JP2000020782A - Coin processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a coin processor compact in structure, low in cost by simplifying its structure. SOLUTION: In this coin processor, a discrimination means 15 discriminates the validity of coins charged into a charging means 11, a charged coin carrying means 14 temporarily stores only true coins in a temporary storage means 20 and then a stored coin carrying means 21 stores the temporarily stored coins in a storage means 23. On the other hand, a paying coin carrying means carries out coins from a storage means 25 previously storing coins and temporarily stores the carried coins in the means 20 and a paying-out means 12 pays out the coins through a discharging coin carrying means 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin processing machine for discriminating and counting inserted coins, storing true coins, and dispensing coins as needed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional coin processing machine for discriminating and counting inserted coins, storing true coins, and dispensing coins as needed, is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-38661. Are disclosed. In this coin processing machine, coins inserted into the transaction port are dropped into a deposit transport section disposed below the transaction port, and transported to the coin supply mechanism by the deposit transport section. The coin conveyed to the coin supply mechanism is fed out to a discrimination passage, and discrimination is performed by the discrimination mechanism in the discrimination passage. After the discrimination, the unacceptable coin is kicked out of the discrimination path, sent to the payout conveyance path via the reject chute, and returned to the transaction port. On the other hand, the acceptable coins are dropped from the discrimination passage onto the stopped inclined conveyor and temporarily stored.
After the selection of all the inserted coins is completed, the customer confirms the amount of the deposit, and the coin is inserted into the second coin supply mechanism or returned to the transaction port at the discretion of the customer.
The coins inserted into the second coin supply mechanism are discriminated by the denomination discriminating mechanism transferred by the transfer chain, and are stored in the coin storage cylinder for each denomination.

[0003]

At present, information terminals for flowing various information in convenience stores and the like are being arranged. This information terminal not only provides information only, but also allows the purchase of a product. By the way, the conventional coin processing machines as described above are used at the counters and automation corners of financial institutions, and therefore all have a complicated structure and are large in size, and are installed in convenience stores or the like to purchase products. There is a problem in that it takes too much space to deposit and withdraw coins. In addition, there is also a problem that the structure is expensive due to its complicated structure. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to
An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing machine capable of achieving compactness and low cost by simplifying the structure.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin processing machine provided at an upper part of a machine body, wherein coins are inserted one by one from outside the machine body. A coin-transporting means arranged rearward and obliquely downward from the input means to convey coins inserted into the input means by its own weight; and a coin-transporting means arranged and transported by the input coin-transporting means. Discriminating means for discriminating coins;
Discharging means disposed on the input coin transport means, for discharging coins discriminated as fake coins and unidentifiable coins by the discriminating means from the input coin transport means, and disposed at a downstream end of the input coin transport means. A temporary storage means for temporarily storing coins transported by the input coin transport means,
A storage coin transport unit extending toward the lower part of the fuselage from the temporary storage unit and transporting coins fed by the temporary storage unit by its own weight; and a storage coin transport unit disposed at a downstream end of the storage coin transport unit, Storing means for storing the coins conveyed by the conveying means, storing means disposed behind the fuselage of the temporary storing means, storing the coins in denominations in a stacked manner and dispensing them from below, and a lower part of the storing means Dispensing coin transport means extending toward the temporary storage means and transporting coins fed from the storage means to the temporary storage means,
A discharged coin transporting means extending forward from the temporary storing means and transporting coins discharged from the temporary storing means, and disposed at a downstream end of the discharged coin transporting means, being transported by the discharged coin transporting means. And a dispensing means for dispensing the coins ejected and the coins ejected by the ejecting means. After discriminating the coins inserted into the input means by the discriminating means, only the true coins are temporarily stored in the temporary storing means by the input coin conveying means, and the coins temporarily stored in the temporary storing means are stored by the storing coin conveying means. To be stored. On the other hand, the dispensed coins are transported by the dispensing coin transporting means from the storing means in which the coins are stored in advance, temporarily stored in the temporary storing means, and dispensed by the dispensing means via the discharged coin transporting means. As a result, the mechanism can be simplified, and the apparatus can be made compact and low in cost.

