JP2001291136A - Coin processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin processor which has a simple configuration and also does not need unnecessary movements and operations. SOLUTION: A coin receiving and dispensing openings 9 are provided with a shutter 12 with a size large enough to cover both the openings 9 and the coin receiving opening 11, and the shutter 12 is moved so as to open only the opening 10 in the case of receiving the insertion of coins and is moved so as to open only the opening 11 in the case of ejecting coins.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin processing apparatus in which coins are inserted by a customer operation and coins are discharged to the customer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, coin processing apparatuses that hold coins therein, input coins by themselves, and discharge the coins after processing, for example, in convenience stores and supermarkets have been developed. It is installed in the vending machine to be installed. The coin processing device has a coin deposit and withdrawal port. This coin depositing / dispensing port will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a conventional coin deposit and withdrawal port, and FIG. 8 is a front view showing a conventional coin deposit and withdrawal port and a shutter.

[0003] In FIG. 7, a coin depositing / dispensing port 1 has a deposit input port 2 serving as an entrance when a customer inserts coins into the apparatus at the time of receiving a deposit, and a coin depositing / dispensing port 2 for discharging coins outside the apparatus at the time of receiving a deposit. A withdrawal receiving port 3 serving as a coin exit.

When a coin is provided at the coin receiving / dispensing port 4, a shutter 7 is provided at a deposit input port 5 and a payout receiving port 6 constituting the coin receiving / dispensing port 4, as shown in FIG. A shutter 8 is provided.

[0005] A shutter 7 provided at the deposit opening 5 is provided inside the apparatus with respect to the deposit opening 5, and the shutter 7 is moved to a position shown by a broken line to be opened to allow a customer to deposit money. I have. On the other hand, the shutter 8 provided at the dispensing receiving port 6 is provided outside the apparatus with respect to the dispensing receiving port 6, and when the shutter 8 is positioned at a two-dot chain line, the dispensing receiving port 6 is in a closed state. By moving to the position shown by the solid line, the dispensing receiving port 6 is exposed to the outside and is opened, so that the customer can receive the dispensed coins.

[0006]

The coin depositing and dispensing port 1 shown in FIG. 7 has a problem that the deposit is accepted while the deposit is being made. In addition, an operation is possible in which a customer receives an extra coin or a coin that could not be discriminated by a discriminating unit (not shown) returned at the time of deposit and immediately puts it into the deposit input slot 2 as soon as the customer receives it from the dispensing port 3. Therefore, there has been a problem that extra coins and coins that could not be discriminated go around the inside of the apparatus.

In the coin depositing / dispensing port 4 shown in FIG. 8, a shutter 7 is provided in the depositing port 5;
Since the shutter 7 is located on the back side of the deposit port 5 and does not cover the deposit port 5 from the outside of the apparatus, the existence of the deposit port 5 is apparent, and even if the shutter 7 is closed, the customer is closed. However, there is a problem that he tries to insert coins. Further, in the coin depositing / dispensing port 4 shown in FIG. 8, the shutter is provided in each of the depositing slot 5 and the dispensing receiving port 6, so that two shutter opening / closing mechanisms for moving the shutter are required, and the number of parts is reduced. There was a problem that it would increase.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a deposit port as an inlet for coins inserted into the apparatus and an outlet as a coin outlet for discharging coins outside the apparatus. In a coin processing device provided with a coin deposit and withdrawal port composed of a coin slot, the coin deposit and withdrawal port is provided with a shutter large enough to cover both the deposit port and the withdrawal port. The shutter is moved so that only the deposit opening is opened when accepting the insertion of the coin, and the shutter is moved so that only the dispensing opening is opened when discharging coins.

According to the above configuration, when accepting the insertion of coins, only the deposit port is exposed to the outside and opened, and the dispensing port is prevented from appearing outside, so that extra coins or extra coins returned at the time of deposit are returned. It becomes impossible for the customer to receive coins that could not be discriminated by the discriminating unit from the dispensing port and immediately insert them into the depositing port. As a result, unnecessary coins and coins that could not be discriminated do not go round and round in the apparatus, and unnecessary operations can be suppressed.

