JP2009087292A - Medium-processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medium-processing device capable of improving operability by restraining the conditions that a user, specifically an old person and a visually challenged feels uneasy about the movements of the hand and fingers at operation. <P>SOLUTION: A ticket vending machine 1 detects the distance between a medium discharge port for discharging a medium, such as a card, paper money, coin, and ticket and the hand and fingers of the user. The ticket vending machine 1 changes the guide sound outputted from a voice output section 9, in response to the distance between the medium discharge port detected and the hand and fingers of the user. Accordingly, the user can recognize whether the moving direction of own hand and fingers is proper, according to the guide sound outputted from the voice output section 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus that discharges a medium to a user in transaction processing performed by a user's operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are devices such as a ticket vending machine, a checkout machine, and an ATM that process transactions by a user's operation. The ticket vending machine here is a device that issues tickets such as tickets used for the use of railways, admission tickets used for admission to facilities such as amusement parks, etc. It is a device that performs payment of a fare and a parking fee at a parking lot, and an ATM is a device that processes a deposit / withdrawal transaction for a bank account. In these devices, it has been proposed to guide the user of the position of the operation unit to be operated next so that even an elderly person or a low-sighted person can easily handle transactions and the like (see Patent Document 1). .

This patent document 1 uses the sensor to detect the position of the user's finger and uses the movement direction of the finger based on the detected position of the user's finger and the position of the operation unit to be operated next. Has proposed a configuration for outputting a message to guide the user. For example, when the operation unit to be operated next is diagonally upper right of the detected finger position of the user, a voice message such as “The operation unit to be operated next is diagonally right” is output.
Japanese Patent No. 2728493

  However, the configuration proposed in Patent Document 1 guides in which direction the operation unit to be operated next to the user is in the direction with respect to the position of the user's finger at that time. It was only. For this reason, the user can recognize which direction the finger should move, but cannot recognize how much the finger moves to reach the operation unit to be operated next. As a result, in the conventional configuration, whether the user who has started moving the finger in the guided direction is actually moving the finger until the user touches the operation unit to be operated next is already present. There was a case where anxiety such as whether or not a finger was moved to a position past the operation unit to be operated next was felt. And a user cannot perform operation smoothly by feeling such anxiety. That is, in Patent Document 1, no particular consideration is given to a decrease in operability due to the user feeling uneasy.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the operability by suppressing a situation in which a user, in particular an elderly person or a weakly-sighted person, feels anxiety about the movement of fingers during operation and becomes unable to perform a smooth operation. To provide an apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the medium processing apparatus of the present invention is configured as follows.

  The medium discharge unit discharges the medium to the medium discharge port, and the extraction detection unit detects the extraction of the medium discharged to the medium discharge port by the medium discharge unit. Further, the position detection means detects the position of the user's finger with respect to the medium discharge port by a sensor having a detection area around the medium discharge port that discharges the medium. The guide sound output means outputs a guide sound after the medium discharge means discharges the medium to the medium discharge port until the extraction detection means detects the extraction of the medium discharged. Further, the guide sound control means changes the guide sound output by the guide sound output means according to the position of the user's finger with respect to the medium discharge port detected by the position detection means. For example, the time interval for outputting a beep sound (hereinafter referred to as a beep sound output cycle) is shortened as the user's finger approaches the medium discharge port, and conversely, the user's finger is the medium. Increase the distance from the outlet. Accordingly, the user can recognize the moving direction of the finger and the distance between the finger and the released medium from the change in the dial tone. Therefore, even if the user is an elderly person or a weak-sighted person, in order to extract the medium discharged to the medium discharge port, after moving the finger, the direction in which the finger is actually moved is correct. In addition, it is possible to suppress anxiety such as whether or not the finger has been moved to a position past the medium discharge port from which the medium has been discharged, and operability can be improved.

  In addition, in a device having a plurality of medium discharge ports, the position detection unit and the sampling detection unit are provided for each medium discharge port, and the above-described beep sound control is performed for each medium discharge port, thereby moving the finger in the moving direction. Alternatively, the user may recognize the distance between the finger and the released medium.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a situation in which a user, in particular, an elderly person or a low vision person, feels anxiety about the movement of fingers during operation and becomes unable to perform a smooth operation, thereby improving operability.

