JP2012248044A - Coin processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin processor that usefully utilize predetermined storage boxes provided by denominations, and is high in versatility and easy to handle.SOLUTION: A coin processor 1 includes: discrimination means 17 of discriminating input coins; coin holding means 10 of temporarily holding the discriminated coins; coin distribution means 11 of distributing coins fed from the coin holding means 10 by denominations; coin storage means 12 of storing the coins distributed by denominations; and coin discharging means 15 of discharging the coins discharged from the coin storage means 12 to either of a discharge opening 7 or the coin holding means 10. The coin distribution means 11 includes a changeover part 32 which distributes coins of all denominations to specific coin storage means 12a, discharges the coins in the coin storage means 12d to the coin holding means 10 when one of coin storage means 12 other than the specific coin storage means 12a is full, and distributes coins fed therefrom by the changeover part 32 toward the specific coin storage means 12a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin processing apparatus that discriminates coins inserted into a coin slot and takes them into the interior, stores them in a storage unit according to denomination, and then pays them out as change etc. according to a carry-out command. .

As such a coin processing device, for example, a device described in JP 2011-39773 A is known. This coin processing device discriminates coins thrown into the coin slot and automatically takes them inside, and stores them in the coin storage provided for each denomination and stored in the coin storage. The coin having the requested amount of coins as a change is paid out to the coin payout outlet in response to a change payout request from an external device or the like.

JP 2011-39773 A

Such a coin processing device is generally provided with a coin storage of a predetermined capacity corresponding to six denominations of 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen, but the apparatus is installed. Since the amount of coins to be input and coins to be paid out as change according to the environment of a store or the like varies depending on the denomination, the capacity of the coin storage provided for each denomination may be excessive or insufficient. For example, in a specialty store with a uniform price of 100 yen, coins of 1 yen or 5 yen have a small deposit amount, and when they are deposited, they are rarely withdrawn as change, so 1 yen or 5 yen. The coin storage with a predetermined capacity of yen is not effectively used, but becomes a dead space. On the other hand, since the number of deposits of 100 yen coins increases, the frequency of the 100 yen coin storage with a predetermined capacity is often full. Therefore, there is a problem that the work of discharging a full 100-yen coin out of the machine increases. That is, in the conventional coin processing apparatus, a method that can effectively use the coin storage in accordance with the installation environment of the apparatus has been desired.

  In order to cope with such a problem, the present invention can be handled with high versatility by effectively utilizing a predetermined capacity coin storage provided in advance according to the installation environment of the coin processing device. An object of the present invention is to provide an easy coin processing apparatus.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that an identification means for identifying the authenticity and denomination of a coin inserted into an insertion slot, and a coin identified as a genuine coin by the identification means are temporarily received. A coin holding means for holding, a coin distributing means for distributing coins fed out from the coin holding means into denominations, and coins distributed into denominations by the coin distributing means are stored in denominations and withdrawn A coin storage means for paying out the stored coins based on a command, and a coin payout means for transporting a coin paid out from the coin storage means and withdrawing it to either the payout exit or the coin holding means. In the coin processing apparatus provided, the coin distribution means includes a switching unit that distributes all denomination coins toward the coin storage means for storing the specific denomination, and denominations other than the specific denomination The coins to store the coins When one of the means becomes full, the coins stored in the coin storage means are withdrawn to the coin storage means by the coin payout means, and the coins fed out from the coin storage means are identified by the switching unit. It sorts toward the coin storage means for storing the denomination.

According to this, since the coins stored in the coin storage means that becomes full can be transferred to and stored in the coin storage means that stores the specific denomination, the coin storage that becomes full The coins stored in the means can be sorted and stored in the coin storage means for storing the specific denomination. That is, the operation of discharging the coins stored in the coin storage means in the full state out of the machine of the coin processing device can be made unnecessary.
Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the amount of coins stored in the coin storage means in the full state decreases below a predetermined amount, the specific money The coins stored in the coin storage means for storing seeds are withdrawn to the coin holding means by the coin dispensing means, and the coins fed out from the coin holding means are classified into denominations by the coin distribution means. Sorting and storing in the coin storing means in which the amount of coins is reduced to a predetermined amount or less.

