-
The present invention relates to a paper
money receiving and paying apparatus and an automatic
teller machine for receiving and/or paying paper
moneys.
-
An automatic teller machine which has been
used in a financial institution is adapted to receive
and pay paper moneys.
-
It is necessary to take various paper moneys
having different sizes into consideration, as those to
be handled in the automatic teller machine. JP-A-2000-187752
discloses a means for stacking and separating
paper moneys having different sizes. This means can
stack and separate paper moneys by manually adjusting
the height of a top plate in accordance with a length
of the narrow side of a paper money even thought paper
moneys to be handled have different sizes. That is,
after the position of the top plate is manually
adjusted, only paper moneys having a certain size can
be stacked and separated.
-
By the way, when paper moneys are loaded in
an automatic teller machine, all denominations of paper
moneys to be loaded are led through a paper money
determining part from a loading and recovering bin in
which the paper moneys have been packed, so as to
determine denominations and numbers of paper moneys
which are then conveyed to and loaded in return bins
for respectively storing the denominations of paper
moneys.
-
Further, in order to recover paper moneys in
the automatic teller machine, paper moneys are conveyed
from the return bins and through the paper money
determining part so as to determine denominations and
number of paper moneys. The paper moneys of different
denominations are then conveyed to and stored into the
loading and recovering bin. Further, in order to
precisely check a number of paper moneys in the
automatic teller machine, the recovering and loading
are successively repeated.
-
In the above-mentioned handling, it is
required to accumulate and separate paper moneys of
different denominations which are mixed together in the
loading and recovering bin. However, the device
disclosed in the JP-A-2000-187752 cannot cope with
storage of paper moneys having different sizes in a
mixed condition, that is, the conventional automatic
teller machine cannot load, recover and precisely check
paper moneys having different sizes.
Brief Summary of the Invention
-
An object of the present invention is to
provide a paper money receiving and paying apparatus
and an automatic teller machine which includes a device
for stacking and separating paper moneys having
different sizes in a mixed condition.
-
The above-mentioned object can be achieved by
a configuration comprising a stacking and separating
device for stacking and separating paper moneys, a size
detecting means for detecting sizes of paper moneys
stacked in the stacking and separating device, a travel
regulating means for regulating a travel of a paper
money in the accumulating and separating device, and a
control part for controlling the travel regulating
means in accordance with sizes of the paper moneys.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that the travel
regulating means causes the leading end of a paper
money to impinge thereupon, and the position of the
travel regulating means is changed depending upon a
size of a paper money.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that the travel
regulating means is rotated so as to change the
position where the leading end of a paper money impinge
thereupon, depending upon a size of a paper money.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that a part or all of
the external shape of the travel regulating means is
arcuated.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by an interference preventing means for
preventing a paper money having stacked from entering
into a space where paper moneys are stacked.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that the stacking and
separating device incorporates a storage space for
storing paper moneys, and the interference preventing
means is an inclined floor surface in the storage
space.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that the stacking and
separating device comprises a push-plate for supporting
paper moneys having been stacked, and the interference
preventing means is the push-plate defining an inclined
surface during stacking of paper moneys.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that the travel
regulating means and the interference preventing means
are integrally incorporated with each other.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that the travel
regulating means and the interference preventing means
can be retracted so as to prevent interference with
stacked paper moneys.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that either or both of
the travel regulating means and the interference
preventing means incorporate a friction reducing member
for reducing friction with respect to a paper money.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a confutation that there are provided
a plurality of travel regulating means and/or
interference preventing means.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that the travel
regulating means incorporates a paper money entrance
preventing means for preventing a paper money from
being caught after stacking.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that the paper money
stacking and separating device incorporates a
separating and stacking guide for guiding introduced
and stacked paper moneys, the separating and stacking
guide having one end part which has a curved surface.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that the paper money
size detecting means incorporates a paper money
determining means for determining a denomination of a
paper money, and a memory part having a data base in
which denominations and sizes of paper moneys are
related to one another.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object
incorporates a paper money detecting means for
detecting a paper money to be conveyed to the stacking
and separating device, and the travel regulating means
is controlled through detection of a paper money by the
paper money detecting means.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that there is provided
a stacking space volume detecting means for detecting
an occupied space by paper moneys after stacking, which
occupy a space for stacking therein paper moneys within
the stacking and separating device, and the travel
regulating means is controlled inn accordance with a
result of detection by the stacking space volume
detecting means.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by such a configuration that the stacking and
separating device stacks paper moneys in a standing
posture.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by the paper money receiving and paying
apparatus comprising a receiving and paying port for
carrying out either or both of separation of paper
moneys introduced by a user, and stacking of paper
moneys to be paid for a user, a paper money determining
part for determining a denomination of a paper money, a
temporary storage bin for temporarily storing paper
moneys, either or both of a receiving bin for storing
paper moneys which are inappropriate for payment and
return bins for storing therein and discharging
denominations of paper moneys, respectively, and a
conveying path connecting the paper money determining
part, the temporary storage bin and the above-mentioned
bins, for conveying paper moneys, characterized in that
the above-mentioned stacking and separating device is
the temporary storage bin.
