JP2003115072A - Coin processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin processor capable of setting a housing upper limit value from one coin just by mounting a cassette without damaging simplicity. SOLUTION: When power of the coin processor 1 is supplied or it is detected that a coin housing part 3 is mounted on the coin processor 1 by an attachment/ detachment sensor 15, a coin payout control part 100 resets a value of a coin increase/decrease amount counter 101 and sets a feed upper limit number value to a feed upper limit number setting part 104 on the basis of output of an empty sensor 13 and a one coin detection sensor 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin processing device, and more particularly to a coin processing device incorporated in an automatic vending machine and capable of optimally controlling the number of coins stored in a coin tube in which coins are automatically replenished. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a coin processing device which is used by being incorporated in an automatic vending machine, a money changer or the like and which can optimally control the number of coins stored in a coin tube, Japanese Patent No. 251728.
There is one as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4 and Japanese Patent No. 2522969.

In Japanese Patent No. 2517284, the number of coins to be replenished by inserting coins one by one at the time of replenishing coins to a coin storage device is counted, and a desired number of coins are replenished. Confirm and set the maximum number of coins to be stored by operating the set switch.After that, if the number of coins in the tube of the inserted coins is the same as the maximum number of coins to be stored, the inserted coins go to the safe and the number of coins in the tube is less than the maximum number of coins to be stored. In this case, the coin storage control device of the vending machine is shown in which the input coins are inserted into the cassette tube.

In Japanese Patent No. 2522969, coins in a tube are set when the upper limit of storage is set to be equal to or less than the maximum number of coins to be inserted in a single sale in the tube balance type automatic change adjustment in which the upper limit of storage is set from the main control. A coin handling device is shown which puts in a cassette tube until the number of coins equals the maximum number of coins.

[0005]

However, in the one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2517284, coins are fed one by one from the coin sorter when the coins are replenished in the coin storage portion in order to set the maximum number of coins to be stored. You have to put in
It takes time and effort.

Further, in Japanese Patent No. 2522969,
In reality, the maximum number of sheets to be stored cannot be set below the maximum number of sheets to be inserted, and in order to use the function, change for the maximum number of sheets to be inserted must be prepared, which is not efficient.

Therefore, according to the present invention, (1) the storage upper limit can be set from one sheet only by mounting the cassette without impairing the simplicity (2) limiting the maximum number of sheets to be inserted in one sale, (3) An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device that can reduce the damage caused by mischief to a minimum (3) the coins left in the coin storage cassette in the number required for sale.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a detachable coin accommodating portion for accommodating input coins, and a safe for accommodating coins that cannot be accommodated in the coin accommodating portion. Section, a payout processing unit for paying out coins from the coin storage unit, and an empty sensor for detecting whether or not the minimum number of coins required for the payout processing by the payout processing unit is stored in the coin storage unit. And a coin processing device having at least one coin detecting means for detecting whether or not at least one coin is accommodated in the coin accommodating portion, in a coin processing device, counting means for counting an increase / decrease in the amount of stored coins in the coin accommodating portion. And when turning on the power or mounting the coin accommodating portion, the amount of coins stored in the coin accommodating portion is checked by using the empty sensor and the one-sheet detecting means,
The examined coin storage amount is set as an initial storage amount, the counting means is reset to an initial value corresponding to the initial storage amount, and the upper limit number of coins to be inserted into the coin storage unit is set based on the initial storage amount. It is characterized by having an initialization means and a coin storage amount control means for judging whether the input coin is stored in the coin storage portion or the safe portion, based on the count value of the counting means. .

