Coin bar storage device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023148980
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-27
Smart Images
Figure 2025042142000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a coin bar storage device. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, in distribution facilities and commercial facilities such as retail stores and supermarkets, cash processing devices are installed to deposit sales proceeds and dispense change funds. As an example of a cash processing device, a cash processing device having a function of storing a bar of coins, which is a predetermined number of coins of the same denomination packaged in a bar shape, is known.
[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cash storage device that includes a coin roll storage section and uses a sensor to determine the presence or absence of coin rolls stored in the coin roll storage section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-42256 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] In the conventional configuration, a circuit board having a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of coin rolls is provided for each of the multiple coin roll storage spaces that store the coin rolls. Since the distance between the sensor and the coin roll significantly affects the output value of the sensor, careful assembly is required. Properly installing the circuit board for each coin roll storage space takes time and effort, and the number of parts increases, resulting in high assembly costs.
[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved coin bar storage device that can reduce assembly costs. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin roll storage device comprising: a coin roll storage space row in which a plurality of coin roll storage spaces in which coin rolls are stored in an upright position are rowed along a predetermined direction; a coin roll tray having a plurality of first optical axis holes and a plurality of second optical axis holes which each form an optical axis with the first optical axis holes and are configured in a different arrangement pattern corresponding to each of the coin roll storage spaces; a light-emitting unit which directs light to the first optical axis holes; a position detection sensor which changes position relatively along the row of coin roll storage spaces and detects the received light pattern of light emitted from the second optical axis hole as information regarding the position of the coin roll storage space; and a coin roll detection sensor which detects the presence or absence of coin rolls in each of the coin roll storage spaces.
[0008] The multiple coin bar storage spaces of the coin bar tray are formed in a lattice pattern by multiple rows of coin bar storage spaces, and the base portion has multiple coin bar detection sensors corresponding to the multiple coin bar storage spaces along a coin bar storage space row, which is the row direction of the coin bar storage spaces, and the multiple coin bar detection sensors may sequentially detect the presence or absence of coin bars for each coin bar storage space along the coin bar storage space row by changing the position of the base portion relative to the coin bar tray.
[0009] The second optical axis holes may be configured with different arrangement patterns corresponding to each of the coin roll storage space rows, and the position detection sensor may detect the light receiving pattern as information regarding the position relative to the coin roll storage space rows.
[0010] The base portion may be provided below the metal bar tray.
[0011] The multiple coin bar detection sensors arranged on the base portion may each be positioned so that when the base portion is positioned under a row of coin bar storage spaces that is the detection target, it overlaps in a planar view with the bottoms of multiple coin bar storage spaces included in that row of coin bar storage spaces.
[0012] The coin roll storage device may further include a drive unit that drives the base unit in a direction along the row of coin roll storage spaces.
[0013] The coin bar tray is arranged to be removable, the row of coin bar storage spaces is a line of coin bar storage spaces arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the coin bar tray is removed, the base plate portion is arranged along the row of coin bar storage spaces, and the multiple coin bar detection sensors may each detect the presence or absence of coin bars in multiple coin bar storage spaces included in the row of coin bar storage spaces.
[0014] The light-emitting unit may be provided on the position detection sensor, and the position detection sensor may be provided on the base portion at a position that overlaps in a planar view with the second optical axis hole formed on a straight line of the coin roll storage space row when the base portion is positioned under a coin roll storage space row that is the detection target.
[0015] The second optical axis hole is provided at an end of the coin bar tray, the first optical axis hole is formed on a side of the coin bar tray, an optical path through which light passes is provided between the first optical axis hole and the second optical axis hole, the position detection sensor is provided on the substrate portion at a position that overlaps in a planar view with the second optical axis hole corresponding to a coin bar storage space row that is the detection target when the substrate portion is positioned under the coin bar storage space row that is the detection target, and the light emitting unit may be provided at a position where light can enter the first optical axis hole, such that the end of the substrate portion on the side where the position detection sensor is provided in the longitudinal direction of the substrate portion is on the coin bar tray side of a protrusion that extends upward along the side of the coin bar tray.
[0016] The second optical axis hole is provided at an end of the coin bar tray, the first optical axis hole is formed on a side of the coin bar tray, an optical path through which light passes is provided between the first optical axis hole and the second optical axis hole, the position detection sensor is provided on the substrate portion at a position that overlaps in a planar view with the second optical axis hole corresponding to a coin bar storage space row that is the detection target when the substrate portion is positioned under the coin bar storage space row that is the detection target, and the light emitting unit may be provided in multiple positions so that light can enter each of the first optical axis holes formed on the side of the coin bar tray.
