Media handling device

Abstract

This reduces the possibility of media clogging while also reducing the possibility of foreign objects entering the media handling device. [Solution] A media handling device is provided, comprising: a processing unit that receives a medium and performs predetermined processing on the medium; a drainage mechanism provided at a position upstream of the processing unit in the direction of movement of the medium; and a suspension member provided suspended at a position upstream of the drainage mechanism in the direction of movement of the medium, wherein the suspension member is composed of a plurality of members having the same or different three-dimensional shapes, connected vertically directly or indirectly via other members.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a media handling device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various media handling devices for handling media have been developed. Examples of media handling devices include automatic transaction devices installed in financial institutions, automatic ticket vending machines that issue tickets, vending machines that sell goods, money changers that exchange currency, payment machines for paying fees, and coin dispensers that dispense change.

[0003] Here, various techniques are known for reducing the possibility of foreign substances (such as water, insects, and dust) entering the inside of a media handling device (hereinafter also referred to as "inside the device"). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of attaching a cover to a coin insertion slot. Thereby, since the possibility of foreign substances entering deeper than the cover is reduced, the possibility of foreign substances entering the inside of the device can be reduced. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the cover is composed of one member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when the cover is composed of one member, since the repulsive force applied to the media by the cover is strong, the media may get caught on the cover. That is, when the cover is composed of one member, there is a possibility that the media may become clogged in front of the cover, so there is a possibility that the media may not move inside the device.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can reduce the possibility of foreign matter entering the inside of the device while reducing the possibility of clogging of the medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a media handling device is provided, comprising: a processing unit that receives a medium and performs predetermined processing on the medium; a drainage mechanism provided at a position upstream of the processing unit in the direction of movement of the medium; and a suspension member provided suspended at a position upstream of the drainage mechanism in the direction of movement of the medium, wherein the suspension member is composed of a plurality of members having the same or different three-dimensional shapes, which are directly or indirectly connected in the vertical direction via other members.

[0008] The three-dimensional shape may be a sphere, a polyhedron, or a cylinder.

[0009] The suspension member may be configured such that the plurality of members are indirectly connected vertically via the other members.

[0010] The suspension member may be constructed by directly connecting the plurality of members in the vertical direction.

[0011] The drainage mechanism may be a drainage hole.

[0012] The aforementioned medium may be a coin.

[0013] The aforementioned multiple members may have the same shape.

[0014] The aforementioned multiple members may have different shapes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology capable of reducing the possibility of a medium being clogged and reducing the possibility of foreign matter entering the inside of the apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the coin handling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining the outline of the functional configuration of the coin handling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a first comparative example. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing a second comparative example. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the peripheral structure of the coin insertion slot 112 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a modification example of the present embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0018] <<1. Outline of Coin Handling Apparatus>> The present embodiment relates to a coin handling apparatus. First, the outline of the coin handling apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the coin handling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The coin handling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus for handling coins. As shown in FIG. 1, in the following description, with the coin handling apparatus 1 as a reference, the direction in which the user who operates the coin handling apparatus 1 exists is also expressed as "front", and the direction opposite to "front" is also expressed as "rear".

[0020] Also, the right direction as seen from the user operating the coin handling device 1 is also expressed as "right", and the left direction as seen from the user operating the coin handling device 1 is also expressed as "left". Furthermore, the upper direction of the coin handling device 1 is also expressed as "up", and the lower direction of the coin handling device 1 is also expressed as "down".

[0021] In this embodiment, it is mainly assumed that the coin handling device 1 is a change machine for making a payment. In particular, in this embodiment, it is mainly assumed that the change machine is a toll calculator for calculating highway tolls. However, the change machine may be a toll calculator installed in a retail store or the like. Alternatively, the coin handling device 1 may be a device other than a change machine.

[0022] For example, the coin handling device 1 may be a change dispenser for dispensing change. Alternatively, the coin handling device 1 may be an automated transaction device installed in a financial institution, or an automatic ticket vending machine for issuing tickets, or an automatic vending machine for selling goods, or a money changer for exchanging currencies.

[0023] Also, the coin handling device 1 may be installed indoors or outdoors. For example, when the coin handling device 1 is installed outdoors, there is a possibility that rainwater may enter the inside of the coin handling device 1. Therefore, when the coin handling device 1 is installed outdoors, stronger waterproof measures are required to be taken for the coin handling device 1 compared to the case where the coin handling device 1 is installed indoors.

