JP7567270B2 - Cash handling system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cash handling system.

Conventionally, cash handling devices that handle the deposit and withdrawal of cash are installed in distribution facilities and commercial facilities such as restaurants, retail stores, and supermarkets. Cash handling devices perform deposit transactions to deposit cash such as sales proceeds collected from each register installed in the store, and change withdrawal transactions to withdraw cash (change reserves) used as change at each register.

For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a cash processing device that uses a card to dispense cash for change replenished in a cash register at a retail store or other store, and to deposit cash collected from the cash register.

JP 2008-234461 A

Here, large stores and other similar establishments handle large amounts of cash, so they may have multiple cash handling devices installed.

However, when multiple cash handling devices are installed, a user must be registered for each device to distribute the transaction volume, and the change fund must be returned to the device that dispensed the change. The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not specifically mention the case where multiple devices are installed, and it is assumed that even when multiple devices are installed, the same device will dispense change and deposit sales proceeds. In this way, even when multiple cash handling devices are installed, users are inconvenienced when the cash handling devices that they can use are limited.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cash handling system that allows the user to grasp the change return status on the information processing terminal side, regardless of the device used for depositing and dispensing money.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cash handling system comprising: a cash handling device having a withdrawal port for withdrawing cash to be used as change, a deposit port for depositing the change and sales proceeds, an output unit for outputting a result of a cash deposit transaction including the change, and a control unit for controlling the output of the result of the deposit transaction to the output unit; and an information processing terminal having an acquisition unit for acquiring the output result of the deposit transaction, and a control unit for confirming that the withdrawn change has been returned based on the received amount of the change included in the acquired result of the deposit transaction, wherein the output unit is a display unit for displaying encoded information indicating the result of the deposit transaction, and the acquisition unit is a reading unit for optically reading the encoded information .

The acquisition unit may acquire a result of the change withdrawal transaction performed at another cash handling device, and the information processing terminal may further have a memory unit that stores the result of the change withdrawal transaction acquired by the acquisition unit, and the control unit of the information processing terminal may consider that the change withdrawn from the other cash handling device has been returned based on the amount of change received acquired from the cash handling device.

The control unit of the information processing terminal may control the sending of unreturned change stored in the memory unit to a management server if the withdrawn change has not been returned.

The result of the deposit transaction may further include the amount of the sales proceeds received, and the control unit of the information processing terminal may control the transmission of aggregated data of the sales proceeds to the management server.

As described above, the present invention makes it possible for the user to grasp the change return status on the information processing terminal side, regardless of the device used for depositing and withdrawing money.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a cash handling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of an internal structure of a cash handling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the cash handling device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an operational process related to the return of change funds according to the first example of this embodiment. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of screen displays used in a change fund withdrawal transaction according to the first example of this embodiment. A figure showing an example of information regarding a change fund withdrawal transaction stored in the memory unit of each user terminal according to the first example of this embodiment. 11 is a diagram illustrating a history of withdrawal transactions of the change fund stored in a memory unit of each cash handling device according to the first example of this embodiment. FIG. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of each screen display used in a change fund deposit transaction according to the first example of this embodiment. 4 is a diagram showing an example of deposit/withdrawal information stored in a memory unit of each cash handling device according to the first example of this embodiment. FIG. A figure showing an example of information regarding a deposit transaction including the return of a change fund stored in the memory unit of each user terminal in accordance with the first example of this embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating examples of screen displays used in a change fund withdrawal transaction according to the second example of this embodiment.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.

＜1. Overview＞
The embodiment of the present invention mainly relates to a method for a user to grasp the return of a change fund to a cash handling device on an information processing terminal carried by the user. The configuration of the present system and each device will be described below, and then the operation process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In this specification, the change fund will also be simply referred to as "change."

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a cash handling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the cash handling system according to this embodiment includes multiple cash handling devices 1A-1C installed in a store or the like, user terminals 3A-3B which are information processing terminals carried and used by each user such as store employees, and a management server 2. In the example shown in Figure 1, three cash handling devices 1A-1C are illustrated, but the number of cash handling devices 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this, and the multiple cash handling devices may be two or four or more. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the multiple cash handling devices 1A-1C, they will simply be referred to as cash handling device 1.

In addition, as examples of information processing terminals used by users, user terminal 3A used by user A and user terminal 3B used by user B are illustrated, but this embodiment is not limited to this. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between each of user terminals 3A to 3B, they will simply be referred to as user terminal 3.

