Currency processing machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a currency processing machine that eliminates the need for a separate storage compartment for currency that is not identified as valid during the currency inspection process, and also prevents third parties from stealing currency even when the operator is away from the machine during the currency inspection process. [Solution] The control unit 90 returns any coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 during the inspection process back to the original storage and dispensing unit 40, and determines that the inspection of the storage and dispensing unit 40 is incomplete. The storage unit 94 stores information regarding the location in the storage and dispensing unit 40 where the coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 were stored.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a currency processing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various types of currency processing machines that perform various processes such as currency deposit processing and withdrawal processing are known. As such a currency processing machine, there is one in which currency stored in a storage unit inside the machine body is fed out from the storage unit, then identified by an identification unit, and then returned to the original storage unit for currency inspection processing.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, coins identified as normal coins by an identification unit in coin inspection processing are sent to corresponding coin stackers according to their denominations, and coins not identified as normal coins by the identification unit are sent to a coin cassette as rejected coins. A coin processing machine is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a coin processing machine that discharges coins that cannot be normally counted to a coin outlet or the like in coin inspection processing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the coin processing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, coins that are not identified as normal by the identification unit during the coin inspection process are moved to a spare storage unit, and the inspection is completed for the coins that are identified as normal. Therefore, in addition to the coin storage units for each denomination, a separate spare storage unit is required, which leads to problems such as an increase in the size of the coin processing machine and an increase in the complexity of the device structure. Furthermore, in the coin processing machine disclosed in Patent Document 2, coins that cannot be counted properly during the coin inspection process are discharged to the dispensing slot, which presents a problem in that if an employee is not present around the device, the discharged coins may be seized by a third party.

[0006] This invention has been made with these points in mind, and aims to provide a currency processing machine that does not require a separate storage section for currency that is not identified as normal during the currency inspection process, and that can prevent currency from being stolen by a third party even when the operator is away from the machine during the currency inspection process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The currency processing machine of the present invention A transport unit for transporting currency, A storage and dispensing unit that sequentially stacks and stores the coins sent from the transport unit and can dispense the stored coins to the transport unit, An identification unit for identifying the currency being transported by the transport unit, A control unit that controls the transport unit and the storage and dispensing unit, Memory unit and, Equipped with, The control unit dispenses the currency stored in the storage and dispensing unit from the storage and dispensing unit to the transport unit, which then transports it to a location different from the original storage and dispensing unit for storage. The transport unit then returns the currency sent to the other location to the original storage and dispensing unit, and at that time, the identification unit performs a currency inspection process to identify the currency. The control unit returns any coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit during the inspection process back to the original storage and dispensing unit, and determines that the inspection of the storage and dispensing unit is incomplete. The storage unit is characterized by storing information regarding the location where the coins that were not identified as normal coins by the identification unit were stored in the storage and dispensing unit.

[0008] In the currency processing machine of the present invention, When the control unit receives a predetermined command, it may dispense the coins stored in the storage dispensing unit that have been determined to be incomplete from the storage dispensing unit to the transport unit, stop the dispensing operation of the coins from the storage dispensing unit when it dispenses coins that have not been identified as normal coins based on the information stored in the memory unit, send the coins dispensed up to the time the dispensing operation stopped to the transport unit to the other location, and then re-identify the coins sent to the other location by the identification unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the control unit may control the transport unit and the storage and dispensing unit to return the currency identified as normal by the identification unit back to the original storage and dispensing unit, and to eject the currency that was not identified as normal to the outside of the machine.

[0010] Furthermore, if the control unit performs the inspection process automatically at a predetermined time, it may return any coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit during the inspection process back to the original storage and dispensing unit, and determine that the inspection of the storage and dispensing unit is incomplete.

[0011] Furthermore, the currency processing machine of the present invention is equipped with an operating unit that is operated by an employee and into which predetermined commands are input. The control unit can switch between two modes for processing currency during the inspection process: a hold mode in which currency that was not identified as normal by the identification unit is returned to the original storage / dispensing unit and the storage / dispensing unit is determined to be incomplete for inspection; and a dispensing mode in which currency that was not identified as normal by the identification unit during the inspection process is ejected to the outside of the machine. If the control unit receives a predetermined command from the operation unit, it may execute the verification process in the output mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the currency processing machine of the present invention, there is no need to provide a separate storage section for currency that is not identified as valid during the currency inspection process, and it is possible to prevent a third party from stealing the currency even if the operator is away from the machine during the currency inspection process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a currency processing machine equipped with a coin processing machine and a banknote processing machine according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal configuration of the coin processing machine. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the coin processing machine as viewed from above. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the branching section provided in the circulating transport section of the coin processing machine shown in Figure 1, etc. [Figure 5] This is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the coin input section in the coin processing machine shown in Figure 1, etc. [Figure 6] (a) is a perspective view showing a part of the exterior of the coin processing machine shown in Figure 1, etc., and (b) is a perspective view showing the configuration when the top door is open. [Figure 7] Figure 1 shows a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the coin handling machine, including the tray and dispensing chute. [Figure 8]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration when the tray shown in FIG. 7 is viewed from the front side of the coin processor. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the tray, the payout chute, and the reject chute of the coin processor shown in FIG. 7 when viewed from the front side of the coin processor. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the tray and the payout chute shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 etc. is a perspective view showing the configuration of each storage and payout unit of the coin processor. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the enlarged storage and payout unit shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a side view of each storage and payout unit shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing each component of each storage and payout unit shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the cross-sectional configuration of the storage and payout unit shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cam and the guide member of the storage and payout unit shown in FIG. 14 when viewed from the lower side. [Figure 17] FIG. 16 is a sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the cam and the guide member shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 16 is a sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the cam and the guide member shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 19] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional configuration of the storage and payout unit shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 20] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the opening / closing door of the storage and payout unit shown in FIG. 19 is open. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 etc. is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the coin processor. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 etc. is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the movement of coins when coin deposit processing is performed in the coin processor. [Figure 23] FIG. 1 etc. is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the movement of coins when coin payout processing is performed in the coin processor. [Figure 24]This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of coins during the coin inspection process in the coin processing machine shown in Figure 1, etc. [Figure 25] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of coins during the coin inspection process in the coin processing machine shown in Figure 1, etc. [Figure 26] This flowchart shows the processing flow when coins are examined in the coin processing machine shown in Figure 1, etc. [Figure 27] This flowchart shows the processing flow when coins are dispensed in the coin handling machine shown in Figure 1, etc. [Figure 28] This is a perspective view showing the general configuration of a coin processing machine in a modified form. [Figure 29] This is a top view showing a schematic configuration of a coin processing machine according to another modification. [Figure 30] This is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the banknote processing machine according to this embodiment. [Figure 31] Figure 30 is a schematic side view showing the internal configuration of the banknote processing machine. [Figure 32] This block diagram shows the configuration of the control system for the banknote processing machine, as shown in Figure 30, etc. [Figure 33] This is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a conventional coin handling machine as viewed from above. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 27 show a coin processing machine 10 and a coin processing method according to this embodiment. In Figures 1 to 27, coins are indicated by reference numeral C.

[0015] First, the overall configuration of the coin processing machine 10 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 to 3, etc. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a currency processing machine equipped with the coin processing machine 10 and banknote processing machine 200 according to this embodiment, Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the internal configuration of the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of the inside of the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figure 1 when viewed from above. The currency processing machine shown in Figure 1 is used, for example, as a change dispenser installed in the checkout area of ​​the front area where product shelves are located in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment comprises a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing 12, an input section 20 provided on the upper part of the housing 12, a circulating transport section 30 arranged along a horizontal plane in the upper part of the housing 12, a plurality of storage and dispensing sections 40 for storing coins by denomination, an identification section 50 for identifying coins transported by the circulating transport section 30, a tray 60 from which dispensed coins and rejected coins can be removed from outside the housing 12, a dispensing chute 80 for dropping dispensed coins from the circulating transport section 30 into the tray 60, a reject chute 70 for dropping rejected coins to be rejected to the outside from the circulating transport section 30 into the tray 60, and a control unit 90 for controlling each component of the coin processing machine 10. Each component of this coin processing machine 10 will be described in detail below.

[0017] The configuration of the input unit 20 will be explained using Figures 2, 3, and 5. Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the input unit 20 in the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 5, the input unit 20 has a circulating belt 22 stretched over a plurality of pulleys, a drive motor 21 (see Figure 21) that rotates one of the pulleys on which the circulating belt 22 is stretched, a reversing roller 24, a dispensing detection sensor 26, and a residual detection sensor 28 (see Figure 21). Coins inserted into the input unit 20 are accumulated on the circulating belt 22. In addition, the drive motor 21 rotates the pulley, causing the circulating belt 22 to circulate in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 5. In this way, the coins accumulated on the circulating belt 22 move to the left in Figure 5 (up in Figure 3) and are dispensed into the circulating transport unit 30, which will be described later.

[0018] Furthermore, the reversing roller 24 is positioned above the circulation belt 22, separated from it by a gap that is greater than the thickness of one coin but less than the thickness of two coins. When the drive motor 21 rotates the pulley, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the reversing roller 24 via gears (not shown), causing the reversing roller 24 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figure 5. This prevents two or more coins from passing through the gap between the circulation belt 22 and the reversing roller 24 while stacked, allowing the circulation belt 22 to dispense coins one at a time. In addition, a dispensing detection sensor 26, which is composed of, for example, an optical sensor, is provided downstream of the reversing roller 24 in the direction of movement of the circulation belt 22. This dispensing detection sensor 26 can detect coins being dispensed by the circulation belt 22 to the circulating transport section 30, which will be described later. Furthermore, coins present on the circulation belt 22 in the input section 20 are detected by a residual detection sensor 28. The residual detection sensor 28 is composed of, for example, a magnetic sensor. In this embodiment, when a coin is detected by the residual detection sensor 28, the drive motor 21 rotates the pulley, causing the circulating belt 22 to move in a circular motion. When the residual detection sensor 28 no longer detects coins, the drive motor 21 stops the pulley.

[0019] As shown in Figure 6, a top door 14 is provided on the top surface of the housing 12, above the input section 20. Figure 6(a) is a perspective view showing part of the external appearance of the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figure 1, etc., and Figure 6(b) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figure 6(a) when the top door 14 is opened. The top door 14 rotates around an axis 15. As a result, as shown in Figure 6(b), the top door 14 can be opened by rotating it around the axis 15. When the top door 14 is opened, the operator can insert a large number of coins into the input section 20 at once. In other words, the operator can accumulate a large number of coins on the circulation belt 22 at once. The top door 14 also has an opening 16 formed in a shape that allows the largest single coin to be processed to pass through. When the top door 14 is closed, the operator inserts coins one at a time into the opening 16, causing the inserted coins to accumulate on the circulation belt 22 of the insertion section 20. Furthermore, an insertion detection sensor 18 (see Figure 21), such as an optical sensor, is provided on the back side of the top door 14 near the top of the insertion section 20, and coins passing through the opening 16 are detected by the insertion detection sensor 18. Additionally, a door opening / closing detection sensor 19 (see Figure 21) is provided to detect the opening and closing of the top door 14.

[0020] In this case, when the top door 14 is closed, the operator cannot see inside the coin slot 20 from outside the housing 12, so the control unit 90 must reliably detect the insertion of coins and drive the circulation belt 22 when the insertion of coins is detected. In contrast, in this embodiment, when the door opening / closing detection sensor 19 detects that the top door 14 is closed, the insertion detection sensor 18 detects a coin inserted into the opening 16, or the residual detection sensor 28 detects a coin, the drive motor 21 rotates the pulley to cause the circulation belt 22 to circulate. Therefore, even if the inside of the coin slot 20 is not visible from outside the housing 12, the control unit 90 can reliably detect the insertion of coins and drive the circulation belt 22 when the insertion of coins is detected.

[0021] Furthermore, if the door opening / closing detection sensor 19 detects that the top door 14 is open, the drive motor 21 will not rotate the pulley, even if the coin insertion detection sensor 18 located near the top of the coin insertion section 20 also detects an open coin. When the top door 14 is open, the operator can see inside the coin insertion section 20 from outside the housing 12. Therefore, the operator can recognize if there are coins remaining on the circulation belt 22. Also, even if the operator puts their finger inside the coin insertion section 20 when inserting coins and the coin insertion detection sensor 18 detects the operator's finger, the drive motor 21 will not rotate the pulley. Therefore, it is possible to prevent problems such as the operator's finger getting caught in the circulation movement of the circulation belt 22 and getting pinched. In addition, if the door opening / closing detection sensor 19 detects that the top door 14 is open, the detection by the coin insertion detection sensor 18 may be turned off.

[0022] As described above, the circulating transport unit 30 is positioned along the horizontal plane in the upper part of the housing 12 and is configured to transport coins along a predetermined annular path. The annular path is approximately rectangular in shape. However, the annular path is not limited to an approximately rectangular shape and may be approximately square in shape. The input unit 20 described above is located inside the approximately rectangular or approximately square annular path. The circulating transport unit 30 includes an endless circulating belt 32, a plurality of pulleys 34 on which the circulating belt 32 is stretched, a tension mechanism 36 for adjusting the tension of the circulating belt 32, and a drive motor 30a for rotating one of the plurality of pulleys 34. By rotating the pulley 34 with the drive motor 30a, the circulating belt 32 can circulate in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions shown in Figure 3. Coins fed out in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3 by the circulation belt 22 of the input section 20 and sent to the circular conveying section 30 are conveyed one by one along the annular path by the circulation belt 32. More specifically, the circulation belt 32 has pins provided at equal intervals, and the coins are conveyed along the annular path by being pushed by each pin on the conveying surface that extends along a substantially horizontal plane in the circular conveying section 30.

[0023] Furthermore, a branching mechanism 38 is provided in the vicinity of the input section 20 in the circulating transport section 30 (below the input section 20 in Figure 3) to send the coins transported by the circulating transport section 30 to the input section 20. The details of the configuration of this branching mechanism 38 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the branching mechanism 38 is provided with a branching member 39, and the coins transported along the transport surface by the circulating belt 32 are selectively sent to the input section 20 by the branching member 39 in the branching mechanism 38. As shown in Figure 4, the branching member 39 has a pair of oscillating parts 39b and 39c that rotate around an axis 39a, and a gap 39d provided between these oscillating parts 39b and 39c, and the circulating belt 32 passes through the gap 39d. Furthermore, the branching member 39 is equipped with a solenoid 30b (see Figure 21). When the solenoid 30b is driven, a pair of oscillating parts 39b and 39c protrude upward from the coin transport surface around the shaft 39a, as shown in Figure 4. This causes coins to be sent from the circulating transport section 30 to the input section 20 along the guide surface 39e of the oscillating part 39b. The branching mechanism 38 also changes the transport direction of coins transported by the circulating belt 32 of the circulating transport section 30 by 90° using the guide surface 39e of the branching member 39, sending them to the input section 20 through the input opening 38a. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, coins branched from the circulating transport section 30 by the branching mechanism 38 are discharged in the input section 20 in the direction indicated by reference numeral C1. This causes coins to accumulate near the center of the circulating belt 32 rather than near the downstream end of the circulating belt 32 in the input section 20, allowing for smooth coin dispensing from the input section 20. If the branching mechanism 38 were provided with a branching member that causes the coins being transported by the circulating belt 32 of the circulating transport section 30 to fall straight down, then in Figure 5, the coins branched off from the circulating transport section 30 by the branching mechanism 38 would be released in the input section 20 in the direction indicated by reference numeral C2 (i.e., straight down), and the coins would accumulate at the downstream end of the circulating belt 32. In this case, the coin dispensing operation from the input section 20 would not be able to be performed smoothly.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, branching members 31 are provided on the transport surface corresponding to each storage and dispensing section 40, and coins transported along the transport surface by the circulating belt 32 are selectively sent to each storage and dispensing section 40 by the branching members 31. The configuration of the branching members 31 is substantially the same as the configuration of the branching member 39 of the branching mechanism 38 described above. Specifically, the branching member 31 is provided with a solenoid 30b (see Figure 21), and when the solenoid 30b is driven, the branching member 31 protrudes upward from the transport surface, thereby sending coins from the circulating transport section 30 to each storage and dispensing section 40.

