Currency processing device

Abstract

To provide a currency processing device in which return of a currency to a return port part may be unlikely to occur.SOLUTION: A coin processing device 1 includes: a conveyance part 300 including an annular conveyance path 310 in which a coin is circulated and configured to transfer a coin through the conveyance path 310; a receiving part 200 configured to receive a coin externally input and deliver the coin to the conveyance path 310; an identification part 400 configured to identify the coin delivered from the receiving part 200 and transferred along the conveyance path 310; a storage part 500 configured to store coins; a dispensing port part to which a coin is returned; and a control part configured to execute coin storage processing of storing the coin received by the receiving part 200 in the storage part 500. The control part, in currency storage processing, causes the storage part 500 to store a coin identified as being normal by the identification part 400, circulates a coin identified as being abnormal by the identification part 400 in the conveyance path 310 to be re-identified by the identification part 400 at least once or more, and causes the currency to be returned to the dispensing port part based on a result of re-identification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a currency processing device for depositing and dispensing currency. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional currency processing devices such as currency depositing and dispensing machines and change dispensers, as in the coin depositing and dispensing machine described in Patent Document 1, deposited currency is identified by an identification unit, currency identified as normal is stored in a currency storage unit such as a temporary holding unit or a denomination-specific storage unit, and currency identified as abnormal is returned to a return port unit such as a reject port or a withdrawal port as rejected currency. When rejected currency is returned, the rejected currency or a replacement currency is re-input into the device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-34469 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, the introduction of self-checkout systems has been increasing, especially in retail stores. A self-checkout system includes an information terminal that accepts checkout-related operations and a change dispenser that accepts cash deposits and dispenses change. A challenge with self-checkout systems is that because customers who are unfamiliar with the operation must pay by themselves, the processing time required for each checkout (transaction) can be long. Therefore, there is a demand for ways to shorten the processing time required by customers.

[0005] The aforementioned return of rejected bills poses a challenge to reducing customer processing times, as the return of rejected bills requires the operator to reinsert the bills and restart equipment that had been temporarily stopped, lengthening processing times.

[0006] Furthermore, customers who are unfamiliar with the operation are likely to forget to pick up the rejected money that is returned, which means that staff at retail stores and other locations have to search for the customer and return the money, which can easily place a heavy burden on staff.

[0007] In view of such problems, the present invention aims to provide a currency processing device that makes it less likely that currency will be returned to the return port section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A currency handling device according to a main aspect of the present invention includes a conveying unit that includes a circular conveying path along which currency can circulate and that conveys currency along the conveying path, a depositing unit that accepts currency inserted from outside and feeds it out onto the conveying path, a recognition unit that identifies currency fed out from the depositing unit and conveyed along the conveying path, a currency storage unit that stores the currency, a return opening unit that returns the currency, and a control unit that executes a currency storage process that stores currency accepted by the depositing unit in the currency storage unit. Here, the control unit, in the currency storage process, causes the conveying unit to store currency that has been recognized as normal by the recognition unit in the currency storage unit, causes the conveying unit to circulate currency that has been recognized as abnormal by the recognition unit around the conveying path and causes the recognition unit to re-recognize the currency at least once, and returns the currency to the return opening unit based on the result of the re-recognition.

[0009] According to the currency handling device of this aspect, currency that is originally normal can be easily identified as normal currency through re-identification, and can be easily stored in the currency storage section. As a result, currency is less likely to be returned to the return port section.

[0010] In the currency processing device of this embodiment, the control unit may be configured to circulate currency that has been identified as abnormal by the recognition unit and has been identified as abnormal less than the specified number of times (multiple times) around the conveying path to have the recognition unit re-identify it, and to return currency that has been identified as abnormal more than once to the return port unit.

[0011] According to the above configuration, money that is originally abnormal can be returned to the return port section when the number of times that it has been identified as abnormal reaches a specified number.

[0012] In the above configuration, the control unit can be configured to execute a notification process to notify the user that the returned coins cannot be used when the coins are returned to the return port.

[0013] With this configuration, users can easily quickly prepare new coins of the same denomination to replace the returned coins and re-insert them into the coin handling device.

[0014] In the case of the above configuration, the control unit can be further configured to receive a number of times input to an input unit as the specified number of times, and set the received number of times as the specified number of times.

[0015] With this configuration, the number of re-recognitions performed by the recognition unit before returning abnormal currency to the return port unit can be set to a desired number.

[0016] In the above configuration, the currency storage process may further include a deposit process for storing deposited currency in the currency storage unit, and a replenishment process for storing currency for replenishment in the currency storage unit. In this case, the control unit may be configured to set the specified number of times in the replenishment process to be less than the specified number of times in the deposit process.

[0017] With this configuration, it becomes easier to optimize the number of times that the recognition unit needs to recognize currency that has been identified as abnormal before it is returned, depending on whether the process being performed is a deposit process or a replenishment process.

[0018] In the currency handling device according to this aspect, the currency storage process may include a deposit process in which deposited currency is stored in the currency storage unit, and a replenishment process in which currency for replenishment is stored in the currency storage unit. In this case, in the deposit process, the control unit causes the transport unit to circulate the currency identified as abnormal by the recognition unit around the transport path so that the recognition unit can re-identify it, and in the replenishment process, the control unit returns the currency identified as abnormal by the recognition unit to the return opening unit without re-identifying it by the recognition unit.

[0019] According to the above configuration, it is easy to optimize the number of times that the recognition unit needs to recognize currency that has been recognized as abnormal before it is returned, depending on whether the processing being performed is a deposit processing or a replenishment processing.

[0020] In the currency processing device of this embodiment, the control unit can be configured to accept either an on or off setting for re-identification by the identification unit input to the input unit, and when the on setting is accepted, the control unit can cause the currency identified as abnormal by the identification unit to circulate around the conveying path using the conveying unit and be re-identified by the identification unit, and when the off setting is accepted, the control unit can return the currency identified as abnormal by the identification unit to the return port unit without being re-identified by the identification unit.

[0021] According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not to re-identify currency that has been identified as abnormal, depending on the application of the currency handling device.

[0022] The currency handling device according to this aspect may be configured to be capable of executing a reconciliation process for reconciling currency stored in the currency storage unit. In this case, the recognition unit may have the function of identifying and counting currency. The control unit may be configured to, in the reconciliation process, cause the recognition unit to identify and count currency transported along the transport path, cause currency identified as abnormal by the recognition unit to circulate along the transport path by the transport unit and have the recognition unit re-identify the currency at least once, and determine the currency as rejected currency based on the result of the re-identification.

[0023] According to the above configuration, it becomes easier to identify genuine coins as genuine coins through re-identification, which reduces the occurrence of discrepancies in the cash balance data caused by rejected coins. This reduces the frequency with which the reconsideration process needs to be repeated.

[0024] When the above configuration is adopted, the control unit can be further configured to notify that, if a coin identified as abnormal as a result of re-identification by the identification unit is confirmed as a rejected coin, the amount of coins in the coin storage unit does not match the amount data due to the occurrence of rejected coins.

[0025] In addition, the control unit may determine that a coin identified as abnormal as a result of a single re-identification is a rejected coin, or may determine that a coin identified as abnormal as a result of multiple re-identifications is a rejected coin.

[0026] With this configuration, staff and others can understand that a discrepancy has occurred with the cash data due to rejected coins.

[0027] In the currency handling device according to this aspect, the currency accepted by the deposit unit may be coins. In this case, the transport unit may be configured to include a circulating belt having a plurality of protrusions for transporting coins provided at predetermined intervals and circulating on the transport path. The currency handling device may further include a memory unit that stores, for each of the protrusions, status information for determining whether the protrusion is currently transporting a coin. The control unit may be configured to, when a coin is dispensed from the deposit unit to a protrusion while the circulating belt is rotating, store information in the memory unit indicating that a coin is currently being transported as the status information; and, when a coin being transported by a protrusion separates from the protrusion, store information in the memory unit indicating that a coin is not currently being transported as the status information, and control the deposit unit to dispense a coin from a protrusion determined not to be currently transporting a coin based on the status information.

[0028] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent new coins from being dispensed from the deposit section onto the protrusion that is already holding coins. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a currency handling device that makes it less likely that currency will be returned to the return port section.

[0030] The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments, however, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin processing device according to an embodiment, as viewed from above and in front. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coin processing device according to the embodiment, as viewed from the front below. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the coin handling unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the configuration of a position detection mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view of a storage section according to the embodiment, and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of a cam, an inner guide member, and an outer guide member according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the rear portion of the front panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a coin processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 8(a) to 8(c) are diagrams for explaining the deposit process according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 9(a) to 9(c) are diagrams for explaining the deposit process according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the deposit process according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a coin storing process executed by the control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the feeding process executed by the control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a state information update process executed by the control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] 14(a) and 14(b) are diagrams for explaining the dispensing process according to the embodiment, and FIG. 14(c) is a diagram for explaining the collecting process according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by the control unit for the reconciliation process according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a return process executed by the control unit when returning a coin from the receiving unit to the storage unit in the reconciliation process according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] 17(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the reconciliation process according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the coin storing process executed by the control unit according to the first modification. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a specified number of times setting process executed by the control unit according to the second modification. [Figure 20] 20(a) is a flowchart showing a re-identification on / off setting process executed by the control unit according to Modification 3. FIG. 20(b) is a flowchart showing a coin storage process executed by the control unit according to Modification 3. [Figure 21] Fig. 21(a) is a flowchart showing a coin storing process executed during a deposit process and a coin storing process executed during a replenishment process according to Modification Example 4. Fig. 21(b) is a flowchart showing a coin storing process executed during a replenishment process according to Modification Example 5. [Figure 22] Figure 22(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the dispensing outlet and receiving section according to Modification 6. Figure 22(b) is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control section in the dispensing process according to Modification 6. [Figure 23] 23(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the payout process according to the sixth modification. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a coin storing process executed by the control unit during a deposit process according to the seventh modification. [Figure 25] 25(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the coin storage process during the deposit process according to the seventh modified example. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the inspection interruption process executed by the control unit according to the eighth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Hereinafter, a coin processing device that is one embodiment of the currency processing device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the coin processing device 1 as seen from above the front. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the coin processing device 1 as seen from below the front.

