JP2000295768A - Coupling device and input operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The present invention focuses on individually handling a plurality of units built in an apparatus and supplying power, and performs ON / OFF control for each unit so that even each unit can be controlled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coupling device and an input operation device capable of saving power as much as possible as a power saving target. The present invention is a coupling device configured by coupling a plurality of units provided to allow supply or cutoff of electric power, and sets a power supply condition or a cutoff condition according to each of the units. A power control unit that individually supplies and shuts off power for each unit according to the set conditions can be provided, so that a fine power saving function can be provided. It can be used as an economical device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic teller machine (ATM), an automatic teller machine, an automatic exchange machine or a vending machine, a personal computer, etc., which are installed in financial institutions, convenience stores, department stores and the like. The present invention relates to various devices, and more particularly, to a coupling device and an input operation device for saving power of the device itself.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a device of this type is not used for a long time, the power is turned off when a predetermined standby time is measured to save the power of the device.

[0003] In this case, for example, a device that operates for 24 hours in a convenience store or the like changes the service method and operating conditions for the customer according to the time zone used for transactions, and also has a return condition for returning to the normal transaction mode. It has been diversified due to previous requests.

[0004]

However, at present, only power saving of each unit is controlled by ON / OFF control, and several types of power saving patterns are not provided. It was not possible to save power, and there was a limit to the power saving operation. Therefore, there has been a demand for power saving to supply a minimum necessary power according to the current use state.

Accordingly, the present invention focuses on individually handling a plurality of units built in the apparatus to supply power, and controls ON / OFF of each unit for each time zone, so that even each unit is a power saving target. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coupling device and an input operation device that can save power as much as possible.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A coupling device configured by coupling a plurality of units that are provided with power supply or cutoff permitted, wherein power supply or cutoff conditions are set according to each of the units, and each of the power supply cutoff conditions is set according to the set conditions. Power supply means for individually controlling supply and cutoff of power for each unit is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input operation device which switches to a power saving mode and waits for an input while the user is not approaching or operating without waiting, wherein the power saving mode is set to a plurality of power saving patterns. And a changing means for changing the plurality of power saving patterns in accordance with each time zone to be used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupling device configured by coupling a plurality of units provided to allow supply or cutoff of electric power. Power control means for controlling the supply and cutoff of power for each unit according to the set conditions after a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of use of the coupling device is detected. I do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input operation device which sets a power saving mode and waits for an input while the user is not approaching or operating without waiting, and detects that the user has started inputting. It is characterized by comprising a detecting means and a changing means for changing a condition for returning from the power saving mode based on the detection information of the detecting means.

[0010]

According to the present invention, a power supply condition or a power cutoff condition is set according to each unit of a coupling device configured by coupling a plurality of units provided to allow supply or cutoff of power. The power control means executes power supply and cutoff for the purpose of power saving for each unit in accordance with the set conditions.

As a result, it is possible to individually supply and cut off power for each unit constituting the coupling device, and to cut off power of unnecessary unit portions during standby of the coupling device. It is possible to save power surely.

For example, when the present invention is applied to a transaction processing apparatus, a time zone with many customers, a time zone with few customers, or a time zone with few customers is set. In addition, it is possible to save power by switching to a power saving state suitable for standby in each time zone.

Further, a plurality of power saving modes are provided for the power saving mode of the input operation device which switches to the power saving mode and waits for an input when the user does not approach or operate without approaching, and each power saving pattern is used. In the case where a change unit that changes according to the time zone is provided, it is possible to efficiently save power based on setting conditions suitable for the usage time zone.

[0014] Further, for each unit of the coupling device configured by coupling a plurality of units provided to allow supply or cutoff of power, power supply conditions or cutoff conditions are set for each time zone. If a power control means for controlling supply and cutoff of power for each unit is provided after a predetermined time has elapsed after detecting the end of use of the coupling device, the use time of the coupling device used is provided. It is possible to achieve power saving suitable for the operating state of each time zone based on the setting conditions suitable for the zone.

