Coin processor and coin processing method

Abstract

To provide a coin processor and a coin processing method that easily reduce residual coins in a storage compartment.SOLUTION: A coin processor includes: a first storage compartment that stores coins, is provided with a door that can be opened and closed, and opens the door to discharge the stored coins; a conveying unit that conveys the coins discharged from the first storage compartment; an identification unit that identifies the coins conveyed by the conveying unit; and a control unit that controls the opening of the door in response to a withdrawal instruction, and based on an identification result by the identification unit, executes withdrawal control to control the conveying unit to convey to a withdrawal unit the coins to be withdrawn from the coins discharged from the first storage compartment. The control unit executes retry control to open the door again when the control unit determines, in the withdrawal control, that not all the coins have been discharged from the first storage compartment, based on the number of coins identified by the identification unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a coin processing device and a coin processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, coin processing devices that perform various processes such as depositing and dispensing coins have been put to practical use. For example, in the coin processing device, when a coin is discharged from a storage vault in response to a dispensing instruction, the coin is transported to a dispensing port or the like by a transport unit. Here, the storage vault is required to reliably discharge the coins.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a coin processing device that includes a tray for storing coins, a gate for opening and closing the bottom of the tray, and a vibration mechanism for applying vibrations to the tray, thereby preventing coins from remaining in the tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2010 / 046992 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, in the coin processing device of Patent Document 1, when the residual sensor detects a coin remaining in the receiving tray, the vibration applying mechanism applies vibration to the receiving tray. For this reason, it is necessary to provide a residual sensor for detecting the coin, which may complicate the configuration of the coin processing device.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a coin processing device and a coin processing method that easily reduces the amount of coins remaining in a storage vault. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A coin processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first storage container for storing coins and having an openable / closable door that opens the door to discharge the stored coins, a transport unit that transports coins discharged from the first storage container, an identification unit that identifies the coins transported by the transport unit, and a control unit that executes withdrawal control to control the door to be opened in response to a withdrawal instruction and to control the transport unit to transport coins to be withdrawn from among the coins discharged from the first storage container to the withdrawal unit based on the identification result by the identification unit, and when the control unit determines in the withdrawal control that all of the coins have not been discharged from the first storage container based on the number of coins identified by the identification unit, it executes retry control to open the door again.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the coin processing device of the present disclosure, the control unit may determine that all of the coins have not been ejected from the first storage unit based on the number of coins of each denomination identified by the identification unit.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the coin processing device of the present disclosure, the device further includes a memory unit that stores information regarding the number of coins stored in the first storage unit, and the control unit may determine that not all of the coins have been ejected when the number of the coins identified by the identification unit differs from the number of the coins stored in the memory unit.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the coin processing device of the present disclosure, when the control unit executes the withdrawal control, the control unit may store information regarding the number of coins stored in the first storage unit based on the number of coins withdrawn.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the coin processing device of the present disclosure, the device further includes a second storage unit for storing the coins, and the control unit executes withdrawal preparation control to discharge coins from the second storage unit to the transporting unit and control the transporting unit based on the identification result of the identification unit so that a predetermined number of coins are stored in the first storage unit, and the memory unit may store information regarding the number of coins stored in the first storage unit based on the number of coins identified by the identification unit when the withdrawal preparation control is executed.

[0012] According to the coin processing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the memory unit may store information relating to the number of coins stored in the second storage vault.

[0013] According to the coin processing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may detect an operation time of a closing operation for closing the door.

[0014] According to one aspect of the coin processing device of the present disclosure, the transporting section includes a transporting path along which the coins are transported, and a payout section that pays out the coins to the transporting path, and the first storage unit may be provided above the payout section.

[0015] According to the coin processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may change the withdrawal control depending on whether the withdrawal instruction is an instruction corresponding to a preset time-priority process.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the coin processing device of the present disclosure, the control unit may set the number of times to open and close the first storage chamber to be less when the withdrawal instruction is an instruction that corresponds to the time-priority processing, compared to when the instruction does not correspond to the time-priority processing.

[0017] According to the coin processing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may determine whether the door of the first storage chamber is opened normally based on a closing time for closing the door of the first storage chamber.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the coin processing device of the present disclosure, when the control unit determines that the withdrawal instruction is an instruction that does not fall under the time-priority processing and determines that the door of the first storage unit is not open normally, the control unit may execute the retry control.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the coin processing device of the present disclosure, when the control unit determines during the withdrawal control that all of the coins have not been discharged from the first storage unit, the control unit does not need to execute the retry control while the coin to be withdrawn is being transported to the withdrawal unit.

[0020] According to one aspect of the coin processing device of the present disclosure, when the control unit determines during the withdrawal control that all of the coins have not been discharged and determines that the number of coins to be withdrawn corresponds to the amount of the withdrawal instruction, the control unit may associate information indicating that the number of coins is unclear with information regarding the number of coins stored in the memory unit.

[0021] A coin processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the steps of opening a door of a storage cabinet that stores coins in response to a withdrawal instruction and discharging the coins from the storage cabinet, transporting the coins discharged from the storage cabinet by a transporting unit, identifying the coins transported by the transporting unit by an identification unit, and if not all of the coins have been discharged from the storage cabinet based on the number of coins identified by the identification unit, reopening the door, and transporting coins to be withdrawn from the coins discharged from the storage cabinet by the transporting unit to a withdrawal unit based on the identification result of the identification unit. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present disclosure, the amount of coins remaining in the storage vault can be easily reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a coin processing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the first storage cabinet. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the close sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of how coins move within the coin processing device during the dispensing preparation operation. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of coin storage information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the dispensing operation of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of how coins move within the coin processing device during a dispensing operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a dispensing operation according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the first storage compartment is not normally opened. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and duplicate explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. Furthermore, configurations common to each embodiment may be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may be omitted.

