JP2012128732A - Control method for coin processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the control method of a coin processor for quickly and surely ejecting coins as change to the last one from a coin tube.SOLUTION: Installed are an empty sensor 21 for determining whether or not the number of coins in a coin tube is available as change and a coin confirmation sensor 21 for detecting the presence/absence of a coin 7a pulled out of the coin tube by a payout slide 8 until the coin 7a reaches a coin ejection position, and it is detected that the coin 7a pulled out to the coin ejection position has dropped from the payout slide 8 by the coin confirmation sensor 21, and whether or not the number of coins in the coin tube is payable as change by using both or one of the output of the empty sensor and the output of the sensor which detects the presence/absence of the coin is determined by a control means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for controlling a coin processing device disposed in a device such as a vending machine, and in particular, effectively uses the coins accumulated in the coin tube of the coin processing device to the last one as change. The present invention relates to a method for controlling a coin processing device which can be paid out.

  In general, inside a vending machine, a coin processing device that determines whether a coin is true or not and pays out coins according to the amount of change is disposed.

  This coin processing device is roughly classified to determine whether the inserted coin is true or false, and to select a genuine / fake coin, a coin storage unit for accumulating and storing coins regarded as a genuine coin, and the inside of the coin storage unit And a coin dispensing unit that dispenses coins according to the amount of change.

  Among the constituent elements described above, the coin storage unit has a plurality of coin tubes that receive the respective coins that are sorted by the coin sorting unit and are regarded as genuine coins.

  The coin payout portion is disposed below the coin tube of the above-described coin storage portion, and is provided with a payout slide for pulling out coins one by one from the lower end of the coin tube, and below the payout slide, and is drawn out by the payout slide. It consists of a change slide that controls the falling and dispensing of coins.

  Further, in the conventional coin processing apparatus, for example, in order to prevent the occurrence of a change shortage when paying out change, and to pay out the coins stored in the coin tube to the last one as change, for example, Patent 4072844 As shown in the Japanese Patent No. 2, a coin confirmation sensor for detecting whether or not there is a coin in the payout slide when the payout slide is pulled out from the coin tube is disposed on the apparatus main body side.

  Further, what is disclosed in this Japanese Patent No. 4072844 further includes a storage means for storing the detection result of the sensor, and controls the payout slide and the change slide based on the storage of the storage means so that a desired coin can be stored. Each of the coins by operating the payout slide once without detecting the coins and detecting the presence or absence of coins in the payout slide before actually paying out the coins as change. Detect whether or not there is a coin in the tube, store the detection result, and if it is determined that there is a coin in the payout slide, pay out the last coin as change from the coin tube To be able to.

  In addition, when paying out coins when it is stored that there is a coin in the payout slide, the payout slide operates regardless of whether the sensor detects the coin when the coin is pulled out by the payout slide. As a result, it is assumed that the coin has been paid out, and a subtraction process is performed.

  According to the above-described conventional coin processing device, when detecting the presence or absence of coins in the coin tube, the payout slide is reciprocated once without paying out coins. It is necessary to reciprocate, and there is a possibility that the operation of paying out coins as change cannot be performed quickly.

  Also, when paying out coins, even if the coin does not fall for some reason and the coin returns to the lower end of the coin tube again, it is subtracted regardless of whether the sensor detects the coin withdrawn to the payout slide. Since processing is performed, there is a possibility that it is considered that coins are paid out even though coins are not paid out.

  A proposal for solving these problems described above is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-162817.

  In Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-162817, the coin that has been pulled out to the coin payout position has been dropped from the payout slide by detecting the pulled coin with a coin confirmation sensor, Based on the detection signal from the sensor, it is confirmed that coins have been paid out, and the presence / absence of coins and the confirmation of coin payout are performed while the payout slide makes one round trip.

  By the way, in the above-described coin processing device, a plurality of coin tubes are provided as in the conventional case, and an empty sensor for detecting whether or not the number of stored coin tubes is equal to or less than a certain number is arranged for each coin tube. It is installed.

  The arrangement of the empty sensor is for determining whether or not the number of coins in the coin tube is a number that can be used as change.

  The one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-162817 is able to detect one coin pulled out by a payout slide, but is the number of coins stored in a coin tube usable for one change payout? Whether or not it depends on the empty sensor.

Japanese Patent No. 4072844 Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-162817

  Therefore, the present invention provides a control method of a coin processing device that can effectively pay out coins as change from the inside of a coin tube to the last one using both an empty sensor and a coin confirmation sensor. For the purpose.

