
thickness of each detected banknote.
Further, a recognition/counting unit 24 (see Fig. 3) is
provided to the banknote handling machine 10. This
10 recognition/counting unit 24 is adapted for recognizing the
denomination, authenticity, fitness or the like of each banknote
and/or recognizing whether or not some transport error of the
banknotes occurs as well as for counting the number of the
banknotes, based on each banknote image and/or magnetic
15 distribution detected by the recognition unit 20 as well as on
each detection result obtained from the thickness detection
sensor 20b.
As shown in Fig. 2, the transport unit 18 is bifurcated
into two transport paths at a point on the downstream side
20 relative to the recognition unit 20, wherein one transport path
has a downstream-side end connected with a stacking unit 30,
and the other transport path has the downstream-side end
connected with a reject unit 40. With this configuration, the
banknotes respectively recognized by the recognition unit 20
25 are fed, selectively, to the stacking unit 30 or reject unit 40.
One opening is provided in a front face (or one face
located on the left side in Fig. 2) of the stacking unit 30, such
that an operator can optionally take out the banknotes,
respectively stacked in the stacking unit 30, via the opening.
30 Further, another opening is provided in a front face of the reject
unit 40, such that the operator can optionally take out the
banknotes, respectively stacked in the reject unit 40, via this
opening.
As shown in Fig. 2, a diversion unit 22 composed of a
35 diverter and a drive unit (not shown) for the diverter is provided
at the point where the transport unit 18 is bifurcated into the
two transport paths. With the provision of this diversion unit
22, the banknotes respectively fed to the diversion unit 22 from
the upstream side thereof can be selectively fed to either one of
the two transport paths.
5 A wheel-type stacking mechanism 32 is provided in a
position on the back-face side in the stacking unit 30 (or
position on the right side in the stacking unit 30 in Fig. 2)
located in the casing 12. This wheel-type stacking mechanism
32 is composed of a stacking wheel 32a and a drive unit (not
10 shown) for the stacking wheel 32a. In this case, the stacking
wheel 32a is rotated, in an anticlockwise direction in Fig. 2 (i.e.,
in a direction expressed by an arrow depicted in Fig. 2), about
an axis extending orthogonally to the sheet of Fig. 2 in an
approximately horizontal direction. To the stacking wheel 32a,
15 a plurality of vanes 32b are provided to extend outwardly from
the outer circumferential face of the wheel 32a, in a direction
reverse to the rotation direction of the wheel 32a (i.e., in a
clockwise direction in Fig. 2). Further, as shown in Fig. 2, such
vanes 32b are respectively located with an equal interval around
20 the outer circumferential face of the stacking wheel 32a.
As described above, the stacking wheel 32a of the
wheel-type stacking mechanism 32 is designed to be always
rotated in the anticlockwise direction in Fig. 2, during the
operation of the banknote handling machine 10. In this case,
25 the banknotes are fed to the stacking wheel 32a, one by one,
from the transport unit 18. Then, the stacking wheel 32a
receives each banknote fed from the transport unit 18 between
two of the vanes 32b of the wheel 32a. Thereafter, each
banknote received between the two of the vanes 32b of the
30 stacking wheel 32a is fed to the stacking unit 30. In this way,
the banknotes are fed to the stacking unit 30, one by one, from
the stacking wheel 32a, and then stacked, in an arranged
condition, in the stacking unit 30.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a shutter 34 adapted for
35 closing the opening provided in the front face of the stacking
unit 30 is provided to the banknote handling machine 10. With
the provision of this shutter 34, the opening in the front face of
the stacking unit 30 can be optionally closed. In addition, a
shutter drive mechanism 35 (see Fig. 3) adapted for driving the
shutter 34 is provided in the interior of the casing 12. In this
5 case, the shutter 34 is driven by the shutter drive mechanism
35, between an opening position (i.e., a position expressed by a
dotted line depicted in Fig. 2) in which the shutter 34 is
evacuated downward relative to the stacking unit 30 in order to
open the opening of the stacking unit 30, and a closing position
10 (i.e., a position expressed by a solid line depicted in Fig. 2) in
which the shutter 34 closes the opening provided in the front
face of the stacking unit 30. Namely, when the shutter 34 is in
the opening position as expressed by the dotted line depicted in
Fig. 2, the operator can access the banknotes stacked in the
15 stacking unit 30. Meanwhile, when the shutter 34 is in the
closing position as expressed by the solid line depicted in Fig. 2,
the opening in the front face of the stacking unit 30 is closed by
the shutter 34, as such the operator cannot access the
banknotes stacked in the stacking unit 30.
