Retention device and article supply device

Abstract

To provide a coin holding device having a mechanism that determines at least any of the presence / absence, type, and number of inputted coins, and the like.SOLUTION: Provided is a holding device capable of holding an inputted coin, including: a main body part; a discrimination part that discriminates authenticity of the inputted coin above the main body part; a holding part capable of holding the coin discriminated by the discrimination part below the main body part; and an acquisition part capable of acquiring information on at least any of the presence / absence, type, and number of coins held by the holding part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding device and an article supply device.

Background Art

[0002] There is an article supply device that supplies articles in response to payment. Patent Document 1 discloses an article supply device that can make a payment by inserting coins.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an article supply device, a mechanism for determining at least any one of the presence, type, and number of inserted coins is required.

[0005] Therefore, there is provided a coin holding device having a mechanism for determining at least any one of the presence, type, and number of inserted coins, and an article supply device equipped with the holding device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention One aspect is a holding device capable of holding inserted coins, comprising a main body portion, a discrimination portion above the main body portion for discriminating the authenticity of inserted coins, a holding portion below the main body portion for holding the coins discriminated by the discrimination portion, and an acquisition portion capable of acquiring information on at least any one of the presence, type, and number of coins held in the holding portion.

[0007] The present invention One aspectis an article supply device capable of supplying articles, comprising the holding device capable of holding coins inserted into the article supply device, a first operation unit, a supply unit that supplies the articles according to an operation on the first operation unit, and a transmission unit that transmits power corresponding to an operation on the first operation unit to a rotation unit, wherein the first operation unit is operable when the rotation unit is in a rotatable state.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] It is possible to provide a coin holding device having a mechanism for determining at least any one of the presence, type, and number of inserted coins, and an article supply device equipped with the holding device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential for the invention. Two or more of the plurality of features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Also, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the external configuration of the article supply device 100 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the front external appearance of the article supply device 100 corresponding to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, the main body of the article supply device 100 is composed of a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls, and the article storage unit 101 is a container (or a bucket, a case, etc.) in which articles supplied from the article supply device 100 are stored. The article storage unit 101 may be made of transparent plastic and configured to allow the articles stored inside to be visible from the outside. The articles are, for example, toys, electronic devices, dolls, etc. encapsulated in capsules and stored in the article storage unit 101. Alternatively, they may be stored without being encapsulated in capsules.

[0012] The article storage unit 101 is installed above the holding device 102, and inside the holding device 102, an article transport mechanism for taking out the article from the article storage unit 101 and transporting and supplying it to the outlet 105 is arranged. On the front surface of the holding device 102, a handle 103, a cash insertion slot 104, an outlet 105, a cash return slot 106, and a cash return button 107 are arranged.

[0013] The handle 103 is an operating member configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in response to the payment of the price. By the user rotating the handle 103, the article is supplied to the outlet 105. The rotation of the handle 103 is suppressed by a locking mechanism when the payment of the price cannot be confirmed, and the locking mechanism is released and the handle becomes rotatable when the payment of the price is confirmed.

[0014] The cash insertion slot 104 is used for inserting coins when paying the price in cash. Depending on the size of the cash, there may be multiple types of insertion slots. For example, as an example, an insertion slot with a size that allows inserting a 500-yen coin and a 100-yen coin respectively can be prepared. However, in Fig. 1, the insertion slots for the 500-yen coin and the 100-yen coin are shared, and the insertion slot corresponding to the size of the 100-yen coin is sealed (closed). The cash insertion slot 104 can switch between a state of accepting cash input and a state of not accepting it by controlling the internal mechanism. For example, when the corresponding amount of coins has been inserted for the price, the insertion slot may be closed to prevent further coin insertion. A concave portion formed of a curved surface is formed in the cash insertion slot 104, and the insertion slot is provided near the bottom (the deepest part) of the concave portion. Thus, even a small child can easily insert cash into the cash insertion slot 104 by sliding along the curved surface.

[0015] The take-out port 105 is a part for taking out the article supplied by turning the handle 103, and is covered with a transparent or translucent lid, and the article can be taken out by opening the lid. The cash return port 106 is configured such that the inserted coins are returned in response to the operation of the cash return button 107, and the coins returned from the device can be taken out. Here, when the corresponding number of coins for the price of the article has been inserted, the operation of the cash return button 107 may not be accepted. On the other hand, when the corresponding number of coins for a part of the price of the article has been inserted, the operation of the cash return button 107 may be accepted, and when the operation is accepted, the full amount of the inserted amount may be returned. Also, when the number of coins exceeding the price of the article has been inserted, the operation of the cash return button 107 may be accepted, and when the operation is accepted, a part or all of the inserted amount may be returned. At this time, a part of the inserted amount to be returned can be the excess amount.