[0005] A coin processing machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, with respect to the first aspect, the storage means is arranged so as to be detachable from the machine body. Thus, the coins stored in the storage means can be easily collected.

A coin processing machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is the coin processing machine according to the first or the second aspect, wherein the storing means comprises:
It is characterized by being arranged detachably to the body. This makes it easy to replenish coins to the storage means and to collect coins in the storage means.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The coin processor of the present embodiment discriminates and counts the inserted coins, and then stores the true coins, and the coins stored in this manner are not used at the time of dispensing and are separately stored in advance. The coin is used for withdrawal. 1 to 4 is the front side of the body 10, and the following front and rear are the front and rear of the body 10.

An insertion slot (insertion means) 11 into which coins are inserted from outside the aircraft 10 is formed at an upper portion and a front end of the aircraft 10. The insertion slot 11 has a size that allows only one coin to pass through, and thus allows a user to insert coins one by one.

At the front end of the body 10 below the insertion slot 11, a dispensing port (dispensing means) 12 for dispensing coins to the outside of the machine 10 is provided. In the input port 11,
An inserted coin transporter (inserted coin transporting means) 14 arranged rearward and obliquely downward and transporting the coins inserted into the insertion slot 11 one by one by its own weight is connected.

At an intermediate position of the inserted coin transporter 14, at least one of the magnetic property and the outer diameter of the coin being transported is detected, and the coin is identified as true, false, or indistinguishable. A discriminating unit (discriminating means) for discriminating one coin and counting only coins discriminated as true according to denomination
15 are provided.

On the downstream side of the discriminating section 15 of the inserted coin transport section 14, among the coins conveyed by the inserted coin transport section 14, a fake coin determined to be fake by the discriminating section 15 and a discrimination of being impossible are discriminated. A coin transporter 1 that inserts an unidentifiable coin
4 is ejected to the reject transport unit 17 as a discharged coin, and the true coin determined to be true is rejected to the reject transport unit 1.
There is provided a discharge unit (discharge means) 18 that is conveyed further downstream by the input coin conveyance unit 14 without being discharged to 7.
Note that the reject transport unit 17 is disposed forward and obliquely downward from an intermediate position of the inserted coin transport unit 14, and a dispensing port 12 is disposed at a downstream end thereof. As a result, the reject transport unit 17 transports the coin to the outlet 12 by its own weight.

At the downstream end of the inserted coin transport section 14, a temporary storage section (temporary storage means) 20 for temporarily storing coins conveyed by the inserted coin transport section 14 collectively for all denominations is provided.
It is provided at a position on the rear side of the reject transport section 17. On the rear side of the temporary storage unit 20, a stored coin transport unit extending downward from the temporary storage unit 20 (a stored coin transport unit)
21, a discharged coin transport unit (discharged coin transport means) 22 extending forward and obliquely downward from the temporary storage unit 20 is provided directly below the temporary storage unit 20. 20 causes one of the stored coin transport unit 21 and the discharged coin transport unit 22 to pay out the coin alternatively.

Here, the stored coin transport section 21 transports the coins fed from the temporary storage section 20 by its own weight, and transfers the coins to a collection safe (storage means) 23 disposed at the downstream end thereof. invite. The collection safe 23 is for collectively storing coins transported by the stored coin transport unit 21 in all denominations, and is disposed detachably with respect to the machine body 10. The discharged coin transporting unit 22 transports the coins fed from the temporary storage unit 20 by its own weight, and guides the coins to the dispensing port 12 arranged at the downstream end thereof, and guides the coins to the dispensing port 12. Release from

Behind the temporary storage section 20, the inserted coin transport section 14, the reject transport section 17, and the stored coin transport section 2
The coin storage cylinders 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28 (Storage means) 25 having ...
Is provided. Each of the coin storage tubes 24, 24,... Is a cylindrical member having an axis arranged vertically and arranged along the front-rear direction. Each coin is separated from the lower portion one by one and counted. It is possible to withdraw money. These coin storage tubes 24, 24,... Are integrally connected to form a stack portion 25.
Are detachably mounted on the body 10.