[0024] As will be described later, coins are an example of the medium handled by the coin handling device 1. That is, the coin handling device 1 is an example of a medium handling device for handling media. Therefore, coins may be replaced by media. Also, the coin handling device 1 may be replaced by a medium handling device for handling media.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the coin handling device 1 comprises a coin receiving section 100, a display section 210, a hood 220, a coin return button 230, a ticket insertion slot 240, and a coin return unit 400. The coin receiving section 100 comprises a coin slot 112 and a coin tray 190. The coin return unit 400 comprises a returned coin discharge section 410 and a coin return tray 420. The coin handling device 1 also comprises a front door F1. The front door F1 will be described later.

[0026] (Display section 210) The display unit 210 is comprised of a display that shows screens related to various transactions. For example, the display unit 210 may display the amount due as the billing amount on the screen. Users of the coin handling device 1 can determine the type and number of coins to insert into the coin slot 112, which will be described later, by checking the billing amount displayed on the display unit 210.

[0027] (Food 220) The hood 220 is a covering member provided above the coin receiving section 100. By contacting the upper surface of the hood 220, the possibility of foreign matter entering the interior of the coin receiving section 100 located below the hood 220 can be reduced. For example, by contacting the upper surface of the hood 220 with rainwater, which is an example of foreign matter, the possibility of rainwater entering the interior of the coin receiving section 100 located below the hood 220 can be reduced.

[0028] (Coin return button 230) The coin return button 230 is used to return coins that have been inserted into the coin slot 112 by the user. The mechanism for returning coins is not limited. For example, the machine may be moved by the user's press on the coin return button 230 and the coins may be returned to the coin return unit 400. Alternatively, the machine may be moved by electricity based on the detection of the user's press on the coin return button 230 and the coins may be returned to the coin return unit 400.

[0029] (Pass ticket slot 240) The toll ticket slot 240 is a slot for receiving toll tickets from users. The toll ticket may have data recorded on it that is necessary to identify the amount to be paid by the user. For example, the amount to be paid by the user may be determined according to the section of the expressway traveled. In this case, the recorded data may include the interchange number to identify the starting point of the travel section. For example, the recorded data may be recorded on the magnetic stripe of the toll ticket.

[0030] (Coin receiving section 100) The coin receiving unit 100 is a unit that receives coins inserted into the coin slot 112 by a user. For example, the coin receiving unit 100 can receive multiple coins inserted into the coin slot 112 by a user. The multiple coins inserted into the coin slot 112 may be of different denominations.

[0031] Here, the coins inserted into the coin slot 112 may include various coins that circulate in Japan, such as 100 yen coins, 1 yen coins, 5 yen coins, 10 yen coins, 50 yen coins, or 500 yen coins. In addition, the coins inserted into the coin slot 112 may also include various coins that circulate in other countries (i.e., outside of Japan), such as 1 cent coins.

[0032] Coins inserted into the coin slot 112 may be placed directly onto the coin tray 190. In this case, the coins placed on the coin tray 190 may slide down the slope of the coin tray 190 and move into the coin handling device 1 via the coin slot 112. That is, the coin tray 190 can function as a receiving tray for temporarily holding coins inserted by the user.

[0033] (Coin return unit 400) The coin return unit 400 is a unit that returns coins. For example, the coin return unit 400 returns change that is generated when settling a fare. Specifically, if the billing amount is 400 yen and the user inserts 500 yen worth of coins into the coin slot 112, the coin return unit 400 will return 100 yen worth of coins as change.

[0034] Furthermore, the coin return unit 400 returns the coins inserted into the coin slot 112 by the user in conjunction with the user pressing the coin return button 230. More specifically, after the user inserts 300 yen worth of coins into the coin slot 112 and then presses the coin return button 230, the coin return unit 400 returns 300 yen worth of coins.

[0035] Specifically, the coin return unit 400 discharges the coins to be returned to the user via the coin return discharge unit 410. At this time, the coin return tray 420 can function as a receiving tray for the coins discharged by the coin return discharge unit 410. The coins discharged onto the coin return tray 420 can be received by the user.

[0036] The above describes an example of the functional configuration of the coin handling device 1, but the functional configuration of the coin handling device 1 is not limited to this example. For example, the coin handling device 1 may have a configuration for accepting the insertion of various media such as banknotes and cards, a configuration for returning various media such as banknotes and cards, or a configuration for dispensing certificates such as receipts.

