DESCRIPTION
PAPER-SHEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND
PAPER-SHEET MANAGEMENT METHOD
TECHNICAL FIELD
[ O O O l ]
The present invention relates to a paper-sheet
management system and a paper-sheet management method
10 configured to manage information about a banknote(s).
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
There has been conventionally known a paper-sheet
15 management system including an extraction unit configured to
extract a serial number (information including symbols and
numbers for uniquely specifying a banknote) printed on a
banknote, a memory unit storing a plurality of serial numbers
extracted by the extraction unit, and a searching unit configured
20 to search information stored in the memory unit by using a
predetermined serial number so as to search whether the serial
number is stored in the memory unit (see, for example,
W02010/016144). W02010/016144 discloses that a serial
number of each banknote is managed associated with image
25 data of the banknote, feature amount data thereof and so on.
[0003]
However, the paper-sheet management system disclosed
in W02010/016144 is installed in one financial facility such as a
bank or the like, and is used by the financial facility for
30 managing a banknote. Even when the banknote management
system is shared by a plurality of financial facilities, the
banknote management system is merely shared by financial
facilities of the same group, and is not used by financial
facilities of different groups for managing a banknote. Thus,
35 information about a serial number cannot be shared among
financial facilities of different groups.
[0004]
In general, information outputted by a banknote handling
machine differs depending on a kind of the banknote handling
machine. Namely, information outputted by a banknote
5 handling machine differs depending on a manufacturer, a
machine type and so on of the banknote handling machine. On
the other hand, a financial facility such as a bank, which is a
user, usually desires to manage information outputted from the
banknote handling machine in a format peculiar to the user or
10 peculiar to a region. However, the above-described
W02010/016144 does not mention at all an output in such a
format.
[0005]
In order to output information in a predetermined format
15 peculiar to a user or peculiar to a region, which is desired by a
user, it can be considered that information outputted from a
banknote handling machine is once outputted to an external
apparatus such as a personal computer, and that the external
apparatus then processes the information in accordance with a
20 predetermined format peculiar to a user or peculiar to a region,
and outputs the processed information. Alternatively, it can be
considered that, when the information is outputted from the
banknste handling machine, the information is processed in
accordance with a predetermined format peculiar to a user or
25 peculiar to a region, and is then outputted.
[0006]
However, in these aspects, since it is assumed that the
information is managed in a predetermined format peculiar to a
user or peculiar to a region, the (raw) information outputted
30 from the banknote handling machine cannot be used thereafter.
Namely, even in one of the aforementioned aspects in which the
information outputted from the banknote handling machine is
once outputted to the external apparatus such as a personal
computer, the information stored in the external apparatus is
35 deleted after a predetermined period. In addition, in the
aspect in which, when the banknote handling machine outputs
information, the information is processed in accordance with a
predetermined format peculiar to a user or peculiar to a region
and is then outputted, the outputted information is stored in the
banknote handling machine. However, a capacity of the
5 memory unit of the banknote handling machine is not so large
in the first place, so that the memory unit cannot store
information for a long period of time. Thus, even when there is
employed the aspect in which information is processed in
accordance with a predetermined format peculiar to a user or
10 peculiar to a region by the external apparatus or the banknote
handling machine and is then outputted, as described above,
there remains a problem in that the (raw) information obtained
by the banknote handling machine cannot be referred to
thereafter.
15 [0007]
Further, since information is managed in a predetermined
format peculiar to a user or peculiar to a region, there is a
problem in that it is difficult for users belonging to financial
facilities of different groups or users in different regions, for
20 example, to share information outputted from the banknote
handling machine. When a counterfeit banknote is searched
amount these users based on serial numbers outputted from the
banknste handling machines used by the respective users, there
is a problem in that it is necessary to analyze a format used by
25 another user so as to extract the serial numbers, which is
troublesome. In addition, since a required item of a format
differs depending on a user or on a region, there is a possibility
that an item that is essential for one user is not included in a
format of another user. In this case, the information stored in
30 the format cannot be used at all by the user.
[OOOS]
In addition, because of a predetermined format peculiar
to a user or peculiar to a region, software matching with each
predetermined format is needed. When such software is
35 installed in the external apparatus connected to the banknote
handling machine or in the banknote handling machine, an
operator has to visit each user so as to perform an installation
operation. Further, when contents of a predetermined format
are changed, an operator has to visit each user so as to update
the software installed in the external apparatus connected to
5 the banknote handling machine or in the banknote handling
machine, which is troublesome.
[0009]
In the aspect in which information outputted from the
banknote handling machine is processed and outputted by the
10 external apparatus connected to the banknote handling machine
in accordance with a format peculiar to a user or peculiar to a
region, since it is necessary for a user to prepare and manage
the external apparatus, the user has to bear additional
introduction cost and maintenance cost.
15
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[OOIO]
The present invention has been made in view of the
above circumstances. The object of the present invention is to
20 provide a paper-sheet management system and a paper-sheet
management method that are advantageous in the following
points. Namely, information obtained by a banknote handling
machine can be kept managed for a long period of time. Users
who manage banknotes in different formats can share
25 information. Setting and changing of a format can be easily
carried out. Information obtained by a banknote handling
machine can be supplied in a format desired by a user.
[OOl 11
The paper-sheet management system of the present
30 invention is a paper-sheet management system comprising:
a memory unit configured to store at least specific
information and a plurality of output formats, the specific
information being obtained when a banknote is handled by a
banknote handling machine, and having recognition information
35 including a serial number; and
a control unit configured to process the specific
information in accordance with any one of the output formats,
and to output the processed specific information.
[0012]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
5 invention, the specific information may have user information
about a user of the banknote handling machine.
[0013]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
invention,
10 the specific information may have transaction information
about a transaction performed by the banknote handling
machine.
[0014]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
15 invention,
the paper-sheet management system may be
communicably connected to a plurality of external systems via a
network;
at least one of the external systems may have the
20 banknote handling machine; and
the specific information may be inputted from the
banknote handling machine to the memory unit via the network.
[0015]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
25 invention,
each of the two or more external systems may include
the banknote handling machine; and
the specific information may be inputted from each of the
banknote handling machines to the memory unit via the
30 network.
[0016]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
invention,
the specific information may be inputted, in a
35 predetermined input format, from the banknote handling
machine to the memory unit.
[0017]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
invention,
the specific information may be inputted from a plurality
5 of banknote handling machines to the memory unit; and
the specific information may be inputted, in the same
predetermined input format, from each banknote handling
machine to the memory unit.
[0018]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
invention,
the specific information may be inputted, in an input
format peculiar to the banknote handling machine, from the
banknote handling machine to the memory unit.
15 [0019]
The paper-sheet management system of the present
invention may further comprise an external system
communicably connected via a network,
wherein:
20 the external system may have a management apparatus
communicably connected to the banknote handling machine;
and
the banknote handling machine may be configured to
output the serial number to the management apparatus.
[0020]
The paper-sheet management system of the present
invention may further comprise a first format creating unit
configured to create the output format,
wherein the memory unit may be configured to store the
30 output format created by the first format creating unit.
[0021]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
invention may further comprise an external system
communicably connected via a network,
3 5 wherein:
the external system may include a second format
creating unit configured to create the output format; and
the memory unit may be configured to store the output
format created by the second format creating unit.
100221
5 In the paper-sheet management system of the present
invention,
the output format may be designated from an external
system communicably connected via a network; and
the control unit may be configured to read out, from the
10 memory unit, an output format corresponding to the designated
output format, and to process the specific information in
accordance with the output format read out from the memory
unit and to output the processed specific information.
[0023]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
invention,
the memory unit may be configured to associate the
output format with an external system and to store the
associated output format; and
20 when output of information may be required from the
external system via a network, the specific information is
processed in accordance with the output format associated with
the external system, and the processed specific information is
outputted.
[0024]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
invention,
an object of the specific information outputted in the
output format may be designated from an external system
30 communicably connected via a network.
[0025]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
invention,
the paper-sheet management system may be
35 communicably connected to an external system via a network;
and
the specific information may be inputted from the
banknote handling machine to the memory unit, at any time.
100261
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
5 invention,
the paper-sheet management system may be
communicably connected to an external system via a network;
and
the specific information may be outputted to the external
10 system, when the external system requires it or periodically.
[0027]
In the paper-sheet management system of the present
invention,
the paper-sheet management system may be
15 communicably connected to an external system via a network;
the external system may be managed by a user of the
banknote handling machine; and
the paper-sheet management system may be managed
by a manager different from the user.
[0028]
The paper-sheet management method of the present
invention is storing a plurality of output formats in a memory
unit;
storing specific information that is obtained when a
25 banknote is handled by a banknote handling machine in the
memory unit, the specific information having recognition
information including a serial number; and
processing the specific information in accordance with
any one of the output formats and outputting the processed
30 specific information.
[0029]
According to the present invention, the memory unit
stores the specific information, which is obtained when a
banknote is handled by the banknote machine, and the plurality
35 of output formats. The specific information is processed in
accordance with any one of the output formats, and is then
outputted. Thus, the specific information obtained by the
banknote handling machine can be supplied to a user, in an
output format desired by the user.
