JP7471599B2 - Money handling device and settlement system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a currency processing device that processes banknotes and coins, and a settlement system that uses the currency processing device to perform settlement processing.

In recent years, stores such as food supermarkets and mass retailers have been installing cash registers that process the amount paid by customers and register the products for sale, and in particular, so-called self-checkout registers that allow customers to process the payment themselves are being introduced. In addition, semi-self-checkout registers are also being introduced, in which cashiers register the products by scanning them in the product registration device, and the customer only processes the payment in a currency processing device that processes the payment. Self-checkout registers and semi-self-checkout registers are equipped with a currency processing device that processes the currency inserted to pay the amount (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The introduction of these self-checkout and semi-self-checkout devices is expected to reduce the burden on cashiers and alleviate labor shortages.

JP 2018-101279 A

The currency processing device provided in the self-checkout and semi-self-checkout registers described above is equipped with a touch panel device that customers can operate to carry out the checkout process themselves. This touch panel device operated by the customer has a touch panel screen for displaying product information, product prices, and the like. When the checkout process is not being carried out and the touch panel screen is on standby, it only displays a screen waiting for operation input from the customer to prompt the customer to start the checkout process. For this reason, there is a need for effective use of the touch panel device in these types of self-checkout and semi-self-checkout registers.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a currency processing device and settlement system that can effectively utilize a touch panel device.

The configuration of the currency processing device of the present invention to achieve the above object is characterized by comprising a currency insertion section into which currency is inserted, detection means for detecting a detectable object located inside or near the currency insertion section and for detecting a detectable object located at a different distance outside the currency insertion section, and a control unit for outputting a detection position signal indicating the position at which the detectable object is detected based on the detection result by the detection means.

The settlement system of the present invention is configured to include a currency processing device that performs settlement processing for products purchased by an operator, and a host management device that is connected to the currency processing device and stores product information including the products purchased by the operator. The currency processing device is characterized in that it includes a currency insertion section into which currency is inserted, detection means that detects a detectable object located inside or near the currency insertion section and detects a detectable object located at a different distance outside the currency insertion section, and a control section that outputs a detection position signal indicating the position where the detectable object is detected based on the detection result by the detection means.

This invention makes it possible to measure the distance between the currency processing device and the customer, who is the object to be detected, and the content notified by the currency processing device's notification means can be switched depending on the measured distance, making it possible to make effective use of the notification means.

A diagram showing the block configuration of a settlement system including a currency handling device in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an oblique view showing the overall configuration of a currency handling device in an embodiment of the present invention. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a distance detection method using a distance sensor 38. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a distance sensor 38 arranged in the banknote insertion unit 32 as viewed from the side. FIG. 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating examples of shapes of a bill insertion portion 32. 4 is a diagram illustrating distances and distance divisions detected by a distance sensor 38. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing control unit 14 regarding distance determination by the distance sensor 38, and shows the processing procedure when the currency processing device is in standby state. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing control unit 14 regarding distance determination by the distance sensor 38, and shows the processing procedure during the settlement process of the currency processing device. 4 is an example of an advertisement screen displayed on an operation display unit 12. 13 is an example of an operation input waiting screen displayed on an operation display unit 12. 13 is an example of a warning screen displayed on an operation display unit 12.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, these embodiment examples do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to specific drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 is a block diagram showing a settlement system including a currency handling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The settlement system 100 is a so-called POS (Point of Sales) system installed in a store, and is configured to include a store controller (host management device) 110, a product registration device 120, and a settlement device 130. The store controller 110 is also connected to a headquarters server 200 via a communication network.

The store controller 110 pre-stores product information (e.g., product price, inventory quantity, etc.) as a product master database (not shown), and also registers and manages information related to orders and inventory management by communicating with the headquarters server 200. The store controller 110 is connected to the product registration device 120 and the settlement device 130 via a LAN (Local Area Network) line 140 within the store. Multiple product registration devices 120 and multiple settlement devices 130 may be connected to the store controller 110.

The product registration device 120 includes a product reading device such as a barcode reader, and reads information about the product by scanning the barcode on the product purchased by the customer, either by a store clerk or the customer himself. The product registration device 120 accesses the product master database (not shown) of the store controller 110 and registers the read product information as a purchased product.