 According to this, the coins stored in the coin storage means for storing the specific denomination are transferred to and stored in the coin storage means in which the amount of coins in a full state has decreased to a predetermined value or less. Therefore, the operation of replenishing the coin storage means in which the amount of coins has decreased below a predetermined value from the outside of the coin processing apparatus can be eliminated.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the coins stored in the coin storage means that becomes full are sorted and stored in the coin storage means that stores the specific denomination. Since the operation of discharging the coins stored in the coin storage means to the outside of the coin processing apparatus can be made unnecessary, the coin storage means having a predetermined capacity provided in advance according to the operating status of the apparatus is useful. By utilizing this, it is possible to provide a coin processing apparatus that is highly versatile and easy to handle.

 According to the second aspect of the present invention, the coins stored in the coin storage means for storing the specific denomination are transferred to the coin storage means in which the amount of coins in a full state is reduced to a predetermined value or less. Thus, since the operation of replenishing coins from the outside of the coin processing apparatus to the coin storage means in which the amount of coins is reduced to a predetermined value or less can be made unnecessary, versatility can be achieved as in the first aspect. It is possible to provide a coin processing apparatus that is high and easy to handle.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view. It is a top view which shows typically the internal structure of the coin processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a coin processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are views showing the appearance of a coin processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1A is a plan view and FIG. 1B is a front view.

  As shown in the figure, the coin processing apparatus 1 is provided with a coin insertion slot (insertion slot) 3 into which a plurality of coins can be simultaneously inserted on the front right front side of the housing 2. An operation panel 6 having a display 4 and a plurality of operation buttons 5 is arranged on the left side of the screen. Also, a coin payout exit (payout exit) 7 and a coin tray 20 connected thereto are provided at a position close to the display 4 on the front surface of the housing 2, and the inserted coins are returned to the front face position close to the coin input slot 3. A coin return port 8 is provided.

  Here, the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 3 are temporarily held inside the housing 2, and after the amount is fixed, they are stored in the denomination coin storages 12a to 12f described later. . At that time, the input amount is displayed on the display 4. In addition, the display 4 of the coin processing apparatus 1 can display not only the amount of money input but also its operating state and operation instructions. Further, the coin payout outlet 7 is configured such that any coins paid out as change, reject coins that cannot be distinguished, or coins collected from the coin processing apparatus 1 are discharged toward the coin tray 20.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing an internal configuration of the coin processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the arrow in a figure shows the moving direction of the coin processed in the coin processing apparatus 1. FIG. The coin processing device 1 temporarily receives a coin that has been identified as a genuine coin by a deposit coin transport mechanism 9 that transports a coin inserted into a coin slot 3 and a later-described check unit (identification means) 17. Temporary holding part (coin holding means) 10 to hold, coin distribution part (coin distribution means) 11 that distributes coins sent from temporary holding part 10 into denominations, and coin distribution part 11 The coin storage means 12 for storing coins by denomination, the denomination storage boxes 12a to 12f that constitute the coin storage means 12 and store coins of a predetermined denomination, and the respective denomination storage boxes 12a to 12f are fed out. A delivery / conveying unit (coin dispensing means) 15 for sending out the unloaded coins to the dispensing port 7, and a control unit 30 for performing coin transportation control of each part.

 Further, the coin check unit 17 disposed substantially at the center of the coin transport mechanism 9 identifies the true / false loss and denomination of the coins inserted into the coin slot 3, and on the downstream side according to the identification result. By switching the reject gate 34 provided, the inserted coins are sent out to either the coin payout exit 7 or the temporary holding unit 10. Here, the coins identified as regular coins by the quarantine unit 17 are temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 10, and after the amount is fixed, the coins are sent out to the coin distribution unit 11. In addition, a cancel gate 35 is provided on the downstream side of the temporary holding unit. For example, when a return command for the inserted coin is issued from the control unit 30, the coin temporarily held by the cancel gate 35 is returned to the return port 8. Can be returned as is. Coins that have not been identified as regular coins by the quarantine unit 17 are returned to the outside from the coin payout exit 7.

