JP2007249404A - Coin replenishment management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To operate without notifying a packed coin replenishment request when it is determined that there is no need of urgent replenishment of coin bars even if there is a common denomination in a denomination short of coins and a denomination short of packed coins. <P>SOLUTION: A control unit 36 of a coin processor 3 has a function as a replenishment notification means for notifying a packed coin replenishment request informing that a specific denomination of packed coins should be replenished in a packed coin storage 1 to a clerk (through a mobile communication terminal P). Only when (A) there is the denomination short of coins detected by a coin numerical quantity detection meas, (B) there is the denomination short of packed coins detected by the packed money numerical quantity detection means (control unit 16 of the storage 1), and (C) there is a "common denomination" common to the denomination short of coins and the denomination short of packed coins, and also (D) a replenishment mode is not started, the control unit 36 notifies the packed coin replenishment request for the corresponding common denomination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a coin processing device (for example, a coin change machine) for refilling coins (for example, coin change machines) obtained by unpacking a bar metal coin (a coin of the same denomination in a certain number of bars in a package). The present invention relates to a coin replenishment management system for management.

  As such a coin replenishment management system, for example, there is one described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-268134 related to the prior application of the present applicant. In this application, the denomination and number of rose coins identified by the identification means of the coin change machine, and the denomination of the extracted bar metal coin specified based on the detection result of the bar metal presence / absence detection means in the bar metal storage In addition, there is described a technique for comparing the number and determining the correspondence between the two. Thereby, the correspondence between the bar metal coins taken out from the bar metal storage and the rose coins replenished to the coin change machine can be accurately managed.

  By the way, replenishment of loose coins as described above is generally performed by a clerk when a denomination (coin deficient denomination) whose remaining amount is less than a predetermined reference coin quantity is confirmed in the coin processing device. On the other hand, in the bar metal storage, a denomination (bar metal deficient denomination) whose remaining amount is less than a predetermined reference bar metal quantity can be generated by taking out the bar metal coins stored therein. And when the existence of common denominations common to those coin-deficient denominations and bar-deficient denominations is confirmed, a request for replenishment of bar money is notified to a staff member such as an administrator through a mobile communication terminal such as a pager. System is used. Thereby, a staff member can be urged to replenish the bar metal storage with the bar metal coin of the denomination.

  In the above-described system, when a common coin-deficient denomination is generated in a state where there is a bar-deficient denomination, the bar-type coin is quickly replenished to the bar-metal storage. Since the necessity (urgent) is recognized, it is appropriate to notify the request for replenishment of bar. However, on the contrary, due to the occurrence of a coin-deficient denomination, a bar-deficient denomination that becomes a common denomination may occur. That is, for the purpose of replenishing the coin-deficient denomination to the coin processing apparatus, there is a case where a bar-deficient denomination that becomes a common denomination is generated by taking out the bar-type coin of the denomination from the bar-metal storage.

  In the latter case, immediately after that, there are coin depletion denominations that should become common denominations by replenishing the coin processor with the coins of the denomination obtained by unwrapping the bar metal coins. There is a high probability that it will immediately return to a state where it is not necessary to notify the request for replenishment of the bar. However, in the past, even if there was no such urgent need, the presence of a common denomination would be notified and a bar replenishment request would be notified, causing inconveniences that are not appropriate for actual operation. is there.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and even if there is a common denomination common to the coin-deficient denomination and the bar-deficient denomination, the bar-metal coin is replenished. An object of the present invention is to provide a coin replenishment management system that can be operated without notifying a bar replenishment request when it can be determined that there is no urgency.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A bar storage that can store multiple types of bar metal coins;
A coin processing device that is disposed in the vicinity of the bar storage and is connected to the bar storage;
Replenishment that activates a replenishment mode for replenishing the coin processor with loose coins obtained by unwrapping the bar metal coins taken out of the bar stock reservoir in the bar stocker and the coin processor. Mode activation means;
With
The bar metal storage has bar metal quantity detection means for detecting the quantity of the type of bar metal coins stored therein,
The coin processing device is:
A slot into which rose coins are inserted;
An identification means for identifying the denomination of the rose coin inserted into the slot;
Sorting means for sorting the rose coins identified by the identifying means for each denomination;
A coin storage section for storing the rose coins selected by the selection means in denominations;
Coin quantity detection means for detecting the amount of denominations of rose coins stored in the coin storage unit;
Have
A replenishment notification means for notifying a staff member of a replenishment request of a metal bar of a specific denomination to replenish the bar stock storage.
(A) There is a coin deficient denomination that is a denomination whose quantity detected by the coin quantity detecting means is below a predetermined reference coin quantity,
(B) There is a bar-deficient denomination that is a denomination whose quantity detected by the bar-bar quantity detecting means is below a predetermined reference bar quantity,
(C) there is a common denomination common to the coin-deficient denomination and the bar-deficient denomination, and
(D) the replenishment mode is not activated;
A coin replenishment management system is provided, further comprising replenishment notification means for notifying the bar replenishment request for the common denomination only in the case.