[0017] The coin bar tray is arranged to be removable, the row of coin bar storage spaces is a line of coin bar storage spaces arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the coin bar tray is removed, and the base portion is arranged along the row of coin bar storage spaces that is the foremost when viewed from the removal side among the multiple rows of coin bar storage spaces, and its position may change relative to the coin bar tray when the coin bar tray is removed or pushed in.
[0018] The coin bar tray is arranged to be removable, the row of coin bar storage spaces is a line of coin bar storage spaces arranged along the direction in which the coin bar tray is removed, the base plate portion is arranged along the row of coin bar storage spaces, and the multiple coin bar detection sensors may each detect the presence or absence of coin bars in multiple coin bar storage spaces included in the row of coin bar storage spaces.
[0019] The coin roll storage device may further include a control unit that compares the light receiving pattern detected by the position detection sensor with the light receiving pattern linked to a pre-stored coin roll storage space row, and recognizes the coin roll storage space row to be detected.
[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce assembly costs. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cash processing device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a coin roll storage unit 114 according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state of a coin roll storage unit 114 in which coin rolls are stored according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a coin roll storage unit 500 according to a comparative example. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram in which the AA cross section shown in FIG. 3 is applied to a coin bar storage unit 500 according to a comparative example. [Figure 6]1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a coil L according to a comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a simplified top view of a coin roll storage unit 114 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the cross section BB shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic top view of a position detection sensor 132 provided on a coin rod detection board 130 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a detection area 300 provided on a coin roll tray 120 side and a position detection sensor 132 provided on a coin roll detection board 130 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an optical axis hole pattern for each coin-roll storing space row R formed in the detection area portion 300 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a coin rod detection board 137 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a coin rod detection board 137 according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device 900 according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.
[0023] In addition, in this specification and drawings, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different alphabets after the same reference numeral. However, when there is no particular need to distinguish between multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numeral is used.
[0024] <1. Introduction> The embodiment of the present invention is applied to a cash processing device installed in a distribution facility or a commercial facility such as a retail store or a supermarket. The cash processing device according to the present embodiment can execute processes such as change dispensing for dispensing banknotes and coins as a change fund used in a cash register, and sales deposit for depositing banknotes and coins collected from a cash register. Furthermore, the cash processing device according to the present embodiment also includes a function as a coin bar storage device for storing coin bars obtained by packaging coins into a bar shape. The configuration of the cash processing device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below.
[0025] 2. First embodiment (2-1. Configuration of cash processing device) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cash processing device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the cash processing device 100 includes an operation and display unit 102, a coin deposit port 104, a coin processing unit 106, a coin withdrawal port 108, a banknote deposit and withdrawal port 110, a banknote processing unit 112, and a coin bar storage unit 114.
[0026] The operation display unit 102 includes a function as an operation unit that detects an operator's operation, and a function as a display unit that displays various screens. The function as the display unit 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 function as the operation unit is realized, for example, by a capacitive or resistive touch panel.
[0027] The coin deposit port 104 accepts coins. For example, the coin deposit port 104 has a size that allows multiple coins to be deposited at the same time, and is disposed above the coin processing unit 106 and the coin withdrawal port 108 as shown in Fig. 1. The coin deposit port 104 may have a shutter that opens and closes, and the shutter can be opened when a coin is deposited.
[0028] The coin processing unit 106 processes the deposit and withdrawal of coins. Specifically, the coin processing unit 106 stores coins inserted into the coin deposit port 104, and delivers to the coin withdrawal port 108 coins of a denomination and number designated by an operator operation.
[0029] The coin dispensing port 108 discharges coins to the outside of the cash processing device 100. For example, the coin dispensing port 108 has a size that allows it to hold a plurality of coins at the same time, and is disposed below the coin processing unit 106 as shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the coin dispensing port 108 has a shutter that opens and closes, and the shutter is opened when a coin is discharged.
[0030] The banknote deposit / withdrawal port 110 accepts the insertion of deposited banknotes and discharges dispensed banknotes to the outside of the cash processing device 100. For example, the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 110 has a size that allows it to hold multiple banknotes at the same time, and is disposed above the banknote processing unit 112 as shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 110 has a shutter that opens and closes, and the shutter is opened when a banknote is inserted or discharged.
[0031] The banknote processing unit 112 performs a process of depositing and dispensing banknotes. Specifically, the banknote processing unit 112 stores banknotes inserted into the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 110, and discharges to the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 110 banknotes of a denomination and number designated by a user operation.
[0032] The coin roll storage unit 114 is configured for storing coin rolls, and is configured to be able to be withdrawn from the cash processing device 100. An operator can remove the coin rolls stored in the coin roll storage unit 114 by withdrawing the coin roll storage unit 114 from the cash processing device 100. The configuration of the coin roll storage unit 114 will be described below with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.