[0025] First Embodiment [Configuration example of coin processing device 1] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a coin processing device 1. The coin processing device 1 has a housing 11, a dispensing unit 12, a second storage box 13, a first storage box 14, a transport unit 15, a recognition device 16, a memory unit 17, and a control unit 18.

[0026] In the following description of the coin processing device 1, the front-rear direction and the up-down direction shown in Fig. 1 may be used. The front-rear direction shown in Fig. 1 is the front direction when the side of the coin processing device 1 where the dispensing unit 12 is located is defined as the front side, and the side where the second storage 13 is located is defined as the rear side. The up-down direction shown in Fig. 1 is the up-down direction when the coin processing device 1 is installed.

[0027] 1 are defined for the purpose of explanation, and are not intended to specify the front-rear and up-down directions of the coin processing device according to the present disclosure. In other words, the coin processing device according to the present disclosure does not necessarily need to be installed according to the front-rear and up-down directions shown in FIG.

[0028] The housing 11 is configured to house each part of the coin processing device 1.

[0029] The dispensing unit 12 is an opening for dispensing coins to the outside of the coin processing device 1. The dispensing unit 12 is connected to the transport unit 15. The housing 11 may be provided with a deposit unit that accepts deposits from outside the coin processing device 1. For example, the deposit unit is connected to the transport unit 15 and can supply deposited coins to the transport unit 15.

[0030] The second storage 13 stores coins handled by the coin processing device 1. The second storage 13 is configured to be able to store more coins than the first storage 14. The second storage 13 can store, for example, coins of multiple denominations in a mixed state.

[0031] Further, the second storage 13 discharges stored coins to the transport unit 15 based on the control of the control unit 18. For example, coins discharged from the second storage 13 are supplied to the first storage 14 or the like by the transport unit 15. Further, the second storage 13 may be configured to be removable from the coin processing device 1, for example. For example, a handle for gripping to remove the second storage 13 from the coin processing device 1 may be provided on the outer surface of the second storage 13.

[0032] The first storage 14 stores coins handled by the coin processing device 1. Specifically, the first storage 14 can temporarily store a predetermined number of coins as a reserve in preparation for the next dispensing based on the control of the control unit 18. The first storage 14 can store, for example, coins of multiple denominations in a mixed state. For example, the coins stored in the first storage 14 may be used as a change reserve.

[0033] Moreover, the first storage 14 is provided with a door (shutter) that can be opened and closed, and the first storage 14 is configured to open the door to discharge coins from the storage chamber S. For example, the first storage 14 has a shutter 141 that opens and closes the storage chamber S based on the control of the control unit 18. The first storage 14 stores coins so that they are accumulated on the shutter 141, and by opening the shutter 141, the coins accumulated on the shutter 141 fall into the transport unit 15. This allows the first storage 14 to discharge coins from the storage chamber S to the transport unit 15.

[0034] The transport unit 15 transports coins discharged from the second storage 13 and the first storage 14, and includes a pay-out unit 151, a transport mechanism forming a transport path 152, and a branch unit 153. The pay-out unit 151 is configured to pay out coins discharged from the second storage 13 and the first storage 14 one by one to the transport path 152. The pay-out unit 151 has, for example, a storage space for holding coins and an inclined disk with protrusions, and by rotating the inclined disk, coins in the storage space are hooked onto the protrusions, lifted up, and separated, thereby feeding the coins one by one to the transport path 152.

[0035] Here, the payout unit 151 is disposed adjacent to the second storage 13. Also, the payout unit 151 is provided in contact with the underside of the first storage 14. As a result, coins discharged from the second storage 13 and the first storage 14 are directly input into the payout unit 151, so that the coins can be promptly paid out from the second storage 13 and the first storage 14 to the transport unit 15.

[0036] The transport mechanism transports coins dispensed from the dispensing unit 151 along the transport path 152 under the control of the control unit 18. In FIG. 1, the transport route of the coins transported along the transport path 152 is indicated by arrows. Specifically, the transport path 152 includes a circulating transport path 156 formed in a loop shape via the first storage 14. This circulating transport path 156 is disposed so as to return coins discharged from the first storage 14 to the first storage 14.

[0037] Here, the circulating conveying path 156 may be configured to drop coins into the first storage 14 at point P1. That is, the circulating conveying path 156 includes a space extending in the vertical direction between point P1 and the payout unit 151. This space extending in the vertical direction includes the storage chamber S of the first storage 14, and a part of the conveying path 152 constitutes the first storage 14.

[0038] Moreover, the conveying path 152 includes a branch path 154 and a branch path 155 which branch off in the middle of the circulating conveying path 156. The branch path 154 is disposed so as to connect the point P2 of the circulating conveying path 156 with the second storage 13, and supplies the coins conveyed on the circulating conveying path 156 to the second storage 13. The branch path 155 is disposed so as to connect the point P2 of the circulating conveying path 156 with the dispensing unit 12, and supplies the coins conveyed on the circulating conveying path 156 to the dispensing unit 12. The conveying mechanism can be constituted by, for example, a belt looped around a plurality of pulleys.

