Coin disposal device

Abstract

The present invention provides a coin processing device that can suppress transport jams that occur during reverse transport in batch processing. [Solution] The system comprises a rotating disc that dispenses coins from a dispensing opening, a transport unit that transports the coins dispensed from the dispensing opening, an intake count sensor provided near the dispensing opening that counts the number of coins dispensed from the rotating disc to the transport unit, an identification unit provided downstream of the intake count sensor in the transport unit that identifies the coins, and a control unit. When the control unit performs batch processing to dispense a predetermined batch number of coins of a predetermined denomination, if the number of coins of the predetermined denomination detected by the identification unit falls below a first predetermined number (Sa2), the control unit predicts that the number of coins of the predetermined denomination detected by the identification unit will reach the batch number and performs predictive batch stop processing by issuing a stop signal for the rotating disc in advance (Sa5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin processing device for processing coins.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a coin processing device that can perform batch processing in which coins of a preset denomination are fed out from a deposit slot into the device and dispensed in a batch number (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a coin processing device, when performing batch processing, the coin discrimination unit detects that the coins of the preset denomination for batch processing have been conveyed by the preset number, and the coins for batch processing are, for example, dispensed outside the device or dispensed toward another mechanism. Also, for the coins subsequent to the coins for batch processing, the conveyance of the coins is stopped by driving a stopper member into the conveyance path. Then, for example, the user manually picks up the bag of coins for batch processing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, when batch processing is performed multiple times, before the next batch processing begins after the first batch processing is completed, coins remain on the transport path in a chain extending upstream from the stopper. Before starting the next batch processing, the control unit needs to perform a preparatory operation to reverse transport these remaining coins to a position upstream of the coin identification unit. This is because the coin identification unit can only properly identify coins that pass through at a predetermined transport speed. Also, at the end of batch processing, it is necessary to reverse transport the remaining coins that remain on the transport path in a chain extending upstream from the stopper towards the deposit unit. However, in cases such as when a large number of coins are inserted into the deposit compartment, a large number of coins may remain in a line on the transport path from the deposit compartment to the stopper. Depending on the accumulation of coins in the deposit compartment, this could cause a transport jam during reverse transport.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a coin processing device that can suppress conveyance jams that occur during reverse conveyance in batch processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a first aspect of the present invention comprises a rotating disc that dispenses coins inserted from the outside into the interior from a dispensing opening, a transport unit that transports the coins dispensed from the dispensing opening, an intake count sensor provided near the dispensing opening of the transport unit and counting the number of coins dispensed from the rotating disc to the transport unit, an identification unit provided downstream of the intake count sensor of the transport unit and identifying the coins, and a control unit, wherein the control unit, when performing batch processing to dispense a predetermined batch number of coins of a predetermined denomination, predicts that the number of coins of the predetermined denomination detected by the identification unit will reach the batch number, and performs predictive batch stop processing to issue a stop signal for the rotating disc in advance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a coin processing device that can suppress transport jams that occur during reverse transport in batch processing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a coin processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the coin deposit and distribution section of the coin processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the main components of the coin deposit and distribution section of a coin processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing the configuration near the deposit rejection guide section of a coin processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and illustrating the state when a coin passes through. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the configuration near the deposit rejection guide section of a coin processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and illustrating the state when a coin is rejected. [Figure 6] This is a plan view showing the configuration near the deposit reject guide section of a coin processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state when coins are stopped. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the control details of the predictive batch stop process for the coin processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the control details of the predictive batch stop process for the coin processing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <First Embodiment> A coin processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the following description, "front" refers to the operator's side of the coin processing device, "rear" refers to the side opposite the operator of the coin processing device, "left" refers to the left side of the coin processing device as seen from the operator's perspective, and "right" refers to the right side of the coin processing device as seen from the operator's perspective. The coin processing device is capable of depositing and storing coins, and is also capable of dispensing the stored coins.

[0010] [Overall configuration of coin processing device 10] As shown in Figure 1, the coin processing device 10 of the first embodiment includes a loose coin processing device 11 that processes loose coins C in an unbound state, and a coin bar processing device 12 that processes packaged coins B (hereinafter referred to as coin bar B) which are obtained by accumulating a predetermined number of loose coins C and wrapping them in wrapping paper.

[0011] The loose coin processing device 11 includes a coin deposit processing unit 21 that receives loose coins C from outside the loose coin processing device 11 and processes the deposit of the deposited loose coins C, and a coin storage and withdrawal processing unit 22 that receives the loose coins C from the coin deposit processing unit 21 and stores them, and also withdraws the stored loose coins C to the outside of the loose coin processing device 11 so that they can be removed.

[0012] The coin deposit processing unit 21 has a coin deposit sorting unit 30 that receives loose coins C from outside the loose coin processing unit 11 and identifies and sorts the inserted loose coins C. The coin deposit and sorting unit 30 includes a deposit unit 31, which is a hopper that receives loose coins C from outside the loose coin processing device 11 and separates and dispenses the deposited loose coins C one by one; a deposit transport unit 33 (transport unit) that transports the loose coins C dispensed from the deposit unit 31; a deposit identification and counting unit 32 (identification unit) that identifies and counts the authenticity and denomination of the loose coins C being transported by the deposit transport unit 33; and a deposit reject guide unit 34 that guides loose coins C identified as counterfeit, i.e., unacceptable, by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 to fall out of the deposit transport unit 33.

[0013] The coin deposit processing unit 21 has a coin deposit rejection box 35 that stores the loose coins C guided from the deposit conveyance unit 33 by the deposit rejection guide unit 34 so that they can be taken out of the machine. The coin deposit rejection box 35 is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 40 of the loose coin processing device 11. By pulling it forward and removing it from the apparatus main body 40, the stored loose coins C can be taken out of the machine.

[0014] The coin deposit distribution unit 30 has a packaging guide unit 45 that guides the loose coins C identified as acceptable by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 to fall from the deposit conveyance unit 33. Here, the deposit identification and counting unit 32 identifies that genuine and non-defective coins can be accepted. The loose coins C guided by the packaging guide unit 45 are conveyed to the bar coin processing device 12. The bar coin processing device 12 accumulates and packages the loose coins C fed from the loose coin processing device 11 in a predetermined packaging unit number (for example, 50 pieces) to produce bar coins B.

[0015] The coin deposit distribution unit 30 has a storage guide unit 47 that guides the loose coins C identified as acceptable by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 to fall from the deposit conveyance unit 33. The coin deposit processing unit 21 has a deposit storage unit 48 that temporarily stores the loose coins C guided from the deposit conveyance unit 33 by the storage guide unit 47. The storage guide unit 47 of the coin deposit distribution unit 30 classifies the loose coins C identified as acceptable by coin type from the deposit conveyance unit 33 and guides them to the deposit storage unit 48, and the deposit storage unit 48 stores the guided loose coins C while classifying them by coin type.

[0016] The coin deposit processing unit 21 has a coin storage unit 51 that stores the loose coins C stored in the deposit storage unit 48 while classifying them by coin type, and a coin return box 52 that returns the loose coins C stored in the deposit storage unit 48 so that they can be taken out of the machine. The coin return box 52 is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 40 of the loose coin processing device 11. By pulling it forward and removing it from the apparatus main body 40, the stored loose coins C can be taken out of the machine.

