Coin processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a coin processor capable of reducing the possibility of occurrence of abnormality.SOLUTION: The coins C are transported one by one on the transport path 41 by the protruding portions 48 of the transport belt 42, and the coins C to be sorted can be sorted by opening the gates 52a to 52f in any one of the plurality of sorting units 52a to 52f based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 51 and the detection result of the sensors 56a to 56f provided corresponding to each of the plurality of sorting units 54a to 54f, when the coin C to be sorted is detected by, for example, the first determination sensor 52c associated with the sorting unit 54c of the sorting destination, the gate 52c to be opened of, for example, the sorting unit 56b of the sorting destination of the coin C to be sorted is opened in a case where the preceding coin transported preceding the coin C to be sorted is not present between the sorting unit 52c of the sorting destination and, for example, the second determination sensor 56d adjacent to the side opposite to the recognition unit 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] There is a coin processing device that conveys coins by pressing them from the upstream side in the conveying direction using protrusions called pins or bars that are provided at predetermined intervals on the outer surface of the conveying belt, and opens or closes the gate of a predetermined sorting section depending on the recognition results, so that the coins are sorted downward by the gate of the predetermined sorting section or conveyed further downstream beyond the gate of the predetermined sorting section (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6296658 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Normally, the protrusions on the conveyor belt push the coins from the upstream side in the conveyance direction while moving together with them to convey them. However, depending on the timing of contact between the protrusions and the coins and the impact at the time of contact, the protrusions may kick the coins, causing the coins to momentarily move faster than the moving speed of the protrusions. If the coins move faster than the moving speed of the protrusions on the conveyor belt and separate from the protrusions, the coins may reach the position of the gate, which opens based on the moving speed of the protrusions, before the gate can open. This gate cannot sort the coins downward, and the coins may skip over the gate, resulting in an abnormal coin conveyance. Alternatively, if the coin collides with the tip of the gate as it opens, the coin may be temporarily returned to the upstream side of the conveyance, resulting in an abnormal detection of the coin by the sensor that detects the presence or absence of coins between the gates.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device that can reduce the possibility of abnormalities occurring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention is In a coin processing device, coins are conveyed one by one along a conveyance path by a protrusion of a conveyor belt, and based on the recognition result of the recognition unit and the detection result of a sensor provided corresponding to each of the plurality of sorting units, a gate is opened in one of the sorting units to select the coin to be sorted. The gate to be opened in the sorting section where the coins to be sorted are sorted is When the coin to be sorted is detected by the first judgment sensor associated with the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted, if there is no preceding coin being transported ahead of the coin to be sorted between the coin to be sorted and the second judgment sensor adjacent to the opposite side of the recognition unit of the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted, Operate to open.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is In a coin processing device, coins are conveyed one by one along a conveyance path by a protrusion of a conveyor belt, and a gate is opened in one of a plurality of sorting sections based on the recognition result of the recognition section and the detection result of a sensor provided corresponding to each of the plurality of sorting sections, thereby making it possible to select the coin to be sorted. The gate to be opened in the sorting unit where the coin to be sorted is to be sorted is When the coin to be sorted is identified by the identification unit, if there is no preceding coin that is being transported ahead of the coin to be sorted between the coin to be sorted and the fifth judgment sensor adjacent to the opposite side of the identification unit of the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted, Operate to open. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin processing device that can reduce the possibility of abnormalities occurring. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a main part of a coin processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view schematically showing a main part of a coin processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A coin processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The coin processing device of this embodiment is a coin depositing and dispensing device that performs a storage process in which loose coins of mixed denominations are counted by denomination and sorted for storage, and a dispensing process in which coins stored by denomination are dispensed, and is used, for example, as a coin change device that constitutes a cash register system. In the following description, "front" refers to the side of the operator, "rear" refers to the side opposite the operator, and "left" and "right" refer to the left and right as seen from the operator's side.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the coin processing device 11 of this embodiment has a coin feeding unit 12 provided on its front side that separates inserted coins C one by one and feeds them out to one side (specifically, to the left), and a coin sorting and transporting unit 13 connected to the coin feeding direction side of the coin feeding unit 12 and that receives coins C fed from the coin feeding unit 12 and transports them rearward. The coin feeding unit 12 is located on the front side of the coin processing device 11 and extends in the left-right direction along this front side, while the coin sorting and transporting unit 13 is located on one side side (specifically, the left side) of the coin processing device 11 and extends in the front-rear direction along this side. Thus, the coin feeding unit 12 and the coin sorting and transporting unit 13 intersect each other, more specifically, they intersect at right angles to form an L-shape overall.

[0013] The coin dispensing unit 12 has a coin deposit port 15 located on the opposite side of the coin sorting and transporting unit 13, through which loose coins C are inserted from outside the coin processing device 11 and which separates the inserted coins C one by one and dispenses them toward one side (specifically, the left), and a dispensing main body unit 16 located on the coin sorting and transporting unit 13 side of the coins, which transports and dispenses the coins C dispensed from the coin deposit port 15 toward one side (specifically, the left).

[0014] The coin deposit port 15 is provided on the front side of the coin processing device 11, and has a cylindrical hopper 20 that opens vertically upward and into which loose coins C are inserted from the outside and which guides the inserted coins C vertically downward; an endless deposit belt conveyor 21 that is provided vertically below the hopper 20 and forms the bottom of the coin deposit port 15 and is capable of transporting coins C along the front side of the coin processing device 11 toward the coin sorting and conveying section 13; a separation roller 22 that is located above the end of the deposit belt conveyor 21 on the coin sorting and conveying section 13 side and rotates to move the opposing part in the opposite direction to the deposit belt conveyor 21; and a deposit port drive motor (not shown) that is controlled by the control section 30 to drive the deposit belt conveyor 21 and separation roller 22.

[0015] The endless deposit belt conveyor 21 is inclined so that it is positioned higher towards the coin sorting and conveying section 13, and receives coins C inserted into the hopper 20 and conveys the received coins C towards the coin sorting and conveying section 13 using the driving force of a deposit port drive motor (not shown).At this time, a separation roller 22 separates the coins C one by one and delivers them towards the coin sorting and conveying section 13.

[0016] The payout main body 16 has a payout conveying path 31 that extends horizontally from the end of the deposit belt conveyor 21 on the coin sorting and conveying section 13 side along the front of the coin processing device 11 to the coin sorting and conveying section 13, a payout belt 32 that is provided above the payout conveying path 31 and parallel to the payout conveying path 31, and a payout drive motor (not shown) that is controlled by the control section 30 to drive the payout belt 32. The payout drive motor (not shown) is, for example, a stepping motor.

[0017] The payout conveying path 31 has a width that allows coins C that have been separated one by one and dispensed by the deposit belt conveyor 21 and separation roller 22 to be moved in a line in the extension direction. The payout belt 32 is driven to rotate by a payout drive motor (not shown), and thereby sandwiches the coins C between itself and the payout conveying path 31 and moves the coins C that are in contact with it together by frictional force. As a result, the payout main body 16 conveys the coins C inserted into the coin deposit port 15, separated one by one, along the extension direction of the payout conveying path 31 and the payout belt 32 toward the coin sorting and conveying unit 13, and dispenses them to the coin sorting and conveying unit 13.

[0018] The coin payout unit 12 has a payout coin detection sensor 24 at the end position of the payout conveyance path 31 on the coin sorting and conveyance unit 13 side, which detects the leading coin C being paid out from the payout main body unit 16 to the coin sorting and conveyance unit 13. The coin payout unit 12 also has a deposited remaining detection sensor (not shown) which detects remaining coins on the deposit belt conveyor 21 of the coin deposit port 15. The payout coin detection sensor 24 and the deposited remaining detection sensor (not shown) are optical sensors made up of, for example, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and detect that there is no coin C when the light-receiving element receives light emitted from the light-emitting element, and detect that there is a coin C when the light-receiving element does not receive light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0019] The coin sorting and conveying unit 13 has a coin sorting and conveying path 41 (conveying path) that extends horizontally rearward from the end position of the coin sorting and conveying unit 13 side of the payout conveying path 31 of the payout main body unit 16 along one side of the coin processing device 11 (specifically the left side), a conveying belt 42 that is arranged to extend in the front-to-back direction above the coin sorting and conveying path 41, a conveying drive motor (not shown) that is controlled by the control unit 30 to drive the conveying belt 42, and a rotary encoder (not shown) that detects the rotational position of the conveying drive motor (not shown).

[0020] The coin sorting and conveying path 41 has a width that allows coins C, which are fed one by one from the coin feeding unit 12, to move in a line in the extension direction. The conveyor belt 42 has a pair of pulleys (not shown) arranged above both ends of the coin sorting and conveying path 41 in the extension direction, and an endless belt main body 46 that is hung on these pulleys (not shown) and arranged parallel to the coin sorting and conveying path 41. The belt main body 46 has an endless base portion 47 and a plurality of rib portions 48, 48, ... (protrusions) that protrude radially outward from the outer periphery of the base portion 47 and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Here, the feeding main body 16 of the coin feeding unit 12 has a feeding interval of coins to the coin sorting and conveying unit 13 that is set so that only one coin C is placed between adjacent rib portions 48 in the conveying direction.

[0021] The conveyor belt 42 rotates when one of its pulleys (not shown) is driven by a conveyor drive motor (not shown), causing the belt body 46 to rotate, and its crosspieces 48 press the coins C on the coin sorting conveying path 41 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction, moving them on the coin sorting conveying path 41. The conveyor drive motor (not shown) can rotate forward and backward, and therefore the conveyor belt 42 can convey the coins C on the coin sorting conveying path 41 forward and backward. The control unit 30 controls the forward and reverse rotation of the conveyor drive motor (not shown), thereby controlling the forward and reverse conveyance of the conveyor belt 42.

[0022] The coin conveying direction of the conveyor belt 42 and the coin sorting conveying path 41 intersects with the coin dispensing direction of the coin dispensing unit 12. The coin sorting conveying unit 13 is provided with a crosspiece position detection sensor 49 that detects the rotational position of the crosspiece 48 of the conveyor belt 42. The crosspiece position detection sensor 49 is an optical sensor consisting of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. When the light-receiving element receives light emitted from the light-emitting element, it detects that the crosspiece 48 is not present, and when the light-receiving element does not receive light emitted from the light-emitting element, it detects that the crosspiece 48 is present. The control unit 30 detects the rotational position of the crosspieces 48, 48, ... of the conveyor belt 42 from the detection result of the crosspiece position detection sensor 49 and compares it with the rotational position of the conveyor drive motor (not shown) detected by a rotary encoder (not shown). In this way, the control unit 30 grasps the position of each crosspiece 48, 48, ... from the rotational position of the conveyor drive motor (not shown).

[0023] The coin sorting and conveying path 41 is provided with an identification unit 51 (sensor) on the coin feeding unit 12 side in the coin conveying direction, which has a magnetic sensor, CCD camera, etc. and detects the magnetic properties, image, or outer diameter of the coins C passing through. The control unit 30 identifies the authenticity and denomination of the coins C being detected and counts them by denomination based on the identification results of the identification unit 51. The coin sorting and conveying path 41 is provided with coin sorting units 52a to 52f (sorting units) by denomination on the opposite side of the coin feeding unit 12 in the coin conveying direction, which drop coins C that can be accepted into the coin processing device 11 from the coin sorting and conveying path 41 and sort them. The coin sorting units 52a to 52f have the same configuration and are provided at equal intervals on the coin sorting and conveying path 41.