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, a plurality of coin tubes disposed in the apparatus main body, an empty sensor disposed in the coin tube, an initial position corresponding to the lower end position of the coin tube, and coins A payout slide that moves between coin payout positions corresponding to the payout position and pulls out coins one by one from the lower end of the coin tube, and selectively supports lower surface support and release of the coins drawn out by the payout slide. A change slide for controlling the payout and non-payout of the drawn coins, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the coins until the coins drawn by the payout slide reach the coin payout position, and the payout slide And control means for controlling the change slide to pay out a desired coin. A method of controlling a currency processing apparatus,
Based on the output of the empty sensor and the output of the sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the coin, it is determined whether or not the number of coins in the coin tube can be paid out as change, and that the coin has been paid out as change. Check whether or not the coin in the coin tube can be paid out as change, especially after the empty sensor is turned off. The output of the empty sensor and the presence or absence of the coin are detected. And / or output of the sensor to be used.

  According to the method for controlling a coin processing device of the present invention, the empty sensor output is used before and after the empty sensor is turned off by using either or either of the empty sensor output and the sensor output for detecting the presence or absence of the coin. Since it is determined whether or not later coins in the coin tube can be paid out as change, it is possible to effectively pay out coins as change from the coin tube up to the last one.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual sectional view of a principal part of a coin processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a fragmentary conceptual cross-sectional view showing a coin payout operation of a payout coin. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional conceptual view of a main part showing a coin payout operation of a non-payout coin. FIG. 5 is a fragmentary conceptual cross-sectional view showing a coin detection operation of a payout coin. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional conceptual view of a main part showing a drop payout of a payout coin. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional conceptual view of a main part showing a coin detection operation of non-payout coins. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a coin detection operation and a coin payout confirmation operation of a payout coin. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a coin detection operation for non-payout coins. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of change dispensing using the present invention. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of change payout when the number of empty sensors is reduced from FIG.

  Hereinafter, the control method of the coin processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual sectional view of a principal part showing a configuration of a coin processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention. In particular, a coin storage part 2 for accumulating and storing coins regarded as genuine coins, and the inside of the coin storage part 2 It shows conceptually a coin dispensing unit 3 that dispenses coins according to the amount of change.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the coin processing device 1 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the coin accommodating part 2 is detachably mounted with a coin accommodating part 2 composed of a plurality of coin tubes 5 prepared for each denomination on an apparatus main body 4 composed of a casing.

  A payout slide for pulling out coins 7 stored and accommodated in the coin tube 5 one by one between the lower end 5a of each coin tube 5 and the coin base 6 fixed below the coin tube 5. 8 is slidably supported. The payout slide 8 is formed with a coin receiving hole 8a for receiving only one coin 7 received in the coin tube 5.

  On the other hand, the coin payout portion 3 is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 4 and is rotated by a coin payout motor 30 shown in FIG. Payout link 10 that reciprocally slides in the direction, and each coin tube 5 on the bottom surface of the payout link 10, and selectively supports and releases the bottom surface of the coins drawn by the payout slide 8 to pay out coins. And a plurality of change slides 11 for controlling non-payout.

  At the rear end of each change slide 11, a payout coin selection solenoid 12 for controlling the drive of the change slide 11 is disposed, and the above-described coin payout motor 30 and the payout coin selection solenoid 12 are provided with a coin payout. It is controlled by the coin dispensing control unit 100 shown in FIG.

  The payout link 10 and the payout slide 8 are connected to each other when the coin receiving portion 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 4, and the payout slide 8 is connected to the payout cam 9 via the payout link 10. In conjunction with this, it is designed to slide back and forth in the horizontal direction of the drawing.

  Further, the coin 7 exists in the coin receiving hole 8a of the payout slide 8 drawn out at a position facing the payout slide 8 below the apparatus main body 4 and is in a state of being paid out. A coin confirmation sensor 21 for detecting that 7 is paid out is provided.

  Here, when the presence of the coin 7 in the coin receiving hole 8a is detected by the coin check sensor 21 or when it is paid out, the information is stored in the coin detection storage unit 101 of the coin payout control unit 100. .

Next, the coin dispensing operation of the above-described coin processing apparatus 1 will be described.
The coin dispensing operation from the coin processing apparatus 1 is performed when at least one type of coin is dispensed as change, and is controlled by the coin dispensing control unit 100 shown in FIG.

  In response to a command from the coin payout control unit 100, the payout cam 9 is rotated by the coin payout motor 30, and at the same time, the payout coin selection solenoid 12 corresponding to the coin tube 5 on which the coins 7 to be paid out are stacked is driven.