The settlement device 130 is a terminal device, such as a semi-self-checkout device, that processes the payment for the products purchased by the customer, and is a currency processing device that processes the cash used for payment. The settlement device 130 obtains product purchase price information from the product registration device 120, and the customer uses the settlement device 130 to settle the purchase price of the products registered by the product registration device 120.

When the settlement device 130 is a so-called self-checkout where the customer himself registers the purchased items using the product registration device 120, the settlement device 130 is configured as one unit with the product registration device 120 which performs the product registration. In addition, when the settlement device 130 is a so-called semi-self-checkout where the store clerk registers the purchased items using the product registration device 120, the settlement device 130 is configured separately from the product registration device 120. In the following embodiment example, the settlement device 130 of the present invention will be described as a semi-self-checkout which does not include the functions of the product registration device 120.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a settlement device 130 in an embodiment of the present invention. The settlement device 130 includes a settlement processing terminal 10 and a currency processing device 20.

The settlement processing terminal 10 has an operation display unit 12, which is a notification means, and a processing control unit 14 (Figure 1). The operation display unit 12 is, for example, a touch panel type display device, which accepts operation inputs from the customer who is the operator, and displays various information related to the settlement processing, including the purchase price of the product.

The process control unit 14 is a control means built into the settlement device 130, and controls the processing operations of the settlement device 130, including the settlement process. Specifically, the process control unit 14 is a computer device having a storage device (not shown) and an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and performs settlement processing and display control by executing a settlement processing program and a display control program stored in the storage device (not shown).

The currency processing device 20 has a coin insertion section 22, a coin dispensing section 24, a coin rejection section 26, a residual detection sensor 28 (FIG. 1) which is a residual detection means, a banknote insertion section 32, a banknote dispensing section 34, a foreign object discharge section 36, and a distance sensor 38 which is a detection means. In a customer's settlement process, the type of coin inserted into the coin insertion section 22 is identified by an identification unit in the currency processing device 20, and the coin is transported inside by a transport unit. Coins identified as unacceptable are discharged into the coin rejection section 26, and coins paid out during the settlement process (e.g., change coins) are discharged into the coin dispensing section 24. The currency processing device 20 also has a storage unit that stores coins by denomination. The residual detection sensor 28 is provided to prevent change from being forgotten, and is a sensor for detecting coins remaining in the coin dispensing section 24.

In addition, during the customer settlement process, the authenticity and type of banknotes inserted into the banknote insertion unit 32 are identified by a recognition unit within the banknote processing unit 30, and the banknotes are transported inside by a transport unit. Banknotes that are identified as unacceptable by the recognition unit and banknotes dispensed during the settlement process are discharged to the banknote withdrawal unit 24. Meanwhile, foreign objects such as paperclips and coins that are mistakenly inserted into the banknote insertion unit 32 are discharged to the foreign object discharge unit 36. In addition, the currency processing device 20 is equipped with a storage unit that stores banknotes by denomination.

The distance sensor 38 is disposed in the banknote insertion section 32 and detects banknotes protruding from the banknote insertion section 32, as well as detecting objects (e.g., customers) located at a distance outside the banknote insertion section 32.

Figure 3 is a diagram explaining a distance detection method using distance sensor 38. Distance sensor 38 is a sensor including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that uses, for example, ToF (Time of Flight) technology to measure the distance to an object without contact, and measures the time it takes for pulsed laser light emitted from the light-emitting element to be reflected off the object and received by the light-receiving element, and converts this delay time into distance to detect the object as a detectable object and measure the distance to the detected object.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the distance sensor 38 arranged in the banknote insertion section 32, seen from the side. When seen from the side, the banknote insertion section 32 has a concave shape with an upward opening 32a, and a customer positioned in front of the settlement device 130 inserts banknotes into the banknote insertion section 32 through the upward opening 32a for settlement processing. The distance sensor 38 is arranged facing forward at the rear end portion of this upward opening 32a, and can measure the distance of a detected object located in front across the opening 32a.

The banknote insertion section 32 is formed so that the light emitted from the distance sensor 38 (and the light reflected from the detected object) can pass through without blocking the front of the opening 32a.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a schematic example of the shape of the bill insertion section 32, and shows the shape of the surrounding portion that forms the bill insertion section 32. As shown in Figure 5, the two distance sensors 38 are arranged in the bill insertion section 32 with a gap between them on the left and right.

