Coin processing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a coin processing device that can prevent rejected coins from being returned to the deposit compartment while deposited coins remain in the deposit compartment. [Solution] The coin processing device 1 comprises a coin deposit / withdrawal section 20 into which coins are inserted, a transport section 70 for transporting coins discharged from the coin deposit / withdrawal section 20, and an identification section 90 for identifying coins transported by the transport section 70. The transport section 70 includes a return transport section 70a for transporting rejected coins that are returned to the coin deposit / withdrawal section 20 based on the identification result by the identification section 90. The return transport section 70a is provided with a holding section 80 for switching whether or not to hold rejected coins. The holding section 80 includes a holding member for storing rejected coins. The holding member has an outlet from which rejected coins are discharged, and the outlet is closed by an openable / closable closing member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin processing device that performs coin deposits, withdrawals, etc.

Background Art

[0002] In a coin processing device, during the deposit process, the coins to be deposited are inserted into the deposit section. The coins discharged from the deposit section are identified by an identification section during conveyance by a conveyance section. As a result of the identification, coins determined to be abnormal are returned as rejected coins to the return port.

[0003] Conventionally, there is known a coin processing device that also uses the deposit section as the return port and returns rejected coins to the deposit section. An example of such a coin processing device is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above coin processing device, it may occur that rejected coins are returned to the deposit section while deposited coins remain in the deposit section. In this case, the rejected coins may mix with the deposited coins, resulting in the rejected coins being discharged from the deposit section again and, as a result of the identification, being returned to the deposit section, which may reduce the processing efficiency of the deposit process.

[0006] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device that can prevent rejected coins from being returned to the deposit section while deposited coins remain in the deposit section.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A coin processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a deposit section into which coins are inserted, a transport section for transporting coins discharged from the deposit section, and an identification section for identifying coins transported by the transport section. Here, the transport section includes a return transport section for transporting rejected coins that are returned to the deposit section based on the identification result by the identification section. The return transport section is provided with a holding section for switching whether or not to hold rejected coins.

[0008] According to the coin processing device of this embodiment, by making the holding section capable of holding coins, rejected coins that would otherwise be returned to the deposit section can be held in the holding section, thus preventing rejected coins from being returned to the deposit section while deposited coins remain there. This prevents rejected coins from getting mixed with coins remaining in the deposit section.

[0009] Furthermore, since the holding section is located in the return transport section and is configured to allow rejected coins to pass through when holding is not required, the space required to install the holding section can be reduced compared to a configuration where the holding section is located outside the return transport section.

[0010] In the coin processing apparatus according to this embodiment, the holding section may be configured to include a holding member for accommodating rejected coins. In this case, the holding member has an outlet from which rejected coins are ejected, and the outlet may be closed by an openable and closable closing member. The closing member can then switch whether or not the holding section holds rejected coins by closing and opening the outlet.

[0011] According to the above configuration, by blocking the outlet with the blocking member, the rejected coin can be retained inside the storage member, and by opening the outlet with the blocking member, the rejected coin can pass through the inside of the storage member.

[0012] In the above configuration, the holding section may be further connected to the deposit section, the exit may face the inside of the deposit section, and the blocking member may close the exit when coins are inserted into the deposit section.

[0013] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent foreign objects from being introduced into the holding section through the exit facing the inside of the deposit section.

[0014] In the coin processing apparatus according to this embodiment, the holding section may be configured to have, inside the space for accommodating rejected coins, a bottom surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane in a first direction, a first side surface rising from the lower end of the bottom surface in the first direction, and a second side surface rising from the higher end of the bottom surface in the first direction. In this case, the second side surface may be provided with an entrance into which rejected coins are introduced so that they roll with the bottom surface facing the first side surface. Furthermore, the first side surface may be configured to be inclined with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the bottom surface.

[0015] According to the above configuration, when rejected coins are sequentially introduced into the holding section, these rejected coins are stacked and accumulated in the same diagonal position as the first side. This makes it less likely that rejected coins will remain with their front and back sides facing the second direction, thus making it possible to hold a large number of rejected coins in the holding section.

[0016] In the configuration described above, the holding section may further be configured to include an exit from which rejected coins are ejected, and an openable and closable closing member that closes the exit. In this case, the exit may be opened at the lower end of the first side surface in the second direction. The holding section can switch whether or not to hold rejected coins by closing and opening the exit with the closing member.

[0017] With this configuration, when the closing member opens and the outlet is opened, the rejected coins move toward the outlet in order from the first side and are discharged from the outlet. Therefore, when the holding section is switched to a state where it does not hold rejected coins, rejected coins can be smoothly discharged from within the holding section.

[0018] In the coin processing device according to this embodiment, a configuration may be adopted that further includes a coin deposit detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of coins in the deposit unit, and a control unit. In this case, the control unit may be configured to set the holding unit to a state in which rejected coins are held when coins are detected by the coin deposit detection unit, and to switch the holding unit to a state in which rejected coins are not held when coins are no longer detected by the coin deposit detection unit.

[0019] According to the above configuration, as long as there are coins remaining in the deposit section, rejected coins can be held in the holding section, and when the coins are gone from the deposit section, the rejected coins that were held in the holding section can be discharged into the deposit / withdrawal section.

[0020] In the coin processing apparatus according to this embodiment, a configuration may be adopted that further includes a retained coin detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of rejected coins in the retaining unit, and a control unit. In this case, the control unit may be configured to switch the retaining unit to a state in which no rejected coins are retained, and then cause the notification unit to issue an error notification based on the fact that rejected coins have been detected by the retained coin detection unit.

[0021] According to the above configuration, if a malfunction occurs where a rejected coin is not ejected from the holding section when the holding section is switched to a state where rejected coins are not held, the occurrence of this malfunction can be notified.

[0022] The coin processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a depositing unit into which coins are inserted, a conveying unit that conveys the coins discharged from the depositing unit, and a holding unit provided in the conveying unit for switching whether to hold the coins. Here, the holding unit includes a housing member that houses the coins. The housing member has an outlet through which the coins are taken out, and the outlet is blocked by a closable blocking member. By the blocking member blocking and opening the outlet, the holding unit switches whether to hold the coins.

[0023] According to the coin processing apparatus according to this aspect, by setting the holding unit to a state where it can hold, coins can be held in the holding unit, and coins can be prevented from being conveyed to a portion downstream of the holding unit, for example, the depositing unit.

[0024] Furthermore, since the holding unit is provided in the conveying unit and is configured to be in a non-holding state and allow the coins to pass through when holding is not required, the space required to provide the holding unit can be reduced compared to a configuration where the holding unit is provided outside the conveying unit.

[0025] In the coin processing apparatus according to this aspect, the housing member may be configured to have, inside it, a bottom surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in a first direction, a first side surface that rises from the lower end of the bottom surface in the first direction, and a second side surface that rises from the upper end of the bottom surface in the first direction. In this case, an inlet may be provided on the second side surface for introducing the coins to roll on the bottom surface toward the first side surface. Furthermore, the first side surface may be configured to be inclined with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the bottom surface.

[0026] According to the above configuration, it becomes possible to hold a large number of coins in the holding unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin processing apparatus that can prevent rejected coins from being returned to the depositing unit while the deposited coins remain in the depositing unit.