-
The above-mentioned object can be achieved by
the paper money receiving and paying apparatus
comprising a receiving and paying port for carrying out
either or both of separation of paper moneys introduced
by a user, or stacking of paper moneys to be paid for a
user, a paper money determining part for determining a
denomination of a paper money, a temporary storage bin
for temporarily storing paper moneys, return bins for
storing therein and discharging denominations of paper
moneys, respectively, a charge and recovery bin for
recovering paper and loading moneys from and into the
return bins, and a conveying path connecting the paper
money determining part, the temporary storage bin and
the above-mentioned bins, for conveying paper moneys,
characterized in that the above-mentioned stacking and
separating device is either or both of the temporary
storage bin and the charge and recovery bin.
-
Further, the above-mentioned object can be
achieved by an automatic teller machine incorporating
the above-mentioned paper money receiving and paying
apparatus.
-
The present invention will be detailed in the
form of preferred embodiments of the invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Brief Description of the Several views of the Drawing
-
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an
external appearance of an automatic teller machine to
which the present invention is applied;
- Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a
control mechanism in the automatic teller machine to
which the present invention is applied;
- Fig. 3 is an elevation view illustrating a
configuration of a paper money receiving and paying
apparatus;
- Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a
control mechanism in the paper money receiving and
paying apparatus in an embodiment of the present
invention;
- Fig. 5 is an elevation view for explaining
operation of loading of paper moneys in the embodiment
of the present invention;
- Fig. 6 is a flow-chart for loading paper
moneys in the embodiment of the present invention:
- Fig. 7 is an elevation view for explaining
operation of recovery of paper moneys in the embodiment
of the present invention;
- Fig. 8 is a flow chart for recovery of paper
moneys in the embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 9 is a side view for explaining a
condition in which paper moneys are stored into a
loading and recovering bin;
- Fig. 10 is a side view for explaining a
condition in which paper moneys are discharged from the
loading and recovering bin;
- Fig. 11 is a top view illustrating the
loading and recovering bin installed in the paper money
receiving and paying apparatus;
- Fig. 12 is a side view illustrating a
configuration of a travel regulating means;
- Fig. 13 is a view for explaining operation of
storing paper moneys in the loading and recovering bin;
- Fig. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a
control mechanism for storing and discharging paper
moneys into and from the loading and recovering bin;
- Fig. 15 is a flow-chart for controlling the
travel regulating means during stacking of paper
moneys;
- Fig. 16 is a flow chart for controlling the
travel regulating means during stacking of paper
moneys;
- Fig. 17 is a side view illustrating another
example of an interference preventing means;
- Fig. 18 is a side view illustrating another
example of the interference preventing means;
- Fig. 19 is a top view illustrating another
friction reducing member;
- Fig. 20 is a plan view illustrating a
configuration of a stacking assist means;
- Fig. 21 is a side view for explaining storing
of paper moneys into the loading and recovering bin
- Fig. 22 is a side view for explaining
discharging of paper moneys from the loading and
recovering bin;
- Fig. 23 is a top view illustrating the
loading and recovering bin installed in the paper money
receiving and paying apparatus;
- Fig. 24 is a view for explaining operation of
storing of paper moneys into the loading and recovering
bin;
- Fig. 25 is a view for explaining operation of
storing of paper moneys into the loading and recovering
bin;
- Fig. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a
control mechanism for storing and discharging paper
moneys into and from the loading and recovering bin;
- Figs. 27A to 27D are views for explaining
operation of storing of paper moneys into the loading
and recovering bin;
- Fig. 28 is a flow-chart for controlling the
stacking assist means during stacking of paper moneys;
- Fig. 29 is a view for explaining operation of
storing paper moneys into the loading and recovering
bin; and
- Fig. 30 is a view illustrating another
example of the loading and recovering bin.