In FIG. 5(a), the upper end portion of the front wall portion 321 of the opening 32a of the bill insertion portion 32 is formed lower than the height position of the light source (optical axis) of the distance sensor 38 arranged on the rear wall portion 322 of the opening 32a. As a result, the light of the distance sensor 38 is projected across the bill insertion portion 32 and further forward.

Figure 5(b) shows a modified example of the shape of the bill insertion section 32. In Figure 5(b), a notch 32b is provided in the front wall 321 of the opening 32a of the bill insertion section 32. The distance sensor 38 is disposed in the rear wall 322 of the opening 32a, and light from the light source of the distance sensor 38 can pass through the notch 32b. This causes the light of the distance sensor 38 to cross the bill insertion section 32 and be projected further ahead.

Figure 5 (c) shows a modified example of the shape of the bill insertion section 32. In Figure 5 (c), a through hole 32c is provided in the front wall 321 of the opening 32a of the bill insertion section 32. The distance sensor 38 is disposed in the rear wall 322 of the opening 32a, and light from the light source of the distance sensor 38 can pass through the through hole 32c. Preferably, the height position of the distance sensor 38 is set so that the central axis of the through hole 32c is coaxial with the light source of the distance sensor 38. This causes the light of the distance sensor 38 to cross the bill insertion section 32 and be projected further ahead.

The distance sensor 38 can measure the distance to a detected object that is located further forward of the device than the opening length of the banknote insertion unit 32, so the processing control unit 14 can identify the detected object according to the measured distance, for example, in at least the following three distance categories, and output a detection position signal according to the distance category.

Figure 6 is a diagram explaining the distance and distance category detected by the distance sensor 38. When the distance L to the detected object 50 detected by the distance sensor 38 is within the first distance L1, which is the opening length of the banknote insertion unit 32 (first distance category LC1), that is, when the detected object 50 is inside or near the opening 32a of the banknote insertion unit 32, the detected object 50 is a banknote protruding from the banknote insertion unit 32 or a customer's hand caught in the banknote insertion unit 32, and the processing control unit 14 of the settlement device 130 determines that the banknote is protruding from the banknote insertion unit 32 or the customer's hand is caught in the banknote insertion unit 32. The first distance L1 is, for example, about 10 cm to 20 cm.

It also shows the case where the distance L to the detected object 50 detected by the distance sensor 38 is longer than the first distance L1, which is the opening length of the banknote insertion unit 32, and is within a second distance L2 that is longer than the first distance L1 (second distance category LC2), i.e., the detected object 50 is located away from the outside of the banknote insertion unit 32 and near the front of the currency processing device. In this case, for example, the detected object 50 is a customer who is in front of the currency processing device and is about to operate it to perform settlement processing. The processing control unit 14 determines that the customer is located close enough to the currency processing device to be able to operate it. The second distance L2 is, for example, about 50 cm.

Furthermore, if the distance to the detected object 50 detected by the distance sensor 38 is longer than the second distance L2 (third distance category LC3), or if the detected object is not detected, the processing control unit 14 determines that there is no customer in front of the currency processing device performing operations for settlement processing.

The processing control unit 14 of the settlement device 130 identifies the detected object according to the distance of the detected object detected by the distance sensor 38, outputs a detection position signal indicating the distance to the detected object, i.e., the position of the detected object, and controls switching of the display of the operation display unit 12 according to the detection position signal. Specifically, it controls the display content of the operation display unit 12, which is the notification means, to be different according to the first distance category LC1, the second distance category LC2, and the third distance category LC3 (including the case where the detected object is not detected).

Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the processing control unit 14 regarding distance determination by the distance sensor 38. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the standby state in which the currency processing device is not performing settlement processing, and Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the settlement processing in which settlement processing is being performed in response to operational input from the customer.

In the standby state process shown in FIG. 7, the process control unit 14 determines whether or not a distance signal has been received from the distance sensor 38 (S100), and if a distance signal has been received, determines the distance category indicated by the distance signal (S102). The distance signal from the distance sensor 38 is a signal indicating a distance corresponding to the delay time until the light emitting pulse from the light emitting element of the distance sensor 38 is reflected back from the detected object and received by the light receiving element. The distance sensor 38 detects the detected object by receiving the reflected light of the light emitting pulse and transmits a distance signal to the process control unit 14. If the reflected light is not received, the detected object is not detected and the distance signal is not transmitted to the process control unit 14.