  The coin sorting unit 11 sorts the coins sent from the temporary storage unit 10 into denominations, counts the number of the coins, and conveys them to the denomination storages 12a to 12f. It arrange | positions along the right side of the housing | casing 2 so that it may extend toward back. Moreover, this coin distribution part 11 is comprised so that a coin may be selected and accommodated in each money-type storage 12a-12f according to the diameter of the coin conveyed in a normal state. Further, in the present embodiment, on the upstream side of the coin allocating unit 11, the coin destination is set so that all the coins sent from the temporary storage unit 10 are conveyed to the one-yen storage 12a regardless of the denomination. A switching gate (switching unit) 32 that can be switched is provided. The switching gate 32 is provided at a position corresponding to the 1-yen storage box 12a, and in a normal state, the switching gate 32 is switched so as to distribute only the 1-yen coin conveyed through the coin sorting unit 11 toward the 1-yen storage box 12a. The coins of other denominations are configured to be stored in the respective denomination storages 12b to 12f according to their diameters.

 The denomination storages 12a to 12f constituting the coin storage means 12 are configured to exclusively store coins of denominations of 1 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 10 yen, and 500 yen, respectively. And these denomination storages 12a-12f are arrange | positioned so that the coin from which a diameter may become large may be received in order from the upstream (front side) of the coin distribution part 11. FIG. Further, in the denomination storages 12a to 12f, a coin feeding means (not shown) for feeding out the coins stored therein to the dispensing transport unit 15 and a coin counting sensor (not shown) for counting the coins fed to the withdrawal transport unit 15. Is provided. Furthermore, each of the denomination storages 12a to 12f is provided with a fullness detection sensor (not shown) for detecting that the coins sent from the coin sorting unit 11 are accumulated in the inside thereof and become full.

 In the coin storage means 12 configured as described above, for example, when a change to be paid to a customer is to be withdrawn, a specified number of coins are withdrawn from the respective denomination storages 12a to 12f to the withdrawal transport unit 15. Thus, the withdrawal can be made to the withdrawal port through the withdrawal switching gate 36. If the withdrawal switching gate 36 is switched to the temporary holding unit 10 side, the coins stored in the respective denomination storages 12a to 12f are circulated through the temporary holding unit 10 in the coin processing apparatus 1. Moreover, the amount of money for each denomination can also be grasped by the coin distribution unit 11 or the like.

 In the coin processing apparatus 1 configured as described above, when a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 3, the coin inserted therein is detected by an insertion detection sensor (not shown), and the coin transport mechanism 9 is driven. The coins transported by the coin transport mechanism 9 are identified by the coin checking unit 17 at the center, and the true / false of the coins and the denomination of the coins are identified. If they are genuine coins, they are sent to the temporary storage unit 10 and temporarily stored. Thereafter, the amount of the inserted coin temporarily held in the temporary holding unit 10 as a genuine coin is displayed on the display 4, and the input amount is further determined by an operation of a confirmation button or the like constituting the operation button 6 or an instruction from an external device. When confirmed, the coins held in the temporary holding unit 10 are fed to the coin sorting unit 11 one by one, sorted and counted by denomination, and stored in the respective denomination storages 12a to 12f. In addition, when there is a coin to be paid out as change at that time, the coin to be paid out as change from the denomination storages 12a to 12f is conveyed to the withdrawal port and the change amount is displayed on the display 4. . The coin processing device 1 of the present embodiment thus identifies the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 3 and takes them in, and stores them in the denomination storage units 12a to 12f for each denomination. The coins accommodated in the inside can be paid out from the coin payout exit 7 as change or the like.

