Coin Processing Device

Abstract

To provide a coin processing device capable of separating coins inserted in a mixed denomination state and discharging them according to the denomination, and capable of realizing a highly convenient coin separating function. [Solution] The coin processing device 1 comprises a depositing / withdrawing unit 20 which is an insertion unit into which coins are inserted from outside and an ejection unit from which coins are ejected so that they can be removed to the outside, a temporary holding unit 50, a transport unit 70, a recognition unit 80, and a control unit capable of executing a coin sorting function which separates multiple coins inserted into the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 in a mixed denomination state into each denomination and ejects them to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20. In the coin sorting function, the control unit executes a coin storage process which transports coins in the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 by the transporting unit 70 and stores them in the temporary holding unit 50, and a coin sorting process which, while transporting coins stored in the temporary holding unit 50 by the transporting unit 70, identifies the denomination of the transported coins by the recognition unit 80, ejects coins of the target denomination to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20, and returns coins of other denominations to the temporary holding unit 50.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In a manual cash register, a plurality of coins are manually sorted by denomination and replenished into a drawer as a change fund.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 describes a coin processing device installed at a transportation company's office, etc., in which coins stored in each storage and dispensing section are dispensed as change reserves to be distributed to delivery drivers.

[0004] In the cash register, as in Patent Document 1, coins stored in advance in the coin processing device can be dispensed by denomination as change reserves and replenished in the drawer.

[0005] On the other hand, there are cases where a coin processing device is operated so that multiple coins of mixed denominations are prepared as a change fund outside the device and these coins are replenished in the drawer. In such an operation, if the multiple coins are separated by denomination before replenishment, the replenishment of coins in the drawer can be carried out smoothly.

[0006] Therefore, it may be possible to use a coin processing device to separate a plurality of coins of mixed denominations into coins of each denomination.

[0007] For example, in a coin processing device having the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when an attendant inserts multiple coins of mixed denominations into a coin insertion slot and specifies a target denomination, the coins in the coin insertion slot are transported by a transport unit, and their denominations are identified by an identification unit, and coins of the target denomination are ejected into a coin return slot, while coins of other denominations are ejected into a coin reject slot.The attendant removes coins of the target denomination from the coin return slot, re-inserts coins of other denominations that were ejected into the coin reject slot into the coin insertion slot, and specifies the next target denomination.By repeating this process, the attendant can eventually obtain coins sorted by denomination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-106536 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, the coin sorting function described above forces the attendant to remove and reinsert coins of a different denomination, which tends to increase the attendant's burden and reduce convenience.

[0010] In view of such problems, the present invention aims to provide a coin processing device that can separate and eject coins of mixed denominations that are inserted into the machine, and that can realize a highly convenient coin sorting function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A coin processing device according to a main aspect of the present invention comprises an input section into which coins are inserted from outside, a discharge section from which coins are ejected so that they can be removed to the outside, a temporary storage section in which coins are temporarily stored, a transport section that transports coins, a recognition section that identifies the denominations of coins, and a control section capable of executing a coin sorting function that separates multiple coins inserted into the input section in a mixed denomination state by denomination and ejects them to the discharge section. Here, the control section, in the coin sorting function, executes a coin storage process that transports coins in the input section by the transport section and stores them in the temporary storage section, and a coin sorting process that transports coins stored in the temporary storage section by the transport section, identifies the denominations of the transported coins by the recognition section, ejects coins of a target denomination to the discharge section, and returns coins of other denominations to the temporary storage section.

[0012] For example, the coin processing device according to this aspect may include a coin insertion / ejection unit that serves as both the insertion unit and the ejection unit, and into which coins are inserted and into which coins are ejected.

[0013] According to the coin processing device of this aspect, after the coin storage process is performed, the coin sorting process is repeated while changing the target denomination, so that the coins sorted by denomination can be sequentially discharged to the discharge section. This allows the attendant to obtain coins sorted by denomination. Moreover, since the attendant does not need to remove and re-insert coins other than the target denomination, the burden on the attendant is reduced and convenience is increased.

[0014] In addition, the coin sorting process for one target denomination can be terminated when the number of coins of the target denomination that should be discharged, for example, all coins of the target denomination stored in the temporary holding section or a predetermined number of coins of the target denomination, have been discharged to the discharge section.

[0015] In the coin processing device according to this aspect, the control unit may be configured to start the coin sorting process for the next target denomination on the condition that a coin has been removed from the discharge unit.

[0016] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent coins of the next target denomination from being mixed with coins of the previous target denomination in the discharge unit.

[0017] In the above configuration, a residual sensor may be further provided to detect whether or not any coins remain in the discharge unit. In this case, the control unit may be configured to start the coin sorting process for the next target denomination based on the detection by the residual sensor that no coins remain.

[0018] With this configuration, the control unit can know that a coin has been taken out without the attendant having to perform any operation to notify the attendant that the coin has been taken out, which reduces the burden on the attendant and also means that the attendant does not have to worry about forgetting to perform the operation.

[0019] The coin processing device according to this aspect may be further configured to include a plurality of storage units for storing coins by denomination. In this case, the control unit may be configured to store coins inserted into the insertion unit in the storage units through a deposit process, manage the number of stored coins as inventory, and prevent coins from passing through the storage units during the coin accumulation process and the coin sorting process.

[0020] In the coin storage process and coin sorting process, if the coins entering and leaving the temporary holding section are configured to pass through the storage section, those coins will be mixed with the coins in the storage section. Therefore, if a coin jam occurs during the coin storage process or coin sorting process, it may be necessary to perform a reconciliation process to check whether the coin balance in the storage section is correct after the jam is cleared.

