JP7755565B2 - Cash handling device, dust cleaning method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cash handling device, a dust cleaning method, and a program.

At the counters of financial institutions such as banks, cash handling machines that count currency such as banknotes and coins are installed. In the cash handling machine, currency deposited from a deposit section is transported to a currency storage section by a conveyor belt, and currency dispensed from the currency storage section is transported to a dispensing section by a conveyor belt.

In addition to identification sensors that identify denominations, such cash handling devices are also equipped with numerous passing sensors to check whether coins on the conveyor belt are being transported correctly. Passing sensors consist of a combination of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and detect the passage of coins when the transmittance (amount of received light) of the light-receiving element temporarily decreases. Based on the detection results of the passing sensors, it is then confirmed whether the coins have passed through the designated transport position and are being transported correctly.

On the other hand, when banknotes and coins are transported in cash handling machines, dust such as paper powder and coin powder is generated. If dust accumulates on the passage sensor on the transport path, the transmittance of the light receiving element will continually decrease, making false detections more likely. For this reason, dust is cleaned off during maintenance of cash handling machines.

Related technologies include a technique in which, if a sensor in a banknote recycling unit detects an abnormality, compressed air from a compressor is blown out from the tip of a hose to blow away debris from the sensor and its surrounding area (Patent Document 1). Another proposed technology involves a robotic hand grasping a banknote when discharging stacked banknotes from a storage cabinet, bringing the banknote into contact with the storage cabinet's sensor and moving it in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis to scrub and clean the sensor surface (Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-325955 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-210309

Conventionally, maintenance personnel regularly clean dust that accumulates on the passage sensors inside cash handling devices. However, due to the structure of the cash handling device, there are some areas that are difficult to clean, and over time until the next regular cleaning, the dust can harden due to moisture, making it difficult to remove. This poses the problem of longer maintenance times required to clean the cash handling device.

Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, dust is blown away using compressed air, but simply blowing out compressed air can cause dust to scatter. For this reason, it is desirable to implement controls to prevent dust from scattering and to clean up dust efficiently.

In one aspect, the present invention aims to provide a cash handling device, dust cleaning method, and program that shortens the maintenance time required to clean dust generated in the cash handling device and improves the efficiency of dust cleaning.

To solve the above problem, a cash handling device is provided. The cash handling device has multiple passing sensors arranged on a transport path along which currency flows and detect the passing state of currency, multiple air blowing units that blow air toward the locations of the passing sensors based on air blowing commands to move dust that has accumulated in the locations of the passing sensors in a certain direction, and a control unit that issues air blowing commands to the air blowing units in sequence to control their operation.

In order to solve the above problem, there is also provided a dust cleaning method in which a computer executes control similar to that of the cash handling device.
Furthermore, in order to solve the above problem, there is provided a program that causes a computer to execute control similar to that of the above cash handling device.

According to one aspect, it is possible to shorten the maintenance time required to clean dust generated in cash handling devices and to improve the efficiency of dust cleaning.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cash handling device. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a financial system. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a financial device. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a cash handling device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block of a cash handling device. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of coin deposit/withdrawal control in the coin section. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a cash handling device. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the operation of cleaning dust from the coin section. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of air blowing control. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of air blowing control.

The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cash handling apparatus 10. The cash handling apparatus 10 has passage sensors s1 and s2, air blowing units 21a and 21b, and a control unit 10a. The passage sensors s1 and s2 are arranged on a conveyance path 2a1 along which currency such as banknotes and coins flows, and detect the passage state of the currency.

Based on an air blowing command from the control unit 10a, the air blowing units 21a and 21b blow air toward the location of the passage sensor s0, moving dust that has accumulated in the locations of the passage sensors s1 and s2 in a certain direction.

The control unit 10a sequentially issues air blowing instructions to the air blowing units 21a and 21b, controlling the operation of the air blowing units 21a and 21b. The functions of the control unit 10a can be realized, for example, by a processor (not shown) included in the cash handling device 10 executing a predetermined program.