[0017] The coin storage unit 51 has storage safes 55 for each type of coin. The storage safes 55 for each type of coin include a first storage safe 55 for storing loose coins C of the first coin type (specifically, 1-yen coins), a second storage safe 55 for storing loose coins C of the second coin type (specifically, 5-yen coins), a third storage safe 55 for storing loose coins C of the third coin type (specifically, 10-yen coins), a fourth storage safe 55 for storing loose coins C of the fourth coin type (specifically, 50-yen coins), a fifth storage safe 55 for storing loose coins C of the fifth coin type (specifically, 100-yen coins), and a sixth storage safe 55 for storing loose coins C of the sixth coin type (specifically, 500-yen coins). None of these first to sixth storage safes 55 can dispense loose coins C, that is, they cannot make withdrawals. When the coin storage unit 51 is pulled forward from the apparatus main body 40, the first to sixth storage safes 55 are individually removed from a mounting table portion (not shown) on which they are placed and taken out. In other words, the first to sixth storage safes 55 are individually detachably provided in the coin storage unit 51. Therefore, the first to sixth storage safes 55 are also detachably provided with respect to the apparatus main body 40.

[0018] The coin storage and withdrawal processing unit 22 includes a coin storage and payout unit 53 that stores the loose coins C stored in the deposit storage unit 48 in a state where they are classified by coin type and can be paid out, a coin payout conveyance unit 61 that conveys and counts the loose coins C paid out while being counted from the coin storage and payout unit 53 by identifying the coin type, a coin payout box 62 that stores the loose coins C conveyed by the coin payout conveyance unit 61 so that they can be taken out of the apparatus, a payout reject guide unit 63 that guides the loose coins C stored in the coin payout box 62, and a coin reject vault 64 that stores the loose coins C guided from the coin payout box 62 by the payout reject guide unit 63 so that they can be taken out of the apparatus. The coin payout box 62 and the coin reject vault 64 are both provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 40 of the loose coin processing apparatus 11, and by being pulled forward and removed from the apparatus main body 40, the stored loose coins C can be taken out of the apparatus. The coin payout conveyance unit 61 can also convey the loose coins C paid out while being counted from the coin storage and payout unit 53 to the bar coin processing apparatus 12.

[0019] The coin storage and dispensing unit 53 has coin stackers 56 for each denomination. The coin stackers 56 for each denomination include a first stacker 56 that stores loose coins C of the first denomination (specifically 1 yen coins) in a dispenseable manner, a second stacker 56 that stores loose coins C of the second denomination (specifically 5 yen coins) in a dispenseable manner, a third stacker 56 that stores loose coins C of the third denomination (specifically 10 yen coins) in a dispenseable manner, a fourth stacker 56 that stores loose coins C of the fourth denomination (specifically 50 yen coins) in a dispenseable manner, a fifth stacker 56 that stores loose coins C of the fifth denomination (specifically 100 yen coins) in a dispenseable manner, and a sixth stacker 56 that stores loose coins C of the sixth denomination (specifically 500 yen coins) in a dispenseable manner. All of these first to sixth stackers 56 are not detachable from the loose coin processing device 11 and all constitute the main body of the device 40.

[0020] The loose coin processing device 11 is equipped with a control unit 67 that controls the entire coin processing device 10, including the coin bar processing device 12, and a power supply unit 68 that supplies power to the coin processing device 10, including the coin bar processing device 12. The loose coin processing device 11 is also equipped with an operation display unit 69 that accepts operation input from the operator and displays information for the operator. The control unit 67, power supply unit 68, and operation display unit 69 may be provided in the coin bar processing device 12. In particular, the operation display unit 69 and the control unit 67 may be provided in a separate management device (also called an operation console or PC) from the coin processing device 10.

[0021] The coin bar processing device 12 includes a packaging unit 101 that receives loose coins C dispensed from the deposit unit 31 and guided by the packaging guide unit 45, and loose coins C dispensed from the coin storage dispensing unit 53, bundles them in predetermined numbers, wraps them in packaging paper, and integrates them to form coin bars B; a coin bar storage unit 102 that stores the coin bars B produced and dispensed in the packaging unit 101 so that they can be dispensed; and a coin bar transport and dispensing unit 103 that receives the coin bars B dispensed from the packaging unit 101 and the coin bar storage unit 102, dispenses them so that they can be removed from the machine, and also receives already produced coin bars B from outside the machine and stores them in the coin bar storage unit 102.

[0022] The packaging unit 101 receives loose coins C from the loose coin processing unit 11, counts the received loose coins C while identifying the denominations, and accumulates them in packing unit quantities (50 coins). A predetermined length of wrapping paper made of paper or resin film is wrapped around the accumulated packing unit quantities of loose coins C, and the excess portions of the wrapping paper on both sides in the accumulation direction are crimped inward to form a metal bar B.

[0023] The packaging unit 101 distributes the manufactured metal bars B to the metal bar dispensing reject storage unit 114, the clear box 115, and the metal bar transport / in / out unit 103. The metal bar dispensing reject storage unit 114 and the clear box 115 store fractional metal bars, such as loose coins C in quantities less than the number of bags per packaging unit, so that they can be removed from the machine. The metal bar dispensing reject storage unit 114 and the clear box 115 are located on the front side of the main body 116 of the metal bar processing device 12, and by pulling them forward from the main body 116 and removing them, the metal bars B stored inside can be removed from the machine.

[0024] The coin bar transport and deposit / discharge unit 103 has a coin bar transport unit 121 that receives coin bars B dispensed from the packaging unit 101 and the coin bar storage unit 102 and transports them up and down. The coin bars B dispensed from the packaging unit 101 to the coin bar transport and deposit / discharge unit 103 are normal coin bars B other than fractional coin bars, that is, regular coin bars made by packaging loose coins C in the number of units that would normally be packaged. The bar conveying and depositing / discharging unit 103 includes a bar discharge unit 122 that discharges the bar B conveyed by the bar conveying unit 121 to the outside of the bar processing unit 12, a bar discharging unit 123 that receives the bar B conveyed by the bar conveying unit 121 and dispenses it outside the bar processing unit 12 in a removable manner, a box-shaped bar bulk storage unit 124 that stores the bar B conveyed by the bar conveying unit 121 in a removable manner outside the unit, and a counting and loading unit 120 that identifies and counts the bar B inserted from outside the bar processing unit 12 and hands them over to the bar conveying unit 121.

[0025] The bar storage section 102 also stores the bar B identified and counted by the counting and loading section 120, and at that time, the bar transport section 121 transports the bar B identified and counted by the counting and loading section 120 to the bar storage section 102. The counting and loading section 120 is the part of the bar processing device 12 that receives and counts the already manufactured bar B when loading it into the bar storage section 102 inside the machine.

[0026] The bar discharge section 122 opens on the front of the lower part of the main body 116 of the bar processing device 12. The bar discharge section 122 discharges the bar B toward a receiving box 126 located outside the bar processing device 12.

[0027] The bar dispensing section 123 is an opening on the front of the upper part of the main body 116 of the device and has a shutter (not shown) that can be opened and closed. The bar dispensing section 123 can store multiple bars B, and the stored bars B can be removed directly from the machine by hand when the shutter (not shown) is opened.