[0034] The coin processing device 1 processes coins, such as depositing and dispensing. For example, the coin processing device 1 may be combined with an information terminal device for performing settlement operations for transaction objects such as merchandise and a banknote processing device for performing processes such as depositing and dispensing banknotes to form a self-checkout or semi-self-checkout device installed in a retail store such as a supermarket, or an automatic payment device (kiosk) installed in a restaurant or the like. In this case, the coin processing device 1 functions as a coin change machine, accepting coins deposited as fees for transaction objects such as merchandise, and dispensing coins as change.

[0035] The coin processing device 1 includes a housing 100 that forms an outer shell. The housing 100, i.e., the coin processing device 1, has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a depth dimension (front-to-back direction) greater than a width dimension (left-to-right direction) and a height dimension (up-to-down direction) greater than the depth and width dimensions. The housing 100 includes a main body 110 with openings on the front side and front surface of the top surface, a top panel 120 that covers the opening on the top surface of the main body 110, and a front panel 130 that covers the opening on the front surface of the main body 110. A front surface 131 of the front panel 130 forms the front surface of the housing 100, i.e., the coin processing device 1.

[0036] Top panel 120 has top lid 121. Top lid 121 can be opened upwards around its rear end as an axis. Top panel 120 has deposit port 140 provided on top lid 121. Deposit port 140 has a circular shape and has a roughly rectangular insertion port 141 in the center through which coins are inserted. Deposit port 140 is recessed in a mortar shape toward insertion port 141.

[0037] Coins can be inserted one by one through the insertion port 141. The coins are stored in a hopper 210 located below the insertion port 141. Furthermore, by manually opening the top cover 121, more coins can be inserted directly into the hopper 210.

[0038] The front panel 130 is composed of a lower first member 130a and an upper second member 130b. The first member 130a has a substantially rectangular plate shape. The second member 130b has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, is thicker in the front-to-rear direction than the first member 130a, and is configured so that its thickness increases toward the bottom. Due to this configuration of the front panel 130, the upper side of the front face 131 of the housing 100, i.e., the coin processing device 1, bulges forward.

[0039] The front surface 131 of the coin processing device 1 (the front surface of the front panel 130) includes a first surface 131a, a second surface 131b located above the first surface 131a and projecting forward from the first surface 131a, and a downward-facing third surface 131c connecting the second surface 131b and the first surface 131a. The second surface 131b is inclined slightly backward with respect to the vertical direction. The third surface 131c faces diagonally downward and forward. The corner between the second surface 131b and the third surface 131c has a large R.

[0040] A payout outlet section 150 is provided on the second surface 131b of the front surface 131 of the coin processing device 1. The payout outlet section 150 is formed in a hollow shape recessed rearward, and has a tray 151 at the bottom for receiving coins. A payout outlet 152 is provided on the right side surface of the payout outlet section 150. Coins that are dispensed as change from the storage section 500 are ejected from the payout outlet 152 and accumulated in the tray 151. Furthermore, a reject port 153 is provided on the left side surface of the payout outlet section 150. Abnormal rejected coins inserted through the insertion port 141 are ejected from the reject port 153 and accumulated in the tray 151. In other words, the payout outlet section 150 also functions as a return port through which coins that are currency are returned as rejected coins. Coins returned to the payout outlet section 150 can be taken out.

[0041] A collection opening 160 is provided at the right end of the third surface 131c of the front surface 131 of the coin processing device 1. The collection opening 160 is a substantially square opening. Coins collected from the storage unit 500 are discharged downward from the collection opening 160.

[0042] Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the coin processing unit 10. For convenience, in Fig. 3, the deposit port section 140 is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0043] The coin processing unit 10 is disposed inside the housing 100. A front panel 130 is fixed to the front of the coin processing unit 10. This integrates the coin processing unit 10 and the front panel 130. The coin processing unit 10 together with the front panel 130 can be pulled out toward the front of the housing 100, i.e., the main body 110.

[0044] The coin processing unit 10 includes a receiving section 200, a transport section 300, a recognition section 400, and seven (plurality of) storage sections 500.

[0045] The receiving unit 200 is disposed below the deposit port 140, receives coins inserted through the insertion port 141, and delivers the coins one by one to the conveyance path 310 of the conveyance unit 300. The receiving unit 200 includes a hopper 210, a conveyor 220, a payout cam 230, and an opening / closing member 240. The conveyor 220, the payout cam 230, and the opening / closing member 240 are each driven by a drive mechanism including a drive source. The hopper 210 receives the inserted coins. The conveyor 220 is disposed at the bottom of the hopper 210, and delivers the coins to the payout cam 230 at the rear. The payout cam 230 delivers the coins received from the conveyor 220 to the conveyance path 310 through the outlet 201. The open / close member 240 opens the outlet 201 (solid line in FIG. 3) when coins are dispensed from the receiving unit 200 to the transport path 310, and closes the outlet 201 (dashed line in FIG. 3) when coins are not dispensed. The receiving unit 200 is a deposit unit that accepts coins inserted from outside and dispenses them to the transport path 310.

[0046] The transport unit 300 transports coins dispensed from the receiving unit 200 to each storage unit 500. The transport unit 300 also transports coins dispensed from each storage unit 500 to a dispensing / discharging outlet 313 connected to the payout outlet 150 and the recovery outlet 160. The transport unit 300 includes a transport path 310, a transport mechanism 320, seven (plural) storage / diverting mechanisms 330, a dispensing / diverting mechanism 340, a reject diverting mechanism 350, and a hopper diverting mechanism 360.

[0047] The conveyance path 310 is formed around the receiving unit 200 in a circular shape that is long in the front-rear direction. This allows coins to circulate around the circular conveyance path 310. The conveyance path 310 has appropriate side walls 312 on both sides of its conveyance surface 311 to prevent coins from falling off the conveyance path 310. A substantially square-shaped dispensing outlet 313 is provided at the front right corner of the conveyance path 310, and a substantially square-shaped reject outlet 314 is provided at the front left corner. In addition, the entrance of a chute 362 that connects to the hopper 210 is connected to the front center of the conveyance path 310. Furthermore, corner guides 315 and 316 are arranged on the outer peripheries of the right and left rear corners of the conveyance path 310, respectively. The corner guides 315 and 316 extend in an arc shape along the outer peripheries of the corners.

[0048] The conveying mechanism 320 includes four pulleys 321 and a circulating belt 322. The four pulleys 321 are arranged inside the four corners of the conveying path 310. The circulating belt 322 has a long ring shape in the front-rear direction, and is stretched between the four pulleys 321, thereby being arranged above the conveying surface 311. A plurality of protrusions 323 for conveying coins are provided at equal intervals on the underside of the circulating belt 322. The number of protrusions 323 can be, for example, about 10. Note that only one protrusion 323 is shown in FIG. 3.

[0049] Power is transmitted to one pulley 321 from the drive motor of the conveying mechanism 320, causing the pulley 321 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. As shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 3, when the pulley 321 rotates clockwise, the circulating belt 322 rotates clockwise, and the coins on the conveying path 310 are pushed by the protrusions 323 of the circulating belt 322 and move clockwise. On the other hand, as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 3, when the pulley 321 rotates counterclockwise, the circulating belt 322 rotates counterclockwise, causing the coins on the conveying path 310 to move counterclockwise. During a deposit process, the circulating belt 322 rotates counterclockwise, and during a withdrawal process (dispensing process, collection process), the circulating belt 322 rotates clockwise.

[0050] The seven storing / diverting mechanisms 330 each include a diverting member 331, and distribute coins flowing through the conveying path 310 to the corresponding storage units 500. Five diverting members 331 are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction in a portion of the conveying path 310 between the front and rear pulleys 321 on the right side. The positions of the five diverting members 331 correspond to the five storage units 500, respectively. Two diverting members 331 are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction in a portion of the conveying path 310 between the front left pulley 321 and the recognition unit 400. The positions of the two diverting members 331 correspond to the two storage units 500, respectively. Each diverting member 331 is switched between a state in which it protrudes from the conveying surface 311 and a state in which it does not protrude from the conveying surface 311 by a drive mechanism including a drive source.

[0051] The dispensing diverting mechanism 340 includes a diverting member 341. The diverting member 341 covers the dispensing discharge outlet 313 outside the circulating belt 322. This closes the dispensing discharge outlet 313 to the extent that coins cannot enter through it. The diverting member 341 is opened and closed in the vertical direction about a rotation shaft 341a by a drive mechanism including a drive source. When the diverting member 341 is opened to open the dispensing discharge outlet 313, coins can enter the dispensing discharge outlet 313. The diverting member 341 is provided with a corner guide portion 342 at a position that forms the outer periphery of the right front corner of the conveyance path 310. The corner guide portion 342 extends in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the corner.

[0052] The reject diverting mechanism 350 includes a diverting member 351. The diverting member 351 covers the reject discharge outlet 314 outside the circulating belt 322. This closes the reject discharge outlet 314 to the extent that coins cannot enter. The diverting member 351 is opened and closed in the vertical direction around its rotation shaft 351a by a drive mechanism including a drive source. When the diverting member 351 is opened and the reject discharge outlet 314 is opened, coins can enter the reject discharge outlet 314. The diverting member 351 is provided with a corner guide portion 352 at a position that forms the outer periphery of the left front corner of the conveying path 310. The corner guide portion 352 extends in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the corner.