[0016] Also, when it is determined that an appropriate type of coin has not been inserted as a result of coin discrimination, the coin to be discriminated is returned from the cash return port 106. For example, when only 500 yen and 100 yen coins are accepted, if 10 yen, 50 yen, 1 yen coins or foreign coins are inserted, they are returned as not being an appropriate type of coin. Also, when a counterfeit coin is inserted, it is returned as not being an appropriate type of coin.

[0017] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an example of the hardware configuration of at least a part of the holding device 102 of the article supply device 100 corresponding to the embodiment will be described. In FIG. 2, a control unit 201 is arranged in the holding device 102, and each block described later is connected to the control unit 201. The control unit 201 controls the operations of each block, and based on the data (or information) provided from the block or based on the processing result of the data, controls the operations of the block or other blocks. Also, an operating power supply is supplied to the holding device 102 from an external power supply 210.

[0018] The coin discrimination unit 202 discriminates the coins supplied to the holding device 102, and discharges the discriminated coins through the discharge paths inside the article supply device 100 provided for each type of coin. Also, when the coin discrimination unit 202 detects a coin, it sends a coin detection notification to the control unit 201. A first coin sensor 203 and a second coin sensor 204 are arranged at the coin discharge port, and the imaging operations of the first coin sensor and the second coin sensor are started according to the timing of coin detection. The first coin sensor 203 and the second coin sensor 204 function as imaging units capable of imaging still images or moving images.

[0019] More specifically, when the control unit 201 acquires a coin detection notification from the coin discrimination unit 202, the control unit 201 activates the first coin sensor 203 and the second coin sensor 204, and starts imaging the image of the coin discharged from the coin discrimination unit 202. Note that when the coin discrimination unit 202 is removed, the control unit 201 cannot acquire the coin detection notification, so the control unit 201 does not activate the first coin sensor 203 and the second coin sensor 204, and does not start imaging the image of the coin.

[0020] The first coin sensor 203 and the second coin sensor 204 repeatedly take still images at a predetermined time interval (for example, 0.1 second, or a time interval during which the discharged coin can be imaged with a quality enabling discrimination), and transmit the captured images to the control unit 201. The control unit 201 functions as a processing unit that analyzes and processes the captured images provided by the first coin sensor 203 and the second coin sensor 204, and determines the presence, type, and number of coins (or at least any one of them). Therefore, the control unit 201, together with the first coin sensor 203 and the second coin sensor, can function as an acquisition unit capable of acquiring information regarding the presence, type, and number of coins. The imaging operation in each sensor may be stopped in response to the unlocking of the lock mechanism 205, in response to the rotation of the handle 103 in response to the unlocking, or in response to the disappearance of coins in the captured image.

[0021] In addition, in this embodiment, the case of using two types of coins is assumed for explanation, but the case of being able to use only one type of coin is also included in the scope of the embodiment. In that case, the second coin sensor 204 may be made invalid, and only the first coin sensor 203 may be used.

[0022] Based on the captured images provided by each sensor, when the control unit 201 determines that the coins inserted from the cash insertion slot 104 are a predetermined number of coins of a predetermined type or the total amount of the inserted coins is the same as the predetermined amount, the control unit 201 releases the lock in the lock mechanism 205 to enable the rotation of the handle 103. Further, the coin discrimination unit 202 further performs authenticity detection of the coins, and when a counterfeit coin is detected, the coin is directly discharged to the cash return slot 106.

[0023] The locking mechanism 205 is a mechanism that suppresses (locks) the rotation of the handle 103 and has two states: a locked state and an unlocked state of the handle. In the normal state, the locking mechanism 205 operates to lock the rotation of the handle 103, and is configured to release the lock and make the handle 103 rotatable when the control unit 201 detects that a predetermined number of coins of a predetermined type have been inserted.