[0028] The effects and significance of the present invention will become even clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of how to implement the present invention, and the present invention is not limited in any way to those described in the embodiments below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a coin processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is a perspective view of the deposit / withdrawal section with the holding section connected according to the embodiment, and Figure 2(b) is a perspective view of the rotating body according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the deposit and withdrawal section according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figures 4(a) to 4(d) illustrate the operation of discharging coins from the deposit / withdrawal section according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5(a) is a perspective view of the retaining section as seen from the left front according to the embodiment, and Figure 5(b) is a front view of the retaining section according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a side view of the storage member in the position attached to the deposit / withdrawal section according to the embodiment, and Figure 6(b) is a top view of the storage member according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7(a) is a front cross-sectional view of the housing member and closing member cut at the rear position according to the embodiment. Figure 7(b) is a rear cross-sectional view of the housing member and closing member cut at the front position according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figures 8(a) to 8(c) show how rejected coins are accumulated in the holding section according to the embodiment. Figure 8(d) shows how rejected coins are discharged from the holding section according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows how a rejected coin passes through the holding section according to the embodiment. [Figure 10]Figure 10(a) is a plan view of a coin dispensing mechanism according to an embodiment, and Figure 10(b) is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the first coin guide according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a coin processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12(a) is a flowchart showing the payment processing according to the embodiment. Figure 12(b) is a flowchart showing the holding section switching processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figures 13(a) and (b) illustrate the temporary hold operation in the payment processing according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] Figures 14(a) and (b) illustrate, respectively, the distribution operation and return operation in the payment processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the withdrawal process according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the withdrawal operation in the withdrawal process according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] Figures 17(a) and (b) show the configuration of the retaining section in the modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Hereinafter, a coin processing device, which is one embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of the coin processing device 1.

[0032] The coin processing device 1 processes the deposit and withdrawal of coins. The coin processing device 1, for example, is combined with a banknote processing device that processes the deposit and withdrawal of banknotes and an information terminal device for input and output to these devices to form a cash handling system (currency processing system) installed in the back room of a retail store such as a supermarket. The coin processing device 1 may also be combined with a banknote processing device and an information terminal device to form an automated teller machine (ATM) installed in a financial institution such as a bank or in a retail store.

[0033] The coin processing device 1 includes, within its housing 10, a coin deposit / discharge section 20, a dispensing section 30, a coin storage section 40 by denomination, a temporary holding section 50, a recovery section 60, a transport section 70, a holding section 80, and an identification section 90.

[0034] The deposit / withdrawal section 20 is located at the front upper end of the housing 10, i.e., the coin processing device 1. Coins to be deposited into the coin processing device 1 are inserted into the deposit / withdrawal section 20 from the outside through the opening 21. Coins dispensed from the coin processing device 1 are also dispensed into the deposit / withdrawal section 20. Coins dispensed into the deposit / withdrawal section 20 are removed to the outside through the opening 21. The opening 21 is opened and closed by a shutter 22. A deposit chute 11 is connected to the bottom of the deposit / withdrawal section 20.

[0035] The deposit / withdrawal section 20 functions as a deposit section where coins are inserted and a withdrawal section where coins are dispensed. Furthermore, the deposit / withdrawal section 20 also serves as a return slot where coins that are not normal or whose denomination cannot be identified as a result of identification by the identification section 90 are returned as rejected coins.

[0036] The dispensing unit 30 is located below the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. Coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 are introduced into the dispensing unit 30 via the deposit chute 11. The dispensing unit 30 has a rotating disc inside and dispenses coins one by one to the transport unit 70. Furthermore, the dispensing unit 30 receives coins from the temporary holding unit 50 and dispenses them to the transport unit 70.

[0037] The coin compartment 40 is located behind the dispensing section 30. The coin compartment 40 has a plurality of compartments 41 arranged in one direction. In this embodiment, the coin compartment 40 includes six compartments 41. Each compartment 41 stores multiple coins of different denominations. For example, each compartment 41 stores 500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 10 yen, 5 yen, and 1 yen coins, respectively.

[0038] Each coin compartment 41 in the coin storage section 40 is equipped with a dispensing mechanism 42. Coins in each storage section 41 are dispensed one by one by the dispensing mechanism 42. The dispensed coins are sent to the temporary holding section 50 via the dispensing chute 12.

[0039] The temporary holding section 50 is located below the coin sorting section 40. Coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal section 20 and transported by the transport section 70, as well as coins discharged from the coin sorting section 40, are temporarily stored (held) in the temporary holding section 50. A belt conveyor 51 is provided in the temporary holding section 50. The belt conveyor 51 is connected to the dispensing section 30 and, when it rotates forward, transports the coins in the temporary holding section 50 to the dispensing section 30. The temporary holding section 50 also has an outlet 50a on the opposite side from the dispensing section 30, which is opened and closed by a door 52. When the belt conveyor 51 reverses direction with the outlet 50a open, the coins in the temporary holding section 50 are discharged from the outlet 50a and fall into the collection section 60.

[0040] The collection unit 60 is located below the temporary holding unit 50. Coins stored in each storage unit 41 of the coin-separated storage unit 40 are collected in the collection unit 60 via the temporary holding unit 50. The collection unit 60 can be removed from the housing 10.

[0041] In this embodiment, the number of coins that can be stored in the deposit / withdrawal section 20 and the number of coins that can be stored in the temporary holding section 50 are approximately the same, and are greater than the number of coins that can be stored in the dispensing section 30. Furthermore, the number of coins that can be stored in each storage section 41 is less than the number of coins that can be stored in the deposit / withdrawal section 20 and the temporary holding section 50, but the total number of coins that can be stored in the multiple storage sections 41, i.e., the coin-type storage sections 40, is greater than the number of coins that can be stored in the deposit / withdrawal section 20 and the temporary holding section 50. Moreover, the number of coins that can be stored in the recovery section 60 is greater than the total number of coins that can be stored in the coin-type storage sections 40. The relationship of the number of coins that can be stored in each section is not limited to the above.

[0042] The transport unit 70 is located between the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, the dispensing unit 30, the coin sorting unit 40, and the temporary holding unit 50, and transports coins between these units. The main part of the transport unit 70 is configured to include a transport path and a transport belt with pins that circulates along the transport path.

[0043] The transport unit 70 is provided with a first distribution unit 71 corresponding to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, a second distribution unit 72 corresponding to the temporary holding unit 50, and a number of (six) third distribution units 73 corresponding to each storage unit 41. The first distribution unit 71 distributes the coins flowing through the transport unit 70 to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 side. The second distribution unit 72 distributes the coins flowing through the transport unit 70 to the temporary holding unit 50 side. Each third distribution unit 73 distributes the coins flowing through the transport unit 70 to each storage unit 41 side.

[0044] The transport unit 70 includes a return transport unit 70a, which consists of a dispensing chute 74 and a holding unit 80, between the first sorting unit 71 and the deposit / dispensing unit 20. That is, the coin processing device 1 has a holding unit 80 on the path of the return transport unit 70a. Coins (rejected coins, coins to be dispensed) slide down the dispensing chute 74 toward the holding unit 80. The holding unit 80 switches between a state in which rejected coins can be held and a state in which they can pass through. The holding unit 80 can temporarily store rejected coins before they are returned to the deposit / dispensing unit 20.

[0045] In addition, the return transport unit 70a transports rejected coins that are returned to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, and also functions as a withdrawal transport unit, transporting withdrawn coins to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20.

[0046] The transport unit 70 includes a holding chute 75 between the second sorting unit 72 and the temporary holding unit 50. The coins slide down the holding chute 75 toward the temporary holding unit 50. Furthermore, the transport unit 70 includes a storage chute 76 between each third sorting unit 73 and each storage unit 41. The coins slide down each storage chute 76 toward each storage unit 41.