[0053] The hopper diverting mechanism 360 includes a diverting member 361 and a chute 362. The chute 362 has an entrance connected to the conveying path 310 and is inclined downward and rearward toward the hopper 210 of the receiving unit 200. The diverting member 361 covers the entrance of the chute 362 on the inner side of the circulating belt 322. This closes the entrance of the chute 362 to the extent that coins cannot enter. The diverting member 361 is opened and closed in the vertical direction about its rotation shaft 361a by a drive mechanism including a drive source. When the diverting member 361 is opened and the entrance of the chute 362 is free, coins can fall into the hopper 210 through the chute 362.

[0054] The conveying section 300 includes a position detecting mechanism 370 for detecting the distance between the two protrusions 323 of the circulating belt 322 on the conveying path 310, that is, the distance between the protrusions.

[0055] 4(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the position detection mechanism 370. Fig. 4(a) is a diagram of the position detection mechanism 370 as viewed from the front of the light blocking plate 371, and Fig. 4(b) is a diagram of the position detection mechanism 370 as viewed from the P direction in Fig. 4(a). The position detection mechanism 370 includes a light blocking plate 371 and a photosensor 372. The light blocking plate 371 has a disk shape and is connected to one pulley 321 via a reduction gear mechanism. The light blocking plate 371 rotates in conjunction with the circulating belt 322, completing one rotation when the circulating belt 322 makes one revolution.

[0056] Light-transmitting sections 371a and light-blocking sections 371b are formed alternately in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral edge of light-blocking plate 371, the number of which corresponds to the number of spaces between the protrusions of circulating belt 322. The lengths of light-transmitting sections 371a and light-blocking sections 371b correspond to the lengths between the protrusions. Light-transmitting sections 371a are formed, for example, by openings. Light-transmitting sections 371a may also be formed by notches.

[0057] 4(a), in accordance with the explanation of the deposit process using FIGS. 8(a) to 10(b) below, the circulating belt 322 has four protrusions 323, resulting in four inter-protrusion spaces, and therefore the light-shielding plate 371 has two light-transmitting sections 371a and two light-shielding sections 371b. However, in reality, the number of protrusions 323 on the circulating belt 322 will be greater than the above (for example, about 10). Therefore, the number of light-transmitting sections 371a and light-shielding sections 371b on the light-shielding plate 371 will be greater than the above.

[0058] Photosensor 372 includes a light-emitting element 372a and a light-receiving element 372b, and is disposed on the outer periphery of light-shielding plate 371. While light-transmitting section 371a of light-shielding plate 371 passes through photosensor 372, light from light-emitting element 372a passes through light-transmitting section 371a and reaches light-receiving element 372b. This allows photosensor 372 to detect light-transmitting section 371a. While light-shielding section 371b of light-shielding plate 371 passes through photosensor 372, light from light-emitting element 372a is blocked by light-shielding section 371b and does not reach light-receiving element 372b. This allows photosensor 372 to detect light-shielding section 371b. In this way, while circulating belt 322 is rotating, position detection mechanism 370 sequentially detects the gaps between each of the protrusions on circulating belt 322.

[0059] Returning to FIG. 3 , the recognition unit 400 is disposed on the conveyance path 310 between the left rear pulley 321 and the diverter 331. The recognition unit 400 is configured with sensors such as optical sensors or magnetic sensors, and recognizes the attributes of coins flowing on the conveyance path 310 and outputs the recognition results. The recognized attributes include the coin's authenticity, denomination, fitness, etc. The seven storage and diverter mechanisms 330 and the reject and diverter mechanism 350 operate according to the recognition results from the recognition unit 400. Furthermore, the recognition unit 400 also counts the coins.

[0060] As a result of the recognition by the recognition unit 400, coins that are genuine, undamaged, and whose denomination can be identified are determined to be normal coins, while counterfeit coins, damaged coins, or coins whose denomination cannot be identified are determined to be abnormal coins.

[0061] The seven storage units 500 store coins dispensed from the receiving unit 200 and transported along the transport path 310 during a deposit process, and dispense coins one by one onto the transport path 310 during a withdrawal process (during a dispensing process or a collecting process). Each storage unit 500 stores coins by denomination. For example, six storage units 500 are assigned to 500-yen coins, 100-yen coins, 50-yen coins, 10-yen coins, 5-yen coins, and 1-yen coins, respectively, and the remaining storage unit 500 is assigned to 100-yen coins or 10-yen coins. It is also possible to operate in such a way that coins of mixed denominations are stored in some or all of the storage units 500. The storage units 500 are currency storage units that store coins, which are currency.

[0062] Two storage units 500 are arranged on the left side of the conveying path 310, side by side with their corresponding branching members 331. Five storage units 500 are arranged on the right side of the conveying path 310, side by side with their corresponding branching members 331.

[0063] Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view of the storage unit 500, and Fig. 5(b) is a perspective view of the cam 550, the inner guide member 560, and the outer guide member 570. Note that Fig. 5(a) shows the outer guide member 570 and the housing 510 in a transparent state. Furthermore, Fig. 5(a) depicts the housing 510 as being short in the vertical direction.

[0064] Referring to Figures 5(a) and (b) in addition to Figure 3, each storage section 500 includes a housing 510, a stage 520, a lifting member 530, a spring 540, a cam 550, an inner guide member 560, and an outer guide member 570.

[0065] Housing 510 has a cylindrical shape that extends long in the vertical direction. Stage 520 is disposed within housing 510. A plurality of coins are stored within housing 510 in a stacked state on stage 520. Elevating member 530 is disposed below stage 520. Spring 540 is interposed between stage 520 and elevating member 530. A linear motor is attached to the bottom of elevating member 530, and elevating member 530 rises and falls due to the operation of this linear motor. When elevating member 530 rises and falls, stage 520 rises and falls.

[0066] Cam 550 is disposed near the entrance of housing 510. Cam 550 rotates about rotation shaft 551 extending in the vertical direction by the driving force of a drive motor provided in storage section 500. Cam 550 is provided with three protrusions 552 that protrude downward.

[0067] During the deposit process, cam 550 rotates clockwise as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in Figure 3. Coins flowing along conveyance path 310 and sorted by diverter 331 to storage unit 500 are pushed by protrusion 552 of rotating cam 550 and stored in storage unit 500, i.e., housing 510. Each time a coin is stored in housing 510, stage 520 descends by the thickness of one coin. Note that each diverter 331 protrudes so that coins can be sorted to storage unit 500 when a coin is detected by a passage sensor corresponding to each diverter 331, which is located upstream in the rotation direction of circulating belt 322 during the deposit process.

[0068] During the dispensing process (paying process, collecting process), cam 550 rotates counterclockwise as shown by the two-dot chain arrow in Figure 3. Coins that have come out onto housing 510 are pushed by protruding portion 552 of rotating cam 550 and fed into conveyance path 310. Each time a coin is fed by cam 550, stage 520 rises by the thickness of one coin.

[0069] The inner guide member 560 and the outer guide member 570 are disposed above the housing 510 and hold down the coins stacked on the stage 520 from above to prevent the coins from flying out from the housing 510. The inner guide member 560 is located below the cam 550, i.e., inside the cam 550, and the outer guide member 570 is located outside the cam 550. A gap is formed between the inner guide member 560 and the outer guide member 570, and the protrusion 552 of the cam 550 passes through this gap.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the rear portion of the front panel 130.

[0071] In addition to the above configuration, the coin processing unit 10 also includes a dispensing chute 600 and a path switching unit 700. The dispensing chute 600 is disposed between the dispensing discharge port 313 of the transport path 310 and the payout port 150 and recovery port 160. The dispensing chute 600 extends downward from the dispensing discharge port 313 and branches into two paths 601 and 602 along the way. One path 601 connects to the payout port 150, and the other path 602 connects to the recovery port 160.

[0072] The path switching unit 700 includes a diverting member 710 that is arranged at a branching point of the dispensing chute 600. The diverting member 710 is driven by a drive mechanism that includes a drive source. When the diverting member 710 blocks the other path 602, coins from the dispensing discharge port 313 are guided to the payout port unit 150, and when the diverting member 710 blocks one path 601, coins from the dispensing discharge port 313 are guided to the recovery port unit 160.

[0073] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the coin processing device 1.

[0074] The coin processing device 1 includes a control unit 810, a storage unit 820, a sound output unit 830, and a communication unit 840 in addition to the above-mentioned components.

[0075] The sound output unit 830 includes a speaker or the like, and outputs sounds such as voice, alarm sounds, buzzer sounds, etc. The communication unit 840 communicates with the information terminal device 2. The information terminal device 2 has an operation display unit 21 consisting of a touch panel or the like, and the operation display unit 21 displays various screens and accepts various operations on the screen.

[0076] The control unit 810 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 810 controls the receiving unit 200, the transport unit 300, the storage unit 500, the path switching unit 700, the sound output unit 830, the communication unit 840, etc., in accordance with an operation program stored in a memory unit 820, based on signals from the recognition unit 400, the position detection mechanism 370, etc. The memory unit 820 includes storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk, and stores the operation program for the control unit 810, and is also used as a work area during control processing by the control unit 810.