[0028] The bar storage unit 124 can store multiple bars B at once. The bar storage unit 124 can be pulled forward and removed from the main body 116 of the device, allowing the stored bars B to be removed from the machine.

[0029] The counting and loading unit 120 is pulled forward from the main body 116 of the device, allowing the metal bars B to be fed in from outside the machine. The counting and loading unit 120 identifies and counts each metal bar B fed in from outside the machine, and pushes them out to the metal bar conveying unit 121.

[0030] The bar storage unit 102 receives the bar B transported by the bar transport unit 121, sorts them into storage units (not shown) according to their denomination, and stores them there. At the same time, it counts the bar B stored in the denomination-specific storage units according to their denomination and feeds them back to the bar transport unit 121.

[0031] The bar conveying unit 121 receives bar B from the packaging unit 101 and selectively conveys it to the bar dispensing unit 122 and the bar storage unit 102. The bar conveying unit 121 also receives bar B dispensed from the bar storage unit 102 and selectively conveys it to the bar dispensing unit 123 and the bar bulk storage unit 124. Furthermore, the bar conveying unit 121 receives bar B from the counting and loading unit 120 and conveys it to the bar storage unit 102. The bar conveying unit 121 is capable of conveying multiple bar B simultaneously.

[0032] [Main processes of the coin processing device 10] Next, an overview of the main processes of the coin processing device 10 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0033] {Loose coin deposit processing} The loose coin deposit process involves transporting, identifying, counting, and temporarily storing loose coins C that have been inserted into the deposit section 31 from outside the coin processing device 10. When the loose coin deposit process is selected on the main menu screen displayed on the operation display unit 69, the control unit 67 starts the loose coin deposit process and opens the shutter (not shown) of the deposit section 31. Then, when loose coins C are loaded into the deposit section 31 from outside the machine and the operation to start the loose coin deposit process is performed on the operation display unit 69, the control unit 67 closes the shutter (not shown) of the deposit section 31 and then causes the deposit section 31 to dispense the loose coins C one by one at predetermined intervals, and the dispensed loose coins C are transported by the deposit transport unit 33. During this transport, the deposit identification and counting unit 32 identifies and counts the loose coins C, and the control unit 67 sorts the loose coins C identified as acceptable by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 by denomination from the deposit transport unit 33 to the deposit storage unit 48 via the storage guidance unit 47 and temporarily stores them there.

[0034] On the other hand, the control unit 67 directs loose coins C dispensed from the deposit unit 31 that the deposit identification and counting unit 32 has identified as unacceptable, i.e., loose coins C with denomination identification problems that cannot be identified, to be stored as rejected coins in the coin deposit reject box 35 via the deposit transport unit 33 and the deposit reject guide unit 34.

[0035] By performing the above loose coin deposit processing, once the loose coins C in the deposit unit 31 are depleted and all loose coins C dispensed from the deposit unit 31 are transported to either the deposit storage unit 48 or the coin deposit reject box 35, the control unit 67 displays the number of coins of each denomination and the total amount of the loose coins C that the deposit identification and counting unit 32 has determined to be acceptable and temporarily stored in the deposit storage unit 48 on the operation display unit 69. At the same time, it releases the lock on the coin deposit reject box 35 to the main unit 40, making the coin deposit reject box 35 removable from the main unit 40. The control unit 67 then enters a state where it waits for input of a deposit confirmation operation and a deposit cancellation operation to be entered into the operation display unit 69, and the coin deposit processing is completed.

[0036] {Loose coin storage processing} After the loose coin deposit process, when the deposit confirmation operation is input to the operation display unit 69, the control unit 67 confirms the deposit and performs a loose coin storage process, in which the loose coins C, which were sorted by denomination and temporarily stored in the deposit storage unit 48 during the coin deposit process, are selectively stored in either the first to sixth stackers 56 of the coin storage dispensing unit 53 or the first to sixth storage safes 55 of the coin storage unit 51, while remaining sorted by denomination. At this time, the control unit 67 basically stores the loose coins C in the first to sixth stackers 56, but if it is predicted that one of the first to sixth stackers 56 will overflow, for example, the loose coins C are stored in the first to sixth storage safes 55.

[0037] When the control unit 67 stores loose coins C in the first to sixth stackers 56, it stores the amount of loose coins C stored in each of the first to sixth stackers 56 by adding the amount of loose coins C stored in the current process to the amount of loose coins C stored in the current process. Similarly, when the control unit 67 stores loose coins C in the first to sixth storage safes 55, it stores the amount of loose coins C stored in each of the first to sixth storage safes 55 by adding the amount of loose coins C stored in the current process to the amount of loose coins C stored in the current process.

[0038] {Loose coin return processing} After the loose coin deposit process, if a deposit cancellation operation is entered into the operation display unit 69, the control unit 67 does not confirm the deposit and performs a loose coin return process, dispensing all the loose coins C temporarily stored in the deposit storage unit 48 during the coin deposit process to the coin return box 52. At the end of the loose coin return process, the control unit 67 releases the lock on the coin return box 52 to the main unit 40, making the coin return box 52 removable from the main unit 40.

[0039] {Loose coin withdrawal processing} The loose coin dispensing process is a process in which, based on the coin dispensing operation entered into the operation display unit 69, loose coins C of the specified denomination are dispensed from the first stacker 56 which stores loose coins C of the first denomination, the second stacker 56 which stores loose coins C of the second denomination, the third stacker 56 which stores loose coins C of the third denomination, the fourth stacker 56 which stores loose coins C of the fourth denomination, the fifth stacker 56 which stores loose coins C of the fifth denomination, and the sixth stacker 56 which stores loose coins C of the sixth denomination.

[0040] When the user selects the loose coin dispensing process on the main menu screen displayed on the operation display unit 69, and the number of coins to be dispensed by denomination is entered on the subsequent menu screen, the control unit 67, based on the number of coins to be dispensed by denomination entered on the operation display unit 69, separates the loose coins C one by one from the first to sixth stackers 56 that are the target of the dispensing process, and dispenses them at predetermined intervals. The coin dispensing transport unit 61 then transports the dispensed loose coins C while identifying and counting them, and transports the normal loose coins C to the coin dispensing box 62. On the other hand, if the coin dispensing transport unit 61 finds that there are abnormal loose coins C in the coin dispensing process, it has the loose coins C, including the abnormal loose coins C, stored in the coin rejection storage unit 64 by the coin rejection guidance unit 63 from the coin dispensing box 62, and then restarts the loose coin dispensing process. As described above, the number of loose coins C of each denomination entered for withdrawal are stored in the coin withdrawal box 62. At the end of the loose coin withdrawal process, the control unit 67 releases the lock on the coin withdrawal box 62 to the main unit 40, making the coin withdrawal box 62 detachable from the main unit 40.

[0041] When dispensing loose coins C from the first to sixth stackers 56, the control unit 67 subtracts the amount of loose coins C dispensed in the current process from the amount of loose coins C stored in each of the first to sixth stackers 56 before the current process, and stores this amount as the amount of loose coins C stored after the current process.

[0042] {Cash roll withdrawal processing} When the main menu screen displayed on the operation display unit 69 is selected for the roll dispensing process, and the number of rolls of each denomination is entered on the subsequent menu screen, the control unit 67 dispenses the specified number of rolls B of the specified denomination from the roll storage unit 102 based on the number of rolls of each denomination entered on the operation display unit 69, and dispenses them to the designated one of the roll dispensing unit 123 and the roll bulk storage unit 124 at the roll transport unit 121.