[0039] Based on the control of the control unit 18, the branching unit 153 guides coins transported along the transport path 152 to one of the circulating transport path 156, the branching path 154, and the branching path 155. The coins guided to the circulating transport path 156 are supplied to the first storage 14. The coins guided to the branching path 154 are supplied to the second storage 13. The coins guided to the branching path 155 are supplied to the dispensing unit 12.

[0040] The recognition device 16 recognizes coins transported by the transport unit 15, and includes a recognition unit 161 and detection units 162 to 165. The recognition unit 161 is disposed on the circulating transport path 156 of the transport unit 15, between the pay-out unit 151 and the branching unit 153, upstream of the branching unit in the transport direction. The recognition unit 161 recognizes the denomination, authenticity, and fitness of the coins dispensed from the pay-out unit 151, and can be composed of at least one of an optical sensor such as a camera, a magnetic sensor, and the like. The recognition unit 161 also has a function of counting the number of coins transported by the transport unit 15.

[0041] The detection units 162 to 165 detect coins transported by the transport unit 15 and can be composed of, for example, optical sensors. The detection unit 162 is disposed upstream of the branching unit 153 on the circulating transport path 156 of the transport unit 15. The detection unit 163 is disposed downstream of the branching unit 153 on the circulating transport path 156 of the transport unit 15. The detection unit 164 is disposed on the branching path 154. The detection unit 165 is disposed on the branching path 155.

[0042] The storage unit 17 is a memory that stores various information necessary for various operations of the coin processing device 1. For example, the storage unit 17 stores storage information regarding the number of coins of each denomination stored in the first storage box 14, based on the number of coins of each denomination identified by the recognition unit 161. The storage unit 17 also stores storage information regarding the number of coins of each denomination stored in the second storage box 13, based on the number of coins of each denomination identified by the recognition unit 161.

[0043] The control unit 18 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the operation of each part of the coin processing device 1. For example, a program corresponding to the control unit 18 is stored in advance in a memory, and the control unit 18 operates by executing this program by hardware such as a CPU. The function and operation of the coin processing device 1 described in this embodiment are realized by the operation of the control unit 18. The processing described in this embodiment as being executed by the coin processing device 1 is realized by the control unit 18. In response to a dispensing instruction, the control unit 18 identifies the coin to be dispensed based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 161, and controls the transport unit 15 to transport the coin to be dispensed, of the coins discharged from the first storage 14, to the dispensing unit 12.

[0044] At this time, the control unit 18 executes a discharge determination to determine whether or not all coins have been discharged from the first storage 14, based on the number of recognized coins of each denomination recognized by the recognition unit 161. If the control unit 18 determines in the discharge determination that all coins have not been discharged, it executes a retry control by controlling the first storage 14 to open the door (shutter 141) of the storage chamber S again.

[0045] Furthermore, the control unit 18 controls the transport unit 15 to return coins other than those to be dispensed to the first storage 14 based on the number of recognized coins of each denomination recognized by the recognition unit 161.

[0046] [Example of configuration of first storage facility 14] Fig. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the first storage 14. Fig. 2A is a diagram showing the first storage 14 with the shutter 141 closed. Fig. 2B is a diagram showing the first storage 14 with the shutter 141 opened.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the first storage 14 has a storage wall 142, and a shutter 141 is provided rotatably relative to the storage wall 142. The storage wall 142 and the shutter 141 form a storage room S inside the first storage 14. The first storage 14 is opened and closed by the rotation of the shutter 141. Here, the first storage 14 is configured to perform an opening operation of the shutter 141 (an operation from a closed state to a completely opened state of the shutter 141) in a predetermined time. At this time, the predetermined time is set based on the opening angle of the shutter 141, for example. When the opening operation of the first storage 14 is completed, the control unit 18 instructs a closing operation (an operation from an open state to a completely closed state of the shutter 141) after a predetermined delay time has elapsed, and the first storage 14 is configured to start the closing operation of the shutter 141 in response to the instruction, and complete the closing operation in response to a closing detection by a closing detection sensor described later.

[0048] The first storage 14 also has a closing sensor 143 that detects the closed state of the shutter 141. The closing sensor 143 has a detection portion 144 and a displacement portion 145.

[0049] The displacement part 145 extends into the storage chamber S, and its base end is supported by the first storage 14 so that its tip is displaced in response to the rotation of the shutter 141. In other words, the displacement part 145 is provided so as to change its position in response to the opening and closing of the shutter 141.

[0050] The detector 144 is fixed to the first storage 14 and detects the displacement of the displacement part 145. At this time, the detector 144 is provided so as to be able to detect the position of the displacement part 145 when the shutter 141 is in the closed state.

[0051] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the detection unit 144 may be composed of an optical sensor. Specifically, the detection unit 144 has a pair of opposing walls, and is configured to irradiate light from a light source provided on one wall to an optical sensor provided on the other wall. In addition, the tip of the displacement unit 145 is disposed between the walls of the detection unit 144.

[0052] At this time, when the shutter 141 is closed, the tip of the displacement section 145 is out of the light irradiation position and is positioned so that the light is detected by the optical sensor. When the shutter 141 is not closed, the tip of the displacement section 145 overlaps with the light irradiation position and is positioned so that the light is not detected by the optical sensor. Then, when the light is detected by the optical sensor, the detection section 144 outputs a detection signal indicating that the light has been detected to the control section 18.

