JP2001266210A - Method and device for coin processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for coin processing which temporarily holds plural thrown-in coins and actualizes both convenience and prevention against forged coin use. SOLUTION: To return thrown-in coins themselves when coins are returned, the thrown-in coins are temporarily held in an exclosure path 4 and the number of held coins is optionally set; and coins which are thrown in exceeding the set number are returned through the operation of a genuine/false coin distribution lever 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin processing method and apparatus, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for temporarily storing a plurality of coins.
The present invention relates to a coin processing method and apparatus for returning coins inserted when a return operation is performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vending machine is usually provided with a coin processing device for receiving coins and paying out change.

A conventional coin processing device determines the authenticity and denomination of the inserted coin, and if the coin is a genuine coin, stores the coin in a coin tube corresponding to the denomination and pays the change. In such a case, a coin equivalent to a change amount was paid out from a coin tube. In the case of such a configuration, when the coin once inserted is returned for some reason, the coin of the inserted amount is paid out from the coin tube as in the case of the change payment. Therefore, the returned coins were of the same kind but not the same as the inserted coins.

[0004] For this reason, crimes have frequently occurred in which counterfeit money is put into a vending machine and genuine money is obtained by performing a return operation. This kind of crime can be dealt with by strictly determining the authenticity of the input coin, but by making the judgment strict, even a genuine coin with scratches and dirt will be judged as a false coin, The use of vending machines was inconvenient.

Under such a background, in order to prevent the use of counterfeit coins and achieve both convenience, a temporary holding mechanism (escrow mechanism) for temporarily holding inserted coins (escrow) is provided. When a return operation is performed, a coin processing device that returns the actual coins that have been inserted is also used.

[0006]

As described above, recently, coin processing apparatuses provided with an escrow mechanism have been used. In addition, vending machines and the like, in which coin processing devices are arranged, are increasingly handling expensive products, and considering the convenience of such vending machines, a coin processing device can temporarily hold a plurality of coins. Is desired.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a coin processing method and apparatus capable of temporarily storing a plurality of inserted coins and achieving both convenience and prevention of counterfeit use.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 discriminates the authenticity and denomination of a coin inserted, and discriminates the discriminated coin of at least one denomination. It has a temporary holding mechanism that temporarily holds the coins, stores the required number of coins among the coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism according to the storage instruction, and returns the coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism as it is according to the return instruction. In the coin processing method, the denomination and the number of coins to be temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism are set in advance, and when the set number of coins of the denomination is inserted, the coins are temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism. It is characterized by returning without holding.

Further, the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the number of coins to be temporarily stored is arbitrarily set within a range of the number of coins that can be temporarily stored by the temporary storage mechanism. I do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when at least one of the coins temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism by the selling operation is stored, the preset coin is set. The temporary holding mechanism enables coins of the denomination newly inserted within the range of the number of used coins to be temporarily stored.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 discriminates the authenticity and denomination of the inserted coin, and identifies at least one of the discriminated coins.
A temporary holding mechanism for temporarily holding coins of two denominations, storing the required number of coins among the coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism according to the storing instruction, and temporarily storing the coins in the temporary storing mechanism according to the return instruction. A coin processing device that returns the used coins as they are, setting means for presetting the denomination and the number of coins to be temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism, and a counting device for counting the number of coins temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism. Means and control means for returning coins of the denomination inserted thereafter without temporarily holding them in the temporary holding mechanism when the count value of the counting means reaches the number set by the setting means. It is characterized by having.

The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 4, the setting means can arbitrarily set the number within the range of the number of sheets that can be temporarily held by the temporary holding mechanism.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the counting means is provided when at least one of the coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism by the selling operation is stored. Subtracting the number of stored coins, and the control means stores the newly inserted coins of the denomination until the count value of the counting means reaches the number set by the setting means. Is temporarily held.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the control means includes: first control means for guiding coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism to a coin return path; A second control means for guiding the coins temporarily stored in the mechanism to the coin tube; and a third control means for guiding the coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism to the safe, wherein the count value of the counting means is When the number of sheets set by the setting means has been reached and when the return operation has been performed,
The first control means is operated to guide the coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism to a coin return path, and when the selling operation is performed, the second control means or the third control means is operated. The coin temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism is guided to the coin tube or the safe.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the first control means is provided downstream of the temporary holding mechanism, and the coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism are transferred to the coins. A first distributing means for distributing or currencies to the return path; and a first solenoid for operating the first distributing means, wherein the second control means and the third solenoid are provided. The control means is provided between the first sorting means and the coin tube, and guides coins passing through the first sorting means to the safe or to the coin tube. Means, and a second solenoid for operating the second distribution means.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a coin processing method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining a schematic configuration of a coin processing apparatus according to the present invention.
The front is shown, and FIG. 2 is a side view.