  Hereinafter, a ticket vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a ticket vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of the ticket vending machine. The ticket vending machine 1 is a device that is installed near a ticket gate of a station and issues a ticket such as a ticket to a user. The ticket vending machine 1 includes a control unit 2, a display unit 3, an operation unit 4, a card processing unit 5, a banknote processing unit 6, a coin processing unit 7, a ticket issuing unit 8, and an audio output unit 9. I have. The control unit 2 controls the operation of each part of the main body. The display unit 3 controls screen display on the display 3a provided on the front surface of the main body. The display unit 3 displays an operation guidance screen for the user on the display 3a. The input unit 4 has two input devices, a touch panel 4a attached on the display screen of the display 3a and a key operation unit 4b having a numeric keypad. In the key operation unit 4b, each key is a Braille key in order to assist an input operation of a low vision person.

  The card processing unit 5 accepts a credit card for paying a transaction amount for issuing a ticket, a prepaid card for depositing (so-called charging), and the like. The card processing unit 5 takes in a card (for example, a credit card or a prepaid card) inserted by a user into the main body at a card insertion / release port 5a provided on the front surface of the main body. Also, the card data is read from the card and the card data is updated (written). The card processing unit 5 discharges the accepted card to the card insertion / release port 5a at the end of the transaction and returns it to the user.

  The card processing unit 5 includes a sensor 51 having a detection area around the card insertion / discharge port 5a. The distance between the user's finger located in the detection area and the card insertion / discharge port 5a is determined. It has the 1st position detection part 52 to detect. The card processing unit 5 inputs the distance between the user's finger and the card insertion / release port 5 a detected by the first position detection unit 52 to the control unit 2. The sensor 51 is a reflection type sensor, and the first position detection unit 52 is based on the elapsed time from the light emission timing at which the light emitting element emits light to the light reception timing at which the reflected light reflected by the user's finger is received by the light receiving element. The distance between the user's finger and the card insertion / release port 5a is detected. Further, the card processing unit 5 is provided with a card detection unit 53 that detects the presence or absence of a card in the card insertion / release port 5a with a sensor (not shown). This sensor may be, for example, a micro switch that is arranged so as to be turned on by being pressed by a card located at the card insertion / release port 5a, or a transmissive sensor that You may arrange | position the light-receiving part in the position which opposes on both sides of the card | curd located in the card insertion / release port 5a. Based on the processing state at that time, the card processing unit 5 determines whether the card is inserted or released from the card insertion / release port 5a. In short, when a card located at the card insertion / release port 5a is detected when no card is received, it is determined that the card is inserted. Further, when a card located at the card insertion / release port 5a is detected after the accepted card release process is started, it is determined that the card has been released. The card processing unit 5 determines that the released card has been removed by the user when the card released to the card insertion / release port 5a is not detected. The card processing unit 5 inputs the determination result about the card insertion and card removal at the card insertion / release port 5 a to the control unit 2.

  The banknote processing unit 6 accepts banknotes used for the settlement of the transaction amount for issuing a ticket and releases change banknotes to be passed to the user. The banknote processing unit 6 is a banknote discriminating section (not applicable) for discriminating, authenticating, or discriminating a banknote inserted by a user at a banknote insertion / discharge port 6a provided on the front of the main body or a change banknote discharged to the user. (Shown). Moreover, the banknote process part 6 has the sensor 61 which makes the detection area the banknote insertion / discharge port 5a periphery similarly to the card | curd process part 5 mentioned above, a user's finger located in this detection area, and a banknote A second position detector 62 that detects the distance from the insertion / release port 6a is provided. The banknote processing unit 6 inputs the distance between the user's finger and the banknote insertion / discharge port 6 a detected by the second position detection unit 62 to the control unit 2. The sensor 61 is a reflective sensor, similar to the sensor 51 of the card processing unit 5 described above, and the second position detection unit 62 reflects the reflected light reflected by the user's finger from the light emission timing at which the light emitting element emits light. The distance between the user's finger and the bill insertion / discharge port 6a is detected based on the elapsed time until the light receiving timing at which the light receiving element receives the light. Furthermore, the banknote processing unit 6 is provided with a banknote detection unit 63 that detects the presence or absence of banknotes at the banknote insertion / discharge port 6a with a sensor (not shown). For this sensor, for example, a microswitch or a transmissive sensor may be used as in the card processing unit 5. Similarly to the card processing unit 5, the banknote processing unit 6 also inputs the determination results regarding the insertion of banknotes and the withdrawal of banknotes into the control unit 2.