[0053] With this configuration, the control unit 18 can detect the operation time of the closing operation from the start of the closing operation of the shutter 141 to the time when the shutter 141 is closed, i.e., the time from the instruction to start the closing operation to the time when the closing sensor 143 detects the transmission of light, based on the detection signal of the closing sensor 143.

[0054] [Withdrawal preparation operation] Next, a dispensing preparation operation for replenishing coins from the second storage 13 to the first storage 14 will be described. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing how coins C move within the coin processing device 1 during the dispensing preparation operation. This dispensing preparation operation is an operation for replenishing coins C to the first storage 14 in preparation for the next dispensing, for example, after coins have been dispensed from the first storage 14.

[0055] First, when, for example, coins C stored in the first storage 14 are dispensed from the dispensing unit 12, the control unit 18 controls the second storage 13 to discharge the coins C stored in the second storage 13 to the feeding unit 151. At this time, the second storage 13 randomly dispenses coins from among the stored coins C. In other words, it is assumed that the number of each denomination included in the coins C dispensed by the second storage 13 will be different each time a dispensing preparation operation is performed.

[0056] Next, the coins C discharged from the second storage 13 are fed one by one to the transport path 152 by the feed unit 151, and are transported along the transport path 152 by the transport mechanism. Then, the recognition unit 161 recognizes the coins C transported by the transport mechanism. The recognition unit 161 outputs the recognition result of the coin C to the control unit 18. At this time, the detection unit 162 may detect the coin C immediately before the branch unit 153. When the detection unit 162 detects the coin C, it outputs the detection result to the control unit 18.

[0057] Here, the memory unit 17 stores in advance the number of each denomination of coins C to be stored in the first storage 14 in the withdrawal preparation operation. For example, the memory unit 17 can store in advance the number of each denomination of coins C that can constitute a predetermined amount of change. That is, the memory unit 17 stores in advance the number of each denomination, such as four 1-yen coins, one 5-yen coin, four 10-yen coins, one 50-yen coin, four 100-yen coins, and one 500-yen coin.

[0058] By storing the number of coins C stored in the memory unit 17 in advance in the first storage 14, it is possible to prepare coins C of any denomination, for example, from 1 yen to 999 yen, by appropriately combining the denominations and numbers of the coins C.

[0059] The control unit 18 executes a withdrawal preparation control for controlling the transport unit 15 so that the number of coins C stored in advance in the memory unit 17 for each denomination is stored in the first storage 14, based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 161. For example, when the control unit 18 recognizes a coin C by the recognition unit 161, the control unit 18 determines whether or not to store the recognized coin C in the first storage 14, based on the number of coins C for each denomination stored in the memory unit 17 for storage in the first storage 14.

[0060] The control unit 18 controls the branching unit 153 to guide the coins C determined to be stored in the first storage 14 to the circulating transport path 156. The control unit 18 also controls the branching unit 153 to guide the coins C determined not to be stored in the first storage 14 to the branching path 154. At this time, the control unit 18 may specify the coins C to be guided to the circulating transport path 156 and the branching path 154 based on the detection result detected by the detection unit 162, and control the branching unit 153 based on the specification result.

[0061] As a result, the coins C guided to the circulating transport path 156 are stored in the first storage vault 14. On the other hand, the coins C guided to the branch path 154 are stored in the second storage vault 13. In this way, in the dispensing preparation operation, by storing the number of coins C pre-stored in the memory unit 17 for each denomination in the first storage vault 14, the coins C can be quickly dispensed in response to a dispensing instruction.

[0062] Here, in the dispensing operation and the dispensing preparation operation, the control unit 18 may update the storage information 19 related to the number of coins C of each denomination stored in the memory unit 17, based on the number of coins C of each denomination identified by the recognition unit 161. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the coin storage information 19 stored in the memory unit 17.

[0063] 5 shows that at 15:00, a dispensing preparation operation is executed to store a predetermined number of coins, i.e., four 1-yen coins, one 5-yen coin, four 10-yen coins, one 50-yen coin, four 100-yen coins, and one 500-yen coin, in the first storage 14. In addition, at 15:30, one 500-yen coin is dispensed from the first storage 14, and at 15:31, a dispensing preparation operation is executed to replenish the first storage 14 with one 500-yen coin. This allows the coin processing device 1 to accurately manage the number of coins C stored in the first storage 14 based on the storage information 19.

[0064] At this time, the control unit 18 can also update the storage information 19 related to the number of coins C of each denomination stored in the second storage unit 13 based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 161, similarly to the first storage unit 14. The control unit 18 may also identify the coins C to be supplied to the first storage unit 14, the second storage unit 13, or the dispensing unit 12 based on the detection results detected by the detection units 163 to 165, and update the storage information 19 based on the identification results. The storage information 19 only needs to know the latest denominations and the number of coins of each denomination stored in the first storage box 14 and the second storage box 13. In other words, the storage information 19 does not need to include date and operation information.

[0065] [Withdrawal operation] Next, a dispensing operation for dispensing the coins C stored in the first storage 14 by the dispensing preparation operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing how the coins C move inside the coin processing device 1 during the dispensing operation.