20 Another banknote presence sensor 36 is provided to the
stacking unit 30. This banknote presence sensor 36 can serve
to detect the presence or absence of the banknotes in the
stacking unit 30. More specifically, the banknote presence
sensor 36 includes the light emission section and light reception
25 section. In this case, when there are no banknotes stacked in
the stacking unit 30, the light emitted from the light emission
section is received by the light reception section. Meanwhile,
when some banknotes are present in the stacking unit 30, the
light emitted from the light emission section is blocked by the
30 banknotes, and thus cannot reach the light reception section.
Therefore, with such blocking of the light, the banknote
presence sensor 36 can detect the banknotes stacked in the
stacking unit 30.
The reject unit 40 has no shutter for closing the opening
35 provided in the front face of this unit 40. Instead, as shown in
Figs. I and 2, a pair of left and right banknote arrangement
members 42 are provided to the reject unit 40. Each banknote
arrangement member 42 is designed to be brought down,
manually by the operator, in a forward direction (i.e., in a
leftward direction in Fig. 2) relative to the casing 12, from a
5 position shown in Fig. 2. With this configuration, the banknotes,
respectively fed to the reject unit 40 from the transport unit 18,
can be once stacked in the reject unit 40, in the arranged
condition, by each banknote arrangement member 42. Then,
by bringing down each banknote arrangement member 42 in the
10 forward direction relative to the casing 12, the operator can
take out the banknotes from the reject unit 40.
Still another banknote presence sensor 44 is provided to
the reject unit 40. This banknote presence sensor 44 can serve
to detect the presence or absence of the banknotes in the reject
15 unit 40. More specifically, the banknote presence sensor 44
includes the light emission section and light reception section.
In this case, when there are no banknotes stacked in the reject
unit 40, the light emitted from the light emission section is
received by the light reception section. Meanwhile, when some
20 banknotes are present in the reject unit 40, the light emitted
from the light emission section is blocked by the banknotes, and
thus cannot reach the light reception section. Therefore, with
such blocking of the light, the banknote presence sensor 44 can
detect the banknotes stacked in the reject unit 40.
25 Further, as shown in Fig. 1, an operation/display unit 62
is provided to the front face of the casing 12. This
operation/display unit 62 includes a display section 62a
composed of a display device, such as an LCD or the like, and a
plurality of operation keys 62b. The display section 62a can
30 serve to display the serial number of each banknote identified
by the identification unit 26 and/or image of a part
corresponding to a serial number region of each banknote image
generated by the imaging unit 21. In addition, when the
operator pushes down some proper operation keys 62b, the
35 character corresponding to each digit position that cannot be
character-identified by the identification unit 26 can be
inputted.
The identification unit 26 shown in Fig. 3 is provided for
extracting the serial number region from each banknote image
generated by the imaging unit 21, identifying the character of
5 each digit position of the serial number from the extracted serial
number region, and obtaining the serial number of the
predetermined digit number printed on each banknote.
Thereafter, the identification unit 26 serves to output each
identified character to the operation/display unit 62. Thus, the
10 serial number identified by the identification unit 26 can be
displayed on the display section 62a.
