Coin processing device

Abstract

To shorten the inspection operation time.SOLUTION: A coin processing device 10 identifies the authenticity and denomination of coins deposited through a money deposit port 12 and stores the coins identified as genuine coins in a plurality of storage cabinets 24 for each denomination after temporarily holding the coins in a temporary holding section 22, while causing a dispensing and carrying section 25 to carry the coins delivered from any storage cabinet 24 by a payment command and dispensing the coins through a dispensing port 14. The coin processing device includes a control section 40 that, when an inspection command for measuring the number of coins stored in each storage cabinet 24 is given, temporarily holds the coins delivered from the storage cabinet 24 to be inspected in the temporary holding section 22 and the dispensing and carrying section 25, stores the coins held in the temporary holding section 22 in the storage cabinet 24 again while counting the coins, and then holds the coins held in the dispensing and carrying section 25 in the temporary holding section 22 and stores the coins in the storage cabinet 24 again while counting the coins.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin processing device, and more particularly to an improvement in a coin processing device used as a change dispenser. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, coin processing devices are installed as automatic change dispensers in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores. These coin processing devices are usually connected to a host device such as a POS register, and perform coin deposit and withdrawal operations in response to commands from the host device. In addition, in a standby state, the coin processing device performs a reconciliation operation to reconcile the amount of coins stored in a storage cabinet in accordance with a reconciliation command from the host device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6801426 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the coin processing device described above, when a reconciliation command is given, coins dispensed from one storage container to be inspected are temporarily stored in the temporary storage section, and the coins stored in the temporary storage section are stored again in the one storage container while being counted, and then coins dispensed from another storage container to be inspected are temporarily stored in the temporary storage section, and the coins stored in the temporary storage section are stored again in the other storage container while being counted. In other words, in conventional coin processing devices, when there are multiple storage containers to be inspected, coins are temporarily stored in the temporary storage section for each storage container and then stored in the storage container, which lengthens the time required for the reconciliation operation.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device that can shorten the inspection operation time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the coin processing device of the present invention is a coin processing device that identifies the authenticity and denomination of coins deposited through a deposit port, temporarily holds coins identified as genuine coins in a temporary holding section, and then stores them in multiple storage cabinets by denomination, while coins dispensed from any storage cabinet in response to a dispensing command are transported by a dispensing transport section and dispensed through the dispensing port, and is characterized in that when a reconciliation command is given to count the number of coins stored in each storage cabinet, the coins dispensed from the storage cabinet to be inspected are temporarily held in the temporary holding section and the dispensing transport section, and the coins held in the temporary holding section are again counted and stored in the storage cabinet, and then the coins held in the dispensing transport section are held in the temporary holding section, and then counted and stored in the storage cabinet again.

[0007] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned coin processing device, when the inspection command is given, the control unit temporarily stores coins of the corresponding denomination dispensed from one storage cabinet to be inspected in the temporary storage unit, and then temporarily stores coins of another corresponding denomination dispensed from another storage cabinet to be inspected in the withdrawal transport unit.

[0008] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned coin processing device, when the inspection command is given, the control unit temporarily stores coins dispensed from multiple storage cabinets to be inspected in the temporary storage unit and the withdrawal transport unit.

[0009] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned coin processing device, the withdrawal transport unit transports the coin closer to the withdrawal port when driven in a forward rotation, and transports the coin away from the withdrawal port when driven in a reverse rotation, and when the inspection command is given, the control unit drives the withdrawal transport unit in the forward rotation to temporarily store the coin in the temporary storage unit, and then drives the withdrawal transport unit in the reverse rotation to temporarily store the coin in the withdrawal transport unit.

[0010] Furthermore, in the coin processing device according to the present invention, the dispensing transport section extends in a manner that gradually inclines upward as it approaches the dispensing port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, when the control unit is given an inspection command to count the number of coins stored in each storage unit, it temporarily stores the coins dispensed from the storage unit to be inspected in the temporary storage unit and the dispensing transport unit, and then stores the coins stored in the temporary storage unit again while counting them into the storage unit, and then stores the coins stored in the dispensing transport unit in the temporary storage unit, and then stores them in the storage unit again while counting them, thereby achieving the effect of shortening the inspection time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the external configuration of a coin processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the external configuration of the coin processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the coin processing device shown in FIGS. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a characteristic control system of the coin processing device shown in FIGS. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the dispensing money transport unit illustrated in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the details of the reconciliation operation process performed by the control unit shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a modified example of the reconciliation operation processing performed by the control unit shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a coin processing device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] 1 and 2 respectively show the external configuration of a coin processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with Fig. 1 being a plan view and Fig. 2 being a front view. The coin processing device 10 illustrated here is adapted as an automatic change dispenser connected to a POS (Point Of Sales) register device (host device 1: see Fig. 3) in a store such as a supermarket or convenience store, and includes a device main body 11.