[0021] According to the above configuration, coins inserted to execute the coin sorting function do not pass through the storage unit, and therefore do not get mixed with coins in the storage unit whose inventory is managed. Therefore, even if a coin jam occurs during the coin storage process or the coin sorting process, the inventory of coins in the storage unit is not affected. Therefore, there is no need to inspect the coins in the storage unit after clearing the jam, and the burden on the attendant is not increased.

[0022] In the coin processing device of this aspect, the control unit can be configured to, during the coin storage process, identify and count the denominations of coins stored in the temporary holding section using the identification unit, obtain the number of coins of each denomination, and perform the coin sorting process using the denominations with the largest number as the target denominations.

[0023] During the coin sorting process, coins of a non-target denomination that have returned to the escrow unit may be discharged from the escrow unit again, which may result in the same coin circulating between the escrow unit and the transport unit. The more coins of a denomination stored in the escrow unit, the more likely they are to be discharged from the escrow unit, so the frequency with which the same coin circulates when that denomination is the target denomination decreases. Furthermore, if coins of the target denomination are discharged to the discharge unit and the number of coins remaining in the escrow unit decreases, the frequency with which the same coin circulates decreases.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the coin sorting process is performed in order of the denomination with the largest number of coins, thereby reducing the frequency with which coins other than the target denomination are circulated throughout the coin sorting process for all denominations, thereby shortening the total processing time of the coin sorting function.

[0025] The coin processing device according to this aspect may further include a feeding unit that receives coins from the escrow unit and feeds them out one by one to the transport unit, and may be configured so that the number of coins that can be stored in the feeding unit is smaller than the number of coins that can be stored in the escrow unit. In this case, the control unit may be configured so that, in the coin sorting process, if the number of coins stored in the escrow unit is greater than the number that can be stored in the feeding unit, the control unit feeds coins from the feeding unit to the transport unit while sending coins from the escrow unit to the feeding unit, and if the number of coins stored in the escrow unit is smaller than the number that can be stored in the feeding unit, the control unit feeds coins from the feeding unit to the transport unit after sending all coins from the escrow unit to the feeding unit.

[0026] In the coin sorting process, when coins are sent from the temporary storage unit to the feeding unit while coins are fed from the feeding unit to the transport unit, coins of a different denomination than the target denomination that have returned to the temporary storage unit are again discharged from the temporary storage unit, causing the same coin to circulate between the temporary storage unit and the transport unit. On the other hand, when coins are fed from the feeding unit to the transport unit after all coins have been sent from the temporary storage unit to the feeding unit, coins of a different denomination than the target denomination that have returned to the temporary storage unit are not again discharged from the temporary storage unit, preventing the same coin from circulating.

[0027] According to the above configuration, in the coin sorting process, if the number of coins in the temporary storage section is less than the number that can be stored in the dispensing section, all coins are sent from the temporary storage section to the dispensing section, and then the coins are dispensed from the dispensing section to the conveying section.Therefore, regardless of the number of coins in the temporary storage section, the total processing time of the coin sorting function can be shortened compared to when coins are sent from the temporary storage section to the dispensing section while coins are dispensed from the dispensing section to the conveying section in the coin sorting process for all denominations.

[0028] In the coin processing device of this aspect, the control unit may be configured so that, if a time limit elapses after the start of the coin sorting process before the number of coins of the target denomination to be discharged has been discharged to the discharge section, the control unit interrupts and postpones the coin sorting process for the current target denomination, and starts the coin sorting process for the next target denomination.

[0029] For example, the total number of coins of the target denomination stored in the temporary holding section or a preset number of coins of the target denomination may be set as the number of coins of the target denomination to be dispensed.

[0030] According to the above configuration, when some coins of the target denomination are in a state where they are difficult to discharge within the temporary storage section, the coin sorting process will not continue in that state for a long time, thereby making it less likely that the execution time of the coin sorting function will be prolonged. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin processing device that can separate and discharge coins inserted in a mixed denomination state by denomination, and that can realize a highly convenient coin sorting function.

[0032] The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments, however, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a coin processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the coin processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by the control unit for the coin sorting function according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]Figure 4(a) is a diagram for explaining the coin storage process performed in the coin sorting function according to the embodiment, and Figure 4(b) is a diagram for explaining the multiple coin sorting process performed in the coin sorting function according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 5(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the small number of coins sorting process executed in the coin sorting function according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen according to the embodiment, and FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of a receipt according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Fig. 7(a) is a flowchart showing the delay prevention process executed by the control unit according to Modification Example 1. Fig. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen when the dispensing of coins of a target denomination to the deposit / withdrawal unit is interrupted according to Modification Example 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a file in which the number of coins of each denomination is registered in association with the register number, according to the second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a coin processing device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0036] The coin processing device 1 processes coins, such as depositing and dispensing. The coin processing device 1 is combined with, for example, a banknote processing device that processes banknotes, such as depositing and dispensing, and an information terminal device for inputting and outputting to and from these devices to form a teller system (currency processing system) installed in the back yard of a retail store such as a supermarket. In this case, coins representing sales proceeds are deposited into the coin processing device 1 and managed. Furthermore, coins to be replenished in the register as change reserves are dispensed from the coin processing device 1.

[0037] The coin processing device 1 includes a housing 10, a depositing / dispensing unit 20, a feeding unit 30, a denomination-specific storing unit 40, a temporary holding unit 50, a collecting unit 60, a transporting unit 70, and a recognition unit 80.