-
Detailed Description of the Invention
-
Referring to Fig. 1 which is a view
illustrating an external appearance of an automatic
teller machine in which the present invention is
applied, the automatic teller machine 101 in this
embodiment, comprises, a card/check processing
mechanism 102 for processing a traction card or a
traction check owned by the customer, a banknote
processing part 105 for processing a banknote, a
housing 104, and a customer manipulation part 105 for
displaying or inputting data required for traction. A
paper money receiving and paying apparatus 1 is
incorporated in the housing 104.
-
Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a
control scheme of the present invention.
-
Referring to Fig. 2, the card/check
processing mechanism 102, the bank note processing
mechanism 103, the customer manipulation part 105 and
the paper money receiving and paying apparatus 1 are
connected to the main control part 106 through the
intermediary of a bus 110 so that they carry out
required operation under the control of the main
control part 106. In addition to the above, there are
provided an interface part 107, an operator
manipulation part 108 and an external memory device 109
which are also connected to the bus 110, for
transmitting data therebetween. However, detailed
description thereto will be omitted. Further, the
above-mentioned mechanisms and components are powered
by a power source part 111.
-
Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the
configuration of the paper money receiving and paying
apparatus mounted in the automatic teller machine 101.
-
Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a control
mechanism.
-
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the paper money
receiving and paying apparatus 1 comprises a receiving
and paying port 2 for receiving and paying paper
moneys, a paper money determining part 3 for
determining a denomination of a paper money, or
determining whether a paper money is true or false, a
temporary storage part 4 for temporarily storing
received paper moneys until a transaction is completed,
paper money bins for storing paper moneys, and a
conveying path 5 connecting components in the paper
money receiving and paying device 1 to one another, for
conveying paper moneys.
-
The paper money bins are sorted in view of
their roles, into for example, a receiving bin for
storing therein paper moneys which are no more used as
paper moneys to be paid, return bins for respectively
storing denominations of paper moneys, and discharging
them upon payment, a loading and recoverying bin for
loading paper moneys into the return bins, and
recovering paper moneys from the return bins.
-
In this embodiment, a receiving bin 6 is
incorporated in a lower right part of the apparatus as
shown in Fig. 3. Further, the remainder of the paper
money bins is used as return bins 7. For example, they
are for 50 Euro-dollar, 100 Euro-dollar and 200 Euro-dollar
in the mentioned order as viewed from the left
side of the figure. Further, the loading and
recovering bin 8 is located in the middle stage of the
apparatus. The loading and recovering bin 8 is adapted
to store thereinto and discharge therefrom paper moneys
to be handed in the paper money receiving and paying
apparatus, in a mixed condition so as to be load or
recover paper moneys into and from the return bins.
-
Further, the paper money receiving and paying
apparatus 1 incorporates a memory part DB in which
correspondence between denominations and sizes of paper
moneys is recorded. Thus, a size of a paper money can
be found by determining a denomination thereof. The
control part 9 is connected to the main control part
106 through the intermediary of the bus 110 so as to
control the paper money receiving and paying apparatus
1 in accordance with an instruction from the main
control part 106 and a detected state of the paper
money receiving and paying apparatus 1, and the state
of the paper money receiving and paying apparatus 1 is
transmitted to the main control part 106 as required.
-
The loading of paper moneys can be carried
out when the apparatus is replenished with paper
moneys, for example, in the case of loading of paper
moneys into the apparatus before operation of the
automatic teller machine 101, and in the case of
loading of paper moneys when the number of loaded paper
moneys becomes less during operation.
-
Fig. 5 is a view illustrating the
configuration of the automatic teller machine, for
explaining the loading operation of paper moneys in the
embodiment of the present invention.
-
Referring to Fig. 5, upon loading of paper
moneys, paper moneys in the loading and recovering bin
8 are fed onto the conveying path 5, and are conveyed
in the direction of the arrow in the figure. At this
stage, denominations and a number and conditions of
paper moneys are determined by means of the paper money
determining part 3, and paper moneys which are not for
payment are stored in the receiving bin 6, and paper
moneys which are for payment are stored in the
returning bins 7, being sorted into respective
denomination groups.
-
Fig. 6 is a flow-chart for the above-mentioned
loading of the paper moneys.
-
Meanwhile, the recovery of paper moneys are
carried out as required, in the case of recovery of
paper moneys in the automatic teller machine 101 after
the operation is closed, or upon requirement of
recovery of paper moneys in the apparatus when the
number of loaded paper moneys becomes excessive during
the operation.
