HK1227161B - Coin handling device - Google Patents

Description

Coin processing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a coin processing device mounted on a vending machine, a money-changing machine, a calculating machine, a ticket vending machine, a service equipment machine (hereinafter referred to as "vending machine, etc."), etc.

Background Art

Conventional technology involves coin handling devices installed within vending machines, etc., to verify the authenticity of inserted coins, sort and store genuine coins by denomination, and then disburse the sorted coins based on the amount of change. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of such a coin handling device.

The coin handling apparatus 1 generally consists of a coin sorting device 2 and a coin dispensing device 3. The coin sorting device 2 determines the authenticity of inserted coins and sorts them by denomination. The coin dispensing device 3 deposits the inserted coins sorted by the coin sorting device 2 by denomination and selects coins corresponding to the amount of change, etc., from the coin sorting device for dispensing. The coin sorting device 2 also includes a coin identification unit 4 that identifies the authenticity and denomination of inserted coins, and a coin dispensing unit 5 that sorts coins identified by the coin identification unit 4 by denomination. The coin dispensing unit 5 distributes coins to a safe (hereinafter referred to as "safe") or a return port outside the coin handling apparatus 1. Furthermore, the coin dispensing device 3 includes a coin storage section 6 formed by a plurality of coin ducts 61 to 65, which deposits the coins sorted by the coin sorting device 2 by denomination, and a coin dispensing unit 7 that selects coins corresponding to the amount of change, etc., from the coin storage section 6 formed by the plurality of coin ducts 61 to 65 for dispensing. As the coin dispensing unit 7, a coin dispensing unit is widely used, which uses a sliding component called a dispensing slider to draw out the coins stored in the coin ducts 61 to 65 one by one from a slit-shaped hole opened at the lowest part of the coin ducts 61 to 65. The dispensing slider is provided with a coin storage hole at the portion corresponding to the lowest part of each coin duct 61 to 65, and draws out the coins stored in the coin storage hole. Subsequently, the coin dispensing unit 7 controls whether the drawn coins are dispensed or not by selectively supporting and releasing the coins stored in the coin storage hole of the dispensing slider using a sliding component called a switching slider. In addition, in the coin dispensing device 3, when the coins in the coin dispensing device 3 are collected as sales, in order to facilitate the removal of the coins, the coin storage unit 6 is usually provided as a cassette that can be removed from the main body of the coin processing device 1.

In the operation of vending machines, etc., it is necessary to regularly perform coin collection and change replenishment in the coin processing device. To perform coin collection and change replenishment, coin processing devices in the prior art generally have the following two types of change management functions. First, the first type of change management function (automatic change matching function) allows the worker (hereinafter referred to as "worker") who performs coin collection and change replenishment to know the number of coins stored in the coin storage unit. The change management function is usually located on the main body of the vending machine, etc. When the worker starts replenishing change, he or she operates the main control remote control of the vending machine, etc. to set the initial number of change to be replenished. Afterwards, the display unit of the main control remote control of the vending machine can confirm the increase or decrease in the number of coins stored in the coin storage unit and the initial number of change to be replenished. The second type of change management function (simple automatic change matching function) does not allow the worker to know the actual number of coins stored in the coin storage unit, but the operation is simpler than the first type of change management function. This change management function is typically installed in a coin handling device. When a worker begins replenishing change, they instruct the coin handling device to identify the coins in the initial replenishment count. This identification is typically performed automatically by the coin handling device upon removal of the coin storage cassette. The increase or decrease in the initial replenishment count is then calculated. This second type of change management function does not monitor the actual number of coins stored in the coin storage. Since there is no need to set an initial replenishment count, it is simpler to operate than the first type of change management function.

The coin collection and change replenishment operations using these two change management functions are as follows. First, coins exceeding the initial change replenishment count are disbursed through the coin dispensing unit of the coin handling device to perform coin collection. Second, coins are added from the input port of the coin handling device to perform change replenishment. During change replenishment, if coins exceeding the initial change replenishment count are added, the excess coins are returned to the return port.