[0043] {Barrel manufacturing and storage process} When the main menu screen displayed on the operation display unit 69 is selected for the bar manufacturing and storage process, and the number of bars to be manufactured for each denomination is entered on the subsequent menu screen, the control unit 67 dispenses loose coins C of the specified denomination from the first to sixth stackers 56 of the coin storage and dispensing unit 53 based on the number of bars to be manufactured entered on the operation display unit 69, turns them into bar B in the packaging unit 101, and replenishes the bar storage unit 102 in the bar transport unit 121.

[0044] {Collection and processing of loose coin packaging} When the user selects the loose coin packaging and collection process on the main menu screen displayed on the operation display unit 69, and the number of coins of each denomination to be produced is entered on the subsequent menu screen, the control unit 67 dispenses loose coins C of the specified denomination from the first to sixth stackers 56 of the coin storage and dispensing unit 53 based on the number of coins to be produced entered on the operation display unit 69, and processes them into coins B in the packaging unit 101, which are then released into the receiving box 126 from the coins dispensing unit 122.

[0045] {Local bar manufacturing and storage process} On the main menu screen displayed on the operation display unit 69, the local roll manufacturing and storage process is selected. On the subsequent menu screen, the denominations are specified in advance and the number to be manufactured is entered. Then, the control unit 67 dispenses the specified number of loose coins C of the specified denominations from the loose coins C inserted into the deposit unit 31 to the packaging unit 101. The packaging unit 101 then manufactures them into rolls B, and the roll transport unit 121 replenishes the roll storage unit 102. This process is repeated until the specified number of rolls B to be manufactured are replenished in the roll storage unit 102.

[0046] {Local coin production and payment processing} On the main menu screen displayed on the operation display unit 69, the local coin bar production and dispensing process is selected. On the subsequent menu screen, the denominations are specified in advance and the number to be produced is entered. Then, the control unit 67 dispenses the specified number of loose coins of the specified denominations C from the loose coins C inserted into the deposit unit 31 to the packaging unit 101. The packaging unit 101 then forms the coin bars B, which are transported by the coin bar transport unit 121 and released into the receiving box 126 from the coin bar discharge unit 122. This process is repeated until the specified number of coin bars B are released into the receiving box 126.

[0047] [Detailed configuration of the coin deposit and distribution unit 30] Next, we will describe the detailed configuration of the coin deposit and distribution unit 30.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, the coin deposit and distribution unit 30 has a deposit unit 31, which is a hopper that receives loose coins C from outside the loose coin processing device 11 and separates and dispenses the deposited loose coins C one by one. The deposit unit 31 has a rotating disc 201 on which the deposited loose coins C are placed, a rotating disc drive unit (not shown) that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions and whose drive and stop are controlled by the control unit 67 to rotate the rotating disc 201, and a separation unit 202 that separates the loose coins C dispensed from the rotating disc 201 by centrifugal force during rotation and dispenses them one by one from a dispenser (not shown) between the rotating disc 201 and the loose coins C.

[0049] The deposit and transport unit 33 of the coin deposit and distribution unit 30 transports the loose coins C dispensed from the dispenser (not shown). The deposit and transport unit 33 is located adjacent to the rotating disk 201 and has a coin passage 211 extending from the rotating disk 201. The deposit unit 31 dispenses the loose coins C one by one into the coin passage 211 by passing them through the separation unit 202 using the centrifugal force generated when the rotating disk 201 rotates.

[0050] The coin passage 211 is located between the two higher guides 212 and 213 on either side, and guides the loose coins C dispensed from the rotating disc 201 in a line along the passage surface 215 between the guides 212 and 213 on both sides. It is horizontally arranged in a J-shape in plan view, almost surrounding the rotating disc 201.

[0051] The coin passage 211 has a first straight section 221 connected to the rotating disc 201 and extending forward, a first bent section 222 connected to the first straight section 221 on the opposite side from the rotating disc 201, a second straight section 223 connected to the first bent section 222 on the opposite side from the first straight section 221 and extending to the right, a second bent section 224 connected to the second straight section 223 on the opposite side from the first bent section 222, and a third straight section 225 connected to the second bent section 224 on the opposite side from the second straight section 223 and extending to the rear.

[0052] Above the coin passage 211, a transport drive unit (not shown) is provided to move the loose coins C on the coin passage 211 along the coin passage 211. This transport drive unit is positioned at a distance from the passage surface 215 that is less than the thickness of a single loose coin C, and has a group of transport belts (not shown) that contact the loose coins C dispensed from the rotating disc 201 onto the passage surface 215 from above, and move them by friction in the order of a first straight section 221, a first bent section 222, a second straight section 223, a second bent section 224, and a third straight section 225, and a group of transport motors (not shown) that are driven and stopped by a control unit 67 to rotate the transport belts in forward and reverse directions. The transport drive unit (not shown) moves loose coins C from the deposit section 31 in the order of the first straight section 221, the first bent section 222, the second straight section 223, the second bent section 224, and the third straight section 225. The direction in which this movement is defined is the forward coin transport direction, and the reverse direction is defined as the reverse coin transport direction. The transport drive unit (not shown) drives the deposit transport section 33 in both forward and reverse directions.

[0053] In the first straight section 221 of the coin passage 211, an intake count sensor 231 is provided near the separation section 202 of the deposit section 31, in other words, near the dispensing opening (not shown) located between the separation section 202 and the rotating disk 201, to detect loose coins C dispensed from the rotating disk 201 to the first straight section 221 via the dispensing opening (not shown) and count the number of coins. In other words, the intake count sensor 231 is provided on the opposite side of the first bend 222 of the first straight section 221 of the coin passage 211. The intake count sensor 231 outputs the detection result to the control unit 67.

[0054] As shown in Figure 3, the second straight section 223 of the coin passage 211 is provided with the deposit identification and counting unit 32 on the side of the first bent section 222, which identifies the authenticity, condition, and denomination of loose coins C transported on the second straight section 223 based on their magnetic properties and images, and counts the number of coins. The deposit identification and counting unit 32 outputs the identification result to the control unit 67. The deposit identification and counting unit 32 is located downstream of the coin intake count sensor 231 of the deposit transport unit 33 in the forward coin transport direction, in other words, on the opposite side from the rotating disk 201.

[0055] The second straight section 223 is provided on the side opposite to the first bent section 222 from the deposit identification and counting section 32, and is intended to remove loose coins C identified as counterfeit, including those that cannot be identified by the detection results of the deposit identification and counting section 32, as well as loose coins C identified as soiled, from the coin passage 211. The deposit reject guide section 34 is provided downstream of the deposit identification and counting section 32 in the deposit transport section 33 in the forward coin transport direction, in other words, on the side opposite to the rotating disc 201.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, the deposit reject guide section 34 has a reject hole 241 formed in the passage surface 215 of the second straight section 223. The deposit reject guide section 34 has a first stopper member 242 that protrudes independently into the coin passage 211 of the second straight section 223 on the upstream side of the reject hole 241 in the forward coin transport direction, thereby causing loose coins C to fall into the reject hole 241.