[0024] Of the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, the coin sorting unit 52a, which is closest to the recognition unit 51 on the coin sorting conveying path 41, has a sorting hole 53a through which coins C of all denominations can fall from the coin sorting conveying path 41, a sorting gate 54a (gate) that opens and closes the sorting hole 53a, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) that is controlled by the control unit 30 to open and close the sorting gate 54a.

[0025] Of the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, the coin sorting unit 52b, which is adjacent to the coin sorting unit 52a on the opposite side of the recognition unit 51 on the coin sorting conveying path 41, has a sorting hole 53b through which coins C of all denominations can fall from the coin sorting conveying path 41, a sorting gate 54b (gate) that opens and closes the sorting hole 53b, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) that is controlled by the control unit 30 to open and close the sorting gate 54b.

[0026] Of the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, coin sorting unit 52c, which is adjacent to coin sorting unit 52b on the opposite side of coin sorting unit 52a on the coin sorting conveying path 41, has a sorting hole 53c through which coins C of all denominations can fall from the coin sorting conveying path 41, a sorting gate 54c (gate) that opens and closes the sorting hole 53c, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) that is controlled by the control unit 30 to open and close the sorting gate 54c.

[0027] Of the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, coin sorting unit 52d, which is adjacent to coin sorting unit 52c on the opposite side of coin sorting unit 52b on the coin sorting conveying path 41, has a sorting hole 53d through which coins C of all denominations can fall from the coin sorting conveying path 41, a sorting gate 54d (gate) that opens and closes the sorting hole 53d, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) that is controlled by the control unit 30 to open and close the sorting gate 54d.

[0028] Of the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, coin sorting unit 52e, which is adjacent to coin sorting unit 52d on the opposite side of coin sorting unit 52c on the coin sorting conveying path 41, has a sorting hole 53e through which coins C of all denominations can fall from the coin sorting conveying path 41, a sorting gate 54e (gate) that opens and closes the sorting hole 53d, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) that is controlled by the control unit 30 to open and close the sorting gate 54e.

[0029] Of the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, coin sorting unit 52f, which is adjacent to coin sorting unit 52e on the opposite side of coin sorting unit 52d on the coin sorting conveying path 41, has a sorting hole 53f through which coins C of all denominations can fall from the coin sorting conveying path 41, a sorting gate 54f (gate) that opens and closes the sorting hole 53d, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) that is controlled by the control unit 30 to open and close the sorting gate 54f.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the sorting holes 53a to 53f are of the same shape and size and are arranged in a straight line at equal intervals on the coin sorting and conveying path 41, and the sorting gates 54a to 54f are also of the same shape and size and are arranged in a straight line at equal intervals on the coin sorting and conveying path 41.

[0031] The coin sorting and conveying unit 13 has a deposit counting sensor 56a (sensor) that detects coins C on the coin sorting and conveying path 41, located between the recognition unit 51 on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 and the sorting hole 53a and sorting gate 54a of the coin sorting unit 52a, in other words, adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the sorting hole 53a of the coin sorting unit 52a and the sorting gate 54a on the coin sorting and conveying path 41.

[0032] The coin sorting and conveying unit 13 has a deposit counting sensor 56b (sensor) that detects coins C on the coin sorting and conveying path 41, located between the sorting hole 53a and sorting gate 54a of the coin sorting unit 52a on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 and the sorting hole 53b and sorting gate 54b of the coin sorting unit 52b, in other words, at a position adjacent to the sorting hole 53a and sorting gate 54a of the coin sorting unit 52a on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 on the opposite side of the recognition unit 51, or in other words, at a position adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the sorting hole 53b of the coin sorting unit 52b and sorting gate 54b on the coin sorting and conveying path 41.

[0033] The coin sorting and conveying unit 13 has a deposit counting sensor 56c (sensor) that detects coins C on the coin sorting and conveying path 41, located between the sorting hole 53b and sorting gate 54b of the coin sorting unit 52b on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 and the sorting hole 53c and sorting gate 54c of the coin sorting unit 52c, in other words, at a position adjacent to the sorting hole 53b and sorting gate 54b of the coin sorting unit 52b on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 on the opposite side of the recognition unit 51, or in other words, at a position adjacent to the sorting hole 53c of the coin sorting unit 52c on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 on the recognition unit 51 side.

[0034] The coin sorting and conveying unit 13 has a deposit counting sensor 56d (sensor) that detects coins C on the coin sorting and conveying path 41, located between the sorting hole 53c and sorting gate 54c of the coin sorting unit 52c on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 and the sorting hole 53d and sorting gate 54d of the coin sorting unit 52d, in other words, at a position adjacent to the sorting hole 53c and sorting gate 54c of the coin sorting unit 52c on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 on the opposite side of the recognition unit 51, or in other words, at a position adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the sorting hole 53d of the coin sorting unit 52d and sorting gate 54d on the coin sorting and conveying path 41.

[0035] The coin sorting and conveying unit 13 has a deposit counting sensor 56e (sensor) that detects coins C on the coin sorting and conveying path 41, located between the sorting hole 53d and sorting gate 54d of the coin sorting unit 52d on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 and the sorting hole 53e and sorting gate 54e of the coin sorting unit 52e, in other words, at a position adjacent to the sorting hole 53d and sorting gate 54d of the coin sorting unit 52d on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 on the opposite side of the recognition unit 51, or in other words, at a position adjacent to the sorting hole 53e of the coin sorting unit 52e on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 on the recognition unit 51 side of the sorting hole 53e and sorting gate 54e of the coin sorting unit 52e.

[0036] The coin sorting and conveying section 13 has a deposit counting sensor 56f (sensor) that detects coins C on the coin sorting and conveying path 41, located between the sorting hole 53e and sorting gate 54e of the coin sorting section 52e on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 and the sorting hole 53f and sorting gate 54f of the coin sorting section 52f, in other words, at a position adjacent to the sorting hole 53e and sorting gate 54e of the coin sorting section 52e on the coin sorting and conveying path 41 on the opposite side of the recognition section 51, or in other words, at a position adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the sorting hole 53f of the coin sorting section 52f and sorting gate 54f on the coin sorting and conveying path 41.

[0037] In the coin sorting conveying path 41, the distance between the sorting hole 53a and sorting gate 54a of the coin sorting unit 52a and the deposit counting sensor 56a, the distance between the sorting hole 53b and sorting gate 54b of the coin sorting unit 52b and the deposit counting sensor 56b, the distance between the sorting hole 53c and sorting gate 54c of the coin sorting unit 52c and the deposit counting sensor 56c, the distance between the sorting hole 53d and sorting gate 54d of the coin sorting unit 52d and the deposit counting sensor 56d, the distance between the sorting hole 53e and sorting gate 54e of the coin sorting unit 52e and the deposit counting sensor 56e, and the distance between the sorting hole 53f and sorting gate 54f of the coin sorting unit 52f and the deposit counting sensor 56f are all equal.

[0038] In the coin sorting conveying path 41, the distance between the sorting hole 53a and sorting gate 54a of the coin sorting unit 52a and the deposit counting sensor 56b, the distance between the sorting hole 53b and sorting gate 54b of the coin sorting unit 52b and the deposit counting sensor 56c, the distance between the sorting hole 53c and sorting gate 54c of the coin sorting unit 52c and the deposit counting sensor 56d, the distance between the sorting hole 53d and sorting gate 54d of the coin sorting unit 52d and the deposit counting sensor 56e, and the distance between the sorting hole 53e and sorting gate 54e of the coin sorting unit 52e and the deposit counting sensor 56f are all equal.

[0039] Therefore, in the coin sorting conveying path 41, the arrangement pitch of the sorting holes 53a to 53f of the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, the arrangement pitch of the sorting gates 54a to 54f of the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, and the arrangement pitch of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f are all equal. The arrangement pitch of the crosspieces 48, 48, ... of the conveying belt 42 is almost twice the arrangement pitch of the sorting holes 53a to 53f of the coin sorting units 52a to 52f and the arrangement pitch of the sorting gates 54a to 54f, i.e., the arrangement pitch of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f. The distance between the recognition unit 51 and the deposit counting sensor 56a, which is closest to the recognition unit 51 among the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, is set slightly wider than the interval between adjacent crosspieces 48, 48, ... of the conveying belt 42.

[0040] The deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f are used to time the opening and closing of the sorting gates 54a to 54f, and to detect and count the coins C dropping into the sorting holes 53a to 53f.

[0041] The control unit 30 determines, based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 51, the detection results of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, and the control result of the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, whether each coin C detected by the recognition unit 51 is currently located on the coin sorting transport path 41, between the recognition unit 51 and the deposit counting sensor 56a, on the deposit counting sensor 56a, between the deposit counting sensors 56a and 56b, or on the deposit counting sensor 56b, or whether the coin C is currently located on the coin sorting transport path 41, between the recognition unit 51 and the deposit counting sensor 56a, between the deposit counting sensors 56a and 56b, or on the deposit counting sensor 56b. It is known whether the coin is between sensors 56b and 56c, on deposit counting sensor 56c, between deposit counting sensors 56c and 56d, on deposit counting sensor 56d, between deposit counting sensors 56d and 56e, on deposit counting sensor 56e, between deposit counting sensors 56e and 56f, on deposit counting sensor 56f, or has been sorted by one of coin sorting sections 52a to 52f and is not on coin sorting conveying path 41.

[0042] The sorting gates 54a to 54f are each capable of swinging around a support shaft (not shown) on the rear side, i.e., opposite the coin feeding unit 12. The sorting gates 54a to 54f swing between an open state in which they swing at an acute angle above the coin sorting conveying path 41 to open the corresponding one of the sorting holes 53a to 53f, and a closed state in which they are arranged on the same plane as the coin sorting conveying path 41 and close the corresponding one of the sorting holes 53a to 53f. The sorting gates 54a to 54f have a concave shape that extends in the opposite direction from the support shaft (not shown), thereby avoiding interference with the conveying belt 42 when in the open state.

[0043] The coin sorting unit 52a, which has a sorting hole 53a, a sorting gate 54a, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54a, sorts coins C of a first denomination (for example, 1-yen coins). For example, when a coin C of the first denomination is recognized by the corresponding recognition unit 51, the coin sorting unit 52a drives a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54a to open the sorting gate 54a, causing the coin C to slip under the sorting gate 54a and drop into the sorting hole 53a. For coins C other than the first denomination, the coin sorting unit 52a closes the sorting gate 54a and moves the coin C on the coin sorting conveying path 41 toward the deposited coin counting sensor 56b adjacent to the recognition unit 51 on the opposite side. For example, when the sorting gate 54a is open and the deposit counting sensor 56a adjacent to the recognition unit 51 detects the passage of a coin C of the first denomination, the coin sorting unit 52a determines that the coin C has fallen into the sorting hole 53a and closes the sorting gate 54a.