The management server 2 is installed in a management center and tally up the daily sales of each store. The management server 2 can be connected to multiple cash handling devices 1 and user terminals 3 via dedicated lines.

(Regarding the cash handling device 1)
The cash handling device 1 is used by users such as store employees. Specifically, the cash handling device 1 can perform a dispensing transaction in which cash (change reserve) to be stored as change in a cash register installed at the storefront is dispensed, and a deposit transaction in which cash including change and sales money collected from the register is deposited. The user performs the work of storing the change reserve withdrawn from the cash handling device 1 in the cash register, and the work of collecting the change and sales money from the register and depositing them into the cash handling device 1. When performing dispensing and depositing transactions, the cash handling device 1 can perform various transactions after confirming the legitimacy of the user (whether or not the user has the authority to perform the transaction) by reading the user's ID from a card or the like held by the user. In addition, the cash handling device 1 can perform a replenishment transaction in which cash to be used as a change reserve is deposited in the device, and a closing transaction in which the sales money is calculated and the sales money is finalized. In addition, the cash handling device 1 performs a sales collection transaction in which the sales money finalized by the closing transaction is collected. In a sales collection transaction, cash can be collected, for example, from a collection cassette 17 (see FIG. 2) described below.

The cash handling device 1 according to this embodiment also stores information relating to deposits and withdrawals in a memory unit within the device. Specifically, the cash handling device 1 stores the amounts of deposits and withdrawals, the number of bills deposited and withdrawn for each denomination, the user's ID, the time, etc. Here, storage in a memory unit within the device is given as an example, but the cash handling device 1 may also store information in an external device that is connected to and communicates with the cash handling device 1.

(Regarding deposit transactions)
The cash handling device 1 records the portion of cash deposited in a deposit transaction that is dispensed as change as a return of a change fund, and manages the remaining cash as sales proceeds.

Here, if deposits and withdrawals are made at the same device, it is possible to ascertain the amount of the user's change fund withdrawn from the withdrawal history stored in the device's memory, and this withdrawal amount can be used to calculate sales from the amount of deposits. However, as mentioned above, when multiple cash handling devices are installed, users may be inconvenienced if use is restricted to deposits and withdrawals at the same device. For example, if deposits and withdrawals must be made at the same device, users must remember the device from which they withdrew their change fund. Also, if multiple users who have made withdrawals at a particular device make deposits at the same time, deposits will have to wait their turn at that particular device, even though there are other devices that are not in use.

Therefore, in this embodiment, we propose a mechanism that allows the user to grasp the change return status on the information processing terminal side, regardless of the device used for depositing and withdrawing money.

Specifically, in a deposit/withdrawal transaction according to this embodiment, the cash handling device 1 outputs the results of the withdrawal transaction and the results of the deposit transaction, and the user terminal 3 acquires the results, allowing the user terminal 3 to grasp the status of the deposit and withdrawal of cash by the user. More specifically, the user terminal 3 acquires information on the withdrawal of the change reserve from the device and the deposit of the change reserve into the device from each cash handling device 1, and performs control to consider the change reserve to have been returned even if it is deposited into a device different from the device from which it was withdrawn.

In this way, the user terminal 3 according to this embodiment is able to grasp the status of the return of the change fund by the user. Furthermore, the user terminal 3 may transmit the return status of the change fund to the management server 2 at a predetermined timing.

This eliminates the need for the user to remember the device from which the change was withdrawn, and allows the user to deposit the change at a device with the shortest waiting time among multiple devices, improving convenience. Even if the change is deposited at a device other than the device from which it was withdrawn, the user terminal 3 can obtain information indicating the result of the deposit transaction and determine that the change has been returned.

The user terminal 3 can obtain the results of withdrawal and deposit transactions output from the cash handling device 1 by reading coded information such as a one-dimensional barcode or QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the display unit (operation display unit 110) (an example of an output unit) of the cash handling device 1. In this embodiment, the cash handling device 1 displays coded information indicating the transaction result on the operation display unit 110 during withdrawal and deposit transactions, and controls the user terminal 3 to read it.

2. Structure of the cash handling device
Next, a description will be given of the internal structure of the cash handling apparatus 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic side view showing an example of the internal structure of the cash handling apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cash handling device 1 has a banknote deposit/withdrawal port 11, a card reader unit 120, a reading unit 124, an operation display unit 110, and a coin insertion port 19 on the top surface, and has a banknote processing unit 140 and a coin processing unit 150 inside.