When there is some digit position (or digit positions)
whose character therein cannot be identified by the
identification unit 26, an output unit 28 shown in Fig. 3 can
15 serve to output the image of the corresponding serial number
region to the operation/display unit 62. With this output
operation, when there is some digit position whose character
therein cannot be identified by the identification unit 26, the
image of the corresponding serial number region of a certain
20 banknote can be displayed on the display section 62a of the
operation/display unit 62, together with the characters
respectively identified by the identification unit 26. As such, by
checking the image of the serial number region displayed on the
display section 62a, the operator can input each character
25 corresponding to the digit position whose character therein
cannot be identified by the identification unit 26, via each
corresponding operation key 62b.
Fig. 4 shows one example of the positional relationship
among the plurality of serial numbers respectively printed on
30 one banknote. As shown in Fig. 4, the serial numbers, each
printed in the predetermined digit number for the recognition of
the banknote, are located in a plurality of positions of the
banknote. For instance, one serial number A is printed on a
left lower end of the banknote, and another serial number B is
35 printed on a right upper end of the banknote. In this case, the
serial numbers A and B are respectively provided to express the
same contents.
As shown in Fig. 4, when the plurality of serial numbers
are printed on one banknote, the identification unit 26 serves to
check whether or not the identification result on the characters
5 (i.e., the character-identification result) of the serial number A
matches with the character-identification result on the serial
number B. As a result, if the character-identification result on
the serial number A matches with the character-identification
result on the serial number B, then each character-identification
10 result will be judged or determined as the serial number of the
checked banknote.
Meanwhile, if the character-identification result on the
serial number A does not match with the character-identification
result on the serial number 8, then each digit of the serial
15 number A that matches with each corresponding digit of the
serial number B will be judged, as a character-identified digit
(or digit position whose character therein can be identified), by
the identification unit 26. Meanwhile each digit of the serial
number A that does not match with each corresponding digit of
20 the serial number 6 will be judged as a character-unidentified
digit (or digit position whose character therein cannot be
identified).
In the case in which some digit position whose character
therein cannot be identified is included in either one of the
25 character-identification result on the serial number A or
character-identification result on the serial number B, the
identification unit 26 may serve to adopt the other
character-identification result, or may serve to judge the
character corresponding to the digit position, as one that cannot
30 be identified.
It is noted that various methods can be used as a method
by which the identification unit 26 serves to identify and judge
the serial number of each banknote.
For instance, when there is some digit position whose
35 character therein cannot be identified by the identification unit
26, it is preferred that the output unit 28 serves to output both
of the image of the serial number region of the serial number A
and the image of the serial number region of the serial number
B to the operation/display unit 62. However, the output unit 28
may serve to output only one of the two images to the
5 operation/display unit 62.
Further, as shown in Fig. 2, a control unit 60 is provided
in the casing 12. This control unit 60 can serve to control each
component of the banknote handling machine 10. As shown in
Fig. 3, the control unit 60 is connected with the feeding-unit
10 drive mechanism 17 adapted for driving the feeding unit 16, as
well as connected with the transport-unit drive mechanism 19
adapted for driving the transport unit 18. Further, the control
unit 60 is connected with the imaging unit 21, diversion unit 22,
recognition/counting unit 24, identification unit 26, output unit
15 28, wheel-type stacking mechanism 32, shutter drive
mechanism 35 adapted for driving the shutter 34, as well as
connected with the banknote presence sensors 15, 36, 44,
operation/display unit 62, and a memory unit 64 and the like.
In this case, the control unit 60 can serve to deliver a
20 recognition and count result on each banknote obtained by the
recognition/counting unit 24 as well as deliver the identification
result on each serial number obtained by the identification unit
26. Further, the control unit 60 can serve to send a command
signal to each of the feeding-unit drive mechanism 17,
25 transport-unit drive mechanism 19, diversion unit 22,
wheel-type stacking mechanism 32, shutter drive mechanism 35,
operation/display unit 62 and the like, in order to control such
components. Additionally, the control unit 60 can serve to
receive each detection result obtained by and sent from the
30 respective banknote presence sensors 15, 36, 44.