[0037] The outline of the coin handling device 1 according to this embodiment has been described above.

[0038] <<2. Overview of each part of coin handling device 1>> Next, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, an overview of each part of the coin handling device 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0039] <2.1. Overview of the coin receiving section 100> First, let's describe the general layout of the coin receiving section 100. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1, part AA. Specifically, Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the area surrounding the coin receiving section 100 of the coin handling device 1, viewed from the right. As shown in Figure 2, in addition to the coin receiving section 100, the coin handling device 1 also includes a coin guiding section 610, a batch insertion unit 600, and a coin sorting section (hereinafter also referred to as "coin mechanism") 500. The coin guiding section 610, the batch insertion unit 600, and the coin mechanism 500 will be explained later.

[0040] The coin receiving section 100 is formed in the front door F1 of the coin handling device 1. In the example shown in Figure 2, the front door F1 is in a closed state. On the other hand, the front door F1 can be opened by the user pulling it forward. At this time, the coin receiving section 100 can also move in conjunction with the opening and closing of the front door F1.

[0041] The coin receiving section 100 includes a slope 114, a drain guide 116, and a coin discharge port 118. The coin tray 190 has a slope 191 that inclines from side to side, and the slope 114 is continuous with the slope 191 of the coin tray 190. As a result, coins placed on the slope 191 of the coin tray 190 slide down the slope 191 to the slope 114 of the coin receiving section 100, and slide down the slope 114. The coins that slide down the slope 114 are discharged from the coin discharge port 118.

[0042] The drainage guide 116 is located below the slope 114. A drainage channel 117 is formed in the drainage guide 116, and the drainage guide 116 guides rainwater into the drainage channel 117. For example, the drainage guide 116 has an upper surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and rainwater that falls from the slope 114 onto this upper surface slides down the upper surface and falls into the drainage channel 117. As a result, the rainwater is discharged from the drainage channel 117.

[0043] The outline of the coin receiving unit 100 according to this embodiment has been described above.

[0044] <2.2. Overview of the coin guidance unit 610> Next, an overview of the coin guide unit 610 according to this embodiment will be described. The coin guide unit 610 guides coins that have slid down the slope 114 and been discharged from the coin outlet 118 to the bulk insertion unit 600. The coin guide unit 610 is located between the coin receiving unit 100 and the bulk insertion unit 600. Furthermore, the coin guide unit 610 is formed on the bulk insertion unit 600. Therefore, unlike the coin receiving unit 100, the coin guide unit 610 remains fixed to the bulk insertion unit 600 even if the front door F1 moves.

[0045] The coin guide unit 610 has an inlet opening 641 located close to the coin receiving unit 100 and an outlet opening 642 located in contact with the batch insertion unit 600. The coin guide unit 610 also has an internal space K2 that extends from the inlet opening 641 to the outlet opening 642. The internal space K2 is surrounded by a wall 620.

[0046] The wall 620 has a curved portion 643, and the wall 620 from the entrance-side opening 641 to the curved portion 643 is formed along a direction that substantially coincides with the inclination of the slope 114. On the other hand, the wall 620 from the curved portion 643 to the exit-side opening 642 is formed along the vertical direction. The coin that slides down the slope 114 enters the interior space K2 from the entrance-side opening 641 and moves through the interior space K2.

[0047] The coins that have moved into the internal space K2 may come into contact with the inner surface 621 of the wall 620. This allows the coins that have slid down the slope 114 to move through the internal space K2 without flying out of the bulk insertion unit 600. The coins that have moved through the internal space K2 fall into the bulk insertion unit 600 through the exit side opening 642. In this way, the coins that have slid down the slope 114 are guided into the bulk insertion unit 600 by the coin guide unit 610 (path L1).

[0048] The outline of the coin guide unit 610 according to this embodiment has been described above.

[0049] <2.3. Overview of the Batch Input Unit 600> Next, an overview of the batch insertion unit 600 according to this embodiment will be described. The batch insertion unit 600 separates the multiple coins guided by the coin guidance unit 610 one by one. The coins separated by the batch insertion unit 600 are discharged to the coin sorting unit (hereinafter also referred to as "coin mechanism") 500 (path L2).

[0050] The overview of the batch input unit 600 according to this embodiment has been described above.