[0024] In the present embodiment, a configuration in which payment is made in cash is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which payment is made by cashless payment (electronic payment) such as electronic money may be used. In the case of this configuration, each article supply device 100 displays unique identification information that can identify each article supply device, and by acquiring the identification information with a user terminal, electronic payment becomes possible, and on the condition that the electronic payment is completed, it is possible to supply articles (enable the rotation operation of the handle 103). The electronic payment unit 206 is a processing unit for executing electronic payment, and when the electronic payment is completed, it notifies the control unit 201 of the completion. Electronic payment by the electronic payment unit 206 is possible only when the coins held in the first holding unit 303 and the second holding unit 304 do not reach the predetermined amount. When the held amount reaches the predetermined amount, the control unit 201 invalidates the electronic payment by the electronic payment unit 206 and permits only payment by coins.

[0025] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure inside the holding device 102 that holds the inserted coins, corresponding to the present embodiment, will be described. FIG. 3(A) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration when the holding mechanism 300 inside the holding device 102 is viewed from one side (the first side) of the side surface, and FIG. 3(B) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration when the holding mechanism 300 is viewed from the opposite side (the second side) of the side surface. Hereinafter, the configuration of the holding mechanism 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B).

[0026] The holding mechanism 300 shown in FIG. 3 does not include a configuration corresponding to the control unit 201 of FIG. 2. The control unit 201 is provided in the holding device 102 separately from the holding mechanism 300, but is connected to the coin discrimination unit 310, the sensor units 308, 309, etc. of the holding mechanism 300, and controls their operations.

[0027] In the holding mechanism 300, a first inclined portion 302 is disposed which forms a conveyance path through which coins inserted from the upper cash insertion port 104 of the main body portion 301 are conveyed to the coin discrimination unit 310. The first inclined portion 302 has a conveyance path with a size and length capable of conveying a plurality of types of coins, and is inclined so as to descend from the cash insertion port 104 toward the coin discrimination unit 310. Further, the main body portion 301 has a fixing lever 306 for fixing the coin discrimination unit 310 which is detachable from the main body portion 301, and the coin discrimination unit 310 is fixed to the main body portion 301 using the fixing lever 306. Also, by operating the fixing lever 306, the coin discrimination unit 310 can be removed from the main body portion 301.

[0028] The coin discrimination unit 310 corresponds to the coin discrimination unit 202 of FIG. 2, discriminates whether the inserted coin is a coin of a predetermined type, and if it is a coin of a predetermined type, discharges the coin to the first holding portion 303 or the second holding portion 304 provided below the main body portion 301. The vertical length of the coin discrimination unit 310 is shorter than the shortest distance between the lower end of the first inclined portion 302 and the upper end of the first holding portion 303 or the second holding portion 304.

[0029] The first holding unit 303 holds coins of the first type among coins of a predetermined type. The first holding unit 303 is provided in the main body 301 in an inclined manner such that one end is on the upper side (near the coin discrimination unit 310) and the other end is on the lower side. As a result, the inserted coins are held in order from the other end side. Further, the first holding unit 303 includes a first track portion on which the coins can roll, and the first track portion has a length capable of holding a plurality of coins of the first type. The number of coins of the first type that can be held in the first holding unit 303 can be set by moving the position of the protrusion 303a. The first holding unit 303 has a plurality of recesses 303b for determining the position of the protrusion 303a, and the number of coins that can be held can be set by arranging the protrusion 303a at any position of the recesses 303b. The first holding unit 303 is configured to discharge the excess coins through the cash return port 106 when more coins than the number that can be held are inserted.

[0030] A sensor unit 308a and 308b are arranged along the first track portion on the one end (upper end) and the other end (lower end) of the first holding unit 303 so as to be able to image the coins. The sensor unit 308a is an imaging sensor that acquires an image of the coins discharged from the coin discrimination unit 310, and based on the image, a control unit 201 (not shown in FIG. 3) can determine the type and number of coins. Further, the sensor unit 308b is an imaging sensor that acquires an image of the coins for determining the presence or absence of coins in the first holding unit 303, and based on the image, the control unit 201 can determine the presence or absence of coins in the first holding unit 303. The sensor units 308a and 308b correspond to the first coin sensor 203 in FIG. 2.

[0031] In the description of FIG. 2, it is described that the first coin sensor 203 is controlled to repeat taking still images at predetermined time intervals. However, the predetermined time intervals may be made different between the sensor units 308a and 308b. For example, the sensor unit 308a sets a short time interval (first time interval value: e.g., 0.1 second) for imaging the coins being discharged, while the sensor unit 308b sets a long time interval (second time interval value: e.g., 1 second) for imaging the coins held in the first holding unit 303.

