DESCRIPTION
PAPER-SHEET MANAGING APPARATUS, PAPER-SHEET HANDLING
SYSTEM AND PAPER-SHEET MANAGING METHOD
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present invention relates to a paper-sheet managing
apparatus configured to manage paper sheets, a paper-sheet
10 handling system including the paper-sheet managing apparatus,
and a paper-sheet managing method.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
15 Conventionally, it has been known that a banknote
managing apparatus includes a managing part configured to
manage: at least one of process-operator information and
banknote-counter information, and process-history information
including a serial number (for example, WO 2013/176173: Prior
20 patent document). According to this banknote managing
apparatus, it is envisaged that each serial number (a kind of
recognition information of a paper' sheet) of all the banknotes
counted by a banknote counter is managed.
[0003]
25 There is one prior patent document, which is WO
2013/176173.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004]
30 However, for example, at a bank counter, banknotes to be
deposited and/or dispensed are counted twice or more in order
to prevent any miscalculation. In addition, if there is a paper
sheet whose recognition information could not be obtained, a
plurality of paper sheets including the paper sheet (for example,
35 banknotes for one transaction) is processed (recognized) again
by a paper-sheet handffng apparatus. In these cases, the
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2
recognition information of the same paper sheets may be
recognized plural times, and overlapped data regarding the
recognition information of the paper sheets may be stored and
managed.
5 [0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the
above circumstances. The object of the present invention is to
provide a paper-sheet managing apparatus, a paper-sheet
handling system and a paper-sheet managing method, in which
10 it can be prevented that overlapped data regarding the
recognition information of the paper sheets be stored and
managed.
[0006]
A paper-sheet managing apparatus according to the
15 present invention includes: a storing unit configured to store
recognition information regarding a plurality of paper sheets,
the recognition information being obtained by a paper-sheet
handling apparatus; and a control unit configured to leave at
least one piece of recognition information judged as overlapped
20 information among the recognition information stored in the
storing unit and to delete the other recognition information
judged as the overlapped information from the storing unit.
[0007]
In the paper-sheet managing apparatus according to the
25 present invention, the control unit may be configured to leave at
least one piece of recognition information judged as overlapped
information among recognition information regarding a plurality
of paper sheets included in one transaction and to delete the
other recognition information judged as the overlapped
30 information from the storing unit.
[0008]
In the paper-sheet managing apparatus according to the
present invention, the control unit may be configured to leave at
least one piece of recognition information judged as overlapped
35 information among recognition information regarding a plurality
of paper sheets included in a plurality of transactions and to
3
delete the other recognition information judged as the
overlapped information from the storing unit.
[0009]
In the paper-sheet managing apparatus according to the
5 present invention, the control unit may be capable of searching
the recognition information stored in the storing unit for a
target paper sheet in a fuzzy manner.
[0010]
In the paper-sheet managing apparatus according to the
10 present invention, when the control unit conducts a fuzzy search,
the storing unit may be configured to store each of two or more
pieces of candidate recognition information of a target paper
sheet obtained by the fuzzy search.
[0011]
15 In the paper-sheet managing apparatus according to the
present invention, the paper sheet may be a banknote, and the
control unit may be configured to leave at least one piece of
recognition information judged as overlapped information
among the recognition information stored in the storing unit,
20 regarding the same denomination, and to delete the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped information
from the storing unit.
[0012]
A paper-sheet handling system according to the present
25 invention includes: a paper-sheet managing apparatus as
described above; and a paper-sheet handling apparatus
communicable with the paper-sheet managing apparatus.
[0013]
In the paper-sheet handling system according to the
30 present invention, confirmation of a transaction in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus may be permitted: if an
inputted amount of money to be dispensed and an amount of
money to be dispensed based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus coincide with each other, or if
35 an inputted number of paper sheets to be dispensed and a
number based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
4
apparatus coincide with each other, or if an inputted amount of
money to be deposited and an amount of money to be deposited
based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
coincide with each other, or if an inputted number of paper
5 sheets to be deposited and a number based on a count result by
the paper-sheet handling apparatus coincide with each other.
[0014]
The paper-sheet handling system according to the
present invention may further include a warning unit configured
10 to notify of information to advise recounting: when an inputted
amount of money to be dispensed and an amount of money to
be dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus do not coincide with each other, or when an
inputted number of paper sheets to be dispensed and a number
15 based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
do not coincide with each other, or when an inputted amount of
money to be deposited and an amount of money to be deposited
based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
do not coincide with each other, or when an inputted number of
20 paper sheets to be deposited and a number based on a count
result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus do not coincide
with each other.
[0015]
In the paper-sheet handling system according to the
25 present invention, the warning unit may be configured to notify
of the information to advise recounting: when the amount of
money to be dispensed based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus is smaller than the inputted
amount of money to be dispensed, or when the number based
30 on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus is
smaller than the inputted number of paper sheets to be
dispensed, or when the amount of money to be deposited based
on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus is
smaller than the inputted amount of money to be deposited, or
35 when the number based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus is smaller than the inputted number of
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paper sheets to be deposited.
[0016]
5
In the paper-sheet handling system according to the
present invention, the amount of money to be dispensed based
5 on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus may be
an amount of money to be dispensed calculated after leaving at
least one piece of the recognition information judged as the
overlapped information among the recognition information
stored in the storing unit and deleting the other recognition
10 information judged as the overlapped information from the
storing unit; the amount of money to be deposited based on a
count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus may be an
amount of money to be deposited calculated after leaving at
least one piece of the recognition information judged as the
15 overlapped information among the recognition information
stored in the storing unit and deleting the other recognition
information judged as the overlapped information from the
storing unit; and the number based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus may be a number calculated
20 after leaving at least one piece of the recognition information
judged as the overlapped information among the recognition
information stored in the storing unit and deleting the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped. information
from the storing unit.
25 [0017]
In the paper-sheet handling system according to the
present invention, the control unit may be configured to leave at
least one piece of recognition information judged as overlapped
information among recognition information regarding a plurality
30 of paper sheets included in one transaction and to delete the
other recognition information judged as the overlapped
information from the storing unit: when the amount of money to
be dispensed based on an actual count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus is larger than the inputted
35 amount of money to be dispensed; or when the number based
on an actual count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
i 6
is larger than the inputted number of paper sheets to be
dispensed; or when the amount of money to be deposited based
on an actual count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
is larger than the inputted amount of money to be deposited; or
5 when the number based on an actual count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus is larger than the inputted
number of paper sheets to be deposited.
[0018]
In the paper-sheet handling system according to the
10 present invention, the confirmation of a transaction in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus may not be permitted: if a
predetermined percentage or more of the recognition
information of the paper sheets cannot be judged in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus.
15 [0019]
The paper-sheet handling system according to the
present invention may further include another warning unit
configured to notify of information to advise recounting: if a
predetermined percentage or more of the recognition
20 information of the paper sheets cannot be judged in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus.
[0020]
A paper-sheet managing method according to the present
invention includes: obtaining recognition information regarding
25 a plurality of paper sheets by a recognition unit; causing a
storing unit to store the recognition information; and leaving at
least one piece of recognition information judged as overlapped
information among the recognition information stored in the
storing unit and deleting the other recognition information
30 judged as the overlapped information from the storing unit.
[0021]
According to the present invention, the at least one piece
of the recognition information judged as the overlapped
information among the recognition information stored in the
35 storing unit is left and the other recognition information judged
as the overlapped information is deleted from the storing unit.
7
Thus, it can be prevented that overlapped data regarding the
recognition information of the paper sheets be stored and
managed.
5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022]
Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a structure of a
paper-sheet handling system according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
10 Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an outside
appearance of the paper-sheet handling apparatus used in the
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an inside
structure of the paper-sheet handling apparatus used in the
15 embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a control block diagram a paper-sheet handling
system according to the embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing a main menu,
displayed on a management display unit of the embodiment of
20 the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a screen for inputting
card-information, displayed on the management display unit of
the embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7(a) is a schematic view showing an example of a
25 screen of counted results, displayed on the management display
unit of the embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7(b) is a schematic view showing another example of
the screen of counted results, displayed on the management
display unit of the embodiment of the present invention;
30 Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of a
disbursement slip, printed by a printing unit used in the
embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 9(a) to 9(c) are explanatory views of an example of
process for determining counted data in the paper-sheet
35 handling system according to the embodiment of the present
invention; and
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Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an outside
appearance of another paper-sheet handling apparatus used in
another embodiment of the present invention;
5 MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0023]
Embodiment

An embodiment of the paper-sheet managing apparatus
10 according to the present invention, an embodiment of the
paper-sheet handling system according to the present invention
and an embodiment of the paper-sheet managing method
according to the present invention will be explained herebelow
with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 10 are views for
15 explaining the embodiment of the present invention.
[0024]
In the present specification, the "paper-sheet handling
system" is used as a concept including the "paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100". Thus, the paper-sheet handling
20 system defined in the attached claims may mean the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 alone or any combination
of the paper-sheet handling system 100 and the other
apparatus(es). Hereinafter, mainly, the paper-sheet handling
system means a combination of the paper-sheet handling
25 system 100 and the other apparatuses. In addition, in the
present specification, the "paper sheets" mean banknotes,
checks, coupons, slips or the like. As a typical example, they
mean banknotes.