[0044] The coin sorting unit 52b, which has a sorting hole 53b, a sorting gate 54b, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54b, sorts coins C of a second denomination (for example, 5-yen coins). For example, the coin sorting unit 52b drives a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54b based on the timing when a coin C of the second denomination is detected by the corresponding deposited money counting sensor 56a, thereby opening the sorting gate 54b and allowing the coin C to slip under the sorting gate 54b and drop into the sorting hole 53b. For coins C other than the second denomination, the coin sorting unit 52b closes the sorting gate 54b and moves the coin C on the coin sorting conveying path 41 toward the deposited money counting sensor 56c adjacent to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51, for example. For example, when the sorting gate 54b is open and the deposit counting sensor 56b adjacent to the recognition unit 51 detects the passage of a coin C of the second denomination, the coin sorting unit 52b determines that the coin C has fallen into the sorting hole 53b and closes the sorting gate 54b.

[0045] The coin sorting unit 52c, which has a sorting hole 53c, a sorting gate 54c, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54c, sorts coins C of a third denomination (for example, 10-yen coins). For example, the coin sorting unit 52c drives a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54c based on the timing when a coin C of the third denomination is detected by the corresponding deposited money counting sensor 56b, thereby opening the sorting gate 54c and allowing the coin C to slip under the sorting gate 54c and drop into the sorting hole 53c. For coins C other than the third denomination, the coin sorting unit 52c closes the sorting gate 54c and moves the coin C on the coin sorting conveying path 41 toward the deposited money counting sensor 56d adjacent to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51, for example. For example, when the sorting gate 54c is open and the deposit counting sensor 56c adjacent to the recognition unit 51 detects the passage of a third denomination coin C, the coin sorting unit 52c determines that the coin C has fallen into the sorting hole 53c and closes the sorting gate 54c.

[0046] The coin sorting unit 52d, which has a sorting hole 53d, a sorting gate 54d, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54d, sorts coins C of a fourth denomination (for example, 50-yen coins). For example, the coin sorting unit 52d drives a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54d based on the timing when a coin C of the fourth denomination is detected by the corresponding deposited money counting sensor 56c, thereby opening the sorting gate 54d and allowing the coin C to slip under the sorting gate 54d and drop into the sorting hole 53d. For coins C other than the fourth denomination, the coin sorting unit 52d closes the sorting gate 54d and moves the coin C on the coin sorting conveying path 41 toward the deposited money counting sensor 56e, which is adjacent to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51, for example. For example, when the sorting gate 54d is open and the deposit counting sensor 56d adjacent to the recognition unit 51 detects the passage of a fourth denomination coin C, the coin sorting unit 52d determines that the coin C has fallen into the sorting hole 53d and closes the sorting gate 54d.

[0047] The coin sorting unit 52e, which has a sorting hole 53e, a sorting gate 54e, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54e, sorts coins C of a fifth denomination (for example, 100 yen coins). For example, the coin sorting unit 52e drives a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54e based on the timing when a coin C of the fifth denomination is detected by the corresponding deposited money counting sensor 56d, thereby opening the sorting gate 54e and allowing the coin C to slip under the sorting gate 54e and drop into the sorting hole 53e. For coins C other than the fifth denomination, the coin sorting unit 52e closes the sorting gate 54e and moves the coin C on the coin sorting conveying path 41 toward the deposited money counting sensor 56f adjacent to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51, for example. For example, when the sorting gate 54e is open and the deposit counting sensor 56e adjacent to the recognition unit 51 detects the passage of a fifth denomination coin C, the coin sorting unit 52e determines that the coin C has fallen into the sorting hole 53e and closes the sorting gate 54e.

[0048] The coin sorting unit 52f, which has a sorting hole 53f, a sorting gate 54f, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54f, sorts coins C of a sixth denomination (for example, 500 yen coins). Here, in the coin processing device 11, coins C are not transported on the coin sorting transport path 41 to the side opposite the recognition unit 51 from the coin sorting unit 52f. For this reason, the sorting gate 54f of the coin sorting unit 52f is kept open. Alternatively, in the coin processing device 11, the coin sorting unit 52f may be provided with only the sorting hole 53f, and the sorting gate 54f and the sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54f may not be provided.

[0049] In the case of a coin processing device configured to transport coins C on the coin sorting transport path 41 on the side opposite to the recognition unit 51 from the coin sorting unit 52f, a deposit counting sensor similar to the deposit counting sensor 56f for the coin sorting unit 52e is provided adjacent to the coin sorting unit 52f, which has the sorting holes 53f, the sorting gate 54f, and a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54f, on the side opposite to the recognition unit 51. In this case, for example, the coin sorting unit 52f drives the sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54f based on the timing when the corresponding deposit counting sensor 56e detects a coin C of the sixth denomination, thereby opening the sorting gate 54f and allowing the coin C to slip under the sorting gate 54f and drop into the sorting hole 53f. In this case, for coins C other than the sixth denomination, the coin sorting unit 52f closes the sorting gate 54f and moves the coin C on the coin sorting transport path 41 toward the deposited coin counting sensor adjacent to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51. In this case, when the sorting gate 54f is open and the deposited coin counting sensor 56f adjacent to the recognition unit 51 detects the passage of a coin C of the sixth denomination, the coin sorting unit 52f determines that the coin C has fallen into the sorting hole 53f and closes the sorting gate 54f.

[0050] Here, the denominations of coins sorted by the coin sorting units 52a to 52f are not limited to those mentioned above, and can be set arbitrarily.

[0051] Directly below the coin sorting units 52a-52f for each denomination, there are provided a plurality of, specifically six, coin withdrawal storage units 61a-61f, which are arranged in the front-rear direction and aligned along the left-right direction. A coin C of a first denomination that falls from the sorting hole 53a of the coin sorting unit 52a, which is the frontmost of the coin sorting units 52a-52f, is stored in the frontmost coin withdrawal storage unit 61a of the coin withdrawal storage units 61a-61f, a coin C of a second denomination that falls from the second sorting hole 53b from the front is stored in the second coin withdrawal storage unit 61b, and a coin C of a third denomination that falls from the third sorting hole 53c from the front is stored in the third coin withdrawal storage unit 61c from the front. In addition, a coin C of the fourth denomination that falls from the fourth sorting hole 53d from the front is stored in the fourth coin withdrawal storage section 61d from the front, a coin C of the fifth denomination that falls from the fifth sorting hole 53e from the front is stored in the fifth coin withdrawal storage section 61e from the front, and a coin C of the sixth denomination that falls from the rearmost sorting hole 53f is stored in the rearmost coin withdrawal storage section 61f.

[0052] Each coin withdrawal storage section 61a to 61f has an endless belt conveyor 62a to 62f that is arranged extending in the left-right direction to form its respective bottom and transports coins C to the opposite side of the coin sorting and transporting section 13, a separation roller 63 that rotates to move the opposing part in the opposite direction to the transport direction of the belt conveyors 62a to 62f, and a storage section drive motor (not shown) that is a common drive source controlled by the control section 30 to drive the belt conveyors 62a to 62f and the separation roller 63.

[0053] Here, the belt conveyors 62a to 62f are inclined so that the side opposite to the coin sorting and conveying path 41 is positioned higher than the coin sorting and conveying path 41 side, and the above-mentioned separation roller 63 is arranged at a predetermined position on the upper side.

[0054] The coin withdrawal storage units 61a to 61f then rotate all of the belt conveyors 62a to 62f at once using the driving force of a storage unit drive motor (not shown), thereby transporting coins C toward the coin withdrawal transport unit 71 (described later) located on the opposite side of the coin sorting transport path 41.At this time, the driving force of the storage unit drive motor (not shown) rotates a common separation roller 63, separating the coins C being transported toward the coin withdrawal transport unit 71 one by one.

[0055] Each coin withdrawal storage section 61a to 61f has a withdrawal solenoid 66a to 66f that regulates and allows the dispensing of coins C by moving pins 65a to 65f forward and backward from above toward the belt conveyors 62a to 62f downstream of the separation roller 63, a withdrawal counting sensor 67a to 67f that counts coins C that are dispensed from the belt conveyors 62a to 62f to the coin withdrawal transport section 71 by driving the withdrawal solenoid 66a to 66f, and a stored coin detection sensor (not shown) that detects whether or not coins C are stored in the coin withdrawal storage section 61a to 61f.

[0056] The coin dispensing transport unit 71 includes an endless dispensing belt conveyor 72 that is provided on the opposite side of the coin dispensing storage units 61a to 61f from the coin sorting transport path 41 and that extends horizontally in the front-to-rear direction along one side (right side) of the coin processing device 11, a separation roller 73 that is disposed above the front part of the dispensing belt conveyor 72 and rotates so as to move the opposing part in the opposite direction to the dispensing belt conveyor 72, and a dispensing drive motor (not shown) that is controlled by the control unit 30 to drive the dispensing belt conveyor 72 and the separation roller 73. The coin dispensing transport unit 71 also includes a terminal transport path 75 that extends forward from the dispensing belt conveyor 72 and connects to the coin deposit port 15, a terminal belt 76 that is provided above the terminal transport path 75 and parallel to the terminal transport path 75, and a terminal drive motor (not shown) that is controlled by the control unit 30 to drive the terminal belt 76.

[0057] A branching section 80 is provided in the terminal conveying path 75. The branching section 80 has a branching hole 81 formed in the terminal conveying path 75 and through which coins C can fall, a branching gate 82 that opens and closes the branching hole 81, and a branching solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes the branching gate 82.

[0058] The branch gate 82 swings around a support shaft (not shown) on the coin deposit port 15 side in the coin transport direction, i.e., on the front side in the front-to-rear direction of the coin processing device 11. The branch gate 82 swings between an open state in which it swings at an acute angle above the terminal conveyance path 75 to open the branch hole 81, and a closed state in which it is positioned on the same plane as the terminal conveyance path 75 to close the branch hole 81. The branch gate 82 has a concave shape that extends in the opposite direction from the support shaft (not shown), thereby avoiding interference with the terminal belt 76 when in the open state. When in the open state, the branch unit 80 drops the coin C into the branch hole 81, and when in the closed state, it transports the coin C directly downstream along the terminal conveyance path 75, i.e., onto the deposit belt conveyor 21 of the coin deposit port 15.

[0059] The coin withdrawal transport section 71 also has a withdrawal chute 86 that receives coins C that fall from the branch hole 81 of the terminal transport path 75 and drops them under their own weight into a withdrawal port 85 (reject port) provided at the bottom of the front of the coin processing device 11.

[0060] The dispensing belt conveyor 72 receives coins C dispensed from the coin dispensing storage units 61a to 61f and transports the received coins C toward the front of the coin processing device 11 by the driving force of a dispensing drive motor (not shown), during which the separation roller 73 separates the coins C one by one. The coins C separated one by one by the separation roller 73 then slip into the branch gate 82, which is opened by the driving of a branch solenoid (not shown), drop from the branch hole 81, and are discharged to the dispensing outlet 85 via the dispensing chute 86. The coins C discharged to the dispensing outlet 85 can be taken out. Here, at least the bottom surface of the dispensing chute 86, which primarily guides the coins C, is inclined downward toward the front, and extends below the deposit belt conveyor 21 to the dispensing outlet 85.

[0061] A reject unit 91 is provided in the coin sorting and conveying path 41 between the coin payout unit 12 and the recognition unit 51 in the coin conveying direction. The reject unit 91 rejects coins that cannot be accepted into the coin processing device 11, such as counterfeit coins, from the coin sorting and conveying path 41 to the dispensing port 85 based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 51. The reject unit 91 has a reject hole 92 formed in the coin sorting and conveying path 41 and through which coins C can fall, and a reject gate 93 that opens and closes the reject hole 92.