Further, as shown in Fig. 3, the memory unit 64 is
connected with the control unit 60. For instance, this memory
unit 64 can serve to store therein the recognition and count
result on each ban knote obtained by the recognition/counting
35 unit 24, the characters of each serial number identified by the
identification unit 26, the characters respectively inputted via
the operation keys 62b, and the like. In addition, the memory
unit 64 can serve to store therein the image of each serial
number region outputted from the output unit 28, with the
characters respectively identified by the identification unit 26
5 and the characters respectively inputted via the operation keys
62b being respectively associated with the image.
Now, referring to the flow chart shown in Fig. 5, one
banknote handling method using the banknote handling
machine 10 constructed as described above will be discussed.
10 In this method, the operation of the banknote handling machine
10 is performed by using the control unit 60 for controlling each
component of this banknote handling machine 10.
(Step SlOl)
The banknotes to be counted and identified on the serial
15 number thereof are placed, respectively, in the stacked
condition, on the placing unit 14.
(Step S102)
When the operator pushes down a proper operation key
(or keys) 62b (e.g., a STARTISTOP key shown in Fig. 6) of the
20 operation/display unit 62 in order to send a command for
starting a counting operation for the banknotes to the control
unit 60, the banknotes placed, in the stacked condition, on the
placing unit 14 are fed out, successively, one by one, from the
banknote located at the lowermost layer, to the transport unit
25 18 in the casing 12, by the feeding unit 16. Then, the
banknotes respectively fed to the transport unit 18 in the casing
12 by the feeding unit 16 are transported by the transport unit
18, respectively.
(Step S103)
30 The image of each banknote transported by the transport
unit 18 is taken by the imaging unit 21, in order to generate the
banknote image.
(Step S104)
The recognition/counting unit 24 recognizes the
35 denomination, authenticity, fitness or the like of each banknote
and/or recognizes whether or not some transport error of the
banknotes occurs, as well as counts the banknotes, based on
each banknote image generated in the step S103 as well as on
each detection result obtained by the thickness sensor 20b.
(Step S105)
5 The identification unit 26 extracts the serial number
region from each banknote image generated in the step S103,
and then identifies the character of each digit position by using
the image of the extracted serial number region.
(Step S106)
10 Each banknote is transported to the stacking unit 30 or
reject unit 40 and stacked therein. At this time, the control
unit 60 determines each banknote to be stacked in either one of
the stacking unit 30 or reject unit 40, based on the recognition
result obtained by the recognition/counting unit 24 or on the
15 identification result obtained by the identification unit 26, and
then controls the diversion unit 22.
For instance, if the recognition result related to a certain
banknote and obtained by the recognition/counting unit 24
shows that this banknote is a counterfeit banknote, the control
20 unit 60 determines that such a banknote is to be transported to
the reject unit 40. Meanwhile, if the recognition result shows
that the banknote is a genuine banknote, the control unit 60
determines that this banknote is to be transported to the
stacking unit 30.
25 Further, if some digit position whose character therein
cannot be identified by the identification unit 26 is included in
the serial number of a certain banknote, the control unit 60
determines that this banknote is to be transported to the reject
unit 40. Meanwhile, if all digit positions of the serial number of
30 a certain banknote can be character-identified by the
identification unit 26, the control unit 60 determines that this
banknote is to be transported to the stacking unit 30.
When the destination to which the banknotes are
transported is the stacking unit 30, the banknotes are fed, one
35 by one, from the transport unit 18 to the stacking wheel 32a of
the wheel-type stacking mechanism 32. Then, the stacking
wheel 32a receives each banknote fed from the transport unit
18 between the two of the vanes 32b thereof, and feeds the
banknote received between the two of the vanes 32b into the
stacking unit 30. In this way, the banknotes can be stacked,
5 respectively, in the arranged condition, in the stacking unit 30
by the wheel-type stacking mechanism 32.
