Media processing device

Abstract

To provide a simple configuration that can inform users when media stays inside.SOLUTION: The device comprises a media insertion port and a media insertion tray connected to the media insertion port, which receives inserted media and guides it to the media insertion port, and a mirror positioned above the media insertion tray that reflects the area around the media insertion port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a coin processing device that allows multiple coins to be inserted at once as a media processing device. This coin processing device has a coin insertion slot and a coin insertion tray whose bottom surface is inclined toward the coin insertion slot, and multiple coins inserted into the coin insertion tray slide down the bottom surface of the coin insertion tray and are guided to the coin insertion slot, and are taken into the device from the coin insertion slot (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this coin processing device, the number of coins that can be processed inside the device at one time is smaller than the number of coins that can be inserted into the coin tray at one time, so the coin insertion slot is narrowed to limit the number that can pass through at one time.In other words, in this coin processing device, when a large number of coins are inserted into the coin insertion tray, the inserted coins are taken into the device through the coin insertion slot in multiple batches. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-298749 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional coin processing devices limit the number of coins that can pass through the coin slot at one time, which can cause coins to become stuck around the coin slot, for example, making it impossible to take in coins from the coin slot.

[0006] For this reason, conventional coin processing devices are equipped with a stuck coin detection sensor that detects stuck coins and a notification means that notifies a monitoring device of the detection results of the stuck coin detection sensor.When a stuck coin is detected by the stuck coin detection sensor, the notification means notifies the monitoring device of the detection result of the stuck coin detection sensor, and the monitoring device prompts the user by voice or other means to remove the stuck coins.

[0007] As such, conventional coin processing devices required a sensor for detecting accumulated coins and a notification means to notify users that coins have accumulated and to have them remove them, which had the problem of increasing the number of parts and making the configuration more complex.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose a media processing device that has a simple configuration yet can notify the user that media is being held up. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The media processing device of the present invention comprises a media input port, a media input tray connected to the media input port for receiving inserted media and guiding it to the media input port, and a mirror located above the media input tray for reflecting the area around the media input port.

[0010] In the media processing device of the present invention, media remaining around the media slot are reflected in the mirror, allowing the user to visually recognize that media are remaining there. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a media processing device that has a simple configuration yet can notify the user that media is being held up. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the fee adjustment machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a top view showing the configuration of a coin insertion section according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of a coin insertion section according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a coin insertion section according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a coin insertion portion according to another embodiment 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a coin insertion portion according to another embodiment 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [1. Configuration of the fare adjustment machine] FIG. 1 shows an example of the appearance of a toll adjustment machine 1 according to this embodiment. The toll adjustment machine 1 is installed at a toll booth on a toll road such as an expressway, and can be used by a user while remaining in a vehicle such as an automobile. Note that FIG. 1 is a front view of the toll adjustment machine 1 as seen from the front (i.e., as seen from the user's perspective). Furthermore, for the toll adjustment machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, the direction from right to left in the figure is the leftward direction, the opposite direction is the rightward direction, the direction from bottom to top in the figure is the upward direction, the opposite direction is the downward direction, the direction from the back to the front in the figure is the forward direction, and the direction from the front to the back in the figure is the backward direction.

[0015] An operation panel 2 operated by a user is provided on the front (front face) of this toll settlement machine 1. In order to accommodate multiple payment methods, the operation panel 2 is provided with, for example, a display unit 3, a pass insertion unit 4, a card insertion unit 5, a coin insertion unit 6, a bill insertion unit 7, a change coin return unit 8, and a change bill return unit 9. The coin insertion unit 6 and the change coin return unit 8 are part of a coin processing device 10 provided inside the toll settlement machine 1 and which performs coin-related processing.

[0016] The display unit 3 displays various information such as tolls. The toll ticket insertion unit 4 is a unit into which the toll ticket is inserted. When a toll ticket is inserted into the toll ticket insertion unit 4, the toll payment machine 1 reads data from the toll ticket, calculates the fee (i.e., the toll) based on the read data, and displays the calculated toll on the display unit 3.

[0017] The card insertion unit 5 is a section where cards such as ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System) and credit cards are inserted. When an ETC card is inserted into the card insertion unit 5, the toll adjustment machine 1 reads data from the ETC card, calculates the toll based on the read data, and displays the calculated toll on the display unit 3. Furthermore, the toll adjustment machine 1 causes a payment system (not shown) to execute a process for ETC payment of the calculated toll.