[0051] <2.4. Overview of CoinMec 500> Next, an overview of the coin mechanism 500 according to this embodiment will be described. The coin mechanism 500 may correspond to a processing unit that receives coins and performs predetermined processing related to the coins. Specifically, as an example of predetermined processing, the coin mechanism 500 performs the processing of identifying coins discharged from the batch insertion unit 600 and the processing of storing the coins based on the identification result.

[0052] Furthermore, the processes performed by the coin mechanism 500 are not limited to coin identification and coin storage. For example, the coin mechanism 500 may perform a process of counting the total number of coins dispensed from the batch insertion unit 600.

[0053] The above describes the overview of the coin mechanism 500 according to this embodiment.

[0054] <2.5. Overview of the Functional Configuration of Coin Handling Device 1> Next, an overview of the functional configuration of the coin handling device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the functional configuration of the coin handling device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the coin handling device 1 according to this embodiment includes a reading unit 320, a transmitting unit 360, a control unit 340, a storage unit 350, a display unit 210, and a coin mechanism 500.

[0055] The display unit 210 and the coin mechanism 500 have been described above. Therefore, the following will mainly describe the reading unit 320, the transmitting unit 360, the control unit 340, and the storage unit 350.

[0056] (Reading unit 320) The reading unit 320 reads recorded data from the toll ticket inserted into the toll ticket slot 240 by the user. The reading unit 320 then outputs the recorded data read from the toll ticket to the control unit 340.

[0057] (Control unit 340) The control unit 340 is configured to include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the execution of a program stored in the storage unit 350 by the processor. In this case, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded may also be provided.

[0058] Alternatively, the control unit 340 may be composed of dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple hardware components. Data necessary for calculations by the processor is appropriately stored in the storage unit 350. The control unit 340 comprises an acquisition unit 341, a processing unit 342, and an output control unit 343.

[0059] The acquisition unit 341 acquires various types of data. The processing unit 342 performs processing based on the data acquired by the acquisition unit 341. The output control unit 343 controls the output based on the processing results obtained by the processing unit 342.

[0060] For example, the acquisition unit 341 acquires the recorded data read by the reading unit 320. At this time, the processing unit 342 calculates the amount to be paid by the user based on the recorded data acquired by the acquisition unit 341 as the billing amount. Then, the output control unit 343 controls the display unit 210 so that the billing amount calculated by the processing unit 342 is displayed on the display unit 210.

[0061] When a coin is inserted into the coin slot 112 by a user and identified by the coin mechanism 500, the acquisition unit 341 acquires the coin identification result from the coin mechanism 500. Based on the coin identification result, the processing unit 342 calculates the amount of coins inserted by the user.

[0062] The output control unit 343 controls the transmission unit 360 so that, based on the amount inserted equal to or greater than the billed amount, an instruction signal for opening the gate bar (not shown) is sent to a gate bar opening / closing device (not shown). As a result, the gate bar (not shown) is opened by the gate bar opening / closing device (not shown), allowing the user to pass through the payment area. In addition, if the amount inserted exceeds the billed amount, the output control unit 343 returns coins to the user equivalent to the amount inserted minus the billed amount.

[0063] (Storage unit 350) The memory unit 350 is a storage device capable of storing programs and various information for operating the control unit 340. For example, the memory unit 350 may be composed of non-volatile memory. For example, the memory unit 350 can also temporarily store data required during the operation of the control unit 340.

[0064] (Transmitter 360) The transmitting unit 360 is comprised of a communication device. The transmitting unit 360 can, in accordance with the control of the output control unit 343, transmit an instruction signal to a gate bar opening / closing device (not shown) via the communication device to open a gate bar (not shown).

[0065] The above describes the general functional configuration of the coin handling device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0066] <<3. Details of the coin handling device>> Next, the details of the coin handling device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, compared to the coin handling device according to the comparative example, we will describe the ingenuity to realize a coin handling device 1 that can reduce the possibility of coin jamming and the possibility of foreign objects entering the inside of the device. More specifically, in this embodiment, the surrounding structure of the coin slot 112 is improved.

[0067] In this specification, the interior of the device may refer to the internal configuration of the coin handling device 1 located downstream of the coin receiving section 100 in the direction of coin movement. More specifically, the interior of the device may include the internal space K2 of the coin guiding section 610, the interior of the batch insertion unit 600, and the interior of the coin mechanism 500. The following explanation will use the case where the foreign object is rainwater as an example. However, the foreign object may be anything other than coins, and may be anything other than rainwater (for example, water other than rainwater, insects, dust, etc.).