[0033] (2-2. Structure of the coin bar storage section) Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the coin roll storage unit 114 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the coin roll storage unit 114 has a coin roll tray 120 for storing coin rolls in an upright position.
[0034] The coin roll tray 120 has multiple coin roll storage spaces S arranged in a lattice pattern. The multiple coin roll storage spaces S are made up of coin roll storage space rows arranged in the row direction and coin roll storage space columns arranged in the column direction. In this embodiment, as an example, the multiple coin roll storage spaces S arranged in the pull-out direction of the coin roll tray 120 are called coin roll storage space columns, and the multiple coin roll storage spaces S arranged in a direction perpendicular to the pull-out direction (also referred to as the width direction) are called coin roll storage space rows.
[0035] The coin roll tray 120 includes a plurality of coin roll storage space rows R, and each coin roll storage space row R is formed by a plurality of coin roll storage spaces for storing coin rolls.
[0036] For example, each coin roll storage space row R is formed of two coin roll storage spaces S1 for storing 1 yen coin rolls, one coin roll storage space S2 for storing 5 yen coin rolls, three coin roll storage spaces S3 for storing 10 yen coin rolls, one coin roll storage space S4 for storing 50 yen coin rolls, three coin roll storage spaces S5 for storing 100 yen coin rolls, and one coin roll storage space S6 for storing 500 yen coin rolls, as shown in Fig. 2. That is, the coin roll storage space row R is formed of coin roll storage spaces S1 to S6 for storing coin rolls of different denominations.
[0037] On the other hand, on the upper side of the coin bar storage section 114 in the withdrawal direction, a coin bar storage space for storing coin bars of the same denomination is formed.
[0038] The sizes of the coin bar storage spaces S1 to S6 in plan view differ depending on the denominations corresponding to each of the coin bar storage spaces S1 to S6. Specifically, the diameters of the coin bar storage spaces S1 to S6 in plan view in the withdrawal direction may be approximately the same size as the diameters of the coin bars of the denominations corresponding to each of the coin bar storage spaces S1 to S6, that is, a size in which the coin bar touches both sides of the coin bar storage space S in the withdrawal direction when the coin bar is stored. When there is no need to particularly distinguish between the coin bar storage spaces S1 to S6 of each denomination, the coin bar storage spaces S1 to S6 of each denomination will be collectively referred to simply as coin bar storage spaces or coin bar storage spaces S.
[0039] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the state of the coin roll storage unit 114 in which coin rolls according to the first embodiment are stored. As shown in Fig. 3, in each coin roll storage space S of the coin roll tray 120 described above, a coin roll of a denomination corresponding to each coin roll storage space S is stored, so that the coin rolls are arranged in a lattice pattern on the coin roll tray 120. Note that Fig. 3 illustrates a case in which the number of 500 yen coin rolls stored in the coin roll storage space S6 is smaller than the number of 1 yen to 100 yen coin rolls stored in the coin roll storage spaces S1 to S5, but it is also possible to store a 500 yen coin roll containing the same number of coins as the number of 1 yen to 100 yen coin rolls in the coin roll storage space S6.
[0040] (2-3. About the metal bar detection board) The coin bar storage unit 114 of the cash processing device 100 is provided with a coin bar detection board for determining the presence or absence of a coin bar in each coin bar storage space S.
[0041] Here, a comparative example of the arrangement of the coin roll detection board will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The coin roll detection board according to the comparative example is provided along the coin roll storage space row R so as to face the side of the coin roll stored in each coin roll storage space S.
[0042] (Comparative Example) Fig. 4 is a plan view of a comparative example of a coin bar storage unit 500. Fig. 5 is a diagram in which the AA cross section shown in Fig. 3 is applied to a coin bar storage unit 500 according to a comparative example. That is, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section along the coin bar storage space row R of the coin bar storage unit 500.
[0043] 4, in the coin roll storage unit 500 according to the comparative example, a coin roll detection board 510 is provided for each of the coin roll storage space rows R. In addition, the coin roll detection board 510 is provided at a position covered by the coin roll tray 120.
[0044] 5, the coin roll detection board 510 is connected to the control board 530 via a connector 520. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the coin roll detection board 510 has a coil L as a sensor whose output changes depending on the presence or absence of a coin roll at a position corresponding to each coin roll storage space S included in the coin roll storage space row R. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the coil L according to a comparative example. As shown in Fig. 6, the coil L is formed by a wiring pattern on the coin roll detection board 510. The inductance of this coil L changes depending on the presence or absence of a coin roll in the coin roll storage space S corresponding to the coil L.
[0045] The control board 530 has a function as a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of coin rolls, and specifically, determines the presence or absence of coin rolls in each coin roll storage space S based on the output of the coil L input from the coin roll detection board 510.
