JPH06259636A - Coin storage controller - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin storage control device for a vending machine or the like, which is capable of accurately managing the number of coins held in a coin storage portion. To do. [Structure] When the number of coins held in any one of the coin storage units 2 to 7 corresponding to the denomination determined by the coin inspection unit 1 is less than the set number, a plurality of coin storage units 2 are assigned to the sorting means 9. Specify the coin storage units 2 to 7 to be replenished from among ~ 7, and if all the coins in the coin storage unit corresponding to the denomination judged by the coin inspection unit 1 are equal to or more than the set number, the safe 8 is provided with a coin replenishment destination determining means 16 for designating that the coins are to be distributed to the 8 side, and when the number of coins held is less than the set number due to change payment after the sale of the product.
Since the inserted coins of the denomination are automatically replenished in the corresponding coin storage units 2 to 7, the number of coins held in the coin storage units 2 to 7 can be kept constant.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin storage control device for managing the number of coins held in each coin storage portion of a coin changer mounted on a vending machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vending machines for beverages and the like installed on the streets are often managed regularly by a manager (rootman etc.), and the manager is in charge of himself / herself. We carry out operations such as maintenance of vending machines, collection of proceeds, and replenishment of merchandise and change within a limited period of time. There is a demand for quick and accurate replenishment.

As a method of replenishing change into the coin storage portion of a coin changer, conventionally, a cassette type coin storage portion is removed, or an inventory switch or the like is pushed to discharge and collect all the coins in the coin storage portion. Therefore, a predetermined number of coins were manually replenished in each coin storage unit for change. With such a method, it takes time to replenish change, and there is a possibility that the administrator may make a mistake in counting the number of coins to be replenished. Such a coin storage control device is provided.

A conventional coin storage control device will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional coin storage control device. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a coin inspection unit for determining the authenticity of inserted coins, 2 to 7 are coin storing units for storing coins, and 2 to 5 are coin type inserted coins from the coin detecting unit 1 among them. The automatic replenishment coin storage section (main tube), 6 and 7 are manual replenishment coin storage sections (sub tubes) in which the input coins are not replenished from the coin inspection section 1. 8 is a safe for storing the inserted coins that cannot be replenished because the automatic replenishment coin storage units 2 to 5 are full, and 9 is a coin determined by the coin inspection unit 1 to be a true coin. Sorting means for allocating to one of the automatic replenishment coin storage units 2 to 5, 10 is a payout unit for dispensing the coins stored in the coin storage units 2 to 7,
The reference numeral 11 indicates that the input coins distributed to the predetermined automatic replenishment coin storage units 2 to 5 by the allocating means 10 have not been replenished to the predetermined automatic replenishment coin storage units 2 to 5 and have overflowed to the safe 8. Overflow detection means for detecting, 12 is storage means for storing the number of coins held in the coin storage portions 2 to 7, 13 is change setting means for setting the number of coins to be stored in the coin storage portions 2 to 7, 14 Is the set number set by the change setting means 13,
An automatic change adjusting means for paying out coins corresponding to the increase in the number of held coins stored in the storage means 12 by the payout means 10, and 15 is a set number of coins held in the coin storing parts 2 to 7 for an administrator. Is a display for notifying the shortage of sheets.

The operation of the conventional coin storage control device configured as described above will be described below. First, at the time of setting up the vending machine, after emptying all the coin storage units 2 to 7 of the coin changer, and then manually replenishing the coin storage units 2 to 7 with a predetermined number of coins for change. The number of coins manually replenished by the change setting unit 13 is set as the set number of coins in each coin storage unit 2 to 7, and the same number as the set number of coins stored in each coin storage unit 2 to 7 is set in the storage unit 12. Remember it.

[0006] In a normal use state as an automatic vending machine, the coin inserted by the purchaser is judged to be authentic by the coin inspection section 1, and the genuine coin is sorted by the sorting means 9 in the automatic replenishment coin storage sections 2 to 5. The coins are replenished in a predetermined coin storage unit and the number of coins held in the corresponding coin storage units 2 to 5 stored in the storage unit 12 is added. However, the overflow detection means 11 has detected that the inserted coins have not been replenished in the coin storage units 2-5 and have overflowed to the safe 8 side because the corresponding automatic replenishment coin storage units 2-5 are full. In this case, the number of coins held in the corresponding automatic replenishment coin storage units 2 to 5 stored in the storage unit 12 is not added.