In step S100 of FIG. 7, if a distance signal is not received, it is determined that the detected object is not in the vicinity of the currency processing device, and in particular that the customer operating the currency processing device is not in the vicinity of the currency processing device. In this case, the process control unit 14 outputs a detection position signal corresponding to the third distance category LC3 to the operation display unit 12, and the operation display unit 12 displays information that the store wishes to inform the customer based on the detection position signal. In the embodiment, for example, a predetermined advertising screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed (S110).

In addition, in step S102, if the determined distance category is the third distance category LC3 (if the measured distance is longer than the second distance L2), it is also determined that the detected object is not in the vicinity of the currency processing device, and in particular that the customer operating the currency processing device is not in the vicinity of the currency processing device. In this case as well, the processing control unit 14 outputs a detection position signal corresponding to the third distance category LC3 and causes the operation display unit 12 to display a specified advertising screen (S110).

Furthermore, if the distance category is the third distance category LC3 and it is determined that the customer is located at a particularly far distance, the display text (including audio) on the advertising screen may be enlarged.

Figure 9 is an example of an advertising screen displayed on the operation display unit 12. The advertising screen is a screen facing customers located away from the currency processing device, and displays, for example, advertisements introducing products handled by the store. By displaying an advertising screen on the operation display unit 12 in the standby state, it is possible to effectively utilize the operation display unit 12 in the standby state where no operation is being performed.

Instead of an advertising screen, for example, a guidance screen including a message encouraging use, such as "You can use the self-checkout when you approach," may be displayed in preparation for a customer approaching to use the currency processing device. This makes it possible to communicate that the currency processing device is available for use, appropriately directing the customer to the settlement device 130 and enabling the settlement process to be completed quickly.

In addition, instead of displaying the advertisement screen or the guide screen, the screen display of the operation display unit 12 may be turned off as a power saving mode. In the settlement device 130, whether to display the advertisement screen or the guide screen or to turn off the screen display can be set in advance, and the screen display may be automatically switched depending on the time of day, etc. For example, in a store, during times when there are relatively few customers, the screen display is turned off, and during times when there are relatively many customers, the screen display is set to display the advertisement screen or the guide screen. In this way, during times when there are many customers in the store, the advertisement screen can be viewed by customers using the settlement device 130 and surrounding customers, and the operation display unit 12 can be used effectively. On the other hand, during times when there are few customers in the store, the advertisement screen can only be viewed by customers using the settlement device 130, so the screen is turned off to prioritize reducing power consumption.

In step S102, if the determined distance category is the first distance category LC1 or the second distance category LC2 (if the measured distance is within the second distance L2), the process control unit 14 determines that the customer who is about to operate the currency processing device is in the vicinity of the currency processing device. In this case, the process control unit 14 outputs a detection position signal corresponding to the first distance category LC1 or the second distance category LC2 to the operation display unit 12, and causes the operation display unit 12 to display a predetermined operation input waiting screen (settlement menu screen) shown in FIG. 10 based on the detection position signal (S104).

Figure 10 is an example of an operation input waiting screen displayed on the operation display unit 12. By displaying the operation input waiting screen on the operation display unit 12, it is possible to prompt a customer in front of the currency processing device to perform the settlement process. The settlement process is started by the customer's operation input on the operation input waiting screen (S106). When the settlement process is started, the process moves to the settlement process (S108), and the screen transitions according to the operation step, and the settlement process progresses.

When the processing control unit 14 determines that the distance category of the distance signal is no longer the first distance category LC1 or the second distance category LC2 after displaying the operation input waiting screen (when the customer has moved away from the vicinity of the currency processing device), it maintains the display of the operation input waiting screen until a predetermined time has elapsed, and then resets the processing and returns to step S100. A slight change in the customer's position or posture may cause the position indicated by the detection position signal to change, and in that case, if the screen is switched, operation input cannot be performed from the operation input waiting screen, so frequent screen switching is not appropriate.

Next, in the settlement process (S108) shown in FIG. 8, the process control unit 14 determines whether or not a distance signal has been received from the distance sensor 38 (S200), and if a distance signal has been received, determines the distance indicated by the distance signal (S202).