[0046] (Identifying issues) As explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5, in the configuration of the comparative example, a coin bar detection board 510 is provided for each of the coin bar storage space rows R, and a coil L, which is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a coin bar, is required for each of the multiple coin bar storage spaces S included in the coin bar storage section 500.
[0047] The distance between the sensor and the coin roll has a large effect on the output, so assembly must be done carefully, and it takes time and effort to properly install the coin roll detection board 510 for every coin roll storage space S. Also, a coin roll detection board 510 is required for each of the coin roll storage space rows R, and a sensor for each of the coin roll storage spaces S, so the number of parts that must be assembled is also large. Thus, the configuration of the coin roll detection board 510 according to the comparative example required high costs in terms of time, effort, and expense for assembly.
[0048] Therefore, the present inventors have focused on the above-mentioned circumstances and have created a cash processing device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the coin bar detection board according to the first embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to reduce assembly costs.
[0049] (Present embodiment) The mechanism for detecting a coin roll according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.
[0050] Fig. 7 is a simplified top view of the coin bar storage unit 114 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the B-B cross section shown in Fig. 7. That is, Fig. 8 is a view showing a cross section along the arrangement of the coin bar storage spaces in the coin bar storage unit 114 in the pull-out direction.
[0051] As shown in Fig. 7, the coin bar storage section 114 has a coin bar tray 120. The coin bar tray 120 has a plurality of coin bar storage space rows R (coin bar storage space rows R1-R8) each formed of a plurality of coin bar storage spaces S (S10-S15) lined up in the width direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the pull-out direction shown in Fig. 7. The multiple coin bar storage space rows R1-R8 are lined up in the pull-out direction as shown in Fig. 7, and the multiple coin bar storage spaces S form a row along the pull-out direction. In this way, the coin bar tray 120 has a plurality of coin bar storage spaces S arranged in a lattice pattern.
[0052] A coin-roll detection board 130 (an example of a board portion) is provided below the coin-roll tray 120, that is, at a position facing the bottom of the coin-roll storage space S from the back side.
[0053] The coin roll detection board 130 is provided along each of the coin roll storage spaces S that are lined up in a predetermined direction. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the coin roll detection board 130 is provided along a coin roll storage space row R consisting of multiple coin roll storage spaces lined up in the withdrawal direction.
[0054] The coin roll detection board 130 is a size corresponding to one row of coin roll storage spaces R. The coin roll detection board 130 may be rectangular in shape, for example. Coils L (L10-L15) are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the coin roll detection board 130, and are coin roll detection sensors that detect the presence or absence of coin rolls in the coin roll storage spaces S that form the coin roll storage space row R. In this embodiment, the coil L (magnetic sensor) according to the comparative example described with reference to FIG. 6 is used as the coin roll detection sensor whose output changes depending on the presence or absence of a coin roll, but the coin roll detection sensor according to the present invention is not limited to a magnetic sensor. The coin roll detection sensor may be an optical sensor, a physical sensor, or the like.
[0055] The multiple coils L (coin bar detection sensors) arranged on the coin bar detection board 130 are each positioned so as to overlap in a plan view with the bottoms of the multiple coin bar storage spaces S lined up in a coin bar storage space row R when the coin bar detection board 130 is positioned under a coin bar storage space row R that is the detection target, as shown in Figure 7.
[0056] The position of the coin roll detection board 130 changes relative to the coin roll tray 120 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coin roll detection board 130. In this embodiment, a drive unit 140 (see FIG. 8) that drives the coin roll detection board 130 is provided in the coin roll storage unit 114. The drive unit 140 is formed by a drive belt and a drive source, and the coin roll detection board 130 is provided on the drive belt. There is no particular limitation on the drive source. The coin roll detection board 130 changes its position relative to the coin roll tray 120 by being driven in the direction of arrow D by the drive unit 140.
[0057] By driving the coin roll detection board 130 in the direction of arrow D, the coin roll detection board 130 is able to simultaneously detect the presence or absence of coin rolls C in the coin roll storage spaces S (S10 to S15) included in each coin roll storage space row R (R1 to R8), row by row, using multiple coils L (L10 to L15).
[0058] 7, the initial state is when the coin roll detection board 130 is located under the coin roll storage space row R1 closest to the drawer side, and first simultaneously detects the presence or absence of coin rolls C in the coin roll storage spaces S10(R1) to S15(R1) in the coin roll storage space row R1. Next, the coin roll detection board 130 is moved by the drive unit 140 to below the coin roll storage space row R2, and simultaneously detects the presence or absence of coin rolls C in the coin roll storage spaces S10(R2) to S15(R2) in the coin roll storage space row R2.