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1, the counting means decrements the count value by one every time one coin is paid out from the coin storage part by the payout processing part. Then, the count value is incremented by 1 each time one coin is stored in the coin storage portion, and the coin storage amount control means, when the count value of the counting means is equal to the initial value, the inserted coin It is characterized in that the coins are accommodated in the safe portion and the inserted coins are accommodated in the coin accommodating portion when the count value of the counting means is less than the initial value.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein when the empty sensor detects the minimum number of coins in the coin accommodating portion, The detected minimum number of coins is set as the maximum number of coins to be inserted, the empty sensor does not detect the minimum number of coins in the coin storing unit, and the one coin detecting unit detects at least the coins in the coin storing unit. When one coin is detected, the upper limit number of coins is set to one, the empty sensor does not detect the minimum number of coins in the coin storage portion, and 1 in coin compartment
The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the number of coins is not detected, the upper limit number of coins is set to a predetermined number.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising a temporary holding means for temporarily holding at least one inserted coin, and the initialization means is
When the empty sensor does not detect the minimum number of coins in the coin containing portion and the one-sheet detecting means detects at least one coin in the coin containing portion, the temporary holding means holds the coins. It is characterized in that a possible number of sheets is set as the maximum number of sheets to be inserted.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a coin processing device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a coin processing device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the coin processing device 1 stores a coin input unit 1in which is a receiving port for inserted coins, an identification unit 2 for identifying the authenticity and denomination of the inserted coins, and coins for each denomination. Coin tubes 3a to 3e for
And a payout unit 4 for paying out coins from the coin storage unit 3 according to the amount of change.

The discriminating unit 2 includes an electronic or mechanical input coin sensor (not shown), and generates an input coin detection signal for the coin type in response to the inserted coin which is determined to be a true coin. To do.

The coin accommodating portion 3 is detachably attached to the coin processing device 1.

Further, the coin processing device 1 is provided with various sensors for detecting the state of coins. These sensors are, for example, a path sensor 1 that detects the passage of coins.
1, an overflow sensor 12 (12a to 12e) for detecting that the coin in the coin tube is full,
An empty sensor 13 (13a to 13e) for detecting that the number of coins in the coin tube 3x (x = a, b, c, d, e) is less than or equal to a predetermined number, and a payout (not shown) provided in the payout unit 4. A single-sheet detection sensor 14 (14) provided at a coin payout position of the slide so as to face the payout slide and detects the presence or absence of a coin at this position.
a, 14c), and an attachment / detachment sensor 15 for detecting attachment / detachment of the coin storage unit 3 to / from the coin processing device 1.

Here, in FIG. 1, the single-sheet detection sensor 14
For convenience of later description, the coins are provided corresponding to the coin tubes 3a and 3c, but the one-sheet detection sensor 14 can be provided corresponding to any coin tube.

In the coin processing device 1, the genuine / counterfeit coin distribution lever 51, the denomination distribution levers 52, 53, 54, the safe passage levers 55, 56, for guiding the coins to a predetermined position.
57 and return passage levers 58 and 59, escrow pins 61 and 62 for temporarily holding (escrow) the inserted coins are provided. Each of these parts
The actuator is driven by an actuator such as a solenoid, but the actuator may correspond to each part in a one-to-one manner, or one actuator may operate a plurality of levers and the like.

FIG. 2 conceptually shows the coin accommodating portion 3 and the payout portion 4 of the coin processing device 1 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the payout unit 4 is a coin storage unit 3
Disk-shaped payout cam 41 which is disposed in the lower part of the coin and which is rotated by a coin payout motor, a payout link 42 which reciprocally slides in the left-right direction in the drawing in conjunction with the cam 41, and the bottom surface of the payout link 42. Each coin tube 3x includes a plurality of change slides 44 arranged for each coin tube 3x to selectively support and release the lower surface of the coin drawn by the payout slide 43 to control the payout and non-payment of coins. ing.

The payout link 42 and the payout slide 43 are fitted and connected to each other when the coin accommodating portion 3 is mounted on the coin processing device 1. At the rear end of each change slide 44, a payout coin selection solenoid 45 that controls the drive of the change slide 44 is provided.

