JP2001184553A - Coin processor and automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin processor with which the number of coins of a prescribed denomination can be regulated and the relevant number can be set and to provide an automatic vending machine provided with the same. SOLUTION: The coin processor is equipped with an identification part for identifying inserted coins, a storage part for storing the denomination of the coins identified by the identification part and the number of coins corresponding to this denomination, a clerk operating part for setting the number of acceptable coins of the prescribed denomination and a judging part for judging whether the number of inserted coins of a denomination with the set number of coins to be accepted is equal to the set number of coins to be accepted or exceeds the set number of coins to be accepted. The automatic vending machine is provided with the same. This device may be equipped with a returning means for returning coins just for the number exceeding the set number of coins to be accepted when the number of inserted coins of the denomination with the set number of coins to be accepted exceeds the set number of coins to be accepted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a money handling machine and a vending machine provided with the money handling machine, and more particularly to a money handling machine capable of regulating receipt of money and a vending machine provided with the money handling machine. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional money handling apparatus provided in a vending machine, the number of accepted coins (legal accepted number of coins) is determined in accordance with the law (the law concerning the unit of currency and the issuance of money, etc.). For this reason, the money handling apparatus is configured to accept a maximum of 20 coins of each denomination in principle. Therefore, a ROM chip incorporating a program storing the legally accepted number of sheets has been stored in the money handling apparatus.

[0003] Recently, however, crimes have been rampant in which foreign coins are altered to resemble predetermined denominations, used in vending machines, and recognized by currency processing apparatuses as regular coins. As a countermeasure, the number of accepted coins of a predetermined denomination (for example, 500 yen coins) is regulated to a number smaller than the legally accepted number of coins stipulated by law. The regulation of the number of accepted coins of a predetermined denomination is performed by a ROM in which a program for storing the accepted denomination and the number of accepted coins for each denomination is incorporated.
This has been done by uniformly storing chips in a money handling apparatus.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional money handling apparatus, when it is desired to change the number of accepted coins of a predetermined denomination or to change the denomination itself,
A new ROM chip must be prepared and replaced,
Time-consuming and complicated work was required. Further, if all vending machines in one sales area uniformly regulate coins of the same denomination, it is very inconvenient for customers. Further, in a vending machine installed in a place where monitoring can be sufficiently performed by an administrator or the like, it is not always desirable to regulate the number of received vending machines.

Therefore, the present invention provides a money handling apparatus and a money handling apparatus which can quickly and easily set a regulated denomination and the number of regulated pieces of the regulated denomination to a desired value without complicated work. It is intended to provide a vending machine equipped with the vending machine.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a money handling apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention discriminates inserted money, for example, as shown in FIGS. Identification means 34, 44 (FIGS. 4, 5); identification means 3
Storage means 62 (FIG. 6) for storing the denomination of the currency identified by 4, 44 and the number corresponding to the denomination; and clerk operating means 70 (for setting the number of accepted coins of a predetermined denomination) ( (Fig. 3)
And determining means 65 for determining whether or not the number of coins of the denomination of which the number of accepted coins is set is equal to the set number of accepted coins or whether or not the number of coins exceeds the set number of accepted coins. 6).

[0007] With this configuration, since the clerk operating means for setting the number of received money of a predetermined denomination is provided, the clerk can set or change the number of received money of the predetermined denomination at the clerk operating means. Can be. Furthermore, since a judgment unit is provided, when the number of inserted money is equal to the set number of received coins or when the number of received coins exceeds the set number of received coins, for example, generation of a warning sound, warning display, etc. Action can be taken. It is preferable that a practically arbitrary number of sheets including zero can be set as the number of sheets to be accepted. Here, money is a concept including banknotes, coins, and pseudo money (for example, coin medals) purchased with money.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the money handling apparatus according to the first aspect, the number of coins of the denomination of which the number of accepted coins is set exceeds the set number of accepted coins. In this case, there is provided a return means for returning only an amount exceeding the set number of received sheets.

According to this structure, since the return means is provided, it is possible to return only the amount of money inserted exceeding the set number of received money, and to restrict the input of money of a predetermined denomination to the set number or less. can do. The currency to be returned is
Money that has been inserted more than the number accepted can be used,
For example, coins of the same denomination may be coins first inserted by the customer.