[0077] When functioning as a coin change machine, the coin processing device 1 can execute a deposit process for accepting coins to be used as a fee for a transaction, and a dispensing process for dispensing coins to be used as change. The coin processing device 1 can also execute a replenishment process for replenishing coins in the seven storage units 500, and a collection process for collecting coins from the seven storage units 500. Furthermore, the coin processing device 1 can execute a reconciliation process for reconciling whether the amount of coins stored in the seven storage units 500 matches the amount data stored in the memory unit 820. The dispensing process and the collection process are dispensing processes for dispensing coins stored in the storage units 500 out of the coin processing device 1.

[0078] <Deposit processing> 8(a) to 10(b) are diagrams for explaining the deposit process.

[0079] For convenience, the following description of the deposit process will be given assuming that the number of protrusions 323 on the circulating belt 322 is four. Also, assume that five coins are deposited, and that the first coin dispensed from the receiving unit 200 is a rejected coin.

[0080] During the deposit process, coins are inserted into the insertion port 141 of the deposit port section 140. The inserted coins are accumulated in the hopper 210 of the receiving section 200. The insertion of the coins is detected by an insertion detection sensor, and the deposit process begins. The conveyor 220 of the receiving section 200 starts operating, and the coins in the hopper 210 move to the position of the payout cam 230. In addition, the circulating belt 322 starts to rotate counterclockwise, and in conjunction with this, the light shielding plate 371 rotates.

[0081] 8(a), when the photosensor 372 detects a change between the light transmitting section 371a and the light blocking section 371b of the light blocking plate 371, for example, a change from the light blocking section 371b to the light transmitting section 371a, among the four protrusion spaces of the circulating belt 322, the protrusion space at the position of the payout cam 230, i.e., the position where the coin is paid out from the receiving section 200, is assigned to the protrusion space 1, and the remaining three protrusion spaces in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the circulating belt 322 are assigned to the protrusion space 2, the protrusion space 3, and the protrusion space 4. In addition, the protrusions 323 on the rear side in the conveying direction of the protrusion spaces 1 to 4 are assigned to the first protrusion P1 to the fourth protrusion P4, respectively. Furthermore, light-transmitting section 371a detected by photosensor 372 is assigned to section 1, and in the opposite rotational direction from section 1, light-shielded section 371b, light-transmitting section 371a, and light-shielded section 371b are assigned to sections 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Sections 1 to 4 correspond to inter-protrusion spaces 1 to 4, respectively. As the spaces between the protrusions move, the sections detected by photosensor 372 move.

[0082] 8(a), status information 821 is stored in the memory unit 820 in association with the inter-protrusion spaces 1 to 4, i.e., the first protrusion P1 to the fourth protrusion P4. The control unit 810 also includes a counting unit 811 associated with the inter-protrusion spaces 1 to 4.

[0083] The status information 821 includes "present" information indicating that a coin is present on the protrusion 323, denomination information indicating the denomination of the coin present on the protrusion 323, "RJ" information indicating that the coin present on the protrusion 323 is a rejected coin, and "absent" information indicating that no coin is present on the protrusion 323. The status information 821 can be used to determine whether the protrusion 323 is currently transporting a coin. That is, if "present" information, denomination information, or "RJ" information is stored as the status information 821, it can be determined that the protrusion 323 associated with the status information 821 is currently transporting a coin, and if "absent" information is stored as the status information 821, it can be determined that the protrusion 323 associated with the status information 821 is not currently transporting a coin.

[0084] The counting unit 811 counts the number of times that the recognition unit 400 has recognized a coin as abnormal, i.e., a rejected coin (not confirmed). When the count value of the counting unit 811 reaches a specified number of times, the coin is confirmed as a rejected coin and becomes eligible for return to the payout outlet unit 150. In this explanation, the specified number of times is set to two.

[0085] At the start of the deposit process, the state information 821 is "none" information for all of the projection gaps 1 to 4, and the value of the count section 811 is "0".

[0086] As shown in FIG. 8(b), while the photosensor 372 is detecting section 1, the first protrusion P1 passes through the position where coins are dispensed from the receiving unit 200. Since the status information 821 for the gap 1 is "absent," it is determined that the first protrusion P1 is not transporting a coin. The coin is dispensed from the receiving unit 200 by the payout cam 230 and transported by the first protrusion P1. The status information 821 for the gap 1 is updated to "present."

[0087] Next, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the photosensor 372 detects section 2. During this time, the first protrusion P1 passes the recognition unit 400, and the second protrusion P2 passes the payout position. As a result of recognition by the recognition unit 400, the coin at the first protrusion P1 is recognized as an abnormal coin, i.e., a rejected coin, and the status information 821 for the gap between protrusions 1 is updated to "RJ" information. In addition, the value of the count unit 811 for the gap between protrusions 1 becomes "1." Since the status information 821 for the gap between protrusions 2 is "absent," it is determined that the second protrusion P2 is not currently transporting a coin. A coin is dispensed from the receiving unit 200 and transported by the second protrusion P2. The status information 821 for the gap between protrusions 2 is updated to "present" information.

[0088] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the photosensor 372 detects section 3. During this time, the first protrusion P1 passes through the reject discharge port 314, the second protrusion P2 passes through the recognition unit 400, and the third protrusion P3 passes through the payout position. The coin at the first protrusion P1 has a value of "1" in the counting unit 811, and is not confirmed as a rejected coin. Therefore, the reject discharge port 314 is not opened, and the coin passes through the reject discharge port 314 as is. As a result of recognition by the recognition unit 400, the denomination of the coin at the second protrusion P2 is identified as 500 yen, and the status information 821 for the space between protrusions 2 is updated to denomination information of "500." Since the status information 821 for the space between protrusions 3 is "none," it is determined that the third protrusion P3 is not currently transporting a coin. The coin is dispensed from the receiving unit 200 and transported by the third protrusion P3. The status information 821 for the projection gap 3 is updated to "present" information.

[0089] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the photosensor 372 detects section 4. During this time, the second protrusion P2 passes through the storage section 500, which is assigned the 500 yen denomination, the third protrusion P3 passes through the recognition section 400, and the fourth protrusion P4 passes through the payout position. The 500 yen coin at the second protrusion P2 is stored in the storage section 500, and the status information 821 for the section between protrusions 2 is updated to "absent." As a result of recognition by the recognition section 400, the denomination of the coin at the third protrusion P3 is recognized as 10 yen, and the status information 821 for the section between protrusions 3 is updated to denomination information of "10." Since the status information 821 for the section between protrusions 4 is "absent," it is determined that the fourth protrusion P4 is not currently transporting a coin. A coin is dispensed from the receiving section 200 and transported by the fourth protrusion P4. The status information 821 for the section between protrusions 4 is updated to "present."

[0090] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the circulating belt 322 makes one revolution, the light shielding plate 371 makes one revolution, and the photosensor 372 again detects section 1. During this time, the fourth protrusion P4 passes the recognition unit 400, and the first protrusion P1 passes the payout position. As a result of recognition by the recognition unit 400, the denomination of the coin at the fourth protrusion P4 is recognized as 100 yen, and the status information 821 for the space between protrusions 4 is updated to denomination information of "100." Because the status information 821 for the space between protrusions 1 is "RJ," it is determined that the first protrusion P1 is currently conveying a coin. As a result, no coins are paid out from the receiving unit 200, and the first protrusion P1 passes the payout position while holding the rejected coin.

[0091] Next, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the photosensor 372 detects section 2 again. During this time, the third protrusion P3 passes through the storage section 500 assigned to the 10-yen denomination, the first protrusion P1 passes through the recognition section 400, and the second protrusion P2 passes through the payout position. The 10-yen coin at the third protrusion P3 is stored in the storage section 500, and the status information 821 for the section between protrusions 3 is updated to "absent." As a result of recognition by the recognition section 400, the coin at the first protrusion P1 is again recognized as a rejected coin. The value of the count section 811 for the section between protrusions 1 becomes "2," which reaches the specified number of times and confirms that it is a rejected coin. Since the status information 821 for the section between protrusions 2 is "absent," it is determined that the second protrusion P2 is not currently conveying a coin. The coin is dispensed from the receiving section 200 and conveyed by the second protrusion P2. The status information 821 for the projection gap 2 is updated to "present" information.

[0092] Next, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the photosensor 372 detects section 3 again. During this time, the fourth protrusion P4 passes through the storage section 500 assigned to the 100 yen denomination, the first protrusion P1 passes through the reject discharge port 314, the second protrusion P2 passes through the recognition section 400, and the third protrusion P3 passes through the payout position. The 100 yen coin at the fourth protrusion P4 is stored in the storage section 500, and the status information 821 for the section between protrusions 4 is updated to "absent." The coin at the first protrusion P1 is determined to be a rejected coin. Therefore, the reject discharge port 314 is opened, and the rejected coin is discharged from the reject discharge port 314 and returned to the payout port 150. The status information 821 for the section between protrusions 1 is updated to "absent." As a result of the recognition by the recognition unit 400, the denomination of the coin at the second protrusion P2 is recognized as 50 yen, and the status information 821 for the space between protrusions 4 is updated to denomination information of "50." The status information 821 for the space between protrusions 3 is "none," and although the third protrusion P3 is not currently transporting coins, all coins have been dispensed from the receiving unit 200, so no coins are being dispensed to the third protrusion P3.

[0093] Thereafter, the second protrusion P2 passes through the storage section 500 allocated to 50 yen coins, and the 50 yen coin on the second protrusion P2 is stored in the storage section 500. The status information 821 for the space between protrusions 2 is updated to "none." Thus, the conveyor 220 and the circulating belt 322 stop, and the deposit process is interrupted.

[0094] When a rejected coin returned to the payout outlet 150 or a coin of the same denomination to replace it is re-inserted into the receiving section 200, the deposit process resumes, the conveyor 220 and the circulating belt 322 start operating, and the re-inserted coin is transported to the storage section 500 corresponding to its denomination.