[0018] Furthermore, the toll adjustment machine 1 calculates the toll and displays it on the display unit 3, and then when a credit card is inserted into the card insertion unit 5, it causes a payment system (not shown) to execute a process to settle the calculated toll with the credit card.

[0019] The coin insertion unit 6 is a portion into which coins are inserted when paying the toll in cash. This coin insertion unit 6 is designed so that multiple coins can be inserted at once. The coin insertion unit 6 will be described in detail later.

[0020] The bill insertion section 7 is a section where bills are inserted when paying the toll in cash. The change coin return section 8 is a section where coins are returned as change when the toll is paid in cash. The change bill return section 9 is a section where bills are returned as change when the toll is paid in cash.

[0021] The toll payment machine 1 determines the number of coins and banknotes of each denomination to be returned as change based on the difference between the cash and the toll inserted into the coin insertion section 6 and the banknote insertion section 7, and discharges coins from a change coin return section 8 and banknotes from a change banknote return section 9 according to the determined number of coins of each denomination.

[0022] [2. Coin insertion section configuration] Next, the configuration of the coin insertion unit 6 provided in the coin processing device 10 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a top view of the coin insertion unit 6 as seen from above, Fig. 3 is a front view of the coin insertion unit 6 as seen from the front, and Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the coin insertion unit 6 as seen from the right side.

[0023] The coin insertion section 6 has a coin insertion tray 20, a coin insertion slot 21, and a hood 22. The coin insertion tray 20 is shaped like a substantially box with a recess 30 on the top surface thereof, and is provided so as to protrude forward from the operation panel 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) of the fare adjustment machine 1. The coin insertion tray 20 receives (i.e., stores) coins inserted by a user into the recess 30, and guides the coins to the coin insertion slot 21 provided behind the recess 30.

[0024] Specifically, the recess 30 of the coin tray 20 is large enough to receive about 10 coins at a time, and the bottom surface 30B is inclined downward toward the rear end of the central portion in the width direction (left and right direction). The coin slot 21 is provided behind the central portion in the width direction of this recess 30. Therefore, coins inserted into the recess 30 slide down the bottom surface 30B toward the coin slot 21.

[0025] The coin slot 21 is recessed rearward from the operation panel 2. The coin slot 21 is made up of a slot guide 31 and an opening 32. The slot guide 31 is shaped like a dustpan with the front and top of a roughly box-like member open, and its front end is connected to the rear end of the coin slot tray 20.

[0026] The size of this slot guide 31 in the width direction (left and right direction) is smaller than that of the coin insertion tray 20, and the size in the front and back direction is also smaller than that of the coin insertion tray 20.

[0027] Furthermore, the bottom surface 31B of this slot guide 31 is inclined downward toward the rear end of the central portion in the width direction. Furthermore, the slot guide 31 has an opening 32 at the rear end of the central portion in the width direction. Therefore, a coin that slides down from the coin insertion tray 20 into the slot guide 31 slides down on the bottom surface 31B toward the opening 32.

[0028] The opening 32 is a hole through which coins pass, and coins that slide down the slot guide 31 pass through this opening 32 and are taken into the coin processing device 10. This opening 32 is a rectangular hole that is long in the left-right direction, and is large enough to allow several coins to pass through at a time.

[0029] In this way, in the coin insertion unit 6, the number of coins that can pass through the opening 32 of the coin insertion slot 21 at one time (about several coins) is smaller than the number of coins that can be inserted into the coin insertion tray 20 at one time (about 10 coins). This is because the number of coins that can be processed inside the coin processing device 10 at one time is smaller than the number of coins that can be inserted into the coin insertion tray 20 at one time. Therefore, in the coin insertion unit 6, when a large number of coins are inserted into the coin insertion tray 20, the inserted coins are taken into the coin processing device 10 through the opening 32 of the coin insertion slot 21 in multiple batches.

[0030] Hood 22 is an arch-shaped member that resembles an upside-down U when viewed from the front (front) (i.e., from the user's perspective), and is provided to cover the top of coin tray 20. Specifically, hood 22 is formed, for example, from a transparent or semi-transparent member, and is composed of a left side wall portion 22L that extends upward from the upper end of the left side of coin tray 20, a right side wall portion 22R that extends upward from the upper end of the right side of coin tray 20, and a ceiling portion 22C that is located above recess 30 and connects the upper end of left side wall portion 22L and the upper end of right side wall portion 22R.

[0031] The hood 22 has a front opening 22H large enough to accommodate the user's hand holding a coin, so as not to get in the way when the user inserts the coin into the coin tray 20.