On the other hand, an empty sensor 13 for detecting whether or not the number of coins accumulated and stored in the coin tube 3x is equal to or less than a predetermined number is arranged above the coin tube 3x, and the payout slide 43 is pulled out. The single-sheet detection sensor 14 that detects whether or not there is a coin in the coin storage hole 43a is disposed below the coin processing device 1 at a position facing the payout slide 43.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control system of the coin processing device 1 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, the coin payout controller 100 includes the above-mentioned various sensors 11, 12a to 12e and 13a to.
The outputs of 13e, 14a, and c and the output of the input coin sensor 21 of the identification unit 2 are input, and the coin payout control unit 100 controls the lever drive unit 50 and the escrow pin drive unit 60 according to these inputs. True / False distribution lever 5
1, the denomination sorting levers 52, 53, 54, the safe passage levers 55, 56, 57, the return passage levers 58, 59, and the escrow pins 61, 62 are appropriately operated. As a result, the inserted coin is introduced into the coin tube 3x, the safe (not shown), the return port (not shown), and the coin payout process described in detail later is executed.

When it is necessary to pay out coins from the predetermined coin tube 3x in the process of paying out, the coin paying-out control section 100 issues a coin paying-out command to the coin paying-out motor 4.
7 and the payout coin selection solenoid 45. The coin payout motor 47 rotates the payout cam 41 shown in FIG.

Further, the coin payout control unit 100 exchanges information with other control devices such as the central control device of the vending machine body via the external communication interface 105. For example, the external communication interface 105 is used for notifying the central control device of the vending machine body of the input amount information and receiving the change-out command from the central control device of the vending machine body.

Since the tube remaining amount control of the present invention is performed only on the coin processing device 1 side, there is no need to exchange information with the central control device of the vending machine body.

Inside the coin payout control unit 100, a coin increase / decrease for counting the amount of coins in / out (increase / decrease amount) of each coin tube 3x of the coin accommodating unit 3 in the tube remaining amount control processing operation described later in detail. A quantity counter 101, a single coin detection storage unit 102 for storing the result of a coin single coin detection operation described in detail later,
An empty counter 103 that stores the detection result of the empty sensor 14 and an insertion upper limit number setting unit 104 that sets an upper limit value of the number of coins that can be stored in the coin storage unit 3 are provided.

Now, the operation of detecting one coin in the coin processing device 1 described above will be described.

The coin processing device 1 performs the operation of detecting one coin of a predetermined denomination during the initial payout operation when the power is turned on, the change payout for paying out the change, and the inventory payout operation for carrying out the inventory payout.

This coin detecting operation is performed by the coin payout motor 47 under the control of the coin payout control unit 100 shown in FIG.
The disc-shaped payout cam 41 is rotated once by this, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 2B, the payout slide 43 is moved to the right side of the drawing through the payout link 42, and at the same time, the coins in the coin accommodating hole 43a are moved. To the coin payout position.

At this time, the coin payout control unit 100
Solenoid 45 for controlling drive of change slide 44
Drive is off, so payout slide 4
Even when 3 is moved to the right side in the drawing, the change slide 44 is maintained in the initial state by the solenoid 45, so that the change slide 44 advances to the lower surface of the coin accommodating hole 43a,
The fall of coins stored inside is regulated.

As described above, when the payout slide 43 is pulled out from the coin tube 3 while supporting the lower surface of the coin by the change slide 44, the one-sheet detecting sensor 1 arranged at a position facing the payout slide 43.
The presence or absence of coins in the coin housing hole 43a is detected by 4.

The information as to whether or not there is a coin in the coin accommodating hole 43a by the one-sheet detection sensor 14 is the information as to whether or not there is a coin as change in the coin tube 3x in the coin payout control unit 100. Is temporarily stored in the one-sheet detection storage unit 102.

On the other hand, when the disk-shaped payout cam 41 makes one rotation via a driving means such as a motor (not shown), the payout slide 43 returns to the lower end of the coin tube 3x again, as shown in FIG. 2 (a). Return to the initial position.

