Currency processing equipment

Abstract

This technology provides a way to detect when a door has been opened or closed while the power is off. [Solution] A coin processing device 100 is provided, comprising a housing 101 for storing coins having a door 105, a switch 195 for detecting the opening and closing of the door, a latch circuit 192 connected to the switch for maintaining a state that the door is open, a capacitor 193 for supplying power to the latch circuit, and a control unit 191 for acquiring the state of the latch circuit when external power is started to be supplied, wherein the latch circuit includes at least two transistors without including an IC.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of a currency processing device for receiving and storing currency and paying out the currency.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a currency processing device for receiving and storing currency and paying out the currency has been 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 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 detecting that a door has been opened or closed while the power is OFF.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of this invention, a coin processing device is provided comprising: a housing for storing coins having a door; a switch for detecting the opening and closing of the door; a latch circuit connected to the switch for holding the door in an open state; a capacitor for supplying power to the latch circuit; and a control unit for acquiring the state of the latch circuit when external power is started to be supplied. The latch circuit includes at least two transistors, without including an IC. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] As described above, the present invention provides a technology for detecting when a door is opened or closed while the power is turned off. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an illustrative diagram showing the overall appearance of the currency processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a right-side cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the currency 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 currency 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 currency 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 block diagram showing the door opening detection function of a currency processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10]This is a circuit diagram for realizing the door opening detection function of the currency processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart showing the processing of a currency processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart showing the processing of a currency processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a block diagram for realizing the door opening detection function of the currency processing device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart showing the processing of a currency processing device according to the fifth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [First Embodiment] <Overall configuration of the currency processing device 100> First, the overall configuration of the currency processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is an external view of the currency processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the currency processing device 100 is composed of a roughly rectangular prism housing 101, with a coin insertion 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 currency 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 currency processing device 100 in the state in which the bucket 160 is lowered according to this embodiment. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the currency 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 the present embodiment, the storage and payout unit 150 includes an upper storage unit 151 for four denominations and a lower storage unit 152 for four denominations. And in the present embodiment, with the front wall of the currency processing device 100, that is, the front door 105, open, the upper storage unit 151 can be taken out or the lower storage unit 152 can be taken out.

[0011] In the currency processing device 100 according to the present embodiment, a control board 190 is provided at the lower end of the identification and sorting unit 110. On the control board 190, as will be described later, a CPU (control unit) for controlling each part of the currency processing device 100, a latch circuit for storing the open / closed state of the front door 105, an electric double layer capacitor for supplying power to the latch circuit when the power is turned off, and various communication interfaces are arranged.

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

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

[0014] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the money processing apparatus 100 showing the state where the bucket 160 has risen. However, in FIG. 6, the front door 105 is removed while showing the discharge tray 165 for the purpose of explanation. Referring to FIG. 6, in the money processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when paying out the coins 10, the bucket 160 descends to the lower end in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 191 of the control unit. Then, in accordance with 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 to 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 a conveyance belt driven in accordance with 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 a conveyance belt driven in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 191 of the control unit and fall onto the upper surface of the bucket 160.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the lower front of the housing 101 and the right and left sides of the front of the housing 101 are covered by a resin front door 105. Then, as shown in Figure 6, the coins 10 are held by the bucket 160 body and the inner surface of the front door 105 and lifted up to the discharge tray 165. More specifically, the bucket 160 is mainly composed of an inclined surface 160X that is lower at the front and higher at the rear. The coins 10 are held by this inclined surface 160X and the back of the front door 105 of the currency processing device 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 160X of the bucket 160, the back of the front portion of the housing 101 that forms the outer surface of the currency processing device 100, the left side of the front of the right side of the housing 101 of the currency processing device 100, and the right side of the front of the left side of the housing 101 of the currency processing device 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 160X. That is, they slide down from the opening of the front door 105 into the discharge tray 165.

[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 located approximately in the center of the currency processing device 100 in the vertical direction, and the lower storage unit 152 is located at the bottom of the currency processing device 100.

[0019] The coins 10 stored in the upper storage unit 151 and the lower storage unit 152 are then 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 is driven by a signal from the CPU 191 of the control unit, and this motor drives the conveyor belt 154 and the sorting roller 155.

[0020] Next, with reference to Figure 7, the configuration of the upper storage unit 151 according to this embodiment will be described. 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.

[0021] 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 accommodation 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 currency processing device 100 can be made more compact.

[0022] Behind the first storage space 1511, a space is formed for coins 10 from the first transport path 1311 to fall into the lower storage unit 152. Behind the second storage space 1512, a space is formed for coins 10 from the third transport path 1313 to fall into the lower storage unit 152. Behind the third storage space 1513, a space is formed for coins 10 from the fifth transport path 1315 to fall into the lower storage unit 152. Behind the fourth storage space 1514, a space is formed for coins 10 from the seventh transport path 1317 to fall into the lower storage unit 152.