[0025]
30 The paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 of the present
embodiment is disposed at a bank branch, for example. As
shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100
of the present embodiment includes: a housing 1, a reception
unit 11 disposed on the housing 1, on which a plurality of paper
35 sheets are received; a taking unit 10 configured to take the
plurality of paper sheets received by the reception unit 11, one
9
by one, into the housing 1; a transport unit 70 configured to
transport the paper sheets having been taken into the housing 1
by the taking unit 10; a recognition unit 55 configured to
recognize and count the paper sheets transported by the
5 transport unit 70; a stacking unit 60 configured to stack at least
a part of the paper sheets having been recognized by the
recognition unit 55; and a reject unit 65 configured to stack the
paper sheets not stacked in the stacking unit 60 among the
paper sheets having passed the recognition unit 55. Herein,
10 the taking unit 10 may take the paper sheets into the housing 1
automatically when the paper sheets are detected at the
reception unit 11. Alternatively, the taking unit 10 may take
the paper sheets received by the reception unit 11 into the
housing 1 after receiving an input command from a handling
15 operation unit 80 or the like, which is described below.
[0026]
Hereinafter, as the present embodiment, the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is explained.
However, it should be noted that the paper-sheet handling
20 apparatus 100 is merely an example. For example, as shown in
Fig. 10, another paper-sheet handling apparatus 100' including
a plurality of stacking units (specifically, four stacking units) 60'
and a plurality of reject units (specifically, two reject units) 65'
may be adopted. In Fig. 10, the same functional units as those
25 in the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 2 and
3 are represented by the same numeral signs together with an
apostrophe(').
[0027]
An opening is provided at a front side (left side in Fig. 3)
30 of the stacking unit 60. A bank teller or another operator can
take out paper sheets stacked in the stacking unit 60 via the
opening. In addition, another opening is provided at a front
side of the reject unit 65. The bank teller or another operator
can take out paper sheets stacked in the reject unit 65 via the
35 opening. In addition, as shown in Fig. 2 and 3, a shutter 64
that can be opened and closed is provided at the front side of
10
the stacking unit 60. The present embodiment is explained in a
manner that the shutter 64 is provided as described above.
However, the present invention is not limited to the manner.
That is to say, it is not necessary to provide such a shutter 64.
5 [0028]
When the recognition unit 55 of the present embodiment
recognizes a banknote as a paper sheet, the recognition unit 55
recognizes: denomination, unfitness, face-up/face-down,
newjold, orientation, genuine/counterfeit, or the like. In
10 addition, the recognition unit 55 has an OCR (optical character
recognition) function so that the recognition unit 55 can read
out a serial number of the paper sheet as recognition
information. In general, the serial number is printed on the
right side and on the left side of the banknote, and the
15 recognition unit 55 reads out the printed serial number on both
sides. When the recognition unit 55 reads out the serial
number, the recognition unit 55 calculates a recognition ratio of
the OCR function and/or a recognition state of the serial
numbers. Herein, the recognition ratio of the OCR function is a
20 recognition ratio of the serial numbers, which is represented as
a value within 0 % to 100 %. The recognition state of the serial
numbers corresponds to the recognition ratio of the OCR
function. For example, the recognition state of the serial
numbers are evaluated by the following four ranks,.
25 [0029]
[Table 1]
Recognition State Recognition Ratio of OCR Function
VERY GOOD 100%
GOOD 85% to 99%
OK 70% to 84%
NG less than 70 %
[0030]
As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of dividing members 71 for
30 suitably dividing the paper sheets transported by the transport
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unit 70 is provided on the transport unit 70. In addition, a
plurality of sensors 72 (see Fig. 4), each of which is configured
to detect a paper sheet that passes through the transport unit
70 or to detect whether there is a paper sheet or not, is
5 provided on the transport unit 70. Although it is not shown in
Fig. 3, a plurality of sensors 72 is arranged along the transport
unit 70. A sensor 72 arranged at the stacking unit 60 is used
to judge whether there is a paper sheet in the stacking unit 60.
Another sensor 72 arranged at the reject unit 65 is used to
10 judge whether there is a paper sheet in the reject unit 65.
[0031]
As shown in Fig. 2, the paper-sheet handling apparatus
100 of the present embodiment further includes: a handling
display unit 81 on which predetermined information can be
15 displayed, and a handling operation unit 80 through which
predetermined information can be inputted. The handling
display unit 81 may be made of a liquid crystal display or the
like. In the present embodiment, the handling display unit 81
and the handling operation unit 80 are separated from each
20 other. However, the present invention is not limited to this
manner. The handling display unit 81 and the handling
operation unit 80 may be integral with each other. For example,
the handling display unit 81 and the handling operation unit 80
may be made of a common touch panel.
25 [0032]
As shown in Fig. 4, the paper-sheet handling apparatus
100 of the present embodiment further includes: a process
storing unit 51 in which various information can be stored, and
a process control unit 50 by which respective units included in
30 the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 are controlled. The
process storing unit 51 may be included in "storing unit, defined
in the attached claims. The process control unit 50 may be
included in "control unit, defined in the attached claims.
[0033]
35 In the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 shown in Fig.
2 and 3, recognition count result of paper sheets (for example,
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a total amount of money, the number of the paper sheets, or
the like) that has been displayed on the handling display unit 81
may be returned to "0" (zero), when the process control unit 50
judges that there is no more paper sheet in the stacking unit 60
5 nor in the reject unit 65 based on information from the sensors
72 provided at the stacking unit 60 and the sensors 72 provided
at the reject unit 65. Alternatively, the recognition count result
of paper sheets (for example, a total amount of money, the
number of the paper sheets, or the like) that has been displayed
10 on the handling display unit 81 may be returned to "0" (zero),
when the process control unit 50 judges that there is no more
paper sheet in the stacking unit 60 nor in the reject unit 65
based on the information from the sensors 72 provided at the
stacking unit 60 and the sensors 72 provided at the reject unit
15 65 and when the process control unit 50 further judges that one
or more paper sheets are put on the receiving unit 11 based on
information from the sensors 72 provided at the receiving unit
11 (not shown in Figs. 2 and 3).
[0034]
20 As shown in Fig. 1, the paper-sheet handling apparatus
100 is connected to a paper-sheet managing apparatus 200
configured to manage various information including the
recognition information of the paper sheets. In Fig. 1, one
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is connected to one
25 paper-sheet managing apparatus 200. However, the present
invention is not limited to this manner. For example, a plurality
of paper-sheet handling apparatuses 100 may be connected to
one paper-sheet managing apparatus 200.
[0035]
30 As shown in Fig. 4, the paper-sheet managing apparatus
200 includes: a management storing unit 251 configured to
store the recognition information regarding the plurality of
paper sheets, the recognition information being obtained by the
recognition unit 55 of the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100;
35 and a management control unit 250 configured to control
respective constituent units of the paper-sheet managing
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apparatus 200. In the present embodiment, the management
control unit 250 is also configured to leave at least one (for
example, one) of recognition information judged as overlapped
information among the recognition information stored in the
5 management storing unit 251 and to delete the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped information
from the management storing unit 251.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the management storing unit
10 251 is included in "storing unit" defined in the attached claims,
and the management control unit 250 is included in "control
unit" defined in the attached claims. When the paper sheet is a
banknote, denomination thereof and a serial number thereof (a
kind of recognition information) may be associated with each
15 other and subsequently stored in the management storing unit
251.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, the management control unit
250 may be configured to leave at least one (for example, one)
20 of recognition information judged as overlapped information
among recognition information regarding a plurality of paper
sheets included in one transaction and to delete the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped information
from the management storing unit 251. In this case, the
25 management control unit 250 may be configured to leave at
least one (for example, one) of the recognition information
judged as the overlapped information among the recognition
information regarding the plurality of paper sheets included in
the one transaction and to delete the other recognition
30 information judged as the overlapped information from the
management storing unit 251, when an input command for
confirming the one transaction is inputted from the handling
operation unit 80 or a management operation unit 280, which is
described below.
35 [0038]
However, the present invention is not limited to the
14
above manner. The management control unit 250 may be
configured to leave at least one (for example/ one) of
recognition information judged as overlapped information
among recognition information regarding a plurality of paper
5 sheets included in a plurality of transactions and to delete the
other recognition information judged as the overlapped
information from the management storing unit 251. In this
case1 the management control unit 250 may be configured to
leave at least one (for example/ one) of the recognition
10 information judged as the overlapped information among the
recognition information regarding the plurality of paper sheets
included in the plurality of transactions and to delete the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped information
from the management storing unit 2511 for example when an
15 input command for data compression of the recognition
information of the plurality of transactions is inputted from the
handling operation unit 80 or a management operation unit 2801
which is described below.
[0039]
20 The management control unit 250 may be capable of
searching the recognition information stored in the management
storing unit 251 for a target paper sheet in a fuzzy manner.
When the management control unit 250 conducts such a fuzzy
search1 the management storing unit 251 may be configured to
25 store each of two or more pieces of candidate recognition
information of a target paper sheet obtained by the fuzzy search.
In addition/ the management display unit 281 may display the
two or more pieces of candidate recognition information of a
target paper sheet obtained by the fuzzy search (see Fig. 9 (b)).
30 [0040]
As a concrete example1 when "H911234567811 and
"H911234567811 are obtained as candidates of recognition
information of a target paper sheet by a fuzzy search using a
certain "threshold 11
1 both of "H911234567811 and "H911234567811
35 may be stored in the management storing unit 251. Herein1 as
shown in Fig. 9 (b)r when any of the two or more pieces of
candidate recognition
obtained by the
"H9112345678" in Fig.
15
information of a target paper sheet
fuzzy search ("H9112345678" and
9 (b)) is the same as other recognition
information that has been already stored in the management
5 storing unit 251 (recognition information at a step "007" in Fig.
9 (b)), each of the two or more pieces of candidate recognition
information of a target paper sheet obtained by the fuzzy search
may be stored.