Prior art literature

Patent Literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP 07-262426

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP 2013-37424

The aforementioned prior art change management machine can recover coins that increase the initial number of coins replenished by using the coin dispensing unit of the coin processing device. However, using the coin dispensing unit to dispensing coins requires a considerable amount of time. Furthermore, since the aforementioned prior art change management machine can replenish change by inserting coins from the input port of the coin processing device, replenishing change takes considerable time and effort. Thus, the coin recovery and change replenishment operations using the prior art change management machine take considerable time and effort. For this reason, in actual coin recovery and change replenishment operations, workers do not use the aforementioned change management machine. Instead, they pre-mark a line at the height of the initial number of coins replenished in the coin channel with a marker or the like, and manually remove coins from the coin storage unit directly up to the marked line or replenish change up to the marked line.

Summary of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device capable of performing coin collection and change replenishment by manual operation in a short time.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the coin processing device of claim 1 includes: a coin identification unit, which identifies the currency type of the coins inserted; a coin distribution unit, which distributes the coins identified by the coin identification unit according to the currency type; a plurality of coin pipes, which store the coins distributed by the coin distribution unit according to the currency type; a coin disbursement unit, which pays out the coins stored in the coin pipes, and is characterized in that the coin processing device includes: for at least one specific currency, an initial replenishment coin pipe for storing a specified initial replenishment number of coins in the initial replenishment state after the coin recovery and change replenishment operations are completed, and an additional coin pipe for not storing coins in the initial replenishment state. , an initial replenishment state setting unit for enabling the device body to identify the initial replenishment state, the coin allocation unit allocates the coins of the specific currency inserted into the initial replenishment coin pipe when the number of coins stored in the initial replenishment coin pipe is less than the initial replenishment number, and allocates the coins of the specific currency inserted into the additional coin pipe when the number of coins stored in the initial replenishment coin pipe is the initial replenishment number, the coin disbursement unit disburses the coins of the specific currency from the additional coin pipe when coins are stored in the additional coin pipe, and disburses the coins of the specific currency from the initial replenishment coin pipe when no coins are stored in the additional coin pipe.

The coin processing device of claim 2 is the coin processing device of claim 1, characterized in that the initial replenishment state setting unit is an input unit provided on the device body, and is a unit manually input by a worker.

The coin processing device of claim 3 is the coin processing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coin processing device includes a coin pipe status display unit that displays the storage status of coins in each of the coin pipes.

The coin processing device of claim 4 is the coin processing device of claim 3, characterized in that the coin pipe status display unit displays whether the initial replenishment coin pipe stores the initial replenishment number of coins, and displays whether the additional coin pipe stores coins.

The coin processing device of claim 5 is the coin processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the coin pipeline status display unit displays the increase or decrease in the number of coins stored from the initial replenishment state.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, coin recovery and change replenishment in a coin processing apparatus can be performed in a short time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a block diagram of a coin processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a coin processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG3 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the coin processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a dispensing process of the coin handling apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a one-yuan dispensing process in the coin handling apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the 5-cent distribution process of the coin processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a disbursement processing flow of the coin processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of a disbursement channel determination process of the coin processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flowchart showing a 1-yuan disbursement channel selection process flow of the coin processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a flowchart showing a 5-cent disbursement channel selection process flow of the coin processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a flowchart showing the flow of an initial replenishment state setting process of the coin processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a flowchart showing the coin duct state display processing flow of the coin processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a coin channel status display unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a coin processing device according to the prior art.