[0030]
5 In addition, since the specific information is stored in the
memory unit as it is without being processed, the specific
information can be kept managed for a long period of time. I n
addition, since the specific information obtained by the
banknote handling machine is not processed, the specific
10 information can be shared among users managing banknotes in
different output formats. In addition, since the respective
output formats are stored in the memory unit, setting and
changing of an output format can be easily carried out.
[0031]
15 In the present invention, since the specific information
includes recognition information having a serial number, a
counterfeit banknote can be easily searched based on the serial
numbers outputted from the banknote handling machines used
by respective users.
20
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032]
Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a structure of a
paper-sheet management system according to an embodiment
25 of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing
an inside structure of a first banknote handling machine used in
the paper-sheet management system according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
3 0 Fig. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing
a recognition sensor of the first banknote handling machine
used in the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a schematic top plan view showing the
recognition sensor of the first banknote handling machine used
35 in the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a control block view showing a structure of the
first banknote handling machine used in the embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing
an inside structure of a second banknote handling machine used
5 in the paper-sheet management system according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a control block view showing a structure of the
second banknote handling machined used in the embodiment of
the present invention.
10 Fig. 8 is a table showing contents of specific information
used in the paper-sheet management system according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 is a table showing an example of an aspect in
which the specific information is processed in accordance with a
15 predetermined output format, in the embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 10 is a table showing another example of an aspect
in which the specific information is processed in accordance with
the predetermined output format, in the embodiment of the
20 present invention.
Fig. 11 is a table showing yet another example of an
aspect in which the specific information is processed in
accordance with the predetermined format, in the embodiment
of the present invention.
25 Fig. 12 is a table showing an example of a manner of
designating an object (scope) of information to be outputted, in
the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 13 is a control block view showing an aspect in which
a server side format is employed, in the embodiment of the
30 present invention.
Fig. 14 is a control block view showing an aspect in which
a finance side format is employed, in the embodiment of the
present invention.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0033]
Embodiment
< >
An embodiment of the paper-sheet management system
5 and a paper-sheet management method will be described
hereafter with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 14 are
views for explaining the embodiment of the present invention.
[0034]
A paper-sheet management system in this embodiment is
10 used for manage a paper sheet such as a banknote, a check, a
coupon, a form, a barcode and so on. The paper-sheet
management system in this embodiment is particularly used for
manage a "banknote".
[0035]
15 As shown in Fig. 1, the management side system 1 in this
embodiment is a management server 10 including a server
memory unit 30 (corresponding to "memory unit" recited in the
claims) configured to store various information, a server control
unit 20 (corresponding to "control unit" recited in the claims)
20 configured to process the information stored in the server
memory unit 30 and then to output the processed information.
In addition, the management side system 1 may be connected
via a network, such as an internet, to a plurality of finance side
systems 100, 200 and 300 (corresponding to "external system"
25 recited in the claims) configured to manage a paper sheet such
as a banknote in a financial facility such as a bank. The
paper-sheet management system recited in claims may include
only the management side system 1, or may include the
management side system 1 and one or more finance side
30 systems 100, 200 and 300.
[0036]
The finance side systems 100, 200 and 300 may be
embodied in various manners. An example of the finance side
system may be a system shown in Fig. 1 on the left side thereof.
35 In this embodiment, the finance side system is referred to as
"first finance side system 100". As shown in Fig. 1, the first
finance side system 100 includes a plurality of money handling
machines 140 and 150 configured to handle money, an
individual management apparatus 120 formed of, e.g., a
personal computer and connected to the money handling
5 machines 140 and 150, and a general management apparatus
110 formed of, e.g., a personal computer, and connected
directly to the respective money handling machines 140 and
150, or connected thereto through the individual management
apparatus 120. Each of the money handling machines 140 and
10 150, and the individual management apparatus 120 is
connected to a network 90 such as an internet through the
general management apparatus 110. In Fig. 1, although only
the money handling machines 140 and 150 are illustrated,
another money handling machine may be disposed as a matter
15 of course. In this embodiment, the "money" means a coin, a
banknote, or both a coin and a banknote.
[0037]
The money handling machines 140 and 150 used in the
first finance side system 100 include banknote handling
20 machines 400 and 500 each configured to handle a banknote.
The money handling machines 140 and 150 may include coin
handling machines (not shown) configured to handle a coin, in
addition to the banknote handling machines 400 and 500. The
banknote handling machines 400 and 500 used in this
25 embodiment may be embodied in various types. Thus, the
banknote handling machines 400 and 500 may be small-sized
banknote handling machines, middle-sized banknote handling
machines or large-sized banknote handling machines.
[0038]
As an example of a middle-sized banknote handling
machine, there is a first banknote handling machine 400. As
shown in Fig. 2, the first banknote handling machine 400
includes: a housing 401; a reception unit 411 disposed on the
housing 401 and configured to receive a plurality of banknotes;
35 a taking-in unit 410 configured to take in the stacked banknotes
received in the reception unit 411, one by one, from the
lowermost one; a transport unit 470 configured to transport the
respective banknotes having been taken into the housing 401
from the taking-in unit 410; and a recognition unit 450
configured to recognize and count the banknotes transported by
5 the transport unit 470. The first banknote handling machine
400 also includes a plurality of stackers 460a to 460d
configured to stack therein the banknotes having been
recognized by the recognition unit 450, and a plurality of reject
units 461a and 461b configured to reject a banknote that is not
10 stacked in any of the stackers 460a to 460d. The recognition
unit 450 in this embodiment is configured to recognize, for
example, a denomination, fitness, a facelback, a version, a
direction, an authenticity and so on of a banknote. A front
surface (front side in a paper sheet of Fig. 2) of each of the
15 aforementioned stackers 460a to 460d is opened, whereby an
operator can freely take out a banknote in the stackers 460a to
460d. Note that, although this embodiment is explained by
using a stacker unit having four stackers, the present invention
is not limited thereto. The stacker unit can be freely increased.
20 For example, when one more stacker unit having four stackers
is installed, the first banknote handling machine 400 including
the eight stackers can be provided. Alternatively, when two
more stacker units are installed, the first banknote handling
machine 400 including twelve stackers can be provided.
2 5 [0039]
The transport unit 470 is equipped with a plurality of
sensors 480 configured to detect a banknote transported in the
transport unit 470. In addition, the transport unit 470 includes
a plurality of diverter units 471 configured to divert banknotes
30 transported in the transport unit 470. The reception unit 411 is
equipped with a detection sensor 481 configured to detect
whether a banknote is placed in the reception unit 411 or not.
The stackers 460a do 460d are respectively equipped with
detection sensors 485 configured to detect existence of a
35 banknote in the stackers 460a to 460d.
[0040]
Although not shown, the first banknote handling machine
400 may include one or more banknote bundling unit(s). The
banknote bundling unit includes a plurality of stacking units for
5 banknotes to be bundled, which are configured to stack a
plurality of banknotes to be bundled having been transported by
the transport unit 470, and a bundling unit configured to bundle
the banknotes, which are stacked in the stacking units for
banknotes to be bundled, by means of a bundling strip, so as to
10 form a batch of banknotes.
[0041]
In addition, although not shown, the first banknote
handling machine 400 may include a banknote reversing unit
having a banknote reverser configured to reverse a banknote.
15 The banknote reverser is provide with a short-edge reverser
configured to reverse a face and a back of a banknote, when the
banknote is transported by the transport unit 470 in a short
edge direction, such that an orientation of the short edge
direction of the banknote being transported is reversed, and a
20 long edge reverser configured to reverse a face and a back of a
banknote being transported by the transport unit 470 such that
an orientation of a long edge direction of the banknote.
[0042]
As shown in Fig. 5, the aforementioned recognition unit
25 450 is provided with a recognition sensor 420 configured to
obtain information about a banknote transported by the
transport unit 470, and a recognition control unit 451 configured
to recognize, based on the information obtained by the
recognition sensor 420, a denomination, fitness, a face/back, a
30 version, a direction, an authenticity and so on of the banknote.
The first banknote handling machine 400 also includes a
memory unit 456 configured to store various information. In
addition to the recognition unit 450 and the memory unit 456,
the above-described taking-in unit 410, the transport unit 470,
35 the diverter units 471, the various sensors 480, 481 and 485,
etc. are communicably connected to an overall control unit 455.
[0043]
As shown in Fig. 1, the individual management apparatus
120 connected to the first banknote handling machine 400 is
provided with an input unit 121 through which an operator can
5 input predetermined information. Information inputted from
the input unit 121 is managed, together with information
acquired by the first banknote handling machine 400, by the
individual management apparatus 120. However, such
information may be stored in the memory unit 456 through the
10 overall control unit 455 (see Fig. 5) that controls the first
banknote handling machine 400 itself. Although not shown, the
banknote handling machine 400 itself may have an input unit,
whereby an operator can input predetermined information from
the input unit.