[0025] Furthermore, a branching member 33 is provided at a position on the transport surface of the circulating transport section 30 corresponding to the dispensing chute 80. Coins transported along the transport surface by the circulation belt 32 in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 3 are selectively sent to the dispensing chute 80 by the branching member 33. The configuration of the branching member 33 is substantially the same as that of the branching member 39 of the branching mechanism 38 described above. Specifically, the branching member 33 is equipped with a solenoid 30b (see Figure 21), and when the solenoid 30b is driven, the branching member 33 protrudes upward from the transport surface, thereby sending coins from the circulating transport section 30 to the dispensing chute 80.

[0026] Furthermore, a branching member 35 is provided at a position on the conveying surface of the circulating conveying section 30 corresponding to the reject chute 70. Coins conveyed along the conveying surface by the circulation belt 32 in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figure 3 are selectively sent to the reject chute 70 by the branching member 35. The configuration of the branching member 35 is substantially the same as that of the branching member 39 of the branching mechanism 38 described above. Specifically, the branching member 35 is equipped with a solenoid 30b (see Figure 21), and when the solenoid 30b is driven, the branching member 35 protrudes upward from the conveying surface, thereby sending coins from the circulating conveying section 30 to the reject chute 70.

[0027] As will be described later, the direction of coin transport by the circular transport unit 30 (clockwise, see Figure 23) when coins transported by the circular transport unit 30 are branched by the branching member 33 and sent to the dispensing chute 80 is reversed, as is the direction of coin transport by the circular transport unit 30 (counterclockwise, see Figure 22) when coins transported by the circular transport unit 30 are branched by the branching member 35 and sent to the reject chute 70. In addition, coins are sent from both the dispensing chute 80 and the reject chute 70 to the same tray 60.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the circulating belt 32 of the circulating conveying section 30 is tensioned by a plurality of pulleys 34 and a tension mechanism 36, and the tension of the circulating belt 32 is adjusted by the tension mechanism 36. Specifically, the tension mechanism 36 is movable in the left-right direction in Figure 3, and when the tension mechanism 36 moves to the left in Figure 3, the tension applied to the circulating belt 32 increases, and when the tension mechanism 36 moves to the right in Figure 3, the tension applied to the circulating belt 32 decreases. The tension mechanism 36 is movable in both left-right and right directions as an integrated unit of pulleys and conveying path. Even when the tension mechanism 36 is moved in the left-right direction, the relationship between the pulleys and conveying path within the tension mechanism 36 does not change, and conveying defects can be reduced. Therefore, the tension mechanism 36 can be installed within the annular path of the circulating conveying section 30, and thus there is no need to separately provide space for the tension mechanism 36 inside the housing 12, thus saving space inside the housing 12.

[0029] The arrangement of this tension mechanism 36 will be explained in comparison with the configuration of a conventional coin processing machine 400 shown in Figure 33. The conventional coin processing machine 400 includes an input section 420, a transport section 430, a storage and dispensing section 440 to which each denomination of coins is assigned, a pair of left and right dispensing boxes 460 and 462, and a collection box 464. Coins inserted into the input section 420 are dispensed one by one to the left in Figure 33. The transport section 430 also has a circulating belt 432 stretched over a plurality of pulleys 434 and a tension mechanism 436, and the circulating belt 432 moves in a clockwise direction in Figure 33. In coin deposit processing, coins inserted into the input section 420 are dispensed one by one to the left in Figure 33 and transported by the circulating belt 432 in a clockwise direction in Figure 33. Specifically, the coins are transported by the circulation belt 432 in the order of upward, rightward, and downward in Figure 33. The transport unit 430 is also equipped with an identification unit 450. After the coins transported by the circulation belt 432 are identified by the identification unit 450, they are sent from the right-hand area 431 of each storage / dispensing unit 440 in the transport unit 430 to each storage / dispensing unit 440 according to their denomination, and stored in these storage / dispensing units 440 according to their denomination. Furthermore, in the coin dispensing process, the coins dispensed from each storage / dispensing unit 440 to the left-hand area 433 in Figure 33 are transported one by one by the circulation belt 432 in the clockwise direction in Figure 33. That is, the coins dispensed from each storage / dispensing unit 440 to the left-hand area 433 in Figure 33 are transported by the circulation belt 432 in the order of upward, rightward, and downward in Figure 33, and the coins are sent to the dispensing box 460 or dispensing box 462.

[0030] In the coin processing machine 400 shown in Figure 33, a tension mechanism 436 is provided to adjust the tension of the circulation belt 432. The tension mechanism 436 is movable in the left-right direction in Figure 33. When the tension mechanism 436 moves to the left in Figure 33, the tension applied to the circulation belt 432 increases, and when the tension mechanism 436 moves to the right in Figure 33, the tension applied to the circulation belt 432 decreases. However, in the coin processing machine 400 shown in Figure 33, such a tension mechanism 436 moves the pulley independently of the transport path, so including the tension mechanism in the transport path would cause transport problems. For this reason, it is not possible to provide a tension mechanism in the transport path of coins by the transport unit 430, and therefore coins cannot be transported in a circular path. In contrast, in the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment, the tension mechanism 36 is configured such that the pulley and the transport path are integrated and can move in both left and right directions, so that moving the tension mechanism 36 does not affect the transport. The tension mechanism 36 can be installed within the annular path of the circular transport section 30, so that coins can be transported in a circular path, and there is no need to separately provide space for installing the tension mechanism 36 inside the housing 12, thus saving space inside the housing 12.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3 and other figures, in the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment, a plurality (specifically, seven) of storage and dispensing units 40 are provided along the annular path of the circular transport unit 30. Each storage and dispensing unit 40 stores coins sent from the circular transport unit 30 and is capable of dispensing the stored coins back to the circular transport unit 30. In this embodiment, the number of storage and dispensing units 40 is greater than the number of denominations of coins to be processed by the coin processing machine 10. In this embodiment, as described above, the annular path is roughly rectangular in shape, and each storage and dispensing unit 40 is arranged along a pair of path portions (vertical path portions located on the left and right in Figure 3) that are perpendicular to the path portion located on the front side of the housing 12 in the annular path (horizontally extending path portion located on the lower side in Figure 3). The configuration of these storage and dispensing units 40 will be explained using Figure 3 and Figures 11 to 20.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the storage and dispensing unit 40 consists of a 5-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40A for storing 5-yen coins, a 50-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40B for storing 50-yen coins, a 1-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40C for storing 1-yen coins, a 10-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40D for storing 10-yen coins, a mixed denomination storage and dispensing unit 40E capable of storing 10-yen and 100-yen coins in a mixed state, a 100-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40F for storing 100-yen coins, and a 500-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40G for storing 500-yen coins. Here, the 5-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40A and the 50-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40B are located on the left side of the circulating transport unit 30 in Figure 3. On the other hand, the 1-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40C, the 10-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40D, the mixed denomination storage and dispensing unit 40E, the 100-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40F, and the 500-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40G are located to the right of the circulating transport unit 30 in Figure 3. When a coin dispensing operation is performed, if the coin processing machine 10 is a coin change machine, a maximum of four 1-yen coins, four 10-yen coins, four 100-yen coins, one 5-yen coin, one 50-yen coin, and one 500-yen coin (totaling 999 yen) will be dispensed as change, with the number of 1-yen, 10-yen, and 100-yen coins dispensed being greater than the number of 5-yen, 50-yen, and 500-yen coins dispensed. Here, when coin dispensing is performed, the coins are transported clockwise in the circulating transport unit 30. As a result, the time it takes for coins to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40 located on the left side of the circulating transport unit 30 and sent to the tray 60 is longer than the time it takes for coins to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40 located on the right side of the circulating transport unit 30 and sent to the tray 60. However, by placing the 5-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40A and the 50-yen coin storage and dispensing unit 40B, which are used for 5-yen and 50-yen coins that are dispensed in smaller quantities, on the left side of the circulating transport unit 30, the time required for dispensing can be minimized.

[0033] As shown in Figure 11, each storage and dispensing unit 40 is cylindrical in shape, and coins sent from the circulating transport unit 30 are stored inside in a stacked state, one by one from top to bottom. Furthermore, the top layer of coins accumulated in the stacked state inside each storage and dispensing unit 40 is dispensed one at a time from that storage and dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30.

[0034] As shown in Figures 11 to 15, the storage and dispensing unit 40 includes a cam 41, a stage 42 on which coins are stacked, a lifting member 43 for raising and lowering the stage 42, a spring 42a provided between the stage 42 and the lifting member 43, a pair of upper guide members 44 and 45, a cylindrical storage section 46, an opening and closing door 47, a first guide member 48, and a pair of second guide members 49. In the storage and dispensing unit 40, coins are stored on the stage 42 in a stacked state inside the cylindrical storage section 46. Each component of this storage and dispensing unit 40 will be described in detail below.

[0035] The cam 41 rotates in both forward and reverse directions around an axis extending vertically. As shown in Figure 14, the cam 41 has three downward-extending protrusions 41a. Coins are caught on each of these protrusions 41a, causing coins transported by the circulating belt 32 in the circulating transport unit 30 to be sent to the storage unit 46, or the uppermost layer of coins stored in the storage unit 46 to be dispensed to the circulating transport unit 30. The storage and dispensing unit 40 is also equipped with a drive motor 41b (see Figure 21), which causes the cam 41 to rotate in both forward and reverse directions. In this embodiment, the cam 41 rotates in the opposite direction to the direction in which the coins are transported by the circulating transport unit 30. As a result, for example, when coins are deposited, as will be described later, the circulating transport unit 30 transports the coins in a counterclockwise direction (see Figure 22), and at this time the cam 41 rotates in a clockwise direction. As a result, coins that are to be sent to a specific storage / dispensing unit 40 (specifically, a storage / dispensing unit 40 to which a denomination is assigned) from among the coins being transported by the circulating transport unit 30 are branched off from the transport path of the circulating transport unit 30 by a branching member 31 corresponding to the storage / dispensing unit 40. Then, the branched coins are hooked onto the protrusions 41a of the cam 41 and the cam 41 rotates, allowing the coins to be sent to the storage / dispensing unit 40. On the other hand, as will be described later, during the dispensing of coins, the coins are transported in a clockwise direction by the circulating transport unit 30 (see Figure 23), but at this time the cam 41 rotates in a counterclockwise direction. As a result, coins that are to be dispensed from among the coins stored in the storage / dispensing unit 40 are hooked onto the protrusions 41a of the cam 41 and the cam 41 rotates, allowing the circulating transport unit 30 to continue transporting coins.

[0036] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the storage and dispensing section 40 is cylindrical with a hollow interior, and coins are stacked and accumulated on the upper surface of the stage 42 inside the storage section 46. The stage 42 is constantly pushed upward by a spring 42a. A linear motor 43a (see Figure 21) is attached to the lower part of the lifting member 43, and the linear motor 43a causes the lifting member 43 to move up and down. More specifically, each time one coin is stored in the storage and dispensing section 40 from the circulating transport section 30, the lifting member 43 moves downward by the thickness of one coin, and each time one coin is dispensed from the storage and dispensing section 40 to the circulating transport section 30, the lifting member 43 moves upward by the thickness of one coin, as the linear motor 43a causes the lifting member 43 to move up and down. Furthermore, a spring 42a is provided between the lifting member 43 and the stage 42, so that when the lifting member 43 moves up or down, the stage 42 also moves up or down.

[0037] A pair of upper guide members 44 and 45 are designed to press down on the coins on the stage 42 from above to prevent them from flying out of the storage section 46. A gap is formed between the pair of upper guide members 44 and 45, through which the protrusion 41a of the cam 41 passes. As shown in Figures 16 to 18, recesses 44a and 45a are formed on the surfaces of each upper guide member 44 and 45 that contact the coins. Each recess 44a and 45a extends in an arc shape around the rotation axis of the cam 41. If the top layer of coins among the multiple coins accumulated on the stage 42 inside the storage section 46 is not bent and is perfectly flat, then, as shown in Figure 17, this top layer of coins is fed out to the circular transport section 30 by the protrusion 41a of the cam 41 without entering the recesses 44a and 45a. On the other hand, if the top layer of coins among the multiple coins accumulated on the stage 42 inside the storage section 46 is bent, as shown in Figure 18, the edge of this top layer of coin is fed into the circulating transport section 30 by the protrusion 41a of the cam 41 while it is inside the respective recesses 44a and 45a. Here, if such recesses 44a and 45a are not provided on the upper guide members 44 and 45, when the top layer of coin is bent, the edge of this coin will come into contact with the lower surface of the upper guide members 44 and 45. In this case, the central part of the bent top layer of coin will be separated downward from the lower surface of the upper guide members 44 and 45, and may not be fed into the circulating transport section 30 without getting caught on the protrusion 41a of the cam 41. In contrast, by forming recesses 44a and 45a on the surfaces of the upper guide members 44 and 45 that contact the coins, even if the top layer of coins is bent, the edges of these coins will fit into the recesses 44a and 45a. As a result, the central part of the bent top layer of coins will not be separated significantly below the lower surfaces of the upper guide members 44 and 45. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the problem of the bent central part of the coin not getting caught on the protrusion 41a of the cam 41 and not being fed into the circulating transport section 30.

[0038] Furthermore, each storage and dispensing unit 40 is provided with a full detection sensor 40a (see Figure 21) that detects when the storage and dispensing unit 40 is full of coins, an empty detection sensor 40b (see Figure 21) that detects when the storage and dispensing unit 40 is empty of coins, and an upper end detection sensor 40c (see Figure 21) that detects the upper end of the coins accumulated on the stage 42. The full detection sensor 40a and the empty detection sensor 40b are generally configured to detect whether the storage and dispensing unit 40 is full of coins or empty of coins, respectively, based on the position of the stage 42.

[0039] The operation of storing coins from the circulating transport unit 30 into the storage / dispensing unit 40 will now be explained. As shown in Figure 12, when storing a coin of a certain denomination being transported in the circulating transport unit 30 into the storage / dispensing unit 40 corresponding to that denomination, the branching member 31 corresponding to the storage / dispensing unit 40 is made to protrude upward from the coin transport surface. As a result, the orientation of the coin being transported in the circulating transport unit 30 is changed to face the storage / dispensing unit 40. In addition, the cam 41 rotates 120° in the clockwise direction in Figure 12. As a result, the coin is caught on the protruding part 41a of the cam 41, and the coin is sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the storage / dispensing unit 40 and accumulated on the stage 42. When a coin is sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the storage / dispensing unit 40, the lifting member 43 moves downward by the thickness of one coin by the linear motor 43a. As a result, a coin storage space is formed between the top surface of the uppermost coin among the multiple coins accumulated on the stage 42 and each upper guide member 44, 45.

[0040] Next, the operation of dispensing coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30 will be described. When dispensing coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30, the linear motor 43a moves the lifting member 43 upward by an amount greater than the thickness of a single coin. As a result, the stage 42 is pushed upward by the lifting member 43 via the spring 42a, causing the uppermost layer of coins among the multiple coins accumulated on the stage 42 to come into contact with the lower surfaces of the upper guide members 44 and 45. In this state, the cam 41 rotates 120° counterclockwise in the direction shown in Figure 12. As a result, the coin gets caught on the protrusion 41a of the cam 41, and the coin is sent from the storage and dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30, where it is then transported by the circulating belt 32 of the circulating transport unit 30.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 19 to 20, the storage section 46 has an opening that extends along the direction of coin accumulation, and the opening / closing door 47 opens and closes this opening. Specifically, the opening / closing door 47 rotates around an axis 47a that extends along the direction of coin accumulation (i.e., the vertical direction). With such an opening / closing door 47 provided, when cleaning the inside of the storage section 46, the inside of the storage section 46 can be accessed simply by opening the opening / closing door 47. In addition, a guide member 48 is provided near the inner surface of the opening / closing door 47 when the opening is closed. The guide member 48 extends along the direction of coin accumulation (i.e., the vertical direction). Furthermore, the width of the gap formed around the guide member 48 is smaller than the diameter of the coins to be stored in the storage section 46. As a result, even when the opening / closing door 47 is opened, the coins accumulated in the storage section 46 will not fly out of the storage section 46 through the opening, as shown in Figure 20. Furthermore, a recess 47b is formed on the inner surface of the opening / closing door 47, in which a guide member 48 is housed when the opening is closed. In addition, a pair of guide members 49 are provided near the storage section 46. Here, the width of the gap between the multiple guide members 48, 49 is smaller than the diameter of the coins to be stored in the storage section 46. As a result, the coins accumulated on the stage 42 are stored inside the storage section 46 without their accumulation being significantly disrupted by the guide members 48, 49. Also, as shown in Figure 12, an upper opening 46a (see Figure 12) is formed near the cam 41 in the storage section 46 for removing the uppermost layer of coins accumulated in the storage section 46. Coins are sent from the circulating transport section 30 to the inside of the storage section 46, or coins dispensed from inside the storage section 46 are sent to the circulating transport section 30, by passing through this upper opening 46a.