[0041]
10 When "H9112345678" and "H9112345678" are obtained as
candidates of recognition information of a target paper sheet as
described above, a paper sheet whose recognition information
has been recognized as "H9112345678" and a paper sheet
whose recognition information has been recognized as
15 "H9112345678" and the target paper sheet are judged to have
recognition information to be judged as overlapped information.
Herein, if the above "threshold" is suitably changed, conditions
for the fuzzy search are suitably changed.
[0042]
20 After conducting the fuzzy search, the management
control unit 250 may leave at least one (for example, one) of
the recognition information judged as the overlapped
information among the recognition information stored in the
management storing unit 251 and delete the other recognition
25 information judged as the overlapped information from the
management storing unit 251: when an amount of money to be
dispensed based on an actual count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 is larger than the inputted amount of
money to be dispensed, which has been inputted from the
30 management operation unit 280; or when an amount of money
to be deposited based on an actual count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is larger than the inputted
amount of money to be deposited, which has been inputted
from the management operation unit 280; or when the number
35 based on an actual count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100 is larger than the inputted number of paper
~,
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sheets to be dispensed, which has been inputted from the
management operation unit 280; or when the number based on
an actual count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus is
larger than the inputted number of paper sheets to be deposited,
5 which has been inputted from the management operation unit
280. According to the above manner, it can be prevented that
recognition information not to be judged as overlapped
information is deleted from the management storing unit 251 by
mistake. When the at least one (for example, one) of the
10 recognition information judged as the overlapped information is
left and the~ other recognition information judged as the
overlapped information is deleted, only fully-overlapped
recognition information is deleted among the obtained
candidates, different recognition information among the
15 candidates is left and stored in the management storing unit
251.
[0043]
When the paper sheet is a banknote, the management
control unit 250 may be configured to leave at least one (for
20 example, one) of recognition information judged as overlapped
information among the recognition information stored in the
management storing unit 251, regarding the same
denomination, and to delete the other recognition information
judged as the overlapped information from the management
25 storing unit 251. In the example shown in Fig. 9 (a), a serial
number of a 10-Yuan banknote is recognized as "H006698298"
at a step "001", and a serial number of a 10-Yuan banknote is
recognized as "H006698298" at a step "005", and thus these
30
10-Yuan banknotes are judged to be overlapped.
count data of "005" is deleted (see Fig. 9 (b)).
Therefore,
In the same
way, a serial number of a 100-Yuan banknote is recognized as
"GG11223344" at a step "002", and a serial number of a
100-Yuan banknote is recognized as "GG11223344" at a step
"010", and thus these 100-Yuan banknotes are judged to be
35 overlapped. Therefore, count data of "010" is deleted (see Fig.
9 (b)). However, even if a serial number of a 100-Yuan
17
banknote is recognized as "H006698298", the 100-Yuan
banknote is not judged to be overlapped with the 10-Yuan
banknote whose serial number is "H006698298" since the
denomination is different. In the same way, even if a serial
5 number of a 10-Yuan banknote is recognized as "GG11223344",
the 10-Yuan banknote is not judged to be overlapped with the
10o-Yuan banknote whose serial number is "GG11223344" since
the denomination is different.
[0044]
10 As shown in Fig. 1, a first card reader (first reading unit)
110 for reading out information of an ID card of a customer
such as a person who wants to deposit money or a person who
wants to dispense money, and a second card reader (second
reading unit) 120 for reading out information of a
15 financial-institution card of a customer such as a person who
wants to deposit money or a person who wants to dispense
money, may be connected to the paper-sheet management
apparatus 200. In the present embodiment, the first card
reader (first reading unit) 110 and the second card reader
20 (second reading unit) 120 are separated from the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100. However, the present invention is not
limited to this manner. For example, the handling operation
unit 80 may include the first card reader (first reading unit) 110
and/or the second card reader (second reading unit) 120. The
25 ID card may be an IC card, for example, and the first card
reader 110 may be a contactless card reader, for example. The
financial-institution card may be a magnetic stripe card or the
like, and the second card reader 120 may be a magnetic reader.
[0045]
30 When the first card reader 110 is adopted, the
information of an ID card of a customer read out by the first
card reader 110 is transmitted to the paper-sheet managing
apparatus 200. When the second card reader 120 is adopted,
the information of a financial-institution card of a customer read
35 out by the second card reader 120 is transmitted to the
paper-sheet managing apparatus 200. The information of the
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ID card of the customer and the information of the
financial-institution card of the same customer are associated
with a target transaction, and subsequently stored in the
management storing unit 251.
5 [0046]
As shown in Fig. 1, the paper-sheet managing apparatus
200 includes: a management operation unit 280 through which
various information can be inputted; and a management display
unit 281 on which information stored in the management
10 storing unit 251 can be displayed. In the present embodiment,
the management display unit 281 and the management
operation unit 280 are separated from each other. However,
the present invention is not limited to this manner. The
management display unit 281 and the management operation
15 unit 280 may be integral with each other. For example, the
management display unit 281 and the management operation
unit 280 may be made of a common touch panel. In addition,
the paper-sheet managing apparatus 200 of the present
embodiment is connected to a printing unit 130 such as a
20 printer. The printing unit 130 can print information stored in
the management storing unit 251 and/or information displayed
in the management display unit 281.
[0047]
The handling display unit 81, the management display
25 unit 281 and an upper-grade display unit 381, which is
described below, are included in the "warning unit" defined in
the attached claims. The warning unit may include not only a
type of warning unit that can notify of information visually like
the handling display unit 81, the management display unit 281
30 and an upper-grade display unit 381, but also as another type
of warning unit that can notify of information aurally using a
sound or the like.
[0048]
For example, the printing unit 130 prints: the date of the
35 transaction, the name of the bank, the name of the bank branch,
the name of the customer, the information of the ID card of the
-o/ ~/
19
customer (for example, a customer code), the information of
the financial-institution card of the customer (for example, a
card code), the total amount of money to be dispensed, the
total amount of money to be deposited, a transaction ID, or the
5 like (see Fig. 8). All or a part of these information and/or the
other information may be printed as a QR code (registered
trademark). As an example, the transaction ID is printed as a
QR code. As another example, recognition information of paper
sheets included in a target transaction may be printed as a QR
10 code. When a customer conducts a dispensing process, an
operator such as a bank teller hands over a disbursement slip
printed by the printing unit 130 to the customer. Fig. 8 is a
schematic view showing an example of the disbursement slip
printed by the printing unit 130.
15 [0049]
The transaction ID and the recognition information of the
paper sheets, such as serial numbers of banknotes, included in
a transaction corresponding to the transaction ID are associated
with each other, and subsequently stored in the management
20 storing unit 251. Thus, when the transaction ID is searched in
the paper-sheet managing apparatus 200 or the like, the
recognition information of the paper sheets associated with the
transaction ID can be read out.
[0050]
25 An amount of money to be dispensed and/or an amount
of money to be deposited may be inputted from the
management operation unit 280 of the paper-sheet managing
apparatus 200. The amount of money to be dispensed and/or
the amount of money to be deposited, which has been inputted
30 from the management operation unit 280, is transmitted to the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. The amount of money to
be dispensed and/or the amount of money to be deposited may
be inputted directly as an amount of money to be dispensed
and/or an amount of money to be deposited, or may be inputted
35 as the number of banknotes for each denomination.
20
[0051]
In the present embodiment, confirmation of a transaction
(confirmation of a dispensing process) in the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 may be permitted under a condition
5 wherein the amount of money to be dispensed inputted through
the management operation unit 280 or the handling operation
unit 80 and an amount of money to be dispensed based on a
count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 coincide
with each other. In addition, similarly, confirmation of a
10 transaction (confirmation of a depositing process) in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may be permitted under a
condition wherein the amount of money to be deposited
inputted from the management operation unit 280 or the
handling operation unit 80 and an amount of money to be
15 deposited based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100 coincide with each other. The timing when an
amount of money to be dispensed and/or an amount of money
to be deposited is inputted from the management operation unit
280 or the handling operation unit 80 may be before the paper
20 sheets are counted by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100
or after the paper sheets are counted by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100. When the confirmation of a
transaction is conducted, a transaction ID is assigned.
Subsequently, the transaction ID and the recognition
25 information of the paper sheets dispensed or deposited by the
transaction corresponding to the transaction ID are associated
with each other, and subsequently stored in the management
storing unit 251.
[0052]
30 In the specification, "the amount of money to be
dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100" and "the amount of money to be deposited
based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
100" may be calculated after deleting the count data (a kind of
35 data) whose recognition information has been judged to be
overlapped (Fig. 9 (b) and (c)). That is to say, after leaving
21
one count data of a paper sheet whose recognition information
has been judged to be overlapped and deleting the other count
data whose recognition information has been judged to be
overlapped as shown in Fig. 9 (b), the count result regarding
5 the left paper sheets may be used as "the amount of money to
be dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100" or "the amount of money to be
deposited based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100" (which corresponds to "provisionally confirmed
10 data" in Fig. 9 (b)). In this case, "the amount of money to be
dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100" and the inputted amount of money to be
dispensed are compared with each other. Subsequently, if "the
amount of money to be dispensed based on a count result by
15 the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" and the inputted
amount of money to be dispensed coincide with each other,
confirmation of the transaction is permitted. If "the amount of
money to be dispensed based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" and the inputted amount
20 of money to be dispensed do not coincide with each other,
confirmation of the transaction is not permitted. Similarly, "the
amount of money to be deposited based on a count result by
the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" and the inputted
amount of money to be deposited are compared with each other.