  In this coin replenishment management system, even if there is a common denomination that is common to the coin shortage denomination and the bar money shortage denomination, if the replenishment mode is activated, the bar When the loose coins of the denomination obtained by resolving are replenished to the coin processing device, there is a high probability that there will be no shortage of coin denominations that should be common denominations immediately. Therefore, in such a case, notification of a bar replenishment request is not made and the replenishment mode is activated even when a common denomination exists between the coin deficient denomination and the bar deficient denomination. Only when there is not, the request for replenishment of the bar is notified. In this way, when it can be determined that there is no urgency to replenish the bar metal coin, it is possible to operate without notifying the bar metal replenishment request.

  In general, the reference bar quantity in (b) is set to one, that is, only denominations whose quantity detected by the bar quantity detection means is zero are defined as the bar-deficient denominations. It is appropriate to do.

  The coin replenishment management system may include a control terminal device that communicates with the coin processing device and issues a replenishment command for activating the replenishment mode, as the replenishment mode activation means.

  Moreover, a declaration input means for inputting a replenishment declaration for activating the replenishment mode may be provided in the coin processing device as the replenishment mode activation means.

  In this coin replenishment management system, in a state in which the replenishment mode is activated, a predetermined amount after the bar quantity detector detects that the bar metal coin of the common denomination has been taken out from the bar stock storage. If the identification means has not identified that the coins of the common denomination have been inserted into the coin processing device when the waiting time has elapsed, the replenishment that cancels the replenishment mode at that time A mode automatic release means may be further provided.

  In other words, if a coin of a common denomination is not inserted into the coin processing device even after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, it can be determined that there is a low possibility that the coin of that denomination will be replenished immediately. . Therefore, in such a case, the replenishment mode is canceled and the above condition (d) is satisfied, so that the replenishment notification means exceptionally notifies the bar replenishment request.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1-8 is a figure which shows embodiment of the coin replenishment management system by this invention. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, the configuration of the coin replenishment management system of the present embodiment, the specific configuration of the bar stock storage, the configuration of the coin processing device, the effects and modifications of the present embodiment will be sequentially described. To do.

[System configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the coin replenishment management system according to the present embodiment includes a bar storage 1 that can store bar coins of a plurality of denominations, a coin processing device (for example, a coin change machine) 3, and a control terminal device. (For example, a POS register) 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the bar metal storage 1 of the present embodiment is integrally configured adjacent to the coin processing device 3 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the main body (housing) 1a of the bar metal storage 1 and the housing 3a of the coin processing device 3 are integrally formed. Further, the control terminal device 5 is disposed in the vicinity (for example, directly above) of the coin processing device 3 and the bar storage 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bar storage 1, the coin processing device 3 and the control terminal device 5 have control units 16, 36 and 50, respectively. Among them, the control unit 16 of the bar storage 1 is communicatively connected to the control unit 36 of the coin processing device 3, and the control unit 36 of the coin processing device 3 is communicatively connected to the control unit 50 of the control terminal device 5.

  Here, in the present system, the loose coins obtained by unwrapping the “extracted bar metal coins”, which are bar metal coins taken out from the bar metal storage 1 (for example, by a cashier), are transferred to the coin processing device 3. There is a “replenishment mode” for replenishment. This replenishment mode is different from the normal mode in which general deposit / withdrawal processing is performed, and is a state in which the loose coins inserted into the coin processing device 3 are deposited as replenishment coins separate from normal deposit coins. The control terminal device 5 has a function as a supplement mode starting means for issuing a supplement command for starting the supplement mode.