Explanation of symbols

1 Coin handling device

2 Coin sorting device

3 Coin storage device

4 Coin dispensing device

5 Coin dispensing unit

6 Coin storage area

61～65 Coin Pipe

7 coin payout unit

8 arithmetic units

9 memory cells

91 Add/subtract counter

92 coins that can be spent

93 Remaining prepayment amount

10 Full charge detection switch

11. Empty switch

12 Initial replenishment status setting unit

12a Setting button

13 Coin channel status display unit

14 Main control of vending machines, etc.

C Coin

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG1 is a block diagram of a coin processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the coin processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, schematically illustrating the coin processing device 1. The structure of the coin processing device 1 according to this embodiment is identical to that of the aforementioned prior art coin processing device, except for the parts described below. Therefore, components of this embodiment identical to those of the aforementioned prior art coin processing device are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

This coin processing device 1 includes a coin identification unit 4, a coin dispensing unit 5, a coin storage unit 6 formed by five coin ducts 61-65, a coin dispensing unit 7, a calculation unit 8, and a memory unit 9. The coin dispensing unit 7 includes a dispensing slider with five coin storage holes corresponding to the coin ducts 61-65. Coins stored in the coin storage holes are dispensed by drawing the dispensing slider out. Each coin duct 61-65 is equipped with a full detection switch 10 and an empty switch 11. The full detection switch 10 is a sensor that detects when the coin duct 61-65 is full of coins, while the empty switch 11 is a sensor that detects when the coin duct 61-65 has reached a predetermined number of coins.

Furthermore, in order to keep track of the number of coins stored in each coin duct 61-65, the memory unit 9 of the coin handling device 1 includes an up/down counter 91 for each coin duct 61-65. The up/down counter 91 has an initial value of zero when power is turned on. It performs an addition operation when coins are dispensed into each coin duct 61-65 and a subtraction operation when coins are dispensed from each coin duct 61-65.

The memory unit 9 of the coin handling device 1 also includes a field for storing the number of coins available for dispensing 92 and the number of coins remaining to be dispensed 93 for each coin duct 61-65 to be processed upon receiving a refund command from the main control unit 14 of a vending machine or the like. The number of coins available for dispensing 92 is the number of coins that can actually be dispensed from each coin duct 61-65, as identified by the coin handling device 1. When the device is powered on or when the cassette 6 forming the coin storage unit 6, formed by the coin ducts 61-65, is removed, the dispensable number 92 begins counting from zero if the empty switch 11 detects that the number of coins stored in each coin duct 61-65 is less than a specified number. If the empty switch 11 does not detect that the number of coins stored in each coin duct 61-65 is less than the specified number, the number of coins is counted again from the specified number plus one. Fundamentally, this number is incremented when coins are dispensed into each coin duct 61-65 and subtracted when coins are dispensed from each coin duct 61-65. However, if the empty switch 11 does not detect that the number of coins stored in each coin duct 61 to 65 is less than the specified number, the number below the specified number is not subtracted from the dispensable number 92. If the full number is detected by the full detection sensor 10, the number is considered to be full. The dispensable number 92 can be used to determine the number of coins that can actually be dispensing from each coin duct 61 to 65, that is, the minimum number of coins that can be stored in each coin duct 61 to 65.

The above structure is the same as that of the coin processing device in the prior art.

The five coin ducts 61-65 of the coin processing device 1 are, from left to right in Figures 1 and 2, respectively: duct A (1 Yuan) 61 for storing 1 Yuan coins, duct B (1 Yuan) 62 for storing 1 Yuan coins, duct C (5 Jiao) 63 for storing 5 Jiao coins, duct D (5 Jiao) 64 for storing 5 Jiao coins, and duct D (1 Yuan) 65 for storing 1 Yuan coins. These five coin ducts 61-65 are divided into initial replenishment coin ducts and additional coin ducts. The initial replenishment coin duct, in the initial replenishment state after coin recovery and change replenishment operations are completed, stores a predetermined initial replenishment number of coins and only dispenses inserted coins when the number of coins stored in the initial replenishment coin duct is less than the initial replenishment number. The additional coin duct does not store coins in the initial replenishment state after coin recovery and change replenishment operations are completed. When the initial replenishment number of coins is stored in the initial replenishment coin duct, the additional coin duct dispenses coins exceeding the initial replenishment number. In the coin processing device 1, channel A (1 yuan) 61, channel B (1 yuan) 62 and channel C (5 jiao) 63 are channels for initial replenishment of coins, and channel D (5 jiao) 64 and channel E (1 yuan) 65 are channels for additional coins.