15 [0044]
Fig. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing
the recognition sensor 420 of the first banknote handling
machine 400 used in the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a top plan view
showing the recognition sensor 420. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4,
20 the aforementioned recognition sensor 420 includes an infrared
light sensor 422 configured to obtain information about a
banknote by using infrared light, a thickness detection sensor
424 configured to detect a thickness of the banknote, a
magnetic sensor 426 configured to obtain information about the
25 banknote by using magnetism, and a red light sensor 428
configured to obtain information about the banknote by using
red light. A timing sensor 421 configured to detect arrival of a
banknote is disposed on an upstream side of the infrared light
sensor 422, and a timing sensor 429 configured to detect arrival
30 of a banknote is disposed on a downstream side of the red light
sensor 428. In Figs. 3 and 4, an object that is indicated by the
reference character B is a banknote transported in the
recognition sensor 420. The two-dot chain line arrow depicts a
transport direction of the banknote B. The structure of the
35 recognition sensor 420 can be suitably changed depending on
information to be obtained, For example, in addition to the
infrared light sensor 422 or in place thereof, 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. In addition to the infrared light sensor
5 422 or in place thereof, an ultraviolet light sensor maybe
disposed in addition to the infrared light sensor 422. Further,
in addition to the red light sensor 428 or in place thereof, there
may be disposed a blue light sensor configured to obtain
information about a banknote. Furthermore, in addition to the
10 thickness detection sensor 424 and the magnetic sensor 426 or
in place thereof, there may be disposed a length sensor capable
of detecting an overall width perpendicular to the banknote
transport direction. Moreover, in addition to the above various
sensors, an ultrasonic sensor may be disposed.
15 [0045]
The recognition sensor 420 is capable of obtaining an
overall image of a face and a back of a banknote, or a partial
image (e.g., an image of a part including "serial number"). In
addition, the recognition control unit 451 has an OCR function
20 for recognizing a character from an image obtained by the
recognition sensor 420, and thus can recognize a serial number
of a banknote, for example.
[0046]
As an example of a small-sized banknote handling
25 machine, there is a second banknote handling machine
(so-called "banknote counting machine") 500. As shown in Fig.
6, the second banknote handling machine 500 includes: a
housing 501; a reception unit 511 disposed on the housing 501
and configured to receive a plurality of banknotes; a taking-in
30 unit 510 configured to take in the stacked banknotes received in
the reception unit 511, one by one, from the lowermost one; a
transport unit 570 configured to transport the respective
banknotes having been taken into the housing 501 from the
taking-in unit 510; and a recognition unit 550 configured to
35 recognize and count the banknotes transported by the transport
unit 570.
[0047]
The transport unit 570 is diverted, at a position on the
downstream side of the recognition unit 550, into two transport
paths. A stacking unit 560 is connected to the one transport
5 path, and a reject unit 561 is connected to the other transport
path. A banknote, which is recognized as a normal banknote
by the recognition unit 550, is sent to the stacking unit 560
from the transport unit 570. A front surface (right side of Fig.
6) of the stacking unit 560 is opened, whereby an operator can
10 freely take out a banknote in the stacking unit 560 through the
opening. The opening is provided with a shutter 562 capable of
being opened and closed. The shutter 562 can be slid by a
driving mechanism, not shown, such that the opening is closed
or opened.
15 [0048]
The transport unit 570 is equipped with a plurality of
sensors 580 configured to detect a banknote transported in the
transport unit 570. In addition, the transport unit 570 includes
a diverter unit 571 configured to divert banknotes transported
20 in the transport unit 570 into a banknote to be transported to
the stacking unit 560 and a banknote to be transported to the
reject unit 561. The reception unit 511 is equipped with a
detection sensor 581 configured to detect whether a banknote is
placed in the reception unit 511 or not. The reject unit 561 is
25 equipped with a detection sensor 585 configured to detect
existence of a banknote in the reject unit 561.
[0049]
As shown in Fig. 7, the recognition unit 550 of the second
banknote handling machine 500 also includes a recognition
30 sensor 520 configured to obtain information about a banknote
transported by the transport unit 570, and a recognition control
unit 551 configured to recognize, based on the information
obtained by the recognition sensor 520, a denomination, fitness,
a facelback, a version, a direction, an authenticity and so on of
35 a banknote. The second banknote handling machine 500 also
includes an overall control unit 555 configured to control the
second banknote handling machine 500 itself, a memory unit
556 configured to store various information, and an input unit
590 through which an operator inputs predetermined
information. Although not explained in detail, the recognition
5 sensor 520 of the second banknote handling machine 500 may
have the same structure as that of the recognition sensor 420 of
the first banknote handling machine 400. In this embodiment,
the recognition sensor 520 of the second banknote handling
machine 500 is assumed to have the same structure as the
10 recognition sensor 420 of the first banknote handling machine
400. In addition to the recognition unit 550, the memory unit
556 and the input unit 590, the above taking-in unit 510, the
transport unit 570, the diverter unit 571, the various sensors
580, 581 and 585 etc, are communicably connected to the
15 overall control unit 555.
[0050]
Returning to Fig. 1, a structure of the first finance side
system 100 is explained. In the first finance side system 100,
the individual management apparatus 120 formed of, e.g., a
20 personal computer is connected to the first money handling
machine 140 including the aforementioned first banknote
handling machine 400. The first banknote handling machine
400 is communicably connected through the individual
management apparatus 120 to the general management
25 apparatus 110 and the other money handling machine 150. On
the other hand, the second money handling machine 150
including the aforementioned second banknote handling
machine 500 is communicably connected directly to the general
management apparatus 110 and the individual management
30 apparatus 120.
[0051]
As an example of the finance side system different from
the above-described first finance side system 100, there is a
system shown in the center of Fig. 1. In this example, the
35 finance side system is referred to as second finance side system
200. As shown in Fig. 1, the second finance side system 200
includes a money handling machine 260 configured to handle
money, and a management apparatus 210 formed of, e.g., a
personal computer, and connected to the money handling
machine 260. The management apparatus 210 is connected
5 through a not-shown interface to the network 90 such as an
internet.
[0052]
The money handling machine 260 used in the second
finance side system 200 also includes a banknote handling
10 machine 600 configured to handle a banknote. The money
handling machine 260 may include a coin handling machine (not
shown) configured to handle a coin, in addition to the banknote
handling machine 600. The banknote handling machine 600
used in this embodiment may be embodied in various types.
15 Thus, the banknote handling machine 600 may be a small-sized
banknote handling machine, a middle-sized banknote handling
machine or a large-sized banknote handling machine. As an
example of a middle-sized banknote handling machine, there is
the aforementioned first banknote handling machine 400. As
20 an example of a small-sized banknote handling machine, there
is the aforementioned second banknote handling machine 500.
Namely, in one example, a banknote handling machine having
the same structure as that of the first banknote handling
machine 400 can be used as the banknote handling machine
25 600. In another example, a banknote handling machine having
the same structure as that of the second banknote handling
machine 500 can be used as the banknote handling machine
600.
[0053]
3 0 As an example of the finance side system different from
the above-described first finance side system 100 and the
second finance side system 200, there is a system shown in Fig.
1 on the right side. In this embodiment, the finance side
system is referred to as third finance side system 300. As
35 shown in Fig. 1, the third finance side system 300 includes a
management apparatus 310 formed of, e.g., a personal
computer. The management apparatus 300 is connected
through a not-shown interface to the network 90 such as an
internet. The third finance side system 300 does not have a
money handling machine configured to handle money. The
5 third finance side system 300 is a system that is used in a head
office or the like of a financial facility such as a bank.
[0054]
There is a case in which the money handling machines
140, 150 and 260 respectively including the banknote handling
10 machines 400, 500 and 600, which are used in respective
financial facilities such as banks, are not manufactured by the
same manufacturer, i.e., the money handling machines 140, 150
and 260 are manufactured by different manufactures (this is
actually possible). For example, the banknote handling
15 machines 400 and 500 used in the first finance side system 100
are products of a manufacturer A, and the banknote handling
machine 600 used in the second finance side system 200 may
be a product of the manufacturer A or a product of a
manufacturer B different from the manufacturer A. In the
20 latter case, attention should be paid.
[0055]
It is assumed that the management side system 1 in this
embodiment is communicably connected to a plurality of finance
side systems, in addition to the first finance side system 100,
25 the second finance side system 200 and the third finance side
system 300, which are clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. To be more
specific, the management side system 1 in this embodiment
includes the management server 10, and is communicably
connected, via the network 90 such as an internet, to the first
30 finance side system 100, the second finance side system 200,
the third finance side system 300, . - and N-th finance side
system (corresponding to "external system" recited in the
claims). The management server 10 is provided with a server
memory unit 30 configured to store various information, and a
35 server control unit 20 configured to control the management
server 10 itself.