During a period in which the recognition and counting
operations for the banknotes and the identification on each
serial number are respectively performed, as described above,
10 in the banknote handling machine 10, the opening in the front
face of the stacking unit 30 is closed by the shutter 34, as
shown by the solid line depicted in Fig. 2. Meanwhile, since the
opening in the front face of the reject unit 40 is always opened,
the operator can optionally take out the banknotes from the
15 reject unit 40, by bringing down each banknote arrangement
member 42 in the forward direction relative to the casing 12.
It is noted that the operator can optionally set the shutter 34
opened or closed during the operation of the banknote handling
machine 10.
20 (Step S107)
I f the banknotes are still placed on the placing unit 14,
the procedure returns to the step S102. Meanwhile, if all of the
banknotes are fed out, the procedure goes to a step S108.
(Step S108)
25 Each recognition and count result sent from the
recognition/counting unit 24 and the identification result on
each serial number sent from the identification unit 26 are
displayed on the display section 62a, respectively.
(Step S109)
30 I f all digit positions of the serial numbers for all of the
banknotes can be character-identified by the identification unit
26, the procedure goes to a step 5111. Meanwhile, if there is
some digit position (or digit positions) whose character therein
cannot be identified by the identification unit 26, the procedure
35 goes to a step Sl10.
Fig. 7 shows one example of the display on the display
section 62a, for the recognition and count result obtained by the
recognition/counting unit 24 and each identification result on
several serial numbers obtained by the identification unit 26.
In this case, one digit position that cannot be
5 character-identified by the identification unit 26 is expressed by
a blank. Further, as shown in Fig. 7, the recognition and count
result is shown for expressing ten (10) sheets of one-hundred
(100) dollar banknotes and one thousand (1000) dollars in total.
(Step SllO)
10 The operator inputs the character of the digit position
whose character therein cannot be identified by the
identification unit 26.
More specifically, the operator first pushes an F4 key
corresponding to "SERIAL" shown in Fig. 7. With this operation,
15 the display screen of the display section 62a is changed into the
screen as shown in Fig. 8.
Then, the operator pushes each of F l to F4 keys, in order
to shift a cursor to a position corresponding to the digit (or
blank digit) that cannot be character-identified by the
20 identification unit 26. Once the cursor is moved to the blank
digit, one image P of the serial number region corresponding to
the serial number related to this input operation is displayed at
an upper portion of the display section 62a.
Subsequently, the display screen of the display section
25 62a is changed into the screen as shown in Fig. 9. Then, the
operator pushes the F l key or F2 key, while checking the image
P, in order to match the character corresponding to the blank
digit with the character that the operator wants to input. For
instance, each time the F l key is pushed, the character
30 corresponding to the blank digit is changed into 0, 1, 2, ..., 8, 9,
A, B, C, ..., XI Y, Z. Meanwhile, each time the F2 key is pushed,
this character is changed into Z, Y, X, ..., C, 8, A, 9, 8, ..., 2, 1,
0.
Then, as shown in Fig. 10, once the character
35 corresponding to the blank digit is changed into the character
that the operator wants to input, the operator pushes an
ACCEPT key in order to input the so-changed character. In this
way, as shown in Fig. 11, the serial number composed of a
combination of the characters respectively identified by the
identification unit 26 and the character inputted by the operator
5 is generated.
In the case in which there are a plurality of serial
numbers respectively including the digit position whose
character therein cannot be identified, the operation of this step
is performed a predetermined number of times corresponding to
10 the number of the serial numbers respectively including the
digit position whose character therein cannot be identified.
(Step S l l l )
In this step, when the operator pushes a certain
operation key 62b (e.g., the ACCEPT key as shown in Figs. 6 to
15 l l ) , each serial number is accepted for all of the banknotes.
Once the display screen as shown in Fig. 12 is displayed on the
display section 62a, the display screen is changed back to a
waiting screen (see Fig. 6).