[0066] First, in step S1, the control unit 18 acquires a withdrawal instruction, for example, from an external input device. The withdrawal instruction may include, for example, the amount to be withdrawn, the type of withdrawal (for example, change, exchange, inspection, or collection), etc. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2A, the shutter 141 of the first storage 14 is closed, and the storage chamber S contains the coins C that have been stored during the withdrawal preparation operation.

[0067] When the control unit 18 acquires the dispensing instruction, in step S2, the control unit 18 controls the first storage 14 to open the door of the storage chamber S. That is, the control unit 18 controls the first storage 14 to open the shutter 141. As a result, the coins C stored in the first storage 14 are discharged, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0068] Proceeding to step S3, the control unit 18 starts a dispensing operation to transport the coin C to be dispensed to the dispensing unit 12. Specifically, the coin C discharged from the first storage 14 is supplied to the dispensing unit 151. Here, since the first storage 14 is provided above the dispensing unit 151, the coin C can be easily discharged to the dispensing unit 151 by simply opening the shutter 141.

[0069] When the coins C are discharged from the first storage 14, the feeding unit 151 feeds the coins C one by one to the transport path 152. Then, the recognition unit 161 recognizes the coins C transported along the transport path 152.

[0070] The control unit 18 selectively transports the coins C to the first storage 14 or the dispensing unit 12 based on the recognition result by the recognition unit 161. Specifically, the control unit 18 determines whether or not to dispense the recognized coins C one by one, and controls the branching unit 153 to guide the coins C to be dispensed to the branching path 155. As a result, the coins C to be dispensed are transported to the dispensing unit 12. The control unit 18 also controls the branching unit 153 to guide the coins C other than the coins to be dispensed to the circulating transport path 156. As a result, the coins C other than the coins to be dispensed are returned to the first storage 14.

[0071] Next, the control unit 18 proceeds to step S4 and performs a discharge determination to determine whether or not all coins C have been discharged from the first storage unit 14 based on the number of coins C recognized by the recognition unit 161 for each denomination.

[0072] For example, the control unit 18 can determine that all coins C have not been dispensed in the dispensing determination when the identified number of coins C for each denomination identified by the recognition unit 161 differs from the stored number of coins C for each denomination stored in the first storage vault 14 stored in the memory unit 17. Specifically, the control unit 18 determines that all coins C have not been dispensed when the latest stored number at 15:31 in the storage information 19 shown in FIG. 5 differs from the identified number identified by the recognition unit 161.

[0073] When the control unit 18 determines that all the coins C have not been discharged from the first storage 14, the process proceeds to step S5, where the control unit 18 retry-controls the first storage 14 to open the shutter 141 again. Then, the control unit 18 repeats the processes of steps S3, S4, and S5 until all the coins C are discharged from the first storage 14. The discharge determination in step S4 is performed in parallel with the dispensing operation in step S3. Even when it is determined in step S4 that all the coins have not been discharged from the first storage 14, if the amount to be dispensed has been transported to the dispensing unit 12, the process may proceed to step S6. In that case, the control unit 18 stores information that the storage information 19 of the first storage 14 is in an uncertain state in the storage unit 17. For example, the control unit 18 may set a reconsideration required flag in the storage information 19 so that a reconsideration of the amount in stock can be performed at a predetermined timing. In addition, in the withdrawal preparation operation for the next withdrawal, the withdrawn coins of the denomination and the number of coins of each denomination are transported from the second storage cabinet 13 to the first storage cabinet 14, and the specified coins are stored in the first storage cabinet 14.

[0074] If the control unit 18 determines in step S4 that all coins C have been discharged from the first storage unit 14, it proceeds to step S6, opens the shutter of the withdrawal unit 12 to make the coins C removable from outside the device, and completes the withdrawal operation.

[0075] In this way, the control unit 18 executes dispensing control in which it controls the first storage 14 to open the shutter 141 in response to a dispensing instruction, and controls the transport unit 15 to transport to the dispensing unit 12 the coins C to be dispensed, among the coins C discharged from the first storage 14, based on the recognition result by the recognition unit 161. Then, when the control unit 18 determines in the dispensing control that all the coins C have not been dispensed from the first storage 14, based on the number of coins C of each denomination recognized by the recognition unit 161, it performs retry control of the first storage 14 to open the shutter 141 again. This enables the coin processing device 1 to easily reduce the amount of coins C remaining in the first storage 14.

[0076] Furthermore, when the number of coins C for each denomination identified by the recognition unit 161 differs from the number of coins C stored in the memory unit 17, the control unit 18 determines that not all coins C have been discharged in the discharge determination. Therefore, the coin processing device 1 can detect the remaining coins C in the first storage 14.

[0077] Then, when the control unit 18 executes the dispensing control, the control unit 18 stores storage information 19 relating to the number of coins stored in the first storage 14 in the memory unit 17 based on the number of each denomination of the coins C to be dispensed. This allows the coin processing device 1 to appropriately manage the number of coins C stored in the first storage 14.

[0078] According to this embodiment, when the control unit 18 determines in the dispensing control that all coins C have not been dispensed from the first storage 14 based on the number of coins C of each denomination identified by the recognition unit 161, the control unit 18 executes retry control to reopen the shutter 141. This enables the coin processing device 1 to easily reduce the amount of coins C remaining in the first storage 14.