  The coin processing unit 7 receives a coin (a coin used for the settlement of the transaction amount required for issuing a ticket) inserted by a user at a coin slot 7a provided on the front surface of the main body. Moreover, a coin (a change coin) is discharged to the user from a coin discharge port 7b provided on the front surface of the main body. The coins discharged from the coin discharge port 7b are collected in the coin tray 7c. The coin processing unit 7 has a coin discriminating unit (not shown) that discriminates denominations, authenticity, and the like with respect to coins inserted at a coin insertion port 7a provided on the front surface of the main body and coins discharged from the coin discharge port 7b. ing. Moreover, the banknote process part 6 has the sensor 71 which makes the periphery of the coin tray 7c a detection area similarly to the card | curd process part 5 and the banknote process part 6 mentioned above, and a user's finger located in this detection area and And a third position detector 72 for detecting the distance from the coin tray 7c. The coin processing unit 7 inputs the distance between the user's finger and the coin tray 7 c detected by the third position detection unit 72 to the control unit 2. Similarly to the sensors 51 and 61, the sensor 71 is also a reflection type sensor. The third position detection unit 72 uses the light receiving element to reflect the reflected light reflected by the user's finger from the light emission timing at which the light emitting element emits light. The distance between the user's finger and the coin tray 7c is detected based on the elapsed time until the light reception timing for receiving light. Furthermore, the coin processing unit 7 includes a coin detection unit 73 that detects the withdrawal of coins accumulated in the coin tray 7c. The coin detector 73 has a weight sensor (not shown) for measuring the weight of the coin tray 7c, and the coin tray 7c has a coin based on the weight of the coin tray 7c measured by the weight sensor. It is detected whether or not the discharged coin is extracted. The coin processing unit 7 inputs to the control unit 2 whether or not the coins discharged to the coin tray 7c have been extracted.

  The ticket issuing unit 8 discharges the ticket of the section selected by the user to the ticket issuing port 8a provided on the front surface of the main body. In addition, the ticket issuing unit 8 has a sensor 81 having a detection area in the vicinity of the ticket opening 8a as in the case of the card processing unit 5 and the like described above, and the user's fingers located in the detection area, the ticket opening 8a, And a fourth position detecting unit 82 for detecting the distance of. The ticket issuing unit 8 inputs the distance between the user's finger and the ticket issuing port 8a detected by the fourth position detection unit 82 to the control unit 2. The sensor 81 is a reflection type sensor, similar to the sensors 51, 61, 71 of the card processing unit 5 and the like described above, and the fourth position detection unit 82 is based on the light emission timing at which the light emitting element emits light. The distance between the user's finger and the ticketing opening 8a is detected based on the elapsed time until the light receiving timing at which the reflected light reflected by the light receiving element is received by the light receiving element. Further, the ticket issuing unit 8 is provided with a ticket detecting unit 83 for detecting the presence or absence of a ticket at the ticket issuing port 8a with a sensor (not shown). For example, a microswitch or a transmissive sensor may be used as this sensor, similarly to the card processing unit 5 and the banknote processing unit 6. Similarly to the card processing unit 5 and the banknote processing unit 6, the ticket issuing unit 8 also inputs to the control unit 2 the determination result regarding the withdrawal of the ticket at the ticketing port 8 a.

  The first to fourth position detectors 52, 62, 72, and 82 have user fingers, a card insertion / discharge port 5a, a bill insertion / discharge port 6a, a coin tray 7c, and a ticketing port 8a, respectively. It is good also as a structure which detects not only the distance of this, but the direction where a user's finger | toe is located with respect to the card insertion / discharge port 5a, the banknote insertion / discharge port 6a, the coin tray 7c, and the ticketing port 8a. In this case, the light output from the sensors 51, 61, 71, 81 is scanned in the detection area, and the direction in which the user's finger is located is detected as the scanning direction when the reflected light is obtained. do it. The first to fourth position detectors 52, 62, 72, and 82 process captured images around the card insertion / discharge port 5a, the bill insertion / discharge port 6a, the coin tray 7c, and the ticketing port 8a, respectively. The relative positional relationship between the user's fingers and the card insertion / discharge port 5a, bill insertion / discharge port 6a, coin tray 7c, and ticketing port 8a may be obtained. In this case, image sensors may be used as the sensors 51, 61, 71, 81.