[Composition of the bar metal storage]
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the bar storage 1 is composed of a storage main body 1 a and three bars attached to the main body 1 a so as to be able to be manually pulled out (in the horizontal vertical direction). It has gold drawers 11, 12, and 13. Each of the bar drawers 11, 12, 13 is provided with a plurality of bar metal storage portions 14 (FIG. 2) capable of storing one bar metal coin of a specific denomination. The storage posture of the bar metal coins in each storage unit 14 is a horizontal posture in which the axis of the bar metal coins is directed in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the drawing direction (vertical direction) of the bar metal drawers 11, 12, 13.

  For example, the upper bar metal drawer 11 is provided with eight storage units 14 for one-yen bar coins and two storage units 14 for five-yen bar metal coins. The middle bar drawer 12 is provided with eight 10-yen coin storage units 14 and two 50-yen coin storage units 14. The lower bar metal drawer 13 is provided with eight storage units 14 for 100 yen bar metal coins and two storage units 14 for 500 yen bar metal coins.

  Further, the bar storage 1 is provided with a detection system 18 (FIG. 1) that outputs a signal for determining the presence and denomination of a bar metal coin for each bar storage part 14 of the bar drawers 11, 12, and 13. I have. Then, the control unit 16 of the bar metal storage 1 determines the presence and denomination of the bar metal coins stored in the storage units 14 of the specific drawers 11, 12, 13 based on the signal output from the detection system 18. judge. Thereby, the control unit 16 functions as a bar metal quantity detecting means for detecting the quantity of the bar metal coins stored in the bar metal drawer 1, that is, the bar metal drawers 11, 12, and 13. have. The quantity data detected by the control unit 16 is transmitted to the control unit 36 of the coin processing device 3.

  Note that the denomination of the bar metal coin whose quantity detected by the control unit 16 as the bar metal quantity detecting means is below a predetermined reference bar metal quantity is referred to as “bar metal deficient denomination”. Generally, the reference bar quantity is set to one, that is, only denominations whose quantity (remaining amount) detected by the bar quantity detection means is zero are used as the bar-deficient denomination. Is appropriate.

  Further, on the front surface of the main body 1a of the bar metal storage 1, the state of FULL (full) / EMPTY (zero remaining amount) of the bar metal coins of each denomination based on the determination result of the control unit 16 as the determination means Is provided. The display panel 1b also has a function as a drawer display means that enables a drawer that is unlocked by a lock means, which will be described later, to be visually discriminated among the bar drawers 11, 12, and 13.

  FIG. 3 shows a frame F provided inside the main body 1a (FIG. 2) of the bar storage 1. The frame body F holds the bar drawers 11, 12, and 13 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. A light-transmitting portion (opening or transparent portion) 15 is formed at the bottom of each drawer 11, 12, 13 and extends in the vertical direction at the center in the horizontal direction. The translucent portion 15 extends over a range in which the plurality of storage portions 14 (FIG. 2) are provided in each of the drawers 11, 12, and 13, and extends to the vicinity of the front end of the drawer before the frontmost storage portion 14. . As shown in FIG. 5, a rack R extending in the vertical direction is provided on the left side of each drawer 11, 12, 13.

FIG. 4 shows various vertical positions of one drawer 11 on the basis of the front panel 1c (see FIG. 3) of the main body 1a as a representative of the three drawers 11, 12, and 13. In FIG. 4:
(B) is a “closed position” in which the front surface of the drawer 11 is substantially flush with the front panel 1c;
(A) is a “push position” in which the drawer 11 is further pushed in from the closed position, and the front surface of the drawer 11 is slightly retracted from the front panel 1c;
(C) “Detection start / end position” where detection by the detection system 18 (FIG. 1) starts when the drawer 11 is pulled out, and detection by the detection system 18 ends when the drawer 11 is pushed in;
(D) “detection end / start position” in which detection by the detection system 18 ends when the drawer 11 is pulled out, and detection by the detection system 18 starts when the drawer 11 is pushed in;
(E) is a “drawing position” that is pulled out until the bar coins B can be stored / removed from all the storage portions 14 (FIG. 2) of the drawer 11;
Respectively. In FIG. 4, the following bar metal diameter sensor S1 is shown as a representative of the detection system 18 (FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 3, at the front part of the frame F, one bar metal diameter sensor S1 and three bar metal hole sensors S21, S22, S23 are provided. The diameter sensor S1 has a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit fixed to the frame F (main body 1a) at positions facing each other with the light-transmitting portions 15 of the three drawers 11, 12, and 13 sandwiched vertically. The diameter sensor S1 is disposed such that the optical axis passes through the translucent portion 15 in front of the foremost storage portion 14 of each drawer 11, 12, 13 in the closed position (FIG. 4B) ( FIG. 4 and FIG. 5).