[0042] Furthermore, the opening and closing door 47 is not limited to a shape that extends over approximately the entire length of the storage section 46. The opening and closing door 47 may be divided into multiple door sections along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 46. In this case, by opening each door section, it becomes possible to access the inside of the storage section 46 and clean the inside of the storage section 46. Therefore, if dirt has accumulated in only a part of the inside of the storage section 46, maintenance becomes easier as only a part of the door section needs to be opened.

[0043] The shape and size of the cam 41 in each storage and dispensing section 40, the shape and size of each upper guide member 44, 45, the shape and size of the storage section 46, and the distance traveled by the lifting member 43 when coins are fed into the storage section 46 or when coins are dispensed from the storage section 46 are all set to predetermined values ​​based on the denominations of coins assigned to the storage and dispensing section 40. Furthermore, in the storage and dispensing section 40E, which can store both 10-yen and 100-yen coins in a mixed state, the shape and size of the cam 41, the shape and size of each upper guide member 44, 45, the shape and size of the storage section 46, and the distance traveled by the lifting member 43 when coins are fed into the storage section 46 or when coins are dispensed from the storage section 46 are all set to predetermined values ​​so that both 10-yen and 100-yen coins can be stored and dispensed.

[0044] The identification unit 50 is configured to identify the denomination, authenticity, and condition of coins being transported by the circulating belt 32 in the circular transport unit 30. Specifically, the identification unit 50 has a line sensor and a magnetic sensor. The line sensor acquires an image of the surface of the coins being transported by the circulating belt 32, and the material of the coins is determined based on the detection information from the magnetic sensor. Based on the detection results from the line sensor and the magnetic sensor, the identification of the denomination, authenticity, and condition of the coins being transported by the circulating belt 32 is performed. The coin identification results from the identification unit 50 are sent to the control unit 90, which will be described later.

[0045] As shown in Figure 2, the tray 60 is positioned vertically below the circulating transport section 30 on the front of the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 9, a reject chute 70 is located to the left of the tray 60, and a dispensing chute 80 is located to the right of the tray 60. As described above, coins branched off from the circulating transport section 30 by branching members 33 and 35 are sent to the tray 60 by falling under their own weight inside the reject chute 70 and dispensing chute 80.

[0046] The configuration of tray 60 will be explained using Figures 8 and 9. As shown in Figure 8, walls 66, 67, and 68 are formed on the back and left and right sides of tray 60, respectively. Discharge ports 62 and 64 are formed on the left and right side walls 67 and 68 of tray 60, respectively, so that dispensed coins are discharged from the dispensing chute 80 to tray 60 via the discharge port 62, and rejected coins are discharged from the reject chute 70 to tray 60 via the discharge port 64. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, coins are sent from the reject chute 70 and the dispensing chute 80 to tray 60 along the width direction of the coin processing machine 10 (i.e., the left and right direction in Figure 9). In this way, coins are sent to tray 60 along the width direction of the coin processing machine 10, so that when coins are discharged from the reject chute 70 and the dispensing chute 80 to tray 60, it is possible to prevent these coins from flying out of tray 60 to the front side of the housing 12.

[0047] Furthermore, a wall 68 is formed on the opposite side of the dispensing port 62 of the dispensing chute 80, flanking the tray 60. As a result, the force with which the coins dispensed from the dispensing port 62 are weakened when they hit the wall 68, further preventing the coins dispensed from the dispensing port 62 from flying out of the tray 60 towards the front of the casing 12. Additionally, a wall 67 is formed on the opposite side of the dispensing port 64 of the reject chute 70, flanking the tray 60. As a result, the force with which the coins dispensed from the dispensing port 64 are weakened when they hit the wall 67, further preventing the coins dispensed from the dispensing port 64 from flying out of the tray 60 towards the front of the casing 12.

[0048] The configuration of the dispensing chute 80 will be explained using Figure 10. Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the tray 60 and the dispensing chute 80 shown in Figure 7. The dispensing chute 80 consists of a first chute section 82, a second chute section 84, and a third chute section 86. Coins branched off from the circulating transport section 30 by the branching member 33 are first sent to the first chute section 82. The second chute section 84 and the third chute section 86 branch off from the lower end of the first chute section 82, and a branching member 88 is provided at this branching point. This branching member 88 allows the destination of coins sent from the circulating transport section 30 to the dispensing chute 80 to be distributed to the tray 60 and areas other than the tray 60. Specifically, the branching member 88 rotates around its axis 88a between the position shown by the solid line and the position shown by the dashed line in Figure 10. A solenoid 80a (see Figure 21) is connected to the shaft 88a of the branching member 88 via multiple gears (not shown), causing the branching member 88 to rotate around the shaft 88a. When the branching member 88 is in the position shown by the solid line in Figure 10, coins sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the dispensing chute 80 are sent from the first chute section 82 to the second chute section 84, and then discharged from the second chute section 84 to the tray 60 through the discharge port 62. On the other hand, when the branching member 88 is in the position shown by the dashed line in Figure 10, coins sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the dispensing chute 80 are sent from the first chute section 82 to the third chute section 86, and then fall downward from the lower end opening of the third chute section 86 due to their own weight. When coins are dispensed to a customer during the coin dispensing process in the coin processing machine 10, the dispensed coins are sent from the dispensing chute 80 to the tray 60. This allows customers to take out the coins they receive from the tray 60. On the other hand, when a store employee collects the coins stored in each storage dispensing section 40 in the coin processing machine 10, a collection box with an open top is placed directly below the third chute section 86 of the dispensing chute 80.Furthermore, the branching member 88 is positioned at the location indicated by the dashed line in Figure 10, so that the coins sent from the circular transport section 30 to the dispensing chute 80 are sent from the first chute section 82 to the third chute section 86, and then fall downward from the third chute section 86 by their own weight. This allows store employees to send a large amount of coins to be collected directly from the dispensing chute 80 to the collection box without passing through the tray 60.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the first chute section 82 drops coins vertically, and the second chute section 84 sends coins to the tray 60 in a diagonal downward direction. In this way, because the second chute section 84 sends coins to the tray 60 in a diagonal downward direction, the rate at which the coins fall can be reduced, and the force with which the coins are ejected from the discharge port 62 into the tray 60 can be weakened, thereby further preventing the ejected coins from flying out of the tray 60 towards the front of the housing 12. In addition, in the dispensing chute 80, the vertical length of the cross-section of the first chute section 82 perpendicular to the coin feeding direction (downward direction) (length in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 9, length in the left-right direction in Figure 10) is smaller than the diameter of the coins to be processed by the coin processing machine 10. Furthermore, in the dispensing chute 80, the lateral length of the cross-section of the first chute section 82, which is perpendicular to the coin feeding direction (downward), (the length in the left-right direction in Figure 9, and the length in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 10) is larger than the diameter of the coin to be processed by the coin processing machine 10. As a result, the first chute section 82 in the dispensing chute 80 can reliably drop coins vertically. When coins drop vertically in the first chute section 82, it is possible to more reliably prevent coins from getting jammed at the branching points from the first chute section 82 to the second chute section 84 and the third chute section 86.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the reject chute 70 is composed of a first chute section 72 and a second chute section 74. Coins branched off from the circulating transport section 30 by the branching member 35 are first sent to the first chute section 72. In the reject chute 70, coins are sent from the first chute section 72 to the second chute section 74 without branching, and from the second chute section 74 they are discharged into the tray 60 through the discharge port 64. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the first chute section 72 drops the coins vertically, and the second chute section 74 sends the coins to the tray 60 in a diagonal downward direction. In this way, because the second chute section 74 sends the coins to the tray 60 in a diagonal downward direction, the rate at which the coins fall can be reduced, and the force with which the coins are discharged from the discharge port 64 into the tray 60 can be weakened. This further prevents the coins discharged from the discharge port 64 from flying out of the tray 60 towards the front of the housing 12. Furthermore, in the reject chute 70, the vertical length of the cross-section of the first chute portion 72 perpendicular to the coin feeding direction (downward) (length in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 9) is smaller than the diameter of the coin to be processed by the coin processing machine 10. Also, in the reject chute 70, the horizontal length of the cross-section of the first chute portion 72 perpendicular to the coin feeding direction (downward) (length in the left-right direction in Figure 9) is larger than the diameter of the coin to be processed by the coin processing machine 10. As a result, in the reject chute 70, the first chute portion 72 can reliably drop coins vertically.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 7, the tray 60 is partially contained within the housing 12, so that when the coin processing machine 10 is viewed along the vertical direction, the tray 60 and the circulating transport unit 30 overlap in at least a portion of the same area. This makes the length of the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10 smaller, thus making the coin processing machine 10 more compact. In this embodiment, the tray 60 may be further contained within the housing 12, so that when the coin processing machine 10 is viewed along the vertical direction, the tray 60 and the input unit 20 overlap in at least a portion of the same area. In this case, the length of the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10 becomes even smaller, thus making the coin processing machine 10 even more compact. In addition, the dispensing chute 80 and the reject chute 70 are also partially contained within the housing 12, so that when the coin processing machine 10 is viewed along the vertical direction, the dispensing chute 80, the reject chute 70, and the circulating transport unit 30 overlap in at least a portion of the same area. In this case, compared to the case where the withdrawal chute 80 and reject chute 70 are located on the front side of the casing 12, the length of the casing 12 of the coin processing machine 10 in the depth direction becomes even smaller, so the coin processing machine 10 can be made even more compact.

[0052] Furthermore, the coin processing machine 10 is equipped with a control unit 90 that controls each component of the coin processing machine 10. The configuration of the control system of the coin processing machine 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 21. As shown in Figure 21, the control unit 90 is connected to an input detection sensor 18, a door opening / closing detection sensor 19, a drive motor 21 for the input unit 20, a dispensing detection sensor 26, a residual detection sensor 28, a drive motor 30a for the circulating transport unit 30, a solenoid 30b, an identification unit 50, a full detection sensor 40a for each storage / dispensing unit 40, an empty detection sensor 40b, an upper end detection sensor 40c, a drive motor 41b, a linear motor 43a, a solenoid 80a for the dispensing chute 80, and so on. Here, detection information from the input detection sensor 18, door opening / closing detection sensor 19, dispensing detection sensor 26, residual detection sensor 28, full detection sensor 40a, empty detection sensor 40b, upper end detection sensor 40c of each storage dispensing unit 40, etc., and identification information from the identification unit 50 are sent to the control unit 90 from each sensor 18, 19, 26, 28, 40a, 40b, 40c, etc. and the identification unit 50, respectively. The control unit 90 also controls the operation of these components by sending command signals to the drive motor 21 of the input unit 20, the drive motor 30a and solenoid 30b of the circulating transport unit 30, the drive motor 41b and linear motor 43a of the storage dispensing unit 40, the solenoid 80a of the dispensing chute 80, etc.

[0053] Furthermore, the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment is equipped with an operation display unit 92, a storage unit 94, and a communication unit 96, and these operation display unit 92, storage unit 94, and communication unit 96 are connected to the control unit 90. The operation display unit 92 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, and various information is displayed on the operation display unit 92 when it receives a display command from the control unit 90, and the operator can input various information to the control unit 90 using the operation display unit 92. The storage unit 94 stores various information such as the denominations and number of coins stored in each storage and dispensing unit 40, and the history of coin deposit and withdrawal processing performed in the coin processing machine 10. In addition, in this embodiment, the storage unit 94 stores the order in which each coin was stored and the denomination for each coin stored in each storage and dispensing unit 40. Furthermore, the control unit 90 can send and receive various signals to and from external devices via the communication unit 96.

[0054] Next, we will explain the various processes performed by the coin processing machine 10. The various processes performed by the coin processing machine 10 described below are carried out by the control unit 90 controlling each component of the coin processing machine 10.

[0055] First, the operation of the coin processing machine 10 when coins are deposited will be explained using Figure 22. Figure 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of coins when coins are deposited in the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figure 1, etc. When an operator inserts coins into the opening 16 of the top door 14 (see Figure 6(a)) located on the top surface of the housing 12, or when the operator opens the top door 14 (see Figure 6(b)) and inserts coins directly into the input section 20, the coins accumulate on the circulation belt 22 of the input section 20. When the coins inserted into the opening 16 are detected by the input detection sensor 18, or when the coins accumulated on the circulation belt 22 are detected by the residual detection sensor 28, the pulley on which the circulation belt 22 is tensioned is rotated by the drive motor 21, causing the circulation belt 22 to circulate in the counterclockwise direction in Figure 5 (direction of the arrow in Figure 3). Furthermore, when a coin inserted into the opening 16 is detected by the insertion detection sensor 18, or when coins accumulated on the circulation belt 22 are detected by the residual detection sensor 28, the pulley on which the circulation belt 32 is tensioned is rotated by the drive motor 30a, causing the circulation belt 22 to circulate in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Figures 3 and 22. As a result, the coins accumulated on the circulation belt 22 are fed out one by one to the circulating conveying unit 30, and the fed-out coins move one by one in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Figures 3 and 22 on the conveying surface of the circulating conveying unit 30. The coins conveyed in the circulating conveying unit 30 are identified by the identification unit 50 as being of a specific denomination, genuine or counterfeit, and of good or bad condition.

[0056] Coins identified as not being normal by the identification unit 50, or coins that could not be identified by the identification unit 50, are branched off from the transport surface of the circulating transport unit 30 by the branching member 35 as rejected coins and sent to the rejected chute 70. Rejected coins sent to the rejected chute 70 are discharged from the reject chute 70 to the tray 60 by the discharge port 64. This allows the operator to remove the rejected coins from the tray 60 and reinsert them into the input unit 20 or insert other coins into the input unit 20. Coins identified as normal by the identification unit 50 are sent to the respective storage and dispensing units 40 corresponding to the denomination of the coin and stored in the storage and dispensing units 40. Specifically, coins identified as normal by the identification unit 50 are branched off from the transport surface of the circulating transport unit 30 by the branching member 31 corresponding to the storage and dispensing unit 40 to which that denomination is assigned. In addition, the drive motor 41b of this storage and dispensing unit 40 rotates the cam 41 in a clockwise direction. As a result, the coins branched off from the conveying surface of the circular conveying section 30 by the branching member 31 are caught on the protruding portion 41a of the cam 41 and sent into the storage section 46, where they are stacked and accumulated on the stage 42. In this way, when all the coins inserted into the input section 20 are sent to each storage dispensing section 40 or tray 60, the coin deposit process is completed.