[0047] The identification unit 90 is located on the dispensing unit 30 side of the first distribution unit 71 in the transport unit 70. The identification unit 90 is composed of sensors such as optical sensors or magnetic sensors. The identification unit 90 identifies the attributes of the coins flowing through the transport unit 70 and outputs the identification result. The attributes to be identified include the authenticity of the coin, its denomination, and whether it is good or bad. Furthermore, the identification unit 90 also counts the coins.

[0048] Next, the configuration of the deposit / withdrawal section 20 and the holding section 80 will be described in detail.

[0049] Figure 2(a) is a perspective view of the deposit / withdrawal section 20 with the holding section 80 connected, and Figure 2(b) is a perspective view of the rotating body 140. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the deposit / withdrawal section 20.

[0050] The deposit / withdrawal section 20 includes an input slot 110, a receiving tray 120, a discharge pipe 130, a rotating body 140, and a rotating mechanism 150.

[0051] The coin slot 110 has a roughly rectangular box shape with its top surface sloping downwards toward the front. The coin slot 110 is provided with a coin slot 111 that opens from the top surface toward the front. The coin slot 111 is located directly below the opening 21 of the housing 10. Furthermore, the coin slot 110 is provided with a roughly rectangular dispensing slot 112 that is long in the front-to-back direction on its left side. The dispensing slot 112 is tilted so that the front side is lower. The left and right sides of the coin slot 110 extend downwards below the receiving tray 120.

[0052] The receiving tray 120 is provided integrally with the coin slot 110 at the bottom of the slot 110. Coins inserted into the coin slot 110 are collected in the receiving tray 120. The receiving tray 120 has a roughly pentagonal shape when viewed from the front and a roughly semicircular shape when viewed from the side, with an open top. The bottom of the receiving tray 120 is lowest in the center in the left-right direction. Furthermore, a coin discharge port 121 is formed at the rear of the receiving tray 120 for discharging coins.

[0053] The discharge pipe 130 is provided integrally with the receiving tray 120 so as to be connected to the discharge port 121 from the rear. The deposit chute 11 is connected to the lower end of the discharge pipe 130.

[0054] The rotating body 140 is rotatably positioned within the receiving tray portion 120. The rotating body 140 is formed in a dish shape corresponding to the internal shape of the receiving tray portion 120, and its shape when viewed from the side is close to a fan shape. The rotating body 140 is provided with an extrusion portion 141 for pushing out coins at the leading end when it rotates forward. Furthermore, the rotating body 140 is provided with disc portions 142 on the left and right sides. A rotating shaft 143 that protrudes outward is formed at the center of each disc portion 142. A pulley 144 is also provided on the right rotating shaft 143.

[0055] The coin slot 110 is provided with approximately bottomed cylindrical storage sections 113 on both the left and right sides, protruding outwards. The left disc section 142 of the rotating body 140 is housed in the left storage section 113. The right disc section 142 and pulley 144 of the rotating body 140 are housed in the right storage section 113. The right storage section 113 is open directly below the pulley 144. The left and right pivot shafts 143 of the rotating body 140 protrude outwards from the left and right storage sections 113. In this way, the rotating body 140 is held in the coin slot 110 so that it can rotate in the front-rear direction. When no coins are discharged from the tray section 120, the discharge opening 121 is blocked by the rotating body 140.

[0056] The rotating mechanism 150 includes a motor 151, a motor pulley 152, and a belt 153, and rotates the rotating body 140 within the receiving tray 120. The motor 151 is fixed to the input opening 110 via a bracket (not shown). The motor pulley 152 is attached to the motor 151. The belt 153 is stretched between the motor pulley 152 and the pulley 144 of the rotating body 140. When the motor 151 rotates, its rotation is transmitted to the rotating shaft 143 via the motor pulley 152, belt 153, and pulley 144, causing the rotating body 140 to rotate forward.

[0057] Figures 4(a) to 4(d) are diagrams illustrating the operation of discharging coins from the deposit / withdrawal section 20.

[0058] As shown in Figure 4(a), with the rotating body 140 in its initial position and the outlet 121 blocked by the rotating body 140, the coins to be deposited are inserted into the deposit / withdrawal section 20 and accumulated in the receiving tray section 120. After that, the rotating body 140 rotates forward.

[0059] As shown in Figures 4(b) and (c), of the multiple coins accumulated in the receiving tray 120, some coins are pushed by the extrusion portion 141 of the rotating body 140 and discharged from the discharge port 121, while the remaining coins remain in the receiving tray 120 as the rotating body 140 passes beneath them.

[0060] As shown in Figure 4(d), all the coins in the receiving tray 120 are discharged while the rotating body 140 is rotating. The discharged coins are sent to the dispensing unit 30 through the discharge cylinder 130 and the deposit chute 11.

[0061] The holding section 80 is mounted to the left of the deposit slot 110 of the deposit / withdrawal section 20 in a tilted position such that its front side is lower than the horizontal plane.

[0062] Figure 5(a) is a perspective view of the retaining section 80 as seen from the front left, and Figure 5(b) is a front view of the retaining section 80. Figure 6(a) is a side view of the storage member 210 in the position attached to the deposit / withdrawal section 20, and Figure 6(b) is a top view of the storage member 210. Figure 6(b) shows the residual sensor 250 and the full sensor 260. Figure 7(a) is a front cross-sectional view of the storage member 210 and the closing member 220 cut at the rear position. Figure 7(b) is a rear cross-sectional view of the storage member 210 and the closing member 220 cut at the front position. In Figures 7(a) and (b), the closing member 220 is closed.

[0063] The holding section 80 comprises a housing member 210, a closing member 220, a drive mechanism 230, and a position detection unit 240.

[0064] The housing member 210 is formed in a box shape that is long in the front-to-back direction and opens upward and to the right, and includes a bottom portion 210a, a left side portion 210b, a front side portion 210c, and a rear side portion 210d.

[0065] The bottom surface 210a has a roughly trapezoidal plate shape that is long in the front-to-back direction, with its right end sloping downwards to the right (towards the opening). The left side surface 210b has a roughly rectangular plate shape that is long in the front-to-back direction, rising from the left end of the bottom surface 210a so as to be tilted to the left with respect to the vertical. The corner between the bottom surface 210a and the left side surface 210b is arc-shaped.

[0066] The front side portion 210c and the rear side portion 210d have a plate-like shape that is long in the vertical direction, and the right side portion is arc-shaped from the upper left end to the lower right end. The front side portion 210c is tilted with respect to the left-right direction so that its right side protrudes forward. The rear side portion 210d is approximately parallel with respect to the left-right direction.

[0067] The storage member 210, or retaining section 80, has a bottom surface 211 that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in the front-rear direction, a front surface 212 which is a first side surface rising from the lower end of the bottom surface 211 in the front-rear direction, a rear surface 213 which is a second side surface rising from the higher end of the bottom surface 211 in the front-rear direction, and a left side surface 214 which rises from the left end of the bottom surface 211. The front surface 212 is inclined with respect to the left-right direction in a plane parallel to the bottom surface 211. The front-rear direction is the first direction, and the left-right direction is the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0068] A coin slot 215 is provided on the rear side 213. The slot 215 has a vertically elongated rectangular shape, with its length and width being greater than the diameter and thickness of the largest coin (500 yen coin). The slot 215 is inclined vertically so as to be almost parallel to the left side 214. A coin chute 74 is connected to the slot 215.