  The voice output unit 9 outputs a guidance sound for the user. The control unit 2 instructs the audio output unit 9 to set a time interval for outputting a guidance sound (for example, a “beep” sound). The control unit 2 includes the user's fingers detected by the first to fourth position detection units 52, 62, 72, and 82, the card insertion / discharge port 5a, the bill insertion / discharge port 6a, the coin tray 7c, The time interval for outputting the guidance sound is determined based on the distance from the ticketing outlet 8a. The control unit 2 is a target port through which a user removes a medium (card, bill, coin, ticket) from any one of a card insertion / discharge port 5a, a bill insertion / discharge port 6a, a coin tray 7c, and a ticketing port 8a. In accordance with the distance between the set target mouth and the user's finger, the time interval for outputting the guidance sound to be instructed to the voice output unit 9 is determined. Here, as the distance between the target mouth and the user's finger becomes shorter, the control unit 2 shortens the time interval for outputting the guidance sound instructed to the voice output unit 9. In this case, as the guidance sound output interval becomes shorter, the user can recognize that his / her finger is approaching the set target mouth, and conversely, the guide sound output interval becomes longer. As a result, it can be recognized that his / her fingers are away from the set target mouth. That is, the user can recognize whether or not the direction in which his / her finger is moved is correct by the guidance sound. For example, as the guide sound changes as "Peep, Beep, Beep ...", "Beep, Beep, Beep ...", "Pi, Beep, ..." It can be recognized that the finger is approaching the set target mouth, and conversely, “pi, pi, pi ...”, “pi, pi, pi, ...”, “pi, pi, pi ... "", It can be recognized that his / her fingers are moving away from the set target mouth.

  In addition, the control unit 2 restricts the output of the guide sound when the first to fourth position detection units 52, 62, 72, and 82 corresponding to the set target mouth are not detected. Therefore, the voice output unit 9 is not instructed to output the guidance sound. That is, the voice output unit 9 does not output a guide sound when the first to fourth position detection units 52, 62, 72, and 82 corresponding to the set target mouth are not detected. In addition, the control unit 2 uses the user's finger to the voice output unit 9 for the card insertion / discharge port 5a, the bill insertion / discharge port 6a, the coin tray 7c, and the ticketing port 8a that are not set as target ports. The time interval for outputting the guidance sound according to the distance is not specified. That is, a guidance sound according to the distance between the card insertion / discharge port 5a, the bill insertion / discharge port 6a, the coin tray 7c, the ticketing port 8a and the user's fingers not set as the target port is generated by the voice output unit 9 Will not be output.

  Next, the operation of the ticket vending machine 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing ticket issuing processing in a ticket vending machine. When the user inserts (or inserts) any one of a card, a bill, and a coin (s1), the ticket vending machine 1 accepts the inserted medium (s2). For example, when the user inserts a card into the card insertion / release port 5a, the card inserted in the card processing unit 5 is taken in and the card data recorded on the card is read. Moreover, when a user inserts a banknote into the banknote insertion / discharge port 6a, the banknote inserted in the banknote process part 6 is taken in, and a money type and authenticity are discriminated about the banknote. The banknote processing unit 6 discharges the banknote whose denomination or authenticity cannot be identified to the banknote insertion / discharge port 6a. When the user inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 7a, the coin processing unit 7 discriminates the denomination and authenticity of the coin. The coin processing unit 7 releases coins whose denomination or authenticity cannot be identified from the coin discharge port 7b. It discharges to the bill insertion / discharge port 6a.

  The ticket vending machine 1 waits for the purchaseable ticket to be selected by the medium (card, bill, coin) received in s2 (s3). The ticket vending machine 1 performs the processes related to s1 and s2 until accepting the selection of the ticket at s3. When a ticket is selected in s3, the ticket vending machine 1 uses the value of the selected ticket as a transaction amount, and performs a settlement process to settle the transaction related to the issue of the ticket (s4). In s4, the transaction amount is settled by the medium accepted in s2. For example, if a credit card is accepted at s2, a transaction authentication process for a known credit transaction is performed to determine whether the transaction is possible. Further, if banknotes and coins are received, an amount obtained by subtracting the transaction amount from the total amount of the accepted banknotes and coins is calculated as a change amount. When the checkout process for s4 is completed, the ticket vending machine 1 confirms the medium to be released to the user (s5). In s5, if a card is received in s2, the card is confirmed as a medium to be released. Moreover, if a bill is included in the change released to the user, it is confirmed as a medium from which the bill is released. Moreover, if the change discharged | emitted with respect to a user contains a coin, it will confirm as a medium which discharge | releases a coin. Furthermore, in s5, it confirms as a medium which discharges the ticket issued this time.