In this state, 1 of the coin payout control unit 100
Since the coin detection storage unit 102 already has change information indicating whether there is at least one coin in the coin tube 3x as change information, for example, the payout slide 43.
If it is determined that there is at least one coin in the coin tube 3x based on the reciprocating movement of the coin tube, it is possible to reliably pay out one coin as change from the coin tube 3x based on the change information. Become.

Next, a coin payout operation from the coin processing device 1 will be described.

The coin payout operation from the coin processing device 1 is controlled by the coin payout control unit 100 based on the contents stored in the one-piece detection storage unit 102.

The coin payout control unit 100 indicates that there is at least one coin in the coin tube 3x when the one coin detecting and storing unit 102 stores the coin, and therefore one coin in the coin tube 3x is indicated. When it is determined that the payout will be paid out as a change, the rotation of the disc-shaped payout cam 41 is restarted. At the same time, change slide 4
Simultaneously turn on the drive of solenoid 45 that controls the drive of 4
Then, the engagement between the solenoid 45 and the change slide 44 is released.

In this way, the disc-shaped payout cam 4
When the rotation of No. 1 is started and the solenoid 45 is turned on, the engagement between the solenoid 45 and the change slide 44 is released, so that the payout slide 43 is moved to the right side in the drawing via the payout link 42 and the coin receiving hole 43 is opened.
When the coin in a moves to the coin payout position, the change slide 44 also moves to the right side of the drawing together with the payout link 42, so that the coin in the coin receiving hole 43a is
Since the lower surface is not supported by the change slide 44, the coin falls down in the drawing and is paid out as change coin.

When one coin detection sensor 14 detects one coin in the coin accommodating hole 43a when coins are dropped and paid out, the coin payout control section 100 detects the detection signal and the coin is present in the previous coin tube 3x. It is recognized as a coin payout detection signal for detecting whether coins have been paid out as change, instead of a signal for detecting whether or not coins have been paid out.

On the other hand, in the coin processing device 1, in the operation of detecting one coin, the disc-shaped payout cam 41 is rotated while the solenoid 45 is kept off by the control signal of the coin payout control unit 100, and the payout slide 43 is moved. When the coin detecting hole 14a detects that there is no coin in the coin accommodating hole 43a by moving it to the right side in the drawing, the detection information is coin change control indicating that there is no coin as change in the coin tube 3x. Part 1
It is temporarily stored in the one-sheet detection storage unit 102 in 00.

On the other hand, when the disc-shaped payout cam 41 has completed one rotation by the coin payout motor 47, the payout slide 43 returns to the lower end of the coin tube 3x and returns to the initial position.

In this state, the coin payout control unit 100 is
Since the change detection information has one piece of change information indicating that there is no change coin in the coin tube 3x in the detection storage unit 101, when the control device pays out the change, the change amount of the change other than the change-free coin tube 3x is changed. It is possible to carry out arithmetic processing in advance so as to pay out change coins from other coin tubes that exist, and therefore coins stored in other coin tubes that have change even if there is no change in the specific coin tube 3x. Is used to pay out the change, thereby making it possible to quickly perform the change-out process.

Now, the tube remaining amount control operation in the coin processing device 1 described above will be described.

First, the coin processing device 1 carries out an initial value setting process in the tube remaining amount control operation based on the turning on of the power source or the output of the attachment / detachment detection sensor 15 of the coin accommodating portion 3.

4 and 5 are diagrams showing the flow of the initial value setting process.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of initial value setting processing of the coin tubes 3a and 3c having the one-sheet detecting function by the one-sheet detecting sensor 14.

The coin payout control unit 100 is a coin processing device 1.
Is turned on or the attachment / detachment detection sensor 15 detects that the coin storage unit 3 is attached to the coin processing device 1 (step 401), first, the empty sensor 13
It is determined whether or not a has detected "with change" (step 402).