The banknote processing unit 140 has a banknote deposit/withdrawal port 11, a banknote escrow unit 12, a banknote discrimination unit 13, a 10,000-yen note cassette 14, a 5,000-yen note cassette 15, a 1,000-yen note cassette 16, a collection cassette 17, and a reject unit 18. The banknote deposit/withdrawal port 11 serves as an insertion port (deposit port) for inserting banknotes, a withdrawal port for withdrawing banknotes in change withdrawal transactions, and a return port for returning banknotes that have been rejected for deposit. The banknote escrow unit 12 temporarily accumulates banknotes when counting deposits and when creating sales proceeds. The banknote discrimination unit 13 discriminates the authenticity, denomination, and fitness of inserted banknotes.

The 10,000 note cassette 14, the 5,000 note cassette 15, and the 1,000 note cassette 16 store 10,000 note, 5,000 note, and 1,000 note denominations as change reserves, and each is configured as a so-called recycle cassette (return storage). Banknotes that are identified as genuine in a deposit transaction are stored in the recycle cassette, and are dispensed from the recycle cassette when change is dispensed. Also, instead of the 10,000 note cassette 14, the 5,000 note cassette 15, and the 1,000 note cassette 16, the cash handling device 1 may be equipped with cassettes corresponding to the various types of banknotes that the cash handling device 1 should handle.

The collection cassette 17 is used to move and store sales proceeds from the 10,000-yen note cassette 14, the 5,000-yen note cassette 15, and the 1,000-yen note cassette 16 during sales collection transactions.

The reject section 18 accumulates rejected banknotes when they are stored in the recycle cassette from the banknote temporary storage section 12 during a deposit transaction, rejected banknotes when change is dispensed from the recycle cassette, and rejected banknotes when they are moved from the recycle cassette to the collection cassette 17 when generating sales proceeds.

The coin processing unit 150 has a coin insertion slot 19, a coin validation unit 20, a coin temporary storage unit 21, a coin return box 22, a dispensing hopper 23, a coin dispensing box 24, and a coin recovery vault 25. The coin insertion slot 19 is an insertion slot (deposit port) through which the operator deposits coins. The coin validation unit 20 reads image data of inserted coins and performs validation of the coins' authenticity, denomination, fitness, etc. The coin temporary storage unit 21 temporarily accumulates coins when deposits are counted. The coin return box 22 returns coins when counting transactions and sales deposit transactions are canceled.

The dispensing hopper 23 stores coins as change reserves. The coin dispensing box 24 is a coin dispensing port for dispensing coins to the user when dispensing change. Coins that are identified as valid in a deposit transaction are stored in the dispensing hopper 23, and are dispensed from the dispensing hopper 23 when change is dispensed. The coin collection vault 25 transfers and stores sales proceeds from the dispensing hopper 23 during sales collection transactions.

In addition, the 10,000 note cassette 14, the 5,000 note cassette 15, the 1,000 note cassette 16, the collection cassette 17, the dispensing hopper 23 and the coin collection box 25 may be equipped with locks to enhance security.

In addition, the cash handling device 1 may be provided with a door for accessing the banknote processing section 140 and a door for accessing the coin processing section 150, and each door may be provided with a key (door key) for opening the door (both not shown).

<3. Functional configuration of the cash handling device 1>
Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the cash handling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the cash handling apparatus 1 has a control unit 100, an operation display unit 110, a card reader unit 120, a reading unit 124, a communication unit 130, a banknote processing unit 140, a coin processing unit 150, and a memory unit 160.

The control unit 100 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example, and controls each functional unit of the cash handling device 1 to execute various transactions (cash replenishment transactions, change fund withdrawal transactions, sales proceeds deposit transactions, collection transactions, closing transactions, etc.). The control unit 100 also controls the storage of the history of each transaction in the memory unit 160. During the closing transaction, sales proceeds are tallied based on the transaction history.

The operation display unit 110 includes the functions of a display unit that displays an operation guidance screen and an input unit for the user to input operations. The display unit function is realized, for example, by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device. The input unit function is realized, for example, by a touch panel. Note that although FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example in which the display unit and input unit functions are configured integrally in the cash handling device 1, the display unit and input unit functions may be configured separately.

The card reader unit 120 reads information written on an ID card or the like inserted into a card insertion/ejection slot (not shown). Examples of information written on an ID card or the like include identification information for identifying the user who uses the card, and information (authority information) indicating the type of transaction that is permitted. Note that this embodiment is not limited to the above example, and a biometric reader that recognizes fingerprints, palm prints, etc., and a PIN input unit that inputs a PIN number may be provided instead of or in addition to the card reader unit 120. Information may also be read by reading encoded information such as a one-dimensional barcode or QR code (registered trademark) printed on the ID card.