[0062] The reject gate 93 swings around a support shaft (not shown) on the front side in the front-rear direction of the coin processing device 11 (the coin feeding unit 12 side in the coin conveying direction). The reject gate 93 swings between a closed state in which it is disposed on the same plane as the coin sorting conveying path 41 and closes the reject hole 92, and an open state in which it swings at an acute angle above the coin sorting conveying path 41 and opens the reject hole 92.

[0063] The reject gate 93 is restricted from swinging downward from the closed state by a closing stopper (not shown), and is restricted from swinging upward from the open state by an opening stopper (not shown). The reject gate 93 is biased upward by a torsion spring (not shown) attached to a support shaft (not shown), and is always open. When the reject gate 93 is in the open state, a gap is formed between the reject gate 93 and the coin sorting and conveying path 41, allowing a single coin C moving along the coin sorting and conveying path 41 to slip underneath and drop into the reject hole 92.

[0064] When a coin C passes over the reject gate 93, the coin C is pressed from above by the base portion 47 of the belt main body 46 of the conveyor belt 42, causing the reject gate 93 to swing against the biasing force of a torsion spring (not shown) and enter a closed state. This allows the coin C to move without falling through the reject hole 92. The reject gate 93 has a concave shape that extends in the opposite direction from the support shaft (not shown), which prevents interference with the conveyor belt 42 even in the open state.

[0065] A reject chute 97 is provided to connect the reject hole 92 of the reject unit 91 and the outlet 85. The reject chute 97 guides coins C rejected by the reject hole 92 in the reject unit 91 to fall into the outlet 85. Therefore, the outlet 85 also serves as a reject port that discharges rejected coins guided by the reject chute 97 so that they can be removed to the outside. The reject chute 97 has a bottom surface 98 that primarily guides at least coins C, which is inclined downward from the reject hole 92 toward the outlet 85, which is located further forward and below the reject hole 92.

[0066] The control unit 30 is communicatively connected to a deposit port drive motor (not shown), a dispensed coin detection sensor 24, a deposited remaining detection sensor (not shown), a dispensed drive motor (not shown), a transport drive motor (not shown), a rotary encoder (not shown), a rail position detection sensor 49, an identification unit 51, a sorting solenoid (not shown), deposit counting sensors 56a-56f, a storage unit drive motor (not shown), withdrawal solenoids 66a-66f, withdrawal counting sensors 67a-67f, a stored coin detection sensor (not shown), a withdrawal drive motor (not shown), a terminal drive motor (not shown), and a branch solenoid (not shown). Also connected to the control unit 30 is an operation display unit (not shown) that accepts operation inputs from an operator and displays information to the operator.

[0067] The coin processing device 11 transports coins C one by one along the coin sorting conveying path 41 using the crosspiece 48 of the conveyor belt 42, and based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 51 and the detection results of the recognition unit 51 and deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f provided corresponding to each of the multiple coin sorting units 52a to 52f, opens one of the corresponding sorting gates 54a to 54f in any one of the multiple coin sorting units 52a to 52f, thereby being able to select the coin C to be sorted.

[0068] [Deposit Processing] When a coin C is inserted into the coin deposit port 15 from outside and the remaining deposit detection sensor (not shown) detects that the coin C is on the deposit belt conveyor 21 of the coin deposit port 15, the control unit 30 becomes ready to accept a deposit instruction operation to the operation display unit (not shown) and displays this on the operation display unit (not shown). Then, when a deposit instruction operation is input to the operation display unit (not shown), the control unit 30 starts the deposit process of the coin processing device 11. In other words, the deposit port drive motor (not shown), the payout drive motor (not shown), and the transport drive motor (not shown) are all rotated forward.

[0069] Then, the deposit belt conveyor 21 and separation roller 22 of the coin deposit port 15 separate the coins C on the deposit belt conveyor 21 one by one and feed them to the feed transport path 31 of the feed main body 16, and the feed belt 32 of the feed main body 16 transports the coins C in a line on the feed transport path 31 and feeds them one by one toward the coin sorting transport path 41 of the coin sorting transport unit 13. Also, the coin sorting transport unit 13 performs forward transport in which its transport belt 42 transports the coins C in a line on the coin sorting transport path 41 toward the coin sorters 52a to 52f.

[0070] Here, as described above, the control unit 30 grasps the correspondence between the rotational position of the conveyance drive motor (not shown) and the rotational positions of the rails 48, 48, ... of the conveyance belt 42 from the detection results of the rotary encoder (not shown) and the rail position detection sensor 49. Therefore, while rotating the conveyance drive motor (not shown) at a constant rotational speed, the control unit 30 stops the feed drive motor (not shown) as necessary for coins C on the feed conveyance path 31 whose end on the coin sorting conveyance path 41 side has been detected by the feed coin detection sensor 24, and drives the feed drive motor (not shown) at a timing when coins C can be fed between adjacent rails 48, 48 where no coin C is present, to feed the coins C between these rails 48, 48 by the feed belt 32.

[0071] At that time, the control unit 30 controls the timing of dispensing so that only one coin C is dispensed for each section between adjacent rails 48, 48, and basically controls the timing of dispensing so that only one coin C is dispensed for each section, then only one coin C is dispensed for the next section, then only one coin C is dispensed for the next section, and so on. In this way, the control unit 30 dispenses coins C one by one from the coin dispensing unit 12 between adjacent rails 48, 48 based on the detection results of the rail position detection sensor 49 and the detection results of the dispensed coin detection sensor 24.

[0072] When the conveyor belt 42 rotates forward, the coin C on the coin sorting conveyance path 41 is pressed by the rail portion 48 on the upstream side and conveyed toward the coin sorting units 52a to 52f. During such forward conveyance of the conveyor belt 42 from the coin feeding unit 12 toward the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, the coin C is pressed from above by the base portion 47 of the belt main body 46, causing the reject gate 93 to swing to a closed state, and passes through the reject gate 93, and moves over the recognition unit 51. At this time, the recognition unit 51 recognizes the coin C.

[0073] Then, based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 51, acceptable coins C that are determined to be genuine coins and undamaged are transported on the conveyor belt 42 along the coin sorting transport path 41 toward the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, and the control unit 30 drives the corresponding denomination of the sorting solenoid (not shown) based on the timing when the acceptable coin C is detected by the recognition unit 51 or the corresponding denomination of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, opening the corresponding denomination of the sorting gates 54a to 54f, causing the acceptable coin C to drop from the corresponding denomination of the sorting holes 53a to 53f and store it in the corresponding denomination of the coin withdrawal storage units 61a to 61f.

[0074] Here, the sorting control for sorting, i.e., dropping, the coins C at the coin sorting units 52a to 52f includes a first sorting control for sorting, i.e., dropping the coins C at any one of the coin sorting units 52b to 52e among the coin sorting units 52a to 52f that is not adjacent to the recognition unit 51, and a second sorting control for sorting, i.e., dropping the coins C at the coin sorting unit 52a that is adjacent to the recognition unit 51. Then, the coins C that were not sorted at the coin sorting units 52a to 52e are sorted at the coin sorting unit 52f whose sorting gate 54f is kept open.

[0075] <First allocation control> As a specific example of the first sorting control, a case will be described here in which the recognition unit 51 recognizes coins to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52c in which the sorting gate 54c is in the closed state.

[0076] The coin sorting unit 52c is associated with a deposited money counting sensor 56b as a first determination sensor to control the opening operation of the coin sorting unit 52c. That is, the deposited money counting sensor 56b, which is on the two recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52c as the sorting destination, among the deposited money counting sensors 56a to 56f, is associated with the coin sorting unit 52c as a first determination sensor to control the opening operation of the coin sorting unit 52c.

[0077] Furthermore, for the coin sorting unit 52c, of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, the deposit counting sensor 56d adjacent to the coin sorting unit 52c on the opposite side from the recognition unit 51 serves as the second judgment sensor, the deposit counting sensor 56c adjacent to the coin sorting unit 52c on the recognition unit 51 side serves as the third judgment sensor, and the deposit counting sensor 56a adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56b as the first judgment sensor serves as the fourth judgment sensor.

[0078] Similarly, in order to control the opening operation of the coin sorting unit 52b, the deposit counting sensor 56a, of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, located on the two recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52b is associated as the first judgment sensor, and for the coin sorting unit 52b, the deposit counting sensor 56c, of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, which is adjacent to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51 of the coin sorting unit 52b, is the second judgment sensor, the deposit counting sensor 56b adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52b is the third judgment sensor, and the recognition unit 51 adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56a, as the first judgment sensor, is the fourth judgment sensor.

[0079] Similarly, in order to control the opening operation of the coin sorting unit 52d, the deposit counting sensor 56c, of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, located on the two recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52d is associated as the first judgment sensor, and for the coin sorting unit 52d, the deposit counting sensor 56e, of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, which is adjacent to the coin sorting unit 52d on the opposite side from the recognition unit 51, is the second judgment sensor, the deposit counting sensor 56d adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52d is the third judgment sensor, and the deposit counting sensor 56b adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56c, which is the first judgment sensor, is the fourth judgment sensor.

[0080] Similarly, in order to control the opening operation of the coin sorting unit 52e, the deposit counting sensor 56d, of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, located on the two recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52e is associated as the first judgment sensor, and for the coin sorting unit 52e, the deposit counting sensor 56f, of the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, adjacent to the coin sorting unit 52e on the opposite side from the recognition unit 51 is the second judgment sensor, the deposit counting sensor 56e adjacent to the coin sorting unit 52e on the recognition unit 51 side is the third judgment sensor, and the deposit counting sensor 56c adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56d, as the first judgment sensor, is the fourth judgment sensor.

[0081] In the first allocation control, control is performed using the pattern in which the conditions are met first among the following first, second, and third opening operation patterns.

[0082] {First opening operation pattern} A specific example is the case where, as described above, the recognition unit 51 recognizes a coin to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52c in which the sorting gate 54c is in the closed state.

[0083] During the deposit process, if the recognition unit 51 recognizes that coin C is a genuine coin and a proper coin of the third denomination (for example, a 10 yen coin) to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52c, when the downstream end (the end opposite the recognition unit 51) of the coin C to be sorted is detected by the deposit counting sensor 56b as a first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, as shown in Figure 2, the control unit 30 opens the coin sorting unit 52c if there is no preceding coin being transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted at that time between the deposit counting sensor 56d as a second judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 of the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted and the deposit counting sensor 56d. That is, the control unit 30 drives a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54c to be opened in the coin sorting unit 52c into which the coin C to be sorted is to be sorted, thereby opening the sorting gate 54c. Thereafter, the coin C to be sorted slips under the sorting gate 54c, falls into the sorting hole 53c, and is stored in the coin withdrawal storage unit 61c. In this first opening operation pattern, for example, even if the coin C to be sorted is kicked by the crosspiece 48 pressing against it from the state shown in FIG. 2 and moves toward the opposite side of the recognition unit 51 faster than the crosspiece 48, the sorting gate 54c is open, so the coin can fall into the sorting hole 53c.