  The ticket vending machine 1 releases the medium for each medium that is confirmed in s5 (s6). If the ticket vending machine 1 is confirmed as the medium from which the card is discharged in s6, the card processing unit 5 discharges the card received in s2 to the card insertion / release port 5a. Moreover, if it is confirmed by s6 as a medium which a banknote discharge | releases, the banknote process part 6 will discharge | release the banknote which discharge | releases as a change to the banknote insertion / discharge port 6a. Moreover, if it is confirmed by s6 as a medium which a coin discharge | releases, the coin processing part 7 will discharge | release the coin which discharge | releases as a change from the coin discharge port 7b. Further, the ticket issuing unit 8 discharges the ticket issued this time to the ticket opening 8a. In the card processing unit 5, the banknote processing unit 6, the coin processing unit 7, and the ticket issuing unit 8, the processing for discharging the medium of s6 is started almost simultaneously. However, depending on the processing time for discharging the medium in each unit, There is a gap in the timing at which the medium is released.

  Needless to say, the medium that has not been confirmed to be released in s5 is not released in s6.

  In the control unit 2, the ticket vending machine 1 confirms the presence / absence of a medium in the card insertion / discharge port 5a, the bill insertion / discharge port 6a, the coin tray 7c, and the ticketing port 8a (s7). As described above, the card processing unit 5 inputs the presence / absence of a card at the card insertion / discharge port 5a to the control unit 2, and the banknote processing unit 6 determines the presence / absence of a banknote at the bill insertion / discharge port 6a to the control unit 2. The coin processing unit 7 inputs the presence / absence of coins accumulated in the coin tray 7c to the control unit 2, and the ticket issuing unit 8 inputs the presence / absence of a ticket at the ticketing slot 8a to the control unit 2. . In the control unit 2, the user inserts one of the card insertion / discharge port 5 a, the bill insertion / discharge port 6 a, the coin tray 7 c, and the ticketing port 8 a that have been confirmed to have a medium into the medium (card , Bills, coins, and tickets) are set as target openings (s8). At s8, the user's finger is the closest at this time among the card insertion / discharge port 5a, bill insertion / discharge port 6a, coin tray 7c, and ticketing port 8a confirmed to have a medium at s7. Is set as the target mouth. The first to fourth position detectors 52, 62, 72, 82 are respectively a card insertion / release port 5a, a bill insertion / discharge port 6a, a coin tray 7c, a ticketing port 8a, and a user's finger. The distance is input to the control unit 2. The control unit 2 sets the target mouth based on the distance from the user's fingers input from the first to fourth position detection units 52, 62, 72, and 82. In the above description, the closest discharge port is set as the target port. However, the target port may be set based on a preset guidance order.

  Based on the distance between the target mouth set at s8 and the user's finger, the control unit 2 outputs a time interval for outputting the guidance sound to be instructed to the audio output unit 9 based on the distance between the target mouth set at s8 and the user's finger. It is determined (s9), and the voice output unit 9 is instructed to output the guidance sound at the time interval determined here (s10). Thereby, a guidance sound is output from the audio output unit 9 at a time interval corresponding to the distance between the target mouth set in s8 and the user's finger. At this time, the control unit 2 provides the user with respect to the voice output unit 9 for the card insertion / discharge port 5a, the bill insertion / discharge port 6a, the coin tray 7c, and the ticketing port 8a that are not set as target ports. The time interval for outputting the guidance sound according to the distance from the finger is not indicated.

  Until the ticket vending machine 1 detects that the medium discharged to the target port set in s8 has been extracted (s11), that is, until it is detected that there is no medium in the target port, the processing according to s9 and s10 repeat. When the control unit 2 repeats the processes related to s9 and s10, the first to fourth position detection units 52, 62, 72, and 82 corresponding to the set target mouth are no longer detected. And limit the output of the guide sound. Specifically, the output instruction of the guidance sound to the voice output unit 9 is stopped. For this reason, the voice output unit 9 does not output a guidance sound when the user's finger is not detected in the first to fourth position detection units 52, 62, 72, and 82 corresponding to the set target mouth. .