[0059] In this way, a single row-sized coin roll detection board 130 can detect the presence or absence of coin rolls in all coin roll storage spaces S, reducing assembly costs compared to preparing sensors and boards for all coin roll storage spaces. Also, the coin roll detection board 130 can read the presence or absence information of coin rolls C simultaneously in parallel, row by row, and send the information via serial transmission, allowing for faster reading. The detection results can be sent to a control unit (not shown).
[0060] Here, when the coin roll detection board 130 moves to detect the presence or absence of coin rolls in each coin roll storage space S, it needs to recognize which of the multiple coin roll storage space rows R the coin roll detection board 130 is located under.
[0061] In contrast, the coin roll detection board 130 according to the first embodiment is provided with a position detection sensor 132 for detecting the position of the coin roll detection board 130 relative to the coin roll storage space row R. Fig. 9 is a schematic top view of the position detection sensor 132 provided on the coin roll detection board 130 according to the first embodiment.
[0062] 9, a coin roll detection board 130 according to the first embodiment is provided with a position detection sensor 132 at a longitudinal end. The position detection sensor 132 is provided with a light-emitting unit 134 and a light-receiving unit 136. The arrangement of the light-emitting unit 134 and the light-receiving unit 136 is not particularly limited, but for example, one light-emitting unit 134 is provided in the center, and multiple light-receiving units 136a to 136d are arranged around it.
[0063] The position detection sensor 132 is provided on the coin roll detection board 130 at a position where it can overlap in a plan view with the optical axis holes 310 (including a first optical axis hole and a second optical axis hole) that are configured in different arrangement patterns corresponding to each coin roll storage space row R, as shown in Fig. 7. More specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 7, the detection area 300 is provided at the end of the coin roll tray 120, and the position detection sensor 132 is provided on the coin roll detection board 130 at a position (the longitudinal end of the coin roll detection board 130) where it can overlap in a plan view with the optical axis hole 310 that corresponds to one coin roll storage space row R and is formed in the detection area 300.
[0064] 7, the detection area 300 is provided at the end of the coin roll tray 120 (specifically, next to the coin roll storage space S15 located at the end of the coin roll storage space row R), but the present invention is not limited to this and the detection area 300 may be located anywhere on a straight line of the coin roll storage space row R. For example, the detection area 300 may be located in a wide space between the coin roll storage space S12 and the coin roll storage space S13. The detection area 300 may be integrally formed with the coin roll tray 120, or may be a separate member from the coin roll tray 120.
[0065] Next, detection of the position of the coin roll detection board 130 relative to the coin roll storage space row R will be described. Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the detection area 300 provided on the coin roll tray 120 according to the first embodiment, and the position detection sensor 132 provided on the coin roll detection board 130. As shown in Fig. 10, the detection area 300 is provided with a plurality of optical axis holes 310 in different arrangement patterns for each coin roll storage space row R. Note that, for convenience of explanation, Fig. 10 shows each optical axis hole 310 as it appears in the cross section.
[0066] A position detection sensor 132 is located below the coin roll tray 120. While moving in the direction of arrow D by the drive unit 140, the position detection sensor 132 emits light from the light-emitting unit 134 toward the detection area 300 located above, and receives the reflected light from a recess formed behind the detection area 300 sequentially by the light-receiving unit 136.
[0067] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an optical axis hole pattern for each coin roll storage space row R formed in the detection area portion 300 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, each optical axis hole pattern P (P1 to P4...) includes an optical axis hole 310p (first optical axis hole) provided in the center and one or more optical axis holes 310q (second optical axis holes) arranged around the optical axis hole 310p. The central optical axis hole 310p is a light entrance port through which light from the light emitting unit 134 provided in the position detection sensor 132 enters. The optical axis holes 310q arranged around the center are light exit ports through which reflected light of the light entering from the optical axis hole 310p exits. In each optical axis hole pattern P (P1 to P4...), one or more optical axis holes 310p are arranged in different patterns. The light exiting from the optical axis hole 310q is received by the light receiving unit 136 provided in the position detection sensor 132.