Further, when the detecting means detects that the user has started the input operation in the input operation device which sets the power saving mode and waits for the input while the user does not approach or does not approach, the detection is performed. In the case where a change unit for changing the return condition for returning from each power saving mode to the normal mode based on the information is provided, the setting can be easily changed by returning from each power saving mode to the initial setting mode. Also, when the sensor detects that a user has arrived with the unit power turned off, or when the user touches the touch panel of the customer service display unit or inserts a use card, the use start operation is not performed. When the operation is performed, it is possible to automatically return from the standby state to the initial state based on the detection signal of the user by this operation.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawing shows an ATM installed in a 24-hour store such as a convenience store. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ATM 11 is provided on the upper front surface of the apparatus main body and serves as a touch panel serving as a touch panel for displaying and guiding a transaction operation to the customer. A display 12, a telephone 13 for inquiring a clerk when the operation is unknown, a speaker 14, a customer detection sensor 15, a voucher outlet 16, a card entrance 17 and a coin entrance 18
, And a bill doorway 19, for depositing, withdrawing, transferring,
Allows transactions such as balance inquiry.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the ATM. A central processing unit 31 controls each circuit device according to a program stored in a ROM, and stores control data in a RAM.
Is stored so as to be readable.

Further, a calendar circuit 32 is provided to measure the current time, and a power supply 33 for control operation is provided to provide a customer service display 12, a card / slip processing unit 34, a coin processing unit 35,
The banknote processing unit 36, the external storage unit 37, the transmission / reception circuit 38, the customer detection sensor 15, and the main power supply unit 39 are each operated and controlled.

Among them, the customer service display 12 displays various kinds of transaction display guides and operation procedures thereof, and has a touch panel having a touch input function of allowing a touch input corresponding to a display portion displayed on the screen. Have.

The card / slip processing unit 34 reads data of a transaction card such as a cash card inserted into the card entrance 17 and writes and updates data, and puts the card into the card entrance 17 when the transaction is completed or canceled. discharge. Further, a slip describing various transaction data such as deposit / withdrawal transactions and balance inquiry at that time is issued from the slip discharge port 16.

The coin processing unit 35 takes in the coins inserted into the coin entrance 18 to receive and process the coins, and discharges the coins from the coin entrance 18 at the time of dispensing and when the deposit is canceled.
The bill processing unit 36 takes in the bill inserted into the bill entrance 19 and performs an acceptance process, and discharges the bill from the bill entrance 19 at the time of withdrawal and cancellation of deposit.

The external storage unit 37 is connected to the central processing unit 31 using an external storage medium such as a floppy disk,
The mutual data transfer is allowed through this storage medium.

The transmission / reception circuit 38 transmits the edited deposit / withdrawal request message, bookkeeping request message, and the like to the center, and receives and processes transaction data such as deposit / withdrawal responses and bookkeeping data sent from the center.

The customer detecting sensor 15 detects and confirms that a customer who uses a transaction has come to the front of the ATM 11. The main power supply section 39 includes an AC switching circuit 39a and an AC output circuit 39b.
When AC100V is supplied, the AC switching circuit 39a supplies AC100V to the coin processing unit 35 and the banknote processing unit 36, and the AC output circuit 39b supplies the card / slip processing unit 34 and control operation. AC1 to power supply 33
Supply 00V.

In this case, the central processing unit 31 turns ON / OFF the AC 100 V to the AC switching circuit 39a.
The switchable communication connection allows the central processing unit 31 to use the coin processing unit which does not need to be driven immediately during a time period during which the transaction use frequency of the ATM 11 is reduced or during a standby time when the ATM 11 is not used for a certain time. The power supply to the banknote processing unit 35 and the banknote processing unit 36 can be interrupted to stand by in an unnecessary power state, so that the ATM 11 can be made to stand by with a minimum necessary power supply.

The central processing unit 31 is connected to the customer service display 12
Also has an ON / OFF control function for
If you do not need the initial transaction guidance while waiting for TM11,
The power to the backlight of the customer display 12 can be cut off and the standby state can be achieved.

In the standby state of the ATM 11, a business time zone with many customers, a business time zone with few customers, or a business time zone with few customers are set, and the ATM 11 is not used for a certain period of time. In this case, it is possible to set a power saving program (power saving pattern) for switching to a power saving state suitable for standby in each time zone to save power.

FIG. 4 shows an example of this power saving pattern.
In this power saving pattern, the normal mode and the first to third power saving modes are set according to the time zone of the ATM 11 used for the transaction, and the coin processing unit 35 and the bill processing unit 36 are set according to the set mode. Then, the backlight power supply of the customer service display 12 is turned off.

In the figure, the mark 電源 indicates power-on, the mark x indicates power-off, and these marks are determined by default for each set time zone (the initial power state when switching to various modes). I have.

In this case, in the normal mode, the business hours from 8:00 to 20:00 from morning to night with a relatively large number of customers are set in the normal mode area, and the set business hours are the transaction usage frequency. Therefore, the power of all the processing units built in the ATM 11 is turned on to wait for the transaction.