  Moreover, each hole sensor S21, S22, S23 is provided corresponding to the drawers 11, 12, 13 respectively. Each of the hole sensors S21, S22, S23 has a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit fixed to the frame F (main body 1a) at positions facing each other with the corresponding drawers 11, 12, 13 sandwiched from the left and right sides. . Each hole sensor S21, S22, S23 is arrange | positioned so that an optical axis may pass through the height corresponding to the center of the bar metal coin B accommodated in corresponding drawers 11, 12, and 13. FIG.

  A single two-phase rotary encoder E is provided on the left side of the front portion of the frame F at a height substantially corresponding to the upper drawer 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the rotary encoder E has an input shaft e1 extending downward. Three pinions P corresponding to the racks R of the drawers 11, 12, and 13 are fixed to the input shaft e1. The rack R of each drawer 11, 12, 13 and the corresponding pinion P are at least the drawer 11, 12, 13 at the detection start / end position (FIG. 4 (c)) and the detection end / start position (FIG. 4 ( d)) (the position between the closed position (FIG. 4 (b)) and the withdrawal position (FIG. 4 (e)) within the range necessary for determination by the determination means) When the drawers 11, 12, and 13 are in the closed position, they are arranged so as not to mesh with each other.

  Thus, the rotary encoder E is configured to output a number of pulse signals proportional to the longitudinal displacement of the drawers 11, 12, 13. That is, the rotary encoder E, the rack R, and the pinion P described above constitute displacement detection means for detecting the longitudinal displacement of each drawer 11, 12, 13 with respect to the main body 1a.

  Here, the bar metal storage 1 has a lock means for performing locking / unlocking for preventing / accepting the withdrawal of the bar metal drawers 11, 12, 13 from the storage body 1a. The control unit 16 of the bar metal storage 1 has a function as a lock control means for controlling locking / unlocking of the bar drawers 11, 12, 13 by the lock means as will be described later.

  In FIG. 6, the relationship between one drawer 11 and the locking means corresponding to the three drawers 11, 12, and 13 is represented by (a) closed position and (b) push-in position of the drawer 11. It is shown. A partition plate 11 a extending in the lateral direction is provided at the rear portion of the drawer 11. A lock plate 17 and a light shielding plate 19 fixed to the drawer 11 are disposed behind the partition plate 11a. Corresponding to these lock plate 17 and light shielding plate 19, a lock arm 20 and a push-in sensor S31 are provided, respectively. The lock arm 20 and the push-in sensor S31 are attached to the frame F shown in FIG. 3 (the main body 1a shown in FIG. 2). The slide member 26 is attached to the frame F so as to be slidable in the vertical direction.

  The push-in sensor S31 has a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit facing each other with the light shielding plate 19 in the lateral direction at the closed position of the drawer 11 shown in FIG. The lock arm 20 includes an engagement portion 21 that can be engaged with the front end of the lock plate 17, and a rotation shaft 22 that rotatably attaches the arm 20 to the frame F. A drive device D1 such as a pull solenoid and a return spring 23 are connected to the arm 20. By these drive device D1 and the return spring 23, the arm 20 is locked at a position where the engaging portion 21 can be engaged with the lock plate 17, and a release position where the arm 21 is retracted so that the engaging portion 21 is not engaged with the lock plate 17. And can be rotated between.

  The slide member 26 is connected to a biasing spring 27 that biases the slide member 26 forward (rightward in FIG. 6) with respect to the frame F. In the closed position of the drawer 11 shown in FIG. 6 (a), the front end portion of the slide member 26 comes into contact with the partition plate 11a by the biasing force of the spring 27 to slightly bias the drawer 11 forward. ing.

  Then, unlocking of the drawer 11 by the locking means under the control of the control unit 16 is performed as follows. First, when manually pushed from the closed position in FIG. 6A to the pushed position in FIG. 6B, the output of the sensor S31 is switched from light shielding to translucent due to the backward movement of the light shielding plate 19. In response to this, the driving device D1 rotates the arm 20 to the release position (by control of the control unit 16 shown in FIG. 7). If the force that has pushed the drawer 11 is loosened, the drawer 11 is slightly pulled out of the closed position by the biasing force of the spring 27 (between the closed position and the detection start / end position in FIG. 4C). Advance. Thereby, the drawer 11 can be easily pulled out manually.