[0057] Next, the operation when the coin dispensing machine 10 processes coins will be explained using Figure 23. Figure 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of coins when the coin dispensing machine 10, as shown in Figure 1, is processing coins. When the operator inputs a command to process coins via the operation display unit 92, or when a command to process coins is transmitted to the control unit 90 from an external device via the communication unit 96, the control unit 90 receives a command to process coins (specifically, a command including information on the number of coins of each denomination or the total amount to be dispensed), and the control unit 90 calculates how many coins of each denomination to dispense. When the control unit 90 receives a command to process coins, the pulley on which the circulation belt 32 is stretched is rotated by the drive motor 30a, causing the circulation belt 22 to circulate in a clockwise direction as shown in Figures 3 and 23. Furthermore, coins to be dispensed are dispensed from each storage / dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30 according to their denomination, and the dispensed coins move one by one in a clockwise direction on the transport surface of the circulating transport unit 30 in the direction shown in Figures 3 and 23. Specifically, the lifting member 43 is moved upward by the linear motor 43a of the storage / dispensing unit 40, and the uppermost layer of coins among the multiple coins accumulated on the stage 42 comes into contact with the lower surfaces of the upper guide members 44 and 45. In this state, the cam 41 is rotated counterclockwise by the drive motor 41b, causing the uppermost layer of coins on the stage 42 to catch on the protrusion 41a of the cam 41, thereby moving the coin from the storage unit 46 to the transport surface of the circulating transport unit 30. Coins are dispensed from the storage / dispensing section 40 to the circulating transport section 30, and as they move clockwise on the transport surface of the circulating transport section 30 in the direction shown in Figures 3 and 23, they are branched off from the transport surface of the circulating transport section 30 by the branching member 33 and sent to the dispensing chute 80. The dispensing coins sent to the dispensing chute 80 are discharged from the dispensing chute 80 to the tray 60 by the discharge port 62. If the dispensing coins are to be dropped directly downward from the third chute section 86 of the dispensing chute 80 instead of being sent to the tray 60, a command is given to the control unit 90 to discharge the dispensing coins directly from the dispensing chute 80. In this case, the branching member 88 is moved to the position shown by the dashed line in Figure 10 by the solenoid 80a.As a result, coins sent from the circular transport unit 30 to the dispensing chute 80 are sent from the first chute section 82 to the third chute section 86.

[0058] Next, the operation of the coin processing machine 10 when it performs coin inspection will be explained using Figures 24, 25, and 26. Figures 24 and 25 are schematic diagrams illustrating the movement of coins when they are inspected in the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figure 1, etc. Figure 26 is a flowchart showing the processing flow when coins are inspected in the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figure 1, etc.

[0059] In this embodiment, the coin processing mode during the inspection process can be switched between a hold mode, in which coins not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 are returned to the original storage and dispensing unit 40 and the storage and dispensing unit 40 is determined to be incomplete for inspection, and a dispensing mode, in which coins not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 during the inspection process are dispensed to the outside of the housing 12 (machine body). The operator can switch between these coin processing modes during the inspection process by inputting a command to the control unit 90 via the operation display unit 92. That is, the control unit 90 makes the processing mode different between the hold mode and the dispensing mode based on the inspection instruction received.

[0060] When the operator inputs a command to perform coin inspection processing via the operation display unit 92, or when an external device transmits a command to perform coin inspection processing to the control unit 90 via the communication unit 96, the control unit 90 receives a command to perform coin inspection processing ("YES" in STEP 1 of Figure 26), and the identification unit 50 identifies the coins stored in each storage and dispensing unit 40. Specifically, when the control unit 90 receives a command to perform coin inspection processing, the pulley on which the circulation belt 32 is tensioned is rotated by the drive motor 30a, causing the circulation belt 22 to circulate in a clockwise direction as shown in Figures 3 and 24. Also, if the coin processing mode during inspection processing is the hold mode ("YES" in STEP 2), coins are dispensed from a storage and dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30, and the dispensed coins move one by one in a clockwise direction as shown in Figures 3 and 24 on the transport surface of the circulating transport unit 30. Furthermore, coins moving clockwise on the conveying surface of the circulating conveying section 30 in the direction shown in Figures 3 and 24 are branched off from the conveying surface of the circulating conveying section 30 by the branching member 39 in the branching mechanism 38 and sent to the input section 20 (STEP 3). When all the coins have been dispensed from a storage / dispensing section 40 and sent to the input section 20, as shown in Figure 25, the pulley on which the circulating belt 22 is tensioned is rotated by the drive motor 21, causing the circulating belt 22 to circulate in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figure 5 (the direction of the arrow in Figure 3). Also, the pulley on which the circulating belt 32 is tensioned is rotated by the drive motor 30a, causing the circulating belt 22 to circulate in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figures 3 and 25. As a result, the coins accumulated on the circulating belt 22 are dispensed one by one to the circulating conveying section 30 and move one by one in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figures 3 and 25 on the conveying surface of the circulating conveying section 30. Coins transported in the circular transport unit 30 are identified by the identification unit 50 as being of a specific denomination, genuine or counterfeit, and otherwise normal or damaged. Coins identified as normal by the identification unit 50 are returned to the original storage and dispensing unit 40. On the other hand, coins identified as not normal by the identification unit 50 are also sent to the original storage and dispensing unit 40 and stored there (STEP 4).Furthermore, the control unit 90 determines that the storage and dispensing unit 40 to which a coin identified by the identification unit 50 as not being a normal coin has been returned is an incomplete storage and dispensing unit 40.

[0061] In this way, once all the coins have been sent from the input unit 20 to the storage and dispensing unit 40, the same process is performed for each other storage and dispensing unit 40. Then, once the above process has been performed for all storage and dispensing units 40 ("YES" in STEP 5), if there are no storage and dispensing units 40 that have been determined to have not completed the scrutiny ("NO" in STEP 6), the control unit 90 determines that the coin scrutiny process is complete.

[0062] On the other hand, if there is a storage / dispensing unit 40 that is determined to be incomplete for inspection ("YES" in STEP 6), as shown in Figure 24, all the coins stored in the storage / dispensing unit 40 that is determined to be incomplete for inspection are dispensed back to the circulating transport unit 30 and sent to the input unit 20 (STEP 7). As a result, the coins sent from the storage / dispensing unit 40 to the input unit 20 are accumulated on the circulating belt 32. After all the coins have been sent from the storage / dispensing unit 40 to the input unit 20, as shown in Figure 25, the coins accumulated on the circulating belt 22 are dispensed one by one to the circulating transport unit 30 and move one by one on the transport surface of the circulating transport unit 30 in the counterclockwise direction as shown in Figures 3 and 25. The coins transported in the circulating transport unit 30 are identified by the identification unit 50 as being of a specific denomination, genuine or not, and generally good or bad (STEP 8). Then, coins identified as normal by the identification unit 50 ("YES" in STEP 9) are returned to the original storage and dispensing unit 40 (STEP 10). On the other hand, coins identified as not normal by the identification unit 50 or coins that could not be identified by the identification unit 50 ("NO" in STEP 9) are branched off from the transport surface of the circulating transport unit 30 by the branching member 35 as rejected coins and sent to the reject chute 70. Rejected coins sent to the reject chute 70 are discharged from the reject chute 70 to the tray 60 by the discharge port 64 (STEP 11). This allows the operator to remove the rejected coins from the tray 60. In this way, when all coins have been dispensed from the input unit 20 to the circulating transport unit 30 and sent to the original storage and dispensing unit 40 or tray 60 ("YES" in STEP 12), the control unit 90 switches the state of the storage and dispensing unit 40 from incomplete to completed. In this way, the control unit 90 determines that the coin inspection process is complete. In this embodiment, all coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40 are dispensed back into the circulating transport unit 30 and sent to the input unit 20. However, the dispensing operation of coins from the storage and dispensing unit 40 may be stopped when a coin identified as not being a normal coin stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40 based on the storage order stored in the memory unit 94 is dispensed into the circulating transport unit 30, and only the coins that have already been dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40 into the circulating transport unit 30 may be sent to the input unit 20.In this case, the coins are then fed one by one from the input section 20 to the circular transport section 30, where the denomination, authenticity, and whether they are genuine or damaged are identified by the identification section 50. Coins identified as genuine by the identification section 50 are returned to the original storage and dispensing section 40. On the other hand, coins identified as not genuine by the identification section 50, or coins that could not be identified by the identification section 50, are ejected from the reject chute 70 to the tray 60 via the discharge port 64.

[0063] In this embodiment, in the STEP 4 process of the hold mode described above, coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 may be identified again by the identification unit 50 a predetermined number of times, and coins that were not identified as normal even after being identified by the identification unit 50 a predetermined number of times may be returned to the original storage and dispensing unit 40, and the storage and dispensing unit 40 may be determined to be incomplete. Specifically, coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 may be returned to the input unit 20 and then dispensed again from the input unit 20 to the circulating transport unit 30 to re-identify the coins, or coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 may be transported in the reverse direction by the circulating transport unit 30 to move them to the upstream side of the identification unit 50, and then these coins may be transported again in the forward direction by the circulating transport unit 30 to re-identify the coins. Even if a coin is normal, a single identification operation by the identification unit 50 may mistakenly identify it as not being a normal coin. However, by having the identification unit 50 identify such a coin again, it is possible to prevent a normal coin from being mistakenly identified as not being a normal coin by the identification unit 50, and thus prevent the storage and dispensing unit 40 containing the coin from being incorrectly determined to be incomplete.

[0064] On the other hand, if the coin processing mode during the inspection process is the dispensing mode and not the holding mode ("NO" in STEP 2), the processes described in STEP 3 to STEP 7 above are not performed. That is, for a given storage and dispensing unit 40, as shown in Figure 24, coins are dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30 and sent to the input unit 20 (STEP 13). As a result, the coins sent from the storage and dispensing unit 40 to the input unit 20 are accumulated on the circulating belt 32. After all the coins have been sent from the storage and dispensing unit 40 to the input unit 20, as shown in Figure 25, the coins accumulated on the circulating belt 22 are dispensed one by one to the circulating transport unit 30 and move one by one on the transport surface of the circulating transport unit 30 in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figures 3 and 25. The coins transported in the circulating transport unit 30 are identified by the identification unit 50 as being of a specific denomination, genuine or not, and generally good or bad (STEP 8). Then, coins identified as normal by the identification unit 50 ("YES" in STEP 9) are returned to the original storage and dispensing unit 40 (STEP 10). On the other hand, coins identified as not normal by the identification unit 50 or coins that could not be identified by the identification unit 50 ("NO" in STEP 9) are branched off from the transport surface of the circulating transport unit 30 by the branching member 35 as rejected coins and sent to the reject chute 70. Rejected coins sent to the reject chute 70 are discharged from the reject chute 70 to the tray 60 by the discharge port 64 (STEP 11). This allows the operator to remove the rejected coins from the tray 60. In this way, when all the coins have been sent from the input unit 20 to the storage and dispensing unit 40 or the tray 60 ("YES" in STEP 12), the same process is performed for each other storage and dispensing unit 40. Once the above-described process has been performed on all of the storage and dispensing units 40, the control unit 90 determines that the coin inspection process is complete.

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, the coin processing mode during the inspection process can be switched between a hold mode, in which coins not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 are returned to the original storage / dispensing unit 40 and the storage / dispensing unit 40 is determined to be incomplete for inspection, and a ejection mode, in which coins not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 during the inspection process are ejected to the outside of the housing 12 (machine body). Here, when the person performing the inspection process is always in front of the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10, the inspection process can be performed quickly by using the ejection mode. On the other hand, when the person performing the inspection process leaves the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10, the hold mode can be used to prevent coins not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 from being taken away by a third party. Furthermore, when the person giving instructions to the control unit 90 for the inspection process using the operation display unit 92, they may be able to select which processing mode to use for the inspection.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 90 may be configured to set either a self-checkout mode when the coin processing machine 10 is installed in a self-checkout register, or a manned mode when an employee operates the coin processing machine 10 at a register. When the self-checkout mode is set in the control unit 90, the coin processing mode during the verification process may be set to hold mode, and when the manned mode is set in the control unit 90, the coin processing mode during the verification process may be set to dispense mode. When the coin processing machine 10 is installed in a manned register, the verification process can be performed quickly by using the dispense mode when the cashier performs the verification process. On the other hand, when the coin processing machine 10 is installed in a self-checkout register, by using the hold mode when the verification process is performed when there is no employee in front of the coin processing machine 10, it is possible to prevent coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 from being taken away by a third party. Furthermore, if the number of storage and dispensing units 40 containing one or more coins is less than a predetermined number (for example, if only one storage and dispensing unit 40 contains coins), the coin processing mode during the verification process may be set to the dispensing mode. Since the verification process is completed quickly when the number of storage and dispensing units 40 containing one or more coins is less than a predetermined number, the staff member will not have to wait for a long time even if they are standing in front of the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10, so performing the dispensing mode does not place a significant burden on the staff member.

[0067] Furthermore, if an employee directly inputs a command for inspection processing to the control unit 90 via the operation display unit 92, the coin processing mode during the inspection processing may be set to the dispensing mode. If the inspection processing is performed automatically at a predetermined time, the coin processing mode during the inspection processing may be set to the hold mode. When the inspection processing is performed automatically at a predetermined time, there is a high probability that an employee will not be in front of the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10. However, by implementing the hold mode, it is possible to prevent coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 from being taken away by a third party.

[0068] Furthermore, in the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment, the storage and dispensing unit 40E, which can store 10-yen coins and 100-yen coins in a mixed state, allows the operator to set the denomination of coins to be stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E to either 10-yen coins or 100-yen coins using the operation display unit 92 to the control unit 90. In this way, when the denomination of coins to be stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E is set to either 10-yen coins or 100-yen coins, the amount of coins that the coin processing machine 10 can store for that denomination can be increased by approximately double.

[0069] Furthermore, with respect to the storage and dispensing unit 40E, the operator can use the operation display unit 92 to set the control unit 90 so that 10-yen coins and 100-yen coins are stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E in a mixed state. In this case, when the coin deposit process is performed, if the identification unit 50 identifies that the coins being transported by the circulating transport unit 30 are 10-yen coins or 100-yen coins, and the full detection sensor 40a has not detected that the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the denomination of 10-yen coins or 100-yen coins is full, the 10-yen coins or 100-yen coins identified by the identification unit 50 are sent to the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the denomination and stored in these units. On the other hand, when coin deposit processing is performed, if the identification unit 50 identifies that the coins being transported by the circulating transport unit 30 are 10 yen coins or 100 yen coins, and the full detection sensor 40a detects that the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the denomination of 10 yen coins or 100 yen coins is full, then the coins are sent to the storage and dispensing unit 40E and stored in it. The memory unit 94 also stores the order in which each coin was stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E and its denomination. For example, the storage unit 94 stores information that the first coin stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E (i.e., the coin located at the bottom on the stage 42) is a 10 yen coin, the second coin stored (i.e., the coin located second from the bottom on the stage 42) is a 100 yen coin, and the third coin stored (i.e., the coin located third from the bottom on the stage 42) is a 10 yen coin. As a result, when coins are dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E to the circulating transport unit 30, the control unit 90 recognizes the denomination of each dispensed coin based on the information stored in the storage unit 94.

[0070] Furthermore, when the system is set up so that 10-yen coins and 100-yen coins are stored in a mixed state in the storage and dispensing unit 40E, the operation when the coin dispensing process is performed will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 27. When a command for dispensing is input to the control unit 90 ("YES" in STEP 101 of Figure 27), and the system is set up so that 10-yen coins and 100-yen coins are stored in a mixed state in the storage and dispensing unit 40E ("YES" in STEP 102), based on the information stored in the memory unit 94, when a 10-yen coin or a 100-yen coin is to be dispensed, the coins are first dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, which stores 10-yen coins and 100-yen coins in a mixed state, to the circulating transport unit 30, and the dispensed coins are sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the tray 60 via the dispensing chute 80. In other words, if the coins to be dispensed can be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E (mixed storage and dispensing unit) ("YES" in STEP 103), the coins are dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E to the circulating transport unit 30, and the dispensed coins are sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the tray 60 via the dispensing chute 80 (STEP 104). Also, if the coins to be dispensed cannot be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, which stores 10 yen coins and 100 yen coins in a mixed state, to the circulating transport unit 30 ("NO" in STEP 103), the coins are dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F, which are assigned to 10 yen coins or 100 yen coins, to the circulating transport unit 30, and the dispensed coins are sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the tray 60 via the dispensing chute 80 (STEP 105). Then, once all the coins to be dispensed have been sent to tray 60 ("YES" in STEP 106), the coin dispensing process is complete. This type of coin dispensing process prioritizes dispensing coins from the storage and dispensing unit 40E and sending them to tray 60, thereby allowing as many coins as possible to remain in the storage and dispensing units 40D and 40F, which store coins of specific denominations.Furthermore, since it may not be possible to immediately dispense the desired denomination from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, which stores 10-yen and 100-yen coins in a mixed state, if coins are preferentially left in the storage and dispensing unit 40D and storage and dispensing unit 40F, which store coins of a specific denomination, it is possible to avoid a situation where coins cannot be immediately dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E when the storage and dispensing unit 40D and storage and dispensing unit 40F, which store coins of a specific denomination, become empty.