  When the payout cam 9 rotates, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the payout slide 8 moves to the right side of the drawing via the payout link 10 and simultaneously moves the coin 7a in the accommodation hole 8a to the coin payout position. At this time, the lowermost coins 7 a of the coins 7 stacked in each coin tube 5 are pulled out one by one from the plurality of coin tubes 5.

  The payout coin selection solenoid 12 corresponding to the coin tube 5 on which the payout coins are stacked is turned on in response to a command from the coin payout control unit 100, and as shown in FIG. 3, the payout coin selection solenoid 12 and the change slide 11 are turned on. Is disengaged. When the payout cam 9 rotates with the payout coin selection solenoid 12 turned on, the payout slide 8 moves to the right side of the drawing, and the change slide 11 also moves to the right side of the drawing via the payout link 10, so that the coin receiving hole The lower surface of the coin 7 in 8a is not supported by the change slide 11, so that the coin 7a falls downward and is paid out as a change coin.

  On the other hand, since the payout coin selection solenoid 12 corresponding to the coin tube 5 on which the non-payout coins are stacked is maintained OFF, as shown in FIG. 4, the payout cam 9 rotates and the payout slide 8 moves to the right side of the drawing. Even so, the change slide 11 is engaged with the payout coin selection solenoid 12 and maintains the initial state. For this reason, the change slide 11 advances to the lower surface of the coin receiving hole 8a, and the coin 7a accommodated therein is moved. Regulate fall.

  In this manner, in accordance with a command from the coin payout control unit 100, the payout coin selection solenoid 12 corresponding to the coin tube 5 on which the coins 7 to be paid out are stacked is driven, and the specific change slide 11 is moved together with the payout slide 8. By sliding, only coins of a specific denomination are paid out, and by further driving a plurality of payout coin selection solenoids 12 and sliding the change slide 11, a plurality of denominations can be obtained in a single payout operation. I try to pay out coins. The coin payout operation is repeated until the required number of coins is paid out.

Next, the coin detection operation and coin payout confirmation operation of the above-described coin processing apparatus 1 will be described, and the configuration will be described in more detail.
The coin processing device 1 performs a coin detection operation for a payout coin and a non-payout coin and a coin payout confirmation operation for a payout coin during a coin payout operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a coin detection operation and a coin dispensing confirmation operation performed during a change dispensing operation.
When paying out change, first, the coin payout control unit 100 shown in FIG. 2 determines a payout coin (step 1001).

  In the determination of the payout coin, the empty sensor 13 (see FIG. 1) recognizes the coin tube 5 from which the coin is detected, and includes the determination of the coin tube 5 to be paid out.

  The coin tube 5 is provided for each denomination, and the empty sensor 13 detects the coins stored when the number of coins stored in the coin tube 5 is equal to or larger than the predetermined number as described above. The coin tube 5 detecting the coin can recognize that the denomination and number of coins that can be paid out as change are stored, and can determine the coin tube to be paid out.

  As described above, when the change payout coin is determined, the coin payout control unit 100 controls the coin payout motor 30 to drive the payout cam 9 and turns on the payout coin selection solenoid 12 corresponding to the coin tube 5 to be paid out. The payout slide 8 and the change slide 11 corresponding to the coin tube 5 to be paid out are moved to the coin detection position as shown in FIG. 5 (step 1002).

When the coin receiving hole 8 a of the payout slide 8 passes below the coin confirmation sensor 21 and the coin 7 a in the coin receiving hole 8 a enters the region where the coin confirmation sensor 21 can detect, the coin confirmation sensor 21 is The coin 7a is detected (step 1003). This detection signal is transmitted to the coin payout control unit 100 shown in FIG. 2 and stored in the coin detection storage unit 101.
Further, the coin payout control unit 100 operates the payout slide 8 to the coin payout position as shown in FIG. 6 (step 1004).

The lower end of the coin 7a in the drawing is not supported by the coin base 6, so that the coin 7a falls downward. When the coin 7a moves away from the coin confirmation sensor 21, the coin confirmation sensor 21 detects the fall of the coin (step 1005). When the payout confirmation signal is transmitted to the coin payout control unit 100, the coin payout control unit 100 performs subtraction processing by assuming that the coin 7a has been paid out.
Thereafter, the coin payout motor 30 is controlled to move the payout slide 8 to the initial position shown in FIG. 1 (step 1006), and the coin payout operation is terminated.

On the other hand, FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the coin detection operation for non-payout coins performed during the change payout operation.
When paying out the change, first, like the payout coin, the coin payout control unit 100 shown in FIG. 2 determines the payout coin (step 1101), and controls the coin payout motor 30 to drive the payout cam 9. Then, the payout coin selection solenoid 12 corresponding to the coin tube 5 to be paid out is driven ON, and the payout slide 8 and the change slide 11 corresponding to the coin tube 5 to be paid out are operated.