  On the other hand, the drawer 11 is locked by the locking means under the control of the control unit 16 as follows. First, when the drawer 11 that has been pulled out is pushed into the main body 1a “when the drawer is pushed”, the drawer 11 is pushed to the pushing position of FIG. 6B (against the biasing force of the spring 27). The output of the sensor S31 is switched from light transmission to light transmission through light shielding. In response to this, the driving device D1 (spring 23) rotates the arm 20 to the lock position (by control of the control unit 16 shown in FIG. 7). Therefore, when the force that has pushed the drawer 11 is loosened, the engagement portion 21 of the arm 20 engages with the lock plate 17 when the drawer 11 returns to the closed position by the biasing force of the spring 27.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 16 is connected to a bar metal diameter sensor S1, bar metal hole sensors S21, S22, S23 and a rotary encoder E that constitute the detection system 18 (see FIG. 3). The control unit 16 is connected to driving devices D1, D2, D3 and push sensors S31, S32, S33 corresponding to the drawers 11, 12, 13 (see FIG. 6). In addition, a display panel 1b (see FIG. 2) and a communication interface T are connected to the control unit 16. This communication interface T is used for communication connection between the control unit 36 and the control unit 16 of the coin processing device 3 (FIG. 1).

  Based on the longitudinal displacement of any one of the drawers 11, 12, and 13 specified from the output of the rotary encoder E and the output of the bar metal diameter sensor S1, the control unit 16 controls the storage unit 14 of the drawer. The presence / absence and denomination of the stored bar metal coin are determined.

  Specifically, when the bar drawer is manually pulled out / pushed into the storage body 1a, the rotary encoder E, the diameter sensor S1, and the hole sensors S21, S22, S23 corresponding to the drawer are respectively shown in FIG. Signals 70, 72 and 74 as shown in FIG. Among these output signals, the pulse signal 70 of the rotary encoder E causes the longitudinal displacement of the drawers 11, 12, 13 (each storage portion 14) with respect to the main body 1a, and therefore with respect to the sensors S1; S21, S22, S23. Identified. Further, by the signals 72; 74 of each sensor S1; S21, S22, S23, light transmission / light-shielding by the radial outer edge and inner edge of each bar metal coin (only the outer edge in the case of other than perforated coins of 5 yen and 50 yen). The transition of (the presence or absence of light shielding) is specified.

  Thereby, it is possible to specify not only the presence / absence of a bar metal coin but also the diameter of the bar metal coin stored and the presence / absence of the center hole for each storage part 14 of a specific bar metal drawer 11, 12, 13 It becomes. Based on this, the control unit 16 can also determine whether or not the bar metal coins present in the respective storage units 14 are the denominations of the denominations to be originally stored.

  Here, the coin processing device 3 shown in FIG. 1 has coin quantity detection means for detecting the number of denominations of the loose coins stored in the coin storage part 33 (details will be described later). A denomination of rose coins whose quantity (remaining amount) detected by this coin quantity detection means is below a predetermined reference coin quantity is referred to as “coin deficient denomination”.

And the control unit 16 as a lock control means is
(I) In a state where the refill mode is not activated, all the bar drawers 11, 12, 13 are locked,
(Ii) In the state in which the replenishment mode is activated, only the bar drawers 11, 12, or 13 corresponding to bar coins of the same denomination as the coin shortage denomination are unlocked.
Thus, the lock means (drive devices D1, D2, D3, etc.) is configured to be controlled.

[Configuration of coin processing device]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coin processing device 3 includes an insertion port 30, a discharge port 34, and a display / operation panel 3b (FIG. 2) formed on the front side of the housing 3a. As shown in FIG. 1, the coin processing device 3 includes an identification unit 31, a selection unit 32, and a coin storage unit 33. The identification means 31 is configured to identify the denomination and number of loose coins inserted into the insertion slot 30. The sorting means 32 is configured to sort the loose coins identified by the identifying means 31 for each denomination. And the coin storage part 33 is comprised so that the loose coin sorted out by the selection means 32 may be accommodated in a money type.