[0038] The depositing / withdrawing unit 20 is provided at the upper front end of the housing 10, i.e., the coin processing device 1. Coins to be deposited into the coin processing device 1 are inserted into the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 from the outside through an opening 21. Coins dispensed from the coin processing device 1 are also discharged into the depositing / withdrawing unit 20. The coins dispensed into the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 are taken out through the opening 21. The opening 21 is opened and closed by a shutter 22. A discharge port 24 that is opened and closed by a lid 23 is provided at the bottom of the depositing / withdrawing unit 20. The discharge port 24 is connected to the deposit chute 11.

[0039] The deposit / withdrawal unit 20 functions as an deposit / withdrawal unit into which coins are inserted and from which the coins are ejected so as to be removable to the outside. The deposit / withdrawal unit serves both as an deposit unit into which coins are inserted from the outside and as an ejection unit from which coins are ejected so as to be removable to the outside.

[0040] The feeding unit 30 is disposed below the depositing / withdrawing unit 20. Coins inserted into the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 are introduced into the feeding unit 30 via a deposit chute 11. The feeding unit 30 has a rotating disk inside, and feeds coins one by one to the transporting unit 70. Furthermore, the feeding unit 30 receives coins from the temporary holding unit 50 and feeds them to the transporting unit 70.

[0041] The denomination-specific storage section 40 is disposed behind the feeding section 30. The denomination-specific storage section 40 has a plurality of storage sections 100 arranged in one direction. In this embodiment, the denomination-specific storage section 40 includes six storage sections 100. A plurality of coins are stored in each storage section 100 by denomination. For example, each storage section 100 stores 500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 10 yen, 5 yen, and 1 yen coins, respectively.

[0042] In the denomination-specific storage section 40, a dispensing mechanism 200 consisting of a belt conveyor, a reverse roller, etc. is provided for each storage section 100. Coins in each storage section 100 are discharged one by one from the storage section 100 by the dispensing mechanism 200. The discharged coins are sent into the temporary storage section 50 through the discharge chute 12. Each storage section 100 has a narrow, flat shape in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt of the dispensing mechanism 200.

[0043] The temporary holding unit 50 is disposed below the denomination-specific storage units 40. The temporary holding unit 50 temporarily stores (stores) coins that have been inserted into the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 and transported by the transport unit 70, as well as coins that have been ejected from the denomination-specific storage units 40. A belt conveyor 51 is provided in the temporary holding unit 50. The belt conveyor 51 is connected to the feeding unit 30, and transports coins in the temporary holding unit 50 to the feeding unit 30 by rotating in the forward direction. The temporary holding unit 50 also has a discharge opening 50a, which is opened and closed by a door 52, on the opposite side to the feeding unit 30. When the belt conveyor 51 rotates in the reverse direction with the discharge opening 50a open, the coins in the temporary holding unit 50 are ejected from the discharge opening 50a and fall into the collection unit 60.

[0044] The collection unit 60 is provided below the temporary storage unit 50. Coins stored in each storage unit 100 of the denomination-specific storage unit 40 are collected into the collection unit 60 via the temporary storage unit 50. The collection unit 60 can be removed from the housing 10.

[0045] In this embodiment, the number of coins that can be stored in the feeding unit 30 is set to be smaller than the number of coins that can be stored in the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 and the temporary holding unit 50. For example, the number of coins that can be stored in the feeding unit 30 can be set to about 150 coins, and the number of coins that can be stored in the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 and the temporary holding unit 50 can be set to about 600 coins.

[0046] The transport unit 70 is arranged between the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, the feeding unit 30, the denomination-specific storage unit 40, and the temporary holding unit 50, and transports coins between these units. The main part of the transport unit 70 is configured to include a transport path and a transport belt with pins that runs along the transport path.

[0047] The transporting unit 70 is provided with a first sorting unit 71 corresponding to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20, a second sorting unit 72 corresponding to the temporary holding unit 50, and multiple (six) third sorting units 73 corresponding to each storage unit 100. The first sorting unit 71 sorts coins flowing through the transporting unit 70 toward the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 side. The second sorting unit 72 sorts coins flowing through the transporting unit 70 toward the temporary holding unit 50 side. Each third sorting unit 73 sorts coins flowing through the transporting unit 70 toward each storage unit 100 side.

[0048] The transporting unit 70 is configured with a dispensing chute 74 between the first sorting unit 71 and the depositing / dispensing unit 20. Coins slide down the dispensing chute 74 towards the depositing / dispensing unit 20. Furthermore, the transporting unit 70 is configured with a storage chute 75 between the second sorting unit 72 and the temporary storage unit 50. Coins slide down the storage chute 75 towards the temporary storage unit 50. Furthermore, the transporting unit 70 is configured with storage chutes 76 between each third sorting unit 73 and each storage unit 100. Coins slide down each storage chute 76 towards each storage unit 100.

[0049] The recognition unit 80 is provided on the conveying unit 70 closer to the dispensing unit 30 than the first sorting unit 71. The recognition unit 80 is configured with a sensor such as an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor. The recognition unit 80 recognizes the attributes of the coins flowing through the conveying unit 70 and outputs the recognition results. The recognized attributes include the coin's authenticity, denomination, fitness, etc. Furthermore, the recognition unit 80 also counts the coins.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the coin processing device 1.

[0051] In addition to the above configuration, the coin processing device 1 also includes a control unit 91, a storage unit 92, and a communication unit 93. The coin processing device 1 also includes a residual sensor 94 in the depositing / dispensing unit 20.

[0052] The remaining sensor 94 is configured by, for example, a photosensor, and detects whether or not any coins remain in the depositing / withdrawing unit 20, and outputs a signal according to the detection result to the control unit 91.