[0071] Furthermore, while coin dispensing is in progress, based on the information stored in the memory unit 94, coins that are not of the type to be dispensed are prevented from being dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E. This prevents coins that are not of the type to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E from being sent to, for example, the tray 60, and thus becoming available for the operator to retrieve. Also, while coin dispensing is in progress, based on the information stored in the memory unit 94, if the denomination of the coin to be dispensed next from the storage and dispensing unit 40E is not included in the denomination of coins to be dispensed, coins are dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40D or 40F corresponding to the denomination of coins to be dispensed. This prevents unnecessary coins (i.e., coins that are not of the type to be dispensed) from being dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, thus enabling faster coin dispensing.

[0072] Furthermore, while the coin dispensing process is underway, if, based on the information stored in the memory unit 94, it is necessary to dispense a predetermined number of coins of denominations not included in the coins to be dispensed from the storage dispensing unit 40E before the coins to be dispensed are dispensed, coins may be dispensed from the storage dispensing unit 40D or storage dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the denomination of the coins to be dispensed. For example, when the control unit 90 receives a command to dispense 100 yen coins, and a predetermined number (e.g., 5 coins) or more of 10 yen coins are stored in the storage dispensing unit 40E, and it is necessary to dispense a predetermined number of coins of denominations not included in the coins to be dispensed (i.e., 10 yen coins) from the storage dispensing unit 40E in order to dispense all the 100 yen coins to be dispensed, coins will not be dispensed from the storage dispensing unit 40E, but rather coins will be dispensed from the storage dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the 100 yen coins and sent to the tray 60. This prevents a large number of coins of denominations not included in the coins to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, thereby enabling faster coin dispensing.

[0073] Furthermore, based on the information stored in the memory unit 94, if it is necessary to dispense coins of a denomination not included in the coins to be dispensed in a predetermined number of consecutively from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, the coins may be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the denomination of coins to be dispensed. For example, when the control unit 90 receives a command to dispense 100 yen coins, and the storage and dispensing unit 40E has several 100 yen coins and a predetermined number (for example, 5) or more of 10 yen coins stored in order from top to bottom, and after dispensing several 100 yen coins from the storage and dispensing unit 40E it is necessary to dispense coins of a denomination not included in the predetermined number or more of coins to be dispensed (i.e., 10 yen coins), the coins may be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the 100 yen coins after dispensing several 100 yen coins from the storage and dispensing unit 40E and sent to the tray 60. In this case as well, it is possible to prevent a large number of coins of denominations not included in the coins to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, thereby enabling faster processing of coin dispensing.

[0074] Furthermore, in the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment, when an instruction to process the dispensing of coins is given to the control unit 90, a resorting process of the coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E may be performed as shown below. There are three patterns for the resorting process of the coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E. In the first pattern, when an instruction to process the dispensing of coins is given to the control unit 90, coins are first dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, which stores 10 yen coins and 100 yen coins in a mixed state, to the circulating transport unit 30. If the dispensed coins are to be dispensed, they are sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the tray 60 via the dispensing chute 80. On the other hand, if the coins dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E to the circulating transport unit 30 are not to be dispensed, they are temporarily accumulated on the transport path of the circulating transport unit 30. At this time, if the denominations of coins dispensed continuously from the storage / dispensing unit 40E to the circulating transport unit 30 are the same, multiple coins of the same denomination will accumulate on the transport path of the circulating transport unit 30. Subsequently, as the circulation belt 32 of the circulating transport unit 30 rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figure 3, the coins (10 yen coins or 100 yen coins) accumulated on the transport path will be sent to the storage / dispensing unit 40D or storage / dispensing unit 40F to which the coin denomination is assigned, and will be stored in these storage / dispensing units 40D or 40F. Furthermore, when the full detection sensor 40a detects that the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the coins accumulated on the transport path (10 yen coins or 100 yen coins) is full, these coins are returned to the storage and dispensing unit 40E and stored therein. Subsequently, the coins to be dispensed are not dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, and the coins dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the coins to be dispensed are sent from the circulating transport unit 30 through the dispensing chute 80 to the tray 60.

[0075] In the second pattern of the resorting process for coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E, when the control unit 90 is instructed to process the dispensing of coins, the coins are first dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, which stores a mixture of 10-yen and 100-yen coins, to the circulating transport unit 30, and all of these dispensed coins are sent to the input unit 20. Once all the coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E have been sent to the input unit 20, the coins are dispensed one by one from the input unit 20 to the circulating transport unit 30, and the dispensed coins are transported by the circulating transport unit 30 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Figure 3, while their denominations are identified by the identification unit 50. Based on the identification result by the identification unit 50, if the coin identified by the identification unit 50 is a coin that should be dispensed, this coin is sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the tray 60 via the reject chute 70. On the other hand, if the coin identified by the identification unit 50 is not a coin to be dispensed, the coin is continued to be transported by the circulating transport unit 30 and sent to the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F to which the denomination of the coin is assigned, and is stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F. Also, if the identification unit 50 identifies that the coin being transported by the circulating transport unit 30 is a 10 yen coin or a 100 yen coin, and the full detection sensor 40a detects that the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the denomination of the 10 yen coin or 100 yen coin is full, the coin is returned to the storage and dispensing unit 40E and stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E.

[0076] In the third pattern of the resorting process for coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E, when the control unit 90 is instructed to process the dispensing of coins, coins are first dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E, which stores 10 yen coins and 100 yen coins in a mixed state, to the circulating transport unit 30. If the dispensed coins are to be dispensed, they are sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the tray 60 via the dispensing chute 80. On the other hand, if the coins dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40E to the circulating transport unit 30 are not to be dispensed, they are sent to the input unit 20. Once all the coins to be dispensed have been sent to the tray 60, the coins are dispensed one by one from the input unit 20 to the circulating transport unit 30. The dispensed coins are transported by the circulating transport unit 30 in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figure 3, and their denominations are identified by the identification unit 50. Then, based on the identification result by the identification unit 50, the coin identified by the identification unit 50 is further transported by the circulating transport unit 30 and sent to the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F to which the denomination of the coin is assigned, and stored in these storage and dispensing units 40D or 40F. Furthermore, if the identification unit 50 identifies that the coin being transported by the circulating transport unit 30 is a 10 yen coin or a 100 yen coin, and the full detection sensor 40a detects that the storage and dispensing unit 40D or storage and dispensing unit 40F corresponding to the denomination of the 10 yen coin or 100 yen coin is full, the coin is returned to the storage and dispensing unit 40E and stored in this storage and dispensing unit 40E.

[0077] The coin processing machine 10 is pre-configured at the time of shipment to determine which of the three patterns for resorting the coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40E described above will be used. Alternatively, the operator may be able to set which pattern of resorting will be performed using the operation display unit 92.

[0078] Furthermore, the coin re-sorting process described above is not limited to being performed when a coin dispensing command is input to the control unit 90. The coin re-sorting process may also be performed when the coin processing machine 10 is in a standby state outside of business hours at the store where it is installed, at a predetermined time set in advance.

[0079] Furthermore, the system may be configured to switch whether or not to perform a resorting process based on the number of coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40D or the storage and dispensing unit 40F. Specifically, if the number of coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40D or the storage and dispensing unit 40F is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the resorting process is not performed, and if the number of coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40D or the storage and dispensing unit 40F is less than a predetermined number, the resorting process is performed. In this case, since the resorting process can be performed when the number of coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40D or the storage and dispensing unit 40F that stores coins of a particular denomination becomes small, it is possible to suppress the amount of coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40D or the storage and dispensing unit 40F from becoming empty or near empty.

[0080] Furthermore, during the coin dispensing operation from each storage / dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30, the uppermost layer of coins among the multiple coins accumulated on the stage 42 comes into contact with the upper guide members 44 and 45, and a force is applied to the stage 42 by the spring 42a, thereby applying a pressing force to the coins on the stage 42. However, if this pressing force is too large, the frictional force between the upper guide members 44 and 45 and the coins increases, which may cause a problem in which the cam 41 is unable to dispense the coins on the stage 42 to the circulating transport unit 30. In this embodiment, however, each time coins are dispensed from each storage / dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30, the lifting member 43 is raised by the thickness of one coin of the denomination assigned to each storage / dispensing unit 40, thereby preventing such a problem from occurring. Based on the information stored in the memory unit 94, the lifting member 43 is raised by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the coins dispensed from the storage dispensing unit 40E to the circulating transport unit 30, thereby enabling proper dispensing even when 10-yen and 100-yen coins are stored in a mixed state in the storage dispensing unit 40E. Furthermore, if the order of the coins accumulated in the storage dispensing unit 40E becomes unknown due to error clearing or the like, the lifting member 43 is raised by a certain distance (specifically, the average thickness of the 10-yen coin and the 100-yen coin) each time a coin is dispensed from the storage dispensing unit 40E to the circulating transport unit 30. However, if the lifting member 43 continues to rise by a distance equal to the average thickness of the 10-yen and 100-yen coins, the accumulated error may result in an inappropriate pressing force being applied to the coins on the stage 42.

[0081] To address these problems, in this embodiment, when coins are dispensed from the storage dispensing section 40E, which stores 10-yen and 100-yen coins in a mixed state, to the circulating transport section 30, each time a predetermined number of coins (for example, 5 coins) are dispensed from the storage section 46 by the cam 41, the lifting member 43 is lowered, causing the stage 42 to also lower, and the coins located in the uppermost layer of the coins accumulated on the stage 42 to be separated from the upper guide members 44 and 45. Subsequently, the upper end detection sensor 40c detects the position of the coins located in the uppermost layer of the coins accumulated on the stage 42. As a result, each time a predetermined number of coins (for example, 5 coins) are dispensed from the storage section 46 by the cam 41, the upper end position of the coins on the stage 42 is detected and reset, thereby suppressing the problem of excessive pressure being applied to the coins on the stage 42.

[0082] The coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment, having the configuration described above, includes a circular transport unit 30 that transports coins along a predetermined circular path, an input unit 20 provided inside the circular path for inserting coins into the machine body, and a storage and dispensing unit 40 provided along the circular path for storing coins sent from the circular transport unit 30 and dispensing the stored coins back into the circular transport unit 30. With such a coin processing machine 10, since the input unit 20 for inserting coins into the machine body is provided inside the circular path of the circular transport unit 30, the length in the depth direction of the housing 12 (machine body) of the coin processing machine 10 can be reduced. In other words, in conventional coin processing machines, the input unit is located in front of the circular transport unit that transports coins along a predetermined circular path, and the operator inserts coins into the input unit located in front of the housing. However, in such conventional coin processing machines, the input unit and the circular transport unit are arranged to line up along the depth direction of the machine body, which has the problem of increasing the length in the depth direction of the machine body. In contrast, in the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment, by arranging the input section 20 inside the annular path of the circular transport section 30, the length in the depth direction of the housing 12 (machine body) of the coin processing machine 10 can be reduced.

[0083] Furthermore, as described above, the circular transport unit 30 is capable of transporting coins in both forward and reverse directions along the annular path. In this case, compared to the case where the circular transport unit 30 transports coins in only one direction along the annular path, the amount of movement required when transporting coins by the circular transport unit 30 can be reduced, and thus the time required for processing coins can be shortened. In addition, the direction in which the circular transport unit 30 transports coins when coin deposit processing is performed is reversed from the direction in which the circular transport unit 30 transports coins when coin withdrawal processing is performed.

[0084] Furthermore, as described above, coins are sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the input unit 20. When the coin inspection process is performed, the coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40 are dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30, and then sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the input unit 20. After that, the coins sent from the input unit 20 to the circulating transport unit 30 are sent back to the original storage and dispensing unit 40. In this case, there is no need to provide a separate storage and dispensing unit for the inspection process, which allows for space saving within the housing 12.

[0085] As described above, the storage and dispensing unit 40 has a storage section 46 in which coins are stored in a stacked state, and a cam 41 that stores coins sent from the circulating transport unit 30 into the storage section 46 and dispenses the uppermost coin among the coins stored in the storage section 46 to the circulating transport unit 30. The cam 41 is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. In this case, the cam 41, which is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions, can perform both the operation of storing coins sent from the circulating transport unit 30 into the storage section 46, and the operation of dispensing the uppermost coin among the coins stored in the storage section 46 to the circulating transport unit 30. In addition, the cam 41 is configured to rotate in the opposite direction to the direction in which the coins are transported by the circulating transport unit 30.

[0086] Furthermore, as described above, the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment includes an identification unit 50 that identifies coins transported by the circulating transport unit 30, a dispensing chute 80 to which coins to be dispensed from the circulating transport unit 30 are sent during the coin dispensing process, and a reject chute 70 to which coins identified by the identification unit 50 as not to be stored in the storage dispensing unit 40 or coins not identified by the identification unit 50 are sent from the circulating transport unit 30 during the coin deposit process. The direction of transport of coins by the circulating transport unit 30 when coins are sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the dispensing chute 80 is reversed, and the direction of transport of coins by the circulating transport unit 30 when coins are sent from the circulating transport unit 30 to the reject chute 70 is reversed. In this case, the direction of transport of rejected coins when sending them to the reject chute 70 and the direction of transport of paid coins when sending them to the payout chute 80 are reversed. Compared to the case where the transport directions of both are the same, the amount of movement required when transporting rejected coins and paid coins by the circulating transport unit 30 can be reduced, thus shortening the time required for coin processing. Furthermore, the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment is further equipped with a tray 60 into which coins to be dispensed are accumulated, and coins are sent from the payout chute 80 and the reject chute 70 to the same tray 60. In this case, compared to the case where separate trays are provided for rejected coins sent from the reject chute 70 and for paid coins sent from the payout chute 80, the configuration of the coin processing machine 10 can be simplified, thus saving space for installation of the coin processing machine 10.

[0087] Furthermore, as described above, the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment further includes a dispensing chute 80 through which coins to be dispensed from the circulating transport unit 30 are sent during the coin dispensing process, and a tray 60 into which the coins to be dispensed are accumulated. When the coin processing machine 10 is viewed along the vertical direction, the tray 60 and the circulating transport unit 30 overlap at least partially. As a result, the length of the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10 is reduced, making the coin processing machine 10 more compact. Alternatively, when the coin processing machine 10 is viewed along the vertical direction, the tray 60 and the input unit 20 may overlap at least partially. In this case, the length of the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10 is further reduced, making the coin processing machine 10 even more compact.

[0088] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the number of storage and dispensing units 40 is greater than the number of coin denominations to be processed by the coin processing machine 10. In this case, when the coin denominations to be processed are assigned to each storage and dispensing unit 40, there will be storage and dispensing units 40 that are not assigned to a particular denomination. Therefore, the flexibility of operation can be increased by making these storage and dispensing units 40 capable of storing a mixture of coins of multiple denominations, or by assigning them to coin denominations that are processed in large quantities.

[0089] Furthermore, as described above, the circular conveying section 30 has an annular circulating belt 32 (conveyor belt) that extends along the annular path, and a tension mechanism 36 is provided for adjusting the tension of the circulating belt 32. In this case, by adjusting the tension of the circulating belt 32 with the tension mechanism 36, it is possible to prevent the circulating belt 32 from becoming too loose or having too much tension, thereby enabling more reliable transport of coins by the circulating belt 32. In addition, the tension mechanism 36 is movable in conjunction with the transport path. In this case, since the tension mechanism 36 can be placed within the annular path for transporting coins, there is no need to provide separate space for installing the tension mechanism 36 inside the housing 12, thus enabling space saving inside the housing 12.