[0068] <3.1. First Comparative Example> The first comparative example will be described below with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram of the first comparative example. Referring to Figure 4, the surrounding structure of the coin slot 112 in the first comparative example is shown. As described above, coins placed on the inclined surface 191 of the coin tray 190 slide down the inclined surface 191 and reach the inclined surface 114 of the coin receiving section 100. Once the coins reach the inclined surface 114, they slide down the inclined surface 114 and are discharged from the coin discharge opening 118.

[0069] Furthermore, the coin receiving section 100 is equipped with an inclined surface 113. The inclined surface 113 is located at a higher position than the inclined surface 114 and is continuous with the inclined surface 191 of the coin tray 190. Coins placed on the inclined surface 191 of the coin tray 190 may slide down the inclined surface 191, pass through the inclined surface 113, and reach the inclined surface 114. Coins that reach the inclined surface 114 slide down the inclined surface 114 and are discharged from the coin outlet 118.

[0070] Drainage holes H1 are provided in the slope 113. Multiple drainage holes H1 may be provided. In Figure 4, only one of the multiple drainage holes provided in the slope 113 is labeled with the symbol H1.

[0071] Furthermore, drainage holes H2 to H4 are provided on the slope 114. Drainage hole H2 is a drainage hole provided in the coin slot 112, drainage hole H3 is a drainage hole provided between the coin slot 112 and the coin outlet 118, and drainage hole H4 is a drainage hole provided in the coin outlet 118.

[0072] Multiple drainage holes H2 to H4 may be provided. In Figure 4, only one of the multiple drainage holes provided in the coin slot 112 is labeled H2, only one of the multiple drainage holes provided between the coin slot 112 and the coin outlet 118 is labeled H3, and only one of the multiple drainage holes provided in the coin outlet 118 is labeled H4.

[0073] Drainage holes H1 to H4 may be examples of drainage mechanisms. Below drainage holes H1 to H4, a drainage guide 116 (Figure 2) is provided. Rainwater that falls from drainage holes H1 to H4 onto the upper surface of the drainage guide 116 (Figure 2) slides down the upper surface and falls from the drainage channel 117 (Figure 2).

[0074] Here, the drainage holes H1 to H4 are located upstream of the coin outlet 118 in the direction of coin movement, and the interior of the device described above is located downstream of the coin outlet 118 in the direction of coin movement. Therefore, by providing the drainage holes H1 to H4 in these positions, the possibility of rainwater sliding down the slopes 113 and 114 entering the interior of the device can be reduced.

[0075] However, in the first comparative example, if rainwater does not slide down slopes 113 and 114 but instead passes over slopes 113 and 114 to reach the coin outlet 118, there is a possibility that rainwater may enter the inside of the device. In particular, when there are strong winds, rainwater carried by the wind is more likely to pass over slopes 113 and 114 and reach the coin outlet 118.

[0076] The first comparative example has been explained above.

[0077] <3.2. Second Comparative Example> The second comparative example will be described below with reference to Figure 5. The configuration of the second comparative example will be described primarily for its differences from that of the first comparative example, and the configurations identical to those of the first comparative example will be omitted. Figure 5 shows the second comparative example. Referring to Figure 5, unlike the first comparative example, a resin film 812 is suspended from the coin slot 112. Note that multiple resin films 812 may be provided. In Figure 5, only one of the multiple resin films suspended from the coin slot 112 is labeled with reference numeral 812.

[0078] With such a resin film 812 provided, rainwater attempting to pass over slopes 113 and 114 comes into contact with the resin film 812 and falls, sliding down slopes 113 and 114. As the rainwater slides down slopes 113 and 114, it can be drained from drainage holes H1 to H4. This reduces the possibility of rainwater entering the inside of the device.

[0079] However, in the second comparative example, the resin film 812 is arranged in multiple layers horizontally, while the vertical layer is composed of a single member. As a result, the repulsive force exerted on the coin C by the resin film 812 becomes stronger. Therefore, there is a possibility that the coin C may get caught on the resin film 812.

[0080] In other words, in the second comparative example, there is a possibility that the coin C may get stuck in front of the resin film 812, preventing the coin C from moving into the device. In particular, if the user places multiple coins C in the coin tray 190, the likelihood of the coin C getting stuck in front of the resin film 812 increases, and as shown in Figure 5, the likelihood of the coin C getting caught in the resin film 812 increases.