25 Subsequently, if "the amount of money to be deposited based
on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100"
and the inputted amount of money to be deposited coincide with
each other, confirmation of the transaction is permitted. If "the
amount of money to be deposited based on a count result by
30 the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" and the inputted
amount of money to be deposited do not coincide with each
other, confirmation of the transaction is not permitted.
[0053]
A warning unit provided at the handling display unit 81,
35 the management display unit 281 or the upper-grade display
unit 381 may be configured to notify of information to advise
l
I
22
recounting, when the amount of money to be dispensed
inputted through the management operation unit 280 or the
handling operation unit 80 and an amount of money to be
dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
5 apparatus 100 do not coincide with each other. Similarly, the
warning unit provided at the handling display unit 81, the
management display unit 281 or the upper-grade display unit
381 may be configured to notify of information to advise
recounting, when the amount of money to be deposited inputted
10 through the management operation unit 280 or the handling
operation unit 80 and an amount of money to be deposited
based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
100 do not coincide with each other. Herein, "the amount of
money to be dispensed based on a count result by the
15 paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" and "the amount of money
to be deposited based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100" may be calculated after leaving one
count data of a paper sheet whose recognition information has
been judged to be overlapped and deleting the other count data
20 whose recognition information has been judged to be
overlapped (Fig. 9 (b) and (c)).
[0054]
More specifically, the warning unit provided at the
handling display unit 81, the management display unit 281 or
25 the upper-grade display unit 381 may be configured to notify of
information to advise recounting, when an amount of money to
be dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 is smaller than the amount of money to
be dispensed inputted through the management operation unit
30 280 or the handling operation unit 80. Similarly, the warning
unit provided at the handling display unit 81, the management
display unit 281 or the upper-grade display unit 381 may be
configured to notify of information to advise recounting, when
an amount of money to be deposited based on a count result by
35 the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is smaller than the
amount of money to be deposited inputted through the
23
management operation unit 280 or the handling operation unit
80.
[0055]
As described above, "the amount of money to be
5 dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100" and "the amount of money to be deposited
based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
100" may be calculated after leaving one count data of a paper
sheet whose recognition information has been judged to be
10 overlapped and deleting the other count data whose recognition
information has been judged to be overlapped. However, the
present invention is not limited to this manner. The
management control unit 250 may be configured to leave at
least one (specifically, one) of recognition information judged as
15 overlapped information among recognition information
regarding a plurality of paper sheets included in one transaction
and to delete the other recognition information judged as the
overlapped information, when the amount of money to be
dispensed based on an actual count result by the paper-sheet
20 handling apparatus '100 is larger than the amount of money to
be dispensed inputted through the management operation unit
280 or the handling operation unit 80. In addition, similarly,
the management control unit 250 may be configured to leave at
least one (specifically, one) of recognition information judged as
25 overlapped information among recognition information
regarding a plurality of paper sheets included in one transaction
and to delete the other recognition information judged as the
overlapped information, when the amount of money to be
deposited based on an actual count result by the paper-sheet
30 handling apparatus 100 is larger than the amount of money to
be deposited inputted through the management operation unit
280 or the handling operation unit 80. Herein, the amount of
money to be dispensed based on an actual count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is included in the amount
35 of money to be dispensed based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100, and the amount of money
24
to be deposited based on an actual count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is included in the amount
of money to be deposited based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100.
5 [0056]
The present invention is not limited to the above manner.
Confirmation of a transaction (confirmation of a dispensing
process) in the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may be
permitted under a condition wherein the number of paper
10 sheets to be dispensed inputted through the management
operation unit 280 or the handling operation unit 80 and the
number of paper sheets to be dispensed based on a count result
by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 coincide with each
other. In addition, similarly, confirmation of a transaction
15 (confirmation of a depositing process) in the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 may be permitted under a condition
wherein the number of paper sheets to be deposited inputted
through the management operation unit 280 or the handling
operation unit 80 and the number of paper sheets to be
20 deposited based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100 coincide with each other. Herein, "the number
of paper sheets based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100" may be calculated after leaving one
count data of a paper sheet whose recognition information has
25 been judged to be overlapped and deleting the other count data
whose recognition information has been judged to be
overlapped.
[0057]
The warning unit provided at the handling display unit 81,
30 the management display unit 281 or the upper-grade display
unit 381 may be configured to notify of information to advise
recounting, when the number of paper sheets to be dispensed
inputted through the management operation unit 280 or the
handling operation unit 80 and the number of paper sheets to
35 be dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 do not coincide with each other.
25
Similarly, the warning unit provided at the handling display unit
81, the management display unit 281 or the upper-grade
display unit 381 may be configured to notify of information to
advise recounting, when the number of paper sheets to be
5 deposited inputted through the management operation unit 280
or the handling operation unit 80 and the number of paper
sheets to be deposited based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 do not coincide with each
other. Herein, as described above, "the number of paper
10 sheets based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100" may be calculated after leaving one count data
of a paper sheet whose recognition information has been judged
to be overlapped and deleting the other count data whose
recognition information has been judged to be overlapped.
15 [0058]
More specifically, the warning unit provided at the
handling display unit 81, the management display unit 281 or
the upper-grade display unit 381 may be configured to notify of
information to advise recounting, when the number of paper
20 sheets to be dispensed based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is smaller than the number
of paper sheets to be dispensed inputted through the
management operation unit 280 or the handling operation unit
80. Similarly, the warning unit provided at the handling display
25 unit 81, the management display unit 281 or the upper-grade
display unit 381 may be configured to notify of information to
advise recounting, when the number of paper sheets to be
deposited based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100 is smaller than the number of paper sheets to be
30 deposited inputted through the management operation unit 280
or the handling operation unit 80.
[0059]
As described above, "the number of paper sheets based
on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100"
35 may be calculated after leaving one count data of a paper sheet
whose recognition information has been judged to be
26
overlapped and deleting the other count data whose recognition
information has been judged to be overlapped. However, the
present invention is not limited to this manner. The
management control unit 250 may be configured to leave at
5 least one (specifically, one) of recognition information judged as
overlapped information among recognition information
regarding a plurality of paper sheets included in one transaction
and to delete the other recognition information judged as the
overlapped information, when the number of paper sheets to be
10 dispensed based on an actual count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 is larger than the number of paper
sheets to be dispensed inputted through the management
operation unit 280 or the handling operation unit 80. In
addition, similarly, the management control unit 250 may be
15 configured to leave at least one (specifically, one) of recognition
information judged as overlapped information among
recognition information regarding a plurality of paper sheets
included in one transaction and to delete the other recognition
information judged as the overlapped information, when the
20 number of paper sheets to be deposited based on an actual
count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is larger
than the number of paper sheets to be deposited inputted
through the management operation unit 280 or the handling
operation unit 80.
25 [0060]
In the present embodiment, the confirmation of a
transaction in the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may not
be permitted if a predetermined percentage or more of the
recognition information of the paper sheets could not be judged
30 by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. The above
warning unit or another warning unit provided at the handling
display unit 81, the management display unit 281 or the
upper-grade display unit 381 may be configured to notify of
information to advise recounting: if a predetermined percentage
35 or more of the recognition information of the paper sheets could
not be judged by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100.
27
Herein, Fig. 9 (a) shows an example wherein the serial number
of a 100-yuan banknote could not be read out at a step "006".
The confirmation of a transaction in the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100 may not be permitted if the entire serial number
5 of a banknote could not be read out as the example shown in
Fig. 9 (a), or the confirmation of a transaction in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may not be permitted even
if only one or more characters of the serial number of a
banknote could not be read out. The above warning unit or
10 another warning unit provided at the handling display unit 81,
the management display unit 281 or the upper-grade display
unit 381 may be configured to notify of information to advise
recounting even if only one or more characters of the serial
number of a banknote could not be read out.
15 [0061]
In the present embodiment, the confirmation of a
transaction in the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may not
be permitted if a paper sheet whose recognition information is
the same as that of another paper sheet is included in one
20 transaction or in a plurality of transactions. If the paper sheet
is a banknote, the confirmation of a transaction in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may not be permitted if a
banknote whose denomination and recognition information are
the same as those of another banknote is included. In this
25 case, the management control unit 250 may be configured to
leave at least one (specifically, one) of recognition information
judged as overlapped information among recognition
information regarding a plurality of paper sheets included in one
transaction or in a plurality of transactions and to delete the
30 other recognition information judged as the overlapped
information.
[0062]
Next, an example of screen displayed on the
management display unit 281 is explained. In a main menu
35 shown in Fig. 5, a fitness sorting process, a depositing process,
a dispensing process, an ATM dispensing process, a setting
28
process, a serial-number recording process, and a searching
process can be selected. When the fitness sorting process is
selected, a so-called organizing process of the paper sheets is
conducted in the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. For
5 example, when the paper sheet is a banknote, the banknotes
put on the receiving unit 11 can be sorted into: banknotes that
cannot be used at an ATM arranged at a financial institution
such as a bank and are not acceptable to a reception of a
financial institution such as a bank (so-called "UNFIT"
10 banknotes); banknotes that cannot be used at an ATM arranged
at a financial institution such as a bank but are acceptable to a .
reception of a financial institution such as a bank (so-called
"Teller-FIT" banknotes); banknotes that can be used at an ATM
arranged at a financial institution such as a bank and are
15 acceptable to a reception of a financial institution such as a
bank (so-called "ATM-FIT" banknotes); and the other banknotes.