[0056]
The first finance side system 100, the second finance side
system 200, the third finance side system 300, and N-th
finance side system are respectively managed by corresponding
5 financial facilities. That is to say, as to the first finance side
system 100, a user of the banknote handling machines 400 and
500 falls under the corresponding financial facility. As to the
second finance side system 200, a user of the banknote
handling machine 600 falls under the corresponding financial
10 facility. On the other hand, the management side system 1 is
managed by a manager (for example, information processing
service company) different from the financial facilities.
[0057]
The server memory unit 30 is configured to store, at
15 least, specific information obtained when a banknote is handled
by the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600, and a
plurality of output formats. The server control unit 20 is
configured to process the specific information in accordance
with any one of the output formats and to then output the
20 processed specific information. The specific information
includes recognition information having at least a serial number
(information including symbols and numbers for uniquely
specifying a banknote) (see Fig. 8).
[0058]
25 As shown in Fig. 1, the server control unit 20 of the
management server 10 is communicably connected through a
not-shown interface to the network 90 such as an internet. The
respective first finance side system 100, the second finance side
system 200, the third finance side system 300, and N-th
30 finance side system are communicably connected to the network
90. Thus, information obtained or managed by the respective
first finance side system 100, the second finance side system
200, the third finance side system 300, . and N-th finance
side system is transmitted from the first finance side system
35 100, the second finance side system 200, the third finance side
system 300, and N-th finance side system, to the server
memory unit 30 via the network 90 and the server control unit
20, so that the information can be stored in the server memory
unit 30. On the other hand, information stored in the server
memory unit 30 can be transmitted, through the server control
5 unit 20 and the network 90, to the respective first finance side
system 100, the second finance side system 200, the third
finance side system 300, ..+ and N-th finance side system.
[0059]
Regarding the handling machine 140 of the first finance
10 side system 100, the specific information obtained when a
banknote is handled by the first banknote handling machine 400
is transmitted from the first finance side system 100 to the
network 90 through the individual management apparatus 120
and the general management apparatus 110. The specific
15 information is then transmitted from the network 90 to the
server memory unit 30 of the management server 10 through
the server control unit 20 thereof, so that the specific
information is stored in the server memory unit 30. In addition,
regarding the second money handling machine 150 of the first
20 finance side system 100, the specific information obtained when
a banknote is handled by the second banknote handling
machine 500 is transmitted from the first finance side system
100 to the network 90 through the general management
apparatus 110. The specific information is then transmitted
25 from the network 90 to the server memory unit 30 of the
management server 10 through the server control unit 20
thereof, so that the specific information is stored in the server
memory unit 30. Further, regarding the money handling
machine 260 of the second finance side system 200, the specific
30 information obtained when a banknote is handled by the
banknote handling machine 600 is transmitted from the second
finance side system 200 to the network 90 through the
management apparatus 210. The specific information is then
transmitted from the network 90 to the server memory unit 30
35 of the management server 10 through the server control unit 20
thereof, so that the specific information is stored in the server
memory unit 30.
[0060]
In this embodiment, information obtained when money is
processed by each of the money handling machines 140, 150
5 and 260 of the finance side systems 100, 200 and 300, in
particular, the specific information obtained when a banknote is
handled by the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600,
can be transmitted to the management server 10 at any time or
periodically.
10 [0061]
Since information is obtained by a plurality of finance
side systems such as the first finance side system 100, the
second finance side system 200, the third finance side system
300, and N-th finance side system including the banknote
15 handling machines 400, 500 and 600, and each of the first
finance side system 100 and N-th finance side system may
include a plurality of banknote handling machines, specific
information to be transmitted to the management side system 1
is enormous. Thus, it is preferable that specific information
20 obtained when a banknote is handled by the first finance side
system 100, the second finance side system 200, the third
finance side system 300, and N-th finance side system is
transmitted to the management server 10 at any time, instead
of being transmitted thereto periodically.
25 [0062]
To be more specific, in the first finance side system 100,
the second finance side system 200, the third finance side
system 300, . and N-th finance side system respectively
including the banknote handling machine, this specific
30 information is generated each time when a banknote is handled
by the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600. This
specific information is preferably transmitted to the network 90
from the corresponding first finance side system 100, the
second finance side system 200, the third finance side system
35 300, ... and N-th finance side system as soon as the specific
information is generated. However, not limited to such an
aspect, it is possible to transmit the specific information to the
network 90 each time when an accept process of a banknote,
which has been processed by the banknote handling machines
400, 500 and 600, is carried out. The specific information
5 transmitted in this manner is transmitted from the network 90
to the server memory unit 30 of the management server 10
through the server control unit 20 thereof, so that the specific
information is inputted and stored in the server memory unit 30
as soon as the specific information is transmitted.
10 [0063]
In addition to the recognition information obtained when
a banknote is recognized by each of the recognition units 450
and 550, the specific information may include user information
about a user of the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and
15 600 and/or transaction information about a transaction
performed in the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600.
This embodiment is explained taking, by way of example, an
aspect in which the specific information includes, in addition to
the recognition information, the user information and the
20 transaction information (see Fig. 8). The user information and
the transaction information may be transmitted to the memory
units 456 and 556 from the input units 590 of the banknote
handling machines 400, 500 and 600 (including a not-shown
input unit of the banknote handling machine 400), or may be
25 inputted to the memory units 456 and 556 from the individual
management apparatus 120 connected to the banknote handling
machine 400, the management apparatus 210 connected to the
banknote handling machine 600 and so on. In addition, when
the user information and the transaction information are
30 inputted from the individual management apparatus 120, the
management apparatus 210 and so on, the individual
management apparatus 120, the user information and the
transaction information may be managed by the individual
management apparatus 120, the management apparatus 210
35 and so on. Although not shown in the drawings, when a
personal computer or the like is connected to the banknote
handling machine 500, the user information and the transaction
information may be inputted from this personal computer or the
like to the memory units 456 and 556.
[0064]
5 The recognition information, the user information and the
transaction information included in the specific information are
described hereafter.
[0065]

10 Recognition information is explained in the first place.
As shown in Fig. 8, the recognition information in this
embodiment includes a serial number, a banknote running
number which shows an order at which a banknote is handled in
one transaction, an image of a banknote (a face of the banknote
15 and a back of the banknote), a currency type, a denomination, a
version number or version, an authenticity, fitness, a transport
error factor, a fitness factor (fitness factor 1 to fitness factor N),
a sensor value (sensor value 1 to sensor value N) and so on.
[0066]
20 Basically, the specific information of all the banknotes
taken into the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600 is
transmitted from the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and
600 to the management server 10 via the network 90. Thus,
the specific information about a banknote that could not be
25 normally recognized by each of the recognition units 450 and
550 (banknote having recognition error) is transmitted from the
banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600 to the
management server 10. When a transport error occurs, the
specific information including a transport error factor is
30 transmitted from the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and
600 to the management server 10.
[0067]
When a denomination or the like cannot be recognized by
the recognition units 450 and 550 so that a recognition error is
35 outputted, the item (i.e., denomination or the like) is "blank" or
"unrecognizable". In addition, when a character in a serial
number cannot be read out because of a low reliability of OCR is
included as "?" in the specific information. When a serial
number cannot be read out at all, the item is included in the
specific information as "blank" or "unrecognizable".
5 [0068]
The specific information about a banknote recognized as
a transport error and/or a banknote recognized as a recognition
error may be deleted. This is because, in many banknote
handling machines, a banknote recognized as a transport error
10 or as a recognition error is rejected, and the banknote is
required to be again subjected to a recognition process or an
operator is required to manually input, whereby such
recognition information is often unnecessary. Deletion of such
specific information may be performed by the server control unit
15 20 of the management side system 1, and also may be
performed by the general management apparatus 110, the
individual management apparatus 120, the management
apparatuses 210 and 310 of the finance side systems 100, 200
and 300, or the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600
20 themselves. A timing of deleting such information is optional.
For example, the information may be deleted when a
transaction is accepted. When a currency type, a denomination
or the like cannot be recognized by each of the recognition unit
450 and 550, and the currency type and the denomination are
25 manually inputted by an operator from each of the input units
121 and 590, a flag is set. Information about this flag is
included in the specific information, whereby the information
about the flag can be differentiated from the information
recognized and obtained by the recognition units 450 and 550.
3 0 [0069]
An image of a banknote may include an overall image of
a face of the banknote and an overall image of a back of the
banknote. However, in place of such an overall image, a partial
image of the face of the banknote and a partial image of the
35 back of the banknote may be included. A partial image may be
obtained when a banknote image is obtained. Alternatively,
when a banknote image is obtained, an overall image may be
obtained, and the overall image may be processed to form a
partial image from the overall image.
[0070]
5 The aforementioned information about fitness may be
information including three stages of banknote, i.e., a banknote
that cannot be used as a banknote to be dispensed from a
service counter of a financial facility such as a bank (so-called
"UNFIT"), a banknote that cannot be used a banknote to be
10 dispensed from an ATM installed in a financial facility such as a
banknote but can be used as a banknote to be dispensed from a
service counter of a financial facility such as a bank (so-called
"Teller-FIT)" and a banknote that is judged as a fit banknote
when compared with strict threshold values for all the fitness
15 factors, and can be used as a banknote to be dispensed from an
ATM installed in a financial facility such as a bank (so-called
"ATM-FIT"). Alternatively, the information about fitness may be
information including more than three stages of banknote.