The coin handling device 1 is equipped with an initial replenishment state setting unit 12, which is not found in conventional coin handling devices. This initial replenishment state setting unit 12 allows the coin handling device 1 to recognize the initial replenishment state, indicating that the coin collection and change replenishment operations have been completed. The coin handling device 1 includes a setting button 12a as the initial replenishment state setting unit 12. When vending begins at a vending machine, the operator sets the initial replenishment coin duct to store a predetermined number of coins, while the additional coin ducts do not store any coins. The operator then presses the setting button 12a, causing the coin handling device 1 to recognize the initial replenishment state. Pressing the setting button 12a clears the values of the up/down counters 91 of all coin ducts 61-65 to zero. In other words, in the initial replenishment state, the values of the up/down counters 91 of all coin ducts 61-65 are zero. By referring to the values of the up/down counters 91 of each coin duct 61-65, the operator can determine the increase or decrease in the number of coins stored in each coin duct 61-65 since the initial replenishment state.

Furthermore, the initial replenishment state setting unit 12 of the present invention can also automatically recognize the initial replenishment state when the cassette serving as the coin storage unit 6 is loaded or unloaded from the main body of the coin processing device 1. However, the structure in which the operator manually inputs the input to the coin processing device 1, as with the setting button 12a, to recognize the initial replenishment state has the advantage that the value of the up-down counter 91 of each coin duct 61-65 is reset to zero only when the cassette serving as the coin storage unit is loaded or unloaded for maintenance of the coin processing device 1, thereby eliminating the need to re-execute coin collection and change replenishment for the coin processing device 1 to recognize the initial replenishment state.

Furthermore, the coin processing device 1 uses an up/down counter 91 to determine the increase/decrease in the number of coins stored in the coin ducts 61 to 65 during the initial replenishment phase. However, the coin processing device of the present invention may also include a special counter instead of the up/down counter 91. In this case, the following processing refers to the value of the special counter instead of the up/down counter 91.

The coin handling apparatus 1 distributes and pays out inserted coins as follows. First, regarding the distribution of inserted coins, the coin distributing unit 5 of the coin handling apparatus 1 distributes inserted coins to the initial replenishment coin duct when the number of coins stored in the initial replenishment coin duct is less than the initial replenishment number, i.e., when the value of the up-down counter 91 of the initial replenishment coin duct is less than zero. If the number of coins stored in the initial replenishment coin duct equals the initial replenishment number, i.e., when the value of the up-down counter 91 of the initial replenishment coin duct is zero, the inserted coins are distributed to the additional coin duct. Next, regarding the payout of coins, the coin payout unit 7 of the coin handling apparatus 1 pays out coins from the additional coin duct when the additional coin duct contains coins, i.e., when the value of the up-down counter 91 of the additional coin duct is greater than zero. If the additional coin duct contains no coins, i.e., when the value of the up-down counter 91 of the additional coin duct is zero, the coins are paid out from the initial replenishment coin duct.

Coin recovery and change replenishment in the coin processing device 1 are performed manually by the worker as follows. First, if the additional coin duct contains coins, the worker simply recovers all of them. This eliminates the need to count the coins, and since the coins are sorted by denomination, the worker can easily and quickly recover the coins. Furthermore, if the additional coin duct contains coins, the worker can instantly determine that change replenishment is not necessary because the initial replenishment coin duct already contains the specified initial replenishment number of coins. On the other hand, if the additional coin duct contains no coins, the worker can determine that change replenishment is necessary. However, even in this case, if the initial replenishment coin duct contains the specified initial replenishment number of coins, change replenishment is not necessary.