[0032] The second holding unit 304 holds coins of a second type different from the first type among coins of a predetermined type. The second holding unit 304 is provided in the main body 301 in an inclined manner such that one end is on the upper side (near the coin discrimination unit 310) and the other end is on the lower side. Thereby, the inserted coins are held in order from the other end side. Further, the second holding unit 304 includes a second track portion on which the coins can roll, and the second track portion has a length capable of holding a plurality of coins of the second type. The number of coins of the second type that can be held in the second holding unit 304 can be set by moving the position of the protrusion 304a. The second holding unit 304 has a plurality of recesses 304b for determining the position of the protrusion 304a, and the number of coins that can be held can be set by arranging the protrusion 304a at any position of the recesses 304b. The second holding unit 304 is configured to discharge the excess coins through the cash return port 106 when more coins than the number that can be held are inserted.

[0033] On the one end (upper end) and the other end (lower end) of the second holding part 304, sensor units 309a and 309b are arranged along the second track part so as to be able to image the coins. The sensor unit 309a is an imaging sensor that acquires an image of the coin discharged from the coin discrimination part 310, and based on the image, the control part 201 can determine the type and number of coins. Also, the sensor unit 309b is an imaging sensor that acquires an image of the coin for determining the presence or absence of a coin in the second holding part 304, and based on the image, the control part 201 can determine the presence or absence of a coin in the second holding part 304. The sensor units 309a and 309b correspond to the second coin sensor 204 in FIG. 2.

[0034] In the description of FIG. 2, it was described that the second coin sensor 204 is also controlled to repeat taking still images at a predetermined time interval, but the predetermined time interval may be made different for the sensor units 309a and 309b. For example, the sensor unit 309a sets a short time interval (first time interval value: for example, 0.1 second) for imaging the discharged coin, while the sensor unit 309b sets a long time interval (second time interval value: for example, 1 second) for imaging the coin held in the second holding part 304.

[0035] In this embodiment, as an example, the first type of coin is a 500 - yen coin and the second type of coin is a 100 - yen coin. For example, when 800 yen is set as the price, as a combination, 1 500 - yen coin and 3 100 - yen coins can be considered. In this embodiment, cases where change occurs with 2 500 - yen coins or 8 100 - yen coins are excluded, but these combinations may also be made purchasable. Thus, the position of the protrusion 303a is determined so that the first holding part holds 1 500 - yen coin, and the position of the protrusion 304a is determined so that the second holding part holds 3 100 - yen coins.

[0036] Based on the images transmitted from the sensor units 308a and 309a, when the control unit 201 of FIG. 2 detects that a predetermined number of coins (for example, the first number and the second number respectively) have been inserted (i.e., a predetermined amount of money has been inserted) into the first holding unit 303 and the second holding unit 304 respectively, and that coins are being held in the first holding unit 303 and the second holding unit 304 based on the images transmitted from the sensor units 308b and 309b, it releases the lock of the rotating part 307 connected to the handle 103, making the handle 103 rotatable. When the rotating part 307 rotates, accordingly, the first holding unit 303 and the second holding unit 304 operate to tilt downward with respect to the main body part in order to shift from the state of holding the coins to a non-holding state, and the held coins are discharged into a coin storage part (not shown). After the coins are discharged and become non-held, it becomes possible to hold new coins again.

[0037] Specifically, in order to release the holding state of the coins in the first holding unit 303 and the second holding unit 304 by the above-described holding members, the lower end parts of the first holding unit 303 and the second holding unit 304 operate to tilt further downward. When the holding state is released by this operation, the held coins are discharged along the inclination of the first holding unit 303 and the second holding unit 304 into the lower coin storage part and become non-held. As a result, the presence of coins cannot be confirmed in the captured images in the sensor units 308b and 309b, so the control unit 201 locks the rotating part 307 again and stops the imaging operation of each sensor unit. Each sensor unit is attached to each holding unit so as to operate integrally when the first holding unit 303 and the second holding unit 304 operate.

[0038] The coin storage part is disposed below the first holding unit 303 and the second holding unit 304, in other words, below the holding mechanism 300, and includes a first coin storage part that stores only the first type of coins held in the first holding unit 303 and a second coin storage part that stores only the second type of coins held in the second holding unit 304. The first coin storage part and the second coin storage part may be integrally configured or separately configured as long as they can store different types of coins individually.