On the other hand, when paying out the change after purchasing the product,
The coins stored in the coin storage units 2 to 7 are returned by the payout unit 10, and at the same time, the number of coins held in the corresponding coin storage units 2 to 7 stored in the storage unit 12 is subtracted to thereby return the coins. The number of coins held in the coin storage units 2 to 7 is managed. Since coins are not replenished from the coin inspection unit 1 to the manual replenishment coin storage units 6 and 7, the number of held coins does not exceed the set number.

When the manager of the vending machine regularly makes change replenishment, first, the automatic change adjusting means 14
Thus, among the coins stored in the automatic replenishment coin storage units 2 to 5, coins of a number that is larger than the number set by the change setting unit 13 are paid out.
Automatically paying out the bills, and on the other hand, the number of coins less than the number of coins set by the change setting means 13 is displayed on the display unit 15.
Therefore, the administrator manually replenishes the shortage coins to the predetermined coin storage units 2 to 5 based on the display of the shortage number displayed on the display unit 15, and then stores it in the storage unit 12. The manager manually corrects and memorizes the number of coins held, thereby completing the change replenishment.

[0009]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, when supplementing the shortage of change due to the set number of coins in the coin storage units 2 to 5, the administrator displays the shortage of coins displayed on the display. Since a predetermined coin has to be manually replenished into the predetermined coin storage units 2 to 5 based on the above, there is a problem that the administrator may count the number of replenished coins and make a mistake.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coin storage control device capable of accurately managing the number of coins held in a coin storage portion.

[0011]

In order to solve this problem, the coin storage control device of the present invention assigns to the sorting means based on a comparison between the number of coins held and the set number of coins in each of the plurality of coin storage portions. On the other hand, a coin replenishment destination determining means for designating the distribution to any one of the plurality of coin storage units or the safe side according to the denomination is provided.

[0012]

With this configuration, the inserted coin that is determined to be a true coin by the coin inspection unit is the coin in one of the coin storage units corresponding to the denomination of the inserted coin, based on the instruction to the distribution unit of the coin replenishment destination determination unit. If the number of coins is insufficient for the set number, the input coins are replenished to the predetermined coin storage section by the sorting means, and if there is no coin storage section to be replenished, the input coins are guided to the safe side. For this reason (however, in the change replenishment mode, the number of coins held in the coin storage unit must be greater than the set number set by the change setting unit, due to the instruction to the money inspection unit of the acceptance denomination determining unit being guided to the return passage side). If the number of coins held is less than the set number due to change payment after the product is sold,
Since the input coins of the denomination are automatically replenished in the predetermined coin storage portion, the number of coins held in the coin storage portion can be kept constant.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coin storage control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a coin storage control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a coin inspection unit for determining the authenticity of inserted coins, 2 to 7 are coin storage units for storing coins, and 2 to 5 are coins inserted from the coin inspection unit 1 by denomination. The coin storage section (main tube) that is automatically replenished with is a sub coin storage section (sub tube) 6 and 7 in which coins are automatically replenished from the coin inspection section 1 based on the denomination setting content set by the administrator. is there. 8
Is a safe for storing input coins that do not need to be replenished in the coin storage units 2 to 7, and 9 is a coin determined by the coin inspection unit 1 to be a true coin in any one of the coin storage units 2 to 7,
Alternatively, the distribution means for distributing to the safe 8 side (note that the mechanical structure of the distribution means 9 is four-direction distribution in the case of the conventional example, and seven-direction distribution in the case of the present embodiment, but only the distribution mechanical parts are added. (Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.) 10 is a payout means for paying out the coins stored in the coin storage portions 2 to 7, 12 is a storage means for storing the number of held coins in the coin storage portions 2 to 7, Reference numeral 13 is a change setting means for setting the number of coins to be stored in the coin storage sections 2 to 7. When the number of coins stored in one of the coin storage units 2 to 7 corresponding to the denomination determined by the coin inspection unit 1 is less than the set number, 16 is the plurality of coin storage units 2 to the distribution unit 9. The coin storage units 2 to 7 in which the input coins should be replenished are designated from 7, and the coin storage unit 2 corresponding to the denomination determined by the coin inspection unit 1 is specified.
The coin replenishing destination determining means specifies to the sorting means 9 so that the inserted coins are sorted to the safe 8 side when all the number of held coins of 7 to 7 is equal to or more than the set number. 17 operates in the change replenishment mode, and among the plurality of coin storage units 2 to 7,
For denominations in which the number of coins held is equal to or greater than the set number, the acceptance denomination determining means for designating the prohibition of receipt of coins by the denomination checking unit 1, and 18 is a coin storage control device. It is an operation mode setting means for setting an operation mode.