[0071]
2 0 The aforementioned transport error factor includes
information about "skewed state" meaning that a banknote is
transported askew, "overlapped state" meaning that banknotes
are transported overlappingly, and "chained state" meaning that
a plurality of banknotes are transported such that a
25 predetermined interval is not formed therebetween.
100721
As shown in Fig. 8, the fitness factor includes a plurality
of fitness factors, i.e., a fitness factor 1 to a fitness factor N.
These fitness factors 1 to N include information (information
30 about "OK" or "NG") about a shape, a size, a crack, a hole, a
stain, an abnormal portrait watermark, a fold, a wrinkle, a
scribble, existence of an adhesive tape and so on. Among the
fitness factor 1 to the fitness factor N, a cracking degree, a
stain degree, a wrinkle degree and so on may be classified into
35 a plurality of stages (e.g., 256 stages) and displayed.
As shown in Fig. 8, the sensor value includes a sensor
value 1 to a sensor value N. The sensor values may include
numerical values obtained by the respective sensors, to be more
5 specific, when the recognition sensor 420 or 520 has the
infrared light sensor 422, a numerical value obtained by the
infrared light sensor 422; when the recognition sensor 420 or
520 has the thickness detection sensor 424, a numerical value
obtained by the thickness detection sensor 424; when the
10 recognition sensor 420 or 520 has the magnetic sensor 426, a
numerical value obtained by the magnetic sensor 426; when the
recognition sensor 420 or 520 has the red light sensor 428, a
numerical value obtained by the red light sensor 428; when the
recognition sensor 420 or 520 has a line sensor using visible
15 light to use transmission and/or reflection of visible light, a
numerical value obtained by the line sensor; when the
recognition sensor 420 or 520 has an ultraviolet light sensor, a
numerical value obtained by the ultraviolet light sensor; when
the recognition sensor 420 or 520 has each have a blue light
20 sensor, a numerical value obtained by the blue light sensor;
when the recognition sensor 420 or 520 has a length sensor, a
numerical value obtained by the length sensor; and when the
recognition sensor 420 or 520 has an ultrasonic sensor, a
numerical value obtained by the ultrasonic sensor.
2 5 [0074]
In place of the numerical values obtained by the
respective sensors or in addition thereto, the sensor value 1 to
sensor value N may include numerical values (degrees) divided
into 256 stages (0 to 255) relating to the respective items such
30 as a crack, a stain, a thickness, a fold, a wrinkle and so on.
These numerical values are obtained by a measurement result
using transmission and/or reflection of infrared light, ultraviolet
light and visible light (red, green, blue), magnetism, a thickness,
an ultrasonic wave and so on. More specifically, based on one
35 or more data that are: when the recognition sensor 420 or 520
has the infrared light sensor 422, data obtained by the infrared
light sensor 422; when the recognition sensor 420 or 520 has
the thickness detection sensor 424, data obtained by the
thickness detection sensor 424; when the recognition sensor
420 or 520 has the magnetic sensor 426, data obtained by the
5 magnetic sensor 426; when the recognition sensor 420 or 520
has the red light sensor 428, data obtained by the red light
sensor 428; when the recognition sensor 420 or 520 has a line
sensor using visible light to use transmission and/or reflection
of visible light, data obtained by the line sensor; when the
10 recognition sensor 420 or 520 has an ultraviolet light sensor,
data obtained by the ultraviolet light sensor; when the
recognition sensor 420 or 520 has a blue light sensor, data
obtained by the blue light sensor; when the recognition sensor
420 or 520 has a length sensor, data obtained by the length
15 sensor; and when the recognition sensor 420 or 520 has an
ultrasonic sensor, data obtained by the ultrasonic sensor;
numerical values related to the respective items such as a crack,
a stain, a thickness, a fold, a wrinkle and so on are calculated
by the overall control units 455 and 555. The calculated results
20 divided into numerical values of 256 stages are stored in the
memory units 456 and 556, and are included in the sensor
value 1 to the sensor value N of the specific information. The
memory units 456 and 556 store predetermined threshold
values. Thus, the overall control units 455 and 555 compare
25 the threshold values of the respective items, which are stored in
the memory units 456 and 556, with the numerical values
divided into 256 stages so as to judge whether a banknote is an
"UNFIT" banknote, a "Teller-FIT" banknote or an "ATM-FIT"
banknote.
30 [0075]

Next, user information is explained. The user
information includes a financial facility ID such as a bank ID, an
I P address or an FTP account, a machine type of the banknote
35 handling machines 400, 500 and 600, a machine number of the
banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600, an operator ID
and so on (see Fig. 8).
[0076]
The financial facility ID, in particular, the bank ID
includes a bank number and a branch number, for example. In
5 addition to the bank number and the branch number,
information showing regions corresponding to prefectural and
city governments in Japan and provinces in China may be
included. It is preferable that the aforementioned I P address
and the FTP account corresponds to the general management
10 apparatus 110, the management apparatuses 210 and 310,
which are shown in Fig. 1, one for one, and correspond to the
respective financial facilities one for one.
[0077]
The machine type of the banknote handling machines 400,
15 500 and 600 includes a manufacturer ID of the banknote
handling machine and a type of the banknote handling machine.
The machine number of the banknote handling machines 400,
500 and 600 is a number, a symbol and so on that are set by a
manufacturer of the banknote handling machine for uniquely
20 specifying the manufactured banknote handling machine. The
operator ID is an ID of an operator who performs a process by
the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600. The
operator ID is inputted from, for example, an input unit (not
shown) of the banknote handling machine 400, the input unit
25 121 of the individual management apparatus 120, the input unit
590 of the banknote handling machine 500 and so on.
[0078]

Next, transaction information is explained. The
30 transaction information includes a transaction ID, a transaction
start date and time, a transaction end date and time and so on
(see Fig. 8). The transaction ID is an ID assigned to each
transaction. The transaction start date and time is a date and
time at which a lowermost banknote among stacked banknotes
35 received in the reception units 411 and 511 of the banknote
handling machines 400 and 500, is started to be taken in, for
example. The transaction end date and time is a date and time
at which all the stacked banknotes received in the reception
units 411 and 511 of the banknote handling machine 400 and
500 are taken into the machines, and an operator inputs a
5 command for accepting a transaction.
[0079]
As described above, in this embodiment, the specific
information includes the user information and the transaction
information, in addition to the recognition information. As
10 described above, the specific information is created each time
when a banknote is handled by the banknote handling machine
400, 500 and 600, and is transmitted at any time from each of
the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600 to the
network 90. The thus transmitted specific information is
15 transmitted from the network 90 to the server memory unit 30
of the management server 10 through the server control unit 20
thereof, so that the specific information is inputted and stored
at any time in the server memory unit 30.
[0080]
20 The specific information outputted from each of the
banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600 to be finally
stored in the server memory unit 30 may be created in an input
format peculiar to each of the banknote handling machines 400,
500 and 600, or may be created in the same predetermined
25 input format common to the respective banknote handling
machines 400, 500 and 600. Generally, information outputted
by the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600 differs
depending on kinds of the banknote handling machines 400,
500 and 600. Namely, the information outputted by the
30 banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600 differs
depending on manufacturers, machine types of the banknote
handling machines 400, 500 and 600 or the like. Thus, when
the specific information outputted from the each of the
banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600 is stored in the
35 server memory unit 30 in a current condition, the specific
information is stored in an input format peculiar to each of the
banknote handling machine 400, 500 and 600. However, there
is a possibility that the formats of the specific information
outputted from the respective banknote handling machines 400,
500 and 600 are unified in the future. When the formats of the
5 specific information outputted from the respective banknote
handling machines 400, 500 and 600 are unified, the specific
information outputted from each of the banknote handling
machine 400, 500 and 600 is stored, in the same predetermined
input format, in the server memory unit 30.
10 [0081]
A serial number outputted from the banknote handling
machine may be inputted to a personal computer or the like
installed in the finance side system. Information inputted from
the banknote handling machine to a personal computer or the
15 like installed in the finance side system is not limited to a serial
number, and information (part of information), which is desired
to be held by the finance side system, among the
aforementioned specific information may be included. This
point is explained referring to the aspect shown in Fig. 1. A
20 serial number may be inputted to the general management
apparatus 110 of the first finance side system 100 from each of
the first banknote handling machine 400 and the second
hanknote handling machine 500 which are communicably
connected to the general management apparatus 110.
25 Information inputted from each of the first banknote handling
machine 400 and the second banknote handling machine 500 is
not limited to a serial number, and information, which is desired
to be held by a financial facility managing the first finance side
system 100, among the aforementioned specific information
30 may be included. In addition, a serial number may be inputted
to the management apparatus 210 of the second finance side
system 200 from the banknote handling machine 600 which is
communicably connected to management apparatus 210.