The coin processing apparatus 100 includes an input unit 1 serving as a receiving port for inserted coins, an identification unit 2 for identifying authenticity and denomination of inserted coins, a coin passage 3 for rolling or dropping coins, An escrow passage 4 for temporarily storing (escrow) coins of a predetermined denomination, a coin tube 5 (5a to 5e) for storing coins by denomination, a dispensing unit 6 for paying out coins in the coin tube 5, a coin inserted Is provided with a return passage 7 leading to a return opening (not shown), and a safe passage 8 leading to inserted coins into a safe (not shown).

The coin processing apparatus 100 is provided with various sensors for detecting the state of coins and the like. These sensors are, for example, a path sensor 1 that detects the passage of a coin.
1. an overflow sensor 12 (12a to 12e) for detecting that the coins in the coin tube 5 are full;
The empty sensor 13 (13a to 13e) detects that the coin in the coin tube 5 is empty.

The coin processing apparatus 100 includes a true / false distribution lever 21, a denomination distribution lever 22, a safe passage lever 23, a denomination distribution lever 24 for guiding coins to a predetermined position.
25, 26, return passage lever 27, safe passage lever 28
Escrow pin 31 for escrowing coins
a and 31b are provided. These components are driven by actuators such as solenoids. The actuators may correspond to the components on a one-to-one basis, or a single actuator may operate a plurality of levers or the like.

Here, the flow of coins in the coin processing apparatus 100 will be described. The coin 50 inserted into the insertion unit 1 of the coin processing apparatus 100 is first identified by the identification unit 2 into true / false and denomination. The coins determined to be counterfeit by the discriminating unit 2 are moved by the operation of the true / false distribution lever to the coin processing device 100.
Is returned to a return passage 7 (see FIG. 2) in front of the vehicle and returned from a return port (not shown).

On the other hand, a coin determined as a genuine coin by the discriminating unit 2 is guided to one of the coin tubes 5a to 5e for each denomination, but the coin tube 5 (any of the coin tubes 5b to 5e excluding 5a). Is full,
The coin is denominated sorting lever 22 and safe passage lever 23
Is guided to the safe passage 8 (see FIG. 2) on the back of the coin processing device 100 and stored in a safe (not shown).

If the coin tube is not full,
If the inserted coin is a denomination to be guided to the coin tube 5a, the denomination sorting lever 22 and the denomination sorting lever 2
4, the coin is guided to the escrow passage 4 in the front of the coin processing device 100, and the escrow pin 31a
Is temporarily stored in the escrow passage 4.

Also, the coins inserted into the coin tube 5
If the denomination was led to b, denomination sorting lever 2
2. With the denomination sorting lever 24 and the denomination sorting lever 25,
If the denomination is guided to the coin tube 5b and guided to the coin tube 5c, the denomination is distributed to the coin tube 5c by the denomination distribution lever 22, the denomination distribution lever 24, and the denomination distribution lever 25. If the inserted coin is a denomination to be guided to the coin tube 5d, it is guided to the coin tube 5d by the denomination sorting lever 22, the safe passage lever 23, and the denomination sorting lever 26, and the coin tube 5e.
If the denomination is led to the denomination sort lever 22,
The safe passage lever 23 and the denomination sorting lever 26 guide the coin to the coin tube 5e.

The coins 50 temporarily stored in the escrow passage 4 by the escrow pin 31a, for example, the coins 50a, 50b, 50c, are issued when a collection command is issued from a vending machine (not shown) due to the purchase of goods. , The escrow pins 31a and 31b are alternately operated to be released one by one and fall. At this time, the return passage lever 27 and the safe passage lever 28 are operated to guide the escrow pins 31a and 31b to the coin tube 5a. However, when the coin tube 5a is full, the safe aisle lever 28 operates in the opposite direction, and the coin 5
0 is guided to the safe passage 8 on the back of the coin processing device 100 and stored in a safe (not shown).

When the coin 50 is temporarily held in the escrow passage 4 and a refund command is issued from a vending machine (not shown) by a refund operation or the like, the escrow pins 31a and 31b operate alternately. 50 coins one by one
Is released, and the coin is guided to the return passage 7 on the front of the coin processing device 100 by the operation of the return passage lever 27, and is returned from the return opening (not shown).