[0079] <Second embodiment> In the second embodiment, the control unit 18 changes the dispensing control depending on the type of dispensing (e.g., change, exchange, inspection, or recovery). For example, the dispensing control is changed depending on whether or not the dispensing instruction corresponds to time-prioritized processing that prioritizes the dispensing time. Note that the configuration and functions of the coin processing device are the same as those shown in FIG. 1, and differences from the configuration and functions of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of the dispensing operation in FIG. 8.

[0080] First, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, in step S1, the control unit 18 acquires a withdrawal instruction from, for example, an external input device. Here, in the memory unit 17, types of withdrawal (for example, change, exchange, inspection, or collection) that can be input as a withdrawal instruction from the external input device are registered in advance, and the withdrawal instructions are classified into time-priority processing and accuracy-priority processing.

[0081] The time-priority process prioritizes the withdrawal time compared to the accuracy-priority process, and allows withdrawal in a shorter time than the accuracy-priority process. Also, the accuracy-priority process prioritizes the accuracy of the withdrawal process compared to the time-priority process, and takes longer than the time-priority process, but allows withdrawal with high accuracy.

[0082] For example, a withdrawal instruction that corresponds to the time-priority process may include a withdrawal instruction from a user (e.g., a customer of a store) for change or currency exchange, etc. Also, a withdrawal instruction that corresponds to the accuracy-priority process may include a withdrawal instruction from a manager (e.g., a store) for inspection or collection, etc.

[0083] When the control unit 18 acquires a withdrawal instruction, in step S21, the control unit 18 executes a priority determination to determine whether or not the withdrawal instruction corresponds to a time priority process that prioritizes the withdrawal time. As a result, the control unit 18 can change the withdrawal control depending on whether or not the withdrawal instruction corresponds to a time priority process.

[0084] Specifically, when the control unit 18 determines that the withdrawal instruction corresponds to time-priority processing, it proceeds to step S22 and controls the first storage unit 14 to open the door (shutter 141) of the storage room S a fewer number of times (e.g., once) than when it determines that the withdrawal instruction does not correspond to time-priority processing.

[0085] Next, the process proceeds to step S23, where the control unit 18 starts a dispensing operation for conveying the coin C to be dispensed to the dispensing unit 12. In parallel with step S23, in step S4, the control unit 18 executes a discharge determination to determine whether or not all coins C have been discharged from the first storage unit 14 based on the number of coins C identified by the recognition unit 161 for each denomination.

[0086] For example, when the number of coins C identified by the recognition unit 161 for each denomination is different from the number of coins C stored by each denomination in the first storage unit 14 stored in the memory unit 17, the control unit 18 may determine that not all coins C have been discharged in the discharge determination.

[0087] When the control unit 18 determines that all coins C have been discharged from the first storage 14, the process proceeds to step S6, where the control unit 18 opens the shutter of the dispensing unit 12 to enable the coins C to be removed from outside the device, thereby completing the dispensing operation. This enables the coin processing device 1 to quickly dispense the coins C while properly managing them.

[0088] On the other hand, when the control unit 18 determines that all the coins C have not been discharged from the first storage 14, the control unit 18 proceeds to step S24 and retry-controls the first storage 14 to reopen the shutter 141. The control unit 18 repeats the processes of steps S23, S4, and S24 until all the coins C have been discharged from the first storage 14.

[0089] In addition, if the control unit 18 determines in the discharge determination of step S4 that all coins C have not been discharged from the first storage unit 14, it can further determine whether the number of coins C of each denomination to be dispensed corresponds to the amount of the withdrawal command, based on the determination result of the recognition unit 161.

[0090] When the control unit 18 determines that the number of coins C of each denomination to be dispensed is not the amount corresponding to the dispensing instruction, the control unit 18 may proceed to step S24 and retry controlling the first storage 14 to open the shutter 141 again. On the other hand, when the control unit 18 determines that the number of coins C of each denomination to be dispensed is the amount corresponding to the dispensing instruction, the control unit 18 may proceed to step S6 without executing the retry control (without proceeding to step S24) and open the shutter of the dispensing unit 12 to make the coins C removable from outside the device, thereby completing the dispensing operation. In this way, when the coins C of the dispensing target corresponding to the dispensing instruction are being transported to the dispensing unit 12, the control unit 18 can complete the dispensing operation without executing the retry control. This allows the coin processing device 1 to quickly dispense the amount of coins C corresponding to the dispensing instruction.

[0091] At this time, since the control unit 18 may be uncertain about the number of each denomination of coins C being managed, the control unit 18 may associate information indicating that the number of each denomination of coins C is unclear with the relevant portion of the storage information 19.

[0092] For example, when the control unit 18 determines that all coins C have not been discharged from the first storage 14 during the dispensing control at 15:30, the control unit 18 may associate a required inspection flag, which indicates to the manager that the amount of coins in the first storage 14 needs to be inspected. In this way, when the control unit 18 determines that all coins C have not been discharged from the first storage 14 during the dispensing control and determines that the number of coins C of each denomination to be dispensed corresponds to the amount of the dispensing instruction, the control unit 18 can associate a required inspection flag with the corresponding portion of the storage information 19. This allows the control unit 18 to output information indicating that inspection is necessary when the manager connects an external output device.

[0093] Furthermore, even if the control unit 18 associates the inspection required flag with the storage information 19, after the coin C is dispensed in step S6, the control unit 18 may execute the dispense preparation operation described in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment.