[0010] In addition, when coins are ejected, only the dispensing port is exposed to the outside so that the depositing port is not exposed to the outside, so that receipt of coins when coins are ejected can be suppressed. It is possible to suppress an extra operation such as erroneously inserting the received coin into the deposit port again.

Further, since the shutter covers the deposit port and the dispensing port, it is possible for the customer to immediately recognize that the shutter is closed, and the customer can insert coins even when the shutter is closed. No attempt will be made.

Further, by providing only one shutter, it is possible to cope with both accepting coins and ejecting coins. Furthermore, one shutter covers only the deposit port, and only the dispensing port can be used. Can be covered, and both the deposit opening and the dispensing opening can be covered, so that only one shutter opening / closing mechanism for operating the shutter is required, and the configuration is simple.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the drawings are assigned the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a coin slot and a shutter according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vending machine according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 2, a coin processing apparatus 13 which holds coins therein, inserts the coins by the customer himself, and discharges the coins after processing, for example, a convenience store, a supermarket, etc. The vending machine 14 is installed in the vending machine 14. The coin processing device 13 has a coin depositing / dispensing port 9.

In FIG. 1, a coin depositing / dispensing port 9 has a deposit input port 10 serving as an entrance when a customer deposits coins in the apparatus at the time of receiving a deposit, and a coin depositing / dispensing port 9 for discharging coins outside the apparatus at the time of receiving a deposit. And a withdrawal receiving port 11 serving as a coin outlet. The dispensing receiving port 11 is provided with a residual coin detection sensor described later.

The deposit input port 10 is provided on the upper side of the apparatus, and the payment receiving port 11 is provided on the lower side of the apparatus.
The coin depositing / dispensing port 9 includes a deposit input port 10 and a dispensing receiving port 11.
Shutter 12 large enough to cover both
Is provided. The shutter 11 is provided outside the apparatus with respect to the deposit input port 10 and the deposit receiving port 11.

Next, a control system for moving the shutter 12 in the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the coin processing device according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 3, the coin processing device 13 is provided with a control unit 15 for controlling the entire device. Control unit 1
5 is provided between the deposit input port 10 and a not-shown coin safe, which is provided from the deposit input port 10 to a not-shown cash box or the like, near the deposit input port 10 with the transport path interposed therebetween. When the control unit 15 detects that the light-emitting sensor 16a and the light-receiving sensor 16b are connected, and the light-receiving sensor 16b once stops receiving light from the light-emitting sensor 16a and then receives light again, the control unit 15 finishes the payment. Judge. The light emitting sensor 16a and the light receiving sensor 16b constitute a deposited coin detection sensor 16.

The control unit 15 also includes a transport path, not shown, provided near the coin receiving port 11 on a transport path (not shown) for transporting coins provided from a safe (not shown) for coins to the dispensing port 11. Light emitting sensor 17a and light receiving sensor 17b
Is connected, and the light from the light emitting sensor 17a is interrupted by the coin, and the control unit 15 determines that the coin receiving slot 11
It is determined whether or not a predetermined number of coins have been collected.
The light emitting sensor 17a and the light receiving sensor 17b constitute the number detecting sensor 17.

The control unit 15 is further connected to a light emitting sensor 18a and a light receiving sensor 18b provided in the coin receiving slot 11. The light receiving sensor 18b once stops receiving light from the light emitting sensor 18a and then receives light again. Control unit 1
When 5 is detected, the control unit 15 determines that all coins in the coin receiving slot 11 have been taken out by the customer. The light emitting sensor 18a and the light receiving sensor 18b constitute a residual coin detecting sensor 18.

A motor drive unit 19 is also connected to the control unit 15. The motor drive unit 19 drives a motor 20 provided in a shutter opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the shutter 12. The control unit 15 drives the motor 20 through the motor driving unit 19 to
Open and close.

The control unit 15 is also connected to a control unit (not shown) provided in the vending machine 14, and a signal indicating that a deposit button (not shown) provided in the vending machine 14 is pressed is shown in the figure. To the control unit 1 of the coin processing device 13
5 is sent. In response to the input of this signal, the control unit 15 performs control to open the shutter 12.

Next, the operation of the shutter 12 in the above configuration will be described. FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 are front views showing a coin receiving / dispensing port and a shutter according to the embodiment.