  And this coin processing apparatus 3 is comprised so that the loose coin taken out from the coin storage part 33 may be discharged | emitted to the payout port 34 as needed (for example, change payout etc. in a change machine). ing. In addition, as the rose coins to be inserted into the insertion slot 30, in addition to the replenishment coins to be thrown in the replenishment mode (typically rose coins obtained by unwrapping the extraction bar metal coins), they are thrown in the normal mode. Incoming deposit coins are also included. However, both are stored in the coin storage unit 33 without being particularly distinguished, and are used as dispensing coins to be discharged in the normal mode.

  As described above, the control unit 36 of the coin processing device 3 has a function as a coin quantity detection unit that detects the number of denominations of loose coins stored in the coin storage unit 33. For example, the control unit 36 determines the coin storage unit 33 based on the number of coin types inserted from the insertion slot 30 and the number of coin types extracted from the coin storage unit 33 and discharged to the payout port 34. This is detected by calculating the number of coins stored in the coin. The quantity data detected by the control unit 36 is transmitted to the control unit 16 of the bar storage 1.

  Next, the coin processing device 3 has a return port 35 for discharging the loose coins that have been identified by the identifying means 31 without being stored in the coin storage unit 33. Although this return port 35 is drawn corresponding to the housing 3a of the coin processing device 3 in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the return port 35 is arranged in the area on the front surface of the main body 1a of the bar storage 1. It may be.

  The control unit 36 has a function as a return control unit that performs control to release a specific loose coin to the return port 35 based on the identification result by the identification unit 31. Specifically, when the replenishment mode is activated, the control unit 36 serving as the return control means has a case where the identification result by the identification means 31 of the loose coins inserted into the insertion slot 35 is different from the coin deficient denomination. The “non-supplemented coin return control” is performed to release the loose coins to the return port 35.

  In addition, when the control unit 36 as the return control means performs the non-supplementary coin return control, the coin processing device 3 notifies that the loose coin is a coin of a denomination different from the coin shortage denomination. Have means. As such notification means, for example, a means for displaying a notification message on a liquid crystal display panel arranged in the display / operation unit 3b (FIG. 2) can be considered.

  In addition, the control unit 36 has a function as a replenishment notification means for notifying a staff member such as a manager of a replenishment request for recognizing that a special denomination of a bar metal coin should be replenished to the bar storage 1. ing. Notification to the staff is performed by a wireless communication system via a mobile communication terminal P (FIG. 1) such as a pager.

Specifically, the control unit 36 serving as a supplement notification means
(A) The above “coin deficient denomination” detected as a coin quantity detection means exists,
(B) The above-mentioned “bar metal shortage denomination” detected by the bar metal quantity detection means (the control unit 16 of the bar metal storage 1) exists.
(C) There is a “common denomination” common to coin-deficient denominations and bar-deficient denominations, and
(D) Replenishment mode is not activated,
Only in such a case, it is configured to notify a request for replenishment of a bar for the common denomination.

  Further, the control unit 36 has a function as a replenishment mode automatic canceling means for automatically canceling the refilling mode that has been activated (returning to the normal mode). Specifically, the control unit 36 serving as the automatic release means detects that a common denomination of bar metal coins has been taken out from the bar metal storage 1 in the state in which the replenishment mode is activated. When the predetermined waiting time (for example, about 1 minute) has elapsed since the control unit 16) of the storage 1 has detected, the identification means 31 indicates that the coin of the common denomination has been inserted into the coin processing device 3. If not identified, the replenishment mode is canceled at that time.

[Function and effect]
Next, the effect of the bar metal storage of this embodiment comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.

  According to the coin replenishment management system of the present embodiment, in the bar stocker 1, the control unit 16 as the lock control means is a bar metal coin of the same denomination as the coin shortage denomination while the replenishment mode is activated. Since only the bar drawer 11, 12, or 13 corresponding to is unlocked, the drawers other than the drawer 11, 12, or 13 corresponding to the denomination cannot be pulled out. For this reason, the overflow generation | occurrence | production of the coin processing apparatus 3 resulting from taking out from the bar metal storage 1 the bar metal coin of a different denomination from the coin shortage denomination in the coin processing apparatus 3 can be suppressed.

  In addition, the display panel 1b serving as a drawer display means that enables the unlocked drawer 11, 12, or 13 to be visually discriminated can be used to prevent an error in the attempt to pull out a bar drawer that has not been unlocked in the first place. An effect is obtained.