[0095] 10(a), if the recognition unit 400 recognizes that the coin at the first protrusion P1 is a normal coin, the value of the count unit 811 at the gap 1 is reset to "0," and the status information 821 at the gap 1 is updated to the denomination information of the recognized denomination. Thereafter, the coin at the first protrusion P1 is stored in the storage unit 500 corresponding to that denomination.

[0096] When all coins have been stored in the storage units 500 and an approval operation has been performed on the screen of the operation display unit 21 of the information terminal device 2, the inventory data of each storage unit 500 stored in the memory unit 820 is updated based on the number of coins stored in each storage unit 500. In this way, the deposit process is completed.

[0097] When a return operation is performed on the screen of the operation display unit 21 of the information terminal device 2, the number of coins previously stored is dispensed from each storage unit 500, transported along the transport path 310, and returned to the payout outlet unit 150 through the dispensing chute 600.

[0098] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the coin storage process executed by the control unit 810.

[0099] In the deposit process, the control unit 810 executes a coin storing process to store the coins inserted into the receiving unit 200 in the storing unit 500.

[0100] 11, the control unit 810 dispenses coins from the receiving unit 200 onto the conveying path 310 along which the circulating belt 322 rotates (S101). At this time, the control unit 810 executes a dispensing process, which will be described later, and prevents coins from being dispensed from the receiving unit 200 if the protrusion 323 that will next move to the dispensing position is currently conveying a coin.

[0101] Next, the control unit 810 uses the recognition unit 400 to recognize the attributes of the coins flowing through the conveyance path 310 and counts the coins (S102). If the recognition by the recognition unit 400 indicates that the coins are normal (S103: YES), the control unit 810 conveys the normal coins to the storage unit 500 corresponding to their denominations and stores them therein (S104).

[0102] On the other hand, if the recognition result of the recognition unit 400 indicates that the coin is abnormal (S103: NO), the control unit 810 increments the number of abnormality recognitions for the protrusion 323 that transports the coin, i.e., the value of the counting unit 811 (S105).Then, the control unit 810 determines whether the number of abnormality recognitions has reached a specified number (for example, 2 times) (S106).

[0103] If the number of times of abnormality recognition does not reach the specified number (S106: NO), the control unit 810 does not confirm the coin recognized as abnormal as a rejected coin, and causes the coin to circulate around the conveyance path 310 and reach the recognition unit 400 again (S107) without returning it to the dispensing outlet unit 150. Then, the control unit 810 causes the recognition unit 400 to re-recognize the coin (S102).

[0104] If an originally normal coin is initially identified as abnormal by the recognition unit 400 due to a problem with the coin's posture during transport or due to foreign matter adhering to the coin, the problem may be resolved while the coin travels around the transport path 310. In such a case, the coin may be identified as normal as a result of re-recognition. If the coin is identified as normal by re-recognition by the recognition unit 400 (S103: YES), the control unit 810 stores the coin in the storage unit 500 (S104).

[0105] On the other hand, a coin that is originally abnormal may be identified as abnormal even if it is re-identified. If the coin is identified as abnormal by the re-identification by the recognition unit 400 (S103: NO), the control unit 810 increments the number of times the coin has been identified as abnormal (S105).

[0106] When the number of times of abnormality identification reaches the specified number of times (S106: YES), the control unit 810 determines the coin identified as abnormal as a rejected coin and returns it to the payout outlet unit 150 (S108).

[0107] The control unit 810 repeats the processes of S101 to S108 until all coins have been dispensed from the receiving unit 200 (S109: NO). That is, the processes of S101 to S108 are performed for each coin inserted into the receiving unit 200. In practice, the processes of S101 to S108 for the next coin are started at a predetermined interval without waiting for the completion of the processes of S101 to S108 for the previous coin.

[0108] When all coins have been dispensed from the receiving unit 200 (S109: YES), the control unit 810 ends the coin storage process.

[0109] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the feeding process executed by the control unit 810.

[0110] 12, the control unit 810 checks the status information 821 in the memory unit 820 associated with the space between the protrusions of the circulating belt 322 from which coins are dispensed from the receiving unit 200 (S201). Then, the control unit 810 determines, based on the status information 821, whether or not the protrusion 323 that will next move to the coin dispensing position from the receiving unit 200 is currently transporting a coin (S202). As described above, if the status information 821 is "none", the coin is not being transported, and if the status information 821 is information other than "none", the coin is being transported.

[0111] If the next moving protrusion 323 is not currently transporting a coin (S202: NO), the control unit 810 dispenses the coin from the receiving unit 200 to the transport path 310 (S203). On the other hand, if the next moving protrusion 323 is currently transporting a coin (S202: YES), the control unit 810 does not dispense the coin from the receiving unit 200 to the transport path 310 (S204). This makes it possible to prevent a new coin from being dispensed from the receiving unit 200 to a protrusion 323 that is already holding a coin.

[0112] In this way, the control unit 810 performs the processes of S201 to S204 each time the next protrusion 323 moves to the dispensing position from the receiving unit 200 until dispensing of all coins from the receiving unit 200 is completed (S205: NO).

[0113] The control unit 810 executes a state information update process to update the state information 821 in the storage unit 820.

[0114] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the state information update process executed by control unit 810.

[0115] 13, when the control unit 810 dispenses a coin from the receiving unit 200 (S301: YES), the control unit 810 stores "present" information in the storage unit 820 as the status information 821 associated with the target projection gap, i.e., the projection 323 (S302). Furthermore, when the control unit 810 identifies the coin using the recognition unit 400 (S303: YES), the control unit 810 stores denomination information or "RJ" information in the storage unit 820 as the status information 821 associated with the target projection 323 (S304). Furthermore, when the coin leaves the projection 323 and is stored in the storage unit 500 or returned to the payout outlet 150 (S305: YES), the control unit 810 stores "absent" information in the storage unit 820 as the status information 821 associated with the target projection 323 (S306). The "present" information, denomination information, and "RJ" information indicate that coins are being transported, and the "absent" information indicates that coins are not being transported.

[0116] The control unit 810 repeats the processes of S301 to S306 until the deposit process is completed (S307: NO).

[0117] <Replenishment process> In the replenishment process, coins to be replenished are inserted into the receiving unit 200 and transported from the receiving unit 200 to the storage unit 500 to be replenished. Therefore, in the replenishment process, the control unit 810 executes the coin storage process shown in Fig. 11, the feeding process shown in Fig. 12, and the status information update process shown in Fig. 13, similar to the deposit process.

[0118] <Payment process> If the amount of coins accepted during the deposit process is greater than the fee amount and change is required in coins, a dispensing process is executed.

[0119] 14(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the payout process.

[0120] When the dispensing process is started, the path switching unit 700 switches the path of the dispensing chute 600 so that it leads to the dispensing outlet unit 150, as shown in FIG. 14(b).

[0121] Next, coins start to be fed from the storage units 500 and transported to the dispensing outlet 313. As shown in FIG. 14(a), coins of the denomination to be given as change are fed from the corresponding storage units 500 to the transport path 310. At this time, the cam 550 rotates counterclockwise, and the coins that have come out of the housing 510 are pushed by the protrusion 552 of the cam 550 and move to the transport path 310. The circulating belt 322 rotates clockwise, and the coins fed from the storage units 500 are transported clockwise along the transport path 310 toward the dispensing outlet 313. At this time, the control unit 810 opens the branching member 341, thereby opening the dispensing outlet 313. As a result, the coins are discharged from the dispensing outlet 313.

[0122] 14(b), coins discharged from the dispensing outlet 313 fall down the dispensing chute 600 and are discharged into the dispensing outlet section 150 from the dispensing outlet 152. The discharged coins are accumulated in the tray 151.

[0123] When the coins for change have been dispensed to the dispensing port 150, the feeding of coins from the storage unit 500 and the transport of coins to the dispensing outlet 313 are stopped. In this way, the dispensing process is completed.

[0124] <Collection processing> When it becomes necessary to collect coins from the storage unit 500, the collection process is carried out when the coin processing device 1 is not being used by customers, such as outside business hours.

[0125] FIG. 14(c) is a diagram for explaining the collection process.

[0126] When starting the collection process, the attendant prepares a collection container 3 with a larger capacity than the tray 151 of the dispensing outlet section 150, and places the container 3 below the collection outlet section 160 by inserting it under the third surface 131c on the front surface 131 of the coin processing device 1.

[0127] When the collection process is started, the path switching unit 700 switches the path of the dispensing chute 600 so that it leads to the collection opening unit 160, as shown in FIG. 14(c).

[0128] Next, coins start to be dispensed from the storage unit 500 and transported to the dispensing outlet 313. As in the case of the dispensing process, the coins dispensed from the target storage unit 500 are transported along the transport path 310 and discharged from the dispensing outlet 313 (see FIG. 14(a)).

[0129] 14(c), coins discharged from the dispensing outlet 313 fall down the dispensing chute 600 and are discharged directly downward from the recovery opening 160. The discharged coins are accumulated in the container 3.

[0130] When all of the collected coins have been discharged from the collection port 160, the feeding of coins from the storage unit 500 and the transport of coins to the dispensing outlet 313 are stopped. In this way, the collection process is completed.

[0131] <Scrutiny processing> The reconciliation process may be performed, for example, during a time period when the coin processing device 1 is not used by customers or is less likely to be used by customers. During the reconciliation process, the receiving unit 200 functions as a reconciliation storage unit to which coins from the storage unit 500 are transferred.