When the apparatus is in a customer waiting state, that is, in a state where neither the deposit nor the withdrawal is performed, the shutter 12 covers the deposit input port 10 and the deposit receiving port 11 as shown in FIG. The coins cannot be delivered.

When the deposit button (not shown) is pressed by the customer, a signal indicating that the deposit button is pressed is transmitted from the control unit of the vending machine 14 to the control unit 15 of the coin processing device 13. When the control unit 15 receives the input of this signal, it enters a state of accepting payment, drives the motor 20 via the motor drive unit 19, and moves the shutter 12 to the position shown in FIG.
4 is moved in the direction of arrow A from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. As a result, the deposit opening 10 is opened, and the customer can deposit. In this state, the payment receiving port 11 is covered with the shutter 12.

When the control unit 15 detects that a deposit is made and the light receiving sensor 16b of the deposited coin detecting sensor 16 provided on a transport path (not shown) does not receive the light of the light emitting sensor 16a once and then receives the light again. The control unit 15 determines that the payment has been completed. Then, the control unit 15 drives the motor 20 via the motor drive unit 19 and sets the shutter 12 to the position shown in FIG.
From the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. Thereby, the deposit input port 10 and the dispensing receiving port 11 are covered with the shutter 12, so that the deposit and the delivery of coins become impossible.

When predetermined processing is performed and it is necessary to hand coins to the customer, the control unit 15 determines the number of coins conveyed on a conveying path (not shown) by the light receiving sensor 17b of the number detecting sensor 17 and the light emitting sensor 17b. Judgment is made based on the number of light beams 17a not received, and based on this, it is judged whether a predetermined number of coins have been collected in the coin receiving slot 11. When the control unit 15 determines that a predetermined number of coins have been collected in the coin receiving slot 11, the coins can be discharged, and the motor 20 is driven via the motor drive unit 19, and the shutter 1 is released.
2 is moved in the direction of arrow B from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. As a result, only the withdrawal port 11 is opened, and the coin can be delivered to the customer. In this state, the deposit slot 10 is covered with the shutter 12, the light of the remaining coin detection sensor 18 is blocked by the coin, and the light receiving sensor 18b is not receiving the light of the light emitting sensor 18a. It has become.

When the customer takes out the coin from the dispensing port 11, the remaining coin detecting sensor 18 and the light receiving sensor 18b receive the light from the light emitting sensor 18a. And the motor drive unit 1
The motor 12 is driven via the shutter 9 to move the shutter 12 from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG.
As a result, the deposit opening 10 and the dispensing receiving opening 11 are covered with the shutter 12, and it becomes impossible to deposit and transfer coins.

The control unit 15 drives the motor 20 via the motor driving unit 19, and moves the shutter 12 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG.
You may make it move to the position where both 0 and the payment receiving port 11 appear outside. As a result, both the deposit input port 10 and the deposit receiving port 11 are in the open state, so that the operations of deposit and coin delivery can be simultaneously performed as before.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when accepting the insertion of coins, only the deposit input port 10 for receiving deposits is exposed and opened, and the dispensing receiving port 11 does not appear to the outside. By doing so, the customer receives extra coins and coins that cannot be discriminated by the discriminating unit (not shown), which are returned at the time of deposit, and immediately inserts them into the deposit input port 10 as soon as the customer receives them from the dispensing port 11. Operation becomes impossible. As a result, unnecessary coins and coins that could not be discriminated do not go round and round in the apparatus, and unnecessary operations can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a coin is to be ejected, only the dispensing receiving port 11, which is a dispensing tray, is exposed to the outside, and the coin receiving slot 10 is not exposed to the outside. Payment can be suppressed when the coin is discharged, so that the coin received by the customer can
It is possible to suppress unnecessary operations such as erroneously entering 0.

Further, if necessary, as shown in FIG. 6, when the coin is accepted and when the coin is ejected, both the deposit slot 10 and the dispensing slot 11 are exposed and uncovered. By moving the shutter 12 in such a manner, the operations of depositing and transferring coins can be simultaneously performed.