[0094] When the control unit 18 determines in step S21 that the dispensing instruction does not correspond to the time-priority processing, the process proceeds to step S25, where the control unit 18 controls the first storage 14 to open the door of the storage chamber S a predetermined number of times (e.g., multiple times) that is set larger than when the control unit 18 determines that the dispensing instruction corresponds to the time-priority processing. This allows the coin processing device 1 to reliably discharge the coins C from the first storage 14 in response to a dispensing instruction that prioritizes accuracy.

[0095] However, even if the shutter 141 is opened in step S25, there are cases where not all of the coins C are discharged from the first storage 14. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, if the shutter 141 does not open completely, that is, if the shutter 141 stops at position F2 midway from position F1 where the shutter 141 is completely open, there is a risk that not all of the coins C are discharged.

[0096] Therefore, in step S26, the control unit 18 determines whether the door of the first storage cabinet 14 is half-open based on the closing time of the door of the first storage cabinet 14 (the time from when a command to close the door of the first storage cabinet 14 is output until the door is closed). For example, the control unit 18 determines that the door of the first storage cabinet 14 is half-open based on the closing time of the first storage cabinet 14 detected by the closing sensor 143.

[0097] Specifically, when the first storage cabinet 14 is instructed by the control unit 18 to close the door of the storage room S, the first storage cabinet 14 is configured to perform the closing operation until the closing sensor 143 detects the door being closed. Also, the memory unit 17 prestores a threshold value for determining whether the door of the first storage cabinet 14 is normally opened or closed, the threshold value being set based on a predetermined time period from when the door of the first storage cabinet 14 goes from an open state to when it is completely closed.

[0098] The control unit 18 reads out the threshold value information from the storage unit 17, and if the time that the first storage cabinet 14 is closed from the instruction to start the closing operation to the detection of the closed state of the first storage cabinet 14 by the closing sensor 143 is less than the threshold value, it determines that the door of the first storage cabinet 14 is not opened normally (half open). This enables the control unit 18 to determine whether the door of the first storage cabinet 14 is opened normally or not.

[0099] When the control unit 18 determines that the first storage 14 has been opened normally, the process proceeds to step S27, and executes a dispensing operation to transport the coin C to be dispensed to the dispensing unit 12. Then, in step S6, the control unit 18 opens the shutter of the dispensing unit 12, and dispenses the coin C to be dispensed. The half-open determination in step S26 may be performed in parallel with the dispensing operation in step S27.

[0100] On the other hand, when the control unit 18 determines that the first storage container 14 is not opened normally, the process proceeds to step S28, where the control unit 18 controls the first storage container 14 to retry opening the shutter 141 again. Then, the control unit 18 repeats the processes of steps S26 and S28 until the first storage container 14 is opened normally. This allows the coin processing device 1 to reliably manage the stored coins C while reliably discharging the coins C from the first storage container 14.

[0101] According to this embodiment, the control unit 18 changes the dispensing control depending on whether or not the dispensing instruction corresponds to a preset time-priority process. Therefore, the coin processing device 1 can reduce unnecessary operations during dispensing in the case of time-priority process, and can suppress the coin C from remaining in the first storage 14 in the case of non-time-priority process.

[0102] Note that the control unit 18 may execute the half-open determination in the case of time-priority processing. In that case, the control unit 18 may execute the discharge determination regardless of the result of the half-open determination (by ignoring the result of the half-open determination). For example, the control unit 18 may execute the half-open determination in parallel with step S23 before step S4. When the control unit 18 determines in the half-open determination that the first storage 14 is normally opened, the process proceeds to step S6, where the control unit 18 opens the shutter of the dispensing unit 12 to complete the dispensing operation. On the other hand, when the control unit 18 determines in the half-open determination that the first storage 14 is normally opened, the process proceeds to step S4, where the control unit 18 executes the discharge determination.

[0103] In the second embodiment, when the control unit 18 associates the information indicating that the number of each denomination of coins C is unclear with the storage information 19 in step S4, the control unit 18 opens the shutter of the dispensing unit 12 and completes the dispensing operation, but this is not limited to this. For example, when the control unit 18 associates the information with the storage information 19, the control unit 18 may proceed to step S24 and perform retry control of the first storage 14 to open the shutter 141 again.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the control unit 18 determines whether or not all coins C have been discharged from the first storage 14 based on the number of coins C of each denomination identified by the recognition unit 161, but this is not limiting. For example, when only coins C of the same kind are stored in the first storage 14 or the like, the control unit 18 may determine whether or not all coins C have been discharged from the first storage 14 based on the number of coins C.

[0105] Also, in the above embodiment, the type of withdrawal (e.g., change, exchange, inspection, or recovery) does not have to be classified into time-priority processing and accuracy-priority processing. For example, memory unit 17 may store the type of withdrawal (e.g., change, exchange, inspection, or recovery) in association with the number of times the door of the first storage cabinet is opened and closed, the judgment conditions for retry, and the like. This allows control unit 18 to refer to memory unit 17 based on the type of withdrawal, and directly select the number of times the door is opened and closed in steps S22 and S25, and the judgment conditions for steps S4 and S27.