[0132] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit 810 for the reconciliation process. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the return process executed by the control unit 810 when returning coins from the receiving unit 200 to the storage unit 500 during the reconciliation process. Figs. 17(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the reconciliation process.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 15, when the reconciliation process is started, the control unit 810 operates the storage unit 500 and the transport unit 300 to transfer all coins in the storage unit 500 to the receiving unit 200 (S401).

[0134] As shown in Figure 17(a), coins in the storage unit 500 to be inspected are fed out one by one to the conveying path 310 by the rotation of the cam 550. The circulating belt 322 rotates clockwise, and the coins fed out from the storage unit 500 are conveyed clockwise along the conveying path 310 toward the hopper diverting mechanism 360. At this time, the control unit 810 opens the diverting member 361, thereby opening the entrance of the chute 362. As a result, the coins enter the chute 362, pass through the chute 362, and are stored in the hopper 210 of the receiving unit 200.

[0135] Next, the control unit 810 operates the receiving unit 200, the transport unit 300 and the storing unit 500 to return all coins in the receiving unit 200 to the original storing unit 500 (S402).

[0136] As shown in FIG. 17(b), coins accumulated in the hopper 210 are sent by the conveyor 220 and fed out to the transport path 310 by the feed cam 230. The circulating belt 322 rotates counterclockwise, and the coins are transported counterclockwise along the transport path 310 toward the original storage unit 500. The diverter member 331 corresponding to the original storage unit 500 protrudes into the transport path 310, and the cam 550 rotates clockwise. The coins are guided by the diverter member 331 and pushed by the cam 550, and are sent to the housing 510 of the storage unit 500. On the way back from the receiving unit 200 to the storage unit 500, the coins pass through the recognition unit 400, where they are recognized and counted.

[0137] 16 when returning coins from the receiving unit 200 to the storage unit 500. That is, the control unit 810 feeds coins from the receiving unit 200 onto the conveyance path 310 around which the circulating belt 322 rotates (S501), identifies the attributes of the coins flowing on the conveyance path 310 using the recognition unit 400, and counts the coins (S502). Then, if the recognition unit 400 determines that the coin is normal (S503: YES), the control unit 810 transports the normal coin to the original storage unit 500 and stores it (S504).

[0138] On the other hand, if the recognition result of the recognition unit 400 indicates that the coin is abnormal (S503: NO), the control unit 810 increments the number of abnormality recognitions for the protrusion 323 that transports the coin, i.e., the value of the counting unit 811 (S505).Then, the control unit 810 determines whether the number of abnormality recognitions has reached a specified number (for example, 2 times) (S506).

[0139] If the number of times of abnormality recognition does not reach the specified number of times (S506: NO), the control unit 810 does not confirm the coin recognized as abnormal as a rejected coin, but instead causes the coin to circulate around the conveyance path 310 and reach the recognition unit 400 again (S507).The control unit 810 then causes the recognition unit 400 to re-recognize the coin (S502).

[0140] If the coin is recognized as normal by re-identification by the recognition unit 400 (S503: YES), the control unit 810 stores the coin back in the storage unit 500 (S504). On the other hand, if the coin is recognized as abnormal by re-identification by the recognition unit 400 (S503: NO), the control unit 810 increments the number of abnormality recognitions (S505).

[0141] When the number of times that abnormality has been identified reaches a specified number (S506: YES), the control unit 810 determines that the coin identified as abnormal is a rejected coin, stores the fact that a rejected coin has occurred in the memory unit 820 (S508), and stores the rejected coin in the original storage unit 500 (S509).

[0142] The control unit 810 repeats the processes of S501 to S509 until all coins have been dispensed from the receiving unit 200 (S510: NO). In reality, the processes of S501 to S509 for the next coin are started at a predetermined interval without waiting for the completion of the processes of S501 to S509 for the previous coin.

[0143] When all coins have been dispensed from the receiving unit 200 (S510: YES), the control unit 810 ends the return process.

[0144] 16, after one coin is determined to be a rejected coin and the occurrence of the rejected coin is stored in the memory unit 820, even if a new coin is identified as abnormal in S503, the control unit 810 does not perform the processes of S505 to S508 for that coin, and stores the coin in the original storage unit 500. As a result, after the rejected coin is determined, the coin does not have to be circulated for re-identification, and the time required to store the coin in the original storage unit 500 is shortened.

[0145] 15, when all coins have been returned from the receiving unit 200 to the storage unit 500, the control unit 810 determines whether or not the occurrence of rejected coins has been stored in the memory unit 820 (S403). If the occurrence of rejected coins has not been stored (S403: NO), the control unit 810 determines whether or not the counting result by the recognition unit 400, i.e., the amount of coins in the storage unit 500, matches the amount data stored in the memory unit 820 (S404).

[0146] If the counting result matches the cash data (S404: YES), the control unit 810 notifies the user of the operation and display unit 21 of the information terminal device 2 that they match (S405), and if the counting result does not match the cash data (S404: NO), the control unit 810 notifies the user of the operation and display unit 21 that they do not match (S406).

[0147] On the other hand, if the occurrence of a rejected coin is stored in the memory unit 820 (S403: YES), the control unit 810 notifies the operation display unit 21 that the occurrence of a rejected coin has caused the amount of coins in the storage unit 500 to differ from the amount data.

[0148] In this way, the reconciliation process is completed. Similarly, the reconciliation process is performed on the other storage units 500 to be reconciled.

[0149] 16, the advance processing in FIG. 12 and the state information update processing in FIG. 13 are executed in parallel.

[0150] In the storage unit 500 where the rejected coin occurred, a re-inspection process is carried out in the presence of an attendant. In this re-inspection process, when coins are returned from the receiving unit 200 to the storage unit 500, any coins that are identified as abnormal by the recognition unit 400 are immediately determined to be rejected coins and returned to the payout port unit 150. This allows the attendant to remove the returned rejected coins from the payout port unit 150 and check them.

[0151] <Effects of the embodiment> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0152] In the coin storage process in which coins accepted by the receiving unit 200 are stored in the storage unit 500, coins that have been identified as abnormal by the recognition unit 400 are circulated around the conveyance path 310 and re-identified at least once by the recognition unit 400, and based on the results of the re-identification, the coins are returned to the dispensing outlet 150. This makes it easier for coins that are actually normal to be identified as normal coins through re-identification, and easier for them to be stored in the storage unit 500. This reduces the likelihood of rejected coins being returned to the dispensing outlet 150.

[0153] Furthermore, coins that are identified as abnormal by the recognition unit 400 and have been identified as abnormal multiple times but have not reached the specified number of times are re-identified by the recognition unit 400, and coins whose abnormality has been identified the specified number of times are returned to the dispensing outlet unit 150. In this way, coins that are originally abnormal can be returned to the dispensing outlet unit 150 when their abnormality identification count reaches the specified number of times.

[0154] Furthermore, during the reconciliation process, when coins are returned from the receiving unit 200 to the storage unit 500, coins that have been identified as abnormal by the recognition unit 400 are circulated along the transport path 310 and re-identified by the recognition unit 400. This makes it easier for coins that are actually normal to be identified as normal through re-identification, making it less likely that inconsistencies in the cash inventory data caused by rejected coins will occur. This reduces the frequency with which the reconciliation process needs to be performed again.

[0155] Furthermore, if the re-identification by the recognition unit 400 determines that the coin identified as abnormal is a rejected coin, a notification is sent to the effect that the amount of coins in the storage unit 500 does not match the amount data due to the occurrence of the rejected coin. This allows staff to understand that the occurrence of the rejected coin has caused a discrepancy with the amount data.

[0156] Furthermore, when a coin is dispensed from receiving unit 200 to protrusion 323 while circulating belt 322 is rotating, information indicating that a coin is being transported is stored in storage unit 820 as status information 821, and when the coin being transported by protrusion 323 moves away from protrusion 323, information indicating that a coin is not being transported is stored in storage unit 820 as status information 821. Then, receiving unit 200 is controlled to dispense a coin to protrusion 323 that is determined not to be transporting a coin based on the status information 821. This makes it possible to prevent receiving unit 200 from newly dispensing a coin to protrusion 323 that is already holding a coin. Moreover, it is not necessary to arrange a sensor near receiving unit 200 on transport path 310 to detect whether protrusion 323 is holding a coin.

[0157] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications other than those described above are possible for the embodiments of the present invention.

[0158] <Change example 1> FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the coin storing process executed by the control unit 810 according to the first modification.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 18 , in this modified example 1, the control unit 810 determines a coin identified as abnormal as a rejected coin based on the fact that the number of abnormality identifications has reached a specified number, and after returning the coin to the dispensing outlet unit 150, performs a notification process to notify the user that the returned rejected coin cannot be used (S121). For example, as the notification process, the control unit 810 causes the operation display unit 21 of the information terminal device 2 to display a screen containing a message such as "This coin cannot be used." As the notification process, the control unit 810 may output the above message as audio from the sound output unit 830. Furthermore, the coin processing device 1 may be provided with a display unit, and the display unit may display a message that the returned rejected coin cannot be used.

[0160] This makes it easier for the user to quickly prepare a coin of the same denomination to replace the rejected coin and re-insert it into the coin processing device 1.

[0161] <Change example 2> FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the specified number of times setting process executed by the control unit 810 according to the second modification.

[0162] In this modified example, an attendant or the like can set the number of re-identifications to be performed by the recognition unit 400 before the coin is returned to the payout outlet unit 150 as a rejected coin by setting the specified number of times used for the judgment in S106 of the coin storage process in Figure 11 to the desired number.

[0163] 19, the control unit 810 receives input of the number of times to be the specified number of times (S601). At this time, the operation display unit 21 of the information terminal device 2 functions as an input unit, and the number of times is input via a setting screen displayed on the operation display unit 21. The input number of times is transmitted from the information terminal device 2 to the control unit 810. When the control unit 810 has completed receiving the number of times (S602: YES), it sets the received number of times to the specified number of times (S603).