[0053] The communication unit 93 communicates with the information terminal device 2. The information terminal device 2 has an operation display unit 2a consisting of a touch panel or the like, which displays various screens and accepts various operations on the screen. The information terminal device 2 also has a printer 2b for printing various receipts.

[0054] The memory unit 92 includes storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk, and stores the operating program of the control unit 91. The memory unit 92 also stores the number of coins stored in each storage unit 100 of the denomination-specific storage unit 40 as the inventory. Every time a coin is deposited or dispensed into each storage unit 100, the number of coins (inventory) in the memory unit 92 is updated (increased or decreased).

[0055] The control unit 91 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Based on signals from the recognition unit 80, residual sensor 94, etc., the control unit 91 controls the depositing / dispensing unit 20 (such as the drive units for the shutter 22 and lid 23), the feeding unit 30, the denomination-specific storage unit 40 (such as the feeding mechanism 200), the temporary holding unit 50 (such as the belt conveyor 51), the recovery unit 60, the transport unit 70, the communication unit 93, etc. in accordance with an operating program stored in the memory unit 92.

[0056] The coin processing device 1, under the control of the control unit 91, performs coin deposit processing and coin withdrawal processing.

[0057] In the deposit process, coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 are introduced into the feeding unit 30, and then fed from the feeding unit 30 to the transport unit 70. The coins flowing through the transport unit 70 pass through the recognition unit 80, where their attributes are recognized. Coins that are recognized as normal and whose denominations have been recognized are counted, then transported to the temporary holding unit 50 and stored. On the other hand, coins that are recognized as abnormal or whose denominations have not been recognized are transported to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 and returned as rejected coins. In this way, the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 also functions as a reject port.

[0058] After all coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 have been stored in the temporary holding unit 50, when an approval operation is performed on the operation display unit 2a of the information terminal device 2, the coins in the temporary holding unit 50 are transported to the feeding unit 30 and dispensed to the transport unit 70. The denominations of the coins dispensed to the transport unit 70 are identified by the recognition unit 80, and the coins are transported to and stored in the storage unit 100 assigned to that denomination. The number of coins stored in each storage unit 100 is stored in the memory unit 92 by the control unit 91 and managed as inventory.

[0059] In the dispensing process, the required number of coins are discharged from the storage unit 100 assigned to the denomination to be dispensed to the temporary storage unit 50. The coins are transported from the temporary storage unit 50 to the feeding unit 30 and then dispensed to the transport unit 70. The coins are then transported by the transport unit 70 to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 and dispensed.

[0060] Furthermore, under the control of the control unit 91, the coin processing device 1 performs automatic coin inspection processing and collection processing.

[0061] In the automatic reconciliation process, all coins are ejected from the storage unit 100 to the temporary storage unit 50. Thereafter, the coins in the temporary storage unit 50 are returned to the original storage unit 100 via the payout unit 30 and the transport unit 70. At this time, the number of coins is counted by the recognition unit 80. It is confirmed whether the counted number of coins matches the number of coins managed as inventory in the memory unit 92 or the like, and the result is notified. The reconciliation result is notified, for example, by display on the operation display unit 2a of the information terminal device 2. This automatic reconciliation process is performed sequentially on some or all of the target storage units 100.

[0062] In the collection process, coins are sent from the storage units 100 to the collection unit 60 via the temporary holding unit 50 and collected. In full collection, all coins in all storage units 100 are collected in the collection unit 60, and in partial collection, all coins or some coins in some storage units 100 are collected in the collection unit 60.

[0063] In some retail stores where the coin processing device 1 is installed, manual cash registers without automatic change dispensers are used. In manual cash registers, multiple coins are manually sorted by denomination and replenished into a drawer as change reserves.

[0064] In the coin processing device 1, by executing the dispensing process, the number of coins required to replenish the register can be discharged in order from each storage unit 100 to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. By removing coins of each denomination from the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 each time the dispensing of coins is completed, the attendant can obtain coins sorted by denomination as change reserves, and store each denomination of coins in the storage area corresponding to that denomination in the drawer.

[0065] On the other hand, there are cases where a plurality of coins of mixed denominations are prepared as a change fund outside the coin processing device 1, and these coins are replenished in the drawer. In such an operation, if the plurality of coins are separated by denomination before replenishment, the replenishment of coins in the drawer can be carried out smoothly.

[0066] Therefore, the coin processing device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a coin sorting function that separates multiple coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal section 20, which is the input section, in a mixed state of denominations, by denomination and discharges them into the deposit / withdrawal section 20, which is the discharge section.

[0067] The coin sorting function will be described in detail below.

[0068] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit 91 for the coin sorting function. Fig. 4(a) is a diagram for explaining the coin storage process executed in the coin sorting function, and Fig. 4(b) is a diagram for explaining the large-coin sorting process executed in the coin sorting function. Figs. 5(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the small-coin sorting process executed in the coin sorting function.

[0069] The clerk inserts a plurality of coins (a group of coins) of mixed denominations into the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, and performs an operation to execute the coin sorting function on the operation display unit 2a of the information terminal device 2. This starts the execution of the coin sorting function.