[0090] Furthermore, as described above, multiple storage and dispensing units 40 are provided, and the annular path is roughly rectangular or roughly square in shape. The storage and dispensing units 40 are arranged along a pair of side path portions that are perpendicular to the path portion located on the front side of the machine in the annular path. In this case, since the storage and dispensing units 40 are arranged on the left and right sides of the roughly rectangular or roughly square annular path of the circumferential transport unit 30, it is possible to prevent the length of the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10 from becoming larger in the width or depth direction compared to the case where the storage and dispensing units are arranged in a single line along the transport path.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment, the coin dispensing unit of the coin processing machine 10 includes a dispensing chute 80 and a reject chute 70 (chute) through which coins branched off from the circulating transport section 30 (transport section) fall by their own weight, and a tray 60 into which the coins sent from the dispensing chute 80 and the reject chute 70 are collected. The coins are sent from the dispensing chute 80 and the reject chute 70 to the tray 60 along the width direction of the coin processing machine 10. In this case, since the coins are sent to the tray 60 along the width direction of the coin processing machine 10, it is possible to prevent the coins from flying out of the tray 60 to the front side of the housing 12 when they are dispensed from the reject chute 70 and the dispensing chute 80 to the tray 60.

[0092] Furthermore, as described above, coins are discharged into the tray 60 from the discharge ports 62 and 64 of the dispensing chute 80 and reject chute 70 along the width direction of the coin processing machine 10, and walls 67 and 68 are formed on the opposite side of the tray 60 from the discharge ports 62 and 64. In this case, the force of the coins discharged from the discharge ports 62 and 64 is weakened when they hit the walls 67 and 68, which further prevents the coins discharged from the discharge ports 62 and 64 from flying out of the tray 60 towards the front of the housing 12.

[0093] Furthermore, as described above, the dispensing chute 80 is equipped with a branching member 88 (branching section), which allows the destination of coins sent from the circulating transport section 30 to the dispensing chute 80 to be divided between the tray 60 and an area other than the tray 60, and coins divided into areas other than the tray 60 fall out of the dispensing chute 80. In this case, when a store employee collects coins stored in each storage dispensing section 40 in the coin processing machine 10, a collection box with an open top is placed directly below the third chute section 86 of the dispensing chute 80, and the coins sent from the circulating transport section 30 to the dispensing chute 80 are sent from the first chute section 82 to the third chute section 86, and then fall downward from the third chute section 86 by their own weight, so that the store employee can send a large amount of coins to be collected directly from the dispensing chute 80 to the collection box without going through the tray 60.

[0094] Furthermore, as described above, a pair of chutes (specifically, a dispensing chute 80 and a reject chute 70) are arranged on either side of the tray 60. One of the pair of chutes includes a dispensing chute 80 from which coins to be dispensed from the circulating transport unit 30 during coin dispensing processing are branched off, and the other chute includes a reject chute 70 from which coins identified by the identification unit 50 as not to be stored in the storage dispensing unit 40 (storage unit) or coins not identified by the identification unit 50 are branched off from the circulating transport unit 30 during coin deposit processing.

[0095] Furthermore, as described above, the reject chute 70 and the dispensing chute 80 have first chute sections 72 and 82 into which coins are sent from the circulating transport section 30, and second chute sections 74 and 84 located downstream of the first chute sections 72 and 82. The first chute sections 72 and 82 drop the coins vertically, while the second chute sections 74 and 84 send the coins to the tray 60 in a diagonal downward direction. In this case, since the coins are sent to the tray 60 in a diagonal downward direction in the second chute sections 74 and 84, the rate at which the coins fall can be reduced, and the force with which the coins are ejected from the discharge ports 62 and 64 into the tray 60 can be weakened. This further prevents the ejected coins from flying out of the tray 60 into the front of the housing 12. Furthermore, the vertical length of the cross-section of the first chute sections 72 and 82, which are perpendicular to the direction of coin feeding, is smaller than the diameter of the coin to be processed by the coin processing machine 10, while the horizontal length of the cross-section is larger than the diameter of the coin to be processed by the coin processing machine 10. In this case, the coin can be reliably dropped vertically in the first chute sections 72 and 82.

[0096] Furthermore, as mentioned above, when the coin processing machine 10 is viewed along the vertical direction, the dispensing chute 80 and reject chute 70 and the circulating transport section 30 overlap in at least a portion of the same way. In this case, compared to the case where the dispensing chute 80 and reject chute 70 are located on the front side of the housing 12, the length of the coin processing machine 10 in the depth direction of the housing 12 is even smaller, thus making the coin processing machine 10 even more compact.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment, the storage and dispensing section 40 (storage mechanism) of the coin processing machine 10 has a cylindrical storage section 46 in which coins are stored in a stacked state and an opening is formed along the direction of coin accumulation, and an opening and closing door 47 that opens and closes the opening, and the opening and closing door 47 rotates around an axis 47a that extends along the direction of coin accumulation. With such a storage and dispensing section 40, when the opening and closing door 47 is opened, the inside of the storage section 46 can be accessed, so foreign matter can be easily removed from the storage section 46. To explain in more detail, in conventional coin processing machines, even if foreign matter such as dust and dirt accumulates in the storage cylinder in which coins are stored, the storage cylinder is sealed, so it is not easy to remove the foreign matter from the storage cylinder. In addition, in coin processing machines in which the lid of the storage section opens around an axis that extends along a direction perpendicular to the direction of coin accumulation, there is a problem that space must be secured to open the lid. In contrast, in the storage and dispensing section 40 of the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment, the opening and closing door 47 rotates around an axis 47a that extends along the direction of coin accumulation, so that foreign objects can be easily removed from the storage section 46, and the space required to open the opening and closing door 47 can be reduced.

[0098] Furthermore, the storage and dispensing unit 40 is further equipped with a cam 41 that stores coins sent from the circulating transport unit 30 (transport unit) into the storage unit 46, and the cam 41 is configured to dispense the coins located in the uppermost layer of the coins stored in the storage unit 46 to the outside. By providing such a cam 41, the movement of coins from the circulating transport unit 30 to the storage unit 46 and the dispensing of coins from the storage unit 46 to the circulating transport unit 30 can be performed with a single cam 41.

[0099] Furthermore, the storage and dispensing section 40 is further equipped with guide members 48 and 49 that extend along the direction of coin accumulation in the storage section 46, and the width of the gap formed around the guide members 48 and 49 is smaller than the diameter of the coins to be stored in the storage section 46. In this case, when the opening / closing door 47 is opened, it is possible to prevent the coins stored in the storage section 46 from flying out of the opening. Also, when the opening / closing door 47 is closed, the guide members 48 are positioned on the inside of the opening / closing door 47. In this case, the installation space for the guide members 48 can be reduced compared to when the guide members 48 are installed on the outside of the opening / closing door 47. In addition, a recess 47b is formed on the inner surface of the opening / closing door 47 in which the guide members 48 are housed when the opening is closed.

[0100] Furthermore, in the storage and dispensing section 40, multiple guide members 48 and 49 are provided, and the width of the gap between the multiple guide members 48 and 49 is smaller than the diameter of the coin to be stored in the storage section 46. In this case as well, when the opening and closing door 47 is opened, it is possible to prevent the coins stored in the storage section 46 from flying out of the opening.

[0101] Furthermore, in the storage and dispensing unit 40, an upper opening 46a (second opening) is formed near the cam 41 in the storage section 46 for removing the uppermost layer of coins accumulated in the storage section 46. This makes it possible to send coins from the circulating transport unit 30 to the storage section 46 via the upper opening 46a, and to dispense coins from the storage section 46 and send them to the circulating transport unit 30.

[0102] Furthermore, the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment includes a first storage and dispensing unit (storage and dispensing units 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40F, 40G) that stores a predetermined number of coin denominations in a row and can dispense the stored coins, a second storage and dispensing unit (storage and dispensing unit 40E) that stores multiple numbers of coin denominations in a row and can dispense the stored coins, a control unit 90 that controls the first and second storage and dispensing units, and a storage unit 94 that stores the number of coin denominations set in the first storage and dispensing unit and the amount of coins stored in the first storage and dispensing unit, as well as the number of coin denominations of each coin stored in the second storage and dispensing unit in the order in which they are stored. When the control unit 90 receives a dispensing command that includes the number of coins to be dispensed for each denomination, it controls the first and second storage and dispensing units based on the information stored in the storage unit 94, so that if coins of the denomination to be dispensed are stored in the first and second storage and dispensing units, respectively, the second storage and dispensing unit will dispense coins preferentially. In this case, compared to a case where there is no second storage and dispensing unit (storage and dispensing unit 40E) that can store multiple denominations of coins in a row and dispense the stored coins, the amount of coins that can be stored for multiple specific denominations (for example, 10 yen coins and 100 yen coins) can be increased, and as many coins as possible can be left in the first storage and dispensing unit where coins of a specific denomination are stored.

[0103] Furthermore, while the coin dispensing process is underway, the control unit 90 controls the dispensing of coins that are not to be dispensed from the second storage and dispensing unit (storage and dispensing unit 40E) based on the information stored in the memory unit 94. This prevents coins that are not to be dispensed from being sent to the tray 60, for example, and thus becoming available for the operator to retrieve.

[0104] Furthermore, while the coin dispensing process is underway, the control unit 90, based on the information stored in the memory unit 94, controls the first storage and dispensing unit (storage and dispensing unit 40E) to dispense coins corresponding to the denominations of the coins to be dispensed if it is necessary to dispense a predetermined number or more coins of denominations not included in the coins to be dispensed before the coins to be dispensed are dispensed from the second storage and dispensing unit (storage and dispensing unit 40E). This prevents a large number of coins of denominations not included in the coins to be dispensed from being dispensed from the second storage and dispensing unit, thereby enabling faster coin dispensing.

[0105] Furthermore, while the coin dispensing process is underway, the control unit 90 may, based on the information stored in the memory unit 94, control the first storage and dispensing unit (storage and dispensing unit 40E) to dispense coins of denominations not included in the coins to be dispensed in a predetermined number of consecutively, so that the first storage and dispensing unit dispenses coins corresponding to the denominations of coins to be dispensed. In this case as well, it is possible to prevent a large number of coins of denominations not included in the coins to be dispensed from being dispensed from the second storage and dispensing unit, thereby enabling the coin dispensing process to be carried out more quickly.

[0106] Furthermore, while the coin dispensing process is underway, the control unit 90 controls the first storage and dispensing unit (storage and dispensing unit 40E) to dispense coins from the first storage and dispensing unit corresponding to the coin denomination to be dispensed, based on the information stored in the storage unit 94, if the denomination of the coin to be dispensed next from the second storage and dispensing unit (storage and dispensing unit 40E) is not included in the denomination of coins to be dispensed. This prevents unnecessary coins (i.e., coins that are not of the denomination to be dispensed) from being dispensed from the second storage and dispensing unit, thus enabling faster coin dispensing.

[0107] Furthermore, the control unit 90 is capable of performing a re-sorting process that dispenses coins stored in the second storage and dispensing unit (storage and dispensing unit 40E) and stores them in the first storage and dispensing unit. In this case, as many coins as possible can be stored in the first storage and dispensing unit, which stores coins of a specific denomination. Also, when the re-sorting process is performed, the control unit 90 stores any coins dispensed from the second storage and dispensing unit that are not to be dispensed into the first storage and dispensing unit corresponding to the denomination of those coins.

[0108] Furthermore, when the re-sorting process is performed, the control unit 90 sends coins that are not to be dispensed from the second storage and dispensing unit to the input unit 20 (temporary holding unit), and then stores the coins that are not to be dispensed from the input unit 20 into the first storage and dispensing unit corresponding to the denomination of the coins. In this case, by sending the coins that are not to be dispensed from the second storage and dispensing unit to the input unit 20, the coins that are to be dispensed from the second storage and dispensing unit are quickly dispensed to the outside of the housing 12, while the operation of sending the coins from the input unit 20 to the first storage and dispensing unit is performed after the dispensing process by temporarily holding the coins that are not to be dispensed from the second storage and dispensing unit in the input unit 20.

[0109] Furthermore, the control unit 90 is configured to switch whether or not to perform a resorting process based on the number of coins stored in the first storage and dispensing unit. The control unit 90 does not perform a resorting process if the number of coins stored in the first storage and dispensing unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and performs a resorting process if the number of coins stored in the first storage and dispensing unit is less than a predetermined number. In this case, a resorting process can be performed when the number of coins stored in the first storage and dispensing unit, which stores coins of a specific denomination, becomes small, thereby preventing the amount of coins stored in the first storage and dispensing unit from becoming empty or near empty.

[0110] Furthermore, the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment includes a circulating transport unit 30 (transport unit) for transporting coins, a storage and dispensing unit 40 that stores the coins sent from the circulating transport unit 30 and can dispense the stored coins back to the circulating transport unit 30, an identification unit 50 that identifies the coins transported by the circulating transport unit 30, and a control unit 90 that controls the circulating transport unit 30 and the storage and dispensing unit 40. The control unit 90 dispenses the coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40 from the storage and dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30, sends them to a different location (specifically, the input unit 20) via the circulating transport unit 30 for storage, and then returns the coins sent to the different location to the original storage and dispensing unit 40 via the circulating transport unit 30, performing a coin inspection process in which the identification unit 50 identifies the coins at that time. Furthermore, the control unit 90 returns any coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 during the scrutiny process back to the original storage and dispensing unit 40, and determines that the scrutiny process of the storage and dispensing unit 40 is incomplete. In this case, there is no need to provide a separate storage unit for coins that were not identified as normal during the scrutiny process, and it is possible to prevent coins from being taken away by a third party even if the operator is away from the machine during the scrutiny process. To explain in more detail, in conventional coin processing machines, coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit during the scrutiny process were moved to a spare storage unit, thereby completing the scrutiny of coins that were identified as normal. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide a separate spare storage unit in addition to the coin storage units for each denomination, which leads to problems such as an increase in the size of the coin processing machine and an increase in the complexity of the device structure. Also, in other conventional coin processing machines, coins that could not be counted properly during the scrutiny process were discharged to the dispensing slot. However, such coin processing machines had a problem: if an employee was not present near the machine, the dispensed coins could be taken away by a third party.In contrast, in the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment, when the coin inspection process is performed, any coins that are not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 are returned to the original storage and dispensing unit 40. By determining that the inspection of the storage and dispensing unit 40 is incomplete, there is no need to provide a spare storage unit. Furthermore, since coins that are not identified as normal are not immediately dispensed outside the housing 12, it is possible to prevent these coins from being taken away by a third party.

[0111] In the above description, an embodiment was described in which the identification unit 50 identifies the coins when they are sent to another location (specifically, the input unit 20) and returned to the original storage and dispensing unit 40 by the circulating transport unit 30. However, the coin processing machine 10 of this embodiment is not limited to this embodiment. In another embodiment, the identification unit 50 may identify the coins when they are dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30 and sent to a location other than the original storage and dispensing unit 40 (specifically, the input unit 20) by the circulating transport unit 30.

[0112] Furthermore, as described above, multiple storage and dispensing units 40 are provided, and the control unit 90 performs a coin inspection process for each storage and dispensing unit 40. In this case, even if it determines that the inspection of a certain storage and dispensing unit 40 is incomplete, it will perform the coin inspection process for the coins stored in the next storage and dispensing unit 40. In this case, the coin inspection process for each of the multiple storage and dispensing units 40 can be performed consecutively.

[0113] Furthermore, as described above, the control unit 90 may have the identification unit 50 identify any coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 during the inspection process a predetermined number of times, and return any coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 after a predetermined number of times to the original storage and dispensing unit 40, and then determine that the inspection of the storage and dispensing unit 40 is incomplete. In this case, it is possible to prevent a normal coin from being mistakenly identified as not being a normal coin by the identification unit 50, and the storage and dispensing unit 40 containing that coin from being incorrectly determined to be incomplete.

[0114] Furthermore, as described above, when the control unit 90 receives a predetermined command, it dispenses the coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40 that have been determined to be incomplete from the storage and dispensing unit 40 to the circulating transport unit 30 for identification by the identification unit 50. The circulating transport unit 30 and the storage and dispensing unit 40 are then controlled to return the coins identified as normal by the identification unit 50 to the original storage and dispensing unit 40, while the coins that have not been identified as normal by the identification unit 50 are ejected to the outside of the housing 12 (machine body). As a result, the coins stored in the storage and dispensing unit 40 that have been determined to be incomplete are identified again by the identification unit 50, and the coins that have not been identified as normal are ejected to the outside of the housing 12, thus enabling a more accurate inspection process.