[0164] The coin processing device 1 may be provided with an input unit such as a touch panel, and the number of times may be input to the input unit.

[0165] <Change example 3> Fig. 20(a) is a flowchart showing a re-identification on / off setting process executed by the control unit 810 according to Modification 3. Fig. 20(b) is a flowchart showing a coin storage process executed by the control unit 810 according to Modification 3. For convenience, Fig. 20(b) shows only a part of the processes in the coin storage process.

[0166] In this modification, an attendant or the like can set whether or not to re-identify coins that have been identified as abnormal in the coin storage process of FIG.

[0167] 20(a), the control unit 810 receives a setting to turn on or off re-identification by the identification unit 400 (S701). At this time, the operation display unit 21 of the information terminal device 2 functions as an input unit, and an on or off setting is input via a setting screen displayed on the operation display unit 21, and the setting result is transmitted from the information terminal device 2 to the control unit 810. If the control unit 810 receives an on setting (S702: YES), it sets re-identification to on (S703), and if it receives an off setting (S702: NO), it sets re-identification to off (S704).

[0168] 20(b), when the recognition unit 400 determines that the coin is abnormal (S103: NO), the control unit 810 determines whether or not re-recognition is set to ON (S122). When re-recognition is set to ON (S122: YES), the control unit 810 increments the number of abnormality recognitions by which the coin has been recognized as abnormal (S105), and determines whether or not the number of abnormality recognitions has reached a specified number (S106). On the other hand, when re-recognition is set to OFF (S122: NO), the control unit 810 skips the processes of S105 and S106, and immediately determines that the coin recognized as abnormal is a rejected coin and returns it to the dispensing outlet unit 150 (S108).

[0169] In this way, when the control unit 810 receives an on setting, it causes the coins identified as abnormal by the recognition unit 400 to circulate around the conveying path 310 and be re-identified by the recognition unit 400, and when it receives an off setting, it causes the coins identified as abnormal by the recognition unit 400 to be returned to the dispensing outlet unit 150 without being re-identified by the recognition unit 400.

[0170] According to this modified example, it is possible to determine whether or not to re-identify coins that have been identified as abnormal, depending on the use of the coin processing device 1. For example, when a customer deposits coins into the coin processing device 1, it is possible to set it to perform re-identification.

[0171] The coin processing device 1 may be provided with an input unit such as a touch panel, and an on or off setting may be input to the input unit.

[0172] <Change Example 4> Fig. 21(a) is a flowchart showing a coin storage process executed during a deposit process and a coin storage process executed during a replenishment process according to Modification Example 4. For convenience, Fig. 21(a) shows only a part of the steps in the coin storage process.

[0173] Since the replenishment process is performed by an attendant who is familiar with the operation, the time required is less likely to be long even if rejected coins are returned, compared to the deposit process performed by a customer. Therefore, the specified number of times used for the judgment in S106 of the coin storage process in Figure 11 can be made less in the replenishment process than in the deposit process.

[0174] 21(a), in this modified example, in S106 of the coin storage process during the deposit process, the control unit 810 determines whether the number of times an abnormality has been identified has reached a first specified number of times (for example, three times), which is multiple times. On the other hand, in S106 of the coin storage process during the replenishment process, the control unit 810 determines whether the number of times an abnormality has been identified has reached a second specified number of times (for example, two times), which is multiple times and is less than the first specified number.

[0175] According to this modified example, it is easy to optimize the number of times that the recognition unit 400 needs to recognize a coin that has been recognized as abnormal before it is returned, depending on whether the process being performed is a deposit process or a replenishment process.

[0176] <Change Example 5> Fig. 21(b) is a flowchart showing a coin storing process executed during a replenishment process according to Modification 5. For convenience, Fig. 21(b) shows only a part of the coin storing process.

[0177] As described above, the replenishment process does not take as long as the deposit process, even if rejected coins are returned. Therefore, as shown in Figure 21(b), in this modified example, in the coin storage process during the replenishment process, the control unit 810 immediately determines that the currency recognized as abnormal by the recognition unit 400 is a rejected coin, and returns it to the dispensing outlet unit 150 without having the recognition unit 400 recognize it again (S103: NO → S108).

[0178] According to this modified example, it is easy to optimize the number of times that the recognition unit 400 needs to recognize a coin that has been recognized as abnormal before it is returned, depending on whether the process being performed is a deposit process or a replenishment process.

[0179] <Change Example 6> In the above embodiment, in the dispensing process, coins fed from the storage unit 500 are transported along the transport path 310, and then passed through the dispensing outlet 313 and the dispensing chute 600 to be discharged to the dispensing outlet unit 150.

[0180] In the sixth modification, in the dispensing process, coins from the storage unit 500 are temporarily stored in the hopper 210 of the receiving unit 200, and the coins stored in the hopper 210 are discharged to the dispensing outlet 150 all at once.

[0181] In the dispensing process, it is preferable to be able to select whether to use the route via the dispensing chute 600 or the route via the hopper 210.

[0182] FIG. 22(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the dispensing outlet 150 and the receiving section 200 according to the sixth modified example.

[0183] As shown in Figure 22(a), in the receiving section 200, a discharge outlet 211 is provided on the front surface of a hopper 210. The discharge outlet 211 is closed from the front by a lid 212. The lid 212 is opened and closed by an opening / closing device 213 including a drive source. A chute 154 extending upward is formed at the upper end of the dispensing outlet section 150. The entrance of the chute 154 is located in front of and below the discharge outlet 211.

[0184] Fig. 22(b) is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit 810 in the payout process according to Modification 6. Figs. 23(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the payout process according to Modification 6.

[0185] 22(b), when the dispensing process is started, the control unit 810 starts the operation of the storage unit 500 and the transport unit 300, and starts the feeding of coins from the storage unit 500 and the transport of coins to the receiving unit 200 (S801). As shown in FIG. 23(a), coins for change are fed from the storage unit 500 and flow through the transport path 310, and are sorted by the hopper branching mechanism 360 and stored in the hopper 210 of the receiving unit 200.

[0186] When the change coins are stored in the hopper 210 of the receiving unit 200 (S802: YES), the control unit 810 stops the operation of the storage unit 500 and the conveying unit 300, and stops the feeding of coins from the storage unit 500 and the conveying of coins to the receiving unit 200 (S803).

[0187] Next, control unit 810 causes coins to be discharged from receiving unit 200 to payout outlet 150 (S804). That is, control unit 810 causes opening / closing device 213 to open lid 212 to open discharge outlet 211, and causes conveyor 220 to revolve toward discharge outlet 211 at the front. As shown in FIG. 23(b), coins accumulated in hopper 210 are released all at once into payout outlet 150 through discharge outlet 211 and chute 154. In this way, the payout process is completed.

[0188] If it takes a long time for coins to finish being dispensed from the time they start to be dispensed through dispensing outlet 150, customers are more likely to forget to take their coins. In this regard, according to this modified example, coins that are change are dispensed all at once through dispensing outlet 150, making it less likely that customers will forget to take their coins.

[0189] <Change Example 7> Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing the coin storage process executed by the control unit 810 during a deposit process according to Modification 7. Figs. 25(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the coin storage process during a deposit process according to Modification 7. In the coin storage process shown in Fig. 24, the same steps as those in the coin storage process shown in Fig. 11 are assigned the same step numbers.

[0190] In this modified example, when the number of coins deposited during the deposit process is less than the number of protrusions 323 of the circulating belt 322, the coin storage process of this modified example can be executed. In this modified example, the conveying path 310 functions as a temporary storage section, and the deposited coins are temporarily stored in the conveying path 310 before being stored in the storage section 500.

[0191] In the deposit process, when a small amount of coins is inserted into the receiving unit 200, the control unit 810 starts the coin storage process shown in FIG.

[0192] The control unit 810 uses the recognition unit 400 to recognize coins that are fed from the receiving unit 200 and flow through the conveying path 310 (S101, S102). If the control unit 810 recognizes the coin as normal (S103: YES), it reserves the coin on the conveying path 310 without storing it in the storage unit 500 (S123). On the other hand, if the control unit 810 recognizes the coin as abnormal (S103: NO), it circulates the coin around the conveying path 310 and has it re-recognized by the recognition unit 400 (S105 to S107, S102), and when the number of times the coin has been recognized as abnormal reaches a specified number (S103 to S106), it returns the coin to the dispensing outlet unit 150 (S108).

[0193] As shown in FIG. 25(a), all coins dispensed from the receiving unit 200 are held on the conveying path 310.

[0194] When all coins have been dispensed from the receiving unit 200, the control unit 810 waits for the customer to perform an approval operation or a return operation on the operation display unit 21 of the information terminal device 2 (S124, S125). At this time, the control unit 810 may allow the transport unit 300 to continue or stop the circulation of the coins on the transport path 310.

[0195] When an approval operation is performed (S124: YES), the control unit 810 stores each coin stored in the transport path 310 in the storage unit 500 corresponding to the respective denomination (S126), as shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 25(b). On the other hand, when a return operation is performed (S125: YES), the control unit 810 discharges each coin stored in the transport path 310 from the dispensing discharge port 313 and returns it to the payout outlet unit 150 (S127), as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 25(b).

[0196] According to this modification, the transport path 310 can be used as a temporary storage unit that temporarily stores coins. As a result, when a return operation is performed, the coins can be returned to the dispensing outlet 150 in a shorter time than when coins already stored in the storage unit 500 are returned.

[0197] <Change Example 8> FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the inspection interruption process executed by the control unit 810 according to the eighth modification.