The flow of control will be described below. When money flows on the conveying path 2a1 to the right in Fig. 1, dust is moved to the right.
[Step ST1] The control unit 10a issues an air blowing instruction to the air blowing unit 21a.

[Step ST2] The air blowing unit 21a blows air toward the location of the passage sensor s1, moving dust d1 that has accumulated at the location of the passage sensor s1 in the direction of the coin flow.

[Step ST3] The control unit 10a issues an air blowing instruction to the air blowing unit 21b.
[Step ST4] The air blowing unit 21b blows air toward the passage sensor s2 to move the dust d2 and dust d1 that have accumulated at the location of the passage sensor s2 in the direction of the money flow.

In this way, the cash handling device 10 is configured to sequentially issue air blowing commands to multiple air blowing units, controlling them to move dust that accumulates in the location of the passage sensor in a fixed direction. This makes it easy to clean areas that are difficult to clean manually by blowing air.

In addition, cleaning is performed automatically by blowing air, which avoids the situation where dust hardens due to moisture over time before regular cleaning, making it difficult to remove, thereby shortening the maintenance time required for cleaning.

Furthermore, by blowing air from the air blowing units in sequence, dust can be moved in a certain direction and accumulated in a predetermined location while preventing dust from scattering, making dust cleaning more efficient.

Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of a financial system. The financial system sy is a system used, for example, in cash handling devices that deposit and withdraw cash, such as banknotes and coins, managed within a bank. The financial system sy can also be used in cash handling devices that manage cash, such as ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines), CDs (Cash Dispensers), TCRs (Teller Cash Recyclers), and POS (Point Of Sales) systems.

The financial system sy comprises a host server hv and multiple financial devices 1-1 to 1-n (collectively referred to as financial devices 1). Financial devices 1-1 to 1-n and the host server hv are interconnected via a network N1. The host server hv manages information on currency traded at financial devices 1-1 to 1-n.

Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a financial device. Financial device 1 has a financial control device 1a and multiple peripheral devices including a display device 1b1, an input device 1b2, an image reading device 1b3, a printing device 1b4, and a cash handling device 10.

Financial control device 1a is composed of processor 1a1, memory 1a2, storage 1a3, input/output interface 1a4, and communication interface 1a5, all connected to bus bs. Processor 1a1 provides overall control of the entire financial control device 1a.

Processor 1a1 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or DSP (Digital Signal Processor). At least some of the functions realized by processor 1a1 executing a program may be realized by an electronic circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or PLD (Programmable Logic Device).

Memory 1a2 is used as a main storage device and is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). Memory 1a2 temporarily stores at least a portion of the OS (Operating System) programs and application programs executed by processor 1a1. Memory 1a2 also stores various data used in processing by processor 1a1.

Storage 1a3 is used as an auxiliary storage device. Storage 1a3 stores the OS program, application programs, and various data. Communication interface 1a5 is connected to network N1 and transmits and receives data to and from other computers or communication devices via network N1.

The input/output interface 1a4 is connected to the display device 1b1, input device 1b2, image reader 1b3, printer 1b4, and cash handling device 10. The display device 1b1 is, for example, a variety of displays such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and outputs images and other information. The input device 1b2 is, for example, a keyboard, joystick, light pen, mouse, touchpad, touch panel, trackball, etc., and inputs various data, signals, etc.

The image reading device 1b3 is, for example, an overhead scanner that optically reads documents and sends them to the financial control device 1a. Documents that can be read include, for example, transfer requests, deposit/withdrawal slips, and bankbooks.

The printing device 1b4 is a printer that prints and outputs passbooks and other image information. The cash handling device 10 counts currency such as banknotes and coins when depositing or withdrawing money, and deposits and dispenses currency.

Figure 4 shows an example of the exterior of a cash handling device. The cash handling device 10 is a device for depositing and dispensing banknotes and coins. The top of the device is equipped with a display and operation unit 11 and a coin deposit slot 12. The front of the device is equipped with a banknote deposit slot 13, a foreign object receiving tray 14, a banknote withdrawal slot 15, and coin withdrawal boxes 16a and 16b.