[0084] Furthermore, due to the arrangement pitch of the sash portions 48 of the conveying belt 42, in which only one coin C is placed between adjacent sash portions 48, when the downstream end (the end opposite the identification portion 51) of the coin C to be sorted is detected by the deposit counting sensor 56b as a first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting portion 52c to be sorted, there will only be one preceding coin being transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted at that time, even if it is located between the deposit counting sensor 56d as a second judgment sensor adjacent to the opposite side of the identification portion 51 of the coin sorting portion 52c to be sorted, including on the deposit counting sensor 56d.

[0085] For example, when the deposit counting sensor 56b detects the downstream end of the coin C to be sorted, if the preceding coin that is being transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted is a coin that will be sorted by one of the coin sorting sections 52d to 52f, and this preceding coin has passed the deposit counting sensor 56d as the second judgment sensor and moved to the opposite side of the recognition section 51 from the deposit counting sensor 56d, the control section 30 will open the coin sorting section 52c.

[0086] {Second opening pattern} During the deposit process, if the recognition unit 51 recognizes the coin C as a genuine coin of the third denomination (for example, a 10-yen coin) to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52c, when the downstream end (the end opposite to the recognition unit 51) of the coin C to be sorted is detected by the deposited amount counting sensor 56b as the first determination sensor associated with the coin sorting unit 52c, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 30 determines that the coin C is more denomination-determined than the coin C to be sorted at that time. When a preceding coin being transported ahead is between the coin sorting unit 52c and the deposited counting sensor 56d (including the deposited counting sensor 56d serving as the second determination sensor) adjacent to the recognition unit 51 on the opposite side of the coin sorting unit 52c, and thereafter, when the preceding coin being transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted disappears between the coin sorting unit 52c and the deposited counting sensor 56d (including the deposited counting sensor 56d serving as the second determination sensor), the control unit 30 opens the coin sorting unit 52c. That is, the control unit 30 drives a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54c to be opened of the coin sorting unit 52c, which is the destination of the coin C to be sorted, to open the sorting gate 54c. Thereafter, the coin C to be sorted slips under the sorting gate 54c, falls into the sorting hole 53c, and is stored in the coin dispensing storage unit 61c.

[0087] For example, when the deposit counting sensor 56b detects the downstream end of the coin C to be sorted, if the preceding coin transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted is a coin to be sorted by one of the coin sorting sections 52d to 52f, and this preceding coin has not passed the deposit counting sensor 56d as the second judgment sensor and is on the side of the recognition section 51 relative to the deposit counting sensor 56d, including above the deposit counting sensor 56d, then when this preceding coin passes the deposit counting sensor 56d as the second judgment sensor and moves to the side opposite the recognition section 51 relative to the deposit counting sensor 56d, the control section 30 opens the coin sorting section 52c.

[0088] {Third opening pattern} During the deposit process, if the recognition unit 51 recognizes that the coin C is a genuine coin of the third denomination (for example, a 10-yen coin) to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52c, when the downstream end (the end opposite the recognition unit 51) of the coin C to be sorted is detected by the deposited coin counting sensor 56b as a first determination sensor associated with the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 30 determines that the preceding coin being transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted at that time is detected by the deposited coin counting sensor 56d as a second determination sensor adjacent to the coin sorting unit 52c on the opposite side from the recognition unit 51. If the coin C to be sorted is between the deposited counting sensor 56b and the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, and the preceding coins transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted are then between the deposited counting sensor 56d and the deposited counting sensor 56d as the second judgment sensor adjacent to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51 of the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, the control unit 30 opens the coin sorting unit 52c when the elapsed time since the coin C to be sorted passed through the deposited counting sensor 56b as the first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, i.e., the elapsed time from the time when the coin C was detected by the deposited counting sensor 56b and then no longer detected by the deposited counting sensor 56b, reaches a predetermined time before the preceding coins transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted are between the deposited counting sensor 56d and the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted. That is, the control unit 30 opens the sorting gate 54c by driving a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54c to be opened of the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted for the coin C to be sorted. Thereafter, the coin C to be sorted slips under the sorting gate 54c, falls into the sorting hole 53c, and is stored in the coin withdrawal storage unit 61c. This predetermined time is the time that can be waited after the coin C to be sorted passes through the deposited counting sensor 56b as the first determination sensor associated with the destination coin sorting unit 52c, that is, from the time when the coin C is detected by the deposited counting sensor 56b and then is no longer detected, until the coin C to be sorted can be properly sorted into the destination coin sorting unit 52c.

[0089] For example, when the deposited coin counting sensor 56b detects the downstream end of the coin C to be sorted, if the preceding coin that is being transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted is a coin to be sorted by one of the coin sorting units 52d to 52f, and this preceding coin has not passed the deposited coin counting sensor 56d as the second judgment sensor, and is located on the recognition unit 51 side of the deposited coin counting sensor 56d, including above the deposited coin counting sensor 56d, then the preceding coin that is being transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted is a coin to be sorted by one of the coin sorting units 52d to 52f. When the time that has elapsed since the coin C to be sorted passed through the deposit counting sensor 56b as the first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, that is, the time that has elapsed since the coin C was detected by the deposit counting sensor 56b and is no longer detected, reaches a predetermined time, before the previous coin C has passed through the deposit counting sensor 56d as the second judgment sensor and moved to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51 from the deposit counting sensor 56d, the control unit 30 opens the coin sorting unit 52c.

[0090] In the first sorting control, in any of the first to third opening operation patterns, after the sorting gate 54c to be opened is opened, the coin C to be sorted passes through the deposited counting sensor 56c as the third judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, that is, after the coin C to be sorted is detected by the deposited counting sensor 56c as the third judgment sensor and then becomes undetectable, the control unit 30 The control unit 30 monitors the next subsequent coin between the deposited counting sensor 56a, including the deposited counting sensor 56a serving as the fourth determination sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of all the deposited counting sensors 56b, and the deposited counting sensor 56c, including the deposited counting sensor 56c serving as the third determination sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52c that is the destination of this subsequent coin, and closes the sorting gate 54c that was in the open state and is the target for opening if the subsequent coin is detected by the recognition unit 51 but cannot be identified, the control unit 30 also determines that the coin sorting unit 52c is not the destination.

[0091] Here, due to the arrangement pitch of the rung portions 48 of the conveying belt 42, in which only one coin C is placed between adjacent rung portions 48, after the coin C to be sorted passes through the deposit counting sensor 56c as a third judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted, there will be only one subsequent coin, if any, between the deposit counting sensor 56a, which includes the deposit counting sensor 56a as a fourth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56b as the first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted, and the deposit counting sensor 56c, which includes the deposit counting sensor 56c as a third judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted.

[0092] In the first sorting control, in any of the first to third opening operation patterns, after the sorting gate 54c is opened, the coin C to be sorted passes through the deposited counting sensor 56c as the third judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, in other words, when the coin C to be sorted is detected by the deposited counting sensor 56c as the third judgment sensor and then becomes undetectable, the control unit 30 detects the coin C by the deposited counting sensor 56c as the first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted. The next coin that is located between the deposited coin counting sensor 56a, including the deposited coin counting sensor 56a serving as the fourth determination sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the sensor 56b, and the deposited coin counting sensor 56c, including the deposited coin counting sensor 56c serving as the third determination sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52c, is monitored, and if the destination of the coin that will be sorted is the coin sorting unit 52c, the sorting gate 54c that was in the open state is not closed and remains in the open state. Thereafter, the next coin C slips under the sorting gate 54c, falls into the sorting hole 53c, and is stored in the coin dispensing storage unit 61c.

[0093] For example, after the sorting gate 54c is opened, when the coin C to be sorted passes the deposit counting sensor 56c as a third judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, the control unit 30 monitors the next subsequent coin between the deposit counting sensor 56a, which includes the deposit counting sensor 56a as a fourth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56b as the first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, and the deposit counting sensor 56c, which includes the deposit counting sensor 56c as a third judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52c to be sorted, and closes the sorting gate 54c if the destination of this subsequent coin, i.e., the sorting destination, is one of the coin sorting units 52d to 52f. Then, this subsequent coin passes over the sorting gate 54c on the coin sorting transport path 41, is transported to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51, and is sorted by the corresponding coin sorting units 52d to 52f. At this time, the control unit 30 performs the first sorting control on the coins sorted by the coin sorting units 52d and 52e.

[0094] Furthermore, for example, when this subsequent coin is sorted by the sorting gate 54b on the coin sorting transport path 41, the control unit 30 performs the first sorting control on the coin sorted by the coin sorting unit 52b. In the first distribution control for coins to be sorted by the coin sorting section 52b, after the sorting gate 54b is opened, when the coin C to be sorted passes the deposit counting sensor 56b adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the coin sorting section 52b to be sorted, the control section 30 monitors the next subsequent coin that is located between the recognition section 51 adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56a associated with the coin sorting section 52b to be sorted, and the deposit counting sensor 56b including the deposit counting sensor 56b adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the coin sorting section 52b to be sorted, and if the destination of this subsequent coin, i.e., the sorting destination, is not the coin sorting section 52b, the sorting gate 54b to be opened, which was in the open state, is closed.

[0095] "Second allocation control" The second sorting control is a control that is performed when the recognition unit 51 recognizes a coin to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52a with the sorting gate 54a in the closed state.

[0096] In the second allocation control, control is performed using the pattern in which the conditions are met first among the following first, second, and third opening operation patterns.

[0097] {First opening operation pattern} During the deposit process, when the recognition unit 51 recognizes that a coin C is a genuine coin of the first denomination (for example, a 1-yen coin) to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52a, if there is no preceding coin being transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted between the coin sorting unit 52a and the coin counting sensor 56b, including the deposited coin counting sensor 56b serving as a fifth determination sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 on the opposite side of the coin sorting unit 52a, the control unit 30 opens the coin sorting unit 52a. That is, the control unit 30 drives a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54a to be opened of the coin sorting unit 52a to which the coin C to be sorted is to be sorted, thereby opening the sorting gate 54a. Then, the coin C to be sorted slips under the sorting gate 54a, falls into the sorting hole 53a, and is stored in the coin dispensing storage unit 61a. In this first opening operation pattern, for example, after being recognized by the recognition unit 51, even if the coin C to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52a is kicked by the crosspiece 48 that presses it and moves toward the opposite side of the recognition unit 51 faster than the crosspiece 48, the sorting gate 54a is open, so the coin can fall into the sorting hole 53a.

[0098] Here, due to the arrangement pitch of the sash portions 48 of the conveying belt 42, in which only one coin C is placed between adjacent sash portions 48, when the recognition unit 51 recognizes the coin C to be sorted, there will be only one preceding coin, even if it is present between the coin C to be sorted and the deposit counting sensor 56b, including the deposit counting sensor 56b as the fifth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 on the opposite side of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted.

[0099] For example, when the recognition unit 51 recognizes the coin C to be sorted, if the preceding coin that was transported before the coin C to be sorted is a coin that will be sorted by one of the coin sorting units 52b to 52f, and this preceding coin has passed the deposit counting sensor 56b as the fifth judgment sensor and moved to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51 from the deposit counting sensor 56b, the control unit 30 will open the coin sorting unit 52a.