-
Fig. 7 is a view illustrating a configuration
of an automatic teller machine for explaining the
operation during recovery of paper moneys in this
embodiment.
-
Referring to Fig. 7, during recovery of paper
moneys, paper moneys in the return bins 7 are fed onto
the conveying path 5, and are conveyed in the direction
of the arrow. At this time, denominations and numbers
of paper moneys are determined by way of the paper
money determining part 3, and then the paper moneys are
stored in the loading and recovering bin 8. It is
noted that, in this embodiment, the receiving bin 6 is
adapted to be directly removed in order to recover
paper moneys therein.
-
Fig. 8 shows a flow-chart for the recovery
operation.
-
The number of paper moneys in the apparatus
can be confirmed by carrying out the recovery operation
and the loading operation.
-
Fig. 9 is a side view illustrating a state in
which paper moneys are stored in the loading and
recovering bin 8.
-
Fig. 10 is a side view illustrating a sate in
which paper moneys are discharged from the loading and
recovering bin 8.
-
Fig. 11 is a top view illustrating the
configuration of the loading and recovering bin 8
mounted in the paper money receiving and paying
apparatus 1.
-
Referring to Figs. 9, 10 and 11, the loading
and recovering bin 8 is a horizontal paper money bin in
which paper moneys are horizontally stored in a
standing posture, and is adapted to store and separate
paper moneys having different sizes.
-
A paper money introducing and discharging
mechanism is composed of stack feed rollers 801, pick-up
rollers 811, driven backup rollers 802 and gate
rollers 803 which are rotated in a storing direction
but is not rotated in a pay-out direction, and brush
rollers 804 which are coaxial with the gate rollers 803
and to which flexible push-in members are radially
arranged, and a separating and stacking guide 805 whose
position is changed between separation and stacking.
-
The stack feed rollers 801 are driven for
rotation with the use of a drive'source and gears which
are not shown, so as to feed paper moneys to be stored,
and feed paper moneys to be discharged onto the
conveying path 5. The backup rollers 802 are rotated
being driven by the stack feed rollers 801 so as to
pinch a paper money between itself and the stack feed
roller 801 in order to convey the paper money. The
gate roller 803 are rotated being driven by the stack
feed rollers 80 when paper moneys are stored but is not
rotated when they are discharged.
-
That is, when paper moneys are separated and
paid out by the pick-up rollers 811 and the stack-feed
rollers 801, a paper money adjacent to a paper money to
be discharged makes contacts with the gate rollers 803
in order to prevent the paper money from being paid out
following the paper money to be discharged.
-
The stack feed rollers 801 and the gate
rollers 803 define an introduction and discharge port
communicated with the stacking space. That is, after
the paper money introduced from the outside is released
from the pinch between the stack feed rollers 801 and
the gate rollers 803, it falls in a unrestrained
condition, and is therefore introduced into the
stacking space.
-
It is noted the brush rotor 804 has the
flexible push-in members only for a substantially
semicircular circumference thereof in order to carry
out discharge operation of paper moneys. When paper
moneys are stored, it is rotated in the storing
direction of paper moneys, the paper moneys stacked in
the stacking space are scraped into the storage space
by the flexible push-in members which are radially
arranged. When the paper moneys are discharged, the
brush rollers 804 come to a stop at a position at which
no flexible push-in members appear in the stacking
space. Thus, paper moneys can be discharged without
interference with the flexible push-in members.
-
Further, the pick-up rollers 811 are driven
in synchronization with the stack-feed rollers 801, and
further, the brush rollers 804 are adapted to be
rotated, reverse to the rotation of the stack feed
roller 801 so as to aim at commonly using the drive
source.
-
It is noted that the brush rollers 804 is
coupled to the stack feed rollers 801 through the
intermediary of a one-way clutch, and accordingly, the
brush rollers 804 are not rotated upon discharge of
paper moneys.
-
Further, the one-way clutch is the one which
is rotated in one direction but is not in a reverse
direction, that is, it is rotated clockwise, but is not
counterclockwise.
-
The separating and stacking guide 805 has a
surface on the stacking space side, which serves as a
paper money guide surface for guiding a paper money
when it is stored or discharged. Upon storing of a
paper money, the paper money guide surface is located
at a position which is along an extension from the
introduction and discharge opening of the introducing
and discharging mechanism in the traveling direction of
paper moneys. Upon discharging of paper moneys, the
paper money guide surface is retraced up to a position
where the pickup rollers 811 are exposed.