[0057] Here, the reject hole 241 is formed at a predetermined distance from the guide wall 212a of the guide 212, which is aligned in the coin transport direction, and the maximum distance from the guide wall 212a is smaller than the outer diameter of the smallest loose coin C (specifically, a 1-yen coin). Here, the transport drive unit (not shown) moves the loose coin C while keeping it in contact with the guide wall 212a. Therefore, when the first stopper member 242 of the deposit reject guide unit 34 does not protrude into the coin passage 211 of the second straight section 223 as shown in Figure 4, but is flush with the guide wall 212a, the loose coin C is guided by the guide wall 212a and the first stopper member 242 and moved downstream in the positive coin transport direction without falling into the reject hole 241. On the other hand, when the deposit reject guide section 34 is in a state where the first stopper member 242 protrudes independently into the coin passage 211 of the second straight section 223, as shown in Figure 5, it separates the loose coins C from the guide wall 212a and causes them to fall into the reject hole 241. The first stopper member 242 is controlled by the control unit 67 to switch between advancing and retracting relative to the coin passage 211.

[0058] The deposit reject guide section 34 has a second stopper member 243 positioned upstream of the reject hole 241 in the positive coin transport direction, facing the first stopper member 242 across the reject hole 241. As shown in Figure 6, the second stopper member 243 protrudes into the coin passage 211 of the second straight section 223 together with the first stopper member 242, thereby preventing the passage of loose coins C and stopping the loose coins C. The first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 stop the stopped loose coins C upstream of the reject hole 241 in the positive coin transport direction so that they do not fall into the reject hole 241. The second stopper member 243 is controlled by the control unit 67 to switch its movement forward and backward relative to the coin passage 211.

[0059] The deposit reject guide section 34 is equipped with a coin detection sensor 245 on the upstream side of the reject hole 241 in the forward coin transport direction, which detects coins C that fall into the reject hole 241 by the deposit reject guide section 34, and loose coins C that pass through the deposit reject guide section 34 without falling into the reject hole 241.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, the third linear section 225 is provided with the aforementioned packaging guide section 45 on the upstream side in the forward coin transport direction, which guides loose coins C determined to be true and correct based on the identification result of the deposit identification and counting unit 32 to the coin bar processing unit 12.

[0061] The packaging guide section 45 has a guide hole 251 formed in the passage surface 215 of the third straight section 225. The packaging guide section 45 has a guide member (not shown) on the upstream side of the guide hole 251 in the positive coin transport direction, which protrudes into the coin passage 211 of the third straight section 225, thereby causing loose coins C to fall into the guide hole 251.

[0062] Here, the guide hole 251 is formed at a predetermined distance from the guide wall 213a of the guide 213, which is aligned in the coin transport direction, and the maximum distance from the guide wall 213a is smaller than the outer diameter of the smallest loose coin C (specifically, a 1-yen coin). Here, the transport drive unit (not shown) moves the loose coin C while keeping it in contact with the guide wall 213a. Therefore, when the guide member (not shown) does not protrude into the coin passage 211 of the third straight section 225 and is flush with the guide wall 213a, the packaging guide section 45 guides the loose coin C with the guide wall 213a and the guide member (not shown) to move it downstream in the positive coin transport direction without letting it fall into the guide hole 251. On the other hand, when the guide member (not shown) protrudes into the coin passage 211 of the third straight section 225, the packaging guide section 45 separates the loose coin C from the guide wall 213a and lets it fall into the guide hole 251. A guide member (not shown) is controlled by the control unit 67 to switch the forward and backward movement of the third straight section 225 relative to the coin passage 211.

[0063] The packaging guide section 45 is equipped with a coin detection sensor 252 on the upstream side of the guide hole 251 in the forward coin transport direction, which detects coins C that fall into the guide hole 251 by the packaging guide section 45, and loose coins C that pass through the packaging guide section 45 without falling into the guide hole 251.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2, the third linear section 225 is provided downstream of the packaging guide section 45 in the forward coin transport direction, and is equipped with the aforementioned storage guide section 47, which sorts loose coins C determined to be true and genuine based on the identification result of the deposit identification and counting section 32 by denomination. This storage guide section 47 has multiple sorting holes 261a to 261f for each denomination (specifically, there are six types of coins circulating in Japan: 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen, so there are six holes), and these sorting holes 261a to 261f are arranged so that loose coins C are dropped in order from the smallest to the largest diameter. Specifically, the sorting hole 261a at the very front is designed to drop 1-yen coins, the sorting hole 261b adjacent to it is designed to drop 50-yen coins, the sorting hole 261c adjacent to it is designed to drop 5-yen coins, the sorting hole 261d adjacent to it is designed to drop 100-yen coins, the sorting hole 261e adjacent to it is designed to drop 10-yen coins, and the sorting hole 261f at the very back is designed to drop 500-yen coins.

[0065] Furthermore, counting sensors 262a to 262f are positioned directly in front of each sorting hole 261a to 261f, and the control unit 67 counts the difference in the number of coins that have passed through adjacent counting sensors 262a to 262f as the number of coins sorted into the sorting holes 261a to 261f located between them.

[0066] [Batch processing in the coin deposit and distribution unit 30] In the above-described local bar production and storage process and local bar production and dispensing process, which dispense loose coins C from the loose coin processing device 11 to the bar processing device 12, the loose coins C are dispensed from the deposit unit 31 in the coin deposit distribution unit 30, transported in the deposit transport unit 33, and identified and counted in the deposit identification and counting unit 32. Then, in the deposit identification and counting unit 32, a batch process is performed in which the loose coins C of the designated denominations to be packaged are dropped from the guide holes 251 in the packaging guide unit 45 and dispensed to the packaging unit 101 until a predetermined batch number (in other words, the number of units per package, for example, 50 coins) is counted. In other words, batch processing is the process of separating a predetermined batch number of loose coins C of a predetermined denomination into the loose coin processing device 11 and dispensing them to the bar processing device 12. During batch processing, any loose coins C identified as being of a denomination other than the specified denomination are dropped through the rejection hole 241 by the deposit rejection guide section 34 and stored in the coin deposit rejection box 35.

[0067] If there are multiple quantities of coin bars to be produced, the coin deposit and distribution unit 30 performs one batch process in which it drops a specified number of loose coins C of a designated denomination from the guide holes 251 in the packaging guide unit 45 and dispenses them to the packaging unit 101. It then temporarily stops dispensing to the packaging unit 101, and when the packaging unit 101 is ready to accept the next batch of loose coins C of the designated denomination, it performs the next batch process in which it drops a specified number of loose coins C of a designated denomination from the guide holes 251 in the packaging guide unit 45 and dispenses them to the packaging unit 101. The coin deposit and distribution unit 30 repeats this batch process for each quantity of coin bars to be produced.

[0068] During batch processing, the control unit 67 can determine the number of loose coins C dispensed from the deposit unit 31 to the deposit transport unit 33 from the number of loose coins C counted by the intake count sensor 231. By subtracting the number of loose coins C counted by the deposit identification and counting unit 32, which is downstream of the intake count sensor 231 in the forward coin transport direction, from this number, the control unit 67 can determine the number of loose coins C in the coin passage 211 between the intake count sensor 231 and the deposit identification and counting unit 32. Furthermore, during batch processing, the control unit 67 can determine the number of loose coins C in the coin passage 211 between the deposit identification and counting unit 32 and the deposit reject guide unit 34, by subtracting the number of loose coins C counted by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 from the number of loose coins C counted by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 in the forward coin transport direction, from the number of loose coins C counted by the deposit identification and counting unit 32.