In the first power saving mode, the number of customers is relatively small, and the frequency of transaction use is reduced at 20:00 at night.
The business hours from 22:00 to 22:00 are set in the area of the first power saving mode. In this set business hours, the use frequency of coins is reduced, so that the power of the coin processing device 35 is turned off to save power. In this state, the ATM 11 waits for a transaction.

In the second power saving mode, the number of customers becomes extremely small, and the frequency of use of transactions is also reduced.
The business hours from 24:00 to 24:00 are set in the area of the second power saving mode, and the frequency of use of coins and bills decreases in the set business hours, so that the power supply of the coin processing device 35 and the bill processing device 36 Is turned off to save power, and in this state, the ATM 11 waits for a transaction.

In the third power saving mode, the business hours from 24:00 to 8:00 from midnight to morning, when there are almost no customers and there is almost no transaction use, are set in the area of the third power saving mode. Since the set business hours are rarely used, the backlight power of the coin processing device 35, the bill processing device 36, and the customer display 12 is turned off.
In this state, the ATM 11 is made to wait for a transaction.

The switching conditions of the central processing unit 31 for switching the various modes set in accordance with the business hours and the transaction use frequency will be described below. (1) In the normal mode, a, idle standby (maintenance of the power saving state of the ATM itself) is 5
When the time elapses for more than 5 minutes, b. When the time elapses for more than 5 minutes since the customer detection sensor is turned off, the mode is switched to the “second power saving mode”.

(2) In the normal mode, when the idle standby is within 5 minutes or within 5 minutes after the customer detection sensor is turned off, a, the calendar is in the time zone from 20:00 to 22:00, and b, the idle standby is When one minute or more elapses, c. When one minute or more elapses after the customer detection sensor is turned off, the mode is switched to the “first power saving mode”.

(3) In the first power saving mode, a, after 5 minutes or more of idle standby, b. When 5 minutes or more have passed since the customer detection sensor was turned off, the mode is switched to the "second power saving mode". .

(4) In the normal mode, when the idle standby time is within 5 minutes or within 5 minutes after the customer detection sensor is turned off, a, the calendar is in the time zone of 22:00 to 24:00, and b, the idle standby time is When one minute or more elapses and c. One minute or more elapses after the customer detection sensor is turned off, the mode is switched to the “second power saving mode”.

(5) In the second power saving mode, a, idle waiting for 5 minutes or more, b, 5 minutes or more after the customer detection sensor is turned off, c, calendar from 24:00 to 8 : 0, "3rd
Switch to "power saving mode".

(6) In the normal mode, when the idling standby is within 5 minutes or within 5 minutes after the customer detection sensor is turned off, a, the calendar is in the time zone from 24:00 to 8:00, and b, the idling standby is When one minute or more elapses, and c. One minute or more elapses after the customer detection sensor is turned off, the mode is switched to the “third power saving mode”.

(7) In the third power saving mode: a. When the calendar is 8:00 to 20:00, the mode is switched to the “normal mode”.

(8) In the first to third power saving modes: a. When the customer detection sensor is turned on, the mode is switched to the "normal mode".

(9) In the first to third power saving modes: a. When the customer touches the touch panel, the mode is switched to the "normal mode".

(10) In the first to third power saving modes: a. When the customer inserts the transaction card, the mode is switched to the "normal mode".

As described above, when a predetermined standby time that has elapsed 1 minute or more than 5 minutes after the detection of the preset business hours and the end of use of the ATM 11 has been measured, the built-in power-saving device can be used. Power supply can be shut down to switch to a power saving mode suitable for the current operation.
It is possible to save power by supplying the minimum necessary power suitable for the operating state of M11.

In particular, since the central processing unit 31 individually controls ON / OFF of the coin processing unit 35, the bill processing unit 36, and the customer display unit 12 built in the ATM 11, it has a delicate power saving function. In addition, even the internal devices of the ATM 11 are considered to be power saving targets, and an economical ATM 11 with low power consumption that seeks the power saving limit as much as possible can be obtained.

Also, the ATM which is waiting in the power saving mode
When the central processing unit 31 detects that a customer has come to the front of the customer 11, or when the customer touches the touch panel of the customer service display 12 or inserts a transaction card to perform a transaction operation, ATM based on this detection signal
11 automatically returns from the standby state of the power saving mode to the initial state of the normal mode. Also, if a large number of return elements for switching to the normal mode are provided, it is possible to make the customer detection sensor optional, and to reliably return to the normal mode even if it fails.

Further, the ATM 11 promotes the use of the ATM 11 in order to promote the use of the transaction when the business is on standby, for example, by giving a voice guidance which can be used for the transaction from the speaker 14 to appeal the existence of the ATM 11, thereby promoting the use of the ATM 11 for the transaction.