-
The storage space is defined being surrounded
by the floor surface 808, a floor surface belt 807
which is suspended so as to support the lower ends of
paper moneys at a surface above the floor surface 808,
the push-plate 806, the separating and stacking guide
805, the top plate 810 and side walls 913.
-
The side walls 913 are mounted at positions
which can be set in accordance with a size of a paper
money. The width between the side walls 813 is
appropriately set, being adjusted to a value which is
larger that a widthwise dimension of a paper money by 2
to 10 mm. Further, the distance between the floor
surface 808 and the top plate 810 is set to a value
which is larger than the heightwise length of a paper
money having a largest size. Thus, paper moneys having
a largest size to be handled in the paper money
receiving and paying apparatus can be stored.
-
A transmission sensor is composed of a light
emitting element 888a and a light receiving element
888b. When a paper money is present in the vicinity of
the introduction and discharge opening, the paper money
blocks a light beam so that the presence of the paper
money in the vicinity of the introduction and discharge
opening can be known.
Four Blade Mechanism
-
In this embodiment, the travel regulating
means 891 for restraining an excessive travel of a
paper money to be stacked is provided above the
separating and stacking guide 805.
-
Fig. 12 is a view illustrating a
donfiguration of the travel regulating means 891.
-
Referring to Fig. 12, the travel regulating
means 891 incorporates, at each distal end thereof, a
rolling member 891a as a friction reducing member for
reducing friction with respect to a paper money.
-
It is noted that there may be used, as
another example of the friction reducing member, a
spherical or rhombus part at the distal end of the
travel regulating means 891, or a spherical or rhombus
movable element, as shown in Fig. 19, instead of the
rolling member 891a.
-
The stacking space is defined by the
separating and stacking guide 805, the floor surface
808 and the travel regulating means 891, and paper
moneys introduced from the outside are stacked in this
stacking space.
-
It is noted, as shown in Fig. 9, that the
floor surface belt 807 and the floor surface 808 are
inclined so as to serve as the interference preventing
means, and accordingly, the side walls 813, a rail for
the push plate 806 and the top plate 810 are inclined.
Thus, paper moneys are prevented from being caught to
the separating and stacking guide 805, thereby it is
possible to ensure the stacking space.
-
It is noted that the loading and recovering
bin 8 may be installed, being inclined in its entirety
in the paper money receiving and paying apparatus 1 as
another means for attaining the above-mentioned object.
-
The travel regulating means 891 has a role of
restraining a paper money from excessively traveling
upward when it is stacked in the stacking space.
-
It is noted, as shown in Fig. 11, a plurality
of travel regulating means 891 are provided widthwise
of a paper money so that the upper ends of the stacked
paper moneys are regulated at a plurality of positions.
-
Further, in order to prevent a paper money
from entering thereabove, being accompanied with the
rotation of the travel regulating means 891, as shown
in Fig. 9, a paper money entrance preventing means
having a shape for catching a paper money may be
provided above the stacking space.
Operation of Four Blades
-
Next, explanation will be made of the
operation in such a case that paper moneys having
different sizes are stored, being mixed together, in
the loading and recovering bin 8.
-
Fig. 14 is a schematic view which shows
control of storing and discharging of paper moneys into
and from the loading and discharging bin.
-
Referring to Fig. 14, the control part 9 runs
under control drive parts and sensors and the like in
the loading and recovering bin 8. Further, a paper
money size detecting means composed of the paper money
determining part 3 for determining a denomination of a
paper money, and the memory part DB having the data
base for correspondence between denominations and sizes
of paper moneys, recognizes a size of a paper money
passing through the paper money determining part 3, and
delivers at once data thereof to the control part. At
this stage, data corresponding to an order number on
conveyance thereof is also transmitted to the control
part 9.
-
Fig. 13 is a view for explaining the
operation for storing paper moneys into the loading and
recovering bin in this embodiment.
-
Referring to Fig. 13, a paper money is passed
through the paper money determining part 3, and
thereafter, it is conveyed to the loading and
recovering bin 8. The control part 9 drives a motor
801m for the stack feed rollers so as to rotate the
stack feed roller 801 and the gate roller 803, and
accordingly, the paper money 1000 is pinched
therebetween so as to be conveyed into the loading and
recovering bin 8. At this time, the paper money 1000
is conveyed, being maintained in its standing posture
along the paper money guide surface of the separating
and stacking guide 805.