When the process control unit 14 receives a distance signal in step S200 of FIG. 8 and determines in step S202 that the position indicated by the distance signal is the first distance section LC1 (when the measured distance is within the first distance L1), it determines that the banknote inserted into the banknote insertion unit 32 is sticking out or that the customer's hand is caught in the banknote insertion unit 32. In this case, the process control unit 14 outputs a detection position signal corresponding to the first distance section LC1 to the operation display unit 12, and causes the operation display unit 12 to display a predetermined warning screen shown in FIG. 11 (S204).

Figure 11 is an example of a warning screen displayed on the operation display unit 12. By displaying the warning screen on the operation display unit 12, the process control unit 14 can prompt the customer to make sure that the banknotes to be inserted into the banknote insertion unit 32 are aligned (or to keep the customer's hands away from the banknote insertion unit 32).

When the settlement process is completed (S206), the process returns to the standby state shown in FIG. 7. Note that if the process control unit 14 does not receive a distance signal in step S200, or if the distance category indicated by the distance signal in step S202 is the second distance category LC2 or the third distance category LC3, no process related to distance determination is performed.

As described above, in the embodiment, the currency processing device processes currency and is configured to include a banknote insertion section 32 (currency insertion section) into which currency is inserted, a distance sensor 38 (detection means) that detects banknotes or customers (detectable objects) located inside or near the banknote insertion section 32 and detects detectable objects located at different distances L1, L2, and L3 outside the banknote insertion section 32, and a processing control section 14 (control section) that outputs a detection position signal indicating the position where the banknote or customer is detected based on the detection result by the distance sensor 38.

When configured in this manner, the distance sensor 38 provided in the banknote insertion unit 32 can detect not only banknotes protruding from the banknote insertion unit 32, but also objects to be detected further forward. In other words, the distance sensor 38 can detect not only banknotes protruding from the banknote insertion unit 32, but also the position of customers near the settlement device 130. Therefore, the distance sensor 38, which was previously only used to detect banknotes protruding from the banknote insertion unit 32, can also be used to detect the position of customers using the settlement device 130, eliminating the need to provide dedicated sensors or cameras for customer detection, thereby suppressing increases in costs.

As described above, the currency processing device of the present invention has a distance sensor disposed in its banknote insertion section, and in a standby state in which no settlement process is being carried out, the distance sensor functions as a sensor for detecting a customer, and on the other hand, when a customer starts settlement process and inserts a banknote, it can function as a banknote overflow detection (or hand pinch detection) sensor. In other words, a single sensor can detect both the customer and overflowing banknotes, improving convenience while suppressing increases in costs.

As described above, the currency processing device in this embodiment has a distance sensor located in the banknote insertion section. This makes it possible to measure the distance to the customer operating the currency processing device, and the content displayed on the operation input section of the currency processing device can be switched depending on the measured distance, making it possible to make effective use of the screen of the operation input section. The currency processing device in this embodiment is not limited to a semi-self-checkout device, and may be another type of settlement device, such as a self-checkout device.

Second Embodiment
5, in the currency processing device of this embodiment, two distance sensors 38 may be arranged on the left and right with a gap between them in the banknote insertion unit 32. By arranging the two distance sensors 38 on the left and right with a gap between them, it becomes possible to detect the position of a customer at multiple points, and the moving direction of the customer can be determined from changes in distances measured by the multiple distance sensors 38.

Specifically, if the distance signal from the distance sensor 38 on the right side of the device becomes the second distance category (a position close enough to the currency processing device to be able to operate it) and then the distance signal from the distance sensor 38 on the left side of the device becomes the second distance category (a position close enough to the currency processing device to be able to operate it), it can be determined that the customer has moved to the front of the currency processing device from the right side as viewed from the device.

In this state, the settlement process is carried out, and then, if the distance signal of the distance sensor 38 on the right side facing the device becomes the third distance category (a position farther away from the currency processing device than the second distance category) or does not output a distance signal, and then the distance sensor 38 on the left side becomes the third distance category (a position farther away from the currency processing device than the second distance category) or does not output a distance signal, it can be determined that the customer has moved to the left side facing the device and left the front of the currency processing device.

For example, in a store layout where the store entrance is on the left side as one faces the currency processing device, it can be determined that the customer has completed payment and is leaving the store, so the currency processing device may output a voice such as "Thank you" from a voice output means not shown. Similarly, if it detects a customer moving in the opposite direction, it can be determined that the customer has entered the store, so it may output a voice such as "Welcome."