Figure 5 shows an example of the functional blocks of a cash handling device. The cash handling device 10 has a coin section 2 and a banknote section 3. The banknote section 3 has a front/back reversing section 3a, a banknote recognition section 3b, a banknote stacker 31, and a banknote cassette 32.

The banknote stacker 31 has temporary storage sections and stackers prepared for each denomination of banknote, and the banknote cassette 32 has temporary storage sections and cassettes prepared for banknotes that are in excess or shortage in the banknote stacker 31.

The front/back reversing unit 3a and the banknote recognition unit 3b are arranged on a loop-shaped transport unit 33. The front/back reversing unit 3a accepts banknotes inserted into the banknote deposit slot 13 and passes them to the banknote recognition unit 3b. The banknote recognition unit 3b reads one side of the banknote and passes the banknote back to the front/back reversing unit 3a via the transport unit 33. The front/back reversing unit 3a reverses the passed banknote and passes it to the banknote recognition unit 3b. The banknote recognition unit 3b reads the other side of the banknote and recognizes it.

Banknotes recognized by the banknote recognition unit 3b are transported by the transport unit 33 to the banknote stacker 31, where they are taken into and stored in the stacker of the corresponding denomination. Banknotes that cannot be recognized by the banknote recognition unit 3b are transported to the foreign object receiving tray 14.

When dispensing banknotes, the required number of banknotes of the required denomination are taken out from the banknote stacker 31, identified by the banknote identification unit 3b, and then transported to the banknote dispensing port 15.
The banknote cassette 32 has the function of storing deposited banknotes that the banknote stacker 31 is full and cannot store, and of replenishing the banknotes that are in short supply in the banknote stacker 31 for dispensing, and for example, stores banknotes of mixed denominations.

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of coin deposit and withdrawal control in the coin section. The coin section 2 of the cash handling device 10 has a coin recognition section 2f, a collective holding section 2d0, stackers 2d1, 2d2, 2d3, 2d4, 2d5, and 2d6 prepared for each denomination, a conveyance path 2a1, and a coin cassette 2e.

When a coin is inserted into the coin deposit slot 12 of the coin unit 2, it is transported along the transport path 2a1 to the coin recognition unit 2f, where it is recognized. Coins recognized by the coin recognition unit 2f are sorted and stored in stackers 2d1, 2d2, 2d3, 2d4, 2d5, and 2d6 of the corresponding denomination based on the recognition results. Coins that cannot be recognized by the coin recognition unit 2f are transported to the coin withdrawal boxes 16a and 16b.

When dispensing coins, the required number of coins of the required denomination are removed from stackers 2d1, 2d2, 2d3, 2d4, 2d5, and 2d6, identified by coin identification unit 2f, and then transported to coin dispensing boxes 16a and 16b via transport path 2a1. Coins that cannot be identified by coin identification unit 2f are stored in coin cassette 2e.

Figure 7 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a cash handling device. The cash handling device 10 is equipped with a control unit 10a, which controls the entire cash handling device 10. The control unit 10a is a processor, such as a CPU, MPU, or DSP. At least some of the functions realized by the control unit 10a executing a program may be realized by electronic circuits such as an ASIC or PLD.

The control unit 10a is connected to memory 10b, storage 10c, and multiple peripheral devices via bus bs1. Memory 10b is used as the main storage device, and storage 10c is used as the auxiliary storage device.

Memory 10b is, for example, RAM, and temporarily stores at least a portion of the OS programs and application programs executed by control unit 10a. Memory 10b also stores various data used in processing by control unit 10a. Storage 10c stores OS programs, application programs, and various data.

The cash handling device 10 has multiple peripheral devices, including a communication interface 10d, a display/operation unit 11, a coin processing unit 2-1, and a banknote processing unit 3-1, each of which is connected to the control unit 10a via bus bs1.