[0015] The device main body 11 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing, and includes a deposit port 12, an operation and display unit 13, a withdrawal port 14, and a return port 15. The deposit port 12 is provided on the right side of the top front surface of the device main body 11, and is an opening for receiving inserted coins into the device main body 11. This deposit port 12 functions as a temporary holding unit that temporarily holds deposits from users such as customers.

[0016] The operation display unit 13 is provided on the left side of the top front surface of the device body 11, and has a display unit 13a and an operation unit 13b. The display unit 13a displays various information, and the operation unit 13b is an input means, such as a numeric keypad, for inputting various operations.

[0017] The dispensing port 14 is provided on the left side of the front of the device body 11. This dispensing port 14 is an opening for dispensing coins stored inside the device body 11, and dispenses coins into a dispensing tray 16 attached to the device body 11. The return port 15 is provided on the right side of the front of the device body 11. This return port 15 is an opening for returning coins.

[0018] Furthermore, the coin processing device 10 is positioned so that the front of the device body 11 faces the user, who is the customer of the store, and functions as a self-checkout where the user (customer) reads the barcodes of products and hands over money, or as a semi-self-checkout where the user only hands over money.

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the coin processing device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a characteristic control system of the coin processing device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The internal configuration of the coin processing device 10 will be explained by function using Figures 3 and 4.

[0020] A coin transport mechanism 20 is provided inside the device main body 11. This coin transport mechanism 20 has a deposit transport section 21, a temporary holding section 22, a sorting section 23, a storage 24, a withdrawal transport section 25, and a switching gate group 26.

[0021] The deposit transport unit 21 transports coins that are inserted through the deposit port 12 and detected by an insertion detection sensor (not shown), and is provided with a coin validation unit 21a. The coin validation unit 21a identifies the authenticity and denomination of the coins.

[0022] The temporary storage unit 22 temporarily stores coins that have been identified as genuine by the coin validation unit 21 a. The sorting unit 23 sorts the coins that have been stored in the temporary storage unit 22 and then transported, by denomination.

[0023] The storage cabinets 24 are provided for each denomination and store the coins sorted by the sorting unit 23. More specifically, there are six storage cabinets 24, from the front: a 1 yen storage cabinet 24a, a 50 yen storage cabinet 24b, a 5 yen storage cabinet 24c, a 100 yen storage cabinet 24d, a 10 yen storage cabinet 24e, and a 500 yen storage cabinet 24f. Each storage cabinet 24 has a feeding unit 241 that feeds the stored coins to the dispensing transport unit 25, and this feeding unit 241 is provided with a discrimination unit 242 that discriminates predetermined discrimination elements such as the denomination and number of the coins to be fed.

[0024] The dispensing transport section 25 is disposed on the left side of the storage cabinet 24. As shown in Fig. 5, the dispensing transport section 25 is configured by endlessly stretching a transport belt 253 over a pair of front and rear transport pulleys 251, 252. Coins are placed on the upper part of the transport belt 253 between the transport pulleys 251, 252, and are transported by the rotation of the transport pulleys 251, 252.

[0025] The conveyance pulleys 251, 252 rotate clockwise as viewed from the left when driven in the forward direction by a conveyance motor (not shown), and rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the left when driven in the reverse direction by the conveyance motor. That is, when driven in the forward direction, the dispensing conveyance unit 25 conveys coins forward, and conveys coins dispensed from the storage 24 forward toward the dispensing chute 27 that communicates with the dispensing port 14. On the other hand, when driven in the reverse direction, the dispensing conveyance unit 25 conveys coins backward (in a direction away from the dispensing port 14). Here, the dispensing conveyance unit 25 extends in a manner that gradually slopes upward as it approaches the forward direction, i.e., the dispensing port 14, and has a storage space 254 in an upper area on the rear side. As a result, when driven in the reverse direction, the dispensing conveyance unit 25 can store coins dispensed from the storage 24 in itself (the storage space 254).

[0026] The switching gate group 26 includes a first switching gate 26a, a second switching gate 26b, and a third switching gate 26c. The first switching gate 26a is provided downstream in the conveying direction of the deposit conveying unit 21. The first switching gate 26a is capable of selectively switching between a state in which coins conveyed by the deposit conveying unit 21 are conveyed to the temporary holding unit 22, and a state in which the coins are conveyed to the withdrawal port 14.