 Next, in the coin processing machine 1 configured as described above, an operation when the coin storage state of the 100-yen coin storage 12d is detected to be full by a full detection sensor (not shown) will be described. In this case, the coin processing machine 1 is installed in a specialty store such as a 100-yen shop, and is in a state where the handling quantity of coins of other denominations is smaller than that of the 100-yen coin, and in particular, a 1-yen coin is stored. It is assumed that the yen storage 12a is in an environment where there is a sufficient margin for the amount of coins to be stored.

 First, when it is detected by a full detection sensor (not shown) that the coin storage state of the 100-yen storage 12d is full, the coins stored in the 100-yen storage 12d are delivered to the dispensing transport unit 15. The coin feeding means not to be driven is driven, and the 100-yen coin inside thereof is fed to the dispensing transport unit 15. At that time, the fed coins are counted by a counting sensor (not shown) provided in the 100-yen storage 12d. The coins fed to the withdrawal transport unit 15 are transported toward the front of the housing 2 and sent to the temporary storage unit 10 by a withdrawal switching gate 36 provided on the downstream side thereof. When a predetermined number of 100 yen coins are counted by a counting sensor (not shown), the coin feeding means (not shown) is stopped and the feeding of coins from the 100 yen storage 12d is stopped. Then, the coins held in the temporary storage unit 10 are switched to the coin distribution unit 11 after the switching gate 32 provided in the coin distribution unit 11 is switched so as to convey all the coins to the one-yen storage 12a. All are stored in the one-yen storage 12a by the switching gate 32. In this way, a predetermined number of 100-yen coins stored in the 100-yen storage 12d that is full are transferred to the 1-yen storage 12a that has a sufficient storage state. Thereby, the coin processing apparatus 1 can be continuously operated without discharging the coins of the 100-yen storage box 12d in a full state to the outside. That is, it is possible to eliminate the work of discharging the coins in the 100-yen storage box 12d that is full to the outside.

 In addition, when the number of 100 yen coins stored in the 100 yen storage 12d is less than a predetermined number and the number of coins to be paid out as change is insufficient, the coins stored in the 1 yen storage 12a are used. The coin feeding means (not shown) is driven and fed to the withdrawal conveyance unit 15, the coins fed to the withdrawal conveyance unit 15 are sent to the temporary holding unit 10 by the withdrawal switching gate 36, and the switching gate 32 is normally operated. After switching to this state, the coins sent to the temporary storage unit 10 are sent to the coin sorting unit 11, sorted into 1-yen coins and 100-yen coins, and stored in the corresponding denomination storages 12a and 12d. To do. As a result, the 100-yen coins stored in the 1-yen storage can be replenished to the 100-yen storage 12d in which the number of stored coins is equal to or less than a predetermined number. Thereby, the coin processing apparatus 1 can be continuously operated without replenishing coins from the outside into the 100-yen coin storage 12d in which the number of coins to be paid out as change is insufficient. That is, the operation of replenishing coins from the outside to the 100-yen coin storage 12d in which the number of coins to be paid out as change can be made unnecessary can be eliminated.

 As described above, in the coin processing device 1 of the present invention, the coin sorting unit 11 includes the switching gate 32 that sorts all denomination coins toward the coin storage 12a of 1-yen coins, for example, 100 When the coin storage 12d for storing the yen coins is full, the 100 yen coin stored in the full coin storage 12d is withdrawn to the temporary storage unit 10 by the dispensing transport unit 15, and the temporary storage unit 10 The 100 yen coins fed out from the coins can be distributed toward the coin storage 12a for storing 1 yen coins by switching the switching gate 32. That is, since 100 yen coins stored in the coin storage 12d that is full can be sorted and stored in the coin storage 12a that stores 1 yen coins, they are stored in the coin storage 12d that is full. The operation of discharging the 100 yen coin to the outside of the coin processing apparatus can be made unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly versatile and easy-to-handle coin processing apparatus by effectively utilizing a predetermined capacity coin storage 12a provided in advance according to the operating status of the coin processing apparatus 1. it can.