Information inputted from the banknote handling machine 600
35 is not limited to a serial number, and information, which is
desired to be held by a financial facility managing the second
finance side system 200, among the aforementioned specific
information may be included. According to this aspect, it is
advantageous that each financial facility can manage
information desired to be held under its control. The general
5 management apparatus 110 of the first finance side system 100
corresponds to "management apparatus" recited in the claims.
[0082]
As described above, the server memory unit 30 stores a
plurality of output formats. Generally, a user, which is a
10 financial facility such as a bank, desires that information
outputted from the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and
600 in a format peculiar to the user or peculiar to a region.
Thus, each output format in this embodiment is a format
peculiar to a user or peculiar to a region.
15 [0083]
Fig. 9 shows an example of the output format. Namely,
a financial facility ID such as a bank ID is outputted as the user
information, a transaction ID is outputted as the transaction
information, a serial number, a currency type and a
20 denomination are outputted as the recognition information.
According to this output format, the financial facility can acquire
information about the number of banknotes and an amount
thereof for each transaction.
[0084]
25 Fig. 10 shows another example of the output format.
Namely, a financial facility ID such as a bank ID is outputted as
the user information, a transaction ID is outputted as the
transaction information, and a serial number, an overall image
of a face of a banknote or a partial image thereof, a currency
30 type, a denomination, a version number, fitness and a fitness
factor 1 to a fitness factor N are outputted as the recognition
information. According to this output format, the financial
facility can acquire information about the fitness of the
banknote.
3 5 [0085]
Fig. 11 shows yet another example of the output format.
Namely, a financial facility ID such as a bank ID, a machine type
of the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600, and a
machine number of the banknote handling machines 400, 500
and 600 are outputted as the user information, and a serial
5 number, a partial image showing the serial number of a
banknote, an overall image of a face and back of the banknote
or a partial image thereof, a currency type, a denomination, a
version number and fitness are outputted as the recognition
information. According to the output format, the financial
10 facility can acquire information for specifying the banknote
handling machine and information about recognition of the
serial number.
[0086]
In this embodiment, the information stored in the server
15 memory unit 30 can be transmitted to each of the first finance
side system 100, the second finance side system 200, the third
finance system 300 the N-th finance side system, through
the server control unit 20 and the network 90. Thus, the
specific information stored in the server memory unit 30 can be
20 transmitted, in any one of the plurality of output formats, to
each of the first finance side system 100, the second finance
side system 200, the third finance system 300 a . the N-th
finance side system.
[0087]
2 5 A timing at which the information, which is created by
processing the specific information stored in the server memory
unit 30 in accordance with a predetermined output format, is
transmitted to the first finance side system 100, the second
finance side system 200, the third finance system 300 ... the
30 N-th finance side system, may be a timing at which the first
finance side system 100, the second finance side system 200,
the third finance system 300 or the N-th finance side system
requires. However, not limited to the timing at which such a
request is transmitted, the information, which is created by
35 processing the specific information stored in the server memory
unit 30 in accordance with a predetermined output format, may
be transmitted to the first finance side system 100, the second
finance side system 200, the third finance system 300 the
N-th finance side system, periodically. For example, at a
certain period which is desired in advance by each financial
5 facility, the specific information may be processed in accordance
with a predetermined output format so as to be provided to the
financial facility. According to this aspect, each financial facility
can acquire the specific information in an output format desired
by itself, without giving any request, at a timing corresponding
10 to a confirmation operation and a checking operation that are
periodically carried out in each financial facility. Thus,
efficiency of the confirmation operation and the checking
operation can be improved.
[OOSS]
15 An example of a timing at which a financial facility
requires the management side system 1 to output information
processed in accordance with a predetermined output format is
as follows. As an example, the timing is at the time when the
financial facility obtains the user information, the transaction
20 information and/or the recognition information about the
banknote that is pointed out as a counterfeit banknote, when a
financial facility is informed of the fact that there is a
counterfeit banknote in banknotes provided by the financial
facility. As an another example, the timing is at the time when
25 a financial facility desires to obtain statistical data such as data
showing how may transactions were carried out during a
predetermined period of time, data showing that how many
banknotes of a certain denomination were used in a
predetermined period of time, and so on.
3 0 [0089]
As shown in Fig. 13, the management side system 1 may
include, in addition to the server control unit 20 and the server
control unit 30, a server side format creating unit 70
(corresponding to "first format creating unit" recited in the
35 claims) that is communicably connected to the server control
unit 20 and is configured to create an output format. In this
case, the server memory unit 30 may store an output format
created by the server side format creating unit 70.
[0090]
As shown in Fig. 14, in place of the aforementioned
5 server side format creating unit 70 or in addition to the server
side format creating unit 70, the finance side systems 100, 200
and 300 may respectively include finance side format creating
units 170, 270 and 370 (corresponding to "second format
creating unit" recited in the claims) configured to create an
10 output format. In the aspect shown in Fig. 14, the general
management apparatus 110 has the finance side format
creating unit 170, the management apparatus 210 has the
finance side format creating unit 270, and the management
apparatus 310 has the finance side format creating unit 370.
15 An output format created by the finance side format creating
unit 170 of the general management apparatus 110 is
transmitted from the first finance side system 100 to the
network 90. The output format is then transmitted from the
network 90 to the server memory unit 30 of the management
20 server 10 through the server control unit 20 thereof, so that the
output format is inputted to and stored in the server memory
unit 30. An output format created by the finance side format
creating unit 270 of the management apparatus 210 is
transmitted from the management apparatus 210 to the
25 network 90. The output format is then transmitted from the
network 90 to the server memory unit 30 of the management
server 10 through the server control unit 20 thereof, so that the
output format is inputted to and stored in the server memory
unit 30. An output format created by the finance side format
30 creating unit 370 of the management apparatus 310 is
transmitted from the management apparatus 310 to the
network 90. The output format is then transmitted from the
network 90 to the server memory unit 30 of the management
server 10 through the server control unit 20 thereof, so that the
35 output format is inputted to and stored in the server memory
unit 30.
[0091]
As described above, the output format outputted from
the management server 10 of the management side system 1 is
a format peculiar to a user or peculiar to a region. Thus, the
5 server control unit 20 of the management server 10 has to
select an optimum output format out of the plurality of output
formats stored in the server memory unit 30, in order to output
information in a suitable format desired by a financial facility
such as a bank.
10 [0092]
As one aspect for selecting an optimum output format
from the plurality of output formats stored in the server
memory unit 30, an output format is designated by the first
finance side system 100, the second finance side system 200,
15 the third finance side system 300 . the N-th finance side
system. This aspect is specifically explained. Firstly, an
output of information about specific information is required from
the first finance side system 100, the second finance side
system 200, the third finance side system 300 . the N-th
20 finance side system, to the server control unit 20 of the
management side system 1 via the network 90.
Simultaneously therewith, an output format for processing the
specific information is designated. When the server control
unit 20 receives the request and the output format from the
25 finance side system, the server control unit 20 reads out from
the server memory unit 30 an output format corresponding to
the designated format, more specifically, an output format
conforming to or most similar to the designated output format.
Then, the server control unit 20 processes the specific
30 information in accordance with the output format read out from
the server memory unit 30, and then outputs the processed
specific information. The information outputted from the server
control unit 20 is transmitted via the network 90 to the finance
side system which required the output. As a result, the finance
35 side system can acquire the information in the output format
required by itself.
[0093]
As another aspect, there may be an aspect in which the
server memory unit 30 stores output formats associated with
each of the finance side systems. When output of information
5 about specific information is required from the first finance side
system 100, the second finance side system 200, the third
finance side system 300 ... the N-th finance side system, to
the management side system 1 via the network 90, the specific
information is processed in accordance with an output format
10 associated with the finance side system and is then outputted.
This aspect is specifically explained. Firstly, an output of
information about specific information is required from the first
finance side system 100, the second finance side system 200,
the third finance side system 300 the N-th finance side
15 system, to the server control unit 20 of the management side
system 1 via the network 90. When the server control unit 20
receives the request from the first finance side system 100, the
second finance side system 200, the third finance side system
300 the N-th finance side system, the server control unit 20
20 reads out from the server memory unit 30 an output format
associated with the finance side system. Then, the server
control unit 20 processes the specific information in accordance
with the output format read out from the server memory unit 30,
and then outputs the processed specific information. The
25 information outputted from the server control unit 20 is
transmitted via the network 90 to the finance side system which
requested the output. As a result, the finance side system can
acquire the information in the output format required by itself.
[0094]
30 In this embodiment, before the information is outputted
from the management side system 1 to the first finance side
system 100, the second finance side system 200, the third
finance side system 300 the N-th finance side system, an
object of information, i.e., a range of information to be
35 outputted from the first finance side system 100, the second
finance side system 200, the third finance side system 300 ...
the N-th finance side system is designated. As an example of
this aspect, when an output of information about specific
information is required to the management side system 1 via
the network 90 from the first finance side system 100, the
5 second finance side system 200, the third finance side system
300 the N-th finance side system, an object of the specific
information to be outputted in a required output format, i.e., a
range of the specific information to be outputted in a required
output format is also designated by the first finance side system
10 100, the second finance side system 200, the third finance side
system 300 ... the N-th finance side system.