The standby processing operation of the ATM 11 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the ATM 11 is installed and operated in a 24-hour store, it is determined whether the ATM operation mode in a preset business time zone is the normal mode or the power saving mode. Jump to, and when not in normal mode, first to third by business hours
Switching to any one of the power saving modes (step n1)
).

In this case, when it is determined that the business hours are in the first power saving mode, the calendar is in the time zone of 20:00 to 22:00 from the state of the normal mode, and the idle standby time is 1 hour.
1 minute after the customer detection sensor 15 is turned off
After a lapse of more than one minute, the central processing unit 31 switches from the normal mode to the first power saving mode (steps n2 to n4).

If it is not during the business hours of the first power saving mode, it is determined whether or not it is the second power savings mode. If it is determined that it is the business hours of the second power saving mode, the calendar is 22: In the time period from 00 to 24:00, if the idle standby has elapsed for one minute or more and the customer detection sensor 15 has been turned off for one minute or more, the central processing unit 31 switches to the second power saving mode (steps n5 to n5). n7).

If it is not during the business hours of the second power saving mode, it is determined whether or not it is the third power savings mode. If it is determined that it is the business hours of the third power saving mode, the calendar is set to 24: Idle standby is 1 in the time zone of 00-8: 00
1 minute after the customer detection sensor 15 is turned off
After a lapse of more than one minute, the mode is switched to the next third power saving mode due to the business hours where the use frequency is increasingly reduced. Also,
If it is not during the business hours of the third power saving mode, the mode is switched to the initial normal mode, and operation is performed in one of the modes (steps n8 to n10).

When the central processing unit 31 determines that the business hours are in the normal mode, the coin processing unit 35 and the banknote processing unit 36 are controlled by the AC 100 according to the control operation in the normal mode.
V power supply to make it active, and customer service indicator 1
The input item is displayed and guided by turning on the backlight of No. 2. The ATM is used in the transaction in the normal mode, and is executed until the next business hours of the first power saving mode (steps n11 to n13).

If idle standby has elapsed for 5 minutes or more from the normal mode state and 5 minutes or more have elapsed since the customer detection sensor 15 was turned off, the coin processing device 35 and the bill processing device 36 have not been used for a long time. Is turned off to switch to the second power saving mode for saving power (step n14).
To n15).

When the mode is switched to the first power saving mode, the central processing unit 31 controls only the power supply of the coin processing unit 35 to be turned off according to the control operation of the first power saving mode due to the business hours during which coin transactions are small. In order to save power, the backlight power supplies of the other banknote processing devices 36 and the customer display 12 are controlled to be ON. Stand by in such a first power saving mode,
From this standby state, the ATM 11 is used for transactions, and the next second
The processing is executed until the business hours of the power saving mode are reached (steps n16 to n18).

In the standby state of the first power saving mode, the ATM
When the customer detection sensor 15 detects that the customer has come to the front of the customer 11, or when the customer touches the touch panel of the customer service display 12 to perform an input operation, or inserts a transaction card into the card entrance 17 to perform a transaction operation. When the central processing unit 31 detects that the ATM has been
11 is automatically returned from the standby mode to the normal mode (steps n19 to n21).

If the idle standby state has elapsed for more than 5 minutes from the state of the first power saving mode and has elapsed for more than 5 minutes since the customer detection sensor 15 has been turned off, the coin processing device 35 will not be used for a long time. Then, the power of the banknote processing device 36 is turned off to switch to the second power saving mode for saving power (steps n22 to n23).

When the central processing unit 31 is switched to the second power saving mode, the coin processing unit 35 and the bill processing unit 35 are controlled by the central processing unit 31 in accordance with the control operation of the second power saving mode because of the business hours when the transaction of coins and bills is small. The power of 36 is turned off to save power, and the backlight power of the other customer display 12 is turned on (steps n24 to n26).

In the second power saving mode, the ATM 11 stands by. When the customer detection sensor 15 detects that a customer has come to the front of the ATM 11 in this standby state, or when the customer touches the touch panel of the customer service display 12. When it is detected that a transaction operation has been performed by performing an input operation or inserting a transaction card into the card entrance 17, the central processing unit 31 automatically returns the ATM 11 from the standby mode to the normal mode based on the detection signal. (Steps n27 to n29).

Further, the idle detection waits for 5 minutes or more from the state of the second power saving mode, and the customer detection sensor 15 is turned off.
If 5 minutes or more elapse and the calendar becomes 24:00 or later, it will be hardly used, so that the coin processing device 35, the bill processing device 36, and the customer display 12 are turned off to save power. (Steps n30 to n32).