[0069] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 7(a), coins introduced from the entrance 215 roll upright along the bottom surface 211 towards the front side surface 212. The left-right dimension of the bottom of the storage space S is smaller than the diameter of the smallest coin (1 yen coin). Therefore, coins do not lie flat on the bottom surface 211 within the storage space S.

[0070] In the storage member 210, the openings that open upward and to the right become the coin outlet 216. The outlet 216 opens at the right end 212a of the front side surface 212, which is the lower end of the front side surface 212 in the left-right direction. Note that the outlet 216 only needs to open at least at the right end 212a of the front side surface 212, i.e., on the right front side of the storage member 210, and does not need to open across the entire right side of the storage member 210.

[0071] The housing member 210 is provided with a front guide groove 217a at its front end and a rear guide groove 217b at its rear end. Furthermore, the housing member 210 is provided with a plurality of intermediate guide grooves 217c in the middle section, arranged in the front-to-back direction.

[0072] The closing member 220 is openable and closable and closes the exit 216 of the housing member 210. The closing member 220 includes a closing portion 221 which is a substantially rectangular plate shape curved in an arc, and a front arm portion 222 and a rear arm portion 223 which extend from the front end and rear end of the closing portion 221, respectively.

[0073] The closure portion 221 has multiple reinforcing ribs 221a extending in the left-right direction on its upper surface, arranged in the front-rear direction, and multiple guide ribs 221b extending in the left-right direction on its lower surface, arranged in the front-rear direction. The front and rear ends of the closure portion 221 are passed through the front guide groove 217a and the rear guide groove 217b, and the multiple guide ribs 221b of the closure portion 221 are passed through multiple intermediate guide grooves 217c.

[0074] A pivot shaft 224 is provided between the front arm portion 222 and the rear arm portion 223. The pivot shaft 224 is rotatably supported by support portions 218 provided on the front and rear sides of the housing member 210. An oval-shaped cam hole 222a is provided at the tip of the front arm portion 222.

[0075] The closing member 220 is opened and closed by the drive mechanism 230, closing and opening the outlet 216 of the housing member 210. The drive mechanism 230 rotates the closing member 220 between a closed position that closes the outlet 216 and an open position that opens the outlet 216.

[0076] The drive mechanism 230 includes a motor 231 and a cylindrical cam 232 attached to the motor 231. The motor 231 is fixed to the housing member 210 via a bracket (not shown). The cam 232 has a cam shaft 232a on its outer peripheral edge on the front. The cam shaft 232a is inserted into a cam hole 222a in the front arm portion 222 of the closing member 220.

[0077] The position detection unit 240 includes a disc-shaped detection plate 241 and a photosensor 242. The detection plate 241 is attached to the rear end of the cam 232 and has a notch 241a on its outer peripheral edge. The photosensor 242 includes a light-emitting element 242a and a light-receiving element 242b that face each other across the outer peripheral edge of the detection plate 241. As shown in Figure 5(a), when the closing member 220 is in the closed position, the notch 241a of the detection plate 241 is at the position of the photosensor, and light from the light-emitting element 242a is received by the light-receiving element 242b. As a result, the photosensor 242, i.e., the position detection unit 240, detects that the closing member 220 is in the closed position.

[0078] As shown in Figure 5(b), when the closure member 220 is in the closed position, blocking the outlet 216 of the housing member 210, the motor 231 rotates the cam 232 counterclockwise by a predetermined rotation angle when viewed from the front, as shown by the arrow in the figure. As shown by the dashed line in the figure, the closure member 220 rotates to the open position, and the outlet 216 is opened. At this time, the front end, rear end, and multiple guide ribs 221b of the closure portion 221 are guided by the front guide groove 217a, the rear guide groove 217b, and multiple intermediate guide grooves 217c, respectively, allowing the closure member 220 to rotate smoothly. In this embodiment, when the closure member 220 rotates to the open position, the outlet 216 of the housing member 210 is not opened entirely, but only to the extent that coins can be discharged, for example, only the lower half is opened.

[0079] As shown in Figure 6(b), the coin storage section 80 is equipped with a residual sensor 250, which is a coin storage detection unit, for detecting the presence or absence of coins in the coin storage section 80, and a full sensor 260 for detecting whether or not the coin storage section 80 is full of coins. The storage member 210 is provided with a first through hole 219a, a second through hole 219b, and a third through hole 219c at the lower end of the front side portion 210c, the lower part of the rear side portion 210d, and the lower end of the left side portion 210b, respectively. The residual sensor 250 is a photosensor and includes a light-emitting element 251 and a light-receiving element 252 facing each other via the first through hole 219a and the second through hole 219b on the outside of the storage member 210. The full sensor 260 is a photosensor and includes a light-emitting element 261 and a light-receiving element 262 facing each other via the second through hole 219b and the third through hole 219c on the outside of the storage member 210.

[0080] If a coin is present in the holding section 80, the light from the light-emitting element 251 to the light-receiving element 252 is blocked by the coin. As a result, the residual sensor 250 detects that a coin is present in the holding section 80. If the holding section 80 is filled to the rear end and the holding section 80 is full of coins, the light from the light-emitting element 261 to the light-receiving element 262 is blocked by the coin. As a result, the full sensor 260 detects that the holding section 80 is full of coins.

[0081] The holding section 80 is connected to the deposit / withdrawal section 20 such that the outlet 216 of the storage member 210 faces the inside of the deposit / withdrawal section 20 through the dispensing opening 112. When the outlet 216 of the holding section 80 is closed by the closing member 220, the holding section 80 becomes capable of holding rejected coins, and when the outlet 216 is opened by the closing member 220, the holding section 80 becomes capable of allowing rejected coins to pass through. In other words, the holding section 80 can switch between a state in which rejected coins can be held and a state in which they can pass through.

[0082] Figures 8(a) to 8(c) show how rejected coins are accumulated in the retaining section 80 when it is in a retaining state. Figure 8(d) shows how rejected coins are discharged from the retaining section 80 when it is switched to a passable state. For convenience, only the lower end portion of the blocking member 220 is shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(d).

[0083] As shown in Figure 8(a), a rejected coin introduced into the holding section 80 from the entrance 215 rolls along the bottom surface 211 to the front surface 212, is guided by the front surface 212 to change direction, and ends up leaning against the front surface 212 so that the front and back sides face each other. At this time, since the front surface 212 is inclined rather than perpendicular to the direction in which the rejected coin is moving, the rejected coin can change direction smoothly and is less likely to remain in a state where the front and back sides face the left side surface 214.

[0084] As shown in Figure 8(b), the next rejected coin introduced into the holding section 80 rolls along the bottom surface 211 to reach the previous rejected coin, is guided by the previous rejected coin to change direction, and ends up overlapping the previous rejected coin. At this time, since the front and back sides of the previous rejected coin are not perpendicular to the direction in which the coin is moving but are inclined, the subsequent rejected coin can change direction smoothly and is less likely to remain in a state where the front and back sides face the left side 214.

[0085] As shown in Figure 8(c), when rejected coins are sequentially introduced into the holding section 80, these rejected coins are stacked and accumulated in the same diagonal position as the front side surface 212. As described above, during the accumulation process, it is unlikely that any rejected coins will remain with their front and back sides facing the left side surface 214, as shown by the dashed line in the figure, making it possible to accommodate (reserve) a large number of rejected coins in the holding section 80.