[0106] Also, in the above embodiment, the withdrawal instruction does not have to include the type of withdrawal (for example, change, exchange, inspection, or recovery). After a menu such as settlement, exchange, inspection, or recovery is selected first, the control unit 18 may obtain a withdrawal instruction including the amount to be withdrawn. In this case, the control unit 18 may determine the type of withdrawal or the content of the withdrawal control according to the selected menu.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the storage unit 17 and the control unit 18 are arranged in the coin processing device 1, but this is not limiting. For example, at least one of the storage unit 17 and the control unit 18 may be arranged in a cloud server or the like and connected to the coin processing device 1 via a network, and the functions of the coin processing device 1 may be realized by exchanging information, messages, and the like.

[0108] The functions provided by the configurations described herein may be implemented in one or more electrical or processing circuits, including one or more general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), central processing units (CPUs), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to provide the functions. The processor may be an electrical or processing circuit including transistors and other circuits. The type of processor is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of executing a program stored in a memory. The configurations described in this specification may be hardware that realizes the described functions and operations, or hardware that is programmed to realize the described functions and operations. For example, when the hardware is considered to be an electric circuit or a processing circuit, the hardware may include a processor and a software program for realizing the functions and configurations of the hardware. For example, when the hardware includes a physical structure such as a part or a drive unit, the hardware may include, in addition to the physical structure, a processor and a software program for controlling the operation of the physical structure to realize the functions and configurations of the hardware. Each configuration described in this specification is an example of hardware, and each configuration may be realized using other hardware that can realize the functions and operations described in this specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Coin processing device 11. Cabinet 12 Withdrawal Section 13 Storage Unit No. 2 14 Storage Unit No. 1 141 Shutter 142 Storage Wall 143 Close sensor 144 Detection unit 145 Displacement section 15 Conveyor section 151 Payout section 152 Transport Path 153 Branch 154,155 Branch Road 156 Circulation conveying route 16 Identification device 161 Identification Unit 162~165 Detector 17 Memory section 18 Control Unit 19 Storage Information C coin F1,F2 position P1,P2 points S1 Storage Room

Claims

1. A first storage bin for storing coins and provided with an openable and closable door, for discharging the stored coins by opening the door; A conveying unit for conveying the coins discharged from the first storage bin; An identifying unit for identifying the coins conveyed by the conveying unit; A control unit that, in response to a withdrawal instruction, controls to open the door, and based on the identification result by the identifying unit, controls the conveying unit to convey the coins to be withdrawn among the coins discharged from the first storage bin to a withdrawal unit, and executes withdrawal control; The control unit, in the withdrawal control, when determining that not all the coins have been discharged from the first storage bin based on the number of the coins identified by the identifying unit, executes retry control to open the door again. A coin processing device.

2. The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that not all the coins have been discharged from the first storage bin based on the number of each denomination of the coins identified by the identifying unit.

3. Further comprising a storage unit for storing information regarding the number of coins stored in the first storage bin; The coin processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit determines that not all the coins have been discharged when the number of the coins identified by the identifying unit is different from the number of the coins stored in the storage unit.

4. The coin processing device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit stores, in the storage unit, information regarding the number of coins stored in the first storage bin based on the number of the coins to be withdrawn when executing the withdrawal control.

5. Further comprising a second storage bin for storing the coins; The control unit discharges coins from the second storage bin to the conveying unit, and executes withdrawal preparation control to control the conveying unit so that a predetermined number of coins are stored in the first storage bin based on the identification result of the identifying unit; The coin processing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the storage unit stores, when executing the withdrawal preparation control, information regarding the number of coins stored in the first storage bin based on the number of the coins identified by the identifying unit.

6. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit detects the operation time of the closing operation for closing the door.

7. The conveying unit includes a conveying path through which the coins are conveyed and a feeding unit for feeding the coins onto the conveying path. The first storage is provided above the feeding unit. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The control unit changes the withdrawal control according to whether the withdrawal instruction corresponds to an instruction for time-priority processing set in advance. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. When the withdrawal instruction corresponds to the time-priority processing instruction, the control unit sets the number of times of opening and closing the first storage to be less than that in the case of an instruction that does not correspond to the time-priority processing. The coin processing device according to claim 8.

10. The control unit determines whether the door of the first storage has been opened normally based on the closing time of the door of the first storage. The coin processing device according to claim 8 or 9.

11. When the control unit determines that the withdrawal instruction does not correspond to the time-priority processing instruction and also determines that the door of the first storage has not been opened normally, the control unit executes the retry control. The coin processing device according to claim 10.

12. When the control unit determines during the withdrawal control that not all the coins have been discharged from the first storage, and when the coins to be withdrawn are being conveyed to the withdrawal unit, the control unit does not execute the retry control. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. When the control unit determines during the withdrawal control that not all the coins have been discharged and also determines that the number of the coins to be withdrawn corresponds to the amount corresponding to the withdrawal instruction, the control unit associates information indicating that the number of the coins is unclear with the information regarding the number of the coins stored in the storage unit. The coin processing device according to claim 12.

14. In response to a withdrawal instruction, steps of opening a door of a storage for storing coins and discharging the coins from the storage, conveying the coins discharged from the storage by a conveying unit, identifying the coins conveyed by the conveying unit by an identifying unit, based on the number of the coins identified by the identifying unit, when not all the coins have been discharged from the storage, opening the door again, and based on the identification result of the identifying unit, conveying the coins to be withdrawn among the coins discharged from the storage to a withdrawal unit by the conveying unit. A coin processing method to be executed by a coin processing device, including the above steps.

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