  Thus, the time interval of the guidance sound output from the voice output unit 9 changes according to the movement of the user's finger. As described above, the control unit 2 shortens the time interval for outputting the guidance sound instructed to the voice output unit 9 as the distance between the target mouth and the user's finger becomes shorter. Therefore, the user can recognize that his / her finger is approaching the set target mouth as the guide sound output interval becomes shorter, and conversely, as the guide sound output interval becomes longer. The user can recognize that his / her finger is away from the set target mouth. That is, the user can recognize whether or not the direction in which his / her finger is moved is correct by the guidance sound output from the audio output unit 9. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uneasy about whether the direction in which his / her finger is moved or whether the user has moved his / her finger to a position past the medium discharge port from which the medium has been discharged. Therefore, the operability can be improved.

  When the medium discharged to the target port set in s8 is extracted, the ticket vending machine 1 instructs the audio output unit 9 to stop outputting the guidance sound (s12), and whether the user has extracted all the media. Determine (s13). If it is determined that there is a medium that has not been extracted in s13, the ticket vending machine 1 returns to s8 and repeats the above-described processing. If the ticket vending machine 12 determines that all the media have been removed in s13, the process ends.

  Moreover, in the ticket vending machine 1 of the said embodiment, although it was set as the structure which always outputs a guidance sound from the audio | voice output part 9 at the time of issuing of a ticket, you may add s15 shown in FIG. In the ticket vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 4, after performing the medium release process in s6 described above, in s15 added, whether an input operation for selecting a ticket has been performed on the touch panel 4a or a numeric keypad of the key operation unit 4b. It is determined. Many people with low vision are inconvenient to perform input operations on the touch panel 4a, and therefore perform input operations using the numeric keypad of the key operation unit 4b. On the other hand, many healthy persons perform input operation with the touch panel 4a. In the case of a healthy person, since it is less necessary to guide the medium discharge port from which the medium has been discharged with a guide sound, when it is determined in s15 that the operation has been performed with the numeric keypad of the key operation unit 4b, the above-described s7 to If the process of s13 is performed and it is determined that the process is performed on the touch panel, the process may be terminated.

  In the above embodiment, the release process for the medium to be released in s6 is started at the same time. However, the release process may be performed in a predetermined order. In this case, when the medium released earlier is extracted, the next medium may be released. For example, when the order of discharge is set in the order of banknotes, coins, cards, and tickets, the processes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be performed. In FIG. 5, the same processes as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same step numbers.

  This ticket vending machine 1 will determine whether there exists a banknote in the medium discharge | released with respect to a user, if the process concerning s1-s5 mentioned above is performed (s21). If there is no banknote in the medium released to the user, the process proceeds to s28 described later. The ticket vending machine 1 executes a banknote discharge process in the banknote processing unit 6 when there is a banknote in the medium to be released to the user (s22), and the target port from which the user removes the medium from the banknote insertion / discharge port 6a. (S23). Based on the distance between the bill insertion / discharge port 6a and the user's finger, which is input at this time, the control unit 2 sets the time interval for outputting the guidance sound to be instructed to the voice output unit 9. It is determined (s24), and the voice output unit 9 is instructed to output the guidance sound at the time interval determined here (s25). At this time, if the user's finger is not detected in the second position detection unit 62, the control unit 2 sends a guidance sound according to the distance from the user's finger to the audio output unit 9. Do not specify the output time interval. Thereby, a guidance sound is output from the voice output unit 9 at a time interval corresponding to the distance between the bill insertion / discharge port 6a that has released the bill this time and the user's finger. The ticket vending machine 1 repeats the processes relating to s24 and s25 until it is detected that the banknotes discharged to the banknote insertion / discharge port 6a have been extracted (s26). The control unit 2 also restricts the output of the guidance sound when the second position detection unit 62 stops detecting the user's finger when the processing relating to s24 and s25 is repeated.