[0100] {Second opening pattern} During the deposit process, when the recognition unit 51 recognizes that coin C is a genuine coin and a proper coin of the first denomination (for example, a 1 yen coin) to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52a, if at that time there is a preceding coin transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted between the recognition unit 51 and the coin counting sensor 56b serving as the fifth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted, and if there is no longer a preceding coin transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted between the recognition unit 51 and the coin counting sensor 56b serving as the fifth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted, the control unit 30 opens the coin sorting unit 52a. That is, the control unit 30 drives a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54a to be opened in the coin sorting unit 52a into which the coin C to be sorted is to be sorted, thereby opening the sorting gate 54a. Thereafter, the coin C to be sorted slips under the sorting gate 54a, falls into the sorting hole 53a, and is stored in the coin withdrawal storage unit 61a.

[0101] For example, when the recognition unit 51 recognizes the coin C to be sorted, if the preceding coin that was transported before the coin C to be sorted is a coin that will be sorted by one of the coin sorting units 52b to 52f, and this preceding coin has not passed the deposit counting sensor 56b as the fifth judgment sensor, and is on the recognition unit 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56b, including above the deposit counting sensor 56b, then when this preceding coin passes the deposit counting sensor 56b as the fifth judgment sensor and moves to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51 from the deposit counting sensor 56b, the control unit 30 opens the coin sorting unit 52a.

[0102] {Third opening pattern} During the deposit process, when the recognition unit 51 recognizes that a coin C is a genuine coin and a genuine coin of the first denomination (for example, a 1 yen coin) to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52a, if at that time a preceding coin transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted is between the recognition unit 51 and the deposit counting sensor 56b serving as the fifth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted, including above the deposit counting sensor 56b, and if the preceding coin transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted subsequently disappears between the recognition unit 51 and the deposit counting sensor 56b serving as the fifth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted, including above the deposit counting sensor 56b, serving as the fifth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted, the control unit 30 opens the coin sorting unit 52a if the elapsed time since the coin C to be sorted was recognized by the recognition unit 51 reaches a predetermined time. That is, the control unit 30 drives a sorting solenoid (not shown) for driving the sorting gate 54a to be opened of the coin sorting unit 52a, which is the destination of the coin C to be sorted, to open the sorting gate 54a. Thereafter, the coin C to be sorted slips under the sorting gate 54a, falls into the sorting hole 53a, and is stored in the coin withdrawal storage unit 61a. This predetermined time is the time required for the coin C to be sorted to be properly sorted into the destination coin sorting unit 52a after being recognized by the recognition unit 51.

[0103] For example, when the recognition unit 51 recognizes the coin C to be sorted, if the preceding coin transported before the coin C to be sorted is a coin to be sorted by one of the coin sorting units 52b to 52f, and this preceding coin has not passed the deposit counting sensor 56b as the fifth judgment sensor and is on the recognition unit 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56b, including above the deposit counting sensor 56b, then, before the preceding coin passes the deposit counting sensor 56b as the fifth judgment sensor and moves to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51 from the deposit counting sensor 56b, including above the deposit counting sensor 56b, if the elapsed time of the coin C to be sorted after recognition by the recognition unit 51 reaches a predetermined time, the control unit 30 opens the coin sorting unit 52c.

[0104] In the second sorting control, in any of the first to third opening operation patterns, after the sorting gate 54a is opened, the coin C to be sorted passes through the deposited counting sensor 56a as the sixth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted, in other words, after the coin C to be sorted is detected by the deposited counting sensor 56a as the sixth judgment sensor and is no longer detected, the control unit 30 determines that the coin C has been identified by the recognition unit 51 and is detected by the sixth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted. The control unit 30 monitors the next coin that is located between the coin sorting sensor 56a and the coin sorting sensor 56a, and closes the sorting gate 54a that was open when the destination of the coin, i.e., the sorting destination, of the coin is not the coin sorting unit 52a, or when a coin that has been identified by the recognition unit 51 and is located between the coin sorting sensor 56a and the coin sorting sensor 56a, including the coin sorting sensor 56a as the sixth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52a, is not present for a predetermined period of time. If the subsequent coin is detected by the recognition unit 51 but cannot be identified, the control unit 30 determines that the coin sorting unit 52a is not the destination.

[0105] Here, due to the arrangement pitch of the sash portions 48 of the conveyor belt 42, in which only one coin C is placed between adjacent sash portions 48, after the coin C to be sorted passes through the deposit counting sensor 56a as a sixth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the coin sorting section 52a to be sorted, it is identified by the recognition section 51, and even if there are any subsequent coins between it and the deposit counting sensor 56a as the sixth judgment sensor, including above the deposit counting sensor 56a as the sixth judgment sensor, there will only be one coin.

[0106] In the second sorting control, in any of the first to third opening operation patterns, after the sorting gate 54a is opened, after the coin C to be sorted passes the deposit counting sensor 56a as the sixth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting section 52a to be sorted, i.e., after the coin C to be sorted is detected by the deposit counting sensor 56a as the sixth judgment sensor and then becomes undetectable, the control unit 30 monitors the next subsequent coin that has been identified by the recognition unit 51 and is located between the deposit counting sensor 56a as the sixth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting section 52a to be sorted, including above the deposit counting sensor 56a, and if the destination of this subsequent coin, i.e., the sorting destination, is the coin sorting section 52a to be sorted, the sorting gate 54a to be opened, which was in the open state, is not closed, but remains in the open state. Thereafter, the subsequent coin C slips under the sorting gate 54a, falls into the sorting hole 53a, and is stored in the dispensed coin storing section 61a.

[0107] For example, after the sorting gate 54a is opened, when the coin C to be sorted passes the deposited counting sensor 56a serving as the sixth determination sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted, the control unit 30 monitors the subsequent coin that is identified by the recognition unit 51 and is present between the coin C and the deposited counting sensor 56a serving as the sixth determination sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted, and closes the sorting gate 54a if the destination of the subsequent coin, i.e., the sorting destination, is one of the coin sorting units 52b to 52f. Then, the subsequent coin passes the sorting gate 54a on the coin sorting transport path 41, is transported to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51, and is sorted by the corresponding coin sorting unit 52b to 52f. At this time, the control unit 30 performs the first sorting control on the coins sorted by the coin sorting units 52b, 52c, 52d, and 52e.

[0108] In addition, if a deposit counting sensor two steps before the deposit counting sensor 56a is provided between the recognition unit 51 as a first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting unit 52a, the control unit 30 will perform the first allocation control even when the sorting destination is the coin sorting unit 52a.

[0109] During the deposit process, if a rejected coin is found to be a counterfeit coin, a damaged coin, or an unidentifiable coin based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 51 while the conveyor belt 42 is conveying coins in the forward direction from the coin payout unit 12 to the coin sorting units 52a-52f, the control unit 30 immediately stops the deposit port drive motor (not shown) at the time of reject recognition when the rejected coin is identified. If the dispensed coin detection sensor 24 does not detect coin C at the time of reject recognition, the control unit 30 also immediately stops the dispense drive motor (not shown). Furthermore, if the dispensed coin detection sensor 24 detects coin C at the time of reject recognition, the control unit 30 waits until the dispensed coin detection sensor 24 no longer detects coin C for the first time, that is, until the coin being dispensed to the coin sorting conveyance path 41 is dispensed, and then stops the dispense drive motor (not shown). In this way, the deposit process is interrupted.

[0110] Furthermore, the control unit 30 rotates the conveyance drive motor (not shown) in the forward direction from the time of reject identification to a position where all coins C located closer to the coin sorting units 52a to 52f than the coin C identified as a reject coin can be dropped into the sorting holes 53a to 53f of the corresponding denomination. As a result, confirmed coins located closer to the coin sorting units 52a to 52f than the rejected coins are stored in the coin withdrawal storage units 61a to 61f of the corresponding denomination.

[0111] Here, depending on the setting of the arrangement pitch of the crosspieces 48, 48, ..., at this point, there may be only the rejected coin and one coin C adjacent to the rejected coin on the coin feed-out unit 12 side on the coin sorting and conveying path 41, and this adjacent coin C may get caught on the end of the reject gate 93 on the recognition unit 51 side. Below, we will explain such a case as an example.

[0112] From the viewpoint of preventing jams, the control unit 30 rotates the conveyance drive motor (not shown) in the forward direction until the coin C hanging on the end of the reject unit 91 on the recognition unit 51 side moves completely past the reject unit 91, and then stops the conveyance drive motor (not shown) to stop the conveyor belt 42. Note that the distance between the recognition unit 51 and the coin sorting unit 52a is set so that the coin C that has been recognized as a rejected coin cannot move to the coin sorting unit 52a when the conveyance drive motor (not shown) is rotated in the forward direction in this manner.

[0113] After the above-mentioned stop, the control unit 30 performs so-called switchback control, which reverses the rotation of the conveyor drive motor (not shown) and reverses the rotation of the conveyor belt 42. Then, at the time of this switchback, the coin C identified as a rejected coin, which was located on the coin sorting units 52a to 52f side of the reject unit 91, and the coin C adjacent to it on the coin feed-out unit 12 side are pressed by the rail units 48 located upstream of each coin C and conveyed to the coin feed-out unit 12 side. This reverse conveyance by the conveyor belt 42 moves the coin C adjacent to the coin identified as a rejected coin on the coin feed-out unit 12 side and the coin C identified as a rejected coin to the position of the reject unit 91.

[0114] Then, the coin C identified as the reject coin, and one coin C adjacent to the coin C identified as the reject coin on the coin feeding unit 12 side, slip under the reject gate 93, fall through the reject hole 92, and are released to the dispensing port 85 via the reject chute 97. As a result, the coin C identified as the reject coin and the one coin C adjacent to it on the coin feeding unit 12 side are rejected so that they can be removed to the outside. In other words, all coins C that were on the coin sorting conveying path 41 at the time of the switchback are rejected to the dispensing port 85.

[0115] Here, as described above, the control unit 30 detects the position of the bars 48, 48, ... of the forward rotating conveying belt 42 from the detection results of the bar position detection sensor 49, so it can accurately convey a coin C adjacent to the coin C identified as a rejected coin on the coin dispensing unit 12 side in the forward direction to a position beyond the reject unit 91, or convey a coin C identified as a rejected coin in the reverse direction to the reject unit 91.

[0116] As described above, the control unit 30 reverses the rotation of the transport drive motor (not shown) to transport the coin C identified as a rejected coin and the coin C adjacent to the coin C on the coin dispensing unit 12 side of the coin C identified as a rejected coin until they fall through the reject hole 92, and then stops the transport drive motor (not shown) and then, as at the start of the deposit process, rotates the deposit port drive motor (not shown), the dispensing drive motor (not shown), and the transport drive motor (not shown) all forward to resume the deposit process, operating in the same manner as described above.

[0117] During the deposit process, when the unillustrated deposit remaining detection sensor finally detects that all coins C have been removed from the coin deposit port 15, and the dispensed coin detection sensor 24, the recognition unit 51, and the deposit counting sensors 56a-56f no longer detect any coins C, and a predetermined time has elapsed to determine that all coins C in the coin deposit port 15 have been transported to either the withdrawal port 85 or the coin withdrawal storage units 61a-61f, the control unit 30 stops the unillustrated deposit port drive motor, the unillustrated payout drive motor, and the unillustrated transport drive motor. At the same time, the control unit 30 calculates the count values ​​for each denomination of the coins C currently received and stored in the coin withdrawal storage units 61a-61f from the recognition results of the recognition unit 51 and the deposit counting sensors 56a-56f, and ends the deposit process.

[0118] It is also possible to rotate the conveyor drive motor (not shown) in the forward direction from the time of reject identification to a position where all coins C located closer to the coin sorting sections 52a to 52f than the coin C identified as a reject coin can be dropped into the corresponding denomination of one of the sorting holes 53a to 53f, and then immediately stop and rotate the conveyor drive motor (not shown) in the reverse direction to reverse the conveyor belt 42. In this way, it is also possible to discharge only the coins C identified as a reject coin from the reject section 91 to the withdrawal port 85.

[0119] During the above-described deposit process, if the control unit 30 cannot detect coin C at the timing when it should detect coin C based on the detection results of the recognition unit 51 and the deposited counting sensors 56a to 56f, it detects that a jam has occurred with coin C on the coin sorting and conveying path 41. In other words, the control unit 30, the recognition unit 51, and the deposited counting sensors 56a to 56f constitute jam detection means that detects a jam of coin C on the coin sorting and conveying path 41.

[0120] When the control unit 30 detects a jam of coin C from the detection results of the recognition unit 51 and the deposit counting sensors 56a to 56f, it immediately stops the deposit port drive motor (not shown) and the transport drive motor (not shown) at the time the jam is detected, and restricts the drive of the sorting solenoid (not shown), and if the dispensed coin detection sensor 24 has not detected coin C at the time the jam occurs, it also immediately stops the dispense drive motor (not shown). Also, if the dispensed coin detection sensor 24 has detected coin C at the time the jam occurs, it waits until the dispensed coin detection sensor 24 no longer detects coin C for the first time, that is, until the coin C that was being dispensed to the coin sorting transport path 41 is dispensed, and then stops the dispense drive motor (not shown).

[0121] The control unit 30 then determines the confirmed / unconfirmed state of the coins C that are on the coin sorting conveying path 41 and between the respective ribs 48, 48 based on the recognition results of the recognition unit 51 and the detection results of the rib position detection sensor 49 up until the time the jam occurred. In other words, if all of the coins C that had passed through the recognition unit 51 up until the time the jam occurred and that are located on the coin sorting units 52a to 52f side from the recognition unit 51 have been recognized as acceptable coins C, the control unit 30 determines that these coins C are in a confirmed state, and determines that coins C that are not recognized by the recognition unit 51 and that are located on the coin feeding unit 12 side of the recognition unit 51 are in an unconfirmed state. Furthermore, if the coin C last identified by the identification unit 51 at the time the jam occurs is identified as a rejected coin, the coins C located closer to the coin sorting units 52a to 52f than the coin C identified as the rejected coin are determined to be in a confirmed state, and the coins C on the coin dispensing unit 12 side, including the coin C identified as the rejected coin, are determined to be in an unconfirmed state.

[0122] Since the control unit 30 is aware of the correspondence between the rotational position of the conveying drive motor (not shown) and the rotational position of the sash portions 48, 48, ... of the conveying belt 42, it is able to determine, from the results of the confirmed / unconfirmed state determination described above, the position of the sash portion 48 that may be holding a confirmed coin C and the position of the sash portion 48 that may be holding a unconfirmed coin C.

[0123] Then, the control unit 30 rotates the conveyor drive motor (not shown) in the forward direction to convey the conveyor belt 42 in the forward direction until the crosspiece 48 closest to the coin feeding unit 12 (the front side of the coin processing device 11), which may have pinched the undetermined coin C at the time the jam occurred, moves the pressed undetermined coin C to a position beyond the reject unit 91. This forward conveyance of the conveyor belt 42 temporarily conveys the undetermined coin C that was closest to the coin feeding unit 12 on the coin sorting conveyance path 41 toward the coin sorting units 52a to 52f from the reject unit 91. In other words, all coins C determined to be in an undetermined state are temporarily moved toward the coin sorting units 52a to 52f from the reject unit 91.

[0124] When the crosspiece 48 closest to the coin feeding unit 12, which may have an undetermined coin C sandwiched between them, passes the reject unit 91, the control unit 30 stops the conveyance drive motor (not shown), and causes the conveyance drive motor (not shown) to rotate in reverse to convey the conveyor belt 42 until the crosspiece 48 closest to the coin sorting units 52a to 52f, which may have an undetermined coin C sandwiched between them at the time the jam occurred, moves the undetermined coin C pressed by it to a position where it will fall into the reject hole 92 of the reject unit 91. The control unit 30 then stops the conveyance drive motor (not shown). As a result, all coins C determined to be undetermined are rejected by the reject unit 91 to the dispensing port 85 via the reject chute 97.

[0125] As a result, all coins C remaining in the coin sorting and conveying path 41 become confirmed coins C, and all coins C released into the withdrawal port 85 become unconfirmed coins C, making it easy to distinguish between them.

[0126] "Withdrawal processing" During the dispensing process, the control unit 30 rotates the storage unit drive motor (not shown), the dispensing drive motor (not shown), and the terminal drive motor (not shown) in the forward direction. As a result, the belt conveyors 62a-62f and the separation roller 63 of the coin dispensing storage units 61a-61f separate and move the coins C one by one toward the coin dispensing transport unit 71. The control unit 30 also drives the branch solenoid (not shown) to open the branch gate 82.

[0127] Then, while counting is performed by the dispensing count sensors 67a to 67f, the dispensing solenoids 66a to 66f are driven to feed coins C, the number of which corresponds to the dispensing number data for each denomination, from the dispensing coin storage units 61a to 61f onto the dispensing belt conveyor 72 of the coin dispensing transport unit 71. The coins C fed onto the dispensing belt conveyor 72 are transported by the dispensing belt conveyor 72 to the separation roller 73 side, where they are separated one by one and fed to the terminal transport path 75. The coins C fed to the terminal transport path 75 are transported by the terminal belt 76, drop from the branch hole 81 of the branch unit 80, whose branch gate 82 is in the open state, and are guided by the dispensing chute 86 and released to the dispensing port 85. As a result, the coins C, the number of which corresponds to the dispensing number data for each denomination, can be taken out to the outside from the dispensing port 85. When a sufficient amount of time has passed for all of the coins counted by the dispensing counting sensors 67a to 67f to fall through the branch hole 81, the control unit 30 stops the storage section drive motor (not shown), the dispensing drive motor (not shown), and the terminal drive motor (not shown).

[0128] "Scrutiny processing" During the reconciliation process, the control unit 30 rotates the storage unit drive motor (not shown), the dispensing drive motor (not shown), and the terminal drive motor (not shown) in the forward direction. As a result, the belt conveyors 62a-62f and the separation roller 63 of the coin dispensing storage units 61a-61f separate and move the coins C one by one toward the coin dispensing transport unit 71. The control unit 30 also does not drive the branch solenoid (not shown), causing the branch gate 82 to be in a closed state.

[0129] Then, for example, the dispensing solenoid 66a is driven to feed the coins C from the coin dispensing storage unit 61a onto the dispensing belt conveyor 72 of the coin dispensing transport unit 71. The coins C fed onto the dispensing belt conveyor 72 are transported by the dispensing belt conveyor 72 to the separation roller 73 side, where they are separated one by one and fed to the terminal transport path 75. The coins C fed to the terminal transport path 75 are transported by the terminal belt 76, pass over the branch unit 80 whose branch gate 82 is in the closed state, and are released into the coin deposit port 15. In this way, all of the coins C from the coin dispensing storage unit 61a are temporarily moved to the coin deposit port 15.

[0130] Next, in the same manner as in the deposit process, the coins C in the coin deposit port 15 are returned to the coin withdrawal storage unit 61a. Based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 51 at this time, the number of coins C returned to the coin withdrawal storage unit 61a becomes the inspection result of the coin withdrawal storage unit 61a. This process is performed for all of the coin withdrawal storage units 61a to 61f.

[0131] In the coin processing device 11 of this embodiment described above, when sorting coins C in the coin sorting sections 52b to 52e, for example, when sorting a coin C to be sorted in the coin sorting section 52c, the sorting gate 54c to be opened of the coin sorting section 52c into which the coin C to be sorted is sorted is opened if the coin C to be sorted is detected by the deposit counting sensor 56b two steps ahead as a first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting section 52c into which the coin C to be sorted is sorted, and if a preceding coin being transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted is not between the deposit counting sensor 56d as a second judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 on the opposite side of the coin sorting section 52c into which the coin C to be sorted is sorted. This allows the sorting gate 54c to be opened early, so that the coin C to be sorted does not move along with the rails 48 of the conveyor belt 42. Even if the coin C to be sorted momentarily moves faster than the rails 48, the coin C to be sorted can be prevented from skipping the sorting gate 54c of the destination coin sorting unit 52c or being returned to the upstream side of the conveyance from the sorting gate 54c. This prevents the coin C to be sorted from the destination coin sorting unit 52c. Therefore, the possibility of an abnormality occurring can be reduced. In other words, it is possible to prevent the inventory amounts in the coin withdrawal storage units 61b to 61f from becoming uncertain due to abnormal sorting and conveyance of the sorting gates 54b to 54e, thereby reducing the frequency of settlements and inspections to confirm the inventory amounts.

[0132] Furthermore, when sorting coins C in the coin sorting sections 52b to 52e, for example, when sorting a coin C to be sorted in the coin sorting section 52c, the coin processing device 11 opens the sorting gate 54c to be opened of the coin sorting section 52c into which the coin C to be sorted is sorted when the coin C to be sorted is detected by the previous deposit counting sensor 56b as a first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting section 52c into which the coin C to be sorted is sorted, and if a preceding coin that is transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted is between the recognition section 51 of the coin sorting section 52c into which the coin C is sorted and the adjacent deposit counting sensor 56d as a second judgment sensor on the opposite side of the recognition section 51, and if the preceding coin then disappears between the recognition section 51 and the deposit counting sensor 56d as the second judgment sensor. This allows the sorting gate 54c to be opened early, so that the coin C to be sorted does not move along with the rails 48 of the conveyor belt 42. Even if the coin C to be sorted moves instantaneously faster than the moving speed of the rails 48, the coin C to be sorted can be prevented from skipping over the sorting gate 54c of the destination coin sorting unit 52c or being returned to the upstream side of the conveyance from the sorting gate 54c, and the coin C to be sorted can be properly sorted in the destination coin sorting unit 52c. This reduces the possibility of abnormalities occurring.

[0133] Furthermore, when sorting coins C in the coin sorting sections 52b to 52e, for example, when sorting a coin C to be sorted in the coin sorting section 52c, the coin processing device 11 opens the sorting gate 54c to be opened of the coin sorting section 52c into which the coin C to be sorted is to be sorted when the coin C to be sorted is detected by the previous deposit counting sensor 56b as a first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting section 52c into which the coin C to be sorted is to be sorted, and if a preceding coin that is transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted is between the coin counting sensor 56d as a second judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 on the opposite side of the coin sorting section 52c into which the coin C to be sorted is to be sorted, and then, before the preceding coin disappears between the coin counting sensor 56d as the second judgment sensor, the coin processing device 11 opens the sorting gate 54c to be opened when a predetermined time has elapsed since the coin C to be sorted passed the previous deposit counting sensor 56b as a first judgment sensor. This allows the coin C to be sorted in the coin sorting unit 52c.

