Coinbox and coinbox fill monitoring method

Abstract

The application discloses a coin box and a coin box fullness monitoring method. An infrared sensor continuously works and emits infrared signals to realize real-time monitoring of a monitoring area. When the infrared light beam emitted by the sensor is temporarily or instantaneously blocked, the infrared sensor does not transmit any feedback signal to the controller. If the infrared light is continuously blocked and the time exceeds a preset alarm time threshold, the sensor immediately triggers a response mechanism, sends an alarm signal to the controller, and the controller starts an alarm element to send an explicit warning to the external environment. The staff can take out the full box and replace it with an empty one, providing great convenience and flexibility for daily use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of coin box technology, and in particular to a coin box and a method for monitoring whether the coin box is full. Background Technology

[0002] Coin boxes are common devices used on buses to collect fares from passengers. They typically employ an internal cassette design, meaning staff cannot directly observe the amount of coins inside. Due to the lack of a viewing window or status indicator, staff struggle to determine if the cassette is full and whether timely removal and replacement are necessary. This design flaw causes significant inconvenience in practical use. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, a first aspect of this invention provides a coin box, including a box body, a cassette, an infrared sensor, a control board, and an alarm element. The top of the box body has a coin slot; the cassette is detachably installed inside the box body and is located below the coin slot, allowing coins inserted through the cassette to slide into the cassette; the infrared sensor is mounted on the inner wall of the box body, electrically connected to the control board, and located above the cassette; after the infrared light emitted by the infrared sensor is blocked by coins for an extended period, the infrared sensor sends a feedback signal back to the control board; the control board is electrically connected to the alarm element and is used to control the operation of the alarm element.

[0004] According to some embodiments of the present invention, two infrared sensors are used, and the two infrared sensors are mounted facing each other on the inner wall of the housing.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the alarm element is a horn, which is mounted on the enclosure.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the alarm element is an alarm light, which is mounted on the enclosure.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for detecting when a coin box is full, using the aforementioned coin box, the method comprising: The infrared sensor is continuously operational, emitting infrared signals to achieve real-time monitoring of the monitored area. When the infrared beam emitted by the sensor is briefly or momentarily blocked, the infrared sensor will not send any feedback signal to the controller. However, if the infrared beam is continuously blocked for a period exceeding a preset alarm duration threshold, the sensor will immediately trigger a response mechanism, sending an alarm signal to the controller. The controller will then activate the alarm element, issuing a clear warning to the external environment.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the alarm duration for when the infrared light emitted by the infrared sensor is blocked is greater than or equal to minutes.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the alarm element is the horn, which emits a buzzing sound.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the alarm element is the alarm light, which flashes when illuminated.

[0011] The infrared sensor is constantly working, continuously emitting infrared signals to achieve real-time monitoring of the monitored area. When the infrared beam emitted by the sensor is briefly or momentarily blocked, the infrared sensor will not send any feedback signal to the controller. However, if the infrared beam is continuously blocked for a period exceeding the preset alarm duration threshold, the sensor will immediately trigger the response mechanism and send an alarm signal to the controller. The controller will then activate the alarm element to issue a clear warning to the external environment. Staff can remove the full boxes and replace them with empty ones, providing great convenience and flexibility for daily use.

[0012] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the present invention. Figure 1 ; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the present invention. Figure 2 . Detailed Implementation

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0015] Please refer to Figure 1 , 2 A coin box includes a box body 100, a cassette 200, an infrared sensor 300, a control board, and an alarm element. The box body 100 has a coin slot 110 on its top. The cassette 200 is detachably installed inside the box body 100 and is located below the coin slot 110. Coins inserted into the cassette 110 slide into the cassette 200. The infrared sensor 300 is installed on the inner wall of the box body 100 and is electrically connected to the control board. The infrared sensor 300 is located above the cassette 200. When the infrared light emitted by the infrared sensor 300 is blocked by a coin for a long time, the infrared sensor 300 sends a feedback signal back to the control board. The control board is electrically connected to the alarm element and is used to control the operation of the alarm element.