[0115] Furthermore, as described above, the control unit 90 can switch the coin processing mode during the inspection process between a hold mode, in which coins not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 are returned to the original storage and dispensing unit 40 and the storage and dispensing unit 40 is determined to be incomplete for inspection, and a dispensing mode, in which coins not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 during the inspection process are dispensed to the outside of the housing 12 (machine body). In this case, the inspection process can be performed quickly by using the dispensing mode when the person performing the inspection is always in front of the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10, and by using the hold mode when the person is away from the housing 12 of the coin processing machine 10 during the inspection process, it is possible to prevent coins not identified as normal by the identification unit 50 from being taken away by a third party. The control unit 90 also sets the processing mode to differ between the hold mode and the dispensing mode based on the inspection instruction received.

[0116] Furthermore, the coin processing machine according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

[0117] For example, the above description described a case in which each storage and dispensing unit 40 is of a type in which coins are inserted into the storage section 46 from the upper end and the coins stored in the storage section 46 are dispensed one by one from the upper end. However, this embodiment is not limited to this configuration. In other configurations, the storage and dispensing unit may be of a type in which coins are inserted into the storage section from the upper end and the coins stored in the storage section are dispensed one by one from the lower end, or a type in which coins are inserted into the storage section from the lower end and the coins stored in the storage section are dispensed one by one from the lower or upper end.

[0118] Furthermore, the coin processing machine 10a shown in Figure 28 may be used as a modified example. Figure 28 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the coin processing machine 10a according to the modified example. In the coin processing machine 10a shown in Figure 28, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those for the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figures 1 to 27, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0119] In the coin processing machine 10a shown in Figure 28, instead of having multiple cylindrical storage and dispensing sections 40, multiple storage and dispensing sections 40p are provided vertically below the circulating transport section 30, and each storage and dispensing section 40p is assigned a specific denomination of coins to be stored. In addition, the coin transport surface of the circulating transport section 30 is provided with openings 31p or gate members (not shown) corresponding to the diameter of the coins that fit into each storage and dispensing section 40p, and a chute 41p is provided between the openings 31p or gate members and each storage and dispensing section 40p. Coins sent from the circulating transport section 30 to the chute 41p via the openings 31p or gate members fall within the chute 41p due to their own weight and are then sent to each storage and dispensing section 40p.

[0120] Each storage and dispensing unit 40p is equipped with a circulation belt, and coins sent from the chute 41p to each storage and dispensing unit 40p are accumulated on the circulation belt. In this way, when coins are deposited, the coins dispensed from the input unit 20 to the circulating transport unit 30 are identified by the identification unit 50 and then stored in each storage and dispensing unit 40p. When coins are to be dispensed, the circulation belt of the storage and dispensing unit 40p moves in a circulating motion, dispensing the coins to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 40p, and the dispensed coins are sent to the tray 60 via the first dispensing belt 42p and the second dispensing belt 44p. As a result, the dispensed coins are accumulated in the tray 60, and the operator can then take the dispensed coins from the tray 60.

[0121] The coin processing machine 10a shown in Figure 28 includes a circular transport section 30 that transports coins along a predetermined annular path, an input section 20 located inside the annular path for inserting coins into the machine, and a storage and dispensing section 40p located below the circular transport section 30 for storing coins sent from the circular transport section 30 and for dispensing the stored coins. In such a coin processing machine 10a, as with the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figures 1 to 27, the input section 20 for inserting coins into the machine is located inside the annular path of the circular transport section 30, so the length of the machine in the depth direction of the coin processing machine 10a can be reduced.

[0122] Furthermore, the coin processing machine 10b shown in Figure 29 may be used as another modified example. Figure 29 is a top view showing the schematic configuration of the modified coin processing machine 10b. In the coin processing machine 10b shown in Figure 29, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those for the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figures 1 to 27, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0123] As shown in Figure 29, in the coin processing machine 10b, which is another modified example, each storage and dispensing unit 40 is located inside the annular path through which coins are transported in the circular transport unit 30. Here, the shape and number of each storage and dispensing unit 40 in the coin processing machine 10b are the same as those of each storage and dispensing unit 40 in the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figures 1 to 27. In this coin processing machine 10b as well, the storage and dispensing unit 40 stores coins sent from the circular transport unit 30 and is capable of dispensing the stored coins back into the circular transport unit 30.

[0124] The coin processing machine 10b shown in Figure 29 includes a circular transport section 30 that transports coins along a predetermined annular path, an input section 20 provided inside the annular path for inserting coins into the machine body, and a storage and dispensing section 40 provided along the annular path for storing coins sent from the circular transport section 30 and for dispensing the stored coins back to the circular transport section 30. In such a coin processing machine 10b, as with the coin processing machine 10 shown in Figures 1 to 27, the input section 20 for inserting coins into the machine body is provided inside the annular path of the circular transport section 30, so the length of the machine body in the depth direction of the coin processing machine 10b can be reduced.

[0125] Furthermore, the currency processing machine according to the present invention is not limited to a coin processing machine that processes coins. A banknote processing machine that processes banknotes may also be used as the currency processing machine according to the present invention. Such a banknote processing machine will be explained with reference to Figures 30 to 32.

[0126] As shown in Figure 1, the banknote processing machine 200 according to the present invention is installed alongside the coin processing machine 10 described above. As shown in Figures 30 to 32, the banknote processing machine 200 comprises a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing 212, a banknote receiving section 220 provided on the front side of the housing 212, a banknote dispensing section 222 provided below the banknote receiving section 220 on the front side of the housing 212, a transport section 230 that transports banknotes one by one inside the housing 212, and a plurality of storage and dispensing sections 234, 236, 238, 240 that store banknotes inside the housing 212 and dispense the stored banknotes. In Figure 31, the right side of the housing 212 is the front side of the banknote processing machine 200, and the leftward direction in Figure 31 is the depth direction of the banknote processing machine 200. As shown in Figure 31, the transport unit 230 consists of a circumferential transport unit 230a located in the center of the housing 212 and a plurality of connecting transport units 230b. In addition, a banknote receiving unit 220, a banknote dispensing unit 222, a dispensing reject unit 224, a cassette mounting unit 226 to which a storage cassette 300 can be detachably attached, and four storage dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 are each arranged to surround the circumferential transport unit 230a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 31, each of the plurality of connecting transport units 230b connects the banknote receiving unit 220, the banknote dispensing unit 222, the dispensing reject unit 224, the cassette mounting unit 226, and the four storage dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 to the circumferential transport unit 230a. Furthermore, the circular transport unit 230a is equipped with an identification unit 232, which is designed to identify the denomination, authenticity, condition, front / back, and transport status of the banknotes transported by the circular transport unit 230a.

[0127] The circular transport unit 230a is capable of transporting banknotes one by one along the circulation path in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions shown in Figure 31. In addition, a path switching unit (not shown) is arranged along the circular transport unit 230a to switch the banknote transport path between the circular transport unit 230a and each connecting transport unit 230b.

[0128] As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the front of the housing 212 is provided with a banknote receiving slot 220a for the banknote receiving section 220 and a banknote dispensing slot 222a for the banknote dispensing section 222. In addition, a door 226a is provided on the front side of the cassette mounting section 226, and by opening this door 226a, the storage cassette 300 can be mounted in the cassette mounting section 226 or removed from the cassette mounting section 226. The storage cassette 300 mounted in the cassette mounting section 226 stores banknotes in a stacked state sent from the connecting transport section 230b of the transport section 230, and can also dispense the stored banknotes one by one to the connecting transport section 230b of the transport section 230.

[0129] The banknote receiving section 220 is equipped with a banknote dispensing mechanism 221. When a banknote receiving sensor (not shown) detects that one or more banknotes have been inserted into the banknote receiving slot 220a, the banknote dispensing mechanism 221 is activated, causing the banknotes to be dispensed one by one towards the circulating transport section 230a via the connecting transport section 230b.

[0130] The banknote dispensing unit 222 discharges the banknotes dispensed from each storage and dispensing unit 234, 236, 238, and 240 to the circulating transport unit 230a, and then discharges them to the outside of the housing 212 through the banknote dispensing port 222a.

[0131] The withdrawal rejection unit 224 stores banknotes that cannot be identified by the identification unit 232 due to transport abnormalities such as double feeding or skewed movement, among the banknotes dispensed from each storage and dispensing unit 234, 236, 238, and 240 during withdrawal processing, as withdrawal rejection banknotes. In addition, among the banknotes taken into the housing 212 from the banknote receiving unit 220, banknotes that cannot be identified by the identification unit 232 due to soiling or other reasons during deposit processing are returned to the banknote dispensing unit 222 as deposit rejection banknotes.

[0132] Each of the three storage and dispensing units 234, 236, and 238 is configured to store banknotes by denomination based on the identification result of the identification unit 232. These storage and dispensing units 234, 236, and 238 are configured to store banknotes that have been deposited into the banknote processing unit 210 as sales revenue or banknotes that are to be dispensed as change. Specifically, for example, 1,000 yen bills are stored in storage and dispensing unit 234, 2,000 yen bills and 5,000 yen bills are stored in storage and dispensing unit 236, and 10,000 yen bills are stored in storage and dispensing unit 238. In addition, 1,000 yen bills and 10,000 yen bills are stored in storage and dispensing unit 240. Furthermore, each storage and dispensing section 234, 236, 238, and 240 is provided with a banknote dispensing mechanism 235, 237, 239, and 241, respectively, and the banknotes stored in these storage and dispensing sections 234, 236, 238, and 240 are dispensed one by one to the circulating transport section 230a side via the connecting transport section 230b by the respective banknote dispensing mechanisms 235, 237, 239, and 241.

[0133] Next, the configuration of the control system in such a banknote processing machine 200 will be explained using Figure 32. As shown in Figure 32, the banknote processing machine 200 is equipped with a control unit 290, to which the banknote dispensing mechanism 221, transport unit 230, identification unit 232, various banknote dispensing mechanisms 235, 237, 239, 241, cassette mounting unit 226, etc. Banknote identification information from the identification unit 232 is sent to the banknote control unit 210a, and the control unit 290 controls each component of the banknote processing unit 210 by sending command signals to these components. The banknote processing machine 200 is also equipped with an operation display unit 292, a storage unit 294, and a communication unit 296, and these operation display unit 292, storage unit 294, and communication unit 296 are connected to the control unit 290. The operation display unit 292 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, and various information is displayed on the operation display unit 292 when it receives display commands from the control unit 290, and the operator can input various information to the control unit 290 via the operation display unit 292. The storage unit 294 stores various information such as the denominations and number of banknotes stored in each storage and dispensing unit 234, 236, 238, and 240, and the history of banknote deposit and withdrawal processing performed by the banknote processing machine 200. In addition, the storage unit 294 stores the denominations of each banknote stored in the storage and dispensing unit 240 in the order in which they were stored. Furthermore, the control unit 290 can send and receive various signals to and from external devices via the communication unit 296.

[0134] Next, we will explain the various processes performed by the banknote processing machine 200. The various processes performed by the banknote processing machine 200 described below are carried out by the control unit 290 controlling each component of the banknote processing machine 200.

[0135] First, the operation when banknotes are deposited by the banknote processing machine 200 will be explained. When an operator inserts banknotes into the banknote receiving slot 220a of the banknote receiving unit 220, and the banknote receiving sensor (not shown) detects that one or more banknotes have been inserted into the banknote receiving slot 220a, the banknote dispensing mechanism 221 is driven, and the banknotes are dispensed one by one to the circulating transport unit 230a side via the connecting transport unit 230b. The banknotes dispensed to the circulating transport unit 230a are transported by the circulating transport unit 230a and identified by the identification unit 232. Then, based on the identification result by the identification unit 232, the banknotes are sent to the storage dispensing units 234, 236, and 238 corresponding to the denomination of the banknotes identified by the identification unit 232. In this way, banknotes inserted into the banknote receiving slot 220a of the banknote receiving unit 220 are stored in the respective storage and dispensing units 234, 236, and 238. If the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, and 238 corresponding to the denomination of banknotes identified by the identification unit 232 are full and no more banknotes can be stored in these units, the banknotes identified by the identification unit 232 are sent to the storage and dispensing unit 240 and stored in this unit. The memory unit 294 stores the order and denomination of the banknotes stored in the storage and dispensing unit 240.

[0136] Next, the operation when the banknote processing machine 200 processes banknotes will be described. When a command for processing banknotes is input to the control unit 290, based on the information stored in the memory unit 294, when a 1,000 yen bill or a 10,000 yen bill is to be dispensed, the banknotes are first fed from the storage and dispensing unit 240, which stores 1,000 yen bills and 10,000 yen bills in a mixed state, to the transport unit 230, and then sent from the transport unit 230 to the banknote dispensing unit 222. Furthermore, if it becomes impossible to feed the banknotes to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 240, which stores 1,000 yen bills and 10,000 yen bills in a mixed state, to the transport unit 230, the banknotes are fed from the storage and dispensing unit 234, storage and dispensing unit 236, and storage and dispensing unit 238, which are assigned to 1,000 yen bills, 5,000 yen bills, or 10,000 yen bills, respectively, to the transport unit 230, and then sent from the transport unit 230 to the banknote dispensing unit 222. Then, once all the banknotes to be dispensed have been sent to the banknote dispensing unit 222, the banknote dispensing unit 222 releases the banknotes sent from the transport unit 230 to the outside of the casing 212 through the banknote dispensing port 222a. In this way, the banknote dispensing process is completed. With this banknote dispensing process, by dispensing banknotes from the storage and dispensing unit 240 in priority and sending them to the banknote dispensing unit 222, it becomes possible to leave as many banknotes as possible in the storage and dispensing units 234 and 238, which store banknotes of specific denominations.

[0137] Furthermore, while the banknote dispensing process is underway, based on the information stored in the memory unit 294, the system prevents the dispensing of banknotes that are not of the denomination to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 240. This prevents banknotes that are not of the denomination to be dispensed from being sent to, for example, the banknote dispensing unit 222, making them available for the operator to retrieve. Also, while the banknote dispensing process is underway, based on the information stored in the memory unit 94, if the denomination of the banknote to be dispensed next from the storage and dispensing unit 240 is not included in the denomination of banknotes to be dispensed, the system causes the storage and dispensing unit 234 or storage and dispensing unit 238 to dispense banknotes corresponding to the denomination of banknotes to be dispensed. This prevents unnecessary banknotes (i.e., banknotes of denominations other than those to be dispensed) from being dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 240, thereby enabling faster banknote dispensing.

[0138] Furthermore, while the banknote dispensing process is underway, if, based on the information stored in the memory unit 294, it is necessary to dispense a predetermined number of banknotes of denominations not included in the banknotes to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 240 before the banknotes to be dispensed are dispensed, the banknotes may be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 234 or storage and dispensing unit 238 corresponding to the denominations of the banknotes to be dispensed. This prevents a large number of banknotes of denominations not included in the banknotes to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 240, thereby enabling faster banknote dispensing. Additionally, if, based on the information stored in the memory unit 294, it is necessary to dispense a predetermined number of banknotes of denominations not included in the banknotes to be dispensed consecutively from the storage and dispensing unit 240, the banknotes may be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 234 or storage and dispensing unit 238 corresponding to the denominations of the banknotes to be dispensed. In this case as well, it is possible to prevent a large number of banknotes of denominations not included in the banknotes to be dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 240, thereby enabling faster banknote dispensing processing.