[0027] The second switching gate 26b is provided downstream in the conveying direction of the temporary storage unit 22. This second switching gate 26b is capable of selectively switching between a state in which the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 are sent to the sorting unit 23 and a state in which the coins are sent to the return port 15. In a normal state, the second switching gate 26b is in a state in which the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 are sent to the sorting unit 23.

[0028] The third switching gate 26c is provided downstream in the conveying direction of the dispensing conveying section 25. This third switching gate 26c is capable of selectively switching between a conveying state in which coins conveyed by the dispensing conveying section 25 are conveyed to the dispensing port 14 via the dispensing chute 27, and a circulating state in which the coins are conveyed to the temporary storage section 22. The third switching gate 26c is normally in the conveying state.

[0029] In addition to the above configuration, the coin processing device 10 also includes a counting sensor 30 and a control unit 40. The counting sensor 30 is provided on the transport path from the sorting unit 23 to each storage unit 24. The counting sensor 30 detects the number of coins sorted from the sorting unit 23 to the corresponding storage unit 24, and sends the detection result to the control unit 40 as a counting signal.

[0030] The control unit 40 is connected to the counting sensor 30, the display unit 13a, the operation unit 13b, the coin transport mechanism 20, and the coin validation unit 21a, and is also connected to a higher-level device 1 such as a POS register. When a command is given through the operation unit 13b, or when a detection signal is given from the coin validation unit 21a, or when various commands are given from the higher-level device 1, the control unit 40 controls the display of the display unit 13a and the drive of the coin transport mechanism 20 based on the programs and data stored in the memory unit 41.

[0031] The control unit 40 may be realized, for example, by having a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a program, i.e., by software, or by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0032] The coin processing device 10 configured as described above operates as follows. First, the deposit operation will be described. When a deposit permission command is given from the higher-level device 1, a coin inserted into the deposit port 12 is detected by the insertion detection sensor, and then transported by the deposit transport unit 21, and its authenticity and denomination are identified by the coin validation unit 21a. If the coin is genuine, it is stored in the temporary storage unit 22. On the other hand, if the coin is not genuine, it is transported to the dispensing port 14 via the first switching gate 26a and returned to the dispensing tray 16. When a return command is given from the higher-level device 1, the coin stored in the temporary storage unit 22 is returned to the return port 15 via the second switching gate 26b.

[0033] The coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 are transported to the sorting unit 23, where they are sorted by denomination while being transported backward. The coins sorted by the sorting unit 23 are stored in the storage cabinet 24 according to their denominations, and then the deposit operation is completed by notifying the upper device 1 that the deposit has been completed.

[0034] Next, the dispensing operation will be described. When a dispensing command is given from the higher-level device 1, coins of the denomination corresponding to the dispensing command are fed from the corresponding storage 24 to the dispensing transport unit 25. The coins fed to the dispensing transport unit 25 are transported forward by driving the dispensing transport unit 25 in a forward rotation, and are dispensed from the dispensing port 14 to the outside of the device main body 11 via the dispensing chute 27 through the third switching gate 26c which is in the transport state. After the predetermined coins have been dispensed to the outside in this way, the dispensing operation is completed by notifying the higher-level device 1 that dispensing has been completed.

[0035] The reconciliation operation will now be described. The reconciliation operation is an operation for counting the number of coins stored in each storage 24. This reconciliation operation is performed when a reconciliation command is given from the upper device 1 or when a reconciliation command is given from the operation unit 13b.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the reconciliation operation process performed by the control unit 40 shown in Fig. 4. The reconciliation operation process is performed in a predetermined denomination order (500 yen coin → 10 yen coin → 100 yen coin → 5 yen coin → 50 yen coin).

[0037] In this reconciliation operation process, the control unit 40 drives the feeding unit 241 in the target storage 24 to feed coins from the storage 24 to the dispensing transport unit 25 (step S101), and causes the discrimination unit 242 to discriminate predetermined discrimination elements.

[0038] Then, the control unit 40 drives the dispensing transport unit 25 to rotate in the forward direction (step S102), transports the coins forward, and escrows them in the escrow unit 22, and waits for the escrow completion (step S103).

