JP2006065435A - Medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure that a payment mechanism provided with a bill receiver removing foreign objects such as coins returns any bill to users without allowing bills to go through gaps among teeth even if the bills are folded in four or that a number of coins inserted are stacked in an appropriate number in a return container 13. <P>SOLUTION: The teeth with varying heights are alternately or periodically arranged at the bottom of a money slot 1 and a sensor for detecting bills is provided between the different levels of the teeth along their height. Alternatively, a shaft extending in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of the teeth is provided at the bottom of the money slot 1 and in a position different from the height of the first tooth. Still alternatively, a conveying part for controlling and conveying coins 12 and the like is provided upstream of the return container 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to processing of a sheet-shaped medium and a fixed-shaped medium in a medium processing apparatus such as a banknote depositing and dispensing machine.

  In general, banknote deposit / withdrawal machines handle paper sheets, which are paper-like media, as well as coins, which are fixed-shaped media, for handling fees, etc. There are cases where coins are inserted or foreign objects such as clips other than coins are inserted together even in the operation of inserting coins. Or even if it is a case where only a banknote is thrown in, a banknote may be folded and put into a money_receiving | payment opening | mouth, or a folded banknote may be inserted and inserted as it is between normal banknotes.

  In the conventional banknote depositing and dispensing machine, as shown in FIG. 12, the depositing port 1 that is opened by moving in the direction of the arrow “open” in the figure, the depositing duct 2 that guides the insertion of the bills 11, and the bottom of the depositing duct 2 13 is provided with banknote receiving means of the first comb teeth 36 and the second comb teeth 37 as shown in FIG. 13, and the sensor 3 is arranged between the steps in the height direction. It is set as the structure which provided.

  With the above configuration, in a normal depositing operation, only normal banknotes that are not folded are inserted into the deposit slot 1 so that deposit processing can be performed, but two folded banknotes 10 ′, coins 12 and the like are inserted. In such a case, since the deposit process cannot be performed, it is returned as follows.

  That is, when the insertion of the bill 11 or the like is detected, the deposit slot 1 is once closed, and vibration is applied by power (not shown) connected to the pin 38 to align the bill 11 and foreign matter such as the coin 12 is transferred to the first comb teeth. 36 and the second comb teeth 37 are dropped into the foreign object drop receptacle 5 and accumulated in a return container (not shown) to notify the user of the return of coins and the like.

  On the other hand, the two folded bills 10 ′ are not dropped by the first comb teeth 36 and the second comb teeth 37, but are stopped at the position of the second comb teeth 37, so the folded bill 10 ′ is detected by the sensor 3. The user is notified that the folded banknote has been inserted and that the banknote has been corrected and re-inserted, and the deposit opening 1 is opened and returned. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  As described above, in order to allow foreign matters such as coins 12 to fall, the banknote 11 to be held by the first comb teeth 36, and the folded banknote 10 ′ to be held by the second comb teeth 37, The width and interval of the comb teeth are set as shown. This will be described below with reference to FIG. 15 in which the bottom comb teeth are seen from the deposit port 1.

  First, when handling Japanese banknotes and coins, the largest banknote is a 10,000 yen banknote, the width is about 160 mm × 76 mm, the largest coin is a 500 yen coin, and its diameter is About 26.5 mm. On the other hand, a small banknote is a 1000 yen banknote, and the width is about 150 mm × 76 mm.

  First, to store a 10,000 yen banknote having the above-mentioned width with a certain margin in the deposit duct 2, and to drop a 500-yen coin through the gap between the comb teeth with a certain margin, the following is performed. It is necessary to make it a proper dimension.

  That is, the width B of the deposit duct 2 is set to, for example, 170 mm in consideration of the width in the longitudinal direction of the largest banknote, and the widths D1 and D2 of each comb tooth should be as narrow as possible in order to reliably drop coins. Since it is necessary to have a certain strength, it is usually set to about 2 mm, and the intervals C1 to C3 of the comb teeth are equal widths, the intervals C1 to C3 are (170 mm−width of comb teeth 2 mm * 4 comb teeth) / interval. The number 5 = 32.4 mm.

  On the other hand, the width L in the thickness direction of the banknote 11 needs to be at least about 35 mm so that the user can insert a limit number (generally about 100) of banknotes into the deposit duct 2 with a margin. Therefore, the diagonal dimension of the gap between the comb teeth is √ (32.4 mm ^ 2 + 35 mm ^ 2) = about 47 mm.