[0039] The first holding part 303 and the second holding part 304 each have an inclined part for holding the coins whose types have been discriminated in the coin discrimination part 310. The inclined part is inclined so as to descend from the coin discharge port for each type of coin in the coin discrimination part 310 toward the tips of the first holding part 303 and the second holding part 304. The direction of this inclination is different from the direction of the inclination of the first inclined part 302. The inclination of the first inclined part 302 is from the upper side toward the lower side where the coin discrimination part 310 is located, and the inclinations of the first holding part 303 and the second holding part 304 are from the lower side toward the upper side where the coin discrimination part 310 is located. At the tips of the inclined parts of the first holding part 303 and the second holding part 304, holding members for holding the coins held in the first holding part 303 and the second holding part 304 in a held state are arranged. By the holding member playing the role of a stopper, the coins are held in each holding part. When the holding member receives an operation of the cash return button 107 or when the handle 103 is rotated, the holding member is released, and the coins in each holding part can be discharged.

[0040] When the coin discrimination part 310 determines that the inserted coin is not a coin of a predetermined type, the inserted coin is discharged to the discharge path 305 without being discharged to the first holding part 303 or the second holding part 304. The discharge path 305 is connected to the cash return port 106, and the coins discharged to the discharge path 305 can be collected from the cash return port 106. Also, when the cash return button 107 is operated, the first type of coin and the second type of coin held in the first holding part 303 and the second holding part 304 are released from the held state in response to the operation of the cash return button 107 and are discharged to the cash return port 106, becoming non-held states.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the main body 301 with the coin discrimination unit 310 removed. The main body 301 is provided with a mounting portion 311 on which the coin discrimination unit 310 can be mounted. The mounting portion 311 has a concave portion corresponding to the outer shape of the coin discrimination unit 310. Below the mounting portion 311, an opening 305a connected to the discharge path 305 is provided. In the coin discrimination unit 310, coins not discriminated as coins of a predetermined type are discharged to the discharge path 305 through the opening, and are discharged from the opening 305b to the cash return port 106 through the discharge path 305.

[0042] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the processing flow of the control unit 201 corresponding to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control unit 201.

[0043] First, when the coin discrimination unit 202 detects the insertion of a coin, in S501, the control unit 201 receives a coin detection notification from the coin discrimination unit 202. In the subsequent S502, the control unit 201 activates the first coin sensor 203 and the second coin sensor 204, and starts the imaging operation of the image. In the subsequent S503, the control unit 201 determines whether it has received a notification from the coin discrimination unit 202 that the inserted coin is an inappropriate coin. If the inserted coin is inappropriate, for example, if it is a 10-yen, 50-yen, 1-yen coin or a foreign coin, or if a counterfeit coin is inserted (in S503, "YES"), the process proceeds to S504. On the other hand, if the inserted coin is appropriate, the above notification is not received, and the process proceeds to S505.

[0044] In S504, the control unit 201 determines whether the inserted coins have calculated the inserted amount (for example, whether 100-yen and 500-yen coins have been inserted into the first holding unit 303 and / or the second holding unit 304). If the inserted amount has been calculated (i.e., "YES" in S504), the process proceeds to S505. In this case, since there is a possibility that 10 yen or the like has been erroneously inserted when the inserted amount has been calculated, the operation of each sensor does not stop and the process continues. On the other hand, if the inserted amount has not been calculated (i.e., "NO" in S504), the process proceeds to S511. In this case, since no appropriate coin has been inserted, the operation of each sensor is stopped.

[0045] In S505, the control unit 201 receives captured images from the first coin sensor 203 and the second coin sensor 204. The first coin sensor 203 and the second coin sensor 204 capture images at a predetermined time interval as described above and transmit the captured images to the control unit 201. In the subsequent S506, based on the received captured images, the control unit 201 discriminates the type of coin using a known pattern matching technique or the like, and determines the presence or absence of coins, the number of inserted coins, and the total inserted amount according to the discrimination result of the type.

[0046] In the subsequent S507, the control unit 201 determines whether the total inserted amount has reached a predetermined amount. For example, if the predetermined amount is 800 yen, when three 100-yen coins and one 500-yen coin are inserted, the predetermined amount is reached. When the predetermined amount is reached (i.e., "YES" in S507), the process proceeds to S508. On the other hand, if the amount is less than the predetermined amount (i.e., "NO" in S507), the process returns to S503.