[0198] For example, if the reconciliation process is performed during business hours when the coin processing device 1 is less likely to be used by customers, it is assumed that a customer will use the coin processing device 1 while the reconciliation process is being performed, and the deposit process will be performed as an interruption. In this case, the reconciliation process is interrupted before the deposit process is interrupted, and at this time, it is desirable to interrupt the reconciliation process early even if coins are in transit between the storage unit 500 and the receiving unit 200, which is the storage unit for reconciliation.

[0199] Therefore, in this modified example, the control unit 810 executes the reconciliation interruption process shown in Fig. 26 in parallel with the reconciliation process shown in Fig. 15. When it becomes necessary to interrupt another transaction process, such as a deposit process, an instruction to interrupt the reconciliation is given to the control unit 810, for example, from the information terminal device 2. Upon receiving the instruction to interrupt the reconciliation, the control unit 810 starts the reconciliation interruption process.

[0200] 26, the control unit 810 determines whether or not a coin is being transported from a storage source to a storage destination (S901). When a coin is being transferred from the storage unit 500 to the receiving unit 200, the storage unit 500 is the storage source, and the receiving unit 200 is the storage destination. When a coin is being returned from the receiving unit 200 to the storage unit 500, the receiving unit 200 is the storage source, and the storage unit 500 is the storage destination.

[0201] If the control unit 810 is not currently transporting coins (S901: NO), it immediately suspends the inspection process (S907). On the other hand, if the control unit 810 is currently transporting coins (S901: YES), it determines which is shorter: the time required to transport all coins to the storage destination (referred to as the "time required to complete transport"), or the time required to return all coins from the storage destination to the storage source (referred to as the "time required to complete return") (S902).

[0202] For example, the control unit 810 compares the number of stored coins at the storage source and the storage destination, and if the number of stored coins at the storage source is small, it considers the required time to complete the transfer to be shorter than the required time to complete the return, and if the number of stored coins at the storage destination is small, it considers the required time to complete the return to be shorter than the required time to complete the transfer. Note that the control unit 810 may determine the length of the required time to complete the transfer and the required time to complete the return, taking into account the length of the transfer path from the transfer source to the storage destination and the length of the transfer path from the transfer destination to the storage source.

[0203] If the required time to complete transport is less than or equal to the required return time (S902: YES), the control unit 810 continues transporting the coins to the storage destination (S903). On the other hand, if the required time to complete return is shorter than the required time to complete transport (S902: NO), the control unit 810 stops transporting the coins to the storage destination (S904) and starts transporting the coins to the storage source (S905). Then, when the transport of the coins is completed (S906: YES), the control unit 810 suspends the reconciliation process (S907). In this way, the reconciliation suspension process ends.

[0204] According to this modification, when it becomes necessary to interrupt the reconciliation process, the reconciliation process can be interrupted quickly.

[0205] <Other change examples> In the above embodiment, in the coin storage process, coins identified as normal by the recognition unit 400 are stored in the storage unit 500. However, the storage unit 500 among the seven storage units 500 that is closest to the recognition unit 400, i.e., the storage unit 500 that is furthest upstream in the coin transport direction during the deposit process, may be configured to function as the escrow unit, so that coins identified as normal by the recognition unit 400 are stored in the escrow unit. In this case, when an approval operation is performed after the coins have been stored in the escrow units, the coins in the escrow unit are transported to the storage unit 500 corresponding to the respective denominations. Also, any one of the seven storage units 500 may function as an overflow collection unit, and if a coin identified as normal by the recognition unit 400 cannot be stored in the storage unit 500 corresponding to the coin's denomination because the storage unit 500 is full, the coin may be stored in the overflow collection unit. In these cases, the temporary holding unit and the overflow collection unit, like the storage unit 500, also serve as currency storage units that store coins, which are currency.

[0206] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the payout outlet 150 also functions as a return port for returning rejected coins. However, the coin processing device 1 may be provided with a dedicated return port for returning rejected coins.

[0207] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the receiving section 200 is used as the reconciliation storage section during the reconciliation process. However, one of the seven storage sections 500 may be assigned as the reconciliation storage section, or the coin processing unit 10 may be provided with a dedicated reconciliation storage section.

[0208] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in the reconciliation process, the recognition unit 400 recognizes the coins in the process of moving the coins from the storage unit 500 to the receiving unit 200. However, the recognition unit 400 may also recognize the coins in the process of returning the coins from the receiving unit 200 to the storage unit 500.

[0209] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when a coin is identified as abnormal by the recognition unit 400, the counting unit 811 counts the coin. That is, the counting unit 811 counts the number of times the coin is identified as abnormal. However, the counting unit 811 may simply count the number of times the coin is identified. In this case, when a coin is not identified as abnormal and is stored in the storage unit 500 without making one circuit on the conveyance path 310, the value of the counting unit 811 for that coin is reset. Therefore, when the value of the counting unit 811 reaches the specified number of times, the number of times the coin has been identified as abnormal also reaches the specified number of times.

[0210] Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to coin processing devices other than the coin processing device 1 of the above embodiment that functions as a coin change machine. This coin processing device can be combined with an information terminal device and a banknote processing device to form an automated teller machine (ATM) installed in financial institutions, convenience stores, etc., a currency depositing and dispensing machine or teller system installed in financial institutions, etc.

[0211] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a coin processing device that processes coins by depositing and dispensing, etc. is shown as an example of a currency processing device. However, the present invention can also be applied to a banknote processing device that processes banknotes by depositing and dispensing, etc., such as a banknote change dispenser.

[0212] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0213] 1 Coin processing device (currency processing device) 21 Operation display unit (input unit) 150 Payment outlet (return outlet) 200 Acceptance Department (Deposit Department) 300 Conveyor 310 Transport path 322 Circulation Belt 323 Protrusion 400 Identification Unit 500 Storage section (currency storage section) 810 Control Unit 811 Counting section 820 Storage section 821 Status Information

Claims

1. a conveying unit that includes a circular conveying path along which the currency can travel, and that conveys the currency along the conveying path; a deposit unit that receives currency inserted from the outside and feeds it to the transport path; a recognition unit that recognizes the currency fed from the deposit unit and transported on the transport path; a currency storage section in which currency is stored; a return port for returning the currency; a control unit that executes a currency storage process for storing currency accepted by the deposit unit in the currency storage unit, In the currency storing process, the control unit The currency recognized as normal by the recognition unit is stored in the currency storage unit by the transport unit. The coins identified as abnormal by the recognition unit are circulated around the conveyance path by the conveyance unit, and the coins are re-identified by the recognition unit at least once. Returning the currency to the return port based on the result of the re-identification. A currency processing device characterized by:

2. The currency processing device according to claim 1, The control unit The coin that has been identified as abnormal by the recognition unit and has been identified as abnormal less than the specified number of times (multiple times) is circulated around the conveyance path and re-recognized by the recognition unit. The coin whose abnormality identification count reaches the specified count is returned to the return port. A currency processing device characterized by:

3. The currency handling device according to claim 2, When the control unit returns the money to the return port unit, the control unit executes a notification process to notify the user that the returned money cannot be used. A currency processing device characterized by:

4. The currency handling device according to claim 2, The control unit Accepting the number of times inputted to the input unit as the specified number of times; Set the number of times received to the specified number of times. A currency processing device characterized by:

5. The currency handling device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, the currency storage process includes a deposit process of storing deposited currency in the currency storage unit, and a replenishment process of storing currency for replenishment in the currency storage unit, the control unit sets the specified number of times in the replenishment process to be less than the specified number of times in the deposit process. A currency processing device characterized by:

6. The currency handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the currency storage process includes a deposit process of storing deposited currency in the currency storage unit, and a replenishment process of storing currency for replenishment in the currency storage unit, The control unit In the deposit processing, the currency identified as abnormal by the recognition unit is circulated around the conveyance path by the conveyance unit, and is re-identified by the recognition unit. In the replenishment process, the coins identified as abnormal by the recognition unit are returned to the return port unit without being re-identified by the recognition unit. A currency processing device characterized by:

7. The currency handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The control unit receiving a setting for re-identification by the identification unit, either an on setting or an off setting, inputted to an input unit; When the ON setting is accepted, the coins that have been identified as abnormal by the recognition unit are circulated around the conveyance path by the conveyance unit, and are re-identified by the recognition unit. When the off setting is accepted, the currency that has been identified as abnormal by the recognition unit is returned to the return port unit without being re-identified by the recognition unit. A currency processing device characterized by:

8. The currency handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A reconciliation process for reconciling the currency stored in the currency storage unit can be executed, The recognition unit has a function of recognizing and counting currency, The control unit In the reconciliation process, the recognition unit is caused to recognize and count the currency conveyed on the conveyance path; The coins identified as abnormal by the recognition unit are circulated around the conveyance path by the conveyance unit, and the coins are re-identified by the recognition unit at least once. determining the currency as rejected currency based on the result of the re-identification; A currency processing device characterized by:

9. The currency handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The currency accepted by the deposit unit is coins, the conveying unit includes a circulating belt that is provided with a plurality of protrusions at predetermined intervals for conveying coins and that circulates on the conveying path; Further provided is a storage unit for storing, for each of the protrusions, status information for determining whether the protrusions are transporting coins, The control unit, in a state in which the circulating belt is rotating, When a coin is fed from the deposit unit to the protrusion unit, information indicating that the coin is being transported is stored in the storage unit as the status information; When the coin being transported by the protrusion is separated from the protrusion, information indicating that the coin is not being transported is stored in the storage unit as the status information; controlling the depositing unit to feed coins to the protrusion determined not to be transporting coins based on the status information; A currency processing device characterized by:

Images