[0086] Within the holding section 80, the lowest point is at the right end of the front side surface 212, where the outlet 216 is open. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8(d), when the closing member 220 opens and the outlet 216 is opened, the rejected coins move from the front side surface 212 side to the outlet 216 side and are discharged from the outlet 216. The discharged rejected coins accumulate in the receiving tray 120 of the deposit / withdrawal section 20.

[0087] Figure 9 shows how a rejected coin passes through the retaining section 80 when the retaining section 80 is in a passable state. For convenience, only the lower end portion of the blocking member 220 is shown in Figure 9.

[0088] As shown in Figure 9, the rejected coin introduced into the holding section 80 from the entrance 215 rolls along the bottom surface 211 to the front surface 212, is guided by the front surface 212 to change direction, rolls along the front surface 212 along the bottom surface 211, and is discharged from the exit 216. At this time, since the front surface 212 is not perpendicular to the direction in which the rejected coin is moving but is inclined, the rejected coin bends smoothly on the front surface 212 and is ejected forcefully from the exit 216.

[0089] During the withdrawal process, the dispensed coins, like rejected coins, pass through the holding section 80 and are discharged into the deposit / withdrawal section 20. As described above, the dispensed coins are ejected forcefully from the exit 216, making them more likely to fall into the central part of the receiving tray 120. This reduces the likelihood of uneven accumulation of coins in the receiving tray 120, thus enabling the dispensing of a large number of coins.

[0090] Next, the configuration of each dispensing mechanism 42 in the coin compartment 40 will be described in detail.

[0091] Figure 10(a) is a plan view of the dispensing mechanism 42, and Figure 10(b) is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the first coin guide 330. In Figure 10(a), the entirety of the pair of stoppers 370 located between the placement plate 310 and the dispensing disc 320 is depicted with solid lines.

[0092] The dispensing mechanism 42 comprises a substantially rectangular arrangement plate 310 that forms the bottom surface of the storage section 41, a dispensing disc 320 rotatably arranged on the arrangement plate 310, and a first coin guide 330 and a second coin guide 340 arranged on the arrangement plate 310 adjacent to the dispensing disc 320.

[0093] The feed disc 320 has a central portion 320a that protrudes in a mountain shape, and a rotating shaft 350 is attached to the center of the central portion 320a. When the rotating shaft 350 rotates due to a driving force from a drive unit (not shown), the feed disc 320 rotates.

[0094] The dispensing disc 320 is provided with a plurality of circular through holes 321 along its circumference. The diameter of each through hole 321 is larger than the diameter of the largest coin (500 yen coin). On the lower surface of the dispensing disc 320, an extrusion section 322 is provided between two of the through holes 321, which protrudes downward and contacts the placement plate 310. The protrusion height of the extrusion section 322 is larger than the thickness of the largest coin (500 yen coin). Coins accumulated in the storage section 41 enter the storage space 323 formed between the two extrusion sections 322 through the through holes 321.

[0095] The space between the first coin guide 330 and the second coin guide 340 forms the coin dispensing gate 360 ​​from which coins are dispensed. The first coin guide 330 has a straight, flat guide surface 331 facing the dispensing gate 360. A pair of rollers 361 are positioned on both the left and right sides of the dispensing gate 360.

[0096] Between the placement plate 310 and the dispensing disc 320, a pair of stoppers 370 are provided, downstream of the dispensing gate 360 ​​in the rotational direction of the dispensing disc 320 when coins are dispensed (hereinafter referred to as the "dispensing direction"), and aligned radially with the dispensing disc 320. The extrusion section 322 is provided with a groove 322a to accommodate the pair of stoppers 370.

[0097] When dispensing coins from the storage unit 41, the dispensing disc 320 rotates in the dispensing direction. Coins accumulated in the storage unit 41 enter the storage space 323 through the through hole 321 and are pushed by the ejection unit 322 toward the dispensing gate 360, moving toward the outer edge of the dispensing disc 320. Coins that reach the entrance of the dispensing gate 360 ​​come into contact with the guide surface 331 of the first coin guide 330, are guided by the guide surface 331, are dispensed from the dispensing gate 360, and are discharged into the discharge chute 12. Coins that do not reach the outer edge of the dispensing disc 320 by the time they reach the first coin guide 330 are stopped by a pair of stoppers 370 and pushed toward the dispensing gate 360 ​​by the ejection unit 322.

[0098] When the number of coins stored in the storage section 41 decreases, the coins may become stuck in the portion of the dispensing disc 320 that is outside the through-hole 321, making it difficult for them to enter the through-hole 321. In this case, the dispensing disc 320 rotates in the opposite direction to the dispensing direction in order to move the coins and make it easier for them to enter the through-hole 321. When the reverse rotation begins, if there are coins near the entrance of the dispensing gate 360, the coins may get stuck between the outer peripheral end of the extrusion section 322 and the guide surface 331 of the first coin guide 330, as shown in Figure 10(b). In this case, if the coins stop moving, there is a risk that they may be damaged by the outer peripheral end of the extrusion section 322 or the like.

[0099] Therefore, in this embodiment, the orientation of the guide surface 331 is set such that the angle θ between the direction of the external force F applied to the coin from the extrusion section 322 and the direction in which the guide surface 331 faces is such that the trapped coin returns to the inside of the dispensing disc 320.

[0100] In other words, a coin in contact with the guide surface 331 is subjected to an external force F, which acts along the guide surface 331 as a transport force F1 = Fsinθ and a frictional force F2 = Fμcosθ in the opposite direction to the transport force F1. Here, μ is the coefficient of friction of the guide surface 331. When the transport force F1 becomes greater than the frictional force F2, the coin moves along the guide surface 331 and returns to the inside of the dispensing disc 320. Therefore, the orientation of the guide surface 331 is set such that the angle θ is such that the transport force F1 is greater than the frictional force F2. For example, assuming the coefficient of friction μ of the guide surface 331 is 0.4, the transport force F1 will become greater than the frictional force F2 if the angle θ is greater than 22 degrees. Therefore, including a margin to consider other effects, the angle θ is set to, for example, 40 degrees.

[0101] This prevents coins from getting stuck between the outer edge of the extrusion section 322 and the guide surface 331 of the first coin guide 330 when the dispensing disc 320 is rotated in reverse, thus preventing them from moving and getting damaged.

[0102] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the main components of the coin processing device 1.

[0103] In addition to the above configuration, the coin processing device 1 includes a control unit 401, a storage unit 402, and a communication unit 403. Furthermore, the coin processing device 1 is equipped with a residual sensor 404 in the deposit / withdrawal unit 20.

[0104] The residual sensor 404 is configured, for example, as a photosensor and acts as a coin deposit detection unit, detecting the presence or absence of coins in the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 and outputting a signal to the control unit 401 according to the detection result.

[0105] The communication unit 403 communicates with the information terminal device 2. The information terminal device 2 has an operation display unit 2a consisting of a touch panel or the like, which displays various screens and accepts various operations on the screens. The information terminal device 2 also has a printer 2b for printing various receipts.

[0106] The memory unit 402 is equipped with a storage medium such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), or a hard disk, and stores the operation program of the control unit 401. The memory unit 402 also stores the number of coins stored in each storage section 41 of the coin denomination storage section 40 as the balance. Each time coins are deposited into or withdrawn from each storage section 41, the number of coins (balance) in the memory unit 402 is updated (increased or decreased).

[0107] The control unit 401 is equipped with calculation circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Based on signals from the identification unit 90, residual sensor 404, residual sensor 250, full sensor 260, etc., the control unit 401 controls the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 (shutter 22, motor 151, etc.), the dispensing unit 30, the coin sorting unit 40 (dispensing mechanism 42, etc.), the temporary holding unit 50 (belt conveyor 51, etc.), the retrieval unit 60, the transport unit 70, the communication unit 403, etc., according to the operation program stored in the storage unit 402.