The first three types of banknotes are stacked in the stacking
unit(s) 60, for example. The last type of banknotes is stacked
in the reject unit 65, for example. When the depositing
20 process is selected, a depositing process of paper sheets is
conducted at the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. When
the dispensing process is selected, a dispensing process of
paper sheets is conducted at the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100. When the ATM dispensing process is selected,
25 a dispensing process of banknotes for replenishing an ATM is
conducted at the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. In this
case, only the "ATM-FIT" banknotes are dispensed from the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. Furthermore, the serial
number of each dispensed banknote is read out and associated
30 with the ATM to be replenished. When the setting process is
selected, it becomes possible to conduct various setting
processes to the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. When
the serial-number recording process is selected, the serial
number(s) of the banknote(s) read out by the paper-sheet
35 handling apparatus 100 is stored in the management storing
unit 251 or the like, but a depositing process or a dispensing
•
29
process is not conducted. When the searching process is
selected, it becomes possible to search information stored in the
management storing unit 251 or the like. As a searching key
(retrieval key), it is possible to use the transaction ID, the date
5 and/or time of a target transaction, the ID of a used (target)
paper-sheet handling apparatus, the ID of a target operator, the
serial number of a target banknote, the information of a target
customer, or the like.
[0063]
10 When the dispensing process is selected, a screen for
inputting card-information is displayed as shown in Fig. 6. In
the example of Fig. 6, the information of the ID card of a
customer (for example, a customer code), the name of the
same customer, the information of the financial-institution card
15 of a customer (for example, a card code), and the name of the
same customer are displayed. When the depositing process is
selected, the screen for inputting card-information may be
displayed as shown in Fig. 6. Alternatively, a screen of counted
results as shown in Fig. 7 (a) or (b) may be displayed, instead
20 of the screen for inputting card-information as shown in Fig. 6.
[0064]
When the banknotes are counted, the screen of counted
results as shown in Fig. 7 (a) or (b) is displayed on the
management display unit 281. The recognition information of
25 the banknotes recognized by the recognition unit 55 of the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is displayed at sight in the
screen as shown in Fig. 7 (a) or (b). The screen of counted
results as shown in Fig. 7 (a) is displayed for example when a
dispensing process is conducted. When a deposit process is
30 conducted, the screen of counted results as shown in Fig. 7 (a)
may be displayed, or the screen of counted results as shown in
Fig. 7 (b) may be displayed. When the fitness sorting process
or the ATM dispensing process is selected in the main menu
shown in Fig. 5, the screen as shown in Fig. 7 (b) may be
35 displayed, instead of the screen as shown in Fig. 6 or Fig. 7 (a).
~/ (
i I
30
[0065]
When an input command for confirming a transaction is
inputted from the handling operation unit 80 or the
management operation unit 280, the transaction is confirmed,
5 and the screen is returned from the counted results as shown in
Fig. 7 (a) to the main menu as shown in Fig. 5. When a button
of "RETURN" is pushed down in the screen as shown in Fig. 7
(b) as well, the screen is returned to the main menu as shown
in Fig. 5. Herein, if the management display unit 281 and the
10 management operation unit 280 are integrated with each other,
for example as a common touch panel, the transaction may be
confirmed (affirmed) by pushing down a button of
"COMPLETION" in the screen as shown in Fig. 7 (a).
[0066]
15 As shown in Fig. 1, the paper-sheet managing apparatus
200 is connected to an upper-grade managing unit 300, which is
for example a computer server of a bank. The recognition
information of the paper sheets stored in the management
storing unit 251 of the paper-sheet managing apparatus 200
20 (see Fig. 4) is transmitted to the upper-grade managing unit
300 periodically or every time a transaction is confirmed. The
recognition information of the paper sheets stored in the
management storing unit 251 of the paper-sheet managing
apparatus 200 may be deleted or overwritten after a lapse of a
25 predetermined period such as a few months. The upper-grade
managing unit 300 includes: an upper-grade operation unit 380
through which various information is inputted; an upper-grade
storing unit 351 in which the recognition information of the
paper sheets transmitted from the paper-sheet managing
30 apparatus 200 is stored; and an upper-grade display unit 381
by which information stored in the upper-grade storing unit 351
is displayed. When the paper sheet is a banknote,
denomination thereof and a serial number thereof may be
associated with each other, and subsequently stored in the
35 upper-grade storing unit 351. In the present embodiment, the
upper-grade storing unit 351 may be included in "storing unit"
31
defined in the attached claims, and the upper-grade control unit
350 may be included in "control unit" defined in the attached
claims.
[0067]
5 As shown in Fig. 1, one upper-grade managing unit 300
may be connected to a plurality of paper-sheet managing
apparatuses 200. However, the present invention is not limited
to this manner. For example, one upper-grade managing unit
300 may be connected to one paper-sheet managing apparatus
10 200.
[0068]
As shown in Fig. 1, the upper-grade managing unit 300 is
connected to a bar-code reader (third reading unit) 160 for
. reading out bar-code information such as a QR code. The
15 bar-code reader (third reading unit) 160 can read out a QR code
(see Fig. 8), which has been printed on a disbursement slip that
a customer brought with him/her for example. A transaction ID
can be identified from the QR code read out by the bar-code
reader 160. Thus, the recognition information of the paper
20 sheets associated with the disbursement slip that the customer
brought with him/her and the recognition information of the
actual paper sheets that the customer brought with him/her can
be compared with each other.
[0069]
25 As shown in Fig. 4, the handling control unit 50 is
connected to the handling storing unit 51, the recognition unit
55, the sensors 72, the handling operation unit 80, the handling
display unit 81, the shutter 64, and the so on. The handling
control unit 50 is configured to send information or instruction
30 commands to these components, and/or receive information or
instruction commands from these components. The
management control unit 250 is connected to the management
storing unit 251, the management operation unit 280, the
management display unit 281, and the so on. The
35 management control unit 250 is configured to send information
or instruction commands to these components, and/or receive
32
information or instruction commands from these components.
The upper-grade control unit 350 is connected to the
upper-grade storing unit 351, the upper-grade operation unit
380, the upper-grade display unit 381, and the so on. The
5 upper-grade control unit 350 is configured to send information
or instruction commands to these components, and/or receive
information or instruction commands from these components.
[0070]
As described above, the management storing unit 251,
10 the handling storing unit 51 and the upper-grade storing unit
351 may be included in "storing unit" defined in the attached
claims. Furthermore, another outside storing unit arranged in
an outside apparatus may be provided. In this case, the
outside storing unit may be included in "storing unit" defined in
15 the attached claims. In the present embodiment, the outside
apparatus means an apparatus other than the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 and the paper-sheet managing
apparatus 200.
[0071]
20 As described above, the management control unit 250,
the handling control unit 50 and the upper-grade control unit
350 may be included in "storing unit" defined in the attached
claims. Furthermore, another outside control unit arranged in
an outside apparatus may be provided. In this case, the
25 outside control unit may be included in "control unit" defined in
the attached claims. Furthermore, another outside operation
unit arranged in an outside apparatus may be used, instead of
the management operation unit 280, the handling operation unit
80 and the upper-grade operation unit 380.
30 [0072]
Hereinafter, the "storing unit 51, 251, 351" is used as
words representing any one or more of the management storing
unit 251, the handling storing unit 51 and the upper-grade
storing unit 351. The "control unit 50, 250, 350" is used as
35 words representing any one or more of the management control
unit 250, the handling control unit 50 and the upper-grade
-:~/
71 33
control unit 350. The "operation unit 80, 280, 380" is used as
words representing any one or more of the management
operation unit 280, the handling operation unit 80 and the
upper-grade operation unit 380. A function achieved by any
5 one of the management storing unit 251, the handling storing
unit 51 and the upper-grade storing unit 351 may be achieved
by another one of the management storing unit 251, the
handling storing unit 51 and the upper-grade storing unit 35. A
function achieved by any one of the management control unit
10 250, the handling control unit 50 and the uppercgrade control
unit 350 may be achieved by another one of the management
control unit 250, the handling control unit 50 and the
upper-grade control unit 350. A function achieved by any one
of the management operation unit 280, the handling operation
15 unit 80 and the upper-grade operation unit 380 may be
achieved by another one of the management operation unit 280,
the handling operation unit 80 and the upper-grade operation
unit 380.
20
[0073]

Next, a paper-sheet handling method using the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment
is explained. In the following explanation regarding the
method, banknotes are used for a dispensing process and a
25 depositing process as an example. However, the present
invention is not limited to this manner.
[0074]

At first, from a customer, an operator such as a teller
30 receives an ID card of the customer and/or a
financial-institution card (cash card) of the customer. When
the operator receives the ID card of the customer and/or the
financial-institution card of the customer, the operator selects a
"dispensing process" in the main menu as shown in Fig. 5.
35 When the "dispensing process" is selected, the screen for
inputting card-information as shown in Fig. 6 is displayed.
34
Subsequently, the code number of the ID card and the name of
the customer are read out from the ID card by means of the
first card reader 110 by the operator and displayed, and the
card code of the financial-institution card and the name of the
5 customer are read out from the financial-institution card by
means of the second card reader 120 by the operator and
displayed.
[0075]
Next, the operator prepares banknotes which amount of
10 money corresponds to that requested by the customer.
Subsequently, the prepared banknotes are recognized and
counted by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. Prior to
this step or after this step, the operator inputs the amount of
money to be dispensed requested by the customer through the
15 operation unit 80, 280, 380, in the screen of counted results as
shown in Fig. 7 (a).