Since the shutter 12 covers the deposit input port 10 and the deposit receiving port 11 from the outside of the apparatus, it is possible for the customer to immediately recognize that the shutter 12 is closed. Even if is closed, the customer does not try to insert coins.

By providing only one shutter 12, it is possible to cope with both accepting coins and ejecting coins. Further, one shutter 12 covers only the deposit slot 10; Since it is possible to cover only the dispensing port 11, cover both the deposit port 10 and the dispensing port 11, or open both the deposit port 10 and the dispensing port 11, , Shutter 12
Requires only one shutter opening and closing mechanism, and the configuration is simple.

Although the present embodiment has been described as the coin depositing / dispensing port 9 of the coin processing device 13 mounted on the vending machine 14, the coin processing device mounted on a ticket vending machine or the like installed in the station premises. It can also be used as a coin deposit and withdrawal port.

Further, in the present embodiment, the deposit input port 10 is on the upper side of the apparatus, and the dispensing receiving port 11 is on the lower side of the apparatus. The input port 10 may be located on the lower side of the apparatus, and the dispensing receiving port 11 may be located on the upper side of the apparatus.

Further, in this embodiment, the shutter 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a vertical movement. The shutter 12 may be moved in the horizontal direction by arranging the deposit input port 10 and the payment receiving port 11 in the horizontal direction as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. good.

[0038]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a coin receiving / dispensing port is provided with a shutter large enough to cover both the receiving port and the dispensing port, and accepts the insertion of coins. When the coin is ejected, the shutter is moved so that only the deposit opening is opened, and when the coin is ejected, the shutter is moved so that only the dispensing opening is opened. The customer can withdraw extra coins or coins that could not be discriminated by the discriminating unit by returning them to the deposit box by leaving them open to the outside with the withdrawal port not appearing outside. As soon as it is received from the mouth, the operation of putting it into the deposit port becomes impossible. As a result, unnecessary coins and coins that could not be discriminated do not go round and round in the apparatus, and unnecessary operations can be suppressed.

Further, when coins are ejected, only the dispensing port is exposed to the outside and is opened, and the depositing port is not exposed to the outside, so that it is possible to suppress receipt of coins when coins are ejected. It is possible to suppress an extra operation such as erroneously inserting the received coin into the deposit port again. Further, since the shutter covers the deposit port and the dispensing port, the customer can immediately recognize that the shutter is closed, and even if the shutter is closed, the customer attempts to insert coins. That does not happen.

Further, by providing only one shutter, it is possible to cope with both acceptance of coin insertion and ejection of coins. Can be covered, and both the deposit opening and the dispensing opening can be covered, so that only one shutter opening / closing mechanism for operating the shutter is required, and the configuration is simple.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a coin pay-in / pay-out port and a shutter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vending machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the coin processing device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a coin pay-in / pay-out port and a shutter according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a coin pay-in / pay-out port and a shutter according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a coin pay-in / pay-out port and a shutter according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a coin receiving / dispensing port of a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a coin receiving / dispensing port and a shutter of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 coin receiving / dispensing port 10 receiving port 11 receiving / receiving port 12 shutter 13 coin processing device 15 control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A coin having a coin receiving / dispensing port constituted by a deposit port serving as an entrance of a coin to be inserted into the apparatus and a dispensing port serving as an exit of the coin when the coin is discharged out of the apparatus. In the processing device, the coin depositing / dispensing port is provided with a shutter having a size capable of covering both the depositing port and the dispensing port, and when accepting coin insertion, only the depositing port is opened. The coin processing apparatus is characterized in that the shutter is moved so as to open only the dispensing opening when discharging coins. 2. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shutter covers both the deposit port and the dispensing port except when accepting coin insertion and when discharging coins. 3. A coin having a coin receiving / dispensing port constituted by a deposit port serving as an inlet of a coin to be inserted into the apparatus and a dispensing port serving as an exit of the coin when the coin is ejected out of the apparatus. In the processing device, the coin depositing / dispensing port is provided with a shutter having a size capable of covering both the depositing port and the dispensing port, and when accepting coin insertion, only the depositing port is opened. Move the shutter so as to open only the dispensing port when discharging coins, or when receiving coin insertion and discharging coins, A coin processing device wherein the shutter is moved so as not to cover both of the dispensing ports.