[0023] Referring to Figure 8, 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.

[0024] Furthermore, regarding the lower storage unit 152, the storage spaces 1513 and 1514 are configured to be narrower in width to accommodate smaller diameter coins 10, while the storage spaces 1511 and 1512 are configured to be wider in 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 accommodation 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 currency processing device 100 can be made more compact. <Front door open detection configuration>

[0025] Next, we will describe a configuration for remembering that the front door 105, located on the front of the currency processing device 100, is open when no power is supplied from an external source such as an electrical outlet. Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the currency processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 10 is an electrical circuit diagram of the parts related to the latch circuit 192 and the electric double-layer capacitor 193 of the currency processing device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0026] Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the currency processing device 100 is provided with a physical switch 195 for detecting the open / closed state of the front door 105. The physical switch 195 is mounted on the front of the housing 101, in a position that contacts the rear end of the side of the front door 105.

[0027] The control board 190 is mainly equipped with a CPU 191, a latch circuit 192, an electric double-layer capacitor 193, and various connectors 194.

[0028] The CPU 191 is powered by electricity supplied from outside the currency processing unit 100. In other words, it operates when the power is properly turned ON. Conversely, it becomes inoperable when the user turns off the power or when a power outage occurs.

[0029] The latch circuit 192 monitors the opening and closing of the front door 105 (monitoring state). The latch circuit 192 also detects when the front door 105 is opened and stores this information (holding state). More specifically, when the power is off or during a power outage, the latch circuit 192 uses power from the electric double-layer capacitor 193 to detect when the front door 105 is open via the connector 194 or physical switch 195 and maintains a logical state indicating this.

[0030] The electric double-layer capacitor 193 stores power when power is supplied from an external source. When the external power supply is interrupted, it supplies the power it has stored to the latch circuit 192. In this embodiment, the electric double-layer capacitor 193 has a capacitance of approximately 1F (farad).

[0031] Thus, in this embodiment, even if the currency processing device 100 is not equipped with a battery, the power from the electric double-layer capacitor 193 enables the monitoring state by the latch circuit 192 to be maintained for a long period of time, and the latch circuit 192 can also retain information that the front door 105 has been opened for a long period of time.

[0032] This allows the CPU 191 to determine whether the front door 105 was opened while the power was off by checking the logic state of the latch circuit 192 when external power supply is initiated. In this embodiment, the CPU 191 resets the logic state of the latch circuit 192 after this check.

[0033] Furthermore, it is preferable that the CPU 191 notifies an external server 200 or the like of the confirmation result via the connector 197 through the communication interface 196.

[0034] In this embodiment in particular, as shown in Figure 10, the latch circuit 192 is mainly composed of two transistors. In other words, the latch circuit 192 according to this embodiment is composed only of discrete components and does not use an IC (integrated circuit). This makes it possible to suppress power consumption in both the monitoring state and the holding state. For example, in the monitoring state, it consumes only about 500 nA (nanoamperes), so it can operate for about 140 days at room temperature and about 68 days even at high temperatures using a 1F capacitor. Also, in the holding state, it consumes only 1 μA (microamperes), so it can operate for about 70 days at room temperature and about 34 days even at high temperatures.

[0035] The following parts are necessary to retain the information that the front door 105 is open, therefore, it can be constructed inexpensively with a small number of parts. Electric double-layer capacitor: 1 piece Diodes: 2 Transistors: 3 FET: 1 piece Resistance: 9 pieces Microswitch: 1

[0036] The following describes the processing performed by the CPU 191 according to this embodiment. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing performed when the power to the currency processing device 100 is turned on and the CPU 191 is started up according to this embodiment.

[0037] When the power to the currency processing device 100 is turned ON (step S102), the CPU 191 checks the logic state of the latch circuit 192 (a record of the open / closed state of the door when the power to the currency processing device 100 is OFF) (step S104).

[0038] CPU 191 resets the logic state of the latch circuit (step S108).

[0039] CPU 191 checks the current open / closed state of the front door 105 (step S110).

[0040] The CPU 191 activates the communication interface 196 and transmits the information about the opening and closing of the front door 105, as well as its current open / closed state, which was recorded in the latch circuit 192, to a predetermined server 200 (step S112). [Second Embodiment]

[0041] In the above embodiment, the server 200 was notified every time the power was turned on, regardless of whether the door was open when the power was turned off. However, the server 200 may be notified only if the door was open when the power was turned off.

[0042] Referring to Figure 12, first, when the power to the currency processing device 100 is turned ON (step S102), the CPU 191 checks the logic state of the latch circuit 192 (a record of the open / closed state of the door when the power to the currency processing device 100 is OFF) (step S104).

[0043] If the CPU 191 receives a message in the latch circuit 192 indicating that the front door 105 has been opened (if the answer is YES in step S106), the CPU 191 resets the logic state of the latch circuit (step S108).

