Paper sheet handling device and paper sheet handling method

Abstract

A paper sheet handling device (banknote depositing and dispensing machine) includes: at least one storage unit (storage module) configured to store paper sheets therein and feed stored paper sheets therefrom; and a control unit configured to control storage and feeding of paper sheets into and from the storage unit. The control unit prohibits one of storage of paper sheets into the respective storage unit and feeding of paper sheets from the respective storage unit when the stored amount of the respective storage unit is within a preset range.

1 . A paper sheet handling device, comprising:
 at least one storage unit configured to store paper sheets therein and feed stored paper sheets therefrom; and   a controller configured to control storage and feeding of paper sheets into and from the at least one storage unit,   
       wherein
 when a stored amount of a respective storage unit is within a preset range, the controller prohibits one of storage of paper sheets into the storage unit and feeding of paper sheets from the respective storage unit and permits the other of storage of paper sheets into the respective storage unit and feeding of paper sheets from the respective storage unit. 
 
     
     
         2 . The paper sheet handling device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the controller is configured to:
 prohibit storage of paper sheets into the respective storage unit and permit feeding of paper sheets from the respective storage unit when the stored amount of the respective storage unit reaches a predetermined first stored amount, until the stored amount reaches a predetermined second stored amount, wherein the second stored amount is smaller than the first stored amount; and 
 permit storage of paper sheets within the respective storage unit when the stored amount of the respective storage unit reaches the predetermined second stored amount by way of feeding of paper sheets from the respective storage unit. 
   
     
     
         3 . The paper sheet handling device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the controller is configured to:
 prohibit feeding of paper sheets from the respective storage unit and permit storage of paper sheets within the respective storage unit when the stored amount of the respective storage unit reaches a predetermined third stored amount, until the stored amount reaches a predetermined fourth stored amount, wherein the predetermined fourth stored amount is larger than the predetermined third stored amount; and 
 permit feeding of paper sheets from the respective storage unit when the stored amount of the respective storage unit reaches the predetermined fourth stored amount by way of storage of paper sheets into the respective storage unit. 
   
     
     
         4 . The paper sheet handling device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one storage unit includes a plurality of storage units, and   when storage of paper sheets is permitted for any of the plurality of storage units, the controller stores paper sheets into a storage unit having a lower stored amount.   
     
     
         5 . The paper sheet handling device of  claim 2 , wherein
 the at least one storage unit includes at least a first storage unit and a second storage unit, and   when the stored amount of the first storage unit reaches the first stored amount, the controller designates the first storage unit as a feeding-dedicated storage unit that performs only feeding of paper sheets and designates the second storage unit as a storage-dedicated storage unit that performs only storage of paper sheets.   
     
     
         6 . The paper sheet handling device of  claim 5 , wherein
 when the stored amount of the first storage unit reaches the second stored amount, the controller designates the first storage unit as a storage-dedicated storage unit and designates the second storage unit as a feeding-dedicated storage unit.   
     
     
         7 . The paper sheet handling device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one storage unit is of a winding-type storage unit, in which paper sheets are wound around a drum together with a tape.   
     
     
         8 . The paper sheet handling device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one storage unit is of a stacking-type storage unit, in which paper sheets are placed in contact with each other.   
     
     
         9 . A paper sheet handling method comprising:
 storing paper sheets into at least one storage unit;   feeding paper sheets from the at least one storage unit; and   prohibiting either storage of paper sheets into the a respective storage unit or feeding of paper sheets from the respective storage unit when a stored amount of the respective storage unit is within a preset range.   
     
     
         10 . A paper sheet handling method comprising:
 when a stored amount of a storage unit configured to store paper sheets and feed stored paper sheets reaches a predetermined first stored amount, prohibiting storage of paper sheets into the storage unit and permitting feeding of paper sheets from the storage unit, until the stored amount reaches a predetermined stored amount, wherein the predetermined second stored amount that is smaller than the predetermined first stored amount; and   permitting storage of paper sheets into the storage unit when the stored amount of the storage unit reaches the predetermined second stored amount by way of feeding of paper sheets from the storage unit.   
     
     
         11 . The paper sheet handling method of  claim 10 , comprising:
 prohibiting feeding of paper sheets from the storage unit and permitting storage of paper sheets into the storage unit when the stored amount of the storage unit reaches a predetermined third stored amount, until the stored amount reaches a predetermined fourth stored amount, wherein the predetermined fourth stored amount is larger than the predetermined third stored amount; and   permitting feeding of paper sheets from the storage unit when the stored amount of the storage unit reaches the predetermined fourth stored amount by way of storage of paper sheets into the storage unit.   
     
     
         12 . The paper sheet handling method of  claim 9 , wherein
 the storing paper sheets into the storage unit includes winding paper sheets around a drum together with a tape, and   the feeding paper sheets from the storage unit includes sending out paper sheets from the drum together with the tape.   
     
     
         13 . The paper sheet handling method of  claim 10 , wherein
 the storing paper sheets into the storage unit includes winding paper sheets around a drum together with a tape, and   the feeding paper sheets from the storage unit includes sending out paper sheets from the drum together with the tape.