[0032] The hood 22 covers the top of the coin tray 20 and is arranged so that its rear end contacts the operation panel 2, thereby preventing rain, snow, sand, etc. from entering the recess 30 of the coin tray 20 or the coin slot 21.

[0033] Incidentally, in the coin processing device 10, the number of coins that can pass through the coin slot 21 at one time is limited to a number that is smaller than the number of coins that can be inserted into the coin tray 20 at one time, and therefore, for example, coins may become clogged in the opening 32 of the coin slot 21, causing coins to accumulate around the coin slot 21. In this case, coins cannot be taken in from the coin slot 21 unless the user removes the accumulated coins. Note that Figure 4 shows an example in which coin Ci has accumulated in the coin slot 21.

[0034] Therefore, in the coin processing device 10 of this embodiment, a downward-facing mirror 33 is attached to the inside of the ceiling portion 22C of the hood 22 (i.e., above the coin insertion tray 20). This mirror 33 is, for example, a convex mirror, and has a spherical notch shape created by cutting a sphere along one plane, and is provided so as to reflect the area around the coin insertion slot 21.

[0035] Although it depends on the height at which the payment machine 1 is installed, the user's eye level is, for example, at about the same height as the coin tray 20. For this reason, it is difficult to look down at the coin tray 20, making it difficult to directly see whether inserted coins are remaining around the coin slot 21.

[0036] For this reason, in the coin processing device 10, a downward-facing mirror 33 is provided above the coin insertion tray 20, and the angle of the mirror 33 is selected so that when a user facing the front looks up at the mirror 33 from below, the mirror 33 reflects the area around the coin insertion slot 21, including the inside of the coin insertion slot 21.

[0037] As a result, in the coin processing device 10, when coins become stuck around the coin slot 21, the stuck coins are reflected in the mirror 33, allowing the user to see them and have them remove the stuck coins.

[0038] Furthermore, the coin processing device 10 has a mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40 that adjusts the angle of the mirror 33. The mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40 is composed of a mirror fixing plate 41, a rotation shaft 42, a knob 43, and a fixing screw 44.

[0039] The mirror fixing plate 41 is a plate-like member for fixing the mirror 33, and the mirror 33 is fixed to one surface of the mirror fixing plate 41.

[0040] The rotating shaft 42 is a rod-shaped member extending in the left-right direction and rotatably supported by the upper end of the left side wall portion 22L and the upper end of the right side wall portion 22R of the hood 22, and a mirror fixing plate 41 is attached to the center of the axial direction (left-right direction) of this rotating shaft 42 so that the mirror 33 faces downward.

[0041] The left and right ends of the rotating shaft 42 protrude outward through the left wall portion 22L and the right wall portion 22R of the hood 22, respectively, and knobs 43 for rotating the rotating shaft 42 are provided on each of the protruding left and right ends.

[0042] Furthermore, a fixing screw 44 for fixing the rotary shaft 42 is attached to one of the left and right knobs 43 (for example, the right knob 35).

[0043] With the mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40, the angle of the mirror 33 can be adjusted by pinching the knob 43 and rotating the mirror fixing plate 41 together with the rotation shaft 42. For example, the angle can be adjusted within a range of several tens of degrees forward or several tens of degrees backward from a position in which the mirror 33 is facing vertically downward (i.e., a position in which the mirror fixing plate 41 is horizontal). Furthermore, with the mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40, the angle of the mirror 33 can be fixed by fixing the rotation shaft 42 with a fixing screw 44 when the mirror 33 has been adjusted to a desired angle. Note that Figure 4 shows an example in which the angle of the mirror 33 has been adjusted approximately 20 degrees forward from a position facing vertically downward.

[0044] In the coin processing device 10, the angle of the mirror 33 (i.e., the range reflected by the mirror 33) can be adjusted by using this mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40. Note that the above-described mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40 is an example, and a mechanism other than the mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40 may also be used. Here, the reason why the angle of the mirror 33 can be adjusted will be briefly explained.

[0045] As described above, the toll adjustment machine 1 is installed at a toll booth of a toll road such as an expressway, and can be used by a user while remaining in a vehicle such as an automobile. Here, the toll adjustment machine 1 may be installed in a low position to suit a vehicle with a low vehicle height, or in a high position to suit a vehicle with a high vehicle height.

[0046] In this case, for example, the expected eye height of a user will differ between a toll adjustment machine 1 installed at a low position and a toll adjustment machine 1 installed at a high position. Therefore, in the coin processing device 10, the angle of the mirror 33 is adjusted to match the expected eye height of the user so that the area around the coin slot 21 is reliably reflected on the mirror 33 as seen from the user. In this way, the coin processing device 10 is able to adjust the angle of the mirror 33 to accommodate situations where the installation height changes, such as at toll booths on toll roads.