The operation of the coin storage control device of this embodiment constructed as described above will be described below. First, when the vending machine is installed, all coin storage units 2 to 7 of the coin changer are emptied, and the number of coins stored in the storage unit 12 is cleared to "0". Next, each coin storage unit 2 to 7 is set by the change setting unit 13.
After the number of coins to be stored is set and the operation mode setting means 18 sets the coin storage control device to the change replenishment mode, coins are inserted from the coin inspection section 1 to replenish the change.
The coins inserted into the coin storage units 2 to 7 have a shortage of change due to an instruction (denomination type replenishment destination designation command) to the distribution unit 9 of the coin replenishment destination determination unit 16. 2 to 7 are automatically replenished, and the storage means 1
The number of coins held in the corresponding coin storage unit stored in 2 is added. It should be noted that the coins of denominations which are no longer required to be replenished are guided to the return passage by the above-mentioned money inspection section 1 by the instruction of the acceptance denomination determining means 17 (denomination of receipt of denominations) and all denominations are returned. The replenishment of the change is completed when the coin is introduced into the passage, and the operation mode setting means 18 sets the coin storage control device to the normal mode.

In a normal use state as an automatic vending machine, the coin inserted by the purchaser is judged by the inspection section 1 to be true or false, and the true coin is distributed by the sorting means 9 to the coin storing sections 2 to 7.
Among the coins, the predetermined coin storage units 2 to 7 in which the change is insufficient are replenished, and the number of coins held in the corresponding coin storage units 2 to 7 stored in the storage unit 12 is added. When the number of coins held in the coin storage units 2 to 7 corresponding to the input denomination is equal to or larger than the set number and it is not necessary to replenish the input coins as change, the sorting means 9 guides the coins to the safe side 8. No addition processing of the number of holdings is performed. On the other hand, when the change is paid out after the purchase of the product, the coins stored in the coin storage units 2 to 7 are returned by the payout unit 10 and at the same time, the coins of the corresponding coin storage units 2 to 7 stored in the storage unit 12 are returned. The number of held coins in the coin storage units 2 to 7 is managed by subtracting the number of held coins.

When the manager of the vending machine regularly makes change replenishment, first, the operation mode setting means 18
After the coin storage control device is set to the change replenishment mode, coins are inserted from the coin inspection section 1 to replenish the change. As for the inserted coins, the coin replenishing destination determining means 16 instructs the sorting means 9 (a denomination replenishing destination designating instruction) to have a predetermined change in the coin storing portions 2 to 7 in a predetermined amount. The coin storage units are automatically replenished and the number of coins held in the corresponding coin storage units 2 to 7 stored in the storage unit 12 is added. It should be noted that the coins of denominations which are no longer required to be replenished are guided to the return passage by the above-mentioned money inspection section 1 by the instruction of the acceptance denomination determining means 17 (denomination of receipt of denominations) and all denominations are returned. The replenishment of the change is completed when the coin is led to the passage, and the operation mode setting means 18 returns the coin storage control device to the normal mode.

[0018]

As described above, in the coin storage control device according to the present invention, it is not necessary for the manager to count the number of replenished change when replenishing the change, and the predetermined change in which the change is automatically deficient through the change inspection unit. Since the input coins are replenished in the coin storage unit, the time required for change collection and replenishment work can be shortened, and an excellent coin storage control device capable of accurately managing the number of coins held in the coin storage unit can be realized. It is a thing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a coin storage control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional coin storage control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 coin inspection part 2 coin storage part 3 coin storage part 4 coin storage part 5 coin storage part 6 coin storage part 7 coin storage part 8 safe 9 sorting means 10 payout means 11 overflow detection means 12 storage means 13 change setting means 14 automatic change Matching means 15 Display 16 Coin replenishing destination determining means 17 Acceptance denomination determining means 18 Operation mode setting means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Fumitake Nakamichi 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A coin inspection unit for determining the authenticity of input coins, a plurality of coin storage units, and a coin determined to be a true coin by the coin inspection unit in any one of the plurality of coin storage units or on the safe side. Distribution means for allocating to, a storage means for storing the number of coins held in each of the plurality of coin storage portions, and a change setting means for setting the number of coins to be stored in each of the plurality of coin storage portions, Based on the comparison between the number of coins held in each of the plurality of coin storage units and the set number of coins, a coin replenishment destination is designated for designating the distribution means to any one of the plurality of coin storage units or to the safe side according to the denomination. A coin storage control device provided with means. 2. In the change replenishing mode, for denominations in which the number of coins held in the plurality of coin storage units is all equal to or more than a set number, the coin inspection unit accepts coins by denomination. 2. The coin storage control device according to claim 1, wherein a coin denomination determining unit that specifies prohibition is provided so that coins of a denomination that does not have a coin storage unit to be replenished are guided to the return passage.