[0068] Then, the position detection sensor 132 transmits the light reception result (light reception pattern) by the light receiving unit 136 to the control unit (not shown) as the detection result. Such detection result (light reception pattern) is information regarding the position of the coin roll detection board 130 relative to the coin roll storage space row R. The control unit compares the light reception pattern detected by the light receiving unit 136 with the light reception pattern linked to the coin roll storage space row stored in advance, and determines in which coin roll storage space row R, among the coin roll storage space rows R1 to R8, the coin roll detection board 130 is located. This allows the control unit to recognize which coin roll storage space row R the coin roll detection board 130 is detecting the presence or absence of a coin roll (i.e., which coin roll storage space row is the detection target). Information on the light reception pattern linked to the coin roll storage space row can be stored in a memory unit (not shown) provided in the cash processing device 100, for example. The comparison of the light reception result (light reception pattern) with the light reception pattern associated with the coin roll storage space row may be performed by the position detection sensor 132. In this case, the position detection sensor 132 outputs information indicating the position of the coin roll detection board 130 relative to the coin roll storage space row R to the control unit as the detection result. Furthermore, if there is an external device (not shown) connected to the cash processing device 100 by wire or wirelessly, the comparison of the light reception result (light reception pattern) with the light reception pattern associated with the coin roll storage space row may be performed by the external device. In this case, the control unit of the cash processing device 100 may control the detection result (light reception pattern) output from the position detection sensor 132 to be transmitted to the external device by wire or wirelessly, and receive the comparison result from the external device.
[0069] In this way, in the first embodiment, a single row-sized coin roll detection board 130 makes it possible to detect the presence or absence of coin rolls in all coin roll storage spaces S, reducing assembly costs compared to the case where sensors and boards are prepared for all coin roll storage spaces.
[0070] In the first embodiment, the "coin roll storage space row" is a line of coin roll storage spaces arranged along the width direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the pull-out direction (see FIG. 7). However, this embodiment is not limited to this, and the "coin roll storage space row" may be a line of coin roll storage spaces arranged along the pull-out direction. In this case, a row is formed by a plurality of coin roll storage spaces arranged along the width direction. The coin roll detection board 130 may be provided along the pull-out direction and driven in the width direction. The coin roll detection board 130 detects the presence or absence of coin rolls in each of the plurality of coin roll storage spaces while driving in the width direction. In addition, optical axis holes 310 are formed on the straight line of the coin roll storage space row, with different arrangements for each coin roll storage space row. For example, each optical axis hole 310 may be provided at the end of the coin roll tray 120 at the innermost side when viewed from the pull-out side.
[0071] 3. Second embodiment In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the structure in which the light emitting unit 134 is provided on the position detection sensor 132 of the coin roll detection board 130 has been described, but the location of the light emitting unit is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, a coin roll detection board 137 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 12 and 13.
[0072] Fig. 12 is a schematic top view of the coin roll detection board 137 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the coin roll detection board 137 according to the second embodiment. The view shown in Fig. 13 is a view showing a cross section along the coin roll storage space row R1.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 12, a position detection sensor 138 of a coin rod detection board 137 is provided with only a light receiving portion 136 .
[0074] 13, the coin roll detection board 137 has a protrusion 137a extending upward along the side of the coin roll tray 120 at the end on the side where the position detection sensor 138 is provided in the longitudinal direction. A light emitting board 200 equipped with a light emitting unit 202 is provided on the coin roll tray 120 side of the protrusion 137a. A light path 124 is formed on the side of the coin roll tray 120 to pass light from the light emitting unit 202 to the detection area 302. As in the first embodiment, the detection area 302 is formed with a light axis hole (second light axis hole) of a different pattern for each coin roll storage space row R. The light emitting unit 202 is provided at a position on the coin roll tray 120 side of the protrusion 137a where light can enter the light path 124. The light entrance of the light path 124 corresponds to the first light axis hole.
[0075] In this way, in the second embodiment, the light emitting unit 202 and the light receiving unit 136 are provided apart from each other. Since the light emitting unit 202 and the light receiving unit 136 are not adjacent to each other, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the light from the light emitting unit 202 will be erroneously detected by the light receiving unit 136 without passing through the optical axis hole 310.
[0076] The example in which the light-emitting unit is provided at a position separate from the light-receiving unit is not limited to the second embodiment described above. For example, the light-emitting unit may be provided along the side surface of the coin-roll tray 120 for each row R of the coin-roll storage space so as to face the side surface of the coin-roll tray 120, instead of on the coin-roll detection board 137. In this case, each light-emitting unit is provided at a position where light can enter each optical path 124 formed on the side surface of the coin-roll tray 120, which guides light from the light-emitting unit to the detection area 302.
[0077] <4. Third embodiment> In the above-described first and second embodiments, the coin roll detection board 130 is driven by the driving unit 140 to change its relative position with the coin roll tray 120, but the present invention is not limited to this.
[0078] For example, a row of coin bar detection board 130 may be provided along the row of coin bar storage spaces R1 which is located at the front when viewed from the pull-out side of the coin bar tray 120, and the coin bar detection board 130 may not be driven, and the relative positional relationship between the coin bar detection board 130 and the coin bar tray 120 may change when the coin bar tray 120 is pulled out or pushed in. As the rows of coin bar storage spaces R (R1 to R8) pass sequentially above the coin bar detection board 130, the coin bar detection board 130 may detect the presence or absence of coin bars in the multiple coin bar storage spaces S (S10 to S15) included in each row of coin bar storage spaces R.