 Moreover, the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present invention is stored in the coin storage for storing 1-yen coins when the amount of 100-yen coins stored in the coin storage 12d that is full decreases to a predetermined amount or less. 100 yen coins are withdrawn to the temporary storage unit 10 by the withdrawal transport unit 15, and the switching gate 32 of the coin distribution unit 11 is switched to the normal state, and the coins fed from the temporary storage unit 10 are 1 The coins are sorted into yen coins and 100 yen coins and stored in the corresponding denomination storages 12a and 12d. That is, the 100-yen coins stored in the coin storage 12a for storing 1-yen coins can be transferred and stored in the coin storage 12d in which the amount of coins in a full state has decreased to a predetermined value or less. Therefore, the operation of replenishing 100 yen coins from the outside of the coin processing apparatus 1 to the coin storage 12d whose amount of coins has decreased to a predetermined value or less can be eliminated. Therefore, similarly to the above, it is possible to provide a coin processing device that is highly versatile and easy to handle by effectively utilizing a predetermined capacity coin storage 12a.

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the apparatus shown in this embodiment mode, and application changes can be made within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. For example, the coin storage that is detected to be full is not limited to the coin storage 12d that stores 100 yen coins, and the coin storage that sorts coins that become full is a coin storage that stores 1 yen coins. They are not limited to 12a, and they are appropriately set according to the use environment of the coin processing apparatus 1. Moreover, even if the detection means which detects the coin storage state of coin storage 12a-12f detects the quantity of the coin in coin storage 12a-12f directly, it goes in / out of coin storage 12a-12f. Of course, the remaining amount may be calculated from the number of coins. In addition, the arrangement configuration, shape, etc. of the coin check unit 17, the temporary storage unit 10, the coin distribution unit 11, the coin storages 12a to 12f, the dispensing transport unit 15, and the switching gate 32 are the specifications of the individual coin processing device. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

1 Coin Handling Device 3 Coin Slot (Inlet)
6 Operation panel 7 Coin payout exit (payout exit)
9 Coin transport mechanism 10 Temporary holding section (coin holding means)
11. Coin distribution unit (coin distribution means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Coin storage means 12a Coin storage 12b Coin storage 12c Coin storage 12d Coin storage 12e Coin storage 12f Coin storage 15 Discharge conveyance part (coin dispensing means)
17 Checking department (identification means)
30 Control unit 32 Switching gate (switching unit)
36 withdrawal switching gate

Claims (2)

Identification means for identifying the authenticity and denomination of the coins inserted into the slot, coin holding means for accepting and temporarily holding the coins identified as genuine coins by the identification means, and paid out from the coin holding means Coin distribution means for distributing coins by denomination, coin storage means for storing coins distributed by denomination by the coin distribution means in denominations, and paying out the stored coins based on a withdrawal command; In the coin processing device, comprising the coin dispensing means for transporting the coins dispensed from the coin storage means and withdrawing the coins to either the dispensing outlet or the coin holding means, the coin distribution means are all A switching unit that distributes coins of a denomination toward the coin storage means for storing a specific denomination, and one of the coin storage means for storing coins of a denomination other than the specific denomination is full. When coin becomes The coins stored in the coin storage means by the step are withdrawn to the coin storage means, and the coins fed out from the coin storage means are transferred to the coin storage means for storing the specific denomination by the switching unit. A coin processing device characterized by dividing.   When the amount of coins stored in the full coin storage means decreases below a predetermined amount, the coins stored in the coin storage means for storing the specific denomination are Withdrawing money to the coin holding means, the coins paid out from the coin holding means are sorted into denominations by the coin sorting means, and stored in the coin storing means in which the amount of coins is reduced to a predetermined amount or less. The coin processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: