Coin storage unit and coin processing device

Abstract

This technology provides a way to efficiently store and utilize information related to coin storage devices. [Solution] A coin storage unit 151, 152 is provided, having multiple storage spaces 1511, 1512 for storing coins by type. The coin storage unit includes a memory 1712 that stores at least one of the number of coins dispensed for each type, the rotation speed of the motor 153 of the coin storage unit, and version information of the coin storage unit, and a communication connector 1713 for data connection with the control unit 190 of the coin processing device 100 in which the coin storage unit is set.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of a coin storage unit or a coin processing device for receiving and storing coins and dispensing the coins.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, coin processing devices for receiving and storing coins and dispensing the coins are known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-067367 (Patent Document 1) discloses a coin processing device. According to Patent Document 1, there is provided a coin processing device including a sorting unit for receiving coins or medals and sending them out at intervals one by one, and a sorting unit for receiving coins or medals one by one from the sorting unit and guiding them to a path for each type while moving the coins or medals along an arc to determine the type of the coins or medals.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology for efficiently storing and using information related to a coin storage unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of this invention, a coin storage unit is provided having multiple storage spaces for storing coins by type. The coin storage unit includes a memory for storing at least one of the number of coins dispensed for each type, the rotation speed of the motor of the coin storage unit, and version information of the coin storage unit, and a communication connector for data connection with the control unit of a coin processing device in which the coin storage unit is set. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] As described above, the present invention provides a technology for efficiently storing and utilizing information related to a coin storage unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an illustrative diagram showing the overall appearance of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a right-side cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the bucket in the raised position. [Figure 3] This is a right-side cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the bucket in the lowered position. [Figure 4] This is an overhead perspective view showing the identification and sorting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the identification and sorting unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a front perspective view showing the front of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment, with the front wall removed and the bucket raised. [Figure 7] This is an upper perspective view of the upper storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is an upper perspective view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a rear view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10]This is a side cross-sectional view of the lower storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a block diagram of a coin processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] This is an illustrative diagram showing the data structure of a coin processing device according to the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [First Embodiment] <Overall configuration of coin processing device 100> First, the overall configuration of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is an external view of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the coin processing device 100 is composed of a roughly rectangular prism housing 101, with a coin input slot 102 on the top surface and a coin discharge slot, which will be described later, on the front surface.

[0009] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 in the state in which the bucket 160 is raised according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the overall internal structure of the coin processing device 100 in the state in which the bucket 160 is lowered according to this embodiment. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the coin processing device 100 is provided with an identification and sorting unit 110 at the top for feeding out coins 10 one by one, identifying them, sorting them by type and feeding them out. At the bottom, there is a storage and dispensing unit 150 for accumulating and dispensing coins 10 by type.

[0010] In this embodiment, the storage and dispensing unit 150 includes an upper storage unit 151 for four denominations and a lower storage unit 152 for four denominations. In this embodiment, the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 can be removed while the front wall, or front door 105, of the coin processing device 100 is open.

[0011] In this embodiment, the coin processing device 100 has a control board 190 at the lower end of the identification and sorting unit 110. The control board 190 is equipped with a control unit for controlling each part of the coin processing device 100, namely a CPU, memory, various communication interfaces, etc., as will be described later.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the identification and sorting unit 110 with the top cover 101A removed according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a plan view of the identification and sorting unit 110 with the top cover 101A removed according to this embodiment. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the multiple coins 10 that are inserted are sent one by one to the sorting unit 130 by the processing unit 120. For each coin 10, the sorting unit 130 identifies the type of coin 10 with the identification unit 1330 and sends it to the first transport path 1311 formed outside the sorting unit 130, the second transport path 1312 formed inside the sorting unit 130, the third transport path 1313 formed outside the sorting unit 130, the fourth transport path 1314 formed inside the sorting unit 130, or the fifth transport path formed outside the sorting unit 130. The materials are sent to the transport path 1315, the sixth transport path 1316 formed inside the sorting section 130, the seventh transport path 1317 formed outside the sorting section 130, the eighth transport path 1318 formed inside the sorting section 130, the overflow transport path 1319 formed outside the sorting section 130, or the reject transport path 1320 formed outside the sorting section 130.