[0134] In addition, when sorting coins C in the coin sorting sections 52b to 52e, for example, when sorting a coin C to be sorted in the coin sorting section 52c, after the coin C to be sorted passes through the deposit counting sensor 56c as a third judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted, if the destination of subsequent coins between the deposit counting sensor 56a as a fourth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56b two steps earlier as the first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted to the deposit counting sensor 56c as a third judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted is not the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted, the coin processing device 11 closes the sorting gate 54c to be opened, which was in the open state. This makes it possible to prevent the subsequent coin from being erroneously sorted into the coin sorting unit 52c when the destination of the subsequent coin is not the coin sorting unit 52c.

[0135] Furthermore, when sorting coins C in the coin sorting sections 52b to 52e, for example, when sorting a coin C to be sorted in the coin sorting section 52c, after the coin C to be sorted passes through the deposit counting sensor 56c as a third judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted, if the destination of any subsequent coins between the deposit counting sensor 56a as a fourth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the deposit counting sensor 56b two steps earlier as the first judgment sensor associated with the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted and the deposit counting sensor 56c as a third judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition section 51 side of the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted is the coin sorting section 52c to be sorted, the coin processing device 11 does not close the sorting gate 54c to be opened, which was in the open state. This reduces the possibility of an abnormality occurring due to the opening and closing of the sorting gate 54c when the destination of the subsequent coin is the coin sorting unit 52c, and also reduces power consumption due to unnecessary opening and closing of the sorting gate 54c.

[0136] In addition, when the coin processing device 11 selects a coin C to be selected in the coin sorting section 52a adjacent to the recognition section 51, it opens the sorting gate 54a to be opened of the coin sorting section 52a into which the coin C to be selected is to be selected if, when the recognition section 51 recognizes the coin C to be selected, there is no preceding coin being transported ahead of the coin C to be selected between the coin sorting section 52a and the deposit counting sensor 56b, which serves as a fifth judgment sensor and is adjacent to the opposite side of the recognition section 51 of the coin sorting section 52a into which the coin C is to be selected. This allows the sorting gate 54a to be opened early, so that the coin C to be sorted does not move along with the rails 48 of the conveyor belt 42. Even if the coin C to be sorted momentarily moves faster than the rails 48, the coin C to be sorted can be prevented from skipping the sorting gate 54a of the destination coin sorting unit 52a or being returned to the upstream side of the conveyance from the sorting gate 54a. This prevents the coin C to be sorted from the destination coin sorting unit 52a. This reduces the possibility of abnormalities occurring. In other words, it is possible to prevent the inventory amount in the coin dispensing storage unit 61a from becoming uncertain due to an abnormality in the sorting conveyance of the sorting gate 54a, thereby reducing the frequency of settlements and inspections to confirm the inventory amount.

[0137] In addition, when the coin processing device 11 selects a coin C to be selected in the coin sorting section 52a adjacent to the recognition section 51, it opens the sorting gate 54a to be opened of the coin sorting section 52a into which the coin C to be selected is selected if, when the recognition section 51 recognizes the coin C to be selected, a preceding coin that is being transported ahead of the coin C to be selected is between the coin sorting section 52a and the deposit counting sensor 56b, which serves as a fifth judgment sensor and is adjacent to the coin sorting section 52a on the opposite side from the recognition section 51, and if the preceding coin then disappears between the coin sorting section 52a and the deposit counting sensor 56b, which serves as the fifth judgment sensor. This allows the sorting gate 54a to be opened early, so that the coin C to be sorted does not move along with the rails 48 of the conveyor belt 42. Even if the coin C to be sorted moves instantaneously faster than the moving speed of the rails 48, the coin C to be sorted can be prevented from skipping over the sorting gate 54a of the destination coin sorting unit 52a or being returned to the upstream side of the conveyance from the sorting gate 54a, and the coin C to be sorted can be properly sorted in the destination coin sorting unit 52a. This reduces the possibility of abnormalities occurring.

[0138] Furthermore, when sorting a coin C to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52a adjacent to the recognition unit 51, the coin processing device 11 opens the sorting gate 54a to be opened of the coin sorting unit 52a to which the coin C to be sorted is to be sorted, if, when the recognition unit 51 recognizes the coin C to be sorted, a preceding coin transported ahead of the coin C to be sorted is between the coin sorting unit 52a and the deposited coin counting sensor 56b serving as a fifth determination sensor adjacent to the opposite side of the recognition unit 51 of the coin sorting unit 52a, and if the elapsed time since the coin C to be sorted by the recognition unit 51 reaches a predetermined time before the preceding coin disappears between the coin sorting unit 52a and the deposited coin counting sensor 56b serving as the fifth determination sensor. This allows the coin C to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52a.

[0139] Furthermore, when sorting a coin C to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52a adjacent to the recognition unit 51, the coin processing device 11 closes the sorting gate 54a to be opened, which was in the open state, if the destination of a subsequent coin between the coin sorting unit 52a and the coin sorting unit 52a is not the coin sorting unit 52a, after the coin C to be sorted passes through the deposited counting sensor 56a as a sixth determination sensor adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted, and the subsequent coin is identified by the recognition unit 51. This makes it possible to prevent the subsequent coin from being mistakenly sorted into the coin sorting unit 52a when the destination of the subsequent coin is not the coin sorting unit 52a to be sorted.

[0140] Furthermore, when the coin processing device 11 sorts a coin C to be sorted by the coin sorting unit 52a adjacent to the recognition unit 51, the coin C passes through the deposited counting sensor 56a (sixth determination sensor) adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the destination coin sorting unit 52a, and is recognized by the recognition unit 51. If the destination of a subsequent coin between the deposited counting sensor 56a (sixth determination sensor) adjacent to the recognition unit 51 side of the destination coin sorting unit 52a is the destination coin sorting unit 52a, the coin processing device 11 does not close the opened sorting gate 54a to be opened. This reduces the possibility of an abnormality occurring due to the opening and closing of the sorting gate 54a when the destination of the subsequent coin is the destination coin sorting unit 52a. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress power consumption due to unnecessary opening and closing of the sorting gate 54a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 11...coin processing device, 41...coin sorting and conveying path (conveying path), 42...conveying belt, 48...strip portion (protrusion portion), 51...identification portion (sensor), 52a to 52f...coin sorting portion (sorting portion), 54a to 54f...sorting gate (gate), 56a to 56f...deposit counting sensor (sensor), C...coin.

Claims

1. In a coin processing device, coins are conveyed one by one along a conveyance path by a protrusion of a conveyor belt, and based on the recognition result of the recognition unit and the detection result of a sensor provided corresponding to each of the plurality of sorting units, a gate is opened in one of the sorting units to select the coin to be sorted. The gate to be opened in the sorting section where the coins to be sorted are sorted is When the coin to be sorted is detected by the first judgment sensor associated with the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted, if there is no preceding coin being transported ahead of the coin to be sorted between the coin to be sorted and the second judgment sensor adjacent to the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted on the opposite side of the recognition unit, A coin processing device that opens.

2. The gate to be opened in the sorting section where the coins to be sorted are sorted is When the coin to be sorted is detected by a first judgment sensor associated with the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted, if a preceding coin that has been transported ahead of the coin to be sorted is between the coin to be sorted and the second judgment sensor adjacent to the sorting unit on the opposite side of the identification unit, and if the preceding coin subsequently disappears between the coin to be sorted and the second judgment sensor, 2. The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the coin processing device is operated to open.

3. The gate to be opened in the sorting section where the coins to be sorted are sorted is When the coin to be sorted is detected by a first judgment sensor associated with the sorting unit to which it is to be sorted, if a preceding coin that has been transported ahead of the coin to be sorted is between the coin to be sorted and the second judgment sensor adjacent to the opposite side of the identification unit of the sorting unit to which it is to be sorted, and if the time that has elapsed since the coin to be sorted passed the first judgment sensor reaches a predetermined time before the preceding coin disappears between the coin to be sorted and the second judgment sensor, 3. The coin processing device according to claim 2, wherein the coin processing device is operated to open.

4. After a coin to be sorted passes through the third judgment sensor adjacent to the identification unit side of the sorting unit to be sorted, if the destination of a subsequent coin between the fourth judgment sensor adjacent to the identification unit side of the first judgment sensor associated with the sorting unit to be sorted and the third judgment sensor adjacent to the identification unit side of the sorting unit to be sorted is not the sorting unit to be sorted, The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a gate to be opened that has been in an open state is closed.

5. After a coin to be sorted passes through the third judgment sensor adjacent to the identification unit side of the sorting unit to be sorted, if the destination of a subsequent coin located between the fourth judgment sensor adjacent to the identification unit side of the first judgment sensor associated with the sorting unit to be sorted and the third judgment sensor adjacent to the identification unit side of the sorting unit to be sorted is the sorting unit to be sorted, 5. The coin processing device according to claim 4, wherein the gate to be opened in the open state is not closed.

6. In a coin processing device, coins are conveyed one by one along a conveyance path by a protrusion of a conveyor belt, and a gate is opened in one of a plurality of sorting sections based on the recognition result of the recognition section and the detection result of a sensor provided corresponding to each of the plurality of sorting sections, thereby making it possible to select the coin to be sorted. The gate to be opened in the sorting unit where the coin to be sorted is sorted is When the coin to be sorted is identified by the identification unit, if there is no preceding coin that is being transported ahead of the coin to be sorted between the coin to be sorted and the fifth judgment sensor adjacent to the opposite side of the identification unit of the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted, A coin processing device that opens.

7. The gate to be opened in the sorting unit where the coin to be sorted is to be sorted is When the coin to be sorted is identified by the identification unit, if a preceding coin that has been transported ahead of the coin to be sorted is between the coin to be sorted and the fifth judgment sensor adjacent to the sorting unit on the opposite side of the identification unit, and if the preceding coin then disappears between the coin to be sorted and the fifth judgment sensor, 7. The coin processing device according to claim 6, wherein the coin processing device is operated to open.

8. The gate to be opened in the sorting unit where the coin to be sorted is to be sorted is When the coin to be sorted is identified by the identification unit, if a preceding coin that has been transported ahead of the coin to be sorted is between the coin and the fifth judgment sensor that is adjacent to the opposite side of the identification unit of the sorting unit to which the coin will be sorted, and if the time that has elapsed since the coin to be sorted was identified by the identification unit reaches a predetermined time before the preceding coin disappears between the coin and the fifth judgment sensor, 8. The coin processing device according to claim 7, wherein the coin processing device is operated to open.

9. After the coin to be sorted passes through the sixth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit side of the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted, if the destination of subsequent coins that are identified by the recognition unit and are between the recognition unit and the sixth judgment sensor is not the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted, The coin processing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the gate to be opened, which was in an open state, is closed.

10. After the coin to be sorted passes through the sixth judgment sensor adjacent to the recognition unit side of the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted, if the destination of subsequent coins that are identified by the recognition unit and are between the recognition unit and the sixth judgment sensor is the sorting unit to which the coin is to be sorted, The coin processing device according to claim 9, wherein the gate to be opened, which is in an open state, is not closed.

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