[0095]
As a concrete example when an o (range) is designated,
as shown in Fig. 12, "our bank" is designated as a bank ID of
15 the user information, "banknote handling machine A" is
designated as a machine type of the user information, "Machine
No. 1234" is designated as a machine number of the user
information, "July 1, 2013" is designated as a start day of a
period of the transaction information and "July 31, 2013" is
20 designated as an end day. The objects (range) are designated
in the manner as describe above, and an outputting of
information about specific information is required for the
management side system 1 from the first finance side system
100, the second finance side system 200, the third finance side
25 system 300 ... the N-th finance side system. Then, the server
control unit 20 processes the specific information about
"Machine No. 1234" of the "banknote handling machine A" of
the banknote requiring the information output, which was
obtained from "July 1, 2013" to "July 31, 2013", in accordance
30 with the output format desired by the bank, and then outputs
the processed specific information. The information outputted
from the server control unit 20 is transmitted to the bank that
required the output via the network 90, which was obtained
from "July 1, 2013" to "July 31, 2013", in the output format
35 desired by the bank.
[0096]
<>
In order to manage a paper sheet in the paper-sheet
management system in this embodiment, the following steps
5 are needed.
[0097]
Firstly, it is necessary to store a plurality of output
formats in the server memory unit 30 (see Figs. 9 to 11). More
specifically, a plurality of output formats corresponding to
10 respective financial facilities are prepared by creating output
formats desired by means of the respective financial facilities by
the server side format creating unit 70 (see Fig. 13), and by
creating output formats desired by the respective financial
facilities by means of the finance side format creating units 170,
15 270 and 370 (see Fig. 14). Then, the plurality of output
formats can be stored in the server memory unit 30.
[0098]
In addition, it is necessary to store in the server memory
unit 30 specific information (see Fig. 8) obtained when a
20 banknote is handled by the banknote handling machines 400,
500 and 600. To be more specific, the specific information
obtained when a banknote is handled by the banknote handling
machines 400, 500 and 600 is transmitted from the finance side
systems 100, 200 and 300 to the server 10 via the network 90
25 at any time or periodically. Thus, the specific information
obtained when a banknote is handled by each of the banknote
handling machines 400, 500 and 600 can be stored in the server
memory unit 30 of the management server 10. The specific
information outputted from each of the banknote handling
30 machines 400, 500 and 600 so as to be finally stored in the
server memory unit 30 may be created in an input format
peculiar to each of the banknote handling machines 400, 500
and 600, or may be created in the same predetermined input
format common to each of the banknote handling machines 400,
35 500 and 600.
Then, it is necessary to process the specific information
in accordance with any one of a plurality of output formats and
then to output the processed specific information. More
5 specifically, the specific information stored in the server
memory unit 30 is processed in accordance with an output
format designated by each of the finance side systems 100, 200
and 300 or an output format associated with each of the finance
side systems 100, 200 and 300, and the processed specific
10 information is transmitted via the network 90 to each of the
finance side systems 100, 200 and 300 that required the output
of the information. When the information is outputted from the
management side system 1 to each of the finance side systems
100, 200 and 300, an object of the information to be outputted,
15 i.e., a range of the information to be outputted is designated by
each of the finance side systems 100, 200 and 300 (see Fig. 12).
Then, the management side system 1 processes the information
belonging to the object (range) designated by the financial
facility in accordance with the output format desired by the
20 financial facility, and then transmits the processed information
via the network 90 to the finance side systems 100, 200 and
300 managed by the financial facility.
[OlOO]
< >
25 Next, an effect that is not mentioned yet or a particularly
important effect, which is achieved by the embodiment as
structured above, is explained.
[ O l O i ]
According to this embodiment, the specific information
30 (see Fig. 8) and the plurality of output formats (see Figs. 9 to
11) are stored in the server memory unit 30. The server
control unit 20 is configured to process the specific information
in accordance with any one of the output formats and to output
the processed specific information. Thus, the specific
35 information obtained by the banknote handling machines 400,
500 and 600 can be processed in accordance with an output
format desired by a user, and then the processed specific
information can be provided to the user.
[0102]
In addition, since the specific information is stored in the
5 server memory unit 30 as it is without being processed, the
specific information can be kept managed for a long period of
time. This point is explained. In a case where there is
employed an aspect in which the specific information is
processed by each financial facility in accordance with a
10 predetermined format and stored therein, since the specific
information is stored in a processed condition, the (raw) specific
information (see Fig. 8) outputted from the banknote handling
machine cannot be utilized thereafter. On the other hand, in
this embodiment, the specific information obtained by the
15 banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600 is stored in the
server memory unit 30 without being processed at all. Thus,
the specific information obtained by the banknote handling
machines 400, 500 and 600 can be kept managed for a long
period of time, whereby the (raw) specific information outputted
20 from the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600 can be
utilized thereafter.
[0103]
In addition, in this embodiment, as described above,
since the specific information obtained by the banknote handling
25 machines 400, 500 and 600 is not processed, the specific
information (Fig. 8) can be shared among users who manage
banknotes in different output formats. In a case where there is
employed an aspect in which the specific information is
processed by each financial facility in accordance with a
30 predetermined format and stored therein, since the specific
information is stored in a processed condition, it is difficult for
users belonging to financial facilities of different groups or users
in different regions, for example, to share the information
outputted from the banknote handling machine. For example,
35 when a counterfeit banknote is searched among these users
based on serial numbers outputted from the banknote handling
machines used by the respective users, there is a problem in
that it is necessary to analyze a format used by another user so
as to extract the serial number, which is troublesome. In
addition, since required items in a format differ depending on a
5 user or a region, there is a possibility that an item essential to a
certain user is not included in a format of another user. In this
case, information stored in the format cannot be utilized at all
to the other user. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the
specific information outputted by the banknote handling
10 machine 400, 500 and 600 is stored in the server memory unit
30 without being substantially processed. Thus, by using the
specific information, the specific information can be shared
among users who manage banknotes in different output formats.
Thus, it is easy to search a counterfeit banknote based on serial
15 numbers outputted from the banknote handling machines 400,
500 and 600 used by the respective users.
[0104]
In addition, since the respective output formats are
stored in the server memory unit 30, setting and changing of an
20 output format can be easily carried out. Software
corresponding to each predetermined format is needed. In a
cash where there is employed an aspect in which he specific
information is processed by each financial facility in accordance
with a predetermined format and stored therein, when the
25 software is installed in an external apparatus such as a personal
computer connected to the banknote handling machine or in the
banknote handling machine, an operator has to visit each user
so as to perform an installation operation. Further, when
contents of a predetermined format are changed, an operator
30 has to visit each user so as to update the software installed in
the external apparatus connected to the banknote handling
machine or in the banknote handling machine, which is
troublesome. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the
respective output format is stored in the server memory unit 30.
35 Thus, an installing operation can be completed only by causing
the output formats in the server memory unit 30 of the
management side system 1, without an operator visiting a user.
In addition, when contents of an output format are changed,
setting and changing of the output formats can be easily carried
out only by updating the output formats stored in the server
5 memory unit 30. When the management side system 1 is
managed by one manager, setting and changing of all the
output formats can be carried out by only the manager. Thus,
the setting and changing operations can be greatly facilitated.
[0105]
10 In addition, since the management side system 1 in this
embodiment is managed by a manager (e.g., information
processing service company) different from a financial facility as
a user, the user does not need to bear any additional
introduction cost and a maintenance cost.
15 [0106]
In addition, the specific information includes the user
information about a user of the banknote handling machines
400, 500 and 600. Thus, each financial facility can acquire
information in accordance with an output format having the user
20 information, and can narrow an object (range) of the specific
information based on the user information. To be more specific,
since the user information in this embodiment includes a
financial facility ID such as a bank ID, an I P address or an FTP
account, a machine type of the banknote handling machines 400,
25 500 and 600, a machine number of the banknote handling
machines 400, 500 and 600, and an operator ID (see Fig. 8), it
is possible to create an output format in which these items are
suitably combined with each other, and to narrow an object
(range) of the specific information to be outputted from the
30 management side system 1 by using these items.
[0107]
In addition, the specific information in this embodiment
includes the transaction information about a transaction
performed by the banknote handling machines 400, 500 and
35 600. Thus, each financial facility can acquire information in
accordance with an output format having the transaction
information, and can narrow an object (range) of the specific
information based on the transaction information. To be more
specific, since the transaction information in this embodiment
includes a transaction ID, a transaction start date and time, a
5 transaction end date and time (see Fig. 8), it is possible to
create an output format in which these items are suitably
combined with each other, and to narrow an object (range) of
the specific information to be outputted from the management
side system I by using these items.
10 [0108]
In addition, the specific information in this embodiment
includes the recognition information including a serial number.