The reading unit 124 has a function of optically reading encoded information such as a one-dimensional barcode or a QR code (registered trademark). This encoded information can be displayed, for example, on the display unit (operation display unit 310) of the user terminal 3. The reading unit 124 may be realized, for example, by a camera or a barcode reader.

The communication unit 130 can transmit and receive data to and from a higher-level PC, for example, via a dedicated network (such as a LAN). For example, the communication unit 130 connects to the management server 2 for communication, and transmits information on the total sales amount to the management server 2 when a closing transaction is performed.

The banknote processing unit 140 processes the deposit of banknotes inserted through the banknote deposit/withdrawal port 11 (see FIG. 2) and the dispensing of banknotes to the banknote deposit/withdrawal port 11. The coin processing unit 150 processes the deposit of coins inserted through the coin insertion port 19 and the dispensing of coins to the coin withdrawal box 24, etc.

The memory unit 160 is realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores a control program for controlling the operation of the cash handling device 1, input data during transactions at the cash handling device 1, display screens, and the like. The memory unit 160 also stores the details of each transaction performed at the cash handling device 1 according to the control of the control unit 100.

The configuration of the cash handling device 1 described above is an example, and the present embodiment is not limited to this.

<4. Functional configuration of user terminal 3>
4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the user terminal 3 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the user terminal 3 has a control unit 300, an operation display unit 310, a reading unit 320, a communication unit 330, and a storage unit 340.

The control unit 300 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls each functional unit of the user terminal 3. For example, the control unit 300 controls the display of coded information (such as a one-dimensional barcode or a QR code (registered trademark)) indicating the withdrawal pattern of the change fund as information for withdrawal on the operation display unit 310. The control unit 300 also controls the reading unit 320 to read the results of deposit transactions and withdrawal transactions performed in the cash handling device 1 from the coded information (such as a one-dimensional barcode or a QR code (registered trademark)) displayed on the operation display unit 110 of the cash handling device 1. The control unit 300 also controls the storage of information on withdrawals and deposits by users in the storage unit 340. The control unit 300 also controls the transmission of information on the return status of the change fund from the communication unit 330 to the management server 2.

The operation display unit 310 includes the functions of a display unit that displays an operation guidance screen and an input unit for the user to input operations. The display unit function is realized, for example, by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device. The input unit function is realized, for example, by a touch panel. Note that while FIG. 4 shows an example in which the display unit and input unit functions are configured integrally in the user terminal 3, the display unit and input unit functions may be configured separately.

The reading unit 320 is an example of an acquisition unit that optically reads encoded information such as a one-dimensional barcode or a QR code (registered trademark). The reading unit 320 acquires the results of withdrawal and deposit transactions performed in the cash handling device 1. This encoded information can be displayed, for example, on the display unit (operation display unit 110) of the cash handling device 1. The reading unit 320 may be realized, for example, by a camera or a barcode reader.

The communication unit 330 can transmit and receive data to and from a higher-level PC via, for example, a dedicated network (such as a LAN). For example, when the control unit 300 totals the sales proceeds, the communication unit 330 transmits information about the totaled sales proceeds to the management server 2. In addition, the communication unit 330 transmits information about the return status of change funds by users to the management server 2 under the control of the control unit 300.

The memory unit 340 is realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores a control program for controlling the operation of the user terminal 3, various display screens to be displayed on the operation display unit 310, and various information acquired by the reading unit 320. The memory unit 340 also stores the contents of each deposit/withdrawal transaction performed by the user at each cash handling device 1 according to the control of the control unit 300.

The configuration of the user terminal 3 described above is just one example, and the present embodiment is not limited to this.

<5. Operation Processing>
(5-1. First Example)
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of an operational process related to the return of the change fund according to the first example of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, the user terminal 3 displays, as a barcode on the operation display unit 310, withdrawal information including the withdrawal pattern of the change fund (step S103). The withdrawal pattern of the change fund specifies the number of each denomination of cash to be withdrawn as the change fund. The withdrawal pattern may be registered in advance, for example, in the memory unit 340 of the user terminal 3. If there are multiple withdrawal patterns, the user may select any of the withdrawal patterns. Furthermore, the withdrawal information displayed as a barcode on the user terminal 3 may further include the user's ID.