[0039] When the escrow operation is completed by escrowing all of the coins dispensed in step S101 in the escrow unit 22 (step S103: Yes), the control unit 40 drives the dispensing unit 241 of the other target storage cabinet 24, i.e., the storage cabinet 24 storing the next denomination to be inspected, to dispense the coins from that storage cabinet 24 (step S104), and drives the dispensing transport unit 25 to rotate in the reverse direction (step S105). As a result, the coins dispensed in step S104 are transported backward by the dispensing transport unit 25 and stored in the storage space 254.

[0040] Furthermore, substantially simultaneously with the processing of steps S104 and S105, the control unit 40 transports the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 to the sorting unit 23, where they are sorted by denomination (step S106), and stores the coins in a predetermined storage 24 while detecting the number of coins of each denomination with the counting sensor 30. This makes it possible to count the number of coins in the storage 24.

[0041] The control unit 40, which distributes the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 in this manner, waits for the distribution of all coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 to be completed (step S107), and when the distribution is completed (step S107: Yes), it determines whether there are any denominations to be inspected (step S108).

[0042] If there is a denomination to be inspected (step S108: No), for example, if there is a coin in the reserve space 254 as described above, the control unit 40 repeats the processes from step S102 onwards.

[0043] As a result, the coins stored in the storage space 254 are transported forward by the dispensing transport unit 25 and stored in the temporary storage unit 22, and coins dispensed from other target storage vaults 24 are stored in the storage space 254. Then, the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 are sorted by the sorting unit 23 and stored in the storage vaults 24.

[0044] On the other hand, if there are no denominations to be inspected (step S108: Yes), that is, if all denominations have been sorted, etc., the control unit 40 stops driving the dispensing transport unit 25 (step S109) and displays a message on the display unit 13a indicating that the inspection operation has ended (step S110), and then returns the procedure to end the current processing.

[0045] This allows the next coin to be inspected to be fed out and stored while the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 are being sorted.

[0046] As described above, according to the coin processing device 10 which is an embodiment of the present invention, when a reconciliation command is given, the control unit 40 temporarily stores coins of the corresponding denomination dispensed from one storage cabinet 24 to be inspected in the temporary storage unit 22, then temporarily stores coins of another corresponding denomination dispensed from the other storage cabinet 24 to be inspected in the withdrawal transport unit 25, and counts and stores the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 again in the storage cabinet 24, and then stores the coins stored in the withdrawal transport unit 25 in the temporary storage unit 22, and then counts and stores them again in the storage cabinet 24.Therefore, the next coin to be inspected can be dispensed and stored while sorting the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22, thereby shortening the reconciliation time.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the coin processing device 10, the dispensing transport section 25 extends in a manner that gradually slopes upward as it moves forward, so that coins can be stored in the storage space 254 formed in the upper rear area while preventing the overall device from becoming larger.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a modified example of the reconciliation operation processing performed by the control unit 40 shown in FIG.

[0049] In this reconciliation operation process, the control unit 40 drives the payout unit 241 in the target storage cabinets 24 to pay out coins from each storage cabinet 24 to the withdrawal transport unit 25 (step S201), and causes the discrimination unit 242 to discriminate predetermined discrimination elements.

[0050] Then, the control unit 40 drives the withdrawal transport unit 25 to rotate in the forward direction (step S202), transports the coins forward to be temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 22, and determines whether a predetermined amount of coins has been temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 22 (step S203).

[0051] If the predetermined amount of coins is not reserved in the temporary storage unit 22 (step S203: No), the control unit 40 repeats the above process.

[0052] On the other hand, if a predetermined amount of coins has been reserved in the temporary storage unit 22 (step S203: Yes), the dispensing transport unit 25 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction (step S204). As a result, the coins that were dispensed in step S201 and have not been reserved in the temporary storage unit 22 are transported backward by the dispensing transport unit 25 and are reserved in the storage space 254.

[0053] Thereafter, the control unit 40 transports the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 to the sorting unit 23, where they are sorted by denomination (step S205), and stores the coins in a predetermined storage 24 while detecting the number of coins of each denomination with the counting sensor 30. This makes it possible to count the number of coins in the storage 24.

[0054] The control unit 40, which distributes the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 in this manner, drives the dispensing transport unit 25 to rotate forward (step S206) on the condition that all coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 have been distributed. As a result, the coins stored in the storage space 254 are transported forward by the dispensing transport unit 25 and stored in the temporary storage unit 22, and the control unit 40 stops driving the dispensing transport unit 25 on the condition that the coins stored in the storage space 254 have been stored in the temporary storage unit 22 (step S207).

[0055] Then, the control unit 40 transports the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 22 to the sorting unit 23, where they are sorted by denomination (step S208), and stores the coins in a predetermined storage 24 while detecting the number of coins of each denomination with the counting sensor 30. This makes it possible to count the number of coins in the storage 24.