  Moreover, in the coin processing apparatus 3, when the control unit 36 as a return control means performs the non-supplementary coin return control described above, the following operational effects are obtained. First, as a premise, even if only the drawer 11, 12, or 13 corresponding to a bar metal coin of the same denomination as the coin deficient denomination in the bar metal storage 1 can be pulled out, in the present embodiment, each drawer 11, 12, 13 is set so that two different denominations of bar metal coins are stored. Also, different types of bar metal coins may be stored by mistake. In that case, there is still a possibility that a bar metal coin of a denomination different from the coin shortage denomination in the coin processing device 3 is taken out from the bar metal storage 1. Therefore, when a rose coin of a denomination different from the coin-deficient denomination has been inserted into the coin processing device 3 when the replenishment mode is activated, the rose coin is returned (released without storing), Overflow can be avoided in advance.

  In that case, the reporting means 3b of the coin processing device 3 informs the clerk that the returned loose coin is of a different denomination than the coin-deficient denomination, and prompts the user to take measures such as redoing the replenishment operation. be able to.

  Next, in this coin replenishment management system, even if there is a common denomination common to both the coin shortage denomination and the bar shortage denomination, if the replenishment mode is activated, There is a high probability that the coin-deficient denomination that should become the common denomination will not immediately exist when the loose coins of the denomination obtained by unwrapping the coins are replenished to the coin processing device. Therefore, in such a case, the control unit 36 as the replenishment notification means does not notify the bar replenishment request, and there is a common denomination common to the coin deficient denomination and the bar deficient denomination. Even in such a case, the bar replenishment request is notified only when the replenishment mode is not activated. In this way, when it can be determined that there is no urgency to replenish the bar metal coin, it is possible to operate without notifying the bar metal replenishment request.

  Next, even if a predetermined waiting time elapses after the bar quantity detector (the control unit 16 of the storage 1) detects that a common denomination of bar metal coins has been taken out from the bar storage 1 When the coins of the common denomination are not inserted into the coin processing device 3, it can be determined that the possibility that the coins of the denomination will be replenished immediately is low. Therefore, in such a case, by canceling the replenishment mode and satisfying the above condition (D), the control unit 36 as a replenishment notification means is exceptionally notified of a bar replenishment request. Yes.

[Modification]
(1) Although the case where the bar metal storage 1 and the coin processing device 3 are integrally formed adjacent to each other has been described, the bar metal storage 1 and the coin processing device 3 are not necessarily integrated with each other. It does not have to be configured. That is, if the bar metal storage 1 and the coin processing device 3 are arranged at least in the vicinity of each other, there is an advantage that replenishment of coins from the bar metal storage 1 to the coin processing device 3 can be performed immediately. .

(2) In the metal bar storage 1, each drawer 11, 12, 13 can be pulled out between the pushing position (FIG. 4 (a)) and the drawing position (FIG. 4 (e)) with respect to the main body 1a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, when the lock means is configured to operate at the closed position of each drawer 11, 12, 13 (FIG. 4B), each drawer 11, 12, 13 is in the closed position (FIG. 4). It is sufficient that the drawer can be freely drawn between (b)) and the drawing position.

(3) Although the case where the lock means (FIG. 6) operates based on the outputs of the optical sensors S31, S32, S33 in the bar storage 1 has been described, electrical detection other than the optical type, or mechanical You may make it operate | move based on a detection.

(4) Although the case where each pinion P is fixed to the input shaft e1 of the rotary encoder E in the bar storage 1 has been described, as long as each pinion P rotates in conjunction with the input shaft e1, It does not have to be fixed. For example, another gear or shaft may be interposed between each pinion P and the input shaft e1.

(5) In the bar storage 1, when the perforated coin is not included in the bar metal coin to be handled, or the difference in the diameter of the bar metal coin between the denominations is sufficiently large, only the output of the bar metal diameter sensor S 1 If the denomination can be sufficiently determined, the bar metal hole sensors S21, S22, S23 may be omitted.

(6) Although the case where the control terminal device 5 has a function as the above-described replenishment mode activation unit has been described, instead of this, or in addition to this, the coin processing device 3 has a function as a replenishment mode activation unit. You may do it. For example, the coin processing device 3 may be provided with a declaration input means for inputting a replenishment declaration for starting the replenishment mode (for example, a replenishment declaration key or the like arranged on the display / operation unit 3b).