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, these processes are performed by the control unit 10 by the identification unit 2 and the path sensor 1.
1. Based on the detection results of the overflow sensors 12a to 12e and the empty sensors 13a to 13e, a true / false distribution lever 21, a denomination distribution lever 22, a safe passage lever 2
3. It is realized by operating the escrow pins 31a, 31b for escrowing coins, together with the denomination sorting levers 24, 25, 26, the return passage lever 27, and the safe passage lever 28.

Next, the characteristic operation of the coin processing apparatus 100 will be described. As a feature of the coin processing apparatus 100, first, the denomination and the number of coins temporarily stored in the escrow passage 4 can be arbitrarily set. This setting is stored in a storage unit such as a memory (not shown), and the control unit 10 reads out the setting and uses it for control of each unit. However, the denomination to be set must match the denomination to be stored in the coin tube 5a, and the set number cannot exceed the maximum number that can be stored in the escrow passage 4.

The denomination and the number of coins to be temporarily held are determined based on, for example, the maximum selling price of a vending machine or the like in which the coin processing apparatus 100 is arranged, and the possibility of continuous sale. This is because even if coins are temporarily suspended beyond the price that can be purchased with a single coin insertion, the coins exceeding the price will eventually be returned and become meaningless.

Here, referring to FIG.
The operation of the coin processing apparatus 100 when the number of coins to be temporarily held in a plurality of coins is set will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the coin processing apparatus 100.

When the coin processing apparatus 100 starts operating, it first waits for a coin to be inserted (step 101).
NO). When a coin is inserted (YE in step 101)
S), the identification unit 2 identifies the coin (step 10).
2) If the inserted coin is a genuine coin (YES in step 103) and the coin is a denomination that is not an escrow target (NO in step 104), the true / false distribution lever 21 is switched to the coin passage 3 side (step 106), and the denomination sorting levers 22, 24, 2
5 and 26 to guide the coin to a predetermined coin tube 5 (any of 5b to 5e) (step 10).
7). At this time, coins pass through the path sensor 11 in the coin passage 3.
When passing through the vicinity, coins are detected by the path sensor 11, and the number of coins inserted for each denomination is counted (step 108).

As a result of the identification by the identification unit 2, the inserted coin is the denomination to be escrowed (YES in step 104), and the result of counting the pass sensor 11 is temporarily stored in the escrow passage 4. If the number of coins set is less than the preset number of temporary holdings (step 105
NO), the true / false distribution lever 21 is switched to the coin passage 3 side (step 106), and the denomination distribution lever 2 is switched.
The coins 2 and 24 are operated to guide the coin into the escrow passage 4 (step 107), and the coin is counted based on the detection result of the path sensor 11 (step 108).

On the other hand, even if the inserted coin is a denomination to be escrowed (YES in step 104), there are cases where the number of coins temporarily held in the escrow passage 4 is equal to or larger than the set number of temporarily held coins ( If the inserted coin is a fake coin (YES in step 105) (NO in step 103), the true / false distribution lever 21 is switched to the return passage 7 side, and the coin is returned from a return port (not shown). (Step 109).

These processes are repeated until there is a collection command or a refund command from a vending machine (not shown) or the like (NO in step 110). The money and the refund process are performed, and the operation in one sale ends.

By the way, a vending machine or the like provided with the coin processing apparatus 100 is often set so as to accept coins even when more coins are inserted after the sale of a certain product when performing continuous sales. . Even in such a case, after the purchase of all the products, the input amount and the selling price are settled and the change is paid out, but for each sale of the product, the input amount and the selling price are compared, It is also possible to collect the temporarily held coins in the coin tube 5a and to receive further coins.

The operation in such a case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation of the coin processing device 100.

In the same manner as described above, coins are inserted (step 201), and if the number of coins to be escrowed is more than the set number (YES in step 202). The coin is guided to the return passage 7 by the operation of the true / false distribution lever 21 and returned from the return port (not shown) (step 203). Thereafter, information such as the purchase of the product is transmitted from the vending machine. The control unit 10 determines that at least one coin temporarily stored in the escrow passage 4
When it is determined that the sheet can be collected, a collection command is issued (step 204), the escrow pins 31a and 31b are operated, the coin is collected in the coin tube 5a, and the coin is temporarily stored in the escrow passage 4. The count of the number of coins present is reduced (step 205).