[0079] <5. Fourth embodiment> In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the multiple coin roll storage spaces are arranged in a grid pattern, but the arrangement of the multiple coin roll storage spaces according to the present invention is not limited to a grid pattern. For example, the multiple coin roll storage spaces may be a row of coin roll storage spaces lined up in a predetermined direction. In this case, a single coin roll detection sensor is provided on the coin roll detection board, and by changing its position relatively along the row of coin roll storage spaces, it can sequentially detect the presence or absence of coin rolls in the multiple coin roll storage spaces included in the row of coin roll storage spaces. In addition, a position detection sensor is provided on the coin roll detection board, and it can detect the position of the coin roll detection board relative to the coin roll storage spaces.
[0080] Furthermore, the shape of the coin rod detection board 130 is not limited to a rectangle, but may be, for example, a square.
[0081] <6. Hardware configuration example> Next, a description will be given of a hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 used in the cash processing device 100 according to this embodiment. The operation of the cash processing device 100 is realized by cooperation between software and the hardware described below.
[0082] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device 900 according to this embodiment.
[0083] The information processing device 900 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, a host bus 904, a bridge 905, an external bus 906, an interface 907, an input device 908, an output device 909, a storage device 910, a drive 911, and a communication device 913.
[0084] The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation of the information processing device 900 in accordance with various programs. The CPU 901 may also be a microprocessor. The ROM 902 stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 903 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901 and parameters that change appropriately during the execution. These are connected to each other by a host bus 904 consisting of a CPU bus and the like. The CPU 901, the ROM 902, and the RAM 903 work together to realize the function of the control unit of the cash processing device 100, for example.
[0085] The host bus 904 is connected to an external bus 906, such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus, via a bridge 905. It is not necessary to configure the host bus 904, bridge 905, and external bus 906 separately, and these functions may be implemented in a single bus.
[0086] The input device 908 is composed of an input means for an operator to input information, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, or a microphone, and an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on the input by the operator and outputs it to the CPU 901. The operator who operates the information processing device 900 can input various data to the information processing device 900 and instruct the information processing device 900 to perform processing operations by operating this input device 908.
[0087] The output device 909 includes, for example, a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device, or a lamp, and an audio output device such as a speaker.
[0088] The storage device 910 is a device for storing data. The storage device 910 may include a storage medium, a recording device for recording data on the storage medium, a reading device for reading data from the storage medium, and a deleting device for deleting data recorded on the storage medium.
[0089] The drive 911 is a reader / writer for a storage medium, and is externally attached to the information processing device 900. The drive 911 reads out information recorded in a removable storage medium 912, such as an attached magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, and outputs the information to the RAM 903. The drive 911 can also write information to the removable storage medium 912.
[0090] The communication equipment 913 is a communication interface configured with a communication device for performing communication.
[0091] Note that the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 14. For example, the information processing device 900 may not include the communication device 913 when communicating via a connected external communication device. Also, the information processing device 900 may not include, for example, the input device 908 or the output device 909. Also, for example, a part or all of the configuration shown in Fig. 14 may be realized by one or more ICs (Integrated Circuits).
[0092] <7. Supplementary Information> 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 fall within the technical scope of the present invention.
[0093] For example, the coin roll is not limited to a coin roll obtained by wrapping coins (cash) in a rod shape, but may be, for example, a medal used in arcade games or the like wrapped in a rod shape.
[0094] In addition, one or more computer programs for causing hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM built into the cash processing device 100 to perform the functions of the cash processing device 100 can also be created. Also provided is a computer-readable storage medium in which the one or more computer programs are stored. [Explanation of symbols]
[0095] 100 Cash handling equipment 102 Operation display section 104 Coin deposit slot 106 Coin Processing Unit 108 Coin withdrawal port 110 Banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 112 Banknote processing unit 114 Coin storage section 120 Coin Tray 130, 137 Metal bar detection board 132, 138 Position detection sensor 140 Drive unit 134 Light-emitting part 136 Light receiving part 200 Light Emitting Substrate 202 Light emitting part 300, 302 detection area 310(310p, 310q) Optical axis hole S Coin bar storage space C Money bar R Coin storage space row
Claims
1. a coin roll tray having a coin roll storage space row in which a plurality of coin roll storage spaces in which coin rolls are stored in an upright position are arranged in a row along a predetermined direction, a plurality of first optical axis holes, and a plurality of second optical axis holes which form optical axes with the first optical axis holes and correspond to each of the coin roll storage spaces and are arranged in different patterns; A light emitting unit that inputs light to the first optical axis hole; a base portion having a position detection sensor that changes position relative to the row of coin roll storage spaces and detects a light receiving pattern of light emitted from the second optical axis hole as information regarding the position of the coin roll storage space with respect to the coin roll storage space, and a coin roll detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a coin roll in each of the coin roll storage spaces; A coin bar storage device comprising:
2. The plurality of coin bar storage spaces of the coin bar tray are formed in a lattice shape by a plurality of rows of the coin bar storage spaces, The substrate portion has a plurality of the coin bar detection sensors corresponding to a plurality of the coin bar storage spaces along a row of the coin bar storage spaces, which is a row direction of the coin bar storage spaces, the plurality of coin bar detection sensors sequentially detect the presence or absence of the coin bar in each of the coin bar storage spaces along the row of coin bar storage spaces by changing the position of the substrate portion relative to the coin bar tray; The coin bar storage device according to claim 1.