[0010] The vending machine according to the third aspect of the present invention,
Selecting means for selecting a product or a service to be purchased; receiving information on the denomination of money and the number of sheets corresponding to the denomination stored in the storage means, calculating an input amount, and The money handling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a calculation unit that receives information on the price or the fee of the service and calculates a change amount; and a providing unit that provides the selected product or service.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 1A is a side view of an automatic ticket vending machine 101 as a vending machine according to the present invention, incorporating a money handling apparatus 20 (not shown in FIG. 1A) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a rear view of the same. The automatic ticket vending machine 101 sells tickets (not shown) as tickets.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, an automatic ticket vending machine 101 includes a vertical customer service surface 21 for providing information on, for example, on-sale or on-sale cancellation to a customer purchasing a ticket.
A staff operation unit 70 as a staff operation means of the present invention, which has a sloped customer service surface 22 operated by a user on the front side and operated by a staff, a main control unit 60 for performing various controls, and a currency (a bill,
A coin processing device 20 for processing coins) and a ticket issuing device 50 as a means for providing goods or services of the present invention for issuing a ticket are housed therein. Money processing device 20
Is configured to include a bill processing device 30 and a coin processing device 40.

The clerk operation unit 70 includes a display unit 71 (see FIG. 3) and an operation unit 72 (see FIG. 3), and the clerk operates a locked door 96 (not shown) provided on the rear surface 102. Open and stand facing the clerk operation unit 70 to perform a predetermined operation.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the inclined customer service surface 22, an account selection button 1 as a selection means of the present invention for selecting an account corresponding to a ticket type purchased by a user,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (1 to 1
1) is provided. The account selection buttons 1 to 11 are for selecting a ticket type to be purchased by the user.
They are arranged separately for each fare.

The inclined customer service surface 22 further includes a bill insertion slot 31 for inserting bills, a coin insertion slot 41 for inserting coins, and a bill outlet 32 for sending fishing bills.
And a change discharge port 42 for discharging change, a receiving tray 23 for temporarily receiving the change bill discharged from the bill outlet 32 and the change discharged from the change discharge port 42, and an issued ticket. A ticket discharging port 51 for discharging is provided.
The user can get the purchased ticket from the ticket outlet 51 and the change from the receiving tray 23. Further, a number designation button 24 for designating the number of tickets purchased by the user is provided on the inclined customer service surface 22.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the automatic ticket vending machine 101. In the figure, account selection buttons 3 to 10 are omitted. The solid line represents the movement of money or tickets,
The broken line indicates the exchange of information (the same applies to FIGS. 4 and 5 described later).

As shown in the figure, a bill insertion slot 31 and a bill sending port 32 are connected to a bill processing device 30, and bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 31 are accommodated in the bill processing device 30, and a change (change tag) is provided. If it is necessary to return the change, the change is sent out from the bill outlet 32 and returned to the user. The coin slot 41 and the change discharge port 42 are connected to a coin processing device 40, and the coins inserted from the coin slot 41 are stored in the coin processing device 40. When the change needs to be returned, the change is released. It is discharged from the outlet 42 and returned to the user.

The bill processing device 30, the coin processing device 40, the ticket issuing device 50, and the number designation button 24
0 and is controlled by the main control unit 60.
Account selection buttons 1 to 11 (omitted from reference numerals 3 to 10 in the figure) are also connected to the main control unit 60. From the account selection buttons 1 to 11, the ticket type information of the ticket purchased by the user is displayed by the number designation button. From 24, information indicating the number of tickets to be purchased is sent to the main control unit 60.

The clerk operation unit 70 is connected to the main control unit 60, and the clerk performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 72 while watching the display on the display unit 71. The operation unit 72 has a money reception number setting unit 73. The money reception number setting unit 73 is used by the attendant to set the denomination of money for controlling the number of received money and the number thereof. The setting contents may be changed according to the environment where the automatic ticket vending machine 101 is placed, the monitoring system, the time zone, the day of the week, the season, and the like. For example, the automatic ticket vending machine 101 installed in a place where a clerk can constantly monitor can increase the set number.