[0044] CPU 191 checks the current open / closed state of the front door 105 (step S110).

[0045] The CPU 191 activates the communication interface 196 and transmits the information recorded in the latch circuit 192 that the front door 105 has been opened, as well as its current open / closed state, to a designated server 200 (step S112).

[0046] Furthermore, if the CPU 191 does not have recorded information that the front door 105 is open (i.e., the answer is NO in step S106), it activates the communication interface 196 and performs the normal initialization process (step S116). [Third Embodiment]

[0047] In the above embodiment, information was transmitted to a predetermined server 200 when it was confirmed that the front door 105 was open while the power was OFF. However, as shown in Figure 13, the currency processing device 100 may also have a speaker 198. And, as shown in Figure 12, if the CPU 191 confirms that the front door 105 was open when the power was OFF (if the answer is YES in step S106), it may output information to that effect from the speaker 198 at the time of notification to the server 300 (step S112). [Fourth Embodiment]

[0048] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 13, the currency processing device 100 may have a display 199. Then, as shown in Figure 12, if the CPU 191 confirms that the front door 105 was open when the power was turned off (if the answer is YES in step S106), it may display information to that effect on the display 199 at the time of notification to the server 300 (step S112). [Fifth Embodiment]

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, information was transmitted to a predetermined server 200 when it was confirmed that the front door 105 was opened while the power was OFF. However, the CPU 191 may also transmit the information to the predetermined server 200 when the front door 105 is closed when the power is ON, and when it is confirmed that the front door 105 was opened while the power was OFF.

[0050] More specifically, as shown in Figure 14, when the power is turned on (step S102), the CPU 191 checks the logic state of the latch circuit 192 (a record of the open / closed state of the door when the power to the currency processing device 100 is turned off) (step S104).

[0051] If the CPU 191 has recorded that the front door 105 is open (if the answer is YES in step S106), the CPU 191 resets the logic state of the latch circuit (step S108).

[0052] The CPU 191 checks the current open / closed state of the front door 105 (step S110). If the front door 105 is currently closed (if the answer is YES in step S210), the CPU 191 activates the communication interface 196 and transmits the information recorded in the latch circuit 192 that the front door 105 has been opened, along with its current open / closed state, to a designated server 200 (step S112).

[0053] Furthermore, if the CPU 191 does not have recorded information that the front door 105 is open (if the answer is NO in step S106), or if the front door 105 is currently open (if the answer is NO in step S210), it activates the communication interface 196 and performs the normal initialization process (step S116). <Summary>

[0054] In the above embodiment, a coin processing device is provided comprising: a housing having a door for storing coins; a switch for detecting the opening and closing of the door; a latch circuit connected to the switch for maintaining the door in an open state; a capacitor for supplying power to the latch circuit; and a control unit for acquiring the state of the latch circuit when external power is started to be supplied. The latch circuit does not include an IC and includes at least two transistors.

[0055] Preferably, when external power is supplied, the control unit obtains the state from the latch circuit and then resets the latch circuit.

[0056] Preferably, the currency processing device further includes a communication interface. When external power is supplied, the control unit obtains the status from the latch circuit and notifies a predetermined device via the communication interface if the door was open.

[0057] Preferably, the currency processing device further includes a communication interface. When external power is supplied, the control unit obtains the status from the latch circuit and notifies a predetermined device via the communication interface if the door was open and is now closed.

[0058] Preferably, the currency processing device does not have a battery.

[0059] 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]

[0060] 10: Coins 100: Currency processing equipment 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: The 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 154: Conveyor belt 155: Slicing roller 157: Motor 1511: First storage space 1512: Second storage space 1513: Third storage space 1514: Fourth storage space 1515 :Exhaust port 160: Bucket 160X: Inclined surface 165: Output tray 190: Control board 191: CPU 192: Latch Circuit 193: Electric double-layer capacitor 194: Connector 195: Physical switch 196: Communication Interface 197: Connector 198: Speaker 199: Display 200: Server

Claims

1. A casing with a door for storing coins, A switch for detecting the opening and closing of the aforementioned door, A latch circuit connected to the switch for maintaining the open state of the door, A capacitor for supplying power to the latch circuit, The system includes a control unit that acquires the state of the latch circuit when external power is supplied, A currency processing device wherein the latch circuit includes at least two transistors, without including an IC.

2. The currency processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when power is supplied from an external source, obtains the state from the latch circuit and then resets the latch circuit.

3. It also has a communication interface, The currency processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when power is supplied from an external source, obtains the state from the latch circuit and notifies a predetermined device via the communication interface if the door was open.

4. It also has a communication interface, The currency processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when power is supplied from an external source, obtains the state from the latch circuit and, if the door was open and is now closed, notifies a predetermined device via the communication interface.

5. The currency processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it does not have a battery.

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