Then, the 500-yen coin having a diameter of about 26.5 mm, which is the largest coin, is normally dropped into the gap between the comb teeth and the foreign object drop receiver 5 without any problem. And since the two folded banknote 10 'is about 150 mm / 2 = 75 mm in the longitudinal direction of the 1000 yen banknote which is the smallest banknote, even if it is placed diagonally, the first comb teeth 36 and the second comb Since it is larger than the diagonal dimension of the tooth 37 (about 47 mm), it can be stopped without dropping.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 63-241689

  However, in the case of four folded banknotes, the width of the banknote is about 150 mm / 4 = 38 mm. Therefore, when the four folded banknote 10b is placed obliquely as shown in FIGS. It may be dropped through the gap between the first comb teeth 36 and the second comb teeth 37 having a diagonal dimension of about 47 mm, and it may be discharged into the return container as it is. However, there was a problem that it could not be discharged and could not be returned reliably.

  Alternatively, as described above, vibration is applied to the comb teeth so that the coins 12 and the like are dropped. However, in the case of the comb teeth having a flat top surface as shown in FIGS. There was also.

  Alternatively, the return container is generally made as small as possible because the apparatus becomes large. However, as shown in FIG. 16, when a large amount of coins 12 or the like is inserted, the coins 12 or the like are comb teeth. Since it falls through the gap and falls and accumulates as it is in the return container 13 via the return duct 9, the return container 13 fills up and overflows and spills into the device or is scattered when the user takes it out. There was a malfunction that would end up.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above-described problems. That is, in a medium processing apparatus that handles a sheet-shaped medium and a fixed-shaped medium, medium receiving means having different heights are alternately or periodically arranged at a predetermined interval at the bottom of the input port into which the medium is input. Alternatively, in another invention, in a medium processing apparatus that handles a sheet-like medium and a fixed-shaped medium, a first medium receiving means that receives the sheet-like medium and a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first medium receiving means. The medium receiving means was arranged.

  According to the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, since the comb teeth having different heights are provided alternately or periodically at the bottom of the deposit port, even in the case of a four-fold bill of paper-like medium, it is ensured that it will not fall. It can be detected and returned to the user, and foreign objects such as coins of fixed shape media can be accurately dropped and stored in the return container.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element which is common in drawing.

  The banknote depositing and dispensing machine according to the first embodiment is provided with a plurality of comb teeth having different heights alternately or periodically at intervals equal to or less than the diameter of the coin at the bottom of the depositing port 1.

(Constitution)
As shown in FIG. 1, the banknote depositing / dispensing machine according to the first embodiment includes a depositing port 1 that is opened by moving it in the direction of the arrow “open” in the figure, a depositing duct 2 that guides the insertion of the bills 11, and a depositing duct 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the first comb teeth 6 and the second comb teeth 7 that are arranged at predetermined intervals and have different heights are alternately provided on the bottom of the comb teeth, and the height difference between these comb teeth The sensor 3 is disposed between them, and the foreign object drop receiver 5 and the return duct 9 are disposed on the bottom side, and foreign substances such as coins 12 are stored in the return container 13.

(Operation)
With the above configuration, in a normal deposit operation, only banknotes are inserted and deposit processing is performed. However, when folded bills 10 or coins 12 are inserted, deposit processing cannot be performed, so return as follows. To do.

  That is, when the insertion of the bill 11 or the like is detected, the deposit slot 1 is once closed, and the first comb tooth 6 or the second comb tooth 7 is given a certain vibration by power (not shown) to align the bill 11. As shown in FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, the foreign matter such as the coin 12 has a step between the first comb tooth 6 and the second comb tooth 7. 2 does not stay at the comb tooth position, and slides down to the foreign object drop receiver 5 from the gap between the comb teeth as indicated by an arrow B, and is stored in the return container 13 via the return duct 9. Then, the user is notified that coins have been returned.

  Since the first comb teeth 6 and the second comb teeth 7 are stepped and the coins 12 and the like fall naturally, the vibrations as described above may not be applied, or the first comb teeth The distance between 6 and the second comb teeth 7 can be about 26.5 mm or less in diameter of the largest 500 yen coin.