Prior to the display of the barcode containing the withdrawal information, the user may perform a login process to the cash handling device 1 and select a change withdrawal transaction by operating a menu screen displayed on the operation and display unit 110. In the login process, the user's authenticity may be authenticated, for example, by passing an ID card held by the user through the card reader unit 120 of the cash handling device 1. Alternatively, instead of using an ID card, the user's authenticity may be authenticated using the user terminal 3. The cash handling device 1 may display a screen on the operation and display unit 110 that displays a barcode containing the specified withdrawal information on the user terminal 3 and prompts the user to hold it over the reading unit 124 of the cash handling device 1.

Next, the cash handling device 1 reads the barcode of the withdrawal information displayed on the operation display unit 310 of the user terminal 3 using the reading unit 124 (step S106), and dispenses the change fund according to the withdrawal pattern specified in the withdrawal information (step S109).

Next, the cash handling device 1 displays the withdrawal result as a barcode on the operation display unit 110 and prompts the user to read it using the user terminal 3 (step S112). The withdrawal result displayed as a barcode may include the amount of the change fund actually withdrawn, the withdrawal pattern, the user ID, etc. The withdrawal result displayed as a barcode may also include the transaction number assigned in the change fund withdrawal transaction. The cash handling device 1 stores the user ID, withdrawal amount, withdrawal pattern, withdrawal time, transaction number, etc. in the memory unit 160 as information related to the change fund withdrawal transaction.

Next, the user terminal 3 reads the barcode of the dispensing result displayed on the operation display unit 110 of the cash handling device 1 (step S115). This allows the user terminal 3 to obtain the amount of the change fund actually dispensed and the dispensing pattern. The user terminal 3 stores the dispensing result read by the reading unit 320 in the memory unit 340. After the user receives the change fund and reads the barcode of the dispensing result with the user terminal 3, the user places the change fund in the register and begins work at the register.

An example of each screen display used in the above-described change fund withdrawal transaction will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of each screen display used in the change fund withdrawal transaction according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the operation display unit 310 of the user terminal 3 displays a menu list screen 400 on which "Deposit", "Withdrawal", and "Closing" can be selected. When the Withdrawal button 402 is selected, a selection screen 410 is displayed on which the barcode display or reading is selected. When the barcode display button 411 is selected to display the barcode information for withdrawal, the user selects the barcode display button 411. When the barcode display button 411 is selected, the barcode display screen 420 is displayed. The barcode displayed on the barcode display screen 420 may include the change fund withdrawal pattern and the user ID. Note that before the screen transition from the selection screen 410 to the barcode display screen 420, the user terminal 3 may display a selection screen on which a withdrawal pattern is selected from a plurality of withdrawal patterns.

Then, on the cash handling device 1 side, a guide screen 520 is displayed stating, "Withdrawal: Hold the barcode of the app." Such guide screen 520 may be displayed when a withdrawal transaction of the change fund is selected on the cash handling device 1. Furthermore, in this specification, the term "app" refers to an application that runs on the user terminal 3, such as displaying predetermined withdrawal information as a barcode, and may be replaced with the user terminal 3.

When a change withdrawal transaction is performed at the cash handling device 1, the cash handling device 1 displays a barcode display screen 530 on the operation and display unit 110, which displays a barcode indicating the withdrawal result, and prompts the user terminal 3 to read it. When the user selects the barcode reading button 410 on the selection screen 410, the user terminal 3 activates the reading unit 320 and prepares to read the barcode. The reading unit 320 may be, for example, a camera, and the user terminal 3 displays a captured image captured by the camera in a see-through manner on the operation and display unit 310, and prompts the user to read the barcode on the see-through screen 430.

The above describes examples of the screen displays used in the change fund withdrawal transaction. The above-mentioned change fund withdrawal transaction processing will now be described using a more specific example. In this specific example, the explanation will be given using cash handling device 1A (also simply referred to as cash handling device A), cash handling device 1B (also simply referred to as cash handling device B), user terminal 3A (also simply referred to as user terminal A) of user A (ID: AAAA), and user terminal 3B (also simply referred to as user terminal B) of user B (ID: BBBB).

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of change fund withdrawal information stored in the memory unit 340 of each user terminal 3 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the memory unit 340 of each user terminal 3 can store the change withdrawal amount and withdrawal pattern. The change withdrawal amount and withdrawal pattern stored in the memory unit 340 are information obtained by the user terminal 3 by reading, using the reading unit 320, the barcode display of the withdrawal result displayed on the operation display unit 110 of the cash handling device 1. The user terminal 3 may also obtain device information such as the device number from the cash handling device 1 (the barcode display of the withdrawal result may include the device number of the cash handling device 1), and may also store device information on which the change fund was withdrawn in the memory unit 340.