[0081] The second comparative example has now been explained.

[0082] <3.3. Peripheral structure of the coin slot 112 according to this embodiment> Next, the surrounding structure of the coin slot 112 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. Of the configurations according to this embodiment, the configurations that differ from the second comparative example will be mainly described, and the configurations that are the same as the second comparative example will be omitted. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the surrounding structure of the coin slot 112 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 6, in this embodiment, a suspension member 115 is suspended from the coin slot 112.

[0083] In the example shown in Figure 6, the suspension member 115 is constructed by indirectly connecting seven three-dimensional members 119a vertically via connecting members 119b. However, the number of three-dimensional members 119a connected vertically is not limited to seven. In other words, there can be multiple three-dimensional members 119a connected vertically. Note that the connecting members 119b may be members other than the three-dimensional members 119a (other members).

[0084] If such a suspension member 115 is suspended from the coin slot 112, even if a coin sliding down the slope 191 of the coin tray 190 collides with the suspension member 115, the relative positions of the multiple three-dimensional members 119a will change in response to the coin's collision. In other words, because the suspension member 115 is pushed in by the coin, the repulsive force exerted on the coin by the suspension member 115 is weakened, and the possibility of the coin getting caught on the suspension member 115 can be reduced.

[0085] In other words, in the embodiment of the present invention, the possibility of coin jamming occurring in front of the suspension member 115 can be reduced, and therefore the possibility of coins not moving into the device can be reduced.

[0086] Furthermore, since it is desirable that the repulsive force applied to the coin by the suspension member 115 be weak, it is desirable that the force causing the multiple three-dimensional shaped members 119a to return to their original positional relationship be weak. For example, it is desirable that the force (elastic force) causing the connecting member 119b, which has been deformed by the collision between the coin and the suspension member 115, to return to its original position be weak. However, it is desirable that the suspension member 115 has enough weight so that the positional relationship of the multiple three-dimensional shaped members 119a does not change significantly in the event of a light wind.

[0087] Furthermore, if such a suspension member 115 is suspended from the coin slot 112, rainwater attempting to pass over the slopes 113 and 114 will come into contact with the suspension member 115 and fall, sliding down the slopes 113 and 114. As the rainwater slides down the slopes 113 and 114, it can be drained from the drainage holes H1 to H4. This can reduce the possibility of rainwater entering the inside of the device.

[0088] In the example shown in Figure 6, thirteen members similar to the suspension member 115 are arranged horizontally. However, the number of suspension members 115 arranged horizontally does not have to be thirteen. That is, the number of suspension members 115 arranged horizontally can be one or more. If multiple suspension members 115 are arranged horizontally, the number of three-dimensional shaped members 119a may differ for each suspension member 115.

[0089] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6, the suspension member 115 is suspended from the coin slot 112. However, the suspension member 115 does not have to be suspended from the coin slot 112. That is, the suspension member 115 only needs to be suspended upstream of the drainage holes H1 to H4 in the direction of coin movement. This allows rainwater attempting to pass over the slopes 113 and 114 to come into contact with the suspension member 115 and fall, and be drained from the drainage holes H1 to H4, thereby reducing the possibility of rainwater entering the inside of the device.

[0090] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6, each of the multiple three-dimensional members 119a has the same three-dimensional shape. However, each of the multiple three-dimensional members 119a may have a different three-dimensional shape.

[0091] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6, the three-dimensional shaped member 119a is spherical. However, the shape of the three-dimensional shaped member 119a may be other than spherical. For example, the shape of the three-dimensional shaped member 119a may be polyhedral or cylindrical. If the shape of the three-dimensional shaped member 119a is spherical, polyhedral, or cylindrical, the repulsive force applied to the coins from each of the multiple three-dimensional shaped members 119a is more easily dispersed compared to the case where the shape of the three-dimensional shaped member 119a is plate-like. Therefore, the possibility of coin jamming occurring in front of the suspension member 115 can be further reduced. The suspension member 115, which is composed of multiple three-dimensional shaped members 119a connected vertically, can also be referred to as a "ball curtain".