[0076]
When the banknotes are recognized and counted by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100, the banknotes are put on
20 the reception unit 11. When the banknotes are put on the
reception unit 11, automatically or after receiving an input
command from the operation unit 80, 280, 380, the banknotes
received by the reception unit 11 are taken into the housing 1
by the taking unit 10. The banknotes taken into the housing 1
25 are transported by the transport unit 70. The recognition unit
55 recognizes: denomination, unfitness, ·face-up/face-down,
new/old, orientation, genuine/counterfeit, and a serial number
of each banknote. Banknotes satisfied with predetermined
conditions are transported to the stacking unit 60, and the other
30 banknotes not satisfied with the predetermined conditions are
transported to the reject unit 65. The banknotes transported to
the reject unit 65 may be put on the reception unit 11 and
recognized and count again by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100. Even when the banknotes are transported to
35 the reject unit 65, if the serial numbers of the banknotes are
recognized, the serial numbers may be stored in the storing unit
51, 251, 351.
[0077]
35
An example of a case wherein the banknotes are not
satisfied with the predetermined conditions is a case wherein
5 the recognition ratio of the OCR function is not greater than a
predetermined value (a case wherein the ratio of impossibility of
reading is not greater than a predetermined value). The
predetermined value can be suitably changed through the
operation unit 80, 280, 280. The fitness sorting process may
10 not be conducted because the operation of the operator such as
a teller becomes complicated. In this case, no banknotes are
transported to the reject unit 65. Instead, if a problem occurs,
for example if the serial number of a banknote cannot be read
out, such information is notified by the warning unit provided at
15 the handling display unit 81, the management display unit 281
or the upper-grade display unit 381, and all the banknotes
stacked in the stacking unit 60 are recognized again by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100.
[0078]
20 When the banknotes to be dispensed are recognized and
counted by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100,
confirmation of a dispensing process in the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 may be permitted under a condition
wherein the amount of money to be dispensed inputted through
25 the operation unit 80, 280, 380 and an amount of money to be
dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100 coincide with each other. Herein, "the amount
of money to be dispensed based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" may be calculated, after
30 leaving one count data of a banknote whose recognition
information has been judged to be overlapped regarding the
same denomination and deleting the other count data whose
recognition information has been judged to be overlapped
regarding the same denomination (Fig. 9 (b) (c)). Alternatively,
35 "the amount of money to be dispensed based on a count result
by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" may be based on
36
an actual count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
100.
[0079]
The warning unit provided at the handling display unit 81,
5 the management display unit 281 or the upper-grade display
unit 381 may be configured to notify of information to advise
recounting, when the amount of money to be dispensed
inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380 and the
amount of money to be dispensed based on a count result by
10 the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 do not coincide with
each other. More specifically, the warning unit may be
configured to notify of information to advise recounting, when
the amount of money to be dispensed based on a count result
by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is smaller than the
15 amount of money to be dispensed inputted through the
management operation unit 80, 280, 380.
[0080]
In a case wherein "the amount of money to be dispensed
based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
20 100" is based on an actual count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100, the control unit 50, 250, 350 may be
configured to leave at least one piece of recognition information
judged as overlapped information among recognition
. information regarding a plurality of paper sheets included in the
25 target transaction and to delete the other recognition
information judged as the overlapped information, when the
amount of money to be dispensed based on an actual count
result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is larger than
the amount of money to be dispensed inputted through the
30 operation unit 80, 280, 380. In this case, regarding the same
denomination, the control unit 50, 250, 350 may be configured
to leave at least one piece of recognition information judged as
overlapped information among the recognition information
stored in the storing unit 51, 251, 351 and to delete the other
35 recognition information judged as the overlapped information
from the storing unit 51, 251, 351.
•
37
[0081]
In order to judge whether there is the overlapped
information, a fuzzy search may be conducted. For example,
when a command for conducting a fuzzy search is inputted
5 through the operation unit 80, 280, 380, the control unit 50,
250, 350 searches the recognition information stored in the
storing unit 51, 251, 351 for a target paper sheet in a fuzzy
manner. More specifically, the control unit 50, 250, 350 judges
that, when a paper sheet has recognition information that is
10 overlapped with one of a plurality of candidates of recognition
information of another paper sheet, these paper sheets are
overlapped. When the fuzzy search is conducted, the storing
unit 51, 251, 351 may store each of two or more pieces of
candidate recognition information of a target paper sheet
15 obtained by the fuzzy search.
[0082]
Herein, the confirmation of a dispensing process in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may not be permitted if a
predetermined percentage or more of the recognition
20 information of the paper sheets could not be judged by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. The situation wherein the
recognition information of a paper sheet could not be judged by
the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 includes a situation
wherein only one or more characters of the recognition
25 information of a paper sheet could not be judged by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. The warning unit
provided at the handling display unit 81, the management
display unit 281 or the upper-grade display unit 381 may be
configured to notify of information to advise recounting if a
30 predetermined percentage or more of the recognition
information of the paper sheets could not be judged by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100.
[0083]
When the predetermined conditions are satisfied and thus
35 the dispensing process is finally confirmed at the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100, a transaction ID is assigned. Then,
38
the transaction ID and the serial numbers of the banknotes that
have been dispensed by this transaction are associated with
each other, and subsequently stored in the storing unit 51, 251,
351. Then, a disbursement slip (see Fig.8) is printed out by
5 the printing unit 130, so that the disbursement slip and the
dispensed banknotes are handed over to the customer.
[0084]

Next, a depositing process is explained. In the
10 depositing process explained hereinafter, neither the ID card of
a customer nor the cash card of the customer is verified.
However, the present invention is not limited to this manner.
That is to say, the ID card of the customer and/or the cash card
of the customer may be verified.
15 [0085]
At first, from a customer, an operator such as a teller
receives banknotes to be deposited. When the operator
receives the banknotes, the operator selects a "depositing
process" in the main menu as shown in Fig. 5.
20 [0086]
Next, the banknotes received from the customer to the
operator are recognized and counted by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100. Prior to this step or after this step,
the operator inputs the amount of money to be deposited
25 requested by the customer through the operation unit 80, 280,
380, in the screen of counted results as shown in Fig. 7 (a).
The detailed manner in which the banknotes are recognized and
counted by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is the same
as that explained for a dispensing process, and thus the
30 explanation thereof is omitted.
[0087]
Herein, confirmation of a depositing process in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may be permitted under a
condition wherein the amount of money to be deposited
35 inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380 and an amount
of money to be deposited based on a count result by the
39
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 coincide with each other.
Herein, "the amount of money to be deposited based on a count
result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" may be
calculated, after leaving one count data of a banknote whose
5 recognition information has been judged to be overlapped
regarding the same denomination and deleting the other count
data whose recognition information has been judged to be
overlapped regarding the same denomination. Alternatively,
"the amount of money to be deposited based on a count result
10 by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" may be based on
an actual count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
100.
[0088]
The warning unit provided at the handling display unit 81,
15 the management display unit 281 or the upper-grade display
unit 381 may be configured to notify of information to advise
recounting, when the amount of money to be deposited inputted
through the operation unit 80, 280, 380 and the amount of
money to be deposited based on a count result by the
20 paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 do not coincide with each
other. More specifically, the warning unit may be configured to
notify of information to advise recounting, when the amount of
money to be deposited based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is smaller than the amount
25 of money to be deposited inputted through the management
operation unit 80, 280, 380.
[0089]
In a case wherein "the amount of money to be deposited
based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
30 100" is based on an actual count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100, the control unit 50, 250, 350 may be
configured to leave at least one piece of recognition information
judged as overlapped information among recognition
information regarding a plurality of paper sheets included in the
35 target transaction and to delete the other recognition
information judged as the overlapped information, when the
=!if!/ '"7/
i I
40
amount of money to be deposited based on an actual count
result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is larger than
the amount of money to be deposited inputted through the
operation unit 80, 280, 380. In this case, regarding the same
5 denomination, the control unit 50, 250, 350 may be configured
to leave at least one piece of recognition information judged as
overlapped information among the recognition information
stored in the storing unit 51, 251, 351 and to delete the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped· information
10 from the storing unit 51, 251, 351.
[0090]
In order to judge whether there is the overlapped
information, a fuzzy search may be conducted. For example,
when a command for conducting a fuzzy search is inputted
15 through the operation unit 80, 280, 380, the control unit 50,
250, 350 searches the recognition information stored in the
storing unit 51, 251, 351 for a target paper sheet in a fuzzy
manner. When the fuzzy search is conducted, the storing unit
51, 251, 351 may store each of two or more pieces of candidate
20 recognition information of a target paper sheet obtained by the
fuzzy search.
[0091]
Herein, the confirmation of a depositing process in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may not be permitted if a
25 predetermined percentage or more of the recognition
information of the paper sheets could not be judged by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. The situation wherein the
recognition information of a paper sheet could not be judged by
the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 includes a situation
30 wherein only one or more characters of the recognition
information of a paper sheet could not be judged by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. The warning unit
provided at the handling display unit 81, the management
display unit 281 or the upper-grade display unit 381 may be
35 configured to notify of information to advise recounting if a
predetermined percentage or more of the recognition
41
information of the paper sheets could not be judged by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100.
[0092]
When the predetermined conditions are satisfied and thus
5 the depositing process is finally confirmed at the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100, a transaction ID is assigned. Then,
the transaction ID and the serial numbers of the banknotes that
have been deposited by this transaction are associated with
each other, and subsequently stored in the storing unit 51, 251,
10 351.
[0093]

Next, the effects achieved by the present embodiment as
structured above are explained. In particular, the effects that
15 have not been explained before yet are explained. The
important effects are also explained.
[0094]
According to the present embodiment, the at least one
(for example, one) of the recognition information judged as the
20 overlapped information among the recognition information
stored in the storing unit 51, 251, 351 is left and the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped information is
deleted from the storing unit 51, 251, 351. Thus, it can be
prevented that overlapped data regarding the recognition
25 information of the paper sheets be stored and managed.