-
Further, after it is released from the
pinching between the stack feed rollers 801 and the
gate rollers 803, the leading end of the paper money
1000 impinges upon a projection (the rolling member
891a) of the travel regulating means 891.
-
It is noted that the control part 9 drives a
motor 891 for the travel regulating means in accordance
with a paper money conveying time from the paper money
determining part 3 to the loading and separating bin 8
when data concerning a paper money to be introduced
into the loading and recovering bin 8 is delivered to
the control part 9, and accordingly, the travel
regulating means 891 is rotated counterclockwise under
control as viewed in Fig. 13 so that the distance from
the floor surface 808 to the protrusion of the travel
regulating means 891 becomes equal to a length of any
of paper moneys to be stacked, in the traveling
direction.
-
It is noted that the travel regulating means
891 is controlled so as to be rotated, in principle, by
a portion of one protrusion for one paper money. Thus,
the leading end of the paper money 1000 is regulated in
order to prevent excessive travel thereof, and
accordingly, paper money can be stacked with their
leading ends are aligned with one another on the floor
surface 808.
-
Further, the protrusions of the travel
regulating means 891 are rotated one by one for every
paper money, and accordingly, paper moneys having
different sizes can be successively stacked.
-
It is noted as shown in Fig. 13 that a paper
money detecting means 892 for detecting a paper money
on running may be arranged in the vicinity of the back-up
roller 802 so as to rotate, under control, the
travel regulating means 891 for every paper money to be
stacked with a timing of passing of the paper money.
-
Fig. 15 is a view which shows a control flow-chart
for storage operation of the travel regulating
means 891 in this embodiment.
-
Fig. 16 is a view which shows a control flow
chart for storage operation of the travel regulating
means 891 in this case.
-
It is noted that the lower ends of paper
moneys stacked in the stacking space are restrained by
the brush rollers 804 so as to prevent a next paper
money from impinging upon them. Meanwhile when a
number of paper moneys in the vicinity of the stacking
space is increased so that a time by which the
transmission sensor 888 is shielded is longer than a
predetermined time, the control part 9 drives the drive
motor 806m for the push-plate so as to displace the
push-plate 806 in a direction in which the storage
space is enlarged.
Separating Operation of Four Blades
-
Next, explanation will be made of operation
in the case of discharging paper moneys from the
loading and recovering bin 8. When paper moneys are
discharged from the loading and recovering bin 8, as
shown in Fig. 10, the drive motor 806m for the push-plate
is driven so as to displace the push-plates 809
toward the separating and stacking guide 805 so as to
press stored paper moneys against the separating and
stacking guide 805. Simultaneously, the separating and
stacking guide 805 and the travel regulating means 891
are retracted so as to expose the pick-up rollers 811.
Further, by rotating the pick-up rollers 811, stored
paper moneys are separated one by one while they are
discharged outside from the loading and recovering bin
8.
-
It is noted that stable discharge of paper
moneys can be made since the lower ends of paper moneys
are stacked being aligned with one another along the
floor surface 808 upon stacking of paper moneys, as
mentioned above.
-
Thus, according to the present invention,
paper moneys having different sizes can be stored in
one and the same loading and recovering bin, being
mixed with one another.
-
Fig. 17 is a view for illustrating the
interference preventing means in another embodiment.
-
Fig. 18 is a view for illustrating the
interference preventing means in the other embodiment.
-
Referring to Figs. 17 and 18, although it has
been explained that the floor surface belt 807 and the
floor surface 808 are inclined so as to serve as the
interference preventing means, a push-plate 806a
incorporating a push-plate inclining spring 806s may be
used as the interference preventing means. In this
case, as shown in Fig. 17, the push-plate 806a is
inclined by a force of the push-plate inclining spring
806s so as to incline the stored paper moneys in the
storage space, and accordingly, the stored paper moneys
are prevented from being caught by the separating and
stacking guide 805, thereby it is possible to ensure
the stacking space. Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 18, as
the push-plate 806a is displaced toward the separating
and stacking guide 805 during separation of paper
moneys, the postures of the stored paper moneys and the
push-plate 806a are changed in a direction along the
separating and stacking guide 805, due to a reaction
force of the separating and stacking guide 805, and
accordingly, stable separation can be carried out.
-
Fig. 19 is a view for explaining the friction
reducing means in another embodiment.