The coin storage tubes 24, 24,
, The coin storage cylinders 24, 24,... Extend forward and obliquely upward toward the temporary storage section 20 on the front side and below the front side.
A dispensing coin transport section (dispensing coin transport means) 26 for transporting the dispensed coins further fed to the temporary storage section 20 is provided.

At the dispensing port 12, ejected coins are introduced from the inserted coin transport section 14 via the reject transport section 17, while coins are introduced from the temporary storage section 20 via the discharged coin transport section 22. , And the dispensing port 12 dispenses these coins to the outside of the machine body 10. Here, this withdrawal port 12
Since the coin is inserted by its own weight via the reject transport unit 17 and the discharged coin transport unit 22, a cover for preventing the coin from popping out is attached. However, a shutter for opening and closing this may be attached.

Next, the operation of the coin processing machine having the above configuration will be described for each processing. Before performing the following processes, a predetermined number of coins are stored in each of the coin storage tubes 24, 24,.
The stack unit 25 stored in the body 10 is loaded at a predetermined position of the body 10.

"Payment processing" When a deposit amount is input to a higher-level machine (not shown) such as a multimedia terminal connected to the coin processing machine, the deposit processing is performed in response to the input (see the thick line in FIG. 1). That is, when coins are inserted into the insertion slot 11 by the user, the coins to be deposited, which have been inserted into the insertion slot 11, are conveyed one by one in the inserted coin conveyance section 14 rearward and obliquely downward by their own weight. You. This coin transporter 1
During the transport by the control unit 4, the control unit (not shown) causes the upstream discriminating unit 15 to discriminate coins and count by denomination, and discharges the discharged coins at the downstream discharging unit 18 based on the discrimination result. .

More specifically, the control unit sorts out the ejected coins, which are the fake coins and the indistinguishable coins, from the input coin transporting unit 14 to the reject transporting unit 17 by the ejecting unit 18, and transfers the reject transporting unit 17 by its own weight. Withdrawal port 1 through
2, while the true coins are further transported by the input coin transport unit 14 without being sorted by the discharge unit 18 to the reject transport unit 17 and fed to the temporary storage unit 20 at the downstream end.

Then, the control unit calculates the deposit amount stored in the temporary storage unit 20 by the discriminating unit 15 based on the discrimination of the denomination of the coin determined as the true coin and the counting result during the current deposit processing. Is displayed on a display unit (not shown). When a banknote handling machine for depositing and withdrawing banknotes is connected, the display unit displays the deposit amount together with the deposit amount of the banknote handling machine.

The user inputs an operation of approving the deposit amount from the deposit amount displayed on the display unit by using an enter button (not shown) of the operation unit, or cancels the transaction without accepting the deposit amount. An operation is input by a cancel button of an operation unit (not shown), and an input is made to one of the confirmation button and the cancel button. When the input is accepted, the control unit ends the payment processing.

During the above-mentioned deposit processing, the dispensing port 12
When the discharged coin is ejected to the user, the user causes the ejected coin removed from the dispensing port 12 to be re-inserted into the slot 11 as necessary. Note that the coins re-inserted into the insertion slot 11 are discriminated and sorted again during the depositing process before the depositing process is completed.

When the deposit amount output from a higher-level device such as a multimedia terminal is larger than the deposit amount based on the result of the determination by the determination unit 15, the control unit does not accept this even if an input is made on the confirm button. The payment processing is not ended (that is, the following storage processing and payment processing are not executed). Then, a display prompting for additional insertion of the deposit coin is made on the display unit. Thereby, the user inserts additional coins into the insertion slot 11 as needed. Since the coins additionally inserted into the insertion slot 11 before the payment processing is finished, the coins are discriminated and sorted during the payment processing.