[0095]
In the present embodiment, at least one (for example,
one) of recognition information judged as overlapped
information among recognition information regarding a plurality
30 of paper sheets included in one transaction may be left and the
other recognition information judged as the overlapped
information may be deleted from the storing unit 51, 251, 351.
Then, it can be prevented that overlapped data regarding the
recognition information of the paper sheets included in the one
35 transaction be stored and managed.
42
[0096]
Alternatively, in the present embodiment, at least one
(for example, one) of recognition information judged as
overlapped information among recognition information
5 regarding a plurality of paper sheets included in a plurality of
transactions may be left and the other recognition information
judged as the overlapped information may be deleted from the
storing unit 51, 251, 351. Then, it can be prevented that
overlapped data regarding the recognition information of the
10 paper sheets included in the plurality of transactions be stored
and managed. In this case, at least one (for example, one) of
recognition information judged as overlapped information
among recognition information regarding a plurality of paper
sheets included in a predetermined number of transactions may
15 be left and the other recognition information judged as the
overlapped information may be deleted from the storing unit 51,
251, 351, automatically every time recognition information
regarding the plurality of paper sheets included in the
predetermined number of transactions is stored in the storing
20 unit 51, 251, 351. Alternatively, instead of the above manner,
at least one (for example, one) of recognition information
judged as overlapped information among recognition
information regarding a plurality of paper sheets included in a
plurality of transactions may be left and the other recognition
25 information judged as the overlapped information may be
deleted from the storing unit 51, 251, 351, every time
predetermined information is inputted through the operation
unit 80, 280, 380.
[0097]
30 In the present embodiment, the control unit is capable of
searching the recognition information stored in the storing unit
51, 251, 351 for a target paper sheet in a fuzzy manner (fuzzy
search). Thus, certain recognition information is judged to be
overlapped in the fuzzy manner, even when the recognition
35 information may not be judged to be overlapped if a normal
search is conducted. Therefore, it can be more surely
43
prevented that overlapped data regarding the recognition
information of the paper sheets be stored and managed. The
"threshold" for conducting such a "fuzzy search" may be
suitably changed through the operation unit 80, 280, 380. In
5 this case, it is possible to store and/or manage the recognition
information of the paper sheets correspondingly to a current
situation by adjusting the threshold based on the current
situation
[0098]
10 When the fuzzy search is conducted and the storing unit
51, 251, 351 stores each of two or more pieces of candidate
recognition information of a target paper sheet obtained by the
fuzzy search, it is possible to confirm later each of the two or
more pieces of candidate recognition information of the target
15 paper sheet obtained by the fuzzy search. It is also possible to
confirm later the fact that the fuzzy search has been conducted.
[0099]
When the paper sheets are banknotes, the control unit 50,
250, 350 may be configured to leave at least one (for example,
20 one) of recognition information judged as overlapped
information among the recognition information stored in the
storing unit 51, 251, 351, regarding the same denomination,
and to delete the other recognition information judged as the
overlapped information from the storing unit 51, 251, 351. In
25 this case, it can be prevented that certain recognition
information is judged to be overlapped when the recognition
information is the same as some other recognition information
but denominations thereof are different from each other. Thus,
it can be prevented that recognition information not to be
30 judged as overlapped information is deleted from the storing
unit 51, 251, 351, by mistake.
[0 100]
When the first card reader 110 (first reading unit) is
adopted, the information of an ID card of a customer, for
35 example a person who wants to deposit money or a person who
wants to dispense money, is read out and stored in the storing
7~~-/Ev '
i 44
unit 51, 251, 351 to be managed.
[0101]
When the second card reader 120 (second reading unit)
is adopted, the information of a financial-institution card of a
5 customer, for example a person who wants to deposit money or
a person who wants to dispense money, is read out and stored
in the storing unit 51, 251, 351 to be managed.
[0102]
Confirmation of a dispensing process in the paper-sheet
10 handling apparatus 100 may be permitted only under a
condition wherein the amount of money to be dispensed
inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380 and an amount
of money to be dispensed based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 coincide with each other.
15 Alternatively, confirmation of a dispensing process in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may be permitted only
under a condition wherein the number of paper sheets to be
dispensed inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380 and
the number of paper sheets to be dispensed based on a count
20 result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 coincide with
each other. In these cases (although it is indirect when the
number of paper sheets is taken into consideration), it is
possible to obviate the risk of confirmation of such a dispensing
process that the amount of money of the paper sheets (typically,
25 banknotes) to be actually handed over to the customer and the
amount of money to be dispensed inputted through the
operation unit 80, 280, 380 based on the customer's request do
not coincide with each other.
[0103]
30 Confirmation of a depositing process in the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 may be permitted only under a
condition wherein the amount of money to be deposited
inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380 and an amount
of money to be deposited based on a count result by the
35 paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 coincide with each other.
Alternatively, confirmation of a depositing process in the
45
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 may be permitted only
under a condition wherein the number of paper sheets to be
deposited inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380 and
the number of paper sheets to be deposited based on a count
5 result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 coincide with
each other. In these cases (although it is indirect when the
number of paper sheets is taken into consideration), it is
possible to obviate the risk of confirmation of such a depositing
process that the amount of money of the paper sheets (typically,
10 banknotes) that have been actually handed over from the
customer and the amount of money to be deposited inputted
through the operation unit 80, 280, 380 based on the
customer's request do not coincide with each other.
[0104]
15 The warning unit provided at the handling display unit 81,
the management display unit 281 or the upper-grade display
unit 381 may be configured to notify of information to advise
recounting, when the amount of money to be dispensed
inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380 and an amount
20 of money to be dispensed based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 do not coincide with each
other. Alternatively, the warning unit provided at the handling
display unit 81, the management display unit 281 or the
upper-grade display unit 381 may be configured to notify of
25 information to advise recounting, when the number of paper
sheets to be dispensed inputted through the operation unit 80,
280, 380 and the number of paper sheets to be dispensed based
on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 do
not coincide with each other. In these cases (although it is
30 indirect when the number of paper sheets is taken into
consideration), it is possible to notify the operator that the
amount of money of the paper sheets (typically, banknotes) to
be actually handed over to the customer and the amount of
money to be dispensed requested by the customer do not
35 coincide with each other. Thus, it is possible to obviate the risk
of any trouble with the customer that may happen. In a
•
l ;
46
specific manner, the warning unit provided at the handling
display unit 81, the management display unit 281 or the
upper-grade display unit 381 may be configured to notify of
information to advise recounting, when the amount of money to
5 be dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100 is smaller than the amount of money to
be dispensed inputted through the management operation unit
80, 280, 380, or when the number of paper sheets to be
dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
10 apparatus 100 is smaller than the number of paper sheets to be
dispensed inputted through the management operation unit 80,
280, 380. In these cases (although it is indirect when the
number of paper sheets is taken into consideration), it is
possible to notify the operator that the amount of money of the
15 paper sheets (typically, banknotes) to be actually handed over
to the customer is smaller than the amount of money to be
dispensed requested by the customer. Thus, it can be
prevented that the paper sheets (typically, banknotes), which
amount of money is smaller than the amount of money to be
20 dispensed requested by the customer, are handed over to the
customer.
[0105]
Similarly, the warning unit provided at the handling
display unit 81, the management display unit 281 or the
25 upper-grade display unit 381 may be configured to notify of
information to advise recounting, when the amount of money to
be deposited inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380
and an amount of money to be deposited based on a count
result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 do not
30 coincide with each other. Alternatively, the warning unit
provided at the handling display unit 81, the management
display unit 281 or the upper-grade display unit 381 may be
configured to notify of information to advise recounting, when
the number of paper sheets to be deposited inputted through
35 the operation unit 80, 280, 380 and the number of paper sheets
to be deposited based on a count result by the paper-sheet
-j
I'
47
handling apparatus 100 do not coincide with each other. In
these cases (although it is indirect when the number of paper
sheets is taken into consideration), it is possible to notify the
operator that the amount of money of the paper sheets
5 (typically, banknotes) that have been actually handed over from
the customer and the amount of money to be deposited
requested by the customer do not coincide with each other.
Thus, it is possible to obviate the risk of any trouble with the
customer that may happen. In a specific manner, the warning
10 unit provided at the handling display unit 81, the management
display unit 281 or the upper-grade display unit 381 may be
configured to notify of information to advise recounting, when
the amount of money to be deposited based on a count result
by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is smaller than the
15 amount of money to be deposited inputted through the
management operation unit 80, 280, 380, or when the number
of paper sheets to be deposited based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is smaller than the number
of paper sheets to be deposited inputted through the
20 management operation unit 80, 280, 380. In these cases
(although it is indirect when the number of paper sheets is
taken into consideration), it is possible to notify the operator
that the amount of money of the paper sheets (typically,
banknotes) that have been actually handed over from the
25 customer is smaller than the amount of money to be deposited
requested by the customer. Thus, it can be prevented that the
paper sheets (typically, banknotes), which amount of money is
smaller than the amount of money to be deposited requested by
the customer, are taken in to be handled.
30 [0106]
In a case wherein "the amount of money to be dispensed
based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
100" is based on an actual count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100, the control unit 50, 250, 350 may be
35 configured to leave at least one (for example, one) of
recognition information judged as overlapped information
i 48
among recognition information regarding a plurality of paper
sheets included in one transaction and to delete the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped information,
when the amount of money to be dispensed based on an actual
5 count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is larger
than the amount of money to be dispensed inputted through the
operation unit 80, 280, 380. In this case, it is possible to
cause the control unit 50, 250, 350 to judge whether there is
overlapped recognition information of paper sheets, only when it
10 is necessary for the dispensing process.