  On the other hand, since the interval between the first comb teeth 6 and the second comb teeth 7 can be set to about 26.5 mm or less in diameter of the largest 500 yen coin, the four-fold bill 10 (the width in the folding direction is about 38 mm). ) Can be stopped at the position of the second comb tooth 7, the four folded banknotes 10 are reliably detected by the sensor 3, the fact that the folded banknotes have been inserted and the folds are corrected and reinserted. Can be opened and the deposit port 1 can be opened and returned.

  In the above description, as an example of comb teeth that are long in the height direction as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, any shape can be used as long as the shape of the upper portion is such that coins and the like can easily fall. Alternatively, it may be in the shape of a triangular prism, a cylinder, or the like as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, or may be combined.

  Further, the first and second comb teeth have been described, but a configuration in which third or more comb teeth as shown in FIG. 6 are provided may be employed. In the case of the example of FIG. 6, the first sensor 3 that detects a folded bill between the first comb teeth and the second comb teeth, or the height difference between the second and third comb teeth, The second sensor 3 ′ is provided, and when a bill is detected by each sensor, it is determined that a folded bill has been inserted and returned.

(Effect of Example 1)
As described in detail above, according to the banknote depositing / dispensing machine of the first embodiment, since the comb teeth having different heights are provided alternately or periodically at the bottom of the depositing port 1, even in the case of four folded banknotes, etc. It can be reliably detected and returned to the user without falling, and foreign substances such as coins can be accurately dropped and stored in the return container. Moreover, since the tips of the comb teeth are not flat and the comb teeth having different heights are provided alternately or periodically, it is not necessary to vibrate the comb teeth, and the power for vibration can be eliminated. There is also an effect.

  In the bill depositing / dispensing machine according to the second embodiment, a shaft-shaped bill receiving means is provided at the bottom of the deposit port 1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first comb teeth and the first comb teeth.

(Constitution)
The bill depositing / dispensing machine according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment except that a shaft is provided instead of the second comb teeth. The detailed explanation is omitted.

  FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing the configuration of the banknote depositing and dispensing machine according to the second embodiment and the structure of the first comb teeth 6 and the shaft 8. As shown in the figure, the bottom of the deposit duct 2 is provided with first comb teeth 6 (an example of trapezoidal comb teeth is shown in FIG. 8), and the sensor 3 is disposed below the first comb teeth 6. Further, the shaft 8 is provided in the bill longitudinal direction, which is a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the first comb teeth, on the lower side.

(Operation)
With the above configuration, the banknote depositing and dispensing machine according to the second embodiment operates as follows. First, in a normal deposit operation, only banknotes are inserted and deposit processing is performed. However, when folded bills 10 or coins 12 are inserted, deposit processing cannot be performed, so these are returned as follows. To do.

  That is, when the insertion of the bill 11 or the like is detected, the deposit slot 1 is once closed, the first comb tooth 6 or the shaft 8 is given a constant vibration by power (not shown), the bill 11 is aligned, and foreign matter such as the coin 12 As shown in FIG. 8, there is sufficient clearance to slip through, so that the first comb teeth 6 and the shaft 8 do not stay as shown in FIG. Falls and is stored in the return container 13 via the return duct 9. Then, the user is notified that coins have been returned.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, even when the coin 12 is sandwiched and inserted between the banknotes 11, the coin 12 falls from between the banknotes 11 as shown by the arrows in the figure due to the vibration described above. 1 passes through the comb teeth and hits the shaft 8, but further falls as indicated by an arrow B, and is stored in the return container 13 via the foreign object drop receiver 5 and the return duct 9.

  In addition, since the coin 12 falls naturally from the clearance gap between the 1st comb teeth 6, it is needless to say not to give the above-mentioned vibration.

  On the other hand, for the folded banknote 10, the interval between the first comb teeth 6 can be set to an interval through which a diameter of about 26.5 mm of a 500 yen coin, which is the largest coin, passes, for example, about 30 mm. If the gap width is about 20 mm, the diagonal dimension is √ (30 ^ 2 + 20 ^ 2) = 36 mm, and even if it is a four-fold bill 10 (width in the folding direction is about 38 mm), it is surely located at the position of the shaft 8. Can be stopped. Then, the four folded banknotes 10 are reliably detected by the sensor 3, the user is notified that the folded banknotes have been inserted and the folds are corrected and reinserted, and the deposit opening 1 is opened and returned.