Single Blade Mechanism
-
It is noted that a stacking assist means 812
having both functions of the travel regulating means
and the interference preventing means may be used as
shown in Fig. 20 which will be hereinbelow explained,
instead of the travel regulating means 891 shown in
Fig. 12. The stacking assist means 812 is composed of
a stopper part 812a capable of executing the function
of the travel regulating means and a paper money
supporting part 812b capable of executing the function
of the interference preventing means.
-
The stopper part 612a has a role of
regulating an upward travel of a paper money when paper
moneys are stacked in the stacking space. The paper
money supporting part 812b defines a boundary between
the stacking space and the storage space, and has a
role of supporting the paper moneys stored in the
storage space. The distance between the distal end of
the paper money supporting part 512b to the floor
surface 808 is shorter than the length of a paper money
having a smallest size in the traveling direction,
which is to be handled in the paper money receiving and
paying apparatus 1, that is, it is shorter than the
height of the paper money which is stored in its
standing posture. With this configuration, a paper
money introduced in its standing posture is prevented
from turning over, and as well, paper moneys having
stored in the storage space from entering into the
stacking space.
-
Although the stacking assist means shown in
Fig. 20 has only one paper support part 812b, it may
have two paper money support parts 812b.
-
It is noted that paper moneys are not held
between one of the paper money supporting members 812b
and the other one of them, but the paper moneys are
stacked in the stacking space defined by the paper
support parts 812b, the stopper part 612a, the
separating and stacking guide 805 and the floor surface
808.
-
Fig. 23 is a top view illustrating the
configuration of the loading and recovering bin 8
incorporating the stacking assist means 812. Further,
Fig. 21 is a side view which shows such a state that
paper moneys are stored in the loading and recovering
bin 8 while Fig. 22 is a side view which shows such a
state that paper moneys are discharged from the loading
and recovering bin 8.
-
It is noted, as shown in Fig. 24, that the
separating and stacking guide 805 incorporates a
stacking space volume detecting means 890 which is
normally projected into the stacking space by a spring
which is not shown, but which is turned down toward the
separating and stacking guide 805 by paper moneys when
the paper moneys occupies the stacking space. Thus,
occupation of the stacking space by paper moneys can be
detected.
Stacking Operation of Single Blade
-
Next, explanation will be made of the
operation of the loading and recovering bin 8 in the
case of storing paper moneys. In the case of the
storing paper money in the loading and recovering bin
8, recovery or precisely investigation of paper moneys
are caried out. That is, paper moneys are successively
conveyed to the loading and recovering bin 8 for each
of the return bins 7 for respectively storing different
denominations of paper moneys, in other words, paper
moneys having one and the same size are conveyed in a
bundle to the associated loading and recovering bin 8.
-
As shown in Fig. 26, the control part 9 runs
drive parts, sensors and like in the loading and
recovering bin 8. Further, the paper money size
detecting means which is composed of the paper money
determining part 3 for determining a denomination of a
paper money, and the memory part DB having a data base
in which denominations and sizes of paper money are
related to one another recognizes a size of a paper
money passing through the paper money determining part
3, and transmits data thereof to the control part 9.
-
When the data of a size of a paper money to
be introduced into the loading and recovering bin 8 is
transmitted to the control part 9, the control part 9
drives a drive motor 812m for the stacking assist means
812 which is therefore rotated up to a position where
the distance from the floor surface 808 to the stopper
part 812a becomes equal to the length of the paper
money to be introduced in the traveling direction, and
is then fixed. It is noted that Fig. 24 shows such a
state that the size of a paper money to be introduced
is relatively small, and Fig. 25 shows such a state
that the size of a paper money to be introduced is
relatively large. Further, it is noted, as shown in
Fig. 29, that the upper part of the separating and
stacking guide 805 may be formed in a circular shape so
as to increase the upper limit of the size of paper
moneys which are allowed to be stacked.
-
Next, the drive motor 801m for the stack feed
rollers is driven so as to rotate the stack feed
rollers 801 and the gate rollers 503 in order to clamp
and convey a paper money 1000 into the loading and
recovering bin 8. At this time, the paper money 1000
is conveyed being held in its standing posture along
the separating and stacking guide 805.
-
Further, when the clamp between the stack
feed rollers and the gate rollers 803 is released, the
leading end of the paper money 1000 impinges upon the
stopper part 812 of the stacking assist means 812.
That is, by regulating the leading end of the paper
money 1000, excessive traveling is prevented, and
accordingly, paper moneys can be stacked with their
trailing ends aligned along the floor surface 808.