(7) Although the case where the control unit 36 of the coin processing device 3 has the functions as the replenishment notification unit and the replenishment mode automatic release unit has been described, instead of this, the control unit 50 of the control terminal device 5 You may comprise so that it may have a function. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and the functions of each control unit 16, 36, 50 can be arbitrarily replaced or shared.

The block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the coin replenishment management system by this invention. The perspective view which shows the bar metal storage and coin processing apparatus of the system shown in FIG. The (a) upper side perspective view and (b) lower side perspective view which show the internal structure of the bar metal storage shown in FIG. The displacement of one bar drawer in the bar storage shown in FIG. 2 is expressed as (a) push-in position, (b) closed position, (c) detection start / end position, (d) detection end / start position, (e ) The schematic diagram shown in each position of the drawer position. The side view which shows typically the relationship between each metal-bar drawer and the displacement detection means in the metal-bar storage shown in FIG. The top view which shows the relationship between one bar metal drawer and the corresponding locking means in the bar metal storage shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the control system of the bar metal storage shown in FIG. The figure which shows the example of the output signal of the encoder and sensor shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Bar metal storage 1a Body 1b Display panel (drawer display means)
1c Front panel 11, 12, 13 Bar metal drawer 14 Bar metal storage part 15 Translucent part 16 Control unit (bar metal quantity detection means / lock control means)
17 Lock plate (locking means)
19 Shading plate 20 Lock arm (locking means)
23 Return spring (locking means)
26 Slide member 27 Biasing spring E Rotary encoder (displacement detection means)
e1 Input shaft R Rack (displacement detection means)
P pinion (displacement detection means)
S1 Bar diameter sensor S21, S22, S23 Bar hole sensor S31, S32, S33 Push-in sensor D1, D2, D3 Driving device (locking means)
3 Coin Processing Device 3a Housing 3b Display / Operation Unit (Declaration Input Unit / Notification Unit)
30 slot 31 identification means 32 sorting means 33 coin storage part 34 payout opening 35 return slot 36 control unit (coin quantity detection means / return control means / replenishment notification means / replenishment mode automatic release means))
5 Control terminal device 50 Control unit

Claims (5)

A bar storage that can store multiple types of bar metal coins;
A coin processing device that is disposed in the vicinity of the bar storage and is connected to the bar storage;
Replenishment that activates a replenishment mode for replenishing the coin processor with loose coins obtained by unwrapping the bar metal coins taken out of the bar stock reservoir in the bar stocker and the coin processor. Mode activation means;
With
The bar metal storage has bar metal quantity detection means for detecting the quantity of the type of bar metal coins stored therein,
The coin processing device is:
A slot into which rose coins are inserted;
An identification means for identifying the denomination of the rose coin inserted into the slot;
Sorting means for sorting the rose coins identified by the identifying means for each denomination;
A coin storage section for storing the rose coins selected by the selection means in denominations;
Coin quantity detection means for detecting the amount of denominations of rose coins stored in the coin storage unit;
Have
A replenishment notification means for notifying a staff member of a replenishment request of a metal bar of a specific denomination to replenish the bar stock storage.
(A) There is a coin deficient denomination that is a denomination whose quantity detected by the coin quantity detecting means is below a predetermined reference coin quantity,
(B) There is a bar-deficient denomination that is a denomination whose quantity detected by the bar-bar quantity detecting means is below a predetermined reference bar quantity,
(C) there is a common denomination common to the coin-deficient denomination and the bar-deficient denomination, and
(D) the replenishment mode is not activated;
A coin replenishment management system further comprising replenishment notification means for notifying the bar replenishment request for the common denomination only in the case.   2. The coin replenishment management system according to claim 1, wherein the reference bar quantity of (b) is one.   3. The coin replenishment according to claim 1, further comprising a control terminal device that is connected to the coin processing device and that issues a replenishment command for activating the replenishment mode. Management system.   The declaration input means which inputs the replenishment declaration for starting the said replenishment mode is provided in the said coin processing apparatus as the said replenishment mode starting means, The coin processing apparatus of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Coin replenishment management system.   In a state where the replenishment mode is activated, a time when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the detection of the bar quantity detecting means that the bar metal coin of the common denomination has been taken out from the bar metal storage The replenishment mode automatic canceling unit for canceling the replenishment mode at that time when the identifying unit has not identified that the coin of the common denomination has been inserted into the coin processing device. The coin replenishment management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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