  In the above description, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the shape of the shaft 8 has been described as a cylindrical shape or a triangular prism shape. However, the upper shape may be a shape in which a coin or the like can easily fall. It is sufficient that these shapes are partially combined.

  Alternatively, in the above description, one shaft 8 is described. However, two or more shafts may be provided, or may be provided with a certain level difference.

  Alternatively, in the above description of the drawings, the shaft is described as being in a direction orthogonal to the first comb teeth, but it is not necessary to be orthogonal to the first, and the shaft may be provided in an oblique direction at a certain angle.

(Effect of Example 2)
As described above in detail, according to the banknote depositing / dispensing machine of the second embodiment, the bottom of the deposit port 1 has a shaft shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the comb teeth at a position different from the height of the first comb teeth. The bill receiving means is provided so that it can be reliably detected and returned to the user without falling even in the case of a four-fold bill etc., and foreign objects such as coins can be reliably dropped and stored in the return container. Can do. Further, since there is no need to vibrate the comb teeth or the like, there is an economic effect that no power for vibration is required.

  The banknote depositing / dispensing machine according to the third embodiment is provided with a conveyance unit that regulates and conveys coins on the upstream side of the return container.

(Constitution)
The configuration of the bill depositing / dispensing machine according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a conveyance unit that regulates and conveys coins and the like is provided on the upstream side of the return container. Detailed description of the portion is omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of the banknote depositing and dispensing machine of the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the first comb tooth 6 is provided on the lower side of the deposit duct 2, the sensor 3 is arranged on the lower side, and the shaft 8 is further provided on the lower side in the longitudinal direction of the bill. Similar to Example 2. Further, a return duct 9 'is arranged on the lower side, a transport unit 30 is arranged on the lower side, and a return container 13 for storing coins 12 etc. and returning them to the user is provided on the right side. . In addition, return duct 9 'is not a required structure, Of course, it is good also as a structure which arrange | positions the conveyance part 30 under the 1st comb tooth 6. FIG.

  The conveying unit 30 is provided with restricting parts 33a and 33b on both the left and right sides, and the restricting part 33b is arranged so that a gap of Δds is formed from the upper surface of the conveying belt 32. Further, a conveyance roller 31a for moving the conveyance belt 32 in the directions of arrows E and F and a conveyance pulley 31b on the right side are provided on the lower left side. Note that Δds is set to a width wider than the thickness of the thickest coin among the assumed coins, and in the case of a Japanese coin, the thickness of a 500-yen coin is about 2 mm, and may be about 3 mm or more.

(Operation)
With the above configuration, the bill depositing / dispensing machine according to the third embodiment operates as follows. First, when a coin 12 or the like is inserted, the deposit opening 1 is closed, and a constant vibration is applied to the first comb teeth 6 or the shaft 8 by power not shown. Then, the coin 12 or the like falls from the gap between the first comb teeth 6 and the shaft 8, slides down the foreign object drop receiver 5, and is accumulated on the conveyor belt 32 via the return duct 9.

  Then, the accumulation of coins or the like is detected by a sensor or the like (not shown), the conveyance roller 31a is driven, and the conveyance belt 32 is conveyed in the direction of arrow E. Then, the accumulated coins 12 collide with the right restricting portion 33b, and one coin 12b passes through the gap Δds and is stored in the return container 13 as the return coin 12b. On the other hand, the residual coin 12a that is restricted by colliding with the restricting portion 33b falls onto the conveyor belt 32 when the lower coin 12b passes through the gap Δds, and is transferred to the return container 13 through the gap Δds by the conveyance of the conveyor belt 32. Stored.

  The above operation is repeated, and it is detected by a sensor (not shown) that the return container 13 is moderately full (either an optical sensor or a weight sensor may be used). 31a is reversely rotated, and the conveyor belt 32 is returned to the F direction by a certain amount and stopped. When it is detected that the user takes out the return coin from the return container 13, the coins 12 and the like are sequentially stored in the return container 13 again by the same operation as described above.

  By performing the above operation, coins 12b do not overflow in the return container 13 and are always accumulated in an appropriate amount.