(Step S112)
20 Each accepted serial number is stored in the memory unit
64. At this time, each serial number may be stored in the
memory unit 64, with the recognition result on the
corresponding banknote being associated with this serial number.
With this operation, when a certain serial number stored in the
25 memory unit 64 is searched, the recognition result of the
corresponding banknote can also be known.
For each serial number including some digit that is
inputted by the operator in the step SllO, the serial number
may be stored in the memory unit 64, with a flag being set for
30 this serial number. With this operation, when a certain serial
number stored in the memory unit 64 is searched, whether or
not the serial number includes some digit that is inputted by the
operator can be known.
Alternatively, for each serial number including some digit
35 that is inputted by the operator in the step SllO, the serial
number may be stored in the memory unit 64, together with the
image of the serial number region of the corresponding
banknote. With this operation, the serial number including
some digit that is inputted by the operator can be checked again,
with the image of the serial number region being referred to.
5 As described above, according to this embodiment, when
some digit position whose character therein cannot be identified
by the identification unit 26 is included in the serial number of a
certain banknote, the operator can input the character
corresponding to this digit position, while checking the image of
10 the corresponding serial number region displayed on the display
section 62a. At this time, since there is no need for the
operator, for preparing, at hand, each banknote having the
serial number including some digit position whose character
therein cannot be identified, the burden of the character-input
15 operation on the operator can be reduced so much. Further, for
each digit position whose character therein cannot be identified
by the identification unit 26, the character corresponding to
such a digit position is inputted by the operator, with the image
of the corresponding serial number region being checked by the
20 operator. Therefore, the accuracy and reliability of the serial
number of each banknote stored in the memory unit 64 can be
substantially enhanced. Additionally, since only the image of
each serial number region is displayed in place of the entire
image of each corresponding banknote, each character can be
25 visually confirmed with ease by the operator, even in the case in
which the display section 62a is provided as a relatively small
screen.
In the embodiment described above, each character is
inputted, manually, by the operator, by using some proper
30 operation key (or keys) 62b. However, for each digit of the
serial number that cannot be character-identified by the
identification unit 26, the operator may input each character, by
voice (sound), by using an appropriate voice (sound)
identification function provided to the banknote handling
35 machine 10.
Further, in the embodiment described above, when the
operator performs the character-input operation, the image of
each corresponding serial number region is displayed on the
display section 62a. However, a proper character may be
displayed, as a candidate character for the digit position whose
5 character therein cannot be identified by the identification unit
26. In this case, when there is some digit position that cannot
be identified upon the character identification, the identification
unit 26 can obtain at least one candidate character as the
candidate for such a digit position. Thus, by displaying such a
10 candidate character on the display section 62a, the burden of
the character-input operation on the operator can be further
reduced .
In addition, the banknote handling machine 10 may
include a printing unit adapted for printing and outputting the
15 recognition and count result obtained by the
recognition/counting unit 24, the identification result on each
serial number obtained by the identification unit 26, and the
characters respectively inputted by the operator.
In the embodiment described above, when some digit
20 position whose character therein cannot be identified by the
identification unit 26 is included in the serial number of a
certain banknote, the operator inputs each character
corresponding to the digit position, while checking the image of
the corresponding serial number region displayed on the display
25 section 62a. However, this character-input operation of the
operator may be omitted. In this case, the output unit 28
serves to output the image (or region image) of the serial
number region of the banknote having the serial number
including some digit position whose character therein cannot be
30 identified by the identification unit 26, and then the control unit
60 serves to write this region image in the memory unit 64,
with the characters, respectively identified by the identification
unit 26, being respectively associated with the region image.
Namely, with this operation, each serial number including
35 some digit position whose character therein cannot be identified
is stored in the memory unit 64, together with the region image.
Accordingly, this operation can prevent serial number
information stored in the memory unit 64 from being unclear.
Further, since the character-input operation of the operator can
be omitted, the burden on the operator can be further reduced.