[0107]
In a case wherein "the amount of money to be deposited
based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus
100" is based on an actual count result by the paper-sheet
15 handling apparatus 100, the control unit 50, 250, 350 may be
configured to leave at least one (for example, one) of
recognition information judged as overlapped information
among recognition information regarding a plurality of paper
sheets included in one transaction and to delete the other
20 recognition information judged as the overlapped information,
when the amount of money to be deposited based on an actual
count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 is larger
than the amount of money to be deposited inputted through the
operation unit 80, 280, 380. In this case, it is possible to
25 cause the control unit 50, 250, 350 to judge whether there is
overlapped recognition information of paper sheets, only when it
is necessary for the depositing process.
[0108]
As described above, "the amount of money to be
30 dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100" may be calculated after leaving one count data
of a paper sheet whose recognition information has been judged
to be overlapped, among recognition information stored in the
storing unit 51, 251, 351, and deleting the other count data
35 whose recognition information has been judged to be
overlapped. In this case, since the amount of money to be
49
dispensed is calculated after the overlapped data are deleted, it
is possible to enhance possibility that "the amount of money to
be dispensed based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100" coincide with the amount of money to
5 be dispensed inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380
at one step (task). This can improve operational efficiency of
the operator. In the same way, "the amount of money to be
deposited based on a count result by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100" may be calculated after leaving one count data
10 of a paper sheet whose recognition information has been judged
to be overlapped, among recognition information stored in the
storing unit 51, 251, 351, and deleting the other count data
whose recognition information has been judged to be
overlapped. In this case, since the amount of money to be
15 deposited is calculated after the overlapped data are deleted, it
is possible to enhance possibility that "the amount of money to
be deposited based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus 100" coincide with the amount of money to
be deposited inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380
20 at one step (task). This can improve operational efficiency of
the operator. Similarly, "the number of paper sheets based on
a count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" may
be calculated after leaving one count data of a paper sheet
whose recognition information has been judged to be
25 overlapped, among recognition information stored in the storing
unit 51, 251, 351, and deleting the other count data whose
recognition information has been judged to be overlapped. In
this case, since the number of paper sheets is calculated after
the overlapped data are deleted, it is possible to enhance
30 possibility that "the number of paper sheets based on a count
result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100" coincide with
the number of paper sheets to be dispensed or to be deposited
inputted through the operation unit 80, 280, 380 at one step
(task). This can improve operational efficiency of the operator.
35 [0 109]
When confirmation of a transaction in the paper-sheet
/
50
handling apparatus 100 is not permitted if a predetermined
percentage or more of the recognition information of the paper
sheets could not be judged by the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 1001 it can be prevented that the transaction is
5 confirmed although recognition information of paper sheets such
as serial numbers has not been obtained. As a result/ the
recognition information of the paper sheets handled by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 can be more surely stored
in the storing unit 51 1 2511 351 to be managed. Herein1
10 confirmation of a transaction in the paper-sheet handling
apparatus 100 may not be permitted even if only one or more
characters of the serial number of a paper sheet could not be
read out. In this case1 the recognition information of the paper
sheets handled by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100 can
15 be more surely and more correctly stored in the storing unit 51 1
2511 351 to be managed.
[0110]
The warning unit may be configured to notify of
information to advise recounting if a predetermined percentage
20 or more of the recognition information of the paper sheets could
not be judged by the paper-sheet handling apparatus 100. In
this case1 it is possible to notify the operator why the
transaction cannot be confirmed. This can improve operational
efficiency of the operator.
25 [0111]
At last1 the description of the above respective
embodiments and the disclosure of the drawings are only
exemplary for explaining the present invention defined in the
attached claims. The scope of claim of the present invention is
30 not limited by the description of the above respective
embodiments and the disclosure of the drawings.
---------------------------------
51
CLAIMS
1. A paper-sheet managing apparatus comprising:
a storing unit configured to store recognition information
regarding a plurality of paper sheets/ the recognition
information being obtained by a paper-sheet handling
apparatus; and
a control unit configured to leave at least one piece of
recognition information judged as overlapped information
among the recognition information stored in the storing unit and
to delete the other recognition information judged as the
overlapped information from the storing unit.
2. The paper-sheet managing apparatus according to claim
11 wherein
the control unit is configured to leave at least one piece
of recognition information judged as overlapped information
among recognition information regarding a plurality of paper
sheets included in one transaction and to delete the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped information
from the storing unit.
3. The paper-sheet managing apparatus according to claim
1 or 2 1 wherein
the control unit is configured to leave at least one piece
of recognition information judged as overlapped information
among recognition information regarding a plurality of paper
sheets included in a plurality of transactions and to delete the
other recognition information judged as the overlapped
information from the storing unit.
4. The paper-sheet managing apparatus according to any of
claims 1 to 3 1 wherein
the control unit is capable of searching the recognition
information stored in the storing unit for a target paper sheet in
a fuzzy manner.
52
5. The paper-sheet managing apparatus according to claim
4, wherein
when the control unit conducts a fuzzy search, the
storing unit is configured to store each of two or more pieces of
candidate recognition information of a target paper sheet
obtained by the fuzzy search.
6. The paper-sheet managing apparatus according to any of
claims 1 to 5, wherein
the paper sheet is a banknote, and
the control unit is configured to leave at least one piece
of recognition information judged as overlapped information
among the recognition information stored in the storing unit,
regarding the same denomination, and to delete the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped information
from the storing unit.
7. A paper-sheet handling system comprising:
a paper-sheet managing apparatus according to any of
claims 1 to 6; and
a paper-sheet handling apparatus communicable with the
paper-sheet managing apparatus.
8. The paper-sheet handling system according to claim 7,
wherein
confirmation of a transaction in the paper-sheet handling
apparatus is permitted:
if an inputted amount of money to be dispensed and an
amount of money to be dispensed based on a count result by
the paper-sheet handling apparatus coincide with each other, or
if an inputted number of paper sheets to be dispensed
and a number based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus coincide with each other, or
if an inputted amount of money to be deposited and an
amount of money to be deposited based on a count result by
the paper-sheet handling apparatus coincide with each other, or
53
if an inputted number of paper sheets to be deposited
and a number based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus coincide with each other.
9. The paper-sheet handling system according to claim 7 or
8, further comprising
a warning unit configured to notify of information to
advise recounting:
when an inputted amount of money to be dispensed and
an amount of money to be dispensed based on a count result by
the paper-sheet handling apparatus do not coincide with each
other, or
when an inputted number of paper sheets to be
dispensed and a number based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus do not coincide with each other,
or
when an inputted amount of money to be deposited and
an amount of money to be deposited based on a count result by
the paper-sheet handling apparatus do not coincide with each
other, or
when an inputted number of paper sheets to be deposited
and a number based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus do not coincide with each other.
10. The paper-sheet handling system according to claim 9,
wherein
the warning unit is configured to notify of the information
to advise recounting:
when the amount of money to be dispensed based on a
count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus is smaller
than the inputted amount of money to be dispensed, or
when the number based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus is smaller than the inputted
number of paper sheets to be dispensed, or
when the amount of money to be deposited based on a
count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus is smaller
54
than the inputted amount of money to be deposited, or
when the number based on a count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus is smaller than the inputted
number of paper sheets to be deposited.
11. The paper-sheet handling system according to any of
claims 8 to 10, wherein
the amount of money to be dispensed based on a count
result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus is an amount of
money to be dispensed calculated after leaving one piece of the
recognition information judged as the overlapped information
among the recognition information stored in the storing unit and
deleting the other recognition information judged as the
overlapped information from the storing unit,
the amount of money to be deposited based on a count
result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus is an amount of
money to be deposited calculated after leaving one piece of the
recognition information judged as the overlapped information
among the recognition information stored in the storing unit and
deleting the other recognition information judged as the
overlapped information from the storing unit, and
the number based on a count result by the paper-sheet
handling apparatus is a number calculated after leaving one
piece of the recognition information judged as the overlapped
information among the recognition information stored in the
storing unit and deleting the other recognition information
judged as the overlapped information from the storing unit.
12. The paper-sheet handling system according to any of
claims 7 to 11, wherein
the control unit is configured to leave at least one piece
of recognition information judged as overlapped information
among recognition information regarding a plurality of paper
sheets included in one transaction and to delete the other
recognition information judged as the overlapped information
from the storing unit:
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when the amount of money to be dispensed based on an
actual count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus is
larger than the inputted amount of money to be dispensed, or
when the number based on an actual count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus is larger than the inputted
number of paper sheets to be dispensed, or
when the amount of money to be deposited based on an
actual count result by the paper-sheet handling apparatus is
larger than the inputted amount of money to be deposited, or
when the number based on an actual count result by the
paper-sheet handling apparatus is larger than the inputted
number of paper sheets to be deposited.
13. The paper-sheet handling system according to any of
claims 7 to 12, wherein
confirmation of a transaction in the paper-sheet handling
apparatus is not permitted:
if a predetermined percentage or more of the recognition
information of the paper sheets cannot be judged in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus.
14. The paper-sheet handling system according to any of
claims 7 to 13, further comprising
another warning unit configured to notify of information
to advise recounting:
if a predetermined percentage or more of the recognition
information of the paper sheets cannot be judged in the
paper-sheet handling apparatus.
15. A paper-sheet managing method comprising:
obtaining recognition information regarding a plurality of
paper sheets by a recognition unit,
causing a storing unit to store the recognition information,
and
leaving at least one piece of recognition information
judged as overlapped information among the recognition
--:::- ..
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information stored' in the storing unit and deleting the other
recognition information ju~ged as the overlapped information .
from the storing unit ..