[0108] The coin processing device 1, under the control of the control unit 401, performs deposit processing and withdrawal processing as one of its transaction processes.

[0109] The operation display unit 2a of the information terminal device 2 displays an initial screen for selecting a transaction to be performed from among various transaction processes. When a user performs a deposit, they select the deposit process on the initial screen and then operate the start button on the subsequent deposit screen. When a user performs a withdrawal, they select the withdrawal process on the initial screen and then enter the withdrawal amount and number of units on the subsequent withdrawal screen and operate the start button. When the start button is pressed, the information terminal device 2 outputs a start command to the control unit 401, and the control unit 401 receives the start command. When the control unit 401 receives a start command for a deposit process, it starts the deposit process, and when it receives a start command for a withdrawal process, it starts the withdrawal process.

[0110] Furthermore, the coin processing device 1, information terminal device 2, etc., may be equipped with motion sensors, and the initial screen may be displayed when the motion sensor detects a user.

[0111] Figure 12(a) is a flowchart showing the deposit process executed by the control unit 401. Figure 12(b) is a flowchart showing the hold unit switching process executed by the control unit 401. Figures 13(a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the temporary hold operation in the deposit process. Figures 14(a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the distribution operation and return operation in the deposit process, respectively.

[0112] Referring to Figure 12(a), when the deposit process begins, the control unit 401 performs a shutter opening and closing operation (S101). That is, the control unit 401 opens the shutter 22 and opens the coin slot 111 of the deposit / withdrawal section 20. After the staff member inserts the predetermined number of coins to be deposited into the deposit / withdrawal section 20, the information terminal device 2 or the like performs a deposit completion operation. When the control unit 401 receives the deposit completion operation, it closes the shutter 22 and closes the coin slot 111.

[0113] While the shutter 22 is open, that is, when coins are inserted into the deposit / withdrawal section 20, the closing member 220 closes the exit 216 of the holding section 80. This prevents foreign objects from being introduced into the holding section 80 through the exit 216, which faces the inside of the deposit / withdrawal section 20.

[0114] Thus, when coins are inserted into the deposit / withdrawal section 20, the control unit 401 performs a temporary hold operation (S102).

[0115] As shown in Figure 13(a), coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal section 20 are introduced into the dispensing section 30, and then dispensed from the dispensing section 30 to the transport section 70. If a large number of coins are inserted into the deposit / withdrawal section 20, the dispensing of coins from the dispensing section 30 begins while there are still coins remaining in the deposit / withdrawal section 20.

[0116] Coins dispensed into the transport unit 70 flow through the transport unit 70, pass through the identification unit 90, and have their attributes identified. Coins that are normal and whose denomination can be identified are counted and then transported to the temporary holding unit 50 for storage. On the other hand, coins that are not normal or whose denomination cannot be identified by the identification unit 90 are introduced to the holding unit 80 through the dispensing chute 74, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow.

[0117] The control unit 401 starts the holding unit switching process shown in Figure 12(b) at the same time as the temporary holding operation is initiated. When the temporary holding operation is initiated, the holding unit 80 is in a state where it can hold rejected coins because the exit 216 is closed.

[0118] Referring to Figure 12(b), the control unit 401 determines whether or not there are coins remaining in the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 based on the detection result of the residual sensor 404 (S201). If there are coins remaining in the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 (S201: YES), the control unit 401 maintains the state in which the holding unit 80 is capable of holding.

[0119] As shown in Figure 13(a), when a rejected coin occurs while the holding section 80 is in a holding state, the rejected coin is held in the holding section 80.

[0120] If the coins run out in the coin deposit / withdrawal section 20 (S201:NO), the control unit 401 opens the blocking member 220 and opens the exit 216 of the holding section 80 (S202). As a result, the holding section 80 switches to a state where rejected coins can pass through.

[0121] As shown in Figure 13(b), if a rejected coin occurs while the holding section 80 is in a passable state, the rejected coin passes through the holding section 80 and is discharged to the deposit / discharge section 20. If the holding section 80 switches to a passable state while a rejected coin is being held, the held rejected coin is discharged to the deposit / discharge section 20 first.

[0122] When the coins have been stored in the temporary holding section 50 and the deposit temporary holding operation is complete (S203: YES), the control unit 401 closes the closing member 220 and opens the outlet 216 of the holding section 80 (S204). As a result, the holding section 80 switches back to a state where coins can be held.

[0123] Returning to Figure 12(a), once the temporary deposit hold operation is complete, the control unit 401 displays a deposit confirmation screen on the operation display unit 2a to accept confirmation or return operations, and waits for the user to perform the confirmation or return operation (S103, S104).

[0124] The confirmation operation is an operation to inform the coin processing device 1, i.e., the control unit 401, that the deposit of the desired number of coins has been completed, that is, that the number of coins (deposit amount) has been confirmed. The deposit confirmation screen displays the number and amount of coins of each denomination stored in the temporary holding unit 50. Therefore, the confirmation operation is also an operation to acknowledge that the number and amount displayed on the deposit confirmation screen are correct. The return operation is an operation to instruct the control unit 401 to return all coins stored in the temporary holding unit 50. The user checks the deposit confirmation screen and performs either the confirmation operation or the return operation.

[0125] When the control unit 401 receives a confirmation operation (S103: YES), it executes a sorting operation (S105).

[0126] As shown in Figure 14(a), the coins in the temporary holding section 50 are transported to the dispensing section 30 and dispensed into the transport section 70. The coins dispensed into the transport section 70 are identified by denomination by the identification section 90 and transported to the storage section 41 assigned to that denomination for storage.

[0127] Once all coins have been distributed and stored in the multiple storage units 41, the distribution operation ends. The number of coins deposited is added, and the amount of coins in the storage unit 402 is updated.

[0128] If the rejected coins have been returned to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 (S106: YES), the control unit 401 performs a shutter opening / closing operation (S107). The control unit 401 opens the shutter 22 to open the deposit slot 111, and based on the detection result of the residual sensor 404, if it determines that all rejected coins have been removed from the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, it closes the shutter 22 to close the deposit slot 111. In this way, the deposit process is completed.

[0129] On the other hand, when the control unit 401 receives a return operation (S104:YES), it opens the exit 216 of the holding section 80 and switches to a state where the holding section 80 can be passed through (S108), and then executes the return operation (S109).

[0130] As shown in Figure 14(b), the coins in the temporary holding section 50 are transported to the dispensing section 30 and dispensed into the transport section 70. The coins dispensed into the transport section 70 are introduced into the holding section 80 via the dispensing chute 74, pass through the holding section 80, and are discharged into the deposit / discharge section 20. When all the coins in the temporary holding section 50 have been returned to the deposit / discharge section 20, the return operation is completed.

[0131] The control unit 401 closes the exit 216 of the holding unit 80 and switches the holding unit 80 to a state where it can hold coins (S110), and then performs the shutter opening and closing operation (S107). The control unit 401 opens the shutter 22 and opens the coin slot 111, and when it determines that all coins have been removed from the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 based on the detection result of the residual sensor 404, it closes the shutter 22 and closes the coin slot 111. In this way, the deposit process is stopped.