Furthermore, the coin handling device 1 is equipped with a coin duct status display unit 13, which is not found in conventional coin handling devices. This coin duct status display unit 13 is used to display the coin storage status of the coins in the coin ducts 61-65. The coin duct status display unit 13 includes six LED lights: an A light 131 corresponding to the A duct (1 yuan) 61, a B light 132 corresponding to the B duct (1 yuan) 62, a C light 133 corresponding to the C duct (5 jiao) 63, a D light 134 corresponding to the D duct (5 jiao) 64, an E light 135 corresponding to the E duct (1 yuan) 65, and a safe light 136 corresponding to the safe. When the initial replenishment coin duct needs to be replenished, that is, when the number of coins stored in the initial replenishment coin duct is less than the initial replenishment number, the LED light corresponding to the coin duct lights up. Furthermore, when coins need to be withdrawn from the additional coin duct or the safe, that is, when there are coins stored in the additional coin duct or the safe, the LED light corresponding to the coin duct or safe flashes. Through the coin duct state display unit 13 , the worker can instantly confirm the coin ducts 61 - 65 that need to be coin recovered or change replenished, thereby shortening the operation time of coin recovery and change replenishment.

The coin conduit status display unit 13 of the present invention can be any unit that allows workers to easily identify whether coins need to be recovered or change needs to be replenished for each coin conduit 61 to 65, and is not limited to the above-mentioned structure. For example, as shown in Figure 13, for each coin conduit 61 to 65, a structure can be considered to display the increase or decrease number (i.e., the value of the addition and subtraction counter 91) from the initial replenishment number of coins stored. In this structure, the number of coins that need to be replenished to the initial replenishment coin conduit and the number of coins that need to be recovered from the increased coin conduit can be confirmed at a glance. In the example of Figure 13, it can be confirmed at a glance that 9 5-cent coins need to be replenished to the C conduit (5-cent) 63 and 29 1-yuan coins need to be recovered from the E conduit (1-yuan) 65.

Next, the flow of processing executed in the coin processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG3 is a flowchart illustrating the operational flow of the coin processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Upon power-up, the coin processing device 1 initially performs initial operation ( S101 ). Thereafter, the device enters a standby state. Upon detecting a coin insertion, the device performs a dispensing process ( S102 ). Upon receiving a refund instruction from the main control 14 of an automatic vending machine, etc., the device performs a disbursement process ( S103 ). Upon pressing the setting button 12a provided in the coin processing device, the device performs an initial replenishment state setting process ( S104 ). Finally, the device performs a coin duct state display process ( S105 ) based on the values of the up/down counters 91 corresponding to the coin ducts 61 to 65 .

FIG4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the dispensing process (S102) of the coin processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the dispensing process (S102), the coin processing device 1 detects a coin insertion in a standby state (S201), executes a currency type determination process (S202), and if the inserted coin is determined to be a 1-yuan coin (S203), executes a 1-yuan dispensing process (S204). If the inserted coin is determined to be a 5-jiao coin (S205), executes a 5-jiao coin dispensing process (S206), and if the inserted coin is determined to be neither a 1-yuan coin nor a 5-jiao coin, executes a return process (S207) to return the coin to the return port.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the one-yuan dispensing process (S204) of the coin processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. During the one-yuan dispensing process (S204), the coin processing device 1 begins by determining whether the up/down counter 91 of channel A (1 yuan) 61, which serves as the initial replenishment coin channel, is less than zero (S301). If the up/down counter 91 of channel A (1 yuan) 61 is less than zero, the inserted coin is dispensed into channel A (1 yuan) 61 (S302), and an addition process is performed (S303) to update the up/down counter 91 and the number of dispensable coins 92 corresponding to channel A (1 yuan) 61, before terminating the one-yuan dispensing process (S204). If the up/down counter 91 of channel A (1 yuan) 61 is zero, the device then determines whether the up/down counter 91 of channel B (1 yuan) 62, which serves as another initial replenishment coin channel, is less than zero (S304). If the add/subtract counter 91 of the B channel (1 yuan) 62 is less than zero, the inserted coin is allocated to the B channel (1 yuan) 62 (S305), and the addition process such as updating the add/subtract counter 91 and the number of disbursable coins 92 corresponding to the B channel (1 yuan) 62 is performed (S306), and the 1 yuan allocation process (S204) is terminated. If the add/subtract counter 91 of the B channel (1 yuan) 62 is zero, then a determination is made as to whether the E channel (1 yuan) 65, which serves as the coin channel for the added portion, is full (S307). If the E channel (1 yuan) 65 is not full, the inserted coin is allocated to the E channel (1 yuan) 65 (S308), and the addition process such as updating the add/subtract counter 91 and the number of disbursable coins 92 corresponding to the E channel (1 yuan) 65 is performed (S309), and the 1 yuan allocation process (S204) is terminated. When the E pipe (1 yuan) 65 is full, the inserted coins are distributed to the safe (S310), and the addition processing (S311) such as updating the addition and subtraction counter 91 and the number of payable coins 92 corresponding to the safe is performed, and the 1 yuan distribution processing (S204) is ended.

Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the 5-cent dispensing process (S206) of the coin processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. During the 5-cent dispensing process (S206), the coin processing device 1 begins by determining whether the up/down counter 91 of the C channel (5-cent) 63, which serves as the initial replenishment coin channel, is less than zero (S312). If the up/down counter 91 of the C channel (5-cent) 63 is less than zero, the inserted coin is dispensed into the C channel (5-cent) 63 (S313), and an addition process is performed (S314) to update the up/down counter 91 and the number of dispensable coins 92 corresponding to the C channel (5-cent) 63, terminating the 5-cent dispensing process (S206). If the up/down counter 91 of the C channel (5-cent) 63 is zero, the D channel (5-cent) 64, which serves as the replenishment coin channel, is then determined to be full (S315). If the D channel (5 cents) 64 is not full, the inserted coin is distributed to the D channel (5 cents) 64 (S316), and the addition process such as updating the up/down counter 91 and the number of payable coins 92 corresponding to the D channel (5 cents) 64 is performed (S317), and the 5 cents distribution process (S206) is terminated. If the D channel (5 cents) 64 is full, the inserted coin is distributed to the safe (S318), and the addition process such as updating the up/down counter 91 corresponding to the safe is performed (S319), and the 5 cents distribution process (S206) is terminated.

Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the disbursement process (S103) of the coin handling device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The coin handling device 1 begins disbursement processing upon receiving a refund command from the main controller 14 of a vending machine or other device. The refund command specifies the denomination of the coins to be disbursed and the number of coins to be disbursed. During the disbursement process (S103), upon receiving the refund command from the main controller 14 of the vending machine or other device (S401), the coin handling device 1 determines whether it has the change required for the refund command (S402) by referring to the available number of coins to be disbursed (S402). If it does not have the change required for the refund command, the disbursement process (S103) ends. If it does have the change required for the refund command, after calculating the remaining number of coins to be disbursed (S403), the disbursement channel determination process (S404) is executed. In this disbursement channel determination process (S404), the coin channels 61-65 to be used for disbursement of coins in the next single disbursement operation (a single reciprocating operation of the disbursement slider for extension and return) are determined. Next, the coin processing device 1 performs a single dispensing operation (a single reciprocating operation of extending and returning the dispensing slider), dispensing coins from the coin ducts 61-65 determined to be dispensable in the dispensing duct determination process (S404) (S405). Next, the coin processing device 1 performs a subtraction process (S406) based on the number of coins dispensing, such as updating the up/down counter 91 and the number of dispensable coins 92. Next, the coin processing device 1 determines whether all dispensing has been completed (S407). If all dispensing has been completed, the dispensing process (S103) ends. If not, the dispensing duct determination process (S404) is performed for the remaining coins scheduled for dispensing, and the same process is repeated.