  When the ticket vending machine 1 detects that the banknote has been extracted at s26, it instructs the voice output unit 9 to stop outputting the guidance sound (s27) and determines whether the user has coins in the medium to be discharged. Determination is made (s28). If there is no coin in the medium released to the user, the process proceeds to s35 described later. When there is a coin in the medium to be released to the user, the ticket vending machine 1 executes a coin release process in the coin processing unit 7 (s29), and sets the coin tray 7c as a target opening from which the user removes the medium. (S30). Based on the distance between the coin tray 7c and the user's finger input at this time, the control unit 2 determines the time interval for outputting the guidance sound to be instructed to the voice output unit 9 ( In step s31, the voice output unit 9 is instructed to output a guide sound at the time interval determined here (s32). At this time, if the user's finger is not detected in the third position detection unit 72, the control unit 2 sends a guidance sound according to the distance from the user's finger to the audio output unit 9. Do not specify the output time interval. Thereby, a guidance sound is output from the audio output unit 9 at a time interval corresponding to the distance between the coin tray 7c that has released the coin this time and the user's finger. The ticket vending machine 1 repeats the processes relating to s31 and s32 until it is detected that the coins discharged to the coin tray 7c have been extracted (s33). Further, the control unit 2 restricts the output of the guidance sound when the third position detection unit 72 stops detecting the user's finger when the processes related to s31 and s32 are repeated.

  When the ticket vending machine 1 detects that the coin has been extracted in s32, the ticket vending machine 1 instructs the audio output unit 9 to stop outputting the guidance sound (s34), and determines whether there is a card in the medium to be released to the user. Determine (s35). If there is no card in the medium to be released to the user, the process proceeds to s42 described later. When there is a card in the medium to be discharged to the user, the ticket vending machine 1 executes a card discharge process in the card processing unit 5 (s36), and the target port from which the user removes the medium from the card insertion / discharge port 5a. (S37). Based on the distance between the card insertion / release port 5a and the user's finger inputted at this time, the control unit 2 sets a time interval for outputting a guidance sound to be instructed to the audio output unit 9. It is determined (s38), and the voice output unit 9 is instructed to output the guidance sound at the time interval determined here (s39). At this time, if the first position detection unit 52 does not detect the user's finger, the control unit 2 sends a guidance sound according to the distance from the user's finger to the audio output unit 9. Do not specify the output time interval. Thereby, a guidance sound is output from the audio output unit 9 at a time interval corresponding to the distance between the card insertion / release port 5a that has released the card this time and the user's finger. The ticket vending machine 1 repeats the processes relating to s38 and s39 until it is detected that the coins discharged to the coin tray 7c have been extracted (s40). Further, the control unit 2 restricts the output of the guidance sound even when the first position detection unit 52 stops detecting the user's finger when the processing relating to s38 and s39 is repeated.

  When the ticket vending machine 1 detects that the card has been removed in s40, it instructs the voice output unit 9 to stop outputting the guidance sound (s41), and the ticket issuing unit 8 executes the ticket issuing process (s42). The ticket vending machine 1 sets the ticket issuing port 8a as a target port from which the user removes the medium (s43). The control unit 2 determines a time interval for outputting the guidance sound to be instructed to the voice output unit 9 based on the distance between the ticketing opening 8a and the user's finger inputted at this time ( In step s44, the voice output unit 9 is instructed to output a guide sound at the time interval determined here (s45). At this time, if the user's finger is not detected in the fourth position detection unit 82, the control unit 2 sends a guidance sound according to the distance from the user's finger to the audio output unit 9. Do not specify the output time interval. Thereby, a guidance sound is output from the voice output unit 9 at a time interval corresponding to the distance between the ticketing outlet 8a that has released the ticket this time and the user's finger. The ticket vending machine 1 repeats the processes related to s44 and s45 until it is detected that the coins discharged to the coin tray 7c have been extracted (s46). The control unit 2 also restricts the output of the guide sound when the fourth position detection unit 82 stops detecting the user's fingers when the processes related to s44 and s45 are repeated. When the ticket vending machine 1 detects that the ticket has been removed in s46, it instructs the voice output unit 9 to stop outputting the guidance sound (s47), and ends this process.

  As described above, the ticket vending machine 1 also recognizes whether or not the direction in which the user moves his / her finger is correct by the guidance sound output from the audio output unit 9, as with the above-described ticket vending machine 1. can do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uneasy about whether the direction in which his / her finger is moved or whether the user has moved his / her finger to a position past the medium discharge port from which the medium has been discharged. Therefore, the operability can be improved. Moreover, since the medium is discharged one by one, the user is not hurt.

  Also, after s5, when s15 shown in FIG. 4 is executed and it is determined that the operation is performed with the numeric keypad of the key operation unit 4b, the above-described processing of s21 to s47 is performed, and conversely, it is determined that the operation is performed using the touch panel. In such a case, the processing according to s6 described above may be executed to end this processing.