[0139] Furthermore, in the banknote processing machine 200 of this embodiment, when an instruction to process the dispensing of banknotes is given to the control unit 290, the machine may perform a resorting process of the banknotes stored in the storage and dispensing unit 240 as shown below. There are three patterns for the resorting process of the banknotes stored in the storage and dispensing unit 240. In the first pattern, when an instruction to process the dispensing of banknotes is given to the control unit 290, banknotes are first fed from the storage and dispensing unit 240, which stores 1,000 yen bills and 10,000 yen bills in a mixed state, to the transport unit 230. If the banknotes fed from the storage and dispensing unit 240 to the transport unit 230 are banknotes that should be dispensed, the banknotes are sent from the transport unit 230 to the banknote dispensing unit 222. On the other hand, if the banknotes fed from the storage and dispensing unit 240 to the transport unit 230 are not banknotes that should be dispensed, the banknotes are temporarily held on the transport path of the transport unit 230. In this case, if the denominations of the banknotes dispensed continuously from the storage / dispensing unit 240 to the transport unit 230 are the same, multiple banknotes of the same denomination are held on the transport path of the transport unit 230. Subsequently, the transport unit 230 sends the banknotes (1,000 yen or 10,000 yen bills) held on the transport path to the storage / dispensing unit 234 or storage / dispensing unit 238 to which the denomination of the banknote is assigned, and the banknotes are stored in these units. If the storage / dispensing unit 234 or storage / dispensing unit 238 corresponding to the denomination of the banknotes (1,000 yen or 10,000 yen bills) held on the transport path is full, the banknotes are returned to the storage / dispensing unit 240 and stored in it. Subsequently, the banknotes to be dispensed are not dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 240, and the banknotes dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 234 or storage and dispensing unit 238 corresponding to the denomination of the banknotes to be dispensed are sent to the banknote dispensing unit 222 by the transport unit 230.

[0140] In the second pattern of the resorting process of banknotes stored in the storage and dispensing unit 240, when the control unit 290 is instructed to process the dispensing of banknotes, first the banknotes are dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 240, which stores a mixture of 1,000 yen and 10,000 yen bills, to the transport unit 230. All of these dispensed banknotes are then sent to the banknote receiving unit 220 or to an empty storage cassette 300 installed in the cassette mounting unit 226. Once all the banknotes stored in the storage and dispensing unit 240 have been sent to the banknote receiving unit 220 or the storage cassette 300, the banknotes are dispensed one by one from the banknote receiving unit 220 or the storage cassette 300 to the transport unit 230. As the dispensed banknotes are transported by the transport unit 230, their denominations are identified by the identification unit 232. Based on the identification result by the identification unit 232, if the banknote identified by the identification unit 232 is a banknote that should be dispensed, the banknote is sent from the transport unit 230 to the banknote dispensing unit 222. On the other hand, if the banknote identified by the identification unit 232 is not a banknote that should be dispensed, the banknote is transported by the transport unit 230 and sent to the storage dispensing unit 234 or storage dispensing unit 236 to which the denomination of the banknote is assigned, and is stored in the storage dispensing unit 234 or storage dispensing unit 236. Also, if the identification unit 232 identifies that the banknote being transported by the transport unit 230 is a 1,000 yen note or a 10,000 yen note, and the storage dispensing unit 234 or storage dispensing unit 238 corresponding to the 1,000 yen note or 10,000 yen note is full, the banknote is returned to the storage dispensing unit 240 and stored in the storage dispensing unit 240.

[0141] In the third pattern of the resorting process of banknotes stored in the storage and dispensing unit 240, when the control unit 290 is instructed to process the dispensing of banknotes, first banknotes are dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 240, which stores a mixture of 1,000 yen and 10,000 yen bills, to the transport unit 230. If the dispensed banknotes are to be dispensed, they are sent from the transport unit 230 to the banknote dispensing unit 222. On the other hand, if the banknotes dispensed from the storage and dispensing unit 240 to the transport unit 230 are not to be dispensed, they are sent to the banknote receiving unit 220 or to an empty storage cassette 300 installed in the cassette mounting unit 226. Then, once all the banknotes to be dispensed have been sent to the banknote receiving unit 220 or storage cassette 300, the banknotes are dispensed one by one from the banknote receiving unit 220 or storage cassette 300 to the transport unit 230. As the dispensed banknotes are transported by the transport unit 230, their denominations are identified by the identification unit 232. Based on the identification result by the identification unit 232, the identified banknotes are then transported by the transport unit 230 and sent to the storage dispensing unit 234 or storage dispensing unit 238 to which the banknote denomination is assigned, and stored in these units. Furthermore, if the identification unit 232 identifies that the banknotes being transported by the transport unit 230 are 1,000 yen bills or 10,000 yen bills, and it is detected that the storage and dispensing unit 234 or storage and dispensing unit 238 corresponding to the denomination of 1,000 yen bills or 10,000 yen bills is full, the banknotes are returned to the storage and dispensing unit 240 and stored in the storage and dispensing unit 240.

[0142] The banknote processing machine 200 is pre-configured at the time of shipment to determine which of the three patterns for resorting banknotes stored in the storage and dispensing unit 240 described above will be used. Alternatively, the operator may be able to set which pattern of resorting will be performed using the operation display unit 292.

[0143] Furthermore, the above-described re-sorting of banknotes is not limited to being performed when a banknote dispensing command is input to the control unit 290. The above-described re-sorting of banknotes may be performed when the banknote processing machine 200 is in a standby state outside of business hours of the store where it is installed, at a predetermined time set in advance.

[0144] Next, we will explain the operation of the banknote processing machine 200 when banknotes are being examined.

[0145] In this embodiment, the banknote processing mode during the inspection process can be switched between a hold mode, in which banknotes not identified as normal by the identification unit 232 are returned to the original storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240, and the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 are determined to be incomplete inspection, and a ejection mode, in which banknotes not identified as normal by the identification unit 232 during the inspection process are ejected to the outside of the housing 212 (machine body). The banknote processing mode during the inspection process can be switched by the operator inputting a command to the control unit 290 via the operation display unit 292. That is, the control unit 290 changes the processing mode between the hold mode and the ejection mode based on the inspection instruction received.

[0146] When the operator inputs a command to perform a banknote inspection process via the operation display unit 292, or when a command to perform a banknote inspection process is transmitted to the control unit 290 via the communication unit 296 from an external device, the control unit 290 receives a command to perform a banknote inspection process. At that point, the identification unit 232 identifies the banknotes stored in each of the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240. Specifically, when the control unit 290 receives a command to perform a banknote inspection process, if the banknote processing mode for the inspection process is the hold mode, banknotes are dispensed from one of the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, or 240 to the transport unit 230. The dispensed banknotes are then sent by the transport unit 230 to the banknote receiving unit 220 or to an empty storage cassette 300 mounted in the cassette mounting unit 226. When all the banknotes are dispensed from the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 and sent to the banknote receiving unit 220 or storage cassette 300, the banknotes stored in the banknote receiving unit 220 or storage cassette 300 are dispensed one by one to the transport unit 230, and are transported one by one by the transport unit 230. The banknotes transported by the transport unit 230 are identified by the identification unit 232 as being of the denomination, genuine or not, and whether they are genuine or not. Banknotes identified as genuine by the identification unit 232 are returned to the original storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240. On the other hand, banknotes identified as not genuine by the identification unit 232 are also sent to the original storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 and stored in these units. Furthermore, the control unit 290 determines that the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 to which banknotes identified by the identification unit 232 as not being valid are storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 that have not yet completed their inspection.

[0147] In this way, once all the banknotes have been sent from the banknote receiving unit 220 or storage cassette 300 to the original storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240, the same process is performed for the other storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240. Then, once the above process has been performed for all storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240, if there are no storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 that have been determined to have not completed the verification process, the control unit 290 determines that the banknote verification process is complete.

[0148] On the other hand, if there are any storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, or 240 that are determined to be incomplete for inspection, the banknotes are dispensed from those storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, or 240 to the transport unit 230 and sent to the banknote receiving unit 220 or the empty storage cassette 300 installed in the cassette mounting unit 226. After all the banknotes have been sent from the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, or 240 to the banknote receiving unit 220 or the storage cassette 300, the banknotes stored in the banknote receiving unit 220 or the storage cassette 300 are dispensed one by one to the transport unit 230 and transported one by one by the transport unit 230. The banknotes transported by the transport unit 230 are identified by the identification unit 232 as being of a certain denomination, genuine or not, and of good or bad condition. Then, banknotes identified as normal by the identification unit 232 are returned to their original storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240. On the other hand, banknotes identified as not normal by the identification unit 232, or banknotes that could not be identified by the identification unit 232, are branched off from the transport unit 230 as rejected banknotes and sent to the banknote dispensing unit 222. The banknotes sent to the banknote dispensing unit 222 are discharged to the outside of the casing from the banknote dispensing port 222a. This allows the operator to remove the rejected banknotes from the banknote dispensing port 222a. In this way, when all the banknotes are fed from the banknote receiving unit 220 or storage cassette 300 to the transport unit 230 and sent back to the original storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, 240 or banknote dispensing unit 222, the control unit 290 switches the status of these storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, 240 from "verification incomplete" to "verification complete". In this way, the control unit 290 determines that the banknote verification process is complete.

[0149] In this embodiment, in the processing of the hold mode described above, if a banknote is not identified as a normal banknote by the identification unit 232, the identification unit 232 may be made to identify it again a predetermined number of times. If a banknote is not identified as a normal banknote even after being identified by the identification unit 232 a predetermined number of times, it may be returned to the original storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240, and the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 may be determined to be incomplete. Even if a banknote is normal, there is a risk that it may be mistakenly identified as not being a normal banknote with only one identification operation by the identification unit 232. However, by making the identification unit 232 identify such a banknote again, it is possible to prevent a normal banknote from being mistakenly identified as not being a normal banknote by the identification unit 232, and the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 in which the banknote is stored from being mistakenly determined to be incomplete.

[0150] On the other hand, if the banknote processing mode during the scrutiny process is the processing mode rather than the holding mode, the following processing is performed. Specifically, for a given storage and dispensing unit 234, 236, 238, or 240, banknotes are dispensed from that unit to the transport unit 230 and sent to the banknote receiving unit 220 or an empty storage cassette 300 installed in the cassette mounting unit 226. After all the banknotes have been sent from the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, or 240 to the banknote receiving unit 220 or the storage cassette 300, the banknotes stored in the banknote receiving unit 220 or the storage cassette 300 are dispensed one by one to the transport unit 230 and transported one by one by the transport unit 230. The banknotes transported by the transport unit 230 are identified by the identification unit 232 as being of a certain denomination, genuine or counterfeit, and of good or bad condition. Then, banknotes identified as normal by the identification unit 232 are returned to their original storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240. On the other hand, banknotes identified as not normal by the identification unit 232, or banknotes that could not be identified by the identification unit 232, are branched off from the transport unit 230 as rejected banknotes and sent to the banknote dispensing unit 222. The banknotes sent to the banknote dispensing unit 222 are discharged to the outside of the casing from the banknote dispensing port 222a. This allows the operator to remove the rejected banknotes from the banknote dispensing port 222a. In this way, once all the banknotes have been sent from the banknote receiving unit 220 or storage cassette 300 to their original storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, 240 or banknote dispensing unit 222, the same process is performed for the other storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240. Then, once the above-described process has been performed on all of the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240, the control unit 290 determines that the banknote verification process is complete.

[0151] As described above, in this embodiment, the banknote processing mode during the scrutiny process can be switched between a hold mode, in which banknotes not identified as normal by the identification unit 232 are returned to the original storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240, and the storage and dispensing units 234, 236, 238, and 240 are determined to be incomplete for scrutiny, and a ejection mode, in which banknotes not identified as normal by the identification unit 232 during the scrutiny process are ejected to the outside of the housing 212 (machine body). Here, when the person performing the scrutiny process is always in front of the housing 212 of the banknote processing machine 200, the ejection mode can be used to expedite the scrutiny process. Also, when the person performing the scrutiny process leaves the housing 212 of the banknote processing machine 200, the hold mode can be used to prevent banknotes not identified as normal by the identification unit 232 from being taken away by a third party. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0152] 10, 10a, 10b coin processing machines 12 cabinets 14 Top door 15 axes 16 aperture 18 Input detection sensor 19 Door Open / Close Detection Sensor 20 Input section 21 Drive motor 22 Circulation belt 24 Reversal Laura 26. Dispensing detection sensor 28 Residual detection sensor 30 Loop transport section 30a drive motor 30b Solenoid 31 Branching member 31p aperture 32 Circulation belt 33 Branching member 34 Pulley 35 Branching member 36 Tension Mechanism 38 Branching mechanism 38a Inlet 39 Branching member 39a axis 39b, 39c Swinging part 39c Swinging part 39d void 39e Guide surface 40 (40A~40G) Storage and dispensing section 40a Full detection sensor 40b Empty detection sensor 40c Upper edge detection sensor 40p Storage and dispensing section 41 Cam 41a Protrusion 41b Drive motor 41p Shot 42 stages 42a Spring 42p First withdrawal belt 43 Lifting Member 43a Linear motor 44 Upper guide member 44a recess 44p Second withdrawal belt 45 Upper guide member 45a recess 46 Storage compartment 46a Top opening 47 Opening and closing doors 47a axis 47b recess 48 First guide member 49. Second guide member 50 Identification unit 60 trays 62, 64 outlet Wall surfaces 66, 67, 68 70 Rejected Shoot 72 First shot 74 Second shot 80 Withdrawal Shoot 80a solenoid 82 First shot 84 Second shot 86 Third Shot Section 88 Branching member 88a axis 90 Control Unit 92 Operation display section 94 Memory section 96 Communications Department 200 banknote processing machines 210 Banknote Processing Unit 210a Banknote Control Unit 212 cabinets 220 Banknote Receiving Section 220a Bill slot 221 Banknote dispensing mechanism 222 Banknote dispensing section 222a Banknote Dispensing Slot 224 Withdrawal Rejection Department 226 Cassette mounting section 226a Door 230 Conveying section 230a Circular transport section 230b Connection and transport section 232 Identification unit 234, 236, 238, 240 Storage and dispensing section 235, 237, 239, 241 Banknote dispensing mechanism 290 Control Unit 292 Operation display section 294 Memory section 296 Communications Department 300 storage cassettes 400 coin processing machines 420 Insertion section 430 Conveying Unit 431 Right-hand area 432 Circulation belt 433 Left side area 434 Pulley 436 Tension Mechanism 440 Storage and dispensing section 450 Identification Unit 460 Withdrawal Box 462 Withdrawal Box 464 Collection Box

Claims

1. A transport unit for transporting currency, A storage and dispensing unit that sequentially stacks and stores the coins sent from the transport unit and can dispense the stored coins to the transport unit, An identification unit for identifying the currency being transported by the transport unit, A control unit that controls the transport unit and the storage and dispensing unit, Memory unit and, Equipped with, The control unit dispenses the currency stored in the storage and dispensing unit from the storage and dispensing unit to the transport unit, which then transports it to a location different from the original storage and dispensing unit for storage. The transport unit then returns the currency sent to the other location to the original storage and dispensing unit, and at that time, the identification unit performs a currency inspection process to identify the currency. The control unit returns any coins that were not identified as normal by the identification unit during the inspection process back to the original storage and dispensing unit, and determines that the inspection of the storage and dispensing unit is incomplete. A currency processing machine wherein the storage unit stores information regarding the location where currency that was not identified as normal currency by the identification unit was stored in the storage and dispensing unit.

2. The currency processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, upon receiving a predetermined command, dispenses the currency stored in the storage dispensing unit that has been determined to be incomplete for inspection from the storage dispensing unit to the transport unit, stops the dispensing operation of currency from the storage dispensing unit when it dispenses currency that has not been identified as normal currency based on the information stored in the storage unit, sends the currency dispensed up to the time the dispensing operation stopped to the transport unit to the other location, and then the identification unit identifies the currency sent to the other location again.

3. The currency processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the transport unit and the storage and dispensing unit to return the currency identified as normal currency, as a result of being identified again by the identification unit, to the original storage and dispensing unit, and to eject the currency that was not identified as normal currency to the outside of the machine.

4. The currency processing machine according to claim 1, wherein, when the control unit automatically performs the inspection process at a predetermined time, it returns any currency that was not identified as normal by the identification unit during the inspection process back to the original storage and dispensing unit, and determines that the inspection of the storage and dispensing unit is incomplete.

5. It is equipped with an operating unit that is operated by an employee to input predetermined commands, The control unit can switch between two modes for processing currency during the inspection process: a hold mode in which currency that was not identified as normal by the identification unit is returned to the original storage / dispensing unit and the storage / dispensing unit is determined to be incomplete for inspection; and a dispensing mode in which currency that was not identified as normal by the identification unit during the inspection process is ejected to the outside of the machine. The currency processing machine according to claim 4, wherein the control unit, upon receiving a predetermined command from the operation unit, executes the inspection process in the dispensing mode.

Images