[0016] The infrared sensor 300 is continuously operational, emitting infrared signals to enable real-time monitoring of the monitored area. When the infrared beam emitted by the sensor is briefly or momentarily blocked, the infrared sensor 300 will not send any feedback signal to the controller. However, if the infrared beam is continuously blocked for a period exceeding the preset alarm duration threshold, the sensor will immediately trigger a response mechanism, sending an alarm signal to the controller. The controller will then activate the alarm element, issuing a clear warning to the external environment. Staff can then remove the full box 200 and replace it with an empty box 200, providing great convenience and flexibility for daily use.

[0017] This system uses two infrared sensors 300, which are installed opposite each other on the two inner walls of the enclosure 100 to ensure full coverage of the monitoring area.

[0018] The alarm element is implemented by two components: one is a horn 400, which serves as an audible alarm device and is installed on the enclosure 100; the other is an alarm light, which serves as a visual alarm device and is also installed on the enclosure 100.

[0019] The two alarm elements can be installed individually or simultaneously to provide a dual warning effect.

[0020] A method for detecting when a coin box is full, using the aforementioned coin box, includes the following steps: The infrared sensor 300 is continuously in operation, emitting infrared signals in a continuous manner to achieve real-time monitoring of the monitored area. When the infrared beam emitted by the sensor is briefly or momentarily blocked, the infrared sensor 300 will not send any feedback signal to the controller. However, if the infrared beam is continuously blocked for a period of time exceeding the preset alarm duration threshold, the sensor will immediately trigger the response mechanism and send an alarm signal to the controller. The controller will then activate the alarm element and issue a clear warning to the external environment.

[0021] The alarm duration for when the infrared light emitted by the infrared sensor 300 is blocked is greater than or equal to 1 minute.

[0022] The alarm element uses a horn 400, which emits a buzzing sound.

[0023] The alarm element uses an alarm light, which flashes to indicate an alarm.

[0024] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A coin box, characterized in that, The device includes a housing (100), a box (200), an infrared sensor (300), a control board, and an alarm element. The housing (100) has a coin slot (110) on its top. The box (200) is detachably installed inside the housing (100) and is located below the coin slot (110). Coins inserted into the coin slot (110) slide into the box (200). The infrared sensor (300) is mounted on the inner wall of the housing (100). The infrared sensor (300) is electrically connected to the control board and is located above the box (200). After the infrared light emitted by the infrared sensor (300) is blocked by the coin for a long time, the infrared sensor (300) sends a feedback signal back to the control board. The control board is electrically connected to the alarm element and is used to control the operation of the alarm element.

2. The coin box according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two infrared sensors (300) are used, and the two infrared sensors (300) are installed facing each other on the inner wall of the housing (100).

3. The coin box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The alarm element is a horn (400), which is mounted on the enclosure (100).

4. The coin box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The alarm element is an alarm light, which is installed on the housing (100).

5. A method for detecting when a coin box is full, characterized in that, The method of using the coin box according to any one of claims 1 to 4 includes: The infrared sensor (300) is continuously in operation, emitting infrared signals to achieve real-time monitoring of the monitoring area. When the infrared beam emitted by the sensor is briefly or momentarily blocked, the infrared sensor (300) will not send any feedback signal to the controller. However, if the infrared beam is continuously blocked for a period of time exceeding the preset alarm duration threshold, the sensor will immediately trigger the response mechanism and send an alarm signal to the controller. The controller will then activate the alarm element and issue a clear warning to the external environment.

6. The coin box full monitoring method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The alarm duration for when the infrared light emitted by the infrared sensor (300) is blocked is greater than or equal to 1 minute.

7. The coin box full monitoring method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The alarm element is the horn (400), which emits a buzzing sound.

8. The coin box full monitoring method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The alarm element is the alarm light, which flashes when illuminated.

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