Thus it is easy to search a counterfeit banknote based on serial
numbers outputted from the banknote handling machines 400,
15 500 and 600 used by respective users. Namely, according to
this embodiment, a serial number can be easily extracted, not
only among the same financial facility and financial facilities of
the same group, but also among financial facilities of different
groups and financial facilities in different regions. Thus, it is
20 easy to search a counterfeit banknote irrespective of the groups
users belong and the regions users exist.
[0109]
In addition to a serial number, the aforementioned
recognition unit includes a banknote running number which
25 shows an order at which a banknote is handled in one
transaction, an image of a banknote, a currency type, a
denomination, a version number or version, an authenticity,
fitness, a transport error factor, a fitness factor (fitness factor 1
to fitness factor N), a sensor value and so on (see Fig. 8).
30 Thus, it is possible to create an output format in which these
items are suitably combined with each other, and to narrow an
object (range) of the specific information to be outputted from
the management side system 1 by using these items.
[OllO]
In addition, in this embodiment, a plurality of finance
side systems, i.e., the first finance side system 100, the second
finance side system 200, the third finance side system 300
the N-th finance system are communicably connected to the
management side system 1 via the network 90. Each of the
plurality of finance side systems (in the aspect shown in Fig. 1,
5 the first finance side system 100 and the second finance side
system 200) includes the banknote handling machines 400, 500
and 600. Thus, the management server 10 can obtain the
specific information from each of the plurality of banknote
handling machines 400, 500 and 600 included in the plurality of
10 finance side systems 100 and 200 connected to the
management side system 1 via the network 90, and the server
memory unit 30 can obtain and manage in an integrated fashion
the specific information obtained by the banknote handling
machines of a number of financial facilities. There is a
15 possibility that banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600
used in the respective financial facilities are manufactured by
not the same manufacturer but by various manufacturers.
Thus, it should be noted that it is assumed that the specific
information obtained from the banknote handling machines 400,
20 500 and 600 of various manufacturers can be obtained and
managed in an integrated fashion by the management side
system 1.
[ Q l l l ]
In addition, in this embodiment, the (raw) specific
25 information outputted from the banknote handling machines
400, 500 and 600 is stored in the server memory unit 30, and
the specific information is processed in an optimum output
format if necessary. Thus, even when the specific information
outputted from each of the banknote handling machines 400,
30 500 and 600 is in a format peculiar to each of the banknote
handling machines 400, 500 and 600, as in the current
condition, the specific information can be stored in the server
memory unit 30 in the input format peculiar to each of the
banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600, without
35 processing the format at all. I f the formats of the specific
information outputted from the respective banknote handling
machines 400, 500 and 600 are unified so that the specific
information can be inputted in the same predetermined input
format to the server memory unit 30 from the respective
banknote handling machines 400, 500 and 600, it is
5 advantageous in that such as management and search of the
specific information by the server memory unit 30 is facilitated.
[0112]
As shown in Fig. 13, when the management side system
I includes the server side format creating unit 70 configured to
10 create an output format, in addition to the server control unit
20 and the server memory unit 30, an output format can be
suitably created in the management side system 1. Thus, a
manager of the management side system 1 can supply, as a
business service, creation of an output format desired by a user,
15 e.g., a financial facility or the like.
[0113]
As shown in Fig. 14, when the finance side systems 100,
200 and 300 include the finance side format creating units 170,
270 and 370 configured to create an output format, it is
20 advantageous in that a user such as a financial facility can
create an output format desired itself at any time, and that an
output format just fitting detailed desire can be created.
[0114]
When there is employed an aspect in which an output
25 format is designated by the finance side systems 100, 200 and
300, since information can be outputted in an output format
conforming to the desire of each financial facility or most similar
to the desire, it is possible to respond a need about an output
format of the finance side systems 100, 200 and 300, which can
30 be changed depending on conditions.
[0115]
In an output of information about the specific information
is required from the finance side systems 100, 200 and 300 to
the management side system 1, the specific information can be
35 processed in accordance with an output format associated with
the finance side systems 100, 200 and 300 and is then
outputted. In this case, it is not necessary for a user such as a
financial facility to designate an output format, which omits
labor of the user. In addition, even if a person in charge of a
user does not know in detail an output format required by the
5 user, the user can reliably acquire information in accordance
with the output format required by the user.
[0116]
The server memory unit 30 may store an output format
associated with an intension of use, in addition to the finance
10 side systems 100, 200 and 300. In this case, when each of the
finance side systems 100, 200 and 300 requires to output
information about the specific information to the management
side system 1, an intension of use can be designated. In this
case, the management side system 1 can process the specific
15 information in accordance with an output format meeting the
intension of user of the finance side systems 100, 200 and 300
and then output the processed specific information. In this
case, it is advantageous that a user such as a financial facility
can acquire information in an output format meeting an
20 intension of use.
[0117]
In this embodiment, before the information is outputted
from the management side system 1 to the finance side system
100, 200 and 300, an object of information to be outputted, i.e.,
25 a range of information to be outputted can be designated (see
Fig. 12). Thus, a user such as a financial facility can suitably
obtain only information of needed object (range) corresponding
to its aim.
[0118]
30 The above-described embodiment and the
disclosure of the drawings are nothing more than an example
for explaining 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
35 drawings.
[0119]
Management side system
Management server
Server control unit
Server memory unit
Network
First finance side system
General management apparatus
Individual management apparatus
Input unit
First money handling machine
Second money handling machine
Second finance side system
Management apparatus
Money handling machine
Third finance side system
Management apparatus
First banknote handling machine
Recognition sensor
Recognition unit
Second banknote handling machine
Recognition sensor
Recognition unit
Input unit
Banknote handling machine
CLAIMS
1. A paper-sheet management system comprising:
a memory unit configured to store at least specific
information and a plurality of output formats, the specific
information being obtained when a banknote is handled by a
banknote handling machine, and having recognition information
including a serial number; and
a control unit configured to process the specific
information in accordance with any one of the output formats,
and to output the processed specific information.
2. The paper-sheet management system according to claim
1, wherein
the specific information has user information about a user
of the banknote handling machine.
3. The paper-sheet management system according to claim
1 or 2, wherein
the specific information has transaction information about
a transaction performed by the banknote handling machine.
4. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:
the paper-sheet management system is communicably
connected to a plurality of external systems via a network;
at least one of the external systems has the banknote
handling machine; and
the specific information is inputted from the banknote
handling machine to the memory unit via the network.
5. The paper-sheet management system according to claim
4, wherein:
each of the two or more external systems includes the
banknote handling machine; and
the specific information is inputted from each of the
banknote handling machines to the memory unit via the
network.
6. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the specific information is inputted, in a predetermined
input format, from the banknote handling machine to the
memory unit.
7. The paper-sheet management system according to claim
6, wherein
the specific information is inputted from a plurality of
banknote handling machines to the memory unit; and
the specific information is inputted, in the same
predetermined input format, from each banknote handling
machine to the memory unit.
8. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the specific information is inputted, in an input format
peculiar to the banknote handling machine, from the banknote
handling machine to the memory unit.
9. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an external system
communicably connected via a network,
wherein:
the external system has a management apparatus
communicably connected to the banknote handling machine;
and
the banknote handling machine is configured to output
the serial number to the management apparatus.
10. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a first format creating
unit configured to create the output format,
wherein the memory unit is configured to store the
output format created by the first format creating unit.
11. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an external system
communicably connected via a network,
wherein:
the external system includes a second format creating
unit configured to create the output format; and
the memory unit is configured to store the output format
created by the second format creating unit.
12. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 11, wherein:
the output format is designated from an external system
communicably connected via a network; and
the control unit is configured to read out, from the
memory unit, an output format corresponding to the designated
output format, and to process the specific information in
accordance with the output format read out from the memory
unit and to output the processed specific information.
13. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 12, wherein:
the memory unit is configured to associate the output
format with an external system and to store the associated
output format; and
when output of information is required from the external
system via a network, the specific information is processed in
accordance with the output format associated with the external
system, and the processed specific information is outputted.
14. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 13, wherein
an object of the specific information outputted in the
output format is designated from an external system
communicably connected via a network.
15. The paper-sheet management system according to any of
claims 1 to 14, wherein:
the paper-sheet management system is communicably
connected to an external system via a network; and
the specific information is inputted from the banknote
handling machine to the memory unit, at any time.
16. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 15, wherein:
the paper-sheet management system is communicably
connected to an external system via a network; and
the specific information is outputted to the external
system, when the external system requires it or periodically.
17. The paper-sheet management system according to any
one of claims 1 to 16, wherein:
the paper-sheet management system is communicably
connected to an external system via a networlc;
the external system is managed by a user of the
banknote handling machine; and
the paper-sheet management system is managed by a
manager different from the user.
18. A paper-sheet .management method comprising:
storing a plurality of output formats in a memory unit;
storing specific information that is obtained when a
banknote is handled' by a banknote handling machine in the
memory unit, the specific information having recognition
information including a serial number; and
processing the specific information in accordance with
any one of the oytput formats and outputting the processed
specific information.