[0047] [3. Removal of trapped coins] Next, we will briefly explain how a user of the toll payment machine 1 removes accumulated coins. The user inserts, for example, multiple coins into coin tray 20 to pay the fee (i.e., the toll). Now, suppose that coins become stuck around coin slot 21, for example, because the opening 32 of coin slot 21 is clogged with coins. At this time, the user recognizes that coins have accumulated because the coins around coin slot 21, reflected in mirror 33, are stationary and not moving. Then, in order to resolve the coin accumulation, the user temporarily removes any coins remaining in coin tray 20 and coin slot 21. After removing the accumulated coins in this way, the user inserts coins into coin tray 20 again.

[0048] Furthermore, after inserting a coin into the coin insertion section 6, if the user looks closely at the mirror 33 and sees a coin remaining there, he or she should remove the coin and insert it again into the coin insertion section 6. Text information indicating this series of steps may be printed near the coin insertion section 6 on the operation panel 2.

[0049] [4. Summary and Effects] As explained so far, in this embodiment, the coin processing device 10, which is an example of a media processing device, is equipped with a coin insertion slot 21, which is an example of a media insertion slot, a coin insertion tray 20, which is an example of a media insertion tray that receives coins, which are an example of inserted media, and guides them to the coin insertion slot 21, and a mirror 33, which is an example of a mirror that is provided above the coin insertion tray 20 and reflects the area around the coin insertion slot 21, and the mirror 33 is mounted at an angle that reflects the area around the coin insertion slot 21 when a user facing the front of the device looks up from below.

[0050] With this configuration, when coins become stuck around the coin slot 21, the coin processing device 10 can visually confirm that coins are stuck by reflecting the stuck coins on the mirror 33.

[0051] In this way, the coin processing device 10 does not require sensors to detect accumulated coins, and has a simple configuration, yet can notify the user that coins are accumulated and allow the user to remove the accumulated coins.

[0052] Furthermore, in the coin processing device 10 of this embodiment, the conventional procedure of detecting accumulated coins with a sensor, notifying a monitoring device, and then the monitoring device notifying the user that coins are accumulated can be omitted, and the user can be notified that coins are accumulated, thereby shortening the time required for the user to remove the accumulated coins.

[0053] Furthermore, the coin processing device 10 of this embodiment is provided with an arched hood 22, which is an example of a cover that covers the upper part of the coin insertion tray 20 (i.e., the recess 30), and a mirror 33 is provided inside the ceiling part 22C of the hood 22.

[0054] In this way, the coin processing device 10 can use the hood 22 to hold the mirror 33 at a position away from the coin tray 20 (i.e., at a position where it does not come into contact with the coins being inserted), and can prevent rain, snow, sand, etc. from entering the coin tray 20 or the coin slot 21.

[0055] Furthermore, the coin processing device 10 of this embodiment is provided with a mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40, which is an example of a mirror angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the mirror 33. With this configuration, the coin processing device 10 can adjust the angle of the mirror 33 so that the area around the coin slot 21 is reliably reflected in the mirror 33 as seen by the user's eyes, even in cases where the height at which the coin processing device is installed changes, such as in the case of a toll booth on a toll road, which changes the expected eye height of the user.

[0056] In this embodiment, an example of a medium is a coin, but this is not limited to this. Also, an example of a medium tray is the coin tray 20, but this is not limited to this. Furthermore, an example of a medium slot is the coin slot 21, but this is not limited to this. Furthermore, an example of a mirror is the mirror 33, but this is not limited to this. Furthermore, an example of a mirror angle adjustment mechanism is the mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40, but this is not limited to this.

[0057] 5. Other Embodiments [5-1. Other embodiment 1] In the above-described embodiment, the angle of the mirror 33 can be adjusted using the mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the height at which the fee payment machine 1 is installed is fixed and there is no need to adjust the angle of the mirror 33, the mirror 33 may be fixed to the hood 22.

[0058] In this case, as shown in Fig. 5, for example, a hood 122 is used instead of the hood 22 having the mirror angle adjustment mechanism 40. This hood 122, like the hood 22, is an arch-shaped member that resembles an upside-down U when viewed from the front (front), and is provided to cover the top of the coin insertion tray 20 (i.e., the recess 30).