[0092] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6, the suspension member 115 is constructed by indirectly connecting multiple three-dimensional members 119a vertically via connecting members 119b. However, the suspension member 115 may also be constructed by directly connecting multiple three-dimensional members 119a vertically. For example, if each of the multiple three-dimensional members 119a has an annular shape, the suspension member 115 may be a chain constructed by directly connecting multiple three-dimensional members 119a. Note that the term "chain" can also be used.

[0093] The surrounding structure of the coin slot 112 according to this embodiment has been described above.

[0094] <3.4. Modified Examples of This Embodiment> Next, a modified example of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7. Of the configurations related to the modified example, the configurations that differ from the configuration of this embodiment described above will be mainly described, and the description of the configurations that are the same as the configuration of this embodiment described above will be omitted. Figure 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of this embodiment. Referring to Figure 7, in the modified example of this embodiment, the number of three-dimensional shaped members 119a constituting the suspension member 715 is reduced compared to the example shown in Figure 6, and the length of the suspension member 715 is also shortened.

[0095] Thus, the number of three-dimensional shaped members 119a may be adjusted as appropriate. The spacing between adjacent three-dimensional shaped members 119a, or the diameter of the three-dimensional shaped members 119a, may also be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the number of three-dimensional shaped members 119a, the spacing between adjacent three-dimensional shaped members 119a, or the diameter of the three-dimensional shaped members 119a may be adjusted as appropriate according to various parameters (for example, the weight of the coins, the size of the coins, the number of coins that can be inserted at once, the inclination of the slope 191 of the coin tray 190, etc.). In this case, the suspension member 715 may be easily detachable from the coin slot 112.

[0096] Modifications of this embodiment have been described above.

[0097] <3.5. Effects> According to this embodiment or its modifications, it is possible to reduce the possibility of clogging of the medium while also reducing the possibility of foreign matter entering the inside of the device.

[0098] For example, according to a modified version of this embodiment (Figure 7), the inventors' tests confirmed that it is possible to suppress the intrusion of rainwater into the inside of the device. Furthermore, according to a modified version of this embodiment (Figure 7), in a test in which 990 yen worth of coins (four 100 yen coins, four 10 yen coins, one 50 yen coin, and one 500 yen coin) were inserted into the coin slot 112 1000 times, the inventors confirmed that the amount of coins standing up in the coin slot 112 was reduced, and that it was possible to achieve zero coin retentions in the coin slot 112.

[0099] <<4. Supplement>> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0100] For example, the above description refers to a coin handling device 1 that handles coins. However, coins are just one example of a medium, and the coin handling device 1 may be broadly applied to a medium processing device that handles a medium. That is, a medium processing device that processes a medium other than coins may be provided instead. In this case, the medium handled by the medium processing device may be a disc-shaped medium that is not used as currency (for example, a medal). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0101] 1. Coin handling device 100 Coin Receiving Section 112 Coin slot Slopes 113 and 114 115, 715 Suspension member 116 Drainage Guide 117 Drainage 118 Coin ejection port 119a Three-dimensional shaped member 119b Connecting component 190 coin tray 191 Slope 210 Display section 220 Food 230 Coin return button 240 Toll ticket slot 320 Reading Unit 340 Control Unit 341 Acquisition Department 342 Processing Unit 343 Output Control Unit 350 Storage section 360 Transmitter 400 coin return unit 410 Coin return dispensing unit 420 coin return tray 500 Coin Mech 600 Batch Input Unit 610 Coin guide 620 Wall 621 Inner surface 641 Entrance side opening 642 Outlet side opening 643 Bent part 812 Resin material film

Claims

1. A processing unit that receives a medium and performs predetermined processing on the medium, A drainage mechanism is provided at a position upstream of the position of the processing unit in the direction of movement of the medium, A suspension member is provided suspended at a position upstream of the drainage mechanism in the direction of movement of the medium, Equipped with, The aforementioned suspension member is constructed by connecting multiple members, each having the same or different three-dimensional shapes, directly or indirectly via other members in the vertical direction. Media handling device.

2. The aforementioned three-dimensional shape is a sphere, a polyhedron, or a cylinder. The media handling device according to claim 1.

3. The suspension member is constructed such that the plurality of members are indirectly connected vertically via the other members. The media handling device according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned suspension member is constructed by directly connecting the plurality of members in the vertical direction. The media handling device according to claim 1.

5. The drainage mechanism is a drainage hole, The media handling device according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned medium is a coin. The media handling device according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned plurality of members have the same shape, A media handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The aforementioned plurality of members have different shapes. A media handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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