As an example, assume that both user A and user B have withdrawn change funds from cash handling device A. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the memory unit of cash handling device A may store each user's ID and withdrawal amount as a history of change fund withdrawal transactions. Note that while the example shown in FIG. 8 shows that the user's ID and withdrawal amount are stored, the withdrawal pattern, transaction serial number, transaction time, etc. may also be stored.

The above explains a specific example of a withdrawal transaction from the change fund.

Next, returning to FIG. 5, a description will be given of a user depositing (returning) the change fund. The user deposits the cash collected from the register into the cash handling device 1. The cash collected from the register includes the change fund and sales proceeds to be returned. In this embodiment, the destination to which the change fund is returned is not limited to the device from which the change fund was dispensed. For example, it is possible to deposit (return) the change fund dispensed from cash handling device 1A into cash handling device 1B. This eliminates the need for the user to remember which device the change was dispensed from, and allows the user to return the change fund using an available cash handling device 1 out of multiple installed cash handling devices 1, improving convenience.

As shown in FIG. 5, the user terminal 3 displays deposit information including the amount of change to be received as a barcode on the operation display unit 310 (step S118). The user terminal 3 uses the actual change disbursement amount included in the withdrawal result read in step S115 above (more specifically, the change disbursement amount stored in the memory unit 320 described with reference to FIG. 7) as the amount of change to be received. The deposit information displayed as a barcode may further include the user ID and transaction number (transaction number assigned in the change fund withdrawal transaction) in addition to the change received amount.

Prior to the display of the barcode containing the deposit information, the user may perform a login process to the cash handling device 1 and select a deposit transaction by operating a menu screen displayed on the operation and display unit 110. The cash handling device 1 may also display a screen on the operation and display unit 110 that displays a barcode containing the specified deposit information on the user terminal 3 and prompts the user to hold it over the reading unit 124 of the cash handling device 1.

Next, the cash handling device 1 uses the reading unit 124 to read the barcode of the deposit information displayed on the operation display unit 310 of the user terminal 3 (step S121). The cash handling device 1 also performs a deposit transaction to deposit cash inserted through the deposit port (banknote deposit/withdrawal port 11, coin insertion port 19) (step S124). In the deposit transaction, the cash inserted through the banknote deposit/withdrawal port 11 and coin insertion port 19 is counted and the deposit amount is output.

The control unit 100 of the cash handling device 1 then calculates the sales amount based on the change amount read from the barcode display of the deposit information and the counted deposit amount (step S127). That is, the control unit 100 calculates the sales amount by subtracting the change amount from the counted deposit amount. The control unit 100 controls the storage unit 160 to store the calculated sales amount, the acquired change amount, the user ID, the transaction serial number, etc. The change amount can also be considered the amount of the change fund returned.

Next, the cash handling device 1 displays the deposit result as a barcode on the operation display unit 110 and prompts the user to read it using the user terminal 3 (step S130). The deposit result displayed as a barcode includes the actual change amount and sales amount. The deposit result displayed as a barcode may also include the transaction serial number, user ID, device number, etc.

Next, the user terminal 3 reads the barcode of the deposit result displayed on the operation and display unit 110 of the cash handling device 1 (step S133). As a result, the user terminal 3 obtains the sales amount actually deposited and the change amount, and stores them in the memory unit 340. The user terminal 3 may also obtain the device number where the change fund was deposited (returned) from the barcode of the deposit result displayed on the operation and display unit 110, and store this in the memory unit 340.

An example of each screen display used in a deposit transaction including the return of the change fund described above will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of each screen display used in a deposit transaction including the return of the change fund according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, the operation display unit 310 of the user terminal 3 displays a menu list screen 400 on which "deposit", "withdrawal", and "closing" can be selected. When the deposit button 401 is selected, a selection screen 440 is displayed on which the display or reading of a barcode is selected. When a barcode display of deposit information is to be performed, the user selects the barcode display button 441. When the barcode display button 441 is selected, a barcode display screen 450 is displayed. The barcode displayed on the barcode display screen 450 may include the amount of change received and the user ID. The amount of change received is the same as the amount of the change fund withdrawn obtained during the change fund withdrawal transaction, and is the amount of the change fund to be returned.

Then, on the cash handling device 1 side, a guide screen 550 is displayed, such as "Deposit: Please hold the barcode of the app over the card." Such a guide screen 550 may be displayed when a deposit transaction is selected on the cash handling device 1.