When the central processing unit 31 is switched to the third power saving mode, the coin processing unit 3 is controlled by the central processing unit 31 in accordance with the control operation of the third power saving mode because of the business hours during which there is almost no transaction.
The backlight power of the bill handling device 36, the bill processing device 36 and the customer display 12 is controlled to be OFF to save power. The standby state is established in the third power saving mode. From this standby state, the ATM 11 is used for transactions and is executed until the next normal mode business hours (steps n33 to n35).

In the third power saving mode, the ATM 11 stands by. When the customer detecting sensor 15 detects that a customer has come to the front of the ATM 11 in this standby state, or when the customer touches the touch panel of the customer service display 12 or the like. When it is detected that a transaction card has been inserted into the card entrance 17 and a transaction operation has been performed, the central processing unit 31 automatically returns the ATM 11 from the standby mode to the initial normal mode based on this detection signal ( Steps n36 to n38).

When the calendar becomes 8:00 or later from the third power saving mode, the coin processing device 35, the bill processing device 36, and the backlight power supply of the customer display 12 are used to return to the regular use frequency. Is turned on to switch to the initial normal mode (step n39).

As described above, the power supply condition or the cutoff condition according to each internal device of the ATM is set, and the coin processing device, the bill processing device, and the customer service built in the ATM are set according to the set conditions. It has a delicate power saving function that individually controls ON / OFF of internal devices such as a display. For this reason, even an internal device of the ATM is considered as a power-saving target, and an economical ATM with low power consumption that pursues a power-saving limit as much as possible can be obtained.

When the standby mode is switched to the power saving mode while the customer is not in the transaction standby mode, the power saving mode can be switched according to the business time zone used for the transaction. Power saving can be efficiently achieved based on the conditions.

When the customer detection sensor detects that the customer has arrived in the power saving mode, or when the customer touches the touch panel of the customer service indicator or inserts a transaction card to start a transaction, Since the transaction can be detected based on the detection signal and the input signal, in this case, it is possible to immediately return from each power saving mode to the normal mode and easily use the transaction.

In correspondence between the present invention and the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the coupling device and the input operation device of the present invention
The unit corresponds to the ATM 11 of the embodiment, and similarly, the unit corresponds to each component provided in the ATM 11 which is a power saving target of the customer display unit 12, the coin processing unit 35, and the bill processing unit 36, and the power control. The means and the change means correspond to the central processing unit 31, and the detection means corresponds to the touch panel provided on the customer service display 12, the customer detection sensor 15, and the card / slip processing unit 34. The invention can be applied based on the technical idea described above, and is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the ATM 11 has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to power saving use of various devices such as a personal computer system. In this case, power can be controlled for each display, main body, and printer.

The input has been described using the operation of the customer as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a signal input such as data communication from a host computer or another communication device may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an ATM according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main part front view showing a front service part of the ATM of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an ATM control circuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a table showing power saving patterns of the ATM according to business hours of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an ATM standby processing operation of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart following FIG. 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the present invention following FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the present invention following FIGS. 5 and 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... ATM 12 ... Customer service display 15 ... Customer detection sensor 17 ... Card entrance / exit 18 ... Coin entrance / exit 19 ... Banknote entrance 31 ... Central processing unit 32 ... Calendar circuit 33 ... Power supply for control operation 34 ... Card / slip processing unit 35 ... Coin processing unit 36 ... Bill processing unit 39 ... Main power supply unit 39a ... AC switching circuit 39b ... AC output circuit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A coupling device comprising a plurality of units that are provided to allow supply or cutoff of electric power and are connected,
A coupling apparatus comprising: a power control unit configured to set a power supply condition or a cutoff condition according to each of the units, and individually control power supply and cutoff for each unit according to the set conditions. 2. An input operation device for switching to a power saving mode and waiting for input when a user does not approach or operate, and wherein said power saving mode is provided in a plurality of power saving patterns. An input operation device provided with a change unit that changes a power pattern according to a time zone used. 3. A coupling device comprising a plurality of units provided to allow supply or cutoff of electric power, and
The power supply condition or the cutoff condition is set for each unit for each time zone, and after a lapse of a predetermined time from the detection of the end of use of the coupling device, the supply of power for each unit is performed according to the set condition. A coupling device having a power control unit for controlling the cutoff. 4. An input operation device which sets a power saving mode and waits for input when the user is not approaching or operating without being approached, and a detecting means for detecting that the user has started inputting; An input operation device comprising: a change unit that changes a condition for returning from the power saving mode based on detection information of the detection unit.