Thereafter, when there is no collection and refund command from the vending machine (NO in step 206), when coins to be escrowed are inserted, the number of coins temporarily held in the escrow passage 4 becomes: Since the number is smaller than the set number (NO in step 202), the true / false distribution lever 21 is switched to the coin passage 3 side and the denomination distribution levers 22 and 24 are operated to guide the coin into the escrow passage 4 (step 20).
7) The number of escrow sheets based on the detection result of the path sensor 11 is counted up (step 208).

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, when returning coins, in order to return the inserted coins themselves, the number of coins to be temporarily held for temporarily holding the inserted coins is arbitrarily set. As well as being able to return coins inserted more than the set number,
The number of coins to be held can be set according to the price of a product sold at a vending machine or the like, and the use of counterfeit coins can be prevented without impairing the convenience when using genuine coins.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram (1) illustrating a schematic configuration of a coin processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram (2) illustrating a schematic configuration of a coin processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the coin processing device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of the coin processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a modification of the operation of the coin processing apparatus 100.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 insertion unit 2 identification unit 3 coin passage 4 escrow passage 5, 5 a to 5 e coin tube 6 payout unit 7 return passage 8 safe passage 10 control unit 11 path sensor 12 a to 12 e overflow sensor 13 a to 13 e empty sensor 21 true / false distribution lever 22 , 24, 25, 26 Denomination sorting lever 23, 28 Safe passage lever 27 Return passage lever 31a, 31b Escrow pin 50, 50a to 50c Coin 100 Coin processing device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Koyama 2-2-2 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term in Japan Conlux (reference) 3E001 AA05 AA06 BA01 CA07 DA10 EA02 EA07 EA08 EA09 EB14 EC08 FA07 FA11 FA22 FA52 FA59 3E044 AA01 BA01 CB01 CC02 CC03 CC04 CC06 DA01 DA02 DA04 DB02 DB03 DB07 DD02 FA02 FA04 FA05 FA08 FA09 FA11

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A temporary holding mechanism for identifying the authenticity and denomination of a coin inserted and for temporarily storing coins of at least one of the identified denominations, and temporarily storing the coins of the identified coin type in the temporary holding mechanism according to a storage instruction. In a coin processing method for storing a required number of coins among the held coins and returning the coins temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism as it is by a return instruction, the denomination of coins temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism and A coin processing method, wherein the number of coins is set in advance, and when the set number of coins is inserted, the coins are returned without being temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism. 2. The coin processing method according to claim 1, wherein the number of coins to be temporarily stored is arbitrarily set within a range of the number of coins that can be temporarily stored by the temporary storage mechanism. 3. When at least one of the coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism is stored by the selling operation, the newly inserted coins within the preset number of coins are stored. The coin processing method according to claim 2, wherein coins of a denomination are temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism. 4. A temporary holding mechanism for identifying authenticity and denomination of the inserted coin and temporarily storing coins of the identified at least one denomination, and temporarily storing the coin of the identified at least one denomination according to a storage instruction. In a coin processing device that accommodates a required number of coins of the held coins and returns the coins temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism as it is by a return instruction, the denomination of coins temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism and Setting means for setting the number of coins in advance; counting means for counting the number of coins temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism; and when the count value of the counting means reaches the number set by the setting means, Control means for returning the inserted coins of the denomination without temporarily holding the coins in the temporary holding mechanism. 5. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the setting unit can arbitrarily set the number within a range of the number of sheets that can be temporarily held by the temporary holding mechanism. 6. When at least one of the coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism is stored by the selling operation, the counting means subtracts the number of stored coins, and 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the means temporarily holds the newly inserted coins of the denomination in the temporary holding mechanism until the count value of the counting means reaches the number set by the setting means. Coin processing equipment. 7. A first control means for guiding coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism to a coin return path, and a second control means for guiding coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism to a coin tube. And third control means for guiding coins temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism to a safe, and when the count value of the counting means reaches the number set by the setting means, and When a return operation is performed, the first control means is operated to guide the coin temporarily stored in the temporary storage mechanism to a coin return path, and when the sales operation is performed, the second control means or The coin processing device according to claim 4, wherein the third control means is operated to guide the coin temporarily stored in the temporary holding mechanism to the coin tube or the safe. 8. The first control means is provided downstream of the temporary holding mechanism and distributes coins temporarily held in the temporary holding mechanism to a coin return path or to cause the coins to be currency. And a first solenoid for operating the first distributing means, wherein the second control means and the third control means comprise: the first distributing means and the coin. A second distributing means provided between the first distributing means and the coin for guiding coins passed through the first distributing means to the safe or to the coin tube; and a second distributing means for operating the second distributing means. 8. The coin processing device according to claim 7, comprising two solenoids.