[0013] Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the coins 10 sent to the first transport path 1311, the third transport path 1313, the fifth transport path 1315, and the seventh transport path 1317 outside the sorting unit 130 are accumulated in predetermined storage spaces of the lower storage unit 152, according to their denomination. The coins 10 sent to the second transport path 1312, the fourth transport path 1314, the sixth transport path 1316, and the eighth transport path 1318 inside the sorting unit 130 are accumulated in predetermined storage spaces of the upper storage unit 151, according to their denomination.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the coin processing apparatus 100 showing the state where the bucket 160 has risen. However, in FIG. 6, for the purpose of explanation, the front door 105 is removed while the discharge tray 165 is shown. Referring to FIG. 6, in the coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when paying out the coins 10, the bucket 160 descends to the lower end according to an instruction from the CPU 191 of the control unit. Then, according to an instruction from the CPU 191 of the control unit, the coins 10 stocked in each storage space are discharged forward by a specified number and are discharged into the discharge tray 165 by the bucket 160.

[0015] More specifically, the coins 10 accumulated in the upper storage unit 151 are sent forward by the conveyor belt 154 driven according to an instruction from the CPU of the control unit and fall onto the upper surface of the bucket 160. Similarly, the coins 10 accumulated in the lower storage unit 152 are also sent forward by the conveyor belt 154 driven according to an instruction from the CPU 191 of the control unit and fall onto the upper surface of the bucket 160.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the front part at the lower part of the housing 101, the right side surface, and the left side surface at the front part of the housing 101 are covered with a resin front door 105. And as shown in FIG. 6, the coins 10 are held by the bucket 160 main body and the inner surface of the front door 105 and are configured to be lifted up to the discharge tray 165. More specifically, the bucket 160 is mainly constituted by an inclined surface that is low in the front and high in the rear. And the coins 10 are held by the inclined surface and the back surface of the front door 105 of the coin processing apparatus 100. More specifically, the coins 10 discharged from the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 are held by the inclined surface of the bucket 160, the back surface of the front part of the housing 101 that forms the outer surface of the coin processing apparatus 100, the left surface of the front part of the right side surface of the housing 101 of the coin processing apparatus 100, and the right surface of the front part of the left side surface of the housing 101 of the coin processing apparatus 100.

[0017] An opening, the front door 105, is located above and behind the discharge tray 165. The bucket 160 rises to this opening according to instructions from the CPU 191 of the control unit. That is, it rises to a position above and behind the discharge tray 165. As a result, the coins 10 on the bucket 160 slide down and forward along the inclined surface. That is, they slide into the discharge tray 165 through the opening of the front door 105.

[0018] The configuration of the storage and dispensing unit 150 will now be described. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the upper storage unit 151 is detachably housed in the approximate center of the coin processing device 100 in the vertical direction, and the lower storage unit 152 is detachably housed in the lower part of the coin processing device 100.

[0019] Referring to Figure 7, the configuration of the upper storage unit 151 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. The upper storage unit 151 is provided with four storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 for storing four types of coins 10. The first storage space 1511 is connected to the second transport path 1312 of the sorting unit 130. The second storage space 1512 is connected to the fourth transport path 1314 of the sorting unit 130. The third storage space 1513 is connected to the sixth transport path 1316 of the sorting unit 130. The fourth storage space 1514 is connected to the eighth transport path 1318 of the sorting unit 130.

[0020] In this embodiment, storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured with a smaller width to accommodate smaller diameter coins 10, while storage spaces 1511 and 1512 are configured with a larger width to accommodate larger diameter coins 10. For example, storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to accommodate coins 10 with a diameter of approximately 25 mm, while storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to accommodate coins 10 with a diameter of up to approximately 35 mm. This allows for the handling of multiple types of coins 10 while keeping the width of the upper storage unit 151 to a minimum, and as a result, the overall width of the coin processing device 100 can be made more compact.

[0021] An opening is formed behind the first storage space 1511 for coins 10 from the first transport path 1311 to fall into the lower storage unit 152. An opening is formed behind the second storage space 1512 for coins 10 from the third transport path 1313 to fall into the lower storage unit 152. An opening is formed behind the third storage space 1513 for coins 10 from the fifth transport path 1315 to fall into the lower storage unit 152. An opening is formed behind the fourth storage space 1514 for coins 10 from the seventh transport path 1317 to fall into the lower storage unit 152.

[0022] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the configuration of the lower storage unit 152 according to this embodiment will be described. The lower storage unit 152 is also provided with four storage spaces 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 for storing four types of coins 10. The first storage space 1511 is connected to the first transport path 1311 of the sorting unit 130. The second storage space 1512 is connected to the third transport path 1313 of the sorting unit 130. The third storage space 1513 is connected to the fifth transport path 1315 of the sorting unit 130. The fourth storage space 1514 is connected to the seventh transport path 1317 of the sorting unit 130.