Here, when the empty sensor 13 detects "with change", a predetermined number (m) of coins which the empty sensor 13 can detect are stored in the corresponding coin tube 3x. .

When the empty sensor 13a detects "no change" (NO in step 402), it is subsequently determined whether the single-sheet detection sensor 14 detects "change" (step 403).

Here, when the one-sheet detecting sensor 14 detects "with change", at least one coin and less than a predetermined number (m) of coins that can be detected by the empty sensor 13a are accommodated in the coin tube 3x. Has been done.

When the one-sheet detection sensor 14 detects "no change" (NO in step 403), the coin dispensing control unit 1
00 resets the coin increment / decrement counter 101 to “± 0”, stores “no change” in the one-piece detection storage unit 102, and sets “0” to the empty counter 103. In addition, a predetermined number (M) set in advance as the upper limit number of inputs is set in the upper limit number of inputs setting unit 104 (step 404).

When the one-sheet detection sensor 14 detects "with change" (YES in step 403), the coin payout control section 100 resets the coin increment / decrement counter 101 to "± 0", and the one-sheet detection storage section. “With change” is stored in 102, and “1” is set in the empty counter 103. Further, the input upper limit number setting unit 104 displays the input upper limit number “1”.
"Sheet" is set (step 405).

Further, when the empty sensor 13a detects "with change" in step 402 (YES in step 402), the coin payout control unit 100 resets the coin increment / decrement counter 101 to "± 0", and the empty The value of the counter 103 is set by the number of sheets (m) that the empty sensor 13 can detect. Further, the value (m) of the empty counter 103 is set in the input upper limit sheet number setting unit 104 (step 406).

FIG. 5 shows coin tubes 3b, 3d and 3e which do not have the single-sheet detection function of the single-sheet detection sensor 14.
It is a figure which shows the flow of the initial value setting process of.

The coin payout control unit 100 is a coin processing device 1.
Is turned on, or when the attachment / detachment detection sensor 15 detects that the coin storage portion 3 is attached to the coin processing device 1 (step 501), first, the empty sensor 13
It is determined whether or not "a" detects "with change" (step 502).

When the empty sensor 13 detects "no change" (NO in step 502), the coin payout control unit 100 resets the coin increment / decrement counter 101 to "± 0", and the empty counter 103 to "0". To set. In addition, the maximum number of input sheets setting unit 104 sets the number of sheets (m) that can be detected by the empty sensor 13 and a predetermined number (M) set in advance as the maximum number of sheets of input (step 503).

When the empty sensor 13 detects "with change" (YES in step 502), the coin payout control unit 100 resets the coin increment / decrement counter 101 to "± 0" and sets the value of the empty counter 103 to empty. The number of sheets (m) that can be detected by the sensor 13 is set. Also,
The value (m) of the empty counter is set as the maximum number of sheets to be input in the maximum number of sheets input section 104 (step 50).
4).

Next, with respect to the tube remaining amount control operation in the coin processing device 1 which has been subjected to the above-mentioned initial value setting processing,
Each coin tube 3x will be described.

In FIG. 1, the coin tube 3a has an escrow function by the escrow pin 61, and the single-sheet detection sensor 1
4a has a single-sheet detection function, and the initial value of the tube remaining amount control processing is set by the initial value setting processing shown in FIG.

From the coin slot 1in of the coin processing device 1,
When the coin C1 of the denomination to be accommodated in the coin tube 3a is inserted, the authenticating unit 2 discriminates the authenticity and the denomination, and the genuine / counterfeit distribution lever 51, the denomination distribution lever 52,
It is guided to the escrow passage 1a by the operation of 54 and is temporarily held in the escrow passage 1a by the escrow pin 61.
The escrow pin 61 can be configured to temporarily hold a plurality of coins at the same time, and here, for example, up to three coins can be temporarily held.