[0132] If a large number of rejected coins are generated while the holding unit 80 is in a holding state during the temporary holding operation, the holding unit 80 may become full of rejected coins. When the control unit 401 detects that the holding unit 80 is full using the full sensor 260, it opens the outlet 216 of the holding unit 80 to discharge all or some of the rejected coins in the holding unit 80 to the deposit / discharge unit 20, and then closes the outlet 216 of the holding unit 80. This prevents rejected coins from overflowing from the holding unit 80 and causing a coin transport jam in the dispensing chute 74, etc. The rejected coins discharged to the deposit / discharge unit 20 are mixed with the coins in the deposit / discharge unit 20 and introduced back into the dispensing unit 30.

[0133] Furthermore, when the exit 216 is opened while a rejected coin is held in the holding section 80, it is possible that the rejected coin may remain inside for some reason without being ejected. If the control unit 401 detects that a rejected coin remains in the holding section 80 by the residual sensor 250 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the exit 216 was opened, it interrupts the deposit process and causes the information terminal device 2, which is the notification unit, to provide error notification via screen display or sound. The coin processing device 1 may also be provided with a notification unit that provides error notification, such as an operation display unit.

[0134] Furthermore, the system may be configured to allow re-identification of rejected coins. In this case, if the setting for re-identification is enabled, the control unit 401 will again perform a temporary hold operation on rejected coins returned to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. Coins dispensed from the dispensing unit 30 will be transported to the storage unit 41 if, as a result of the re-identification by the identification unit 90, they are determined to be normal coins with the correct denomination. If they remain rejected coins, they will be returned to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. The number of times re-identification is performed may also be configured.

[0135] Furthermore, the control unit 401 may perform the shutter opening and closing operation, which is performed to remove rejected coins from the coin deposit / withdrawal unit 20, after the temporary hold operation of S102 has finished. In this case, the shutter opening and closing operation will not be performed after the sorting operation of S105.

[0136] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the withdrawal process executed by the control unit 401. Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the withdrawal operation in the withdrawal process.

[0137] Referring to Figure 15, when the withdrawal process is started, the control unit 401 opens the exit 216 of the holding unit 80 and switches it to a state where the holding unit 80 can be passed through (S301), and then executes the withdrawal operation (S302).

[0138] As shown in Figure 16, coins of the denominations to be withdrawn are discharged from multiple storage units 41 to the temporary holding unit 50 in the number of coins required for withdrawal. The coins in the temporary holding unit 50 are then transported to the dispensing unit 30, discharged to the transport unit 70, and transported by the transport unit 70 to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 for dispensing. At this time, the coins pass through the holding unit 80 and are discharged to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. Once the dispensing of coins to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 is complete, the withdrawal operation ends.

[0139] The control unit 401 closes the exit 216 of the holding unit 80 and switches the holding unit 80 to a state where it can hold coins (S303), and then performs the shutter opening and closing operation (S304). The control unit 401 opens the shutter 22 and opens the coin slot 111, and when it determines that all coins have been removed from the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 based on the detection result of the residual sensor 404, it closes the shutter 22 and closes the coin slot 111. In this way, the withdrawal process is completed.

[0140] In addition to deposit and withdrawal processing, the coin processing device 1 can also perform transaction processing such as automatic verification, collection, and replenishment.

[0141] In the automatic verification process, all coins are discharged from the storage unit 41 to the temporary holding unit 50. The coins in the temporary holding unit 50 are then returned to the original storage unit 41 via the dispensing unit 30 and the transport unit 70. At this time, the number of coins is counted by the identification unit 90. It is checked whether the counted number of coins matches the number of coins managed as the outstanding balance in the storage unit 402, and the result is notified. The notification of the verification result is done, for example, by display on the operation display unit 2a of the information terminal device 2. This automatic verification process is performed sequentially in some or all of the storage units 41 in question.

[0142] In the retrieval process, coins are sent from the storage unit 41 to the retrieval unit 60 via the temporary holding unit 50 and retrieved. In full retrieval, all coins from all storage units 41 are retrieved to the retrieval unit 60, while in partial retrieval, all or some coins from some of the storage units 41 are retrieved to the retrieval unit 60.

[0143] In the replenishment process, the coins inserted into the deposit / withdrawal section 20 are sent to the storage section 41 that requires replenishment via the dispensing section 30 and the transport section 70.

[0144] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0145] In the coin processing device 1, the transport unit 70 includes a return transport unit 70a that transports rejected coins that are returned to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 based on the identification result by the identification unit 90, and a holding unit 80 is provided on the path of the return transport unit 70a that switches between a state in which rejected coins can be held and a state in which they can pass through.

[0146] Specifically, the holding section 80 includes a holding member 210 in which rejected coins are stored, and the holding member 210 has an outlet 216 from which rejected coins are ejected, and the outlet 216 is closed by an openable and closable closing member 220. The holding section 80 is switched between a state in which coins can be stored and a state in which coins can pass through by closing and opening the outlet 216 with the closing member 220.

[0147] With this configuration, by making the holding unit 80 capable of holding coins, rejected coins that would otherwise be returned to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 can be held in the holding unit 80. This prevents rejected coins from being returned to the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 while deposited coins remain there. This prevents rejected coins from getting mixed with coins that remain in the deposit / withdrawal unit 20.

[0148] Furthermore, since the holding section 80 is located on the path of the return transport section 70a and is configured to allow rejected coins to pass through when holding is not required, the space required to install the holding section 80 can be reduced compared to a configuration where the holding section 80 is located outside the path of the return transport section 70a.

[0149] Furthermore, the holding section 80 is connected to the deposit / withdrawal section 20 such that its exit 216 faces the interior of the deposit / withdrawal section 20. When coins are inserted into the deposit / withdrawal section 20, the blocking member 220 blocks the exit 216.

[0150] This configuration prevents foreign objects from being introduced into the holding section 80 through the exit 216 facing the inside of the deposit / withdrawal section 20.

[0151] Furthermore, the retaining section 80 has, inside the reject coin storage space S, a bottom surface 211 that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in the front-to-back direction (first direction), a front side surface 212 (first side surface) that rises from the lower end of the bottom surface 211 in the front-to-back direction, and a rear side surface 213 (second side surface) that rises from the higher end of the bottom surface 211 in the front-to-back direction. The rear side surface 213 is provided with an entrance 215 into which a reject coin is introduced so that the bottom surface 211 rolls toward the front side surface 212, and the front side surface 212 is inclined with respect to the left-to-right direction (second direction) perpendicular to the front-to-back direction in a plane parallel to the bottom surface 211.

[0152] With this configuration, when rejected coins are sequentially introduced into the holding section 80, these rejected coins are stacked and accumulated in the same diagonal position as the front side 212. As a result, it becomes less likely that rejected coins will remain with their front and back sides facing the left side 214, i.e., in the left-right direction, making it possible to hold a large number of rejected coins in the holding section 80.

[0153] Furthermore, the outlet 216 of the housing member 210 is open at the right end 212a, which is the lower end of the front surface 212 in the left-right direction (second direction).

[0154] With this configuration, when the blocking member 220 opens and the outlet 216 is opened, the rejected coins move sequentially from the front side 212 towards the outlet 216 and are discharged from the outlet 216. Therefore, when the holding section 80 is switched to a state where it can pass through while the rejected coins are held, the rejected coins can be smoothly discharged from within the holding section 80.

[0155] Furthermore, the control unit 401 sets the holding unit 80 to a state where it can hold coins when the residual sensor 404 (deposit coin detection unit) detects coins in the deposit / withdrawal unit 20, and switches the holding unit 80 to a state where it can pass when the residual sensor 404 no longer detects coins in the deposit / withdrawal unit 20.