When a deposit transaction including the return of change funds is performed at the cash handling device 1, the cash handling device 1 displays a barcode display screen 560 on the operation and display unit 110, which displays a barcode indicating the deposit result, and prompts the user terminal 3 to read it. When the user selects the barcode reading button 442 on the selection screen 440, the user terminal 3 activates the reading unit 320 and prepares to read the barcode. The reading unit 320 may be, for example, a camera, and the user terminal 3 displays a captured image captured by the camera in a see-through manner on the operation and display unit 310, and prompts the user to read the barcode on the see-through screen 460.

The above describes examples of the screen displays used in deposit transactions, including the return of change funds. The above-mentioned deposit transaction process will now be described using a more specific example. In this specific example, the explanation will continue to use the cash handling device A, cash handling device B, user terminal A, and user terminal B described using Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of deposit/withdrawal information stored in the memory unit of each cash handling device. Figure 10 shows a case in which user A deposits cash including a change reserve (cash collected from the register) into cash handling device B, and user B deposits cash including a change reserve (cash collected from the register) into cash handling device A. The memory unit of each cash handling device can store the actual deposit amount (counted amount).

Meanwhile, the memory unit 340 of each user terminal 3 may store the change amount and sales proceeds, as shown in FIG. 11. Each user terminal 3 uses the reading unit 320 to read and obtain the change amount and sales proceeds information from the barcode display of the deposit result displayed on the operation display unit 110 of the cash handling device 1. Each user terminal 3 can also calculate the deposit amount by adding up the change amount and sales proceeds. The user terminal 3 may also obtain device information such as the device number from the cash handling device 1 (the barcode display of the deposit result may include the device number of the cash handling device 1), and store the device information of the deposit made in the memory unit 340.

User A deposits (returns) the change fund withdrawn from cash handling device A into cash handling device B, and user terminal A used by user A confirms that the change fund has been deposited (returned) into cash handling device B based on the deposit result obtained from cash handling device B. User terminal A can determine that the change fund has been returned by matching the stored amount of change withdrawn with the stored amount of change received. In other words, user terminal A performs control to consider change as having been returned even when change is deposited (returned) into a device other than the one that dispensed the change.

As described above, the cash handling system according to this embodiment does not limit the device to which the withdrawn change is returned, and makes it possible to grasp the change return status at the user terminal 3. When multiple cash handling devices 1 are installed, users are not limited to the devices they can use, and do not need to remember which device they used to withdraw money, improving convenience.

The user terminal 3 also performs a closing process when the deposit transaction is complete (step S136). The time when the deposit transaction is complete is assumed to be when the user terminal 3 reads the barcode indicating the deposit result. As a closing process, the control unit 300 of the user terminal 3 calculates the deposit amount by, for example, adding up the change amount and the sales proceeds. The control unit 300 also tallies the sales proceeds.

Then, the user terminal 3 transmits the tally data (calculated deposit amount and tally result of sales) to the management server 2 (step S139). The user terminal 3 also transmits unreturned change information to the management server 2 as tally data. The unreturned change information is information on the amount of the change fund that has been withdrawn and not returned. The unreturned change information may also include the withdrawal time of the unreturned change fund and the machine number from which it was withdrawn. The management server 2 notifies the user from the user terminal 3 to return the change fund based on the unreturned change information. Meanwhile, in the cash handling device 1, after all the cash in the device is removed by the sale proceeds collection transaction, cash for the change fund is deposited (replenished). In the case of a store where multiple devices are installed, it is expected that the balance will be uneven for each device, but by replacing all of them, the balance will be the same after collection. The denomination composition of the cash for the change fund that is deposited (replenished) after all the cash in the device is removed may be determined in advance. The denomination configuration may be determined for each store and each device.

The closing process described above is not limited to being performed automatically when the deposit transaction is completed, but may be performed, for example, when the closing button 403 displayed on the menu list screen 400 is selected. In this case, the user terminal 3 may also transmit the aggregated data (including information on any unreturned change, if any) to the management server 2.

(5-2. Second Example)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the above first embodiment, a case where a withdrawal result or a deposit result is read (acquired) from encoded information such as a one-dimensional barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) has been described, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the cash handling device 1 may output the withdrawal result or the deposit result to the user terminal 3 by wired or wireless communication. That is, the cash handling device 1 may use the communication unit 130 as an example of an output unit that outputs the withdrawal result or the deposit result. In this case, the user terminal 3 also receives the withdrawal result or the deposit result from the cash handling device 1 by wired or wireless communication using the communication unit 330 as an example of an acquisition unit that acquires the withdrawal result or the deposit result.