[0069] In a batch process, when the deposit identification and counting unit 32 counts the batch number of loose coins C of a specified denomination, the control unit 67 causes the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 to protrude onto the coin passage 211 based on the timing detected by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 for the loose coin C immediately following the last loose coin C that constitutes the batch number in this batch process, in other words, the loose coin C upstream in the single-coin forward transport direction. At that time, the control unit 67 controls the timing of the drive so that the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 are inserted between the last loose coin C that constitutes the batch number in this batch process and the loose coin C upstream in the single-coin forward transport direction. As a result, the loose coins C constituting the batch size in this batch processing are transported along the coin passage 211 toward the packaging guide section 45 until the last loose coin C is dispensed into the packaging section 101 at the packaging guide section 45. Loose coins C upstream in the positive coin transport direction from the last loose coin C constituting the batch size in this batch processing remain on the coin passage 211 between the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 and the deposit section 31.

[0070] In this embodiment, in this batch processing, a predictive batch stop process is performed to reduce the number of loose coins C remaining on the coin passage 211 between the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 and the deposit section 31.

[0071] {Predictive batch stop processing} In a batch process, if the remaining number of coins of a specified denomination detected by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 falls below a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins) up to the batch size (e.g., 50 coins), the control unit 67 predicts that the number of loose coins C of the specified denomination detected by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 will reach the batch size, and performs a predictive batch stop process by issuing a stop signal to the rotating disk drive unit (not shown) that drives the rotating disk 201. Here, assuming that there are no loose coins C on the coin passage 211, even if the control unit 67 issues a stop signal to the rotating disk drive unit (not shown), several loose coins C (7-8 coins) will be fed from the rotating disk 201 to the deposit transport unit 33 due to inertia.

[0072] When the control unit 67 starts a batch process, it performs a batch start process (step Sa1) as shown in Figure 7. In the batch start process, the control unit 67 drives a transport drive unit (not shown) to move loose coins C in the forward transport direction in the coin passage 211, and also drives a rotating disc drive unit (not shown) to rotate the rotating disc 201 in the forward direction so that the loose coins C are fed into the coin passage 211 via the separation unit 202. At the same time, the control unit 67 starts counting the loose coins C using the intake count sensor 231, coin detection sensor 245 and coin detection sensor 252, and starts identifying and counting the loose coins C using the deposit identification counting unit 32. As a result, loose coins C dispensed from the rotating disc 201 are transported in the coin passage 211 from the upstream to the downstream side in the forward direction of coin transport. Of these, loose coins C identified as the specified denomination by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 are dropped through the guide holes 251 in the packaging guide unit 45 and dispensed into the packaging unit 101, while loose coins C other than those identified as the specified denomination are dropped through the reject holes 241 in the deposit reject guide unit 34 and stored in the coin deposit reject box 35.

[0073] During this batch processing, the control unit 67 determines whether the remaining number P1 from the number of coins of a specified denomination identified and counted by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 up to the batch size (e.g., 50 coins) has become less than or equal to a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins) (step Sa2). Here, in step Sa2, during this batch processing, it is also possible to determine whether the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination identified and counted by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 has become the value obtained by subtracting the first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins) from the batch size (e.g., 50 coins) (e.g., 40 coins).

[0074] In step Sa2, if it is determined that the number of remaining sheets P1 up to the batch size (e.g., 50 sheets) is not less than or equal to a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 sheets) (step Sa2: NO), the control unit 67 repeats step Sa2 until the number of remaining sheets P1 up to the batch size (e.g., 50 sheets) becomes less than or equal to a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 sheets).

[0075] In step Sa2, if it is determined that the remaining number of coins P1 up to the batch size (e.g., 50 coins) is less than or equal to a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins) (step Sa2: YES), the control unit 67 calculates the number of loose coins C in the coin passage 211 between the intake count sensor 231 and the deposit identification count unit 32 by subtracting the number of loose coins C counted by the deposit identification count unit 32 from the number of loose coins C counted by the intake count sensor 231 (step Sa3). In other words, the control unit 67 calculates the number of loose coins C in the coin passage 211 between the intake count sensor 231 and the deposit identification count unit 32 from the difference between the count value of loose coins C at the intake count sensor 231 and the count value of loose coins C at the deposit identification count unit 32.

[0076] Next, the control unit 67 determines whether the number of loose coins C P2 on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32, which was calculated in step Sa3, is greater than or equal to a second predetermined number (e.g., 5 coins) that is less than a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins) (step Sa4).

[0077] If the control unit 67 determines that the number of loose coins C on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32, calculated in step Sa3, is not equal to a second predetermined number (for example, 5 coins) (step Sa4: NO), the control unit 67 repeats steps Sa3 and Sa4 until the number of coins P2 becomes equal to or greater than the second predetermined number (for example, 5 coins).

[0078] If the number of loose coins C on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32, calculated in step Sa3, is equal to or greater than a second predetermined number (e.g., 5 coins), in other words, if it is determined that the second predetermined number (e.g., 5 coins) has been reached (step Sa4: YES), the control unit 67 issues a stop signal to the rotating disk drive unit (not shown) that drives the rotating disk 201 (step Sa5), thereby stopping the rotating disk 201. However, as described above, even if the control unit 67 issues a stop signal to the rotating disk drive unit (not shown), several loose coins C (7-8 coins) will be fed out of the rotating disk 201 into the coin passage 211 due to inertia. This number of coins P2, when combined with the number fed out due to inertia, is set to slightly exceed the first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins).

[0079] If the control unit 67 issues a stop signal to the rotating disc drive unit (not shown) in step Sa5, it then determines whether the deposit identification and counting unit 32 has counted the batch number (e.g., 50 coins) of loose coins C of the specified denomination in this batch process (step Sa6). If the deposit identification and counting unit 32 determines that the batch number (e.g., 50 coins) of loose coins C of the specified denomination has been counted in this batch process (step Sa6: YES), the control unit 67 performs an termination process to end this batch process (step Sa7). In this termination process, based on the timing at which the deposit identification and counting unit 32 detects the last loose coin C in the forward single-coin transport direction of the batch that constitutes the batch size in this batch processing, the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 are both made to protrude onto the coin passage 211, thereby inserting the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 between the last loose coin C that constitutes the batch size in this batch processing and the loose coin C on the upstream side in the forward single-coin transport direction. As a result, the loose coins C that make up the batch size in this batch processing are transported along the coin passage 211 toward the packaging guide section 45, and the loose coins C that make up the batch size are sent to the packaging section 101 by the packaging guide section 45. The loose coins C upstream of the last loose coin C in the coin forward transport direction remain on the coin passage 211 between the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 and the deposit section 31. Here, since the total number of coins, including the number of coins P2 and the number of coins dispensed due to inertia when the stop signal is received, is kept slightly more than the first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins), when the number of loose coins C of the specified denomination is counted in the first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins), and the total number of coins counted is the batch number (e.g., 50 coins), the number of loose coins C remaining on the coin passage 211 between the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 and the deposit section 31 is kept low.