[0156] With this configuration, as long as there are coins remaining in the deposit / withdrawal section 20, rejected coins can be held in the holding section 80, and when the deposit / withdrawal section 20 is empty of coins, the rejected coins that were held in the holding section 80 can be discharged back into the deposit / withdrawal section 20.

[0157] Furthermore, after the control unit 401 switches the holding unit 80 from a holding state to a pass-through state, it causes the information terminal device 2 (notification unit) to issue an error notification based on the detection of a rejected coin by the residual sensor 250.

[0158] With this configuration, if a problem occurs where a rejected coin is not ejected from the holding section 80 when the holding section 80 is switched to a passable state while a rejected coin is being held, the occurrence of this problem can be notified.

[0159] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way by the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible to the embodiments of the present invention other than those described above.

[0160] For example, the configuration of the retaining section 80 is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above. For example, the retaining section 80 can be configured as shown in Figures 17(a) and (b).

[0161] In the modified example shown in Figure 17(a), the holding section 80 includes a storage member 510 having a circular or rectangular cylindrical shape. The opening on the top surface of the storage member 510 becomes an inlet 511 into which rejected coins are introduced, and the opening on the bottom surface of the storage member 510 becomes an outlet 512 from which rejected coins are released. Rejected coins are held inside the storage member 510. The outlet 512 is closed by a closing member 520 that can be opened and closed horizontally. The closing member 520 is opened and closed by a drive mechanism (not shown). The outlet 512 is connected to the coin deposit / withdrawal section 20 directly or via a path such as a chute. By closing and opening the outlet 512 with the closing member 520, the holding section 80 is switched between a state in which rejected coins can be held and a state in which they can pass through.

[0162] In the modified example shown in Figure 17(b), the holding section 80 includes a cylindrical receiving member 610, which is circular or rectangular. An opening on the top surface of the receiving member 610 becomes an inlet 611 into which rejected coins are introduced, and an outlet 612 for the rejected coins is provided at the bottom of the circumferential surface of the receiving member 510. Rejected coins are held inside the receiving member 610. The bottom surface of the receiving member 610 slopes downward toward the outlet 612. The outlet 612 is closed by a closing member 620 that can be opened and closed vertically. The closing member 620 is opened and closed by a drive mechanism (not shown). The outlet 612 is connected to the coin deposit / withdrawal section 20 directly or via a path such as a chute. By closing and opening the outlet 612 with the closing member 620, the holding section 80 is switched between a state in which rejected coins can be held and a state in which they can pass through.

[0163] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the holding section 80 is provided at the end of the path of the return transport section 70a and connected to the deposit / withdrawal section 20. However, the holding section 80 may also be provided at the beginning or in the middle of the return transport section 70a.

[0164] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the holding unit 80 is kept in a holding state while there are coins in the deposit / withdrawal unit 20 during the deposit process, and is switched to a pass-through state when the coins are gone from the deposit / withdrawal unit 20. However, the holding unit 80 may be kept in a holding state while the temporary holding operation is performed, and then switched to a pass-through state after the temporary holding operation is completed. In this case, the timing of switching to a pass-through state may be immediately after the temporary holding operation, immediately after the sorting operation, or immediately before the sorting operation or the return operation.

[0165] Furthermore, the coin processing device 1 may be provided with a separate deposit section where coins are inserted and a withdrawal section where coins are dispensed, instead of a deposit / withdrawal section 20. In this case, during the deposit process, coins are inserted into the deposit section and rejected coins are returned, and during the withdrawal process, coins are dispensed into the withdrawal section. A holding section 80 is provided on the path of the return transport section 70a connected to the deposit section.

[0166] Furthermore, the coin processing device 1 may not be provided with a dispensing unit 30, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing coins to the transport unit 70 may be provided in the deposit / discharge unit 20.

[0167] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0168] 1. Coin processing device 2. Information terminal equipment (Notification Department) 20. Deposit and Withdrawal Department (Deposit Department) 70 Conveying section 70a Return Transport Section 80 Reservation Department 90 Identification unit 210 Housing member 211 Bottom 212 Front side (1st side) 213 Posterior side (2nd side) 215 Entrance 216 Exit 220 Closure member 250 Residual Sensor (Retained Coin Detection Unit) 401 Control Unit 404 Residual sensor (deposit coin detection unit) S Containment space

Claims

1. The deposit compartment into which coins are inserted, A transport unit for transporting coins discharged from the deposit unit, The system includes an identification unit that identifies the coins being transported by the transport unit, The transport unit includes a return transport unit that transports rejected coins that are returned to the deposit unit based on the identification result by the identification unit. The return transport unit is provided with a holding unit that switches whether or not to hold rejected coins. A coin processing device characterized by the following features.

2. In the coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, The retaining portion includes a storage member in which rejected coins are stored. The aforementioned storage member has an outlet from which rejected coins are ejected. The aforementioned outlet is closed by an opening and closing closing member. The blocking member blocks and opens the outlet, thereby switching whether or not the holding section holds the rejected coin. A coin processing device characterized by the following features.

3. In the coin processing apparatus according to claim 2, The holding section is connected to the deposit section, The aforementioned exit faces the interior of the deposit section, When coins are inserted into the deposit compartment, the blocking member blocks the exit. A coin processing device characterized by the following features.

4. In the coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned holding section has an interior that is a storage space for rejected coins, A base surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in the first direction, A first side surface rising from the lower end of the bottom surface in the first direction, It has a second side surface that rises from the higher end of the bottom surface in the first direction, The second side is provided with an opening into which a rejected coin is introduced so that its bottom surface faces the first side. The first side surface is inclined with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the bottom surface. A coin processing device characterized by the following features.

5. In the coin processing apparatus according to claim 4, The retaining section has an outlet from which rejected coins are ejected, and an openable and closable closing member that closes the outlet. The outlet opens at the lower end of the first side surface in the second direction, The blocking member blocks and opens the outlet, thereby switching whether or not the holding section holds the rejected coin. A coin processing device characterized by the following features.

6. In the coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A coin detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of coins in the deposit compartment, It further comprises a control unit and, The control unit, When a coin is detected by the coin detection unit, the holding unit is set to a state where rejected coins are held. When the coin detection unit no longer detects any coins, the holding unit is switched to a state where rejected coins are not held. A coin processing device characterized by the following features.

7. In the coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A retained coin detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of rejected coins in the retained section, It further comprises a control unit and, After the control unit switches the holding unit to a state where rejected coins are not held, it causes the notification unit to issue an error notification based on the detection of rejected coins by the held coin detection unit. A coin processing device characterized by the following features.

8. The deposit compartment into which coins are inserted, A transport unit for transporting coins discharged from the deposit unit, The transport unit is provided with a holding unit that switches whether or not to hold the coins, The aforementioned holding portion includes a storage member in which coins are stored, The aforementioned storage member has an outlet from which coins are dispensed. The aforementioned outlet is closed by an opening and closing closing member. The blocking member blocks and opens the outlet, thereby switching whether or not the holding section holds coins. A coin processing device characterized by the following features.

9. In the coin processing apparatus according to claim 8, The aforementioned housing member has, inside it, A base surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in the first direction, A first side surface rising from the lower end of the bottom surface in the first direction, It has a second side surface that rises from the higher end of the bottom surface in the first direction, The second side is provided with an opening into which a coin is introduced so that its bottom surface faces the first side. The first side surface is inclined with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the bottom surface. A coin processing device characterized by the following features.

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