[0070] 3, the control unit 91 displays an initial input screen (not shown) on the operation display unit 2a and receives, as initial input information, at least the operator ID, which is identification information of the operator, and the register number, which is identification information of the register to which the change fund is to be replenished (S101). Thereafter, when a start operation is performed on the initial input screen (S102: YES), the control unit 91 executes the coin storage process (S103). Note that the shutter 22 of the depositing / withdrawing unit 20, which was open before the coin storage process started, is closed.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 4(a), in the coin storage process, the control unit 91 causes the coins in the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 to be fed out to the feeding unit 30, and then causes the coins to be fed from the feeding unit 30 to the transporting unit 70. The control unit 91 then causes the transporting unit 70 to transport the fed coins to the temporary storage unit 50 for storage. At this time, the control unit 91 causes the recognition unit 80 to identify and count the denominations of the coins transported to the temporary storage unit 50. This allows the control unit 91 to obtain the number of coins of each denomination. When all coins inserted into the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 have been stored in the temporary storage unit 50, the control unit 91 stores the number of coins of each denomination in the memory unit 92. In this way, the coin storage process ends.

[0072] In addition, if the number of coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 is less than the number that can be stored in the dispensing unit 30, they are supplied to the dispensing unit 30 at once, but if the number exceeds the number that can be stored, they are supplied to the dispensing unit 30 in multiple batches.

[0073] Next, the control unit 91 determines the order of denominations to be separated from other denominations as target denominations, i.e., the sorting order (S104). In this embodiment, the control unit 91 determines the sorting order so that the target denominations are those with the largest number of coins stored in the escrow unit 50. For example, if six denominations of coins are stored in the escrow unit 50 and the largest number of coins is 100 yen, 10 yen, 1 yen, 50 yen, 5 yen, and 500 yen in that order, the sorting order will be this order of denominations.

[0074] The control unit 91 executes a large-coin sorting process or a small-coin sorting process as the coin sorting process for the first target denomination, depending on the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 50 (S105 to S107).

[0075] That is, the control unit 91 determines whether or not the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 50 exceeds the number that can be stored in the feeding unit 30 (S105). If the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 50 exceeds the number that can be stored in the feeding unit 30 (S105: YES), the control unit 91 executes a multiple-coin sorting process (S106).

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4(b), in the multiple-coin sorting process, the control unit 91 conveys coins in the temporary storage unit 50 to the feeding unit 30 by the belt conveyor 51, while dispensing the conveyed coins from the feeding unit 30 to the transport unit 70. Then, while conveying the fed coins by the transport unit 70, the control unit 91 identifies the denomination of the conveyed coins by the recognition unit 80, and ejects coins of the target denomination to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20, while returning coins of other denominations to the temporary storage unit 50. The number of coins of the target denomination is counted when the denomination is identified by the recognition unit 80. This allows the control unit 91 to know the number of coins of the target denomination that have been transported to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20. When all coins of the target denomination have been ejected to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20, the control unit 91 stops the transport of coins from the temporary storage unit 50. Coins of other denominations remain in the temporary storage unit 50. The control unit 91 updates the number of coins stored in the memory unit 92 by reducing it by the number of coins of the target denomination that have been dispensed to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. In this way, the multiple-coin sorting process is completed.

[0077] On the other hand, if the number of coins stored in the temporary holding unit 50 does not exceed the number that can be stored in the dispensing unit 30 (S105: NO), the control unit 91 executes a small number of coin sorting process as the coin sorting process (S107).

[0078] In the small-denomination coin sorting process, first, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the control unit 91 transports all coins in the escrow unit 50 to the feeding unit 30 and stores them. Then, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the control unit 91 controls the transport unit 70 to feed the coins in the feeding unit 30, and the recognition unit 80 recognizes the denominations of the coins flowing through the transport unit 70. Then, the control unit 91 ejects coins of the target denomination to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20, and returns coins of other denominations to the escrow unit 50. The control unit 91 stops the feeding unit 30 when all coins have been dispensed. All coins of the target denomination are ejected to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20, and coins of other denominations remain in the escrow unit 50. The control unit 91 updates the number of coins stored in the memory unit 92 by reducing it by the number of coins of the target denomination that have been ejected to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20. This completes the small-denomination coin sorting process.

[0079] When the coin sorting process (major-coin sorting process or minor-coin sorting process) completes the dispensing of coins of the target denomination to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, the control unit 91 displays a notification screen D1 on the operation / display unit 2a to notify the user that dispensing has been completed (S108). For example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the notification screen D1 includes a message informing the user that coins of the target denomination have been dispensed along with the number of coins dispensed, a message urging the user to remove the coins, and a message informing the user that dispensing of the next denomination will begin after removal is complete. The notification screen D1 is erased, for example, when removal of coins from the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 is completed.

[0080] The control unit 91 opens the shutter 22 (S109) and waits until all coins have been removed from the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 (S110). The control unit 91 determines that removal of coins from the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 has been completed based on the fact that the remaining coin sensor 94 detects that no coins remain in the depositing / withdrawing unit 20.

[0081] When the control unit 91 determines that the removal of coins from the depositing / dispensing unit 20 is complete (S110: YES), it closes the shutter 22 (S111). Then, based on the fact that the removal of coins is complete and that the dispensing of all coins of all denominations to the depositing / dispensing unit 20 is not complete (S112: NO), the control unit 91 executes the large-coin sorting process or the small-coin sorting process for the next target denomination in accordance with the number of coins stored in the temporary holding unit 50 (S105 to S107). Then, when the dispensing of coins of the target denomination to the depositing / dispensing unit 20 is complete, the control unit 91 issues a notification of the dispensing and opens the shutter 22, and closes the shutter 22 after waiting for the coins to be removed (S108 to S111).

[0082] The control unit 91 repeats the processes of S105 to S111 while changing the target denomination in accordance with the sorting order until the dispensing of coins to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 is completed for all denominations (S112: NO). If the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 50 does not initially exceed the number that can be stored in the feeding unit 30, the small number of coins sorting process of S107 is executed for all target denominations. On the other hand, if the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 50 initially exceeds the number that can be stored in the feeding unit 30, the large number of coins sorting process of S106 is executed while the number of coins remaining in the temporary storage unit 50 exceeds the number that can be stored in the feeding unit 30, and when the number no longer exceeds the number, the process switches to the small number of coins sorting process of S107.