For example, if it is desired to prevent damage due to the insertion of a modified coin of 500 yen, 500 yen is set as a denomination. That is, in this case, 500 yen is the predetermined denomination of the present invention. An automatic ticket vending machine installed in the station building of a station with many passengers accepts many 500 yen coins, and an automatic ticket vending machine installed outside a station with few passengers does not accept 500 yen coins. May be set to zero. Even if the number of coins is not set in the number-of-coins-receiving-number setting unit 73, it is preferable that the number of coins accepted is set to 20 as an initial value, and that the number of coins cannot be set to more than 20 coins. .

FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of the bill processing apparatus 30. The bill processing device 30 discriminates whether or not the bill is an acceptable bill and identifies the denomination of the bill. And a bill sorting unit 35 as a return means of the present invention. The bill processing device 30 further includes a bill storage unit 37 for storing regular bills.
And a bill sending section 38 for sending bills from the bill storage section 37 as change.

FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram of the coin processing device 40. The basic configuration is the same as that of the banknote processing apparatus 30 except for the coin separator 49. That is, the coin processing device 40 includes a coin separating unit 49 that separates the received coins one by one,
Coin identification unit 4 as identification means of the present invention for identifying whether or not the separated coin is acceptable, and identifying the denomination of the coin.
4 and a coin sorting unit 45 as a return means of the present invention for sorting coins identified as positive coins by denomination. The coin processing device 40 further includes a coin storage unit 47 for storing regular coins, and a coin sending unit 48 for sending coins from the coin storage unit 47 as change.

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram of the main control unit 60. The main control unit 60 stores a denomination of the inserted money and information of the number of sheets corresponding to the denomination, an inserted money storage unit 62 as storage means of the present invention, an amount of change and a denomination of change. A computing unit 63 for calculating the number of coins per unit, a judging unit 65 as judging means of the present invention for judging that the inserted money has exceeded the set number of accepted coins, and an operation instruction unit 61 Is done. The operation instructing unit 61 includes the bill processing device 3
0, the operation instruction of the money handling apparatus 40, the ticket issuing apparatus 50 and the like is performed.

Next, the operation of the automatic ticket vending machine 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 shows a staff operation unit 7.
The display when the number of accepted money is set by the accepted money number setting unit 73 of the display unit 71 of 0 is shown.

First, an attendant operates the vending machine 101 at the rear 1
02, a locked door 96 (not shown) is opened to stand facing the clerk operation unit 70, and while watching the display on the display unit 71, a coin or A denomination that regulates acceptance of banknotes and the number of sheets for each denomination are set. The money reception number setting unit 73 includes a ten-key (not shown) and a cursor movement key (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 71 is used as a screen for setting the number of accepted money, and the cursor is moved by the cursor movement keys.
Move up and down to select the line of the denomination you want to change, then change it to the desired number with the numeric keypad, and then exit from the money accepted number setting screen. It is also possible to set the number of accepted money of a certain denomination to zero and prohibit acceptance of the money of that denomination. In the case of coins, the maximum number of coins set in principle is set to 20 in accordance with the law on the unit of currency and the issuance of money.

The information on the number of accepted money from the accepted money number setting unit 73 is sent to the operation instruction unit 61, and the operation instruction unit 61 is operated.
Sends the received money number setting information to the determination unit 65.

When a user purchases a ticket with the automatic ticket vending machine 101, typically, the user first inserts money into the currency processing device 20 of the automatic ticket vending machine 101. In order to distinguish between the operation in the case of a bill and the operation in the case of a coin, the following description will be made on the assumption that the bill is inserted first.

The bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 31, and the inserted bill is conveyed to the bill recognizing section 34. Banknote recognition unit 3
In 4, it is identified whether the bill is a fake bill, a falsified bill, a deformed bill, or the like. In the case of a fake bill, the bill is sent to the bill insertion slot 31, and the transaction is stopped. The banknotes identified as genuine banknotes are simultaneously denominated. Banknote recognition unit 34
Sends the information of the denomination (inserted bill information) to the inserted money storage unit 62 each time a bill is inserted, and
No. 2 increments and stores the number of banknotes of the denomination.