[0023] Furthermore, regarding the lower storage unit 152, the storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to have a smaller width to accommodate smaller diameter coins 10, while the storage spaces 1511 and 1512 are configured to have a larger width to accommodate larger diameter coins 10. For example, storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to accommodate coins 10 with a diameter of approximately 25 mm, while storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to accommodate coins 10 with a diameter of up to approximately 35 mm. This allows for the handling of multiple types of coins 10 while keeping the width of the lower storage unit 152 to a minimum, and as a result, the overall width of the coin processing device 100 can be made more compact.

[0024] Then, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 10, the coins 10 stored in the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 are transported forward by the conveyor belt 154 and the sorting roller 155, discharged from the discharge port 1515 at the front end, and dropped onto the bucket 160. More specifically, a motor 153 is driven by a signal from the CPU 191 of the control unit, and the conveyor belt 154 and the sorting roller 155 are driven by the motor 153.

[0025] Here, we will explain the configuration for dispensing only a specified number of coins 10 for each storage space, that is, for each type of coin 10.

[0026] As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the currency of the coins 10 being transported by the conveyor belt 154 is detected by the LED light of the photointerrupter. In this embodiment, a light 158X (light-emitting element) is positioned below the right side of the conveyor belt 154, and a coin detection sensor 158Y (light-receiving element) for detecting light 158Z is positioned above the light 158X.

[0027] The CPU 191 of the control unit drives the motor 153 when discharging the coins 10, thereby driving all the conveyor belts 154, 154... and all the handling rollers 155, 155.... The control unit and CPU 191 use the coin detection sensor 158Y to confirm the passage of the coins 10 while illuminating them with the light 158X. For each type of coin 10, the control unit and CPU 191 allow the transport of the coins 10 by raising the pin 159 with the solenoid 157 until a specified number of coins 10 have passed. Then, for each type of coin 10, once a specified number of coins 10 have been transported, the CPU 191 of the control unit lowers the pin 159 to stop the transport of the coins 10.

[0028] In this embodiment, the CPU 191, for each type of coin 10, lifts the pin 159 with the solenoid 157 based on the signal from the coin detection sensor 158Y, allowing the transport of the coins 10 until a specified number of coins 10 have passed.

[0029] Then, for each of the 10 coin types, when the detection of light is blocked by the last coin 10, the CPU 191 lowers the pin 159 while keeping the conveyor belt 154 and the sorting roller 155 running. This blocks the transport of the next coin. <Information storage by coin storage unit>

[0030] In this embodiment, the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 each store various types of information themselves.

[0031] Returning to Figures 7, 8, and 9, the upper storage unit 151 and lower storage unit 152 according to this embodiment have a storage unit 171 at the rear of the right side. The storage unit 171 is provided with a connector 1713 at its rear end for connecting to the connector of the coin processing device 100.

[0032] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 11, the main body of the coin processing device 100 is provided with a control board 190, as described above. The control board 190 constitutes the control unit and is mainly equipped with a CPU 191, memory 192, various connectors 193, 194 for the internal units of the device, and a communication interface 196 directed to the outside of the device.

[0033] The CPU 191 controls each part of the coin processing device 100 according to the programs and data stored in the memory 192.

[0034] Memory 192 stores various control programs for controlling the coin processing device 100, as well as various data related to the main body of the coin processing device 100.

[0035] The first communication connector 193 is for data connection with the communication connector 1713 of the upper storage unit 151. The second communication connector 194 is for data connection with the communication connector 1713 of the lower storage unit 152.

[0036] The communication interface 196 is implemented by a wired cable connector or a wireless antenna, etc. It transmits data from the CPU 191 to an external designated server 200 or management terminal, and receives data from an external designated server 200 or management terminal and passes it on to the CPU 191.

[0037] On the other hand, the storage units 171 at the rear ends of the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 are each provided with connectors 1713 for data communication with the main body of the coin processing device 100.

[0038] Furthermore, the storage unit 171 of the upper storage unit 151 is provided with a memory 1712 that stores information related to the upper storage unit 151. The memory 1712 stores the identification information and version information of the upper storage unit 151 itself. As a result, the CPU 191 of the main body of the coin processing device 100 can obtain the identification information and version information of the upper storage unit 151 from the memory 1712 via connectors 193 and 1713.

[0039] Memory 1712 stores various types of data provided by the CPU 191 of the control unit on the main unit side.