  In the above description, Δds has been described as the height at which one coin passes, but it may of course be an appropriate height at which two or more coins pass. Or although the example which performs conveyance of the conveyance part 30 with a belt was shown, it does not need to be a belt and it is good also as a structure made into 1 or 3 or more rollers, and as a conveyance mechanism using an ultrasonic motor. Also good. Or although demonstrated as a structure which provides the conveyance belt 32 in the thickness direction of the banknote 11, of course, it is good also as a structure which provides the conveyance belt 32 in the longitudinal direction of the banknote 11.

(Effect of Example 3)
As described above in detail, according to the banknote depositing / dispensing machine of the third embodiment, since the conveyance unit that regulates and conveys the coins 12 and the like is provided on the upstream side of the return container 13, a large amount of coins and the like are inserted. Even in such a case, the return container 13 does not fill up and spills into the apparatus, or is scattered when the user takes out coins or the like.

<< Other modifications >>
In addition to the embodiments described above, the same functions and effects of the present invention can be obtained as embodiments of the following modifications. That is,

  (1) Although the example of handling Japanese banknotes / coins has been shown in the above description of the embodiment, of course, even when handling foreign banknotes / coins, the size of the minimum bills and the maximum coins makes the comb teeth Although it is necessary to slightly correct the interval, Δds, etc., the same operation and effect can be obtained.

  (2) In the above description of the embodiment, the description has been made as a medium for handling banknotes and coins. However, it is not a banknote but a paper-like medium that folds like a bond certificate or an admission ticket, or folds like a card instead of a coin. The same operation and effect can be obtained even if it is not a circular medium.

  (3) In the above description of the embodiment, the materials for the comb teeth and the shaft have not been described. However, any material may be used as long as it is strong enough to hold a paper-like medium such as banknotes. For example, the medium may be made of a medium strength material that can hold a paper sheet-shaped medium and generally cannot hold a fixed medium heavier than a paper-sheet-shaped medium. By using such a material, even if the interval between the comb teeth is further narrowed in order to prevent the folded paper sheet medium from falling, the heavy medium that is a foreign substance can be dropped.

  As described above, the present invention can be widely used in medium processing apparatuses such as banknote depositing and dispensing machines, bond collection and issue machines, and ticket collection and issue machines that handle paper-like media and fixed-shaped media.

It is a block diagram of the money_receiving | payment mechanism of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of comb teeth according to the first embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing of the comb tooth of FIG. It is an example (AA sectional drawing of FIG. 2) of another comb tooth. It is an example (AA sectional drawing of FIG. 2) of another comb tooth. It is an example (AA sectional drawing of FIG. 2) of another comb tooth. 3 shows a configuration of a depositing mechanism according to the second embodiment. It is a structure and operation | movement explanatory drawing of the comb tooth of Example 2. FIG. It is a structure and operation | movement explanatory drawing of the comb tooth of Example 2. FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the banknote depositing / withdrawing machine of Example 2. FIG. It is a block diagram of the money_receiving | payment mechanism of Example 3. It is a block diagram of the conventional deposit mechanism. It is a block diagram of the conventional comb tooth. It is a block diagram of the conventional comb tooth. It is a top view of the conventional comb tooth. It is a structure and operation | movement explanatory drawing of the conventional deposit mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Deposit / withdrawal port 2 Deposit duct 3 Sensor 5 Foreign material fall receptacle 6, 36 1st comb tooth 7, 37 2nd comb tooth 8 Shaft 9 Return duct 10, 10a, 10b Four folded banknote 10 'Two folded banknote 11 Banknote 12 Coin 13 Return container 30 Conveying section 33 Regulating section

Claims (6)

In a media processing apparatus that handles paper-like media and fixed-shape media,
A medium processing apparatus, wherein medium receiving means having different heights are alternately or periodically arranged at a predetermined interval at a bottom of an input port into which the medium is input.   The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interval is equal to or less than a maximum dimension of the fixed shape medium. In a media processing apparatus that handles paper-like media and fixed-shape media,
First medium receiving means for receiving the paper sheet medium;
2. A medium processing apparatus comprising a second medium receiving means arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the first medium receiving means.   4. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a diagonal dimension of the gap of the medium receiving means is set to be equal to or smaller than a dimension in a folding direction in which the sheet-like medium is folded in four.   5. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the medium receiving means is not flat.   6. A transport unit that regulates and transports the fixed shaped medium upstream of a return container that stores the fixed shaped medium that has passed through the medium receiving means and has fallen. Or a medium processing apparatus.

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