-
When stacking of paper moneys as mentioned
above is continued so that the degree of occupation of
the stacking space by the stacked paper moneys becomes
larger, which is detected by the stacking space volume
detecting means 890, as shown in Fig. 27, the control
part 9 drives the drive motor 812m for the stacking
assist means 812 which is therefore rotated. Thus, a
paper moneys existing between the separating and
stacking guide 805 and the paper money supporting part
812b are shifted into the storage space, and
accordingly, no paper moneys are present in the
stacking space. It is noted that the conveyance of the
paper moneys to the loading and recovering bin 8 is
desirably interrupted when the stacking assist means
812 is being rotated.
-
After the storage of paper moneys having a
certain size has been completed through the above-mentioned
procedure, the position of the stacking
assist means 812 is changed in accordance with a size
of paper moneys to be then stored, the storage thereof
is carried out. With the repetitions of these steps,
paper moneys stored in the return bins 7 can be stored
in the single loading and recovering bin 8 by a number
which is as large as that allowed by the capacity
thereof. Fig. 28 shows a control flow-chart for the
storage operation of the stacking assist means 812 in
this embodiment.
-
It is noted the configurations of the brush
rollers 804 and the push plate 806, and the control
thereof are the same as those stated above. However,
the driving timing of the push-plate 806 may be
synchronized with the rotating timing of the above-mentioned
stacking assist means 512.
Separating Operation of Single Blade
-
Next, explanation will be made of the
operation in the case of discharging paper moneys from
the loading and recovering bin 8. When paper moneys
are discharged from the loading and recovering bin 8,
as shown in Fig. 22, the drive motor 806m for the push-plate
is driven so as to displace the push-plate 805
toward the separating and stacking guide 805 in order
to press stored paper moneys against the separating and
stacking guide 805. Simultaneously, the separating and
stacking guide 805 and the stacking assist means 812
are retracted from the storage space so as to expose
the pick-up rollers 811 which are then rotated so as to
discharge stored paper moneys, being separated one by
one, outside of the loading and recovering bin 8. It
is noted that the paper moneys can be stably discharged
since the paper moneys are stored with their lower ends
are aligned along the floor surface 808 during stacking
thereof, as stated above.
-
With the use of the loading and recovering
bin 8 stated above, it is possible to provide an
automatic teller machine capable of loading and
recovering paper moneys having different sizes into the
paper money receiving and paying apparatus.
-
It is noted that the temporary storage part 4
for temporarily storing received paper moneys until the
transaction thereof is completed, is the one which
stacks, at first, paper moneys introduced in the
receiving and paying port 2 by a user, and accordingly,
it has a function of stacking paper moneys having
different sizes, similar to the loading and recovering
bin 8. Thus, with the application of the present
invention to the temporary storage part 4, it is
possible to provide an automatic teller machine which
can receive and pay paper moneys having different
sizes.
-
Further, in this embodiment, although
explanation has been made of such an example that the
receiving bin is used for receiving reject paper
moneys, and the return bins are used to receive
different denominations of paper moneys, respectively,
the loading and recovering bin 8 in this embodiment may
be used as the receiving bin or the return bin.
-
Further, although explanation has been made
of the paper money bin of a horizontal type in which
paper moneys are stored in a standing posture, the
present invention can be applied to a paper money bin
of a vertical type in which paper moneys are
horizontally stacked, as shown in Fig. 30. It is noted
as shown in Fig. 30 that a push-plate 806b may be
inclines so as to align the left ends of paper moneys
along the floor surface 808 side under the gravitation.
In this case, although the direction of inclination of
the push-plate 806b is different from that of the push-plate
806a as stated above, the function thereof is the
same as that of the latter.
-
The other components shown in Fig. 30 have
functions similar to those as stated above. Thus, even
in the loading and recovering bin 8 of a horizontal
type, the stacking of paper moneys which are aligned
along the floor surface 808 can be made with the
provision of the travel regulating means 891 for
restraining excessive travel, thereby it is also
possible to stably separate paper moneys.
-
Further, the apparatus according to the
present invention can be applied not only to paper
moneys but also to all paper sheets.
-
With the use of the present invention, there
can be provided a paper money receiving and paying
apparatus and an automatic teller machine which can
stack and separate paper moneys having different sizes
in a mixed condition.
-
It should be further understood by those
skilled in the art that although the foregoing
description has been made on embodiments of the
invention, the invention is not limited thereto and
various changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention and the
scope of the appended claims.