[0040] Furthermore, power obtained from the main body of the coin processing device 100 via the control board of the memory unit 171 and the connector 1713 is supplied to various parts of the upper storage unit 151, such as the motor 153, solenoid 157, and detection sensor 158Y, via the connector 1714.

[0041] Similarly, the storage unit 171 of the lower storage unit 152 is provided with a memory 1712 that stores information about the lower storage unit 152. The memory 1712 stores the identification information and version information of the lower storage unit 152 itself. As a result, the CPU 191 of the main body of the coin processing device 100 can obtain the identification information and version information of the lower storage unit 152 from the memory 1712 via connectors 194 and 1713.

[0042] Memory 1712 stores various types of data provided by the CPU 191 of the control unit on the main unit side.

[0043] Furthermore, power obtained from the main body of the coin processing device 100 via the control board of the memory unit 171 and the connector 1713 is supplied to various parts of the lower storage unit 152, such as the motor 153, solenoid 157, and detection sensor 158Y, via the connector 1714.

[0044] Next, the data flow of the coin processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 12 is an image diagram showing the data configuration of the memories 192 of the upper and lower storage units 151 and 152 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 12, first, the memory 1712 of the upper storage unit 151 has its own identification information and version information stored in it beforehand. Then, the memory 1712 of the lower storage unit 152 also has its own identification information and version information stored in it.

[0045] Then, when the coin processing device 100 is started up for the first time, the CPU 191 of the main control board 190 retrieves identification information and version information from the memory 1712 of the upper storage unit 151 and stores it in memory 192. At the same time, the CPU 191 of the main control board 190 retrieves identification information and version information from the memory 1712 of the lower storage unit 152 and stores it in memory 192.

[0046] Subsequently, each time the main unit's CPU 191 drives the motor 153 of the upper storage unit 151, it retrieves the accumulated motor rotation count accumulated to date from memory 1712 via connector 1713, adds the current motor rotation count, and overwrites memory 1712 with the latest accumulated rotation count. Similarly, each time the main unit's CPU 191 drives the motor 153 of the lower storage unit 152, it retrieves the accumulated motor rotation count accumulated to date from memory 1712 via connector 1713, adds the current motor rotation count, and overwrites memory 1712 with the latest accumulated rotation count. This allows the CPU 191 to know the usable period and remaining lifespan of the motors 153 of the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152.

[0047] Furthermore, each time a coin is ejected from the upper storage unit 151, the CPU 191 of the main unit retrieves the cumulative number of operations of the solenoid 157 that moves pin 159 up and down for each storage space 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 from the memory 1712 via the connector 1713, adds the current operation count, and overwrites the data in the memory 1712 with the latest cumulative operation count. Similarly, each time a coin is ejected from the lower storage unit 152, the CPU 191 of the main unit retrieves the cumulative number of operations of the solenoid 157 that moves pin 159 up and down for each storage space 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 from the memory 1712 via the connector 1713, adds the current operation count, and overwrites the data in the memory 1712 with the latest cumulative operation count. This allows the CPU 191 to know the usable period and remaining lifespan of the multiple solenoids 157 in the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152.

[0048] Furthermore, each time a coin is ejected from the upper storage unit 151, the CPU 191 of the main unit may retrieve the cumulative number of coins ejected up to date for each storage space 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 from the memory 1712 via the connector 1713, add the number of coins ejected this time, and overwrite the data in the memory 1712 with the latest cumulative number of coins ejected. Similarly, each time a coin is ejected from the lower storage unit 152, the CPU 191 of the main unit may retrieve the cumulative number of coins ejected up to date for each storage space 1511, 1512, 1513, and 1514 from the memory 1712 via the connector 1713, add the number of coins ejected this time, and overwrite the data in the memory 1712 with the latest cumulative number of coins ejected.

[0049] The CPU 191 then receives a request from an external device via the communication interface 196, and in response to that request, it acquires various information about the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 and provides it to the external device via the communication interface 196. For example, the CPU 191 receives requests from an external device via the communication interface 196 for identification information, version information, cumulative motor rotation count, and the number of coins dispensed for each type of coin for the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152. The CPU 191 then transmits the identification information, version information, cumulative motor rotation count, cumulative solenoid operation count, and the number of coins dispensed for each storage space to an external management terminal or server 200 via the communication interface 196. This allows the external management terminal or server 200 to know the usable period and remaining lifespan of each part of the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152.