[0080] In step Sa6, if the deposit identification and counting unit 32 does not determine that the specified denomination of loose coins C has been counted in batches (e.g., 50 coins) (step Sa6: NO), the control unit 67 determines whether the number of loose coins C P2 on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification and counting unit 32, calculated at that time, is 0 or not (step Sa8).

[0081] In step Sa8, if it is determined that the number of loose coins C on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32 is not 0 (step Sa8: NO), the control unit 67 returns to step Sa6 and determines whether the deposit identification counting unit 32 has counted a batch number (e.g., 50 coins) of loose coins C of the specified denomination.

[0082] In step Sa8, if the control unit 67 determines that the number of loose coins C on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32 is 0 (step Sa8: YES), the control unit 67 determines that there are not enough loose coins C to count a batch number (e.g., 50 coins) of loose coins C of a specified denomination in the deposit identification counting unit 32, and restarts the rotating disk drive unit (not shown) to feed loose coins C from the rotating disk 201 into the coin passage 211, causing the rotating disk 201 to rotate in the forward direction (step Sa9). Then, the control unit 67 returns to step Sa3 and calculates the number of loose coins C on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32 (step Sa9).

[0083] The above describes the predictive batch termination process performed in a single batch process.

[0084] If there are multiple quantities of coin bars to be produced, after a batch process including this predictive batch stop process has dispensed a batch number of loose coins C of a specified denomination (e.g., 50 coins) to the packaging unit 101, and the packaging unit 101 is ready to accept the next batch of loose coins C, the next batch process will begin. At this time, as an initial operation for entering this next batch process, the control unit 67 reverses the rotation of the transport drive unit (not shown) to move the loose coins C (e.g., about 4 coins) remaining on the coin passage 211 between the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 and the deposit unit 31 towards the deposit unit 31, until the loose coins C that were directly stopped by the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 have moved at least to the deposit unit 31 side of the deposit identification and counting unit 32. Then, the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 are moved out of the coin passage 211, and the next batch process begins. When batch processing is complete, the control unit 67 reverses the rotational drive of the transport drive unit (not shown) to transport the loose coins C remaining on the coin passage 211 between the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 and the deposit unit 31 towards the deposit unit 31, until the loose coins C that were directly stopped by the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 return to the deposit unit 31.

[0085] In the coin processing device 10 of the first embodiment described above, when the control unit 67 performs batch processing to dispense a preset batch number (e.g., 50 coins) of loose coins C of a preset denomination, if the number of loose coins C of the preset denomination detected by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 falls below a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins) up to the batch number (e.g., 50 coins), the control unit 67 predicts that the number of loose coins C of the preset denomination detected by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 will reach the batch number (e.g., 50 coins) and performs predictive batch stop processing to issue a stop signal for the rotating disk 201 in advance. As a result, the coin processing device 10 can reduce the number of loose coins C remaining on the coin passage 211 from the deposit identification and counting unit 32 to the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 at the end of batch processing. Therefore, it is possible to suppress transport jams that occur during reverse transport in batch processing.

[0086] Furthermore, when the control unit 67 performs a predictive batch stop processing, if the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination detected by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 falls below a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins) up to the batch size (e.g., 50 coins), the coin processing device 10 calculates the number of loose coins C on the coin passage 211 in the section from the capture count sensor 231 to the deposit identification and counting unit 32 based on the difference between the count value of loose coins C at the capture count sensor 231 and the count value of loose coins C at the deposit identification and counting unit 32. When it determines that the calculated number of loose coins C has reached a second predetermined number (e.g., 5 coins), it issues a stop signal for the rotating disk 201 and stops the rotating disk 201. As a result, the coin processing device 10 can more reliably reduce the number of loose coins C remaining on the coin passage 211 from the deposit identification and counting unit 32 to the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 at the end of batch processing. Therefore, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress transport jams that occur during reverse transport in batch processing.

[0087] <Second Embodiment> The coin processing apparatus of the second embodiment according to the present invention will be described, mainly with reference to Figure 8, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the coin processing device of the second embodiment, the intake count sensor 231 can detect not only the number of loose coins C passing through, but also whether or not the denomination is a designated denomination subject to batch processing. In other words, in the second embodiment, the intake count sensor 231 can detect coins of different denominations that are not subject to batch processing.

[0088] Accordingly, in the coin processing apparatus of the second embodiment, the predictive batch stop processing that reduces the number of loose coins C remaining on the coin passage 211 between the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 and the deposit section 31 in a single batch process differs in part from that of the first embodiment.

[0089] {Predictive batch stop processing}

[0090] When the control unit 67 starts a batch process, it performs a batch start process (step Sb1) as shown in Figure 8. In this batch start process of step Sb1, the control unit 67 drives a transport drive unit (not shown) to move loose coins C in the forward transport direction in the coin passage 211, and also drives a rotating disk drive unit (not shown) to rotate the rotating disk 201 in the forward direction so that the loose coins C are fed into the coin passage 211 via the separation unit 202. At the same time, the control unit 67 starts counting of loose coins C of a specified denomination that are the target of this batch process using the intake count sensor 231, counting of loose coins C using the coin detection sensor 245 and coin detection sensor 252, and identification and counting of loose coins C using the deposit identification counting unit 32.

[0091] During this batch processing, the control unit 67 determines whether the remaining number P1 from the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination identified and counted by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 to the batch size (e.g., 50 coins) has become less than or equal to a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins) (step Sa2). Here, in step Sa2, it is also possible to determine whether the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination identified and counted by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 during this batch processing has become the value obtained by subtracting the first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins) from the batch size (e.g., 50 coins) (e.g., 40 coins).

[0092] In step Sa2, if it is determined that the number of remaining sheets P1 up to the batch size (e.g., 50 sheets) is not less than or equal to a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 sheets) (step Sa2: NO), the control unit 67 repeats step Sa2 until the number of remaining sheets P1 up to the batch size becomes less than or equal to the first predetermined number.

[0093] In step Sa2, if it is determined that the remaining number of coins P1 up to the batch size (e.g., 50 coins) is less than or equal to a first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins) (step Sa2: YES), the control unit 67 calculates the number of loose coins C of the specified denomination in the coin passage 211 between the intake count sensor 231 and the deposit identification count unit 32 by subtracting the number of loose coins C of the specified denomination counted by the deposit identification count unit 32 from the number of loose coins C of the specified denomination counted by the intake count sensor 231 (step Sb3). In other words, the control unit 67 calculates the number of loose coins C of the specified denomination in the coin passage 211 between the intake count sensor 231 and the deposit identification count unit 32 from the difference between the count value of loose coins C of the specified denomination counted by the intake count sensor 231 and the count value of loose coins C of the specified denomination counted by the deposit identification count unit 32.

[0094] Next, the control unit 67 determines whether the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32, calculated in step Sb3, is equal to or greater than a third predetermined number (for example, 4 coins) which is less than a first predetermined number (step Sb4). Here, the third predetermined number can be set to be less than the second predetermined number in the first embodiment.

[0095] If the control unit 67 determines that the number of loose coins C on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32, calculated in step Sb3, is not equal to a third predetermined number (for example, 4 coins) (step Sb4: NO), the control unit 67 repeats steps Sb3 and Sb4 until the number of coins P3 becomes equal to or greater than the third predetermined number.