The communication interface 10d is connected to the financial control device 1a via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and transmits and receives data to and from the financial control device 1a. The display operation unit 11 has a display for displaying screen images and a touch panel for input operations. In accordance with commands from the control unit 10a, the display operation unit 11 displays a specified GUI (Graphical User Interface) on the display screen and notifies the control unit 10a of input operation instructions.

The coin processing unit 2-1 corresponds to the coin section 2 in Figure 5 and includes a transport section 2a, a deposit section 2b, a dispensing section 2c, a stacker 2d, a coin cassette 2e, a coin recognition section 2f, a reject section 2g, a passage sensor s0, an air generating section 20, an air blowing section 21, an air passage section 22, and a dust collecting section 23. The coin processing unit 2-1 accepts coins to be registered, identifies the accepted coins, and dispenses the identified coins in accordance with commands from the control section 10a.

The transport unit 2a is used to move coins to various locations within the cash handling device 10, and includes a coin transport path, a belt that moves coins along the transport path, and a motor that drives the belt. The deposit unit 2b is a box that stores coins deposited by the operator. The withdrawal unit 2c is a box that stores coins that are dispensed from inside and handed over to the operator.

Stacker 2d is a coin storage unit that stores coins deposited by the operator and coins dispensed to the operator, sorted by denomination. Coin cassette 2e is a storage unit that replenishes coins from the outside and collects coins when stacker 2d is full.

In addition to identifying the denomination of coins, the coin identification unit 2f also identifies (validates) whether the coin is valid, damaged, or unknown, and in the case of valid or damaged coins, identifies the denomination of the coin. Unknown coins are coins whose denomination and authenticity are unknown. The coin identification unit 2f also counts the number of valid and damaged coins of each denomination.

The reject unit 2g stores coins that have been determined to be damaged or unknown by the coin recognition unit 2f. Damaged or unknown coins are called rejected coins.
The passing sensor s0 is composed of a combination of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and detects the passage of a coin by a temporary decrease in the transmittance of the light-receiving element. The cash handling device 100 uses the detection result of the passing sensor s0 to confirm whether the coin has passed the predetermined transport position, i.e., whether the coin is being transported normally.

The light-emitting element of the passage sensor s0 is an element that emits light radially, such as a light-emitting diode. The light-receiving element is, for example, a photodiode. The light-emitting element is positioned so that a portion of the emitted light is directed toward the light-receiving element, and the transmittance detected by the light-receiving element is sent to the control unit 10a.

The air generating unit 20 corresponds to a compressor and generates compressed air used to clean dust that accumulates during coin transport. The air blowing unit 21 is, for example, a nozzle with a valve that can be opened and closed by an electrical signal, and blows out air or stops blowing out air based on instructions from the control unit 10a (an air outlet open signal or an air outlet close signal, described below). The air passage unit 22 corresponds to a duct that circulates compressed air. The dust collecting unit 23 collects dust moved by the air.

The banknote processing unit 3-1 corresponds to the banknote section 3 in Figure 5, and stores banknotes in an internal banknote storage section (stacker or cassette). When depositing, it stores banknotes deposited by the operator, and when withdrawing, it feeds out a predetermined number of banknotes and dispenses them to the operator. The banknote processing unit 3-1 has a configuration similar to that of the coin processing unit 2-1, so a description of it will be omitted.

The cash handling device 10 can realize the processing functions of the present invention using the hardware described above. The cash handling device 10 realizes the processing functions of the present invention by executing a program recorded on, for example, a computer-readable recording medium. The program describing the processing content to be executed by the cash handling device 10 can be recorded on various recording media.

For example, the program to be executed by the cash handling device 10 can be stored in storage 10c. The control unit 10a loads at least a portion of the program in storage 10c into memory 10b and executes the program. The program to be executed by the cash handling device 10 can also be recorded on a portable recording medium such as an optical disk, memory device, or memory card. A program stored on a portable recording medium can be installed in storage 10c under the control of the control unit 10a, for example, and then become executable. The control unit 10a can also read and execute the program directly from the portable recording medium.

Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of cleaning dust from the coin section. Passage sensors s1 to s21 are provided on the bottom surface of the transport path 2a1, and passage sensors sa1, sa2, and sa3 are provided around the coin deposit slot 12. In addition, dust accumulation sections 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d for accumulating dust are provided at the four corners of the transport path 2a1 of the coin section 2.

Coins inserted through the coin deposit slot 12 pass through passing sensors sa1 and sa2, then through passing sensor s1 installed on the transport path 2a1, passing through passing sensor s9, and then through the coin recognition unit 2f. After passing through the coin recognition unit 2f, the coin passes through passing sensors s10 and s11 and is stored in the collective holding unit 2d0.

When coins are stored, they are dispensed from the collective holding unit 2d0, pass through passage sensors s9, s10, and s11, and are transported to the stacker of the denomination identified by the coin identification unit 2f, where they are stored.

Here, when coins are stored in stacker 2d6, they pass through passage sensor s12. When coins are stored in stacker 2d5, they pass through passage sensors s12 and s13, and when coins are stored in stacker 2d4, they pass through passage sensors s12, s13, and s14.

When coins are stored in stacker 2d3, they pass through passing sensors s12, s13, s14, and s15, and when coins are stored in stacker 2d2, they pass through passing sensors s12, s13, s14, s15, and s16.

Furthermore, when coins are stored in stacker 2d1, they pass through passage sensors s12, s13, s14, s15, s16, and s17. Furthermore, when coins are transported to coin dispensing box 16b, they pass through passage sensors s18, s19, and s20. When coins are transported to coin dispensing box 16a, they pass through passage sensors s18, s19, s20, and s21.

Dust easily accumulates on the passage sensors s1 to s21 located on the bottom of the transport path 2a1. Therefore, when a coin is deposited, it passes through passage sensors s1 to s8 on the transport path 2a1. By blowing air a1 to a7 sequentially around the locations of passage sensors s1 to s8, dust that has accumulated in the locations of passage sensors s1 to s8 is moved in the direction of arrow A1.

The dust that has moved there is then collected in dust collection section 23a. Furthermore, dust that has not collected in dust collection section 23a and dust that has accumulated in the locations of passage sensors s9 and s10 moves in the direction of arrow A2 and is collected in dust collection section 23b.

On the other hand, when coins are stored or dispensed, they pass from passage sensor s11 to passage sensor 19 on the conveyance path 2a1. By blowing air a8 to a15 sequentially toward the areas around passage sensors s11 to s19, dust that has accumulated around the areas around passage sensors s11 to s19 is moved in the direction of arrow A3.

The dust that has moved there is then collected in dust collection section 23c. Furthermore, dust that has not been collected in dust collection section 23c and dust that has accumulated on passing sensors s20 and s21 moves in the direction of arrow A4 and is collected in dust collection section 23d.

In this way, air is blown out in sequence in the direction of coin flow, causing dust to accumulate in dust accumulation sections 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d located at the four corners of the conveying path 2a1. Dust accumulation sections 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are each provided with air vent holes (not shown). This structure allows air to escape from dust accumulation sections 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d to the outside, allowing dust to accumulate appropriately in dust accumulation sections 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d.

Figures 9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating an example of air blowing control. Duct 22a is filled with air compressed by a compressor. Duct 22a is also provided with air blowing units 21a (air blowing nozzles), 21b, 21c, and 21d. Air blowing units 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d are positioned to move dust that accumulates around the locations of passage sensors s1, s2, s3, and s4 in the direction of coin flow.

Note that dust d0 is dust that has reached passage sensor s1 due to the air being blown out. Also, dust particles d1, d2, d3, and d4 are assumed to have accumulated at the locations of passage sensors s1, s2, s3, and s4, respectively.

[Step ST11] The control unit 10a sends an air outlet open signal (air blowing instruction) to the air blowing unit 21a, and sends an air outlet close signal (air blowing stop instruction) to the air blowing units 21b, 21c, and 21d.