[0047] In S508, the control unit 201 releases the lock of the locking mechanism 205. As a result, the lock of the rotating part 307 connected to the handle 103 is released, and the handle 103 becomes rotatable. In the subsequent S509, it is determined whether the handle has been rotated. The rotation of the handle can be determined based on, for example, the analysis results of the captured images of the sensor unit 308b and the sensor unit 309b, and whether the presence of coins can no longer be confirmed in the first holding part 303 and the second holding part 304 after the lock of the locking mechanism 205 is released.

[0048] When the control unit 201 determines that the handle has been rotated (''YES'' in S509), in S510, it locks the locking mechanism 205 again, and in S511, it stops the operations of the first coin sensor 203 and the second coin sensor 204, and ends this process.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows an example of the external configuration of the coin discrimination unit 310. FIG. 6(A) is a view showing the structure of the upper surface side of the coin discrimination unit 310, and FIG. 6(B) is a view showing the structure of the bottom surface side of the coin discrimination unit 310. As shown here, the coin discrimination unit 310 is formed with a first opening 310a for taking in the inserted coin. When a coin is taken in from the first opening 310a, the coin insertion is detected and notified to the control unit 201 (S501 in FIG. 5). Further, the coin discrimination unit 310 discriminates the authenticity and type of the inserted coin. When it is discriminated as a genuine coin, the type is further discriminated. Here, when it is discriminated as a coin of the first type, it is configured to be discharged to the first holding part 303 through a passage connected to the first holding part 303 and from a second opening 310b formed on the bottom surface. At this time, the image of the discharged coin is captured by the sensor unit 308a, and the captured image is provided to the control unit 201, enabling the determination of the type and number of coins. Also, the image of the coin first discharged to the first holding part 303 is captured by the sensor unit 308b, and the captured image is provided to the control unit 201, enabling the determination of the presence or absence of coins in the first holding part 303.

[0050] Also, when it is determined that the coin is of the second type, it is configured to be discharged from the third opening 310c formed on the bottom surface through the passage connected to the second holding unit 304 and into the second holding unit 304. At this time, the image of the discharged coin is captured by the sensor unit 309a, and the captured image is provided to the control unit 201, enabling the determination of the type and number of coins. Also, the image of the coin first discharged into the second holding unit 304 is captured by the sensor unit 309b, and the captured image is provided to the control unit 201, enabling the determination of the presence or absence of coins in the second holding unit 304.

[0051] Accordingly, in the holding mechanism 300, a first passage portion communicating from the first inclined portion 302 to the first holding unit 303 via the coin discrimination unit 310 and a second passage portion communicating from the first inclined portion 302 to the second holding unit 304 via the coin discrimination unit 310 are formed.

[0052] Also, when the coin discrimination unit 310 determines that the coin is a counterfeit, or when the coin is of a third type other than the first or second type, it is configured to be discharged from the fourth opening 310d through the passage connected to the opening 305a of the discharge path 305. Also, at this time, when the coin discrimination unit 310 determines that the inserted coin is an inappropriate coin as a result of the discrimination, it notifies the control unit 201 to that effect (FIG. 5, S503). The inappropriate coin discharged at this time is not imaged by the sensor unit 308a or the sensor unit 309a, and when the inserted amount has not been confirmed, the operation of each sensor unit is stopped. The fourth opening 310d cannot pass the first type of coin and the second type of coin, and only the third type of coin other than these or a counterfeit can pass through. Note that when the electronic settlement by the electronic settlement unit 206 is completed, the control unit 201 can control the coin discrimination unit 310 to allow the first type of coin and the second type of coin to pass through the fourth opening 310d.

[0053] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a transmission mechanism that transmits power according to an operation on the handle 103 will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the power transmission mechanism. In FIG. 7, one end of a main shaft body 701 that constitutes a part of a gear interlocking mechanism is attached to the rotation center axis of the handle 103. The main shaft body 701 has a spur gear 702 fixed to the other end. Above the spur gear 702, a small gear 703 that meshes with the spur gear 702 is rotatably supported. Further, above the small gear 703, a spur gear 704 that meshes with the small gear 703 is rotatably supported. The spur gear 704 has gear portions 704A that are integrally formed with the same center axis.