At the end of the depositing process, when the operation of approving the deposit amount is input with the confirmation button of the operation unit (not shown) and accepted, the control unit sets the temporary storage unit 20
The storage processing for storing the coins temporarily stored in the storage unit is executed (see the thick line in FIG. 2). That is, at the time of execution of the storing process, the control unit causes all coins temporarily stored in the temporary storing unit 20 to be transported by their own weight via the stored coin transporting unit 21 and collectively stores all denominations in the collection safe 23. Let it be stored.

[Payment Processing] At the end of the above-mentioned payment processing, when an operation of approving the payment amount is input by a confirmation button of an operation unit (not shown), the payment amount output from a higher-level device such as a multimedia terminal is displayed. If the difference is smaller than the deposit amount based on the discrimination result of the discriminating unit 15 at the time of the depositing process and the difference includes the coin portion, the control unit, after the storing process, dispenses the difference coin portion. Execute the processing (see the thick line in FIG. 3).

That is, the control unit counts out only the required number of coins to be dispensed from the coin denominations of the coin storage cylinders 24, 24,... The coin transport section 26 is driven. Then, the dispensed coins from the coin storage cylinders 24, 24,... Are transported forward by the dispensed coin transport section 26, are raised obliquely, are thrown into the temporary storage section 20, and are temporarily stored.

At the timing when all coins fed from the coin storage tubes 24, 24,... In the dispensing process reach the temporary storage unit 20, the control unit discharges coins inside the temporary storage unit 20. The coins are fed to the coin transporting section 22 and conveyed by the released coin transporting section 22 by their own weight, and all the coins are paid out to the dispensing port 12, thereby completing the dispensing process.

"Payment return processing" At the end of the above payment processing,
When an operation that does not approve the deposit amount is input using a cancel button of an operation unit (not shown), the control unit executes a deposit return process of returning coins temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 20 (the thick line in FIG. 4). reference). That is, at the time of executing the deposit return process, the control unit causes the coins inside the temporary storage unit 20 to be transported by the released coin transport unit 22 by its own weight, and all of the coins in the outlet 1
2 and the deposit return process is completed.

Here, when the stack unit 25 is loaded into the machine body 10, the control unit, for example, controls the coin storage cylinders 24, 24,.
Are loaded with their coins full,
The number of coins stored in each of the coin storage tubes 24, 24,... Is stored, and thereafter, each coin storage tube 24, 24,.
Each time coins are dispensed from 24,.
.. Are rewritten and stored.
When the number of stored coins of at least one of the coin storage tubes 24, 24,... Reaches a predetermined first predetermined value (the number of coins that can be determined as being available but insufficient), the control is performed. The unit displays an alarm to that effect on a display unit (not shown) as a shortage of coins. Further, the number of stored coins of at least one of the coin storage tubes 24, 24,... Is a predetermined second predetermined value (the number of coins that can be determined to be untransferable. For example, 0
When the number of coins is reached, the control unit displays an alarm on the display unit (not shown) indicating that the coins are insufficient, generates an alarm sound, and stops the transaction. Even if the number of stored coins in at least one of the coin storage tubes 24, 24,... Reaches a second predetermined value, if this is an unrelated denomination at the time of dispensing, It may be performed without stopping the transaction.

In a state where none of the above-mentioned payment processing, storage processing, payment processing and payment return processing has been executed, the collection safe 23 and the stack section 25 are provided as necessary.
By removing from the body 10, all coins in the body 10 can be collected.

According to the coin processing machine described above, after the coin inserted into the slot 11 is discriminated by the discriminating section 15 while being conveyed by the deposit coin transport section 14, only the true coins are discriminated by the deposit coin transport section 14. The coins temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 20 and the coins temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 20 are stored in the collection safe 23 by the stored coin transport unit 21. On the other hand, coins are conveyed from a stack unit 25 in which coins are stored in advance by a dispensing coin transport unit 26, temporarily stored in a temporary storage unit 20, and dispensed by a dispensing port 12 via a discharged coin transport unit 22. Withdraw money. As described above, since the coins inserted into the insertion slot 11 are not used for withdrawal but are merely stored in the collection safe 23, the coins inserted into the insertion slot 11 may be conveyed to the stack unit 25. Therefore, a mechanism for distributing by money type and storing it in the stack unit 25 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the mechanism can be simplified, and the size and cost of the device can be reduced.