Air blowing unit 21a receives an air outlet open signal sent from control unit 10a, opens its air outlet, and blows compressed air toward the location of passage sensor s1 and its surrounding area, moving dust d1 and dust d0 that have accumulated on passage sensor s1 in the direction of coin flow (to the right). Note that air blowing units 21b, 21c, and 21d have received an air outlet close signal sent from control unit 10a, so their air outlets are closed and they are no longer blowing air.

[Step ST12] After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 10a sends an air outlet open signal to the air blowing unit 21b, and sends an air outlet close signal to the air blowing units 21a, 21c, and 21d.

Air blowing unit 21b receives an air outlet open signal sent from control unit 10a, opens its air outlet, and blows compressed air toward the location of passage sensor s2 and its surrounding area, moving dust d2 that has accumulated on passage sensor s2 and the migrated dust particles d0 and d1 in the direction of coin flow. Note that, because air blowing units 21a, 21c, and 21d have received an air outlet close signal sent from control unit 10a, their air outlets are closed and air blowing has stopped.

[Step ST13] After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 10a sends an air outlet open signal to the air blowing unit 21c, and sends an air outlet close signal to the air blowing units 21a, 21b, and 21d.

Air blowing unit 21c receives an air outlet open signal sent from control unit 10a, opens its air outlet, and blows compressed air toward the location of passage sensor s3 and its surrounding area, moving dust d3 that has accumulated on passage sensor s3 and dust particles d0, d1, and d2 that have moved in the direction of the coin flow. Note that, because air blowing units 21a, 21b, and 21d have received an air outlet close signal sent from control unit 10a, their air outlets are closed and air blowing has stopped.

[Step ST14] After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 10a sends an air outlet open signal to the air blowing unit 21d, and sends an air outlet close signal to the air blowing units 21a, 21b, and 21c.

Air blowing unit 21d receives an air outlet open signal sent from control unit 10a, opens its air outlet, and blows compressed air toward the location of passage sensor s4 and its surrounding area, moving dust d4 that has accumulated on passage sensor s4 and dust particles d0, d1, d2, and d3 that have moved in the direction of the coin flow. Note that, because air blowing units 21a, 21b, and 21c have received an air outlet close signal sent from control unit 10a, their air outlets are closed and air blowing has stopped.

In this way, by sequentially blowing air from air blowing sections 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, dust can be efficiently moved in a fixed direction without scattering, and can be accumulated in dust accumulation section 23.

Here, the tip shape of the air outlet may be smaller for air blowing units 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d that are located further downstream in the coin flow. That is, the tip shape of the air outlet of air blowing unit 21b is made smaller than the air outlet of air blowing unit 21a, and the tip shape of the air outlet of air blowing unit 21c is made smaller than the air outlet of air blowing unit 21b. Furthermore, the tip shape of the air outlet of air blowing unit 21d is made smaller than the air outlet of air blowing unit 21c.

In this way, by configuring the air outlets to narrow in order, the smaller the air outlet, the more strongly compressed the air that can be blown out. Therefore, air outlet 21b can blow out more air than air outlet 21a, and air outlet 21c can blow out more air than air outlet 21b.

Furthermore, air blowing section 21d can blow out air more strongly than air blowing section 21c. This configuration ensures that dust that moves downstream in the coin flow and accumulates can be reliably transported to dust accumulation section 23 and accumulated there.

As explained above, according to the present invention, dust is collected in a predetermined location by blowing air in a sequential manner, which prevents dust from scattering and enables efficient cleaning. Furthermore, since it is only necessary to remove the accumulated dust, the maintenance time required for cleaning can be shortened.

Although the above has been described with respect to the cleaning control of dust caused by coin powder, the above-described configuration can also be similarly applied to the cleaning control of dust caused by banknote powder.
The processing functions of the cash handling apparatus 10 of the present invention described above can be realized by a computer. In this case, a program is provided that describes the processing contents of the functions that the cash handling apparatus 10 should have. By executing the program on a computer, the processing functions are realized on the computer.