[0054] A turntable 705 is rotatably provided on an intermediate wall that constitutes the bottom wall of the article storage section 101. A tooth pattern 706 is formed on the bottom surface of the turntable 705, and the gear portion 704A meshes with the tooth pattern 706. Therefore, when the handle 103 is manually rotated in the direction of arrow T1, the rotational force is transmitted to the spur gear 702 via the main shaft body 701, and the rotational force in the direction of arrow T2 is transmitted to the turntable 705 via the small gear 703 and the gear 704 that mesh with it. Then, by continuing the operation of the handle 103, the turntable 705 rotates by a predetermined angle, and when one of the notches 707 of the turntable 705 coincides with the take-out hole 708 of the intermediate wall of the article storage section 101, one of the stored items A stored in the article storage section 101 is sent to the take-out port 105 through the notch 707 of the turntable 705 and discharged from the take-out port 105. Further, a spur gear 709 that meshes with this spur gear 702 is rotatably supported obliquely below the spur gear 702. Below this spur gear 709, an intermediate shaft 711 with a small gear 710 attached to one end and meshing with this spur gear 709 is rotatably supported. Further, a bevel gear 612 is attached to a substantially central portion of the intermediate shaft 711.

[0055] When the user rotates the handle 103, the main shaft body 701 rotates to rotate the spur gear 702. As a result, on the one hand, the rotary table 705 is rotated via the pinion gear 703, the spur gear 704, and the gear portion 704A. On the other hand, the rotation of the spur gear 702 rotates the intermediate shaft 711 via the spur gear 709 and the pinion gear 710, and rotates the bevel gear 712. Therefore, if the rotation of the bevel gear 712 is blocked, the rotation of the handle 103 and the rotation of the rotary table 705 will also be blocked.

[0056] The bevel gear 713 is meshed with the bevel gear 712. Therefore, when the bevel gear 712 tries to rotate with the rotation of the handle 103, the bevel gear 713 also tries to rotate, but the gear 713 is integrated with the rotating part 307. Therefore, when the rotation of the rotating part 307 is locked, the bevel gear 713 cannot rotate, and as a result, the rotation of the handle 103 is blocked. In this way, in the locked state of the rotating part 307, the bevel gear 712 and the bevel gear 713 are also blocked from rotating, and the handle 103 cannot rotate, so the rotary table 705 does not rotate and the contained object A cannot be taken out.

[0057] In addition, in FIG. 7, the main shaft body 701 directly connected to the handle 103 and the intermediate shaft 711 to which the bevel gear 712 cooperating with the rotating part 307 is attached are separate bodies, but the bevel gear 712 may be provided on the main shaft body 701.

[0058] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

Claims

1. A holding device capable of holding inserted coins, comprising: a main body portion; a holding portion provided in the main body portion and inclined such that one end portion is upward and the other end portion is downward, the holding portion being capable of holding inserted coins; an acquisition portion capable of acquiring information on the coins held in the holding portion, the acquisition portion including an imaging portion for imaging an image of the coins held in the holding portion along the holding portion on each of the one end portion side and the other end portion side; and the acquisition portion is capable of acquiring at least any one of information on whether the coins are held in the holding portion, the type of the coins, and the number of the coins. A holding device.

2. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging portion is provided at a position capable of imaging the first coin held among the coins held in the holding portion.

3. The holding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the imaging portion starts imaging at a predetermined timing after the coins are inserted.

4. The holding portion includes a track portion along which the coins can roll, and the imaging portion is arranged along the track portion. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holding portion is configured to be operable with respect to the main body portion to release the coins held therein.

6. a settlement portion for performing electronic settlement; a control portion for controlling the settlement portion; and the holding device further includes: The control portion invalidates the execution of the electronic settlement by the settlement portion in response to the total amount of the coins held in the holding portion being equal to a predetermined amount. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the holding portion is configured to be operable to release the coins held therein in response to the total amount of the coins held in the holding portion being equal to a predetermined amount.

8. The holding device according to claim 7, wherein the holding portion is configured to be capable of holding additional coins in response to the coins held therein being released.

9. An article supply device capable of supplying articles, comprising: the holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is capable of holding the coins inserted into the article supply device; a first operation portion; a supply portion for supplying the articles in response to an operation on the first operation portion; a transmission portion for transmitting power corresponding to an operation on the first operation portion to a rotation portion; and the article supply device includes: The article supply device, wherein the first operation unit is operable when the rotating unit is in a rotatable state.

10. The article supply device according to claim 9, wherein the rotating unit is configured to be rotatable in response to the total amount of coins held by the holding device being equal to a predetermined amount.

Images