The input money storage unit 62 stores information on the denomination of the banknote and the total number of sheets for each denomination as input monetary information (the "money" is used to store bills and coins in consideration of the case of coins described later). The determination unit 65, the calculation unit 63, and the operation instruction unit 61 each time a bill is inserted.
Send to The judging unit 65 judges whether or not the set number is exceeded based on the inserted money information from the inserted money storage unit 62 and the received money number setting information from the received money number setting unit 73. Send to section 61. Operation instruction section 6
1 is based on the determination information and is equal to or less than the set number of received sheets, and therefore, if the input regulation is not violated, the sorting instruction information is sent to the bill sorting section 35. On the other hand, if the number exceeds the set number of accepted sheets and the input regulation is violated, the release instruction information is sent to the banknote sorting unit 35.

The banknotes of which the denomination and the number of each denomination have been recognized are conveyed to the banknote sorting unit 35, and in the case of a violation of the insertion regulation, the banknote sorting port 35 by the banknote sorting unit 35 based on the release instruction information. Sent to If the input regulation is not violated, it is sorted for each denomination based on the sorting instruction information and stored in the bill storage unit 37 for each denomination.

Next, a description will be given on the assumption that a user inserts a coin after inserting a bill. Coins are coin slot 41
And the inserted coin is transported to the coin identification unit 44. The coin identification unit 44 identifies whether the coin is a fake coin, a falsified coin, a deformed coin, or the like. If the coin is a fake coin, the coin is released to the change outlet 42, and the transaction is stopped. The coins identified as positive coins are simultaneously denominated. Each time a coin is inserted, the coin identification unit 44 sends information on the denomination (inserted coin information) to the inserted money storage unit 62, and the inserted money storage unit 62 increases the number of stored denominations by one. .

The inserted money storage unit 62 uses a coin denomination and information on the total number of coins for each denomination as input monetary information, and each time a coin is inserted, a judgment unit 65, a calculation unit 63, and an operation instruction unit. Send to 61. The judging section 65 judges whether or not the set number is exceeded based on the inserted money information from the inserted money storage section 62 and the received money number setting information from the received money number setting section 73, and gives an instruction to the judgment information. Send to section 61. The operation instructing unit 61 sends the sorting instruction information to the coin sorting unit 45 based on the determination information, when the number of received sheets is equal to or less than the set number of accepted sheets and, therefore, the insertion regulation is not violated. On the other hand, if the number exceeds the set number of received sheets and the insertion regulation is violated, the release instruction information is sent to the coin sorting section 45.

The coins of which the denomination and the number of coins are recognized are conveyed to the coin allocating section 45, and in the case of a violation of the insertion regulation, the coin allocating section 45 by the coin allocating section 45 based on the release instruction information. Released to If the input regulation is not violated, the coins are sorted for each denomination based on the sorting instruction information, and are stored in the coin storage unit 47 for each denomination.

The above description has been made on the assumption that the user first inserts a bill and then inserts a coin. However, a coin may be inserted first and then a bill may be inserted. They may be charged in any order.

Next, the user selects account selection buttons 1 to 11,
When the user selects the ticket type and the number of tickets to be purchased by pressing the button 24 and the number designation button 24, account selection information and number instruction information are sent to the operation instruction section 61. Operation instruction section 6
1 stores the account information, and sends the purchase price information to the calculation unit 63 based on the account selection information and the number instruction information.

The calculation unit 63 calculates the denomination of the money to be paid out as change and the number of money for each denomination from the input money information and the purchase price information, and the change information (denomination, number of money for each denomination)
To the operation instructing section 61. The operation instructing unit 61 outputs the denomination of the bill to be sent as change based on the change information, the number of coins for each denomination or the denomination of coins to be released, and the number of coins for each denomination as the sending instruction information. The coin is sent to the coin sending unit 48. The bill sending unit 38 and the coin sending unit 48 send out a predetermined number of bills of a predetermined denomination as change, and send out a predetermined number of coins of a predetermined number as change based on the sending instruction information bill.