The program describing the processing details can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include magnetic storage units, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, and semiconductor memory. Magnetic storage units include hard disk drives (HDDs), flexible disks (FDs), and magnetic tape. Optical disks include CD-ROM/RW. Magneto-optical recording media include MO (Magneto Optical disk).

When distributing a program, for example, the program may be sold on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the program may be stored in the memory of a server computer, and then transferred from the server computer to other computers via a network.

A computer that executes a program stores the program, for example, recorded on a portable recording medium or transferred from a server computer, in its own memory. The computer then reads the program from its own memory and executes processing in accordance with the program. Note that the computer can also read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute processing in accordance with that program.

The computer can also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time it receives a program transferred from a server computer connected via a network. At least some of the above processing functions can also be implemented using electronic circuits such as DSPs, ASICs, and PLDs.

The above is an example of an embodiment, but the configuration of each part shown in the embodiment can be replaced with other parts that have similar functions. In addition, other optional components and processes may be added.

10 Cash handling device 10a Control unit 21a, 21b Air blowing unit 2a1 Conveyance path d1, d2 Dust s1, s2 Passage sensor

Claims (7)

a plurality of passing sensors disposed on a conveyance path along which currency flows and detecting a passing state of the currency;
a plurality of air blowing units that blow air toward the location of the passage sensor based on an air blowing command to move dust accumulated at the location of the passage sensor in a certain direction;
a control unit that sequentially issues the air blowing instructions to the air blowing units to control the drive of the air blowing units;
A cash handling device having: a dust accumulation section for accumulating the dust is provided at a predetermined location to which the dust moves in a certain direction, and the dust accumulation section is provided with a hole for blowing the air outward;
2. The cash handling apparatus according to claim 1. the air blowing section is provided in a duct filled with compressed air,
The control unit
an air outlet of the air blowing unit is opened in response to the air blowing instruction, and the compressed air is blown out from the air blowing unit;
an air blowing stop command is issued to close the air blowing port of the air blowing unit, thereby stopping the blowing of the compressed air from the air blowing unit;
2. The cash handling apparatus according to claim 1. In the case where a first air blowing unit that blows the air toward a first installation location of a first passage sensor and a second air blowing unit that blows the air toward a second installation location of a second passage sensor through which the currency passes after the first passage sensor are provided,
The control unit
outputting the air blowing instruction to the first air blowing unit to open the air blowing port of the first air blowing unit, outputting the air blowing stop instruction to the second air blowing unit to close the air blowing port of the second air blowing unit, thereby moving the first dust accumulated in the first arrangement location to the periphery of the second arrangement location;
and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the air outlet of the first air blowing unit was opened, outputting the air blowing stop instruction to the first air blowing unit to close the air outlet of the first air blowing unit, and outputting the air blowing instruction to the second air blowing unit to open the air outlet of the second air blowing unit, thereby moving the first dust and the second dust that has accumulated in the second arrangement location in a fixed direction beyond the second arrangement location.
4. The cash handling apparatus according to claim 3. In the case where a first air blowing unit that blows the air toward a first installation location of a first passage sensor and a second air blowing unit that blows the air toward a second installation location of a second passage sensor through which the currency passes after the first passage sensor are provided,
a shape of the air outlet of the second air blowing section is smaller than a shape of the air outlet of the first air blowing section, and the second air blowing section outputs air that is more strongly compressed than the air blown out from the first air blowing section;
4. The cash handling apparatus according to claim 3. The computer
giving air blowing instructions in sequence to a plurality of air blowing units that are arranged on a conveyance path along which the currency flows and that blow air toward locations of a plurality of passing sensors that detect the passing state of the currency;
moving dust accumulated at the location where the passing sensor is disposed in a certain direction;
How to clean dust. On the computer,
giving air blowing instructions in sequence to a plurality of air blowing units that are arranged on a conveyance path along which the currency flows and that blow air toward locations of a plurality of passing sensors that detect the passing state of the currency;
moving dust accumulated at the location where the passing sensor is disposed in a certain direction;
A program that executes a process.