[0059] In this hood 122, part of the inner surface of the ceiling portion 122C serves as a mirror mounting portion 130, and a mirror 33 is attached facing downward to this mirror mounting portion 130. Note that Fig. 5 shows an example in which the mirror mounting portion 130 is inclined so that the front side is positioned higher than the rear side so that the angle of the mirror 33 is appropriate.

[0060] In addition, the hood 22 and the hood 122 may be designed to be detachable from the coin tray 20, for example, by screws, and if it is necessary to adjust the angle of the mirror 33, the hood 22 may be attached to the coin tray 20, and if it is not necessary to adjust the angle of the mirror 33, the hood 122 may be attached to the coin tray 20.

[0061] Alternatively, for example, multiple hoods 122 with different inclination angles of the mirror mounting portion 130 (i.e., different angles of the mirror 33) may be prepared, and from the multiple hoods 122 prepared, a hood 122 suitable for the height at which the fee settlement machine 1 will be installed may be selected and attached to the coin insertion tray 20.

[0062] [5-2. Other embodiment 2] In the above-described embodiment, the mirror 33 is provided inside the hood 22, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 6, instead of omitting the hood 22, a mirror mounting portion 200, which is an example of a mirror mounting portion that protrudes forward from the operation panel 2, may be provided above the coin insertion tray 20, and the mirror 33 may be attached to the underside of this mirror mounting portion 200.

[0063] 6 shows an example in which the underside of the mirror mounting portion 200 is inclined so that the front side is positioned higher than the rear side so that the angle of the mirror 33 is appropriate. The length of the mirror mounting portion 200 in the front-to-rear direction may be increased to approximately the same as the length of the coin insertion tray 20 in the front-to-rear direction, and the width of the mirror mounting portion 200 may be increased to approximately the same as the width of the coin insertion tray 20, so that the mirror mounting portion 200 functions as a roof-like cover that covers the top of the coin insertion tray 20.

[0064] [5-3. Other embodiment 3] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a spherically-detailed convex mirror is used as the mirror 33, but this is not limiting and a concave mirror or a plane mirror may also be used. Also, a special plane mirror that can reflect an area similar to that of a convex mirror by applying a special treatment to the surface of the plane mirror may be used.

[0065] [5-4. Other embodiment 4] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the coin processing device 10 provided in the toll payment machine 1 installed at a toll booth on a highway, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various coin processing devices as long as they have a function for inserting coins. For example, the present invention can be applied to coin processing devices provided in parking lot toll payment machines, vending machines, ticket vending machines, ATMs, etc. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to medium processing devices that have a function for inserting media other than coins (for example, coins, etc.).

[0066] [5-5. Other Embodiment 5] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the scope of application of the present invention extends to embodiments in which some or all of the above-described embodiments are combined in any manner, or embodiments in which only some of the embodiments are extracted. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] The present invention can be widely used in media processing devices that have a function for inserting media such as coins. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1...Payment machine, 2...Operation panel, 6...Coin insertion section, 10...Coin processing device, 20...Coin insertion tray, 21...Coin insertion slot, 22, 122...Hood, 30...Recess, 31...Inlet guide, 32...Opening, 40...Mirror angle adjustment mechanism, 41...Mirror fixing plate, 42...Rotating shaft, 43...Knob, 44...Fixing screw, 130, 200...Mirror mounting section, Ci...Coin.

Claims

1. A media input port; a media tray connected to the media inlet, receiving the inserted media and guiding it to the media inlet; a mirror provided above the media tray that reflects the area around the media insertion slot; Equipped with A media processing device characterized by:

2. The mirror is The mirror is installed at an angle that allows the area around the media slot to be reflected when a user facing the front of the device looks up at the mirror from below. The media processing device according to claim 1 .

3. a cover for covering the medium tray from above; The mirror is attached to the inside of the cover. The media processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The cover is When viewed from the front of the device, it is arch-shaped. The mirror is attached to the inside of the ceiling portion located at the upper end of the cover. The media processing device according to claim 3 .

5. Further provided is a mirror angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the mirror.

5. The media processing device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The medium inlet is Located behind the media tray when viewed from the front of the device, The mirror angle adjustment mechanism is The device has a rotation shaft that extends in the left-right direction when viewed from the front and is supported by the cover, the mirror is attached to the rotation shaft, and the angle of the mirror changes by rotating the rotation shaft. The media processing device according to claim 5 .

7. a mirror mounting portion that projects forward when viewed from the front of the device is provided above the media tray; The mirror is attached to the underside of the mirror attachment portion.

3. The media processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The cover is The tray is detachably mounted on the medium tray.

5. The media processing device according to claim 3 or 4.

Images