[0056] After sorting in this way, the control unit 40 determines whether there is any denomination to be inspected (step S209).

[0057] If there is a denomination to be inspected (step S209: No), the control unit 40 repeats the processes from step S201 onwards.

[0058] As a result, coins of the corresponding denominations are dispensed from the multiple storage vaults 24, some of which are temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 22, and the rest are temporarily stored in the storage space 254. Then, after the coins temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 22 are sorted by the sorting unit 23 and stored in the storage vaults 24, the coins temporarily stored in the storage space 254 are temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 22, and then sorted by the sorting unit 23 and stored in the storage vaults 24.

[0059] On the other hand, if there are no denominations to be inspected (step S209: Yes), that is, if all denominations have been sorted, the control unit 40 displays an inspection completion message on the display unit 13a to indicate that the inspection operation has been completed (step S210), and then returns the procedure to end the current processing.

[0060] According to this, coins dispensed from a plurality of storage cabinets 24 are stored in the temporary storage section 22 and the storage space 254, and after the coins stored in the temporary storage section 22 are sorted, the coins in the storage space 254 can be sorted after passing through the temporary storage section 22.

[0061] In this way, according to the coin processing device 10, when a reconciliation command is given, the control unit 40 temporarily stores the coins dispensed from the multiple storage cabinets 24 to be inspected in the temporary storage unit 22 and the withdrawal transport unit 25, so that the dispensing of coins from the storage cabinets 24, which takes the most time in the reconciliation operation, can be performed in parallel, thereby shortening the reconciliation time.

[0062] Although the preferred embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and various modifications can be made.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, coins are dispensed from the storage cabinet 24 in the inspection operation process in accordance with a predetermined order of denominations, but in the present invention, coins of multiple denominations may be dispensed simultaneously from multiple storage cabinets.

[0064] The configurations illustrated in the above-described embodiments are merely functional schematics and are not necessarily physically configured as shown. In other words, the distribution and integration of each device and component is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various usage situations, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1...high-level device, 10...coin processing device, 11...device main body, 12...deposit port, 13...operation display unit, 13a...display unit, 13b...operation unit, 14...withdrawal port, 15...return port, 16...withdrawal tray, 20...coin transport mechanism, 21...deposit transport unit, 21a...coin validation unit, 22...temporary holding unit, 23...sorting unit, 24...storage cabinet, 241...feeding unit, 242...discrimination unit, 25...withdrawal transport unit, 251, 252...transport pulley, 253...transport belt, 254...holding space, 26...switching gate group, 27...withdrawal chute, 30...counting sensor, 40...control unit, 41...memory unit.

Claims

1. A coin processing device that identifies the authenticity and denomination of coins deposited through a deposit port, temporarily stores coins that are identified as genuine coins in a temporary storage unit, and then stores the coins in a plurality of storage units by denomination, while transporting coins that have been dispensed from any storage unit in response to a dispensing command by a dispensing transport unit and dispensing the coins from the dispensing port, A coin processing device characterized by having a control unit that, when a reconciliation command is given to count the number of coins stored in each storage cabinet, temporarily stores coins dispensed from the storage cabinet to be reconciled in the temporary storage unit and the dispensing transport unit, counts and stores the coins stored in the temporary storage unit again in the storage cabinet, and then stores the coins stored in the dispensing transport unit in the temporary storage unit, and counts and stores them again in the storage cabinet.

2. The coin processing device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the inspection command is given, the control unit temporarily stores coins of the corresponding denomination dispensed from one storage cabinet to be inspected in the temporary storage unit, and then temporarily stores coins of another corresponding denomination dispensed from another storage cabinet to be inspected in the withdrawal transport unit.

3. The coin processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the inspection command is given, the control unit temporarily stores coins dispensed from multiple storage cabinets to be inspected in the temporary storage unit and the withdrawal transport unit.

4. the dispensing transport unit transports the coins so as to approach the dispensing port when driven in a forward rotation, and transports the coins so as to move away from the dispensing port when driven in a reverse rotation, The coin processing device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that, when the inspection command is given, the control unit drives the withdrawal transport unit in the forward rotation to temporarily store the coin in the temporary storage unit, and then drives the withdrawal transport unit in the reverse rotation to temporarily store the coin in the withdrawal transport unit.

5. The coin processing device according to claim 4, wherein the dispensing transport section extends in a manner that gradually inclines upward as it approaches the dispensing port.

Images