Normally, the coin processing device 1 accepts the inserted coins only up to the inserted upper limit number set in the inserted upper limit number setting unit 104, but this escrow function allows the upper limit number of inserted coins to be set by the initial value setting process of FIG. Even when "1 coin" is set (step 405), up to 3 coins C1 can be received in the coin processing device 1.

At the escrow pin 61, the escrow passage 1
The coin C1 temporarily held in a is released by the escrow pin 61 to release the escrow when there is a receipt instruction from the vending machine body (not shown) due to purchase of a product.
The coins C1 are dropped one by one, and at this time, the coins C1 are distributed to the coin tube 3a or a safe not shown by the operation of the return passage lever 57 and the safe passage lever 59.

When the value of the coin increment / decrement counter 101 of the coin payout control unit 100 is "± 0", the coin payout control unit 100
Controls the lever driving unit 50 to operate the return passage lever 57 and the safe passage lever 59, thereby guiding the coin C1 to the safe passage (not shown) and storing it in the safe (not shown). The value of the coin increment / decrement counter 101 is "-
In the case of (minus), the coin payout control unit 100 controls the lever drive unit 50 to control the return passage lever 5
7. The safe passage lever 59 is operated to store the coin C1 in the coin tube 3a, and the coin increment / decrement counter 101 is incremented by +1. If the value of the coin increment / decrement counter 101 becomes "± 0" as a result of this addition, the coin C1 falling next from the escrow pin 61 is introduced into a safe not shown.

In the initial value setting process of FIG. 4, when both the empty sensor 13a and the single-sheet detection sensor 14a detect "no change" (step 404), the tube remaining amount control function does not operate, and therefore, By the output of the overflow sensor 12a as in the normal operation,
It is determined whether the input coin C1 is introduced into the coin tube 3a or a safe (not shown).

Next, referring to FIG. 1, the coin tube 3b
Is a coin tube having an escrow function by the escrow pin 61 and not having a single-sheet detecting function, and the initial value of the tube remaining amount control process is set by the initial value setting process shown in FIG.

From the coin slot 1in of the coin processing device 1,
When a coin C2 of a denomination to be accommodated in the coin tube 3b is inserted, the identification unit 2 discriminates the authenticity and denomination, and the genuine / counterfeit currency distribution lever 51, the denomination distribution lever 52,
It is guided to the escrow passage 1b by the operation of 54 and is temporarily held in the escrow passage 1b by the escrow pin 62.
Like the escrow pin 61, the escrow pin 62 can be configured to temporarily hold a plurality of coins simultaneously, and here, for example, up to three coins can be temporarily held.

At the escrow pin 62, the escrow passage 1
The coin C2 temporarily held in b is operated by the escrow pin 62 to release the escrow when there is a receipt instruction from the vending machine body (not shown) due to purchase of a product.
The coins C2 are dropped one by one, and at this time, the coins C2 are distributed to the coin tube 3b or a safe not shown by the operation of the return passage lever 56 and the safe passage lever 58.

When the value of the coin increment / decrement counter 101 of the coin payout control unit 100 is "± 0", the coin payout control unit 100
Controls the lever drive unit 50 to operate the return passage lever 56 and the safe passage lever 58 to guide the coin C2 to the safe passage (not shown) and store it in the safe (not shown). When the value of the coin increase / decrease counter 101 is “− (minus)”, the coin payout control unit 100 controls the lever drive unit 50 to operate the return passage lever 56 and the safe passage lever 58 to move the coin C2. The coin is added to the coin tube 3b, and the coin increment / decrement counter 101 is incremented by one. As a result of this addition, the coin increment / decrement counter 1
When the value of 01 becomes "± 0", the coin C2 falling from the escrow pin 62 next is introduced into a safe not shown.

In the initial value setting process of FIG. 5, when the empty sensor 13b detects "no change" (step 503), a predetermined number (m) that the empty sensor 13 can detect or an arbitrary setting. The inserted coins C2 are introduced into the coin tube 3a until the number of coins is reached.