Furthermore, if the left and right distance sensors detect a change in distance at approximately the same time, it is possible to determine that a customer is approaching or moving away from the front of the currency processing device, making it possible to process the currency according to the direction in which the customer is moving.

Third Embodiment
The distance sensor 38 may be provided in both the banknote insertion unit 32 and the coin dispensing unit 24. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the banknote processing unit 30 is provided at a middle position of the currency processing device, and the coin processing unit 20 is disposed at a different height, specifically, at a lower position. Therefore, since the coin dispensing unit 24 of the coin processing unit 20 is provided at a different height from the banknote insertion unit 32 of the banknote processing unit 30 (particularly, at a lower position than the banknote insertion unit 32), the distance sensors 38 are disposed at multiple positions at different heights, and different positions of customers are detected by the multiple distance sensors disposed at different heights. Even if one distance sensor cannot detect the position of a customer due to a change in the customer's posture, etc., the other distance sensor at a different height may be able to detect the position of the customer, improving the accuracy of detection of the customer's position.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the settlement process, when change is dispensed, it is possible to immediately notify the customer of the prevention of forgetting to take the change by linking the distance sensor 38 with the remaining coin detection sensor 28 of the coin processing unit 20. Specifically, when change coins are dispensed to the coin dispensing unit 24 in the settlement process, even though the remaining coin detection sensor 28 detects remaining coins, if the distance indicated by the distance signal of the distance sensor 38 falls within the third distance category (a state in which it is determined that there is no customer in front of the currency processing device), that is, if it is detected that the customer has left the change and moved away from the currency processing device, the process control unit 14 can immediately notify the customer by using a notification means, such as by generating a warning sound (alarm) from an audio output unit (not shown) and displaying a warning of the forgotten change on the screen of the operation display unit 12.

In conventional devices that use only the remaining coin detection sensor 28 to determine whether change has been left behind, if the remaining coin detection sensor 28 detects that coins are still remaining and the detection is not resolved after a certain period of time has passed, the device determines that change has been left behind. In contrast, in this embodiment, by using the distance signal from the distance sensor 38, the device can immediately notify the customer that change has been left behind when the customer moves away from the currency processing device, which is highly effective in preventing customers from forgetting to take their change.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and any design changes that would occur to a person with ordinary knowledge in the field of the present invention, including various modifications and alterations, are of course included in the present invention as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

1: Housing, 10: Settlement processing terminal, 12: Operation display unit, 14: Processing control unit, 20: Money processing device, 22: Coin insertion unit, 24: Coin dispensing unit, 26: Coin reject unit, 28: Residual detection sensor, 32: Bill insertion unit, 32a: Opening, 32b: Notch, 32c: Through hole, 34: Bill dispensing unit, 36: Foreign object discharge unit, 38: Distance sensor, 50: Detected object, 100: Settlement system, 110: Store controller (higher management device), 120: Product registration device, 130: Settlement device, 200: Headquarters server, 321: Front wall, 322: Rear wall

Claims (6)

A currency processing device for processing currency,
a coin insertion section into which coins are inserted;
a detection means for detecting a detection target located inside or near the coin insertion portion and detecting a detection target located at a different distance outside the coin insertion portion;
a control unit that outputs a detection position signal indicating the position at which the object is detected based on a detection result by the detection means;
A currency processing device comprising: A notification means for notifying predetermined information is provided,
The currency handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means changes the notification mode based on the detection position signal output from the control unit. The detection means has a distance sensor including a light emitting element,
The currency handling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the currency insertion section has a cutout portion or a through hole through which light emitted from the light-emitting element passes. a currency dispensing unit for dispensing currency;
a remaining detection means for detecting whether or not there is any remaining currency in the currency dispensing unit;
Equipped with
The control unit is
A currency handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the remaining detection means detects remaining currency, the remaining currency is notified. The detection means has a plurality of distance sensors arranged at intervals from each other, and the distance sensors measure distances to a plurality of points on the detection object,
The currency processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit detects the movement of the detected object based on a change in the distance of the detected object measured by the multiple distance sensors. The currency processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which performs settlement processing for products purchased by an operator;
A host management device that is connected to the currency processing device and stores product information including products purchased by an operator;
A settlement system comprising:

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