  In addition, guidance to the target mouth for the user may be performed by a voice message such as “Please move to the right a little more” or “Please extend straight ahead.” Further, in this case, a guidance message is created based on the distance between the user's finger detected by the first to fourth position detectors 52, 62, 72, and 82 and each outlet. do it.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when a user's finger is not detected in the 1st-4th position detection part 52, 62, 72, 82 corresponding to the set object opening | mouth, the guidance sound in the audio | voice output part 9 is used. If the user's fingers are detected by the first to fourth position detectors 52, 62, 72, 82 corresponding to the respective outlets that are not set as target ports, The voice message created based on the detection result may be used to guide the user to the target mouth.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to the above-described ticket vending machine but also to other devices such as a payment machine and ATM.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of a ticket vending machine. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a ticket vending machine. It is a flowchart which shows the ticketing process of a ticket in a ticket machine. It is a flowchart which shows the ticketing process of the ticket in another ticket vending machine. It is a flowchart which shows the ticketing process of the ticket in another ticket vending machine. It is a flowchart which shows the ticketing process of the ticket in another ticket vending machine.

Explanation of symbols

1-ticket vending machine 2-control unit 3-display unit 4-operation unit 4a-touch panel 4b-tenkey 5-card processing unit 6-banknote processing unit 7-coin processing unit 8-ticket issuing unit 9-audio output unit 51, 61, 71, 81-sensor 52-first detection unit 53-card detection unit 62-second detection unit 63-banknote detection unit 72-third detection unit 73-coin detection unit 82-fourth detection unit 83- Ticket detector

Claims (6)

Position detecting means for detecting the position of the user's finger with respect to the medium discharge port by a sensor having a detection area around the medium discharge port for discharging the medium;
Medium discharge means for discharging the medium to the medium discharge port;
Sampling detection means for detecting extraction of the medium discharged by the medium discharge means to the medium discharge port;
A guide sound output means for outputting a guide sound after the medium discharge means discharges the medium to the medium discharge port until the extraction detection means detects the extraction of the medium;
And a guide sound control means for changing a guide sound output by the guide sound output means in accordance with a position of a user's finger relative to the medium discharge port detected by the position detection means. A plurality of medium discharge ports for discharging the medium;
A plurality of position detecting means provided for each of the plurality of medium discharge ports, wherein the position of the user's finger relative to the medium discharge port is detected by a sensor having a detection area around the corresponding medium discharge port;
A plurality of medium discharge means provided for each of the plurality of medium discharge ports, for discharging the medium to a corresponding medium discharge port;
A plurality of sampling detection means provided for each of the plurality of medium discharge ports, wherein the medium discharge means detects the extraction of the medium discharged to the corresponding medium discharge port;
From any one of the medium discharge means discharging the medium to the corresponding medium discharge port, the guide sound is emitted until the extraction detection unit corresponding to the medium discharge port detects the discharge of the medium. Guidance sound output means for outputting;
The guide sound output means outputs in accordance with the position of the user's finger with respect to the medium discharge port detected by the position detection means provided for the medium discharge port from which the medium has not been extracted. A medium processing apparatus comprising: guidance sound control means for changing the guidance sound.   The guide sound control means is configured such that when the position detection means provided at the medium discharge port from which the discharged medium is not extracted does not detect the position of the user's finger with respect to the medium discharge port, The medium processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the medium processing device is a unit that restricts the output of the guidance sound to the guidance sound output unit.   In the two or more medium discharge ports, the guide sound control means is configured such that when the discharged medium is not extracted, the user's finger is positioned most in the medium discharge port from which the medium is not extracted. 4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the guide sound output by the guide sound output unit is changed according to the position of a user's finger detected by the position detection unit for a near medium discharge port. 5. Media processing device. A plurality of medium discharge means, comprising: a discharge control means for controlling the order in which the medium is discharged to the corresponding medium discharge port based on a preset discharge order;
The discharge control means controls the other medium discharge means to discharge the medium to the medium discharge port after the medium discharge is detected by the corresponding extraction detection means at the medium discharge port from which the medium is discharged. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the medium processing apparatus is a means for performing the following. It has two input devices that accept input operations, and one input device comprises input operation accepting means configured with braille keys,
The said guidance sound control means is a means in which the said guidance sound output means is validated, when input operation is received in one input device comprised by the braille key. Media processing device.

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