Next, referring to FIG. 1, the coin tube 3c
Has a single-sheet detection function by the single-sheet detection sensor 14c,
The coin tube does not have an escrow function, and the initial value of the tube remaining amount control process is set by the initial value setting process shown in FIG.

From the coin slot 1in of the coin processing device 1,
When a coin C3 of a denomination to be accommodated in the coin tube 3c is inserted, the identification unit 2 discriminates the authenticity and the denomination, and the genuine / fake coin distribution lever 51 and the denomination distribution lever 52 operate to cause the safe passage. The coin is guided to the direction of the lever 55, and by the operation of the safe passage lever 55 and the denomination sort lever 53, the coin tube 3c or the safe not shown is sorted and stored.

When the value of the coin increment / decrement counter 101 of the coin payout control unit 100 is "± 0", the coin payout control unit 100
Controls the lever drive unit 50 to operate the safe passage lever 55 to guide the coin C3 to the safe passage (not shown) and store it in the safe (not shown). When the value of the coin increment / decrement counter 101 is “− (minus)”, the coin payout control unit 100 controls the lever driving unit 50 to operate the safe passage lever 55 and the denomination sorting lever 53, and the coin C3. Is stored in the coin tube 3c, and the coin increase / decrease counter 101 is incremented by +1. If the value of the coin increment / decrement counter 101 becomes "± 0" as a result of this addition, the coin C3 falling from the denomination sorting lever 52 next is introduced into a safe not shown.

In the initial value setting process of FIG. 4, when the empty sensor 13c and the single-sheet detection sensor 14c both detect "no change" (step 404),
The tube remaining amount control function does not operate. Therefore, similarly to the normal operation, the output of the overflow sensor 12c determines whether to insert the inserted coin C3 into the coin tube 3c or a safe not shown.

Next, referring to FIG. 1, the coin tube 3d
Is a coin tube that does not have a single-sheet detection function or an escrow function, and the initial value of the tube remaining amount control processing is set by the initial value setting processing shown in FIG.

From the coin slot 1in of the coin processing device 1,
When a coin C4 of a denomination to be accommodated in the coin tube 3d is inserted, the authenticating unit 2 discriminates the authenticity and the denomination, and the genuine / counterfeit distribution lever 51 and the denomination distribution lever 52 operate to cause the safe passage. The coin is guided to the direction of the lever 55, and by the operation of the safe passage lever 55 and the denomination distribution lever 53, the coin tube 3d or the safe (not shown) is sorted and stored.

When the value of the coin increment / decrement counter 101 of the coin payout control unit 100 is "± 0", the coin payout control unit 100
Controls the lever drive unit 50 to operate the safe passage lever 55 to guide the coin C4 to the safe passage (not shown) and store it in the safe (not shown). When the value of the coin increment / decrement counter 101 is “− (minus)”, the coin payout control unit 100 controls the lever drive unit 50 to operate the safe passage lever 55 and the denomination sort lever 53, and the coin C4. Is stored in the coin tube 3d, and the coin increment / decrement counter 101 is incremented by +1. If the value of the coin increment / decrement counter 101 becomes "± 0" as a result of this addition, the coin C4 falling next from the denomination sorting lever 52 is introduced into a safe not shown.

In the initial value setting process of FIG. 5, when the empty sensor 13b detects "no change" (step 503), a predetermined number (m) that the empty sensor 13 can detect, or an arbitrary setting. The inserted coins C4 are introduced into the coin tube 3d until the number of coins reaches the limit.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, the coin processing device automatically sets the coin storage amount in the coin tube at the time when the coin tube is mounted as the reference value, and this reference value is set. Since the amount of coins stored in the coin tube is controlled by counting the amount of increase or decrease of coins from the value, the administrator only has to set the coin tube in which the change has been appropriately replenished in the coin processing device. , Makes it easy to manage the coin processing device.