[0083] When the control unit 91 has completed dispensing coins of all denominations into the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 (S112: YES), it causes the printer 2b of the information terminal device 2 to print a receipt R1 (S113). For example, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the receipt R1 includes various information such as the transaction date and time, the person in charge ID, the register number, the number of coins by denomination, and the total amount. Note that a receipt may be printed that displays various information in two-dimensional codes in addition to character information that can be read by a staff member.

[0084] Thus, execution of the coin sorting function is completed. In this way, after the coin storage process is executed in the coin sorting function, the target denomination is changed in order and the coin sorting process (major coin sorting process or minor coin sorting process) is repeated, whereby coins are sequentially discharged by denomination to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. This allows the attendant to obtain coins sorted by denomination as change reserve.

[0085] In the multiple coin sorting process, coins of a denomination other than the target denomination that have been returned to the temporary storage unit 50 may be sent out again from the temporary storage unit 50. This may result in the same coin circulating between the temporary storage unit 50 and the transport unit 70. On the other hand, in the small number of coin sorting process, coins of a denomination other than the target denomination that have been returned to the temporary storage unit 50 are not sent out again from the temporary storage unit 50, so the same coin does not circulate. In this embodiment, the small number of coin sorting process is performed when the number of coins in the temporary storage unit 50 is less than the number that can be stored in the feeding unit 30. Therefore, the total processing time of the coin sorting function can be shortened compared to when the large number of coin sorting process is performed for all denominations regardless of the number of coins in the temporary storage unit 50.

[0086] <Effects of the embodiment> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0087] The coin processing device 1 includes a control unit 91 that can execute a coin sorting function that separates multiple coins inserted into the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 in a mixed denomination state, by denomination, and discharges the coins to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20. In the coin sorting function, the control unit 91 executes a coin storage process that transports coins in the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 by the transporting unit 70 and stores them in the temporary holding unit 50, and a coin sorting process (major coin sorting process, minor coin sorting process) that, while transporting coins stored in the temporary holding unit 50 by the transporting unit 70, identifies the denominations of the transported coins by the recognition unit 80, discharges coins of a target denomination to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20, and returns coins of other denominations to the temporary holding unit 50.

[0088] According to this configuration, after the coin storage process is performed, the coin sorting process is repeated while changing the target denomination, so that coins sorted by denomination can be sequentially discharged to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. This allows the attendant to obtain coins sorted by denomination. Moreover, since the attendant does not need to take out and re-insert coins other than the target denomination, the burden on the attendant is reduced and convenience is increased.

[0089] Furthermore, on the condition that coins have been removed from the depositing / dispensing unit 20, the control unit 91 starts the coin sorting process for the next target denomination.

[0090] This configuration makes it possible to prevent coins of the next target denomination from being mixed with coins of the previous target denomination within the depositing / withdrawing unit 20.

[0091] Furthermore, a residual sensor 94 is provided to detect whether or not any coins remain in the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, and the control unit 91 starts the coin sorting process for the next target denomination based on the detection by the residual sensor 94 that no coins remain.

[0092] According to this configuration, the control unit 91 can know when the coins have been removed without the attendant having to perform any operation to notify the attendant that the coins have been removed, which reduces the burden on the attendant and also eliminates the need for the attendant to worry about forgetting to perform the operation.

[0093] Furthermore, the control unit 91 stores coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 in the storage unit 100 through a deposit process, and manages the number of stored coins as inventory. The control unit 91 also prevents coins from passing through the storage unit 100 during the coin storage process and the coin sorting process.

[0094] In the coin storage process and coin sorting process, if the coins entering and leaving the temporary holding unit 50 are configured to pass through the storage unit 100, these coins will be mixed with the coins in the storage unit 100. For this reason, if a coin jam occurs during the coin storage process or the coin sorting process, it may be necessary to perform a reconciliation process after the jam is cleared to check whether the inventory in the storage unit 100 is correct.

[0095] According to this configuration, coins inserted to execute the coin sorting function do not pass through the storage unit 100, and therefore do not get mixed with coins in the storage unit 100 whose inventory is managed. Therefore, even if a coin jam occurs during the coin storage process or the coin sorting process, it does not affect the inventory of coins in the storage unit 100. Therefore, there is no need to inspect the coins in the storage unit 100 after clearing the jam, and the burden on the staff is not increased.

[0096] Furthermore, in the coin storage process, the control unit 91 uses the identification unit 80 to identify and count the denominations of coins stored in the temporary holding unit 50, obtains the number of coins of each denomination, and performs the coin sorting process, starting with the denomination with the largest number of coins, using that denomination as the target denomination.

[0097] In the coin sorting process (multiple coin sorting process), coins of a non-target denomination that have returned to the escrow unit 50 may be discharged from the escrow unit 50 again, which may result in the same coin circulating between the escrow unit 50 and the transport unit 70. The more coins of a denomination stored in the escrow unit 50, the more likely they are to be discharged from the escrow unit 50, and therefore the frequency with which the same coin circulates when that denomination is the target denomination decreases. Furthermore, if coins of the target denomination are discharged to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 and the number of coins remaining in the escrow unit 50 decreases, the frequency with which the same coin circulates decreases.

[0098] According to this configuration, the coin sorting process is performed in order of the denomination with the largest number of coins, thereby reducing the frequency with which coins other than the target denomination are circulated throughout the coin sorting process for all denominations, thereby shortening the total processing time of the coin sorting function.