[0050] Furthermore, when the upper storage unit 151 or lower storage unit 152 is removed from the coin processing device 100, the CPU 191 of the main unit may notify a management terminal or server 200, etc., via the communication interface 196 that the upper storage unit 151 or lower storage unit 152 has been removed, along with their identification information stored in the memory 192.

[0051] Then, when the upper storage unit 151 or the lower storage unit 152 is set in the coin processing device 100 again, the CPU 191 of the main unit reads the identification information from the upper storage unit 151 or the lower storage unit 152 via the communication connector 1713 and checks whether it is the same as the identification information stored in the memory 192. If the identification information stored in the upper storage unit 151 or the lower storage unit 152 is different from the identification information stored in the main unit's memory 192, it is preferable for the CPU 191 to issue a warning from the speaker or display. The CPU 191 may also notify a management terminal or a designated server 200 of the identification information of the newly set upper storage unit 151 or the lower storage unit 152. <Summary>

[0052] In the above embodiment, a coin storage unit is provided having multiple storage spaces for storing coins by type. The coin storage unit includes a memory that stores at least one of the number of coins dispensed for each type, the rotation speed of the motor of the coin storage unit, and version information of the coin storage unit, and a communication connector for data connection with the control unit of the coin processing device in which the coin storage unit is set.

[0053] In the above embodiment, a coin processing device is provided, comprising: a first coin storage unit that stores a first type of coin and includes a first memory that stores at least one of the number of first type coins dispensed, the motor rotation speed, and version information; a second coin storage unit that stores a second type of coin and includes a second memory that stores at least one of the number of second type coins dispensed, the motor rotation speed, and version information; a first connector for communicating with the first coin storage unit; a second connector for communicating with the second coin storage unit; and a control unit that acquires information stored in the first memory via the first connector and information stored in the second memory via the second connector.

[0054] Preferably, the coin processing device further includes a sorting unit for receiving multiple coins and dispensing them one by one at intervals, and a sorting unit for receiving the coins one by one from the sorting unit, determining the type of coin, and guiding the coin to a coin storage unit corresponding to its type.

[0055] Preferably, the coin processing device further includes a communication interface. The control unit transmits information obtained from the first memory and the second memory to a predetermined device via the communication interface.

[0056] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 10: Coins 100: Coin processing device 101: Cabinet 101A: Top cover 102: Coin slot 105: Front door 110: Identification and sorting unit 120: Processing Department 130: Sorting Department 1311: First transport route 1312: Second transport route 1313: Third transport route 1314: Fourth transport route 1315: Fifth transport route 1316: The sixth transport route 1317: The 7th transport route 1318: The 8th transport route 1319: Overflow transport path 1320: Reject transport path 1330: Identification unit 150: Storage and dispensing section 151: Upper storage unit 152: Lower storage unit 1511: First storage space 1512: Second storage space 1513: Third storage space 1514: Fourth storage space 1515 :Exhaust port 153: Motor 154: Conveyor belt 155: Slicing roller 157: Solenoid 158X: Light 158Y: Coin detection sensor 158Z: light 159: Pin 160: Bucket 160X: Inclined surface 165: Output tray 171: Memory Unit 1712: Memory 1713: Connector 1714: Connector 190: Control board 191:CPU 192: Memory 193: Connector 194: Connector 196: Communication Interface 200: Server

Claims

1. A coin storage unit having multiple storage spaces for storing coins by type, A memory that stores at least one of the following: the number of coins dispensed for each type of coin, the rotation speed of the motor of the coin storage unit, and the version information of the coin storage unit. A coin storage unit comprising a communication connector for data connection with the control unit of a coin processing device in which the coin storage unit is set.

2. A first coin storage unit includes a first memory for storing a first type of coin and for storing at least one of the number of coins of the first type dispensed, the motor rotation speed, and version information. A second coin storage unit includes a second memory for storing a second type of coin and for storing at least one of the number of coins of the second type dispensed, the motor rotation speed, and version information. A first connector for communication connection with the first coin storage unit, A second connector for communication connection with the second coin storage unit, A coin processing device comprising: a control unit that acquires information stored in the first memory via the first connector and information stored in the second memory via the second connector; and a control unit that acquires information stored in the second memory via the second connector.

3. A processing unit that accepts multiple coins and dispenses them one by one with intervals in between, The coin processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a sorting unit for receiving the coins one by one from the sorting unit, determining the type of coin, and guiding the coin to a coin storage unit corresponding to the type.

4. It also has a communication interface, The coin processing device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit transmits information obtained from the first memory and the second memory to a predetermined device via the communication interface.

Images