Further, the one-sheet detection function can detect the number of coins that cannot be detected by the empty sensor,
Therefore, it is possible to significantly limit the maximum number of coins that can be inserted in a single sale, and the number of coins to be stored in the coin tube can be reduced to the minimum required for sale. The damage can be minimized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a coin processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view conceptually showing a coin storage portion 3 and a payout portion 4 of the coin processing device 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control system of the coin processing device 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an initial value setting process in the coin processing device 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the initial value setting process in the coin processing device 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 coin processing device 1a, b Escrow passage 1in coin insertion section 2 identification section 3 coin storage 3x coin tube 4 Disbursement department 11 path sensor 12 Overflow sensor 13 Empty sensor 14 Single sensor 15 Detachment detection sensor 21 input coin sensor 41 Payout Comes 42 Payout Link 43 Payout Slide 43a coin receiving hole 44 change slide 45 Dispensing coin selection solenoid 46 coin base 47 coin dispensing motor 51 True / False Sorting Lever 52, 53, 54 denomination sorting lever 55, 56, 57 Safe passage lever 58, 59 Return passage lever 50 Lever drive 60 Escrow pin drive 61,62 Escropin 100 coin payout control unit 101 coin increment / decrement counter 102-sheet detection storage unit 103 empty counter 104 Upper limit number setting section 105 External communication interface

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takeshi Ishida             2-2-2 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Ceremony company Japan Conlux F-term (reference) 3E001 AA01 BA01 CA07 DA10 EA06                       EC03 EC04 FA07 FA11 FA41                       FA53                 3E044 AA01 BA01 CC04 DB14 FA04                       FA09 FA10 FA13

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A removable coin accommodating portion for accommodating input coins, a safe portion for accommodating coins that cannot be accommodated in the coin accommodating portion, a payout processing means for ejecting coins from the coin accommodating portion, and the coin accommodating portion. An empty sensor for detecting whether or not the minimum number of coins required for the payout processing by the payout processing means is accommodated in the unit, and whether or not at least one coin is accommodated in the coin accommodating unit. To detect 1
In a coin processing device having at least a coin detecting means, a counting means for counting an increase / decrease in the amount of stored coins in the coin accommodating portion, the empty sensor and the one coin detecting means when the power is turned on or the coin accommodating portion is mounted. The coin storage amount in the coin storage unit is checked using, and the coin storage amount thus checked is set as an initial storage amount, and the counting means is reset to an initial value corresponding to the initial storage amount, and the initial storage amount is Based on the initialization means for setting the upper limit number of coins to be inserted into the coin accommodating portion, and based on the count value of the counting means, it is determined whether the coins are to be accommodated in the coin accommodating portion or the safe portion. A coin processing device, comprising: 2. The counting means decrements the count value by 1 each time one coin is paid out from the coin storage unit by the payout processing unit, and every time one coin is stored in the coin storage unit. The count value is incremented by 1, and when the count value of the counting means is equal to the initial value, the coin storage amount control means stores the inserted coin in the safe part, and the count value of the counting means is the initial value. The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the inserted coin is accommodated in the coin accommodating portion when the number of coins is less than the predetermined value. 3. When the empty sensor detects the minimum number of coins in the coin storage portion, the initialization means sets the detected minimum number of coins as the upper-limit number of coins to be inserted, If the empty sensor does not detect the minimum number of coins in the coin containing portion and the one-sheet detecting unit detects at least one coin in the coin containing portion, the maximum number of inserted coins is 1 If the minimum number of coins is not detected in the coin storage unit by the empty sensor and one coin is not detected in the coin storage unit by the one-sheet detecting unit, The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the upper limit number of coins to be inserted is set to a predetermined number. 4. A temporary holding means for temporarily holding at least one inserted coin, wherein the initialization means does not detect the minimum number of coins in the coin storage portion by the empty sensor, The number of coins that can be held by the temporary holding unit is set as the upper-limit number of coins to be inserted when at least one coin is detected in the coin storage unit by the one-sheet detecting unit. Coin processing device.