[0099] Furthermore, when the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 50 is greater than the number that can be stored in the feeding unit 30, the control unit 91 executes a coin sorting process in which coins are sent from the temporary storage unit 50 to the feeding unit 30 while the coins are fed from the feeding unit 30 to the transport unit 70. On the other hand, when the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 50 is less than the number that can be stored in the feeding unit 30, the control unit 91 executes a coin sorting process in which all coins are sent from the temporary storage unit 50 to the feeding unit 30 and then the coins are fed from the feeding unit 30 to the transport unit 70.

[0100] According to this configuration, in the small number of coins sorting process, coins other than the target denomination that have returned to the temporary storage unit 50 are not discharged from the temporary storage unit 50 again, and therefore, unlike the large number of coins sorting process, the same coin does not circulate between the temporary storage unit 50 and the transport unit 70. Therefore, by performing the small number of coins sorting process when the number of coins in the temporary storage unit 50 is fewer than the number that can be stored in the feeding unit 30, it is possible to shorten the total processing time of the coin sorting function compared to when the large number of coins sorting process is performed for all denominations regardless of the number of coins in the temporary storage unit 50.

[0101] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications other than those described above are possible for the embodiments of the present invention.

[0102] <Change example 1> In the coin sorting function of the above embodiment, when the multiple coin sorting process of S106 in Fig. 4 is executed, if some coins of the target denomination are in a state where they are difficult to eject within the escrow unit 50, those coins may not be ejected and the same coins other than the target denomination may circulate multiple times between the escrow unit 50 and the transport unit 70, which may result in a very long time being required for all coins of that target denomination to be ejected to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. This may result in a long execution time for the coin sorting function.

[0103] Therefore, in the coin processing device 1 of this modified example, a process to prevent delays in the coin sorting function is executed by the control unit 91. That is, if the time limit elapses after the start of the multiple-coin sorting process before the number of coins to be discharged, i.e., all of the coins of the target denomination, are discharged to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, the control unit 91 suspends and postpones the multiple-coin sorting process for the current target denomination, and starts the coin sorting process for the next target denomination (multiple-coin sorting process or few-coin sorting process).

[0104] Fig. 7(a) is a flowchart showing the delay prevention process executed by the control unit 91 according to Modification Example 1. Fig. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen D2 when the dispensing of coins of a target denomination to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 is interrupted according to Modification Example 1.

[0105] When the multiple-coin sorting process is started in S106 of Fig. 3, the control unit 91 starts the delay prevention process. The control unit 91 monitors whether or not all coins of the target denomination have been discharged to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 (S201), and also monitors whether or not a predetermined time limit has elapsed since the start of the multiple-coin sorting process (S202).

[0106] If all coins of the target denomination have been completely discharged to the depositing / withdrawing unit 20 before the time limit has elapsed (S201: YES), the control unit 91 ends the delay prevention process.

[0107] On the other hand, if the time limit has elapsed without all coins of the target denomination being completely dispensed to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 (S201: NO → S202: YES), the control unit 91 ends the multiple-coin sorting process for the current target denomination and suspends the dispensing of coins of that target denomination to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 (S203). Then, the control unit 91 adds the suspended denomination to the end of the sorting order in order to execute the coin sorting process again at the end of the coin dispensing order (S204). Furthermore, the control unit 91 changes the notification at the time of removal completion, which is performed in S108 of FIG. 3 (S205). That is, the control unit 91 changes the screen displayed on the operation / display unit 2a from the notification screen D1 to the notification screen D2 displayed when dispensing is suspended. As a result, in S108, the notification screen D2 is displayed on the operation / display unit 2a. For example, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the notification screen D2 includes a message informing the user that the dispensing of coins of the target denomination has been suspended, the number of coins currently being dispensed, and that the remaining coins will be dispensed last. The user can understand that the dispensing of coins of the current target denomination has not been completed and will be done later.

[0108] When the multiple coin sorting process for the current target denomination is interrupted and the partially dispensed coins are removed from the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, the coin sorting process for the next target denomination (multiple coin sorting process or small number coin sorting process) is started.

[0109] According to the configuration of this modified example, if some coins of the target denomination are in a state where they are difficult to discharge within the temporary holding section 50, the coin sorting process will not continue in that state for a long time, thereby making it less likely that the execution time of the coin sorting function will be prolonged.

[0110] <Change example 2> When multiple cash registers are installed in a retail store, the number of coins of each denomination required as change reserves may differ for each register if the drawer capacities of the registers differ or if the prices of the products sold in the sales area where the registers are installed differ.

[0111] Therefore, in the coin processing device 1 of this modified example, the coin sorting function is configured so that the number of coins of each denomination required as change reserves for the register specified by the attendant is discharged to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 92 stores a file 92a in which the number of coins of each denomination is registered in association with a register number, which is identification information of the register.

[0113] When executing the coin sorting function, the attendant inserts multiple coins of mixed denominations, including the number of coins of each denomination required as change reserve for the target register, into the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. The register is specified by inputting the register number on the initial input screen displayed on the operation display unit 2a.

[0114] When the coin sorting function is started, the control unit 91 receives the register designation from the attendant by inputting the register number in S101. Thereafter, when executing the large-coin sorting process in S106 or the small-coin sorting process in S107, the control unit 91 obtains from the file 92a the number of coins of the target denomination corresponding to the register number received in S101. The control unit 91 then causes the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 to dispense the obtained number of coins of the target denomination.

[0115] In this way, for all denominations, the number of coins corresponding to the register number is dispensed to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. At this time, coins that have not been dispensed remain in the temporary holding unit 50. After issuing receipt R1 in S113, the control unit 91 returns the remaining coins to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20.

[0116] According to this modification, the attendant can obtain from the coin processing device 1 the number of coins of each denomination required as change reserve for the designated register.

[0117] <Other change examples> The coin processing device 1 may be provided with a separate deposit section into which coins are inserted and a withdrawal section from which coins are ejected, instead of the deposit / withdrawal section 20. In this case, in the coin sorting function, the deposit section functions as the deposit section, and the withdrawal section functions as the ejection section. Furthermore, in this case, the feeding section 30 may not be provided, and the deposit section may be provided with a feeding mechanism that feeds coins to the transport section 70, and coins may be fed directly from the temporary storage section 50 to the transport section 70.

[0118] Furthermore, rejected coins generated during the deposit process may be discharged not to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 but to a reject port provided separately from the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. In this case, in the coin sorting function, the reject port functions as a discharge unit, and coins of the target denomination may be discharged to the reject port instead of the deposit / withdrawal unit 20.

[0119] Furthermore, in the coin sorting function, regardless of the number of coins stored in the temporary storage section 50, only the multiple coin sorting process (S106 in Figure 3) may be performed as the coin sorting process, in which coins are sent from the temporary storage section 50 to the dispensing section 30 while coins are dispensed from the dispensing section 30 to the conveying section 70.

[0120] 3, the control unit 91 may determine the sorting order so that the denominations are sorted in ascending order or descending order. Furthermore, the order of denominations to be sorted may be set in advance by a setting operation of an attendant. In this case, the control unit 91 determines the sorting order to be the order of the denominations that has been set.

[0121] Furthermore, in S108 of Figure 3, the control unit 91 may notify the completion of the dispensing of coins of the target denomination into the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 by sound or alarm from a sound output unit provided in the coin processing device 1 or the information terminal device 2, instead of or in addition to the notification screen D1 of the operation display unit 2a.

[0122] Furthermore, in S110, the control unit 91 may determine that removal of coins of the target denomination from the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 has been completed by receiving an operation by an attendant to notify completion of removal of coins.

[0123] Furthermore, the coin sorting function may be used not only for the purpose of generating a change fund consisting of coins sorted by denomination, but also for the purpose of simply sorting multiple coins of mixed denominations by denomination.

[0124] Furthermore, the coin processing device 1 may be installed in a place other than a retail store, such as a financial institution.

[0125] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1 Coin processing device 20. Deposit / withdrawal section (deposit / withdrawal section, deposit section, discharge section) 30 Feeding section 50 Temporary Holding Department 70 Conveyor 80 Identification unit 91 Control Unit 94 Residual Sensor 100 Storage section

Claims

1. An insertion portion into which coins are inserted from the outside; a discharge section from which coins are discharged so that they can be removed to the outside; a temporary storage unit in which coins are temporarily stored; a conveying unit that conveys coins; an identification unit for identifying the denomination of the coin; a control unit capable of executing a coin sorting function for sorting a plurality of coins inserted into the insertion unit in a mixed denomination state by denomination and discharging the coins into the discharge unit, In the coin sorting function, the control unit a coin storage process in which the coins in the insertion unit are transported by the transport unit and stored in the temporary storage unit; a coin sorting process in which, while the coins stored in the temporary storage unit are transported by the transport unit, the denominations of the transported coins are identified by the recognition unit, and coins of a target denomination are discharged to the discharge unit and coins of other denominations are returned to the temporary storage unit; A coin processing device characterized by:

2. 2. The coin processing device according to claim 1, The control unit starts the coin sorting process for the next target denomination on the condition that a coin has been removed from the discharge unit. A coin processing device characterized by:

3. 3. The coin processing device according to claim 2, Further provided is a residual sensor for detecting whether or not any coins remain in the discharge section, The control unit starts the coin sorting process for the next target denomination based on the detection by the remaining sensor that no coins remain. A coin processing device characterized by:

4. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The coin machine further includes a plurality of storage sections in which coins are stored by denomination, The control unit The coins inserted into the insertion portion are stored in the storage portion through a deposit process, and the number of stored coins is managed as an inventory. In the coin storage process and the coin sorting process, the coins are prevented from passing through the storage unit. A coin processing device characterized by:

5. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The control unit In the coin storage process, the recognition unit recognizes and counts the denominations of the coins stored in the temporary storage unit to obtain the number of coins by denomination; The coin sorting process is performed for the denominations in descending order of the number of coins, with the denominations being the target denominations. A coin processing device characterized by:

6. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Further provided is a feeding unit that receives coins from the temporary storage unit and feeds them one by one to the transport unit, The number of coins that can be stored in the feeding section is smaller than the number of coins that can be stored in the temporary storage section, The control unit, in the coin sorting process, When the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit is greater than the number of coins that can be stored in the feeding unit, the coins are fed from the feeding unit to the transport unit while the coins are sent from the temporary storage unit to the feeding unit; When the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit is smaller than the number of coins that can be stored in the feeding unit, all coins are sent from the temporary storage unit to the feeding unit, and then the coins are fed from the feeding unit to the transport unit. A coin processing device characterized by:

7. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, If a time limit has elapsed after the start of the coin sorting process before the number of coins of the target denomination to be discharged has been discharged to the discharge section, the control unit suspends and postpones the coin sorting process for the current target denomination, and starts the coin sorting process for the next target denomination. A coin processing device characterized by:

8. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a coin insertion / ejection section that serves as both the insertion section and the ejection section, into which coins are inserted and into which coins are ejected; A coin processing device characterized by:

Images