Further, since the collection safe 23 is detachably mounted on the machine body 10, the coins stored in the collection safe 23 can be easily collected. Furthermore, since the stack unit 25 is also detachably mounted on the machine body 10, replenishment of coins to the stack unit 25 and collection of coins in the stack unit 25 can be easily performed.

[0033]

As described in detail above, claim 1 of the present invention
According to the coin processing machine described above, after the coin inserted into the input means is determined by the determination means, only the true coin is temporarily stored in the temporary storage means by the input coin transport means, and temporarily stored in the temporary storage means. The coins are stored in the storage means by the storage coin transport means. On the other hand, the dispensed coins are transported by the dispensing coin transporting means from the storing means in which the coins are stored in advance, temporarily stored in the temporary storing means, and dispensed by the dispensing means via the discharged coin transporting means. Thus, the mechanism can be simplified, and the apparatus can be made compact and low in cost.

According to the coin processing machine of the second aspect of the present invention, since the storing means is detachably mounted on the machine body, the coin stored in the storing means can be easily collected.

According to the coin processing machine of the third aspect of the present invention, since the storing means is detachably mounted on the machine body, it is easy to replenish coins to the storing means and to collect coins in the storing means. It can be carried out.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view schematically showing a coin processing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a route of a depositing process is indicated by a thick line.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view schematically showing a coin processing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a storage processing route is indicated by a thick line.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view schematically showing a coin processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a payout processing route is indicated by a thick line.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view schematically showing a coin processing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a route of a deposit return process is indicated by a thick line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Airframe 11 Injection port (injection means) 12 Dispensing port (injection means) 14 Input coin transport section (input coin transport section) 15 Discriminating section (discriminating section) 18 Discharge section (discharge section) 20 Temporary storage section (temporary storage section) 21) Stored coin transport unit (storage coin transport unit) 22 Discharged coin transport unit (released coin transport unit) 23 Collection safe (storage unit) 25 Stack unit (storage unit) 26 Dispensed coin transport unit (dispensed coin transport unit) )

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Katsuyuki Miyamoto 1-12-6 Higashitabata, Kita-ku, Tokyo Inside Lorel Le Seiki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuo Ogawa 1-112 Higashitabata, Kita-ku, Tokyo Lorel Seiki Co., Ltd. Tokyo Laboratory F-term (reference) 3E001 AA07 AB05 AB06 BA01 FA06 FA11 FA46

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A loading means provided at an upper part of a fuselage, for inserting coins one by one from outside the fuselage, and a coin disposed rearward and obliquely downward from the loading means, and loaded into the loading means. A coin transporting means for transporting the coin by its own weight, a discriminating means disposed on the coin transporting means and discriminating a coin to be conveyed, a coin disposed by the coin transporting means, and a fake coin by the discriminating means. A discharging unit for discharging the discriminated coin and the indistinguishable coin from the input coin conveying unit; and a discharging unit disposed at a downstream end of the input coin conveying unit for temporarily storing coins conveyed by the input coin conveying unit. Temporary storage means, storage coin transport means extending from the temporary storage means toward the lower part of the fuselage, and transporting coins fed out by the temporary storage means by their own weight, and the stored coin transporter A storage unit disposed at the downstream end of the stage for storing coins conveyed by the storage coin conveyance unit; and a storage unit disposed at the rear of the fuselage of the temporary storage unit. Storage means for depositing money, extending from a lower part of the storage means toward the temporary storage means,
Dispensing coin transporting means for transporting coins fed from the storing means to the temporary storing means, Discharging coin transport extending forward from the temporary storing means to the body and transporting coins discharged from the temporary storing means. And a dispensing means disposed at a downstream end of the discharged coin conveying means and dispensing coins conveyed by the discharged coin conveying means and coins discharged by the discharging means. 2. A coin processing machine according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is detachably mounted on a machine body. 3. A coin processing machine according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is detachably mounted on a machine body.