As described above, in the case of a violation of the insertion regulation, according to the release instruction information from the operation instruction section 61, the bill is distributed from the banknote sorting section 35 to the banknote exit 32, or discharged from the coin sorting section 45 to the change discharge port 42. It was explained as what to do. But,
The release instruction information from the operation instruction unit 61 is transmitted to the bill sorting unit 35,
Instead of sending the money to the money sorting unit 45, the money is sent to the bill identification unit 34 and the coin identification unit 44, and the bill insertion unit 3
1 and may be discharged from the coin identification unit 44 to the change discharge port 42. At this time, if the input regulation is not violated, the transport instruction information for transporting the banknote from the banknote identification unit 34 to the banknote sorting unit 35 and transporting the coin from the coin identification unit 44 to the coin sorting unit 45 (FIG. 4, (Not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) may be sent from the operation instructing section 61 to the bill identifying section 34 and the coin identifying section 44, respectively.

As described above, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment
According to 01, since the determination unit 65 is provided, it can be determined that the number of coins of the denomination of which the number of accepted coins is set exceeds the set number of accepted coins. Since the banknote sorting unit 35 and the coin sorting unit 45 are provided, when the determination unit 65 determines as described above, the banknotes that have been inserted in excess of the set number of received coins are sorted and the banknote exit 32 and the change are changed. Outlet 4
It can be returned to 2 and not accepted. Further, since the clerk operation unit 70 is provided with the money reception number setting unit 73, the clerk checks the number of received money of a predetermined denomination in the clerk operation unit 70 on the screen at the set value, and further quickly and easily. It can be set reliably. Further, time for preparing a new ROM for replacement is not required, and complicated replacement work of the ROM is not required.

Further, according to the automatic ticket vending machine 101, a predetermined denomination of money of a denomination is determined according to the place where the automatic ticket vending machine 101 is installed, the monitoring system of the automatic ticket vending machine 101 by a clerk, time zone, day of the week, season and the like. It is possible to set the number of accepted sheets to a desired practically arbitrary value, or to change the setting to a desired practically arbitrary value. In addition, when there is a social situation in which the use of a denominated coin of a certain denomination is rampant, this denomination can be selected as a predetermined denomination.

[0042]

As described above, according to the money handling apparatus of the present invention, since the judgment unit is provided, whether the number of inserted money of a predetermined denomination of which the number of accepted money is set is equal to the set number of accepted money. No, it is possible to determine whether or not the set number of received money has been exceeded, and since the clerk operation unit is provided, the clerk sets or changes the number of received money of a predetermined denomination in the clerk operation unit. This makes it possible to quickly and easily set the number of accepted coins of a predetermined denomination in accordance with the environment in which the money handling apparatus is installed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an automatic ticket vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a side view, (B) is a rear view.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a service side of the automatic ticket vending machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the automatic ticket vending machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the bill processing device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a coin processing device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a main control unit.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a screen for setting the number of accepted coins on a display unit of the attendant operation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 30 banknote processing device 31 banknote insertion slot 32 banknote exit 34 banknote identification unit 35 banknote sorting unit 37 banknote storage unit 38 banknote delivery unit 40 coin processing device 41 coin insertion port 42 change discharge port 44 coin identification unit 45 coin distribution unit 47 coin storage unit 48 coin sending unit 50 ticket issuing device 60 main control unit 61 operation instruction unit 62 inserted money storage unit 63 calculation unit 65 judgment unit 70 staff operation unit 72 operation unit 73 money reception number setting unit 101 automatic ticket vending machine

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An identification means for identifying inserted money;
Storage means for storing the denomination of the money identified by the identification means and the number corresponding to the denomination; clerk operating means for setting the number of accepted money of the predetermined money type; and setting the number of accepted money Determination means for determining whether or not the inserted number of coins of the denomination is equal to the set number of received coins, or whether the number exceeds the set number of received coins; Money handling equipment. 2. A return means for returning the amount of money of the denomination in which the number of accepted coins is set exceeds the set number of accepted coins when the number of coins inserted exceeds the set number of accepted coins. The money handling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Selecting means for selecting goods or services to be purchased; receiving information on the denomination of money and the number of sheets corresponding to the denomination stored in the storage means;
The money handling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a calculation unit that receives information on the price of the selected product or the fee of the service and calculates a change amount; and provides the selected product or service. Providing means; a vending machine.