5 In addition, the output unit 28 may serve to extract and
output the image of a part (part image) corresponding to each
digit that cannot be character-identified by the identification
unit 26, from the region image, and then this part image may
be stored in the memory unit 64, with the characters,
10 respectively identified by the identification unit 26, being
respectively associated with the part image. With this
operation, since the data size of the image stored in the
memory unit 64 can be substantially reduced, the serial number
information stored in the memory unit 64 can be increased so
15 much. Further, when a plurality of digit positions whose
characters therein cannot be identified by the identification unit
26 are included in one serial number, the output unit 28 will
serve to output a plurality of part images. Therefore, in this
case, each part image is stored in the memory unit 64, with
20 each corresponding digit being associated with this part image.
The aforementioned printing unit may be provided to
print and output each serial number, with each part image being
fitted in the corresponding digit position whose character
therein cannot be identified by the identification unit 26.
25 In the embodiment described above, when some digit
position whose character therein cannot be identified by the
identification unit 26 is included in the serial number of a
certain banknote, this banknote may be stacked in the reject
unit 40, with only the characters of the serial number of this
30 banknote that can be respectively identified by the identification
unit 26 and the image of the corresponding serial number
region being respectively displayed on the display section 62a,
in a properly arranged condition. With this operation, when it
is difficult for the operator to decipher the characters from the
35 image displayed on the display section 62a, the operator can
readily take out and check the actual banknote.
Further, in the above embodiment, one example as shown
in Fig. 7 has been described, wherein several serial numbers, all
digits of each of which are respectively character-identified by
the identification unit 26 and a certain serial number including
5 one digit that cannot be character-identified are displayed,
respectively, without any discrimination. However, such serial
numbers may be displayed with some discrimination. For
instance, the serial number including some digit position whose
character therein cannot be identified may be displayed at an
10 upper portion of the display section 62a, while the serial
numbers, all digit positions of each of which are respectively
character-identified may be displayed at a lower portion of the
display section 62a. Alternatively, the display section 62a may
serve to selectively (or switchably) display thereon the serial
15 number including some digit position whose character therein
cannot be identified and the serial numbers, all digit positions of
each of which are respectively character-identified, depending
on the input operation via the operation keys 62b. In addition,
a list generating unit may be provided to the banknote handling
20 machine 10. This list generating unit is adapted for generating a
list for showing only the serial numbers, each including some
digit position whose character therein cannot be identified by
the identification unit 26, by using the character-identification
result obtained by the identification unit 26, as well as adapted
25 for allowing the generated list to be displayed on the display
section 62a.
In the embodiment described above, the banknote
handling machine 10, adapted for identifying the serial number
of each banknote and storing the identified serial number in the
30 memory unit 64, has been described by way of example.
However, it is should be appreciated that this banknote handling
machine 10 may also be applied to another machine adapted for
identifying each serial number printed on other paper sheets
than the banknotes, such as the checks, gift certificates or the
35 like, and storing therein the identified serial number.
It should be noted that the present invention is not
limited to the exact forms of the embodiment described and
illustrated herein, but should be construed to cover all
modifications, without departing from the scope thereof.
Further, it should be appreciated that various inventions can be
5 made by any suitable combination of the plurality of
components respectively disclosed in the above embodiment.
For instance, several components may be removed from all of
the components respectively disclosed in the above embodiment.
In addition, the components respectively disclosed in different
10 embodiments may be properly com bined together.

WHAT I S CLAIMED IS:
I. A paper sheet handling machine comprising:
an imaging unit configured to take an image of a paper
sheet and generate a paper sheet image;
an identification unit configured to identify a character of
each digit position included in a serial number, from a serial
number region of the paper sheet image;
an output unit configured to output the image of a part
corresponding to the serial number region of the paper sheet
image, when there is a digit position whose character therein
cannot be identified by the identification unit;
a display unit configured to display each character
identified by the identification unit and the image outputted
from the output unit; and
an input unit configured to accept input of each character
corresponding to the digit position whose character therein
cannot be identified by the identification unit.
2. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim I,
wherein
the identification unit obtains at least one candidate
character corresponding to each digit position whose character
therein cannot be identified; and
the display unit displays the candidate character, together
with the image outputted from the output unit.
3. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 1,
further comprising a memory unit configured to store therein
the serial number of the paper sheet generated by combining
each character identified by the identification unit with each
character inputted via the input unit is stored together with a
flag.
4. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim I,
further comprising a memory unit configured to store therein
the serial number of the paper sheet generated by combining
each character identified by the identification unit with each
character inputted via the input unit, together with the image
outputted from the output unit.
5. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim I,
wherein the input unit accepts manual input or sound input.
6. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim I,
wherein the display unit displays one serial number, all digits of
which are respectively character-identified by the identification
unit, separately from another serial number including a digit
position whose character therein cannot be identified.
7. A paper sheet handling machine comprising:
an imaging unit configured to take an image of a paper
sheet and generate a paper sheet image;
an identification unit configured to identify a character of
each digit position included in a serial number, from a serial
number region of the paper sheet image;
an output unit configured to output a region image
corresponding to the serial number region of the paper sheet
image, when there is a digit position whose character therein
cannot be identified by the identification unit; and
a memory unit configured to store therein the serial
number, all digits of which are respectively character-identified
by the identification unit, wherein
the memory unit stores therein each character identified
by the identification unit, with the region image being
associated with the character, when there is a position whose
character therein cannot be identified by the identification unit.
8. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 7,
wherein
the output unit extracts a part image corresponding to
each digit position whose character therein cannot be identified
by the identification unit, from the serial number region of the
paper sheet image, and outputs the part image; and
the memory unit stores therein the part image, with each
corresponding position whose character therein cannot be
identified by the identification unit being associated with the
part image.
9. The paper sheet handling machine according to claim 8,
further comprising a printing unit configured to print each serial
number that is character-identified by the identification unit,
wherein
when there is a digit position whose character therein
cannot be identified by the identification unit, the printing unit
prints the serial number with the part image being fitted in the
digit position.
10. A paper sheet handling machine comprising:
a reception unit configured to take in paper sheets
respectively put into the paper sheet handling machine, one by
one;
an imaging unit configured to take an image of each
paper sheet taken in by the reception unit and generate a paper
sheet image;
an identification unit configured to identify a character of
each digit position included in a serial number, from a serial
number region of the paper sheet image;
a first stacking unit and a second stacking unit, each
configured to stack therein the paper sheets respectively
character -identified, with respect to the serial number thereof,
by the identification unit;
a transport unit configured to transport the paper sheets
from the reception unit to the first and second stacking units;
a control unit configured to control the transport unit,
such that first paper sheets, all digits of each serial number of
which are respectively character-identified by the identification
unit, are transported to the first stacking unit, and such that
displaying each character identified by the identification
unit, together with the outputted image; and
, inputting the character corresponding to each digit
position whose character therein cannot be identified by the
identification unit.
14. A paper sheet handling method comprising:
taking an image of each paper sheet and generating a
paper sheet image, by using an imaging unit;
identifying a character of each digit position included in a
serial number, from a serial number region of the paper sheet
image, by using an identification unit;
extracting a region image corresponding to the serial
number region from the paper sheet image and outputting the
region image, when there is a digit position whose character
therein cannot be identified by the identification unit;
storing each serial number, all digits of which are
respectively character-identified by the identification unit, in a
memory unit; and
storing each character identified by the identification unit,
with the region image being associated with the character, in
the memory unit, when there is a digit position whose character
therein cannot be identified by the identification unit.
15. A paper sheet handling machine comprising:
an imaging unit configured to take an image and
generate a paper sheet image; . -
an identification unit configured to identify a character of
each digit position included in a serial number, from a serial
number region of the paper sheet image; and
a list generating unit configured to generate and output a
list of each serial number including a digit position whose
character therein cannot be identified by the identification unit.
Dated this 06 I06120 12