In addition, the withdrawal information (including the withdrawal pattern) and deposit information (including the change deposit amount) output from the user terminal 3 to the cash handling device 1 may also be transmitted from the user terminal 3 to the cash handling device 1 via wired or wireless communication.

Here, examples of the display of each screen used in a change fund withdrawal transaction according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining examples of the display of each screen used in a change fund withdrawal transaction according to the second embodiment of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, for example, the operation display unit 310 of the user terminal 3 displays a menu list screen 600 on which "Deposit", "Withdrawal", and "Closing" can be selected. When the Withdrawal button 601 is selected, a selection screen 610 is displayed on which data transmission or reception can be selected. When transmitting withdrawal information data, the user selects the Data Transmission button 611. When the Data Transmission button 611 is selected, the user terminal 3 starts transmitting the withdrawal information, and the operation display unit 310 displays a Data Transmission screen 620 indicating that data is being transmitted. The transmitted withdrawal information includes, for example, the withdrawal pattern of the change fund and the user ID, as in the first embodiment.

Then, on the cash handling device 1 side, a guidance screen 720 is displayed, stating, "Withdrawal: Please send withdrawal information via the app." During this time, the cash handling device 1 is in data reception mode. The guidance screen 720 may be displayed when a withdrawal transaction of change reserve is selected on the cash handling device 1.

When a change withdrawal transaction is performed at the cash handling device 1, the cash handling device 1 starts sending data on the withdrawal result, and displays a screen 730 on the operation display unit 110 indicating that data is being sent, prompting the user to receive the data on the user terminal 3. When the user selects the data reception button 612 on the selection screen 610, the user terminal 3 goes into data reception mode. During this time, the user terminal 3 displays a screen 630 on the operation display unit 310 indicating that data is being received.

The above describes examples of the screen displays used in a change fund withdrawal transaction. Data can also be sent and received between the user terminal 3 and the cash handling device 1 in a cash deposit transaction that includes a change fund.

The communication method between the user terminal 3 and the cash handling device 1 is not particularly limited, but for example, an ISDN line may be used for wired communication, and 3G (third generation mobile communication system) or 4G (fourth generation mobile communication system) (LTE; Long Term Evolution) may be used for wireless communication. Other methods that may be used include Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and close-proximity wireless communication.

<6. Summary>
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, a computer program can be created to cause hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the cash handling device 1 or the user terminal 3 to perform the functions of the cash handling device 1 or the user terminal 3. Also provided is a computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Cash processing device 100 Control unit 110 Operation display unit 120 Card reader unit 124 Reading unit 130 Communication unit 140 Banknote processing unit 11 Banknote deposit/withdrawal port 150 Coin processing unit 19 Coin insertion port 24 Coin withdrawal box 160 Memory unit 2 Management server 3 User terminal 300 Control unit 310 Operation display unit 320 Reading unit 330 Communication unit 340 Memory unit

Claims (5)

A cash dispenser for dispensing cash used as change;
a deposit port for depositing the change and sales proceeds;
an output unit that outputs a result of the cash deposit transaction including the change;
a control unit that controls outputting a result of the deposit transaction to the output unit;
A cash handling device having a
An acquisition unit for acquiring the output result of the deposit transaction;
A control unit that confirms that the withdrawn change has been returned based on the received amount of the change included in the obtained result of the deposit transaction;
and an information processing terminal having the
the output unit is a display unit that displays coded information indicating a result of the deposit transaction;
The acquisition unit is a reading unit that optically reads the encoded information.
Cash handling system. The acquisition unit acquires a result of the change dispensing transaction performed in another cash handling device,
the information processing terminal further includes a storage unit configured to store a result of the change withdrawal transaction acquired by the acquisition unit,
2. The cash handling system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the information processing terminal determines that the change withdrawn from the other cash handling device has been returned based on the amount of the change received obtained from the cash handling device. 3. The cash handling system according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit of the information processing terminal controls the information processing terminal to transmit, to a management server, unreturned information regarding the dispensed change stored in the memory unit that has not been returned. The result of the deposit transaction further includes the amount of the sales proceeds deposited;
4. The cash handling system according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit of the information processing terminal performs control to transmit aggregate data of the sales proceeds to the management server. the information processing terminal further includes an output unit that outputs information for dispensing the change,
The cash handling system according to claim 1 , wherein the information for dispensing the change includes information on the number of coins to be dispensed as the change by denomination.

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