FIG8 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the disbursement channel determination process (S404) of the coin processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the disbursement channel determination process (S404), the coin processing device 1 performs a determination (S501) on whether the remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 1-yuan coins is zero. If the remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 1-yuan coins is not zero, the coin processing device 1 performs a 1-yuan disbursement channel selection process (S502) to select a coin channel from which to disburse 1-yuan coins. If the remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 1-yuan coins is zero, the coin processing device 1 does not perform the 1-yuan disbursement channel selection process (S502) and proceeds to the next process. In the next process, the coin processing device 1 executes a judgment on whether the remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 5 cents is zero (S503). If the remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 5 cents is not zero, the 5 cents disbursement channel selection process (S504) of selecting the coin channel to disburse 5 cents coins is executed. If the remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 5 cents is zero, the 5 cents disbursement channel selection process (S504) is not executed, and the disbursement channel determination process (S404) is ended.

Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process of selecting a one-yuan disbursement channel (S502) in the coin processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. During the one-yuan disbursement channel selection process (S502), the coin processing device 1 initially determines whether the up/down counter 91 of the E channel (1 yuan) 65, which serves as the coin channel for the added portion, is greater than zero (S601). If the up/down counter 91 of the E channel (1 yuan) 65 is greater than zero, the E channel (1 yuan) 65 is selected as the current disbursement channel (S602). The remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of one-yuan coins is updated by decrementing it by one (S603), thus concluding the one-yuan disbursement channel selection process (S502). When the addition and subtraction counter 91 of the E channel (1 yuan) 65 is zero, a judgment is performed on whether the number of disbursable coins 92 of the A channel (1 yuan) 61 as the initial replenishment coin channel is zero (S604). When the number of disbursable coins 92 of the A channel (1 yuan) 61 is not zero, the A channel (1 yuan) 61 is selected as the current disbursement coin channel (S605), and the value of the remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 1 yuan coins is updated by subtracting one (S606). When the number of disbursable coins 92 of the A channel (1 yuan) 61 is zero, these processes are not performed and the process proceeds to the next process. In the next process, the coin processing device 1 determines whether the remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 1 yuan coins is zero (S607). If the remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 1 yuan coins is zero, the 1 yuan disbursement channel selection process is terminated (S502). If the remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 1 yuan coins is not zero, the coin processing device 1 determines whether the disbursable number 92 of the B channel (1 yuan) 62, which is another initial replenishment coin channel, is zero (S608). If the disbursable number 92 of the B channel (1 yuan) 62 is not zero, the B channel (1 yuan) 62 is selected as the current disbursement coin channel (S609). The remaining pre-disbursement number 93 of 1 yuan coins is updated by decrementing it by one (S610). If the disbursable number 92 of the B channel (1 yuan) 62 is zero, these processes are not performed, and the 1 yuan disbursement channel selection process is terminated (S502).

Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process of selecting a 5-jiao dispensing channel (S504) in the coin processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. During the 5-jiao dispensing channel selection process (S504), the coin processing device 1 initially determines whether the up/down counter 91 of the D channel (5-jiao) 64, which serves as the additional coin channel, is greater than zero (S611). If the up/down counter 91 of the D channel (5-jiao) 64 is greater than zero, the D channel (5-jiao) 64 is selected as the current dispensing coin channel (S612). The remaining pre-dispensing number 93 of 5-jiao coins is updated by decrementing it by one (S613), and the 5-jiao dispensing channel selection process (S504) ends. If the up/down counter 91 of the D channel (5-jiao) 64 is zero, the C channel (5-jiao) 63, which serves as the initial replenishment coin channel, is selected as the current dispensing coin channel (S614). The remaining pre-dispensing number 93 of 5-jiao coins is updated by decrementing it by one (S615), and the 5-jiao dispensing channel selection process (S504) ends.

FIG11 is a flowchart illustrating the initial replenishment state setting process (S104) of the coin processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the initial replenishment state setting process (S104), when the coin processing device 1 detects that the setting button of the initial replenishment state setting unit 12 is pressed (S701), the value of the up-down counter 91 is cleared to zero (S702).

Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating the coin channel status display process (S105) of the coin handling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. During the coin channel status display process (S105), the coin handling device 1 initially determines whether the up/down counter 91 of channel A (1 yuan) 61 is less than zero (S801). If the value is less than zero, lamp A 131 turns on (S802); if the value is zero, lamp A 131 turns off (S803). Next, the up/down counter 91 of channel B (1 yuan) 62 is determined to be less than zero (S804). If the value is less than zero, lamp B 132 turns on (S805); if the value is zero, lamp B 132 turns off (S806). Next, the up/down counter 91 of channel C (5 cents) 63 is determined to be less than zero (S807). If the value is less than zero, lamp C 133 turns on (S808); if the value is zero, lamp C 133 turns off (S809). Next, a check is performed to determine whether the up/down counter 91 of the D channel (5 cents) 64 is greater than zero (S810). If it is greater than zero, the D light 134 flashes (S811); if it is zero, the D light 134 turns off (S812). Next, a check is performed to determine whether the up/down counter 91 of the E channel (1 cent) 65 is greater than zero (S813). If it is greater than zero, the E light 134 flashes (S814); if it is zero, the E light 134 turns off (S815). Finally, a check is performed to determine whether the up/down counter 91 of the safe is greater than zero (S816). If it is greater than zero, the safe light 136 flashes (S817); if it is zero, the safe light 136 turns off (S818), thus ending the coin channel status display process (S105).

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the coin duct status display unit 13 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the coin duct status display unit 13 includes digital display units 131d-135d corresponding to the five coin ducts 61-65, respectively, and a safe light 136 corresponding to the safe. The digital display units 131d-135d display the values of the up/down counters 91 corresponding to the coin ducts 61-65, respectively. The safe light 136 flashes when the safe's up/down counter 91 is greater than zero and turns off when the safe's up/down counter 91 is below zero. Furthermore, the safe can be configured to display the increment of each coin type.

According to the coin dispensing device 1 of the embodiment described above, coin collection and change replenishment by a worker's manual operation can be performed in a short time.

The above description relates to one embodiment of the present invention. However, the coin processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. While the coin processing apparatus in the above embodiment includes one or two initial replenishment coin ducts and one additional coin duct for each coin type, the apparatus may also include two or more additional coin ducts for each coin type.

Claims (5)

1. A coin processing device, comprising: A coin recognition unit, which identifies the type of coin inserted; A coin dispensing unit that dispenses coins identified by the coin recognition unit according to their currency type; Multiple coin conduits, wherein the coins allocated by the coin dispensing unit are stored in order of coin type; A coin dispensing unit that dispenses coins stored in the coin conduit. Its features are, The coin processing device includes: For at least one specific coin type, an initial replenishment coin conduit storing a predetermined initial replenishment number of coins in the initial replenishment state after the coin recycling and change replenishment operation is completed, and an additional portion coin conduit not storing coins in said initial replenishment state; and An initial replenishment state setting unit for enabling the main body of the device to recognize the initial replenishment state. If the number of coins stored in the initial replenishment coin channel is less than the initial replenishment number, the coin distribution unit distributes the inserted coins of the specific coin type to the initial replenishment coin channel; if the number of coins stored in the initial replenishment coin channel is the initial replenishment number, the coin distribution unit distributes the inserted coins of the specific coin type to the additional coin channel. The coin dispensing unit dispenses coins of a specific denomination from the additional coin conduit when coins are stored in the additional coin conduit, and dispenses coins of the specific denomination from the initial replenishment coin conduit when no coins are stored in the additional coin conduit. 2. The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the initial replenishment state setting unit is an input unit disposed on the main body of the device, and is a unit manually input by the operator. 3. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coin processing apparatus includes a coin channel status display unit for displaying the storage status of coins in each of the coin channels. 4. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the coin pipeline status display unit displays whether the initial replenishment coin pipeline contains the initial replenishment number of coins, and displays whether the additional coin pipeline contains coins. 5. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the coin pipeline status display unit displays the increase or decrease in the number of coins stored from the initial replenishment state.