[0096] If the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32, calculated in step Sb3, is equal to or greater than a third predetermined number (e.g., 4 coins), in other words, if it is determined that the third predetermined number (e.g., 4 coins) has been reached (step Sb4: YES), the control unit 67 issues a stop signal to the rotating disk drive unit (not shown) that drives the rotating disk 201 (step Sa5), thereby stopping the rotating disk 201. Here again, as described above, even if the control unit 67 issues a stop signal to the rotating disk drive unit (not shown), several loose coins C (7-8 coins) will be fed out of the rotating disk 201 into the coin passage 211 due to inertia. The number of loose coins C of a specified denomination on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32, P3, is set to slightly exceed the first predetermined number (for example, 10 coins) when combined with the number of coins dispensed due to inertia. Moreover, since the number of coins P3 is the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination, there is no need to overestimate it.

[0097] If the control unit 67 issues a stop signal to the rotating disc drive unit (not shown) in step Sa5, it then determines whether the deposit identification and counting unit 32 has counted the batch number (e.g., 50 coins) of loose coins C of the specified denomination in this batch process (step Sa6). If the deposit identification and counting unit 32 determines that the batch number (e.g., 50 coins) of loose coins C of the specified denomination has been counted in this batch process (step Sa6: YES), the control unit 67 performs an termination process to end this batch process (step Sa7). In the termination process, based on the timing at which the deposit identification and counting unit 32 detects the last loose coin C in the batch size for this batch processing, the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 are both made to protrude onto the coin passage 211, and the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 are inserted between the last loose coin C in the batch size for this batch processing and the loose coin C on the upstream side in the coin forward transport direction. As a result, the loose coins C that make up the batch size in this batch processing are transported along the coin passage 211 toward the packaging guide section 45, and the loose coins C that make up the batch size are dispensed to the packaging section 101 at the packaging guide section 45. The loose coins C upstream of the last loose coin C in the coin forward transport direction remain on the coin passage 211 between the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 and the deposit section 31. Here, the total number of loose coins C of a specified denomination on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32, plus the number of coins dispensed due to inertia when a stop signal is received, is kept slightly greater than the first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins). Therefore, when the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination is counted to the first predetermined number (e.g., 10 coins), and the total batch count reaches 50 coins, the number of loose coins C remaining on the coin passage 211 between the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 and the deposit unit 31 is kept low.Furthermore, since the number of coins P3 is the number of coins of a specified denomination, there is no need to overestimate it. Therefore, the number of loose coins C remaining on the coin passage 211 between the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 and the deposit section 31 can be kept even smaller.

[0098] In step Sa6, if the deposit identification and counting unit 32 does not determine that the specified denomination loose coins C have been counted in batches (e.g., 50 coins) (step Sa6: NO), the control unit 67 determines whether the number of loose coins C of the specified denomination on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification and counting unit 32, calculated at that time, is 0 or not (step Sb8).

[0099] In step Sb8, if it is determined that the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32 is not 0 (step Sb8: NO), the control unit 67 returns to step Sa6 and determines whether the deposit identification counting unit 32 has counted a batch number (e.g., 50 coins) of loose coins C of a specified denomination.

[0100] In step Sb8, if the control unit 67 determines that the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32 is 0 (step Sb8: YES), the control unit 67 determines that there are not enough loose coins C of the specified denomination to be counted in batches (e.g., 50 coins) by the deposit identification counting unit 32, and restarts the rotating disk drive unit (not shown) to feed loose coins C from the rotating disk 201 into the coin passage 211, causing the rotating disk 201 to rotate in the forward direction (step Sa9). Then, the control unit 67 returns to step Sb3 and calculates the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination on the coin passage 211 in the section from the intake count sensor 231 to the deposit identification counting unit 32 (step Sa9).

[0101] In the coin processing device 10 of the second embodiment described above, when the control unit 67 performs predictive batch stop processing, if the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination detected by the deposit identification and counting unit 32 falls below a first predetermined number (for example, 10 coins), the control unit 67 calculates the number of loose coins C of a specified denomination on the coin passage 211 in the section from the capture count sensor 231 to the deposit identification and counting unit 32 based on the difference between the count value of loose coins C of a specified denomination detected by the capture count sensor 231 and the count value of loose coins C of a specified denomination detected by the deposit identification and counting unit 32. When it determines that the calculated number of loose coins C of a specified denomination has reached a third predetermined number (for example, 4 coins), it issues a stop signal for the rotating disk 201 and stops the rotating disk 201. As a result, the coin processing device 10 can more reliably reduce the number of loose coins C remaining on the coin passage 211 from the deposit identification and counting unit 32 to the first stopper member 242 and the second stopper member 243 at the end of batch processing. Therefore, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress transport jams that occur during reverse transport in batch processing.

[0102] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the above-described predictive batch stop processing may be performed on the condition that a predetermined number (for example, 10 coins) of loose coins C of a specified denomination have been detected consecutively by the deposit identification and counting unit 32. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0103] 10... Coin processing unit, 32... Deposit identification and counting unit (identification unit), 33... Deposit transport unit (transport unit), 67... Control unit, 201... Rotating disk, 231... Take-in count sensor, C... Loose coins (coins).

Claims

1. A rotating disc that dispenses coins inserted from the outside into the machine through a dispensing opening, A conveying unit for transporting coins dispensed from the aforementioned dispensing opening, A coin take-in count sensor is provided near the dispensing outlet of the transport unit and counts the number of coins dispensed from the rotating disc to the transport unit. An identification unit for identifying coins is provided downstream of the intake count sensor in the transport unit, It comprises a control unit and, When the control unit performs batch processing to dispense a predetermined batch number of coins of a predetermined denomination, if the number of coins of the predetermined denomination detected by the identification unit falls below a first predetermined number, the control unit predicts that the number of coins of the predetermined denomination will reach the batch number and performs a predictive batch stop process to pre-issue a stop signal for the rotating disk. A coin processing device characterized by the following features.

2. When the control unit performs the predictive batch stop processing, it calculates the number of coins on the transport unit in the section from the intake count sensor to the identification unit based on the difference between the coin count value at the intake count sensor and the coin count value at the identification unit. When it determines that the calculated number of coins has reached a second predetermined number, it issues a stop signal for the rotating disk and stops the rotating disk. The coin processing device according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned intake count sensor is provided in a manner that enables the detection of different denominations of coins that are not subject to the batch processing. When the control unit performs the predictive batch stop processing, it calculates the number of coins of the specified denomination on the transport unit in the section from the acquisition count sensor to the identification unit based on the difference between the count value of coins of the specified denomination at the acquisition count sensor and the count value of coins of the specified denomination at the identification unit. When it determines that the calculated number of coins has reached a third predetermined number, it issues a stop signal for the rotating disk and stops the rotating disk. The coin processing device according to feature 1.

4. The transport unit is equipped with a transport drive unit that drives the transport unit in forward and reverse directions, After the control unit has dispensed the batch number of coins of the denomination targeted for the batch processing, it performs a reverse drive of the transport drive unit as an initial operation before proceeding to the next batch processing, thereby transporting the coins remaining on the transport unit to the upstream side of the identification unit. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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