3. The second optical axis holes are arranged in different patterns corresponding to each row of the coin roll storage spaces, The position detection sensor detects the light receiving pattern as information regarding the position of the coin roll storage space. The coin bar storage device according to claim 2.
4. The coin bar storage device according to claim 2 , wherein the base plate portion is provided below the coin bar tray.
5. The coin bar storage device of claim 4, wherein the multiple coin bar detection sensors arranged on the base portion are each arranged in a position that overlaps in a planar view with the bottoms of multiple coin bar storage spaces included in a row of coin bar storage spaces that are the detection target when the base portion is positioned under a row of coin bar storage spaces that are the detection target.
6. The coin roll storage device according to claim 2 , further comprising a drive unit that drives the base unit in a direction along the row of coin roll storage spaces.
7. The metal bar tray is provided so as to be removable, The row of coin bar storage spaces is a line of coin bar storage spaces arranged in a direction perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the coin bar tray, The base plate portion is provided along the row of the coin bar storage spaces, The plurality of coin bar detection sensors each detect the presence or absence of a coin bar in a plurality of coin bar storage spaces included in the coin bar storage space row. The coin bar storage device according to claim 6.
8. The light emitting unit is provided in the position detection sensor, The position detection sensor is provided on the substrate at a position where, when the substrate is located under one of the rows of coin roll storage spaces to be detected, the position detection sensor overlaps with the second optical axis hole formed on a straight line of the row of coin roll storage spaces in a plan view. The coin bar storage device according to claim 2.
9. The second optical axis hole is provided at an end of the metal bar tray, The first optical axis hole is formed on a side surface of the metal bar tray; an optical path through which light passes is provided between the first optical axis hole and the second optical axis hole; the position detection sensor is provided on the substrate at a position overlapping with the second optical axis hole corresponding to the one coin bar storage space row in a plan view when the substrate is positioned under the one coin bar storage space row to be detected, The light emitting unit is provided at a position where the end portion on the side where the position detection sensor is provided in the longitudinal direction of the substrate unit is on the metal bar tray side of a protruding portion extending upward along the side surface of the metal bar tray and where light can enter the first optical axis hole. The coin bar storage device according to claim 2.
10. The second optical axis hole is provided at an end of the metal bar tray, The first optical axis hole is formed on a side surface of the metal bar tray; an optical path through which light passes is provided between the first optical axis hole and the second optical axis hole; the position detection sensor is provided on the substrate at a position overlapping with the second optical axis hole corresponding to the one coin bar storage space row in a plan view when the substrate is positioned under the one coin bar storage space row to be detected, The light emitting unit is provided at a position where light can enter each of the first optical axis holes formed on the side surface of the metal bar tray. The coin bar storage device according to claim 2.
11. The metal bar tray is provided so as to be removable, The row of coin bar storage spaces is a line of coin bar storage spaces arranged in a direction perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the coin bar tray, The base plate portion is provided along the row of the coin bar storage spaces that is the closest to the coin bar storage space when viewed from the drawer side, and the position of the base plate portion changes relative to the coin bar tray when the coin bar tray is pulled out or pushed in. The coin bar storage device according to claim 2.
12. The metal bar tray is provided so as to be removable, The row of coin bar storage spaces is a line of coin bar storage spaces arranged along a pull-out direction of the coin bar tray, The base plate portion is provided along the row of the coin bar storage spaces, The plurality of coin bar detection sensors each detect the presence or absence of a coin bar in a plurality of coin bar storage spaces included in the coin bar storage space row. The coin bar storage device according to claim 2.
13. The coin bar storage device is A control unit is further provided for comparing the light receiving pattern detected by the position detection sensor with the light receiving pattern associated with a previously stored coin roll storage space row, and recognizing the coin roll storage space row to be detected. The coin bar storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Cash storage apparatus
JP2016042256A