  Here, since the payout coin selection solenoid 12 corresponding to the non-payout coin is controlled to be OFF, as shown in FIG. 7, the payout slide 8 is moved to the coin detection position while the change slide 11 is maintained at the initial position. (Step 1102).

  When the coin receiving hole 8 a of the payout slide 8 passes below the coin confirmation sensor 21 and the coin 7 a in the coin receiving hole 8 a enters the region where the coin confirmation sensor 21 can detect, the coin confirmation sensor 21 is The coin 7a is detected (step 1103). This detection signal is transmitted to the coin payout control unit 100 shown in FIG. 2 and stored in the coin detection storage unit 101.

Further, the coin payout control unit 100 operates the payout slide 8 to the coin payout position as shown in FIG. 4 (step 1104). At this time, the lower surface of the coin 7a is supported by the change slide 11, and its fall is regulated.
Thereafter, the coin payout motor 30 is controlled to move the payout slide 8 to the initial position shown in FIG. 1 (step 1106), and the coin payout operation is terminated.

  Note that the information that the coin of the denomination detected in step 1103 exists is still stored in the coin detection storage unit 101 in the coin dispensing control unit 100. Therefore, in the subsequent coin dispensing, One coin in the coin tube 5 can be used as change.

  Next, the payout operation performed for each coin tube as described above will be described as change payout from a plurality of coin tubes.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view when the coin storage portion of the coin processing device is viewed from the front, and is a conceptual diagram when paying out 880 yen change.
In addition, the empty sensor 13 and the coin confirmation sensor 21 shall be arrange | positioned at all the coin tubes 5. FIG.

  The state shown in FIG. 10 shows that coin coins containing 500 yen coins, 100 yen coins, 10 yen coins, and 50 yen coins each contain more than the number of coins that can be detected by the empty sensor 13. The tube is in a state where no coin is accommodated.

  In this state, it is assumed that up to three coins are paid out by one operation of the payout slide 11, and firstly, a total of three coins, one 500 yen coin, one 100 yen coin and one 10 yen coin, are paid out. The second time pays out a total of 3 coins: 1 100 yen coin, 1 10 yen coin, 1 50 yen coin, 3 times pays out a total of 2 coins: 1 100 yen coin and 1 10 yen coin Then, a total of 880 yen is paid out.

  That is, all coin tubes (51 to 55) in which the empty sensor 13 detects coins are coin tubes to be paid out, and coins moved by the payout slide 11 are detected by the coin confirmation sensor 21 and each payout subject is detected. As many coins as needed are paid out for each coin tube.

  If the payout in the case of FIG. 10 is continued, the empty sensor of the 100 yen storage tube and the empty sensor of the 10 yen storage tube are turned off earlier than the empty sensors of the other coin tubes, and the empty sensor is in a state of being out of change. Since it is known in advance how many coins are stored when it is turned off, and the number of coins to be paid out can be counted by the coin confirmation sensor, the coins as change from the coin tube can be effectively removed to the last one. Can be paid out.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view when the coin storage portion of the coin processing device is viewed from the front as in FIG. 10, but in the case of paying 880 yen change when there is no empty sensor in some coin tubes. It is a conceptual diagram.
In FIG. 11, two coin tubes without an empty sensor are a 50-yen coin storage tube and an auxiliary tube.

  In the state shown in FIG. 11, each coin tube containing 100-yen coins and 10-yen coins contains more than the number of coins that can be detected by the empty sensor 13. The accommodated coin tubes (51, 54) contain a number of coins less than or equal to the number that can be detected by the empty sensor 13, and the auxiliary tube 55 contains no coins.

  In this state, as in the case of FIG. 10, it is assumed that up to three coins are paid out by one operation of the payout slide 11, and the first time, a total of two coins, one 100 yen coin and one 10 yen coin. The second time pays out a total of three coins, one 500 yen coin and one 100 yen coin, one 10 yen coin, and the third time one 100 yen coin, one 10 yen coin and one 50 yen coin By paying out a total of three, a total of 880 yen is paid out.

  That is, the coin tube (52, 53) containing the 100-yen coin and the 10-yen coin whose empty sensor 13 detects the coin is first set as a coin tube to be paid out, from which one 100-yen coin and 10-yen coin One coin is paid out, and at the time of the payout operation, the coin confirmation sensor 21 in the 500 yen coin receiving tube 51 not detected by the empty sensor 13, the 50 yen coin receiving tube 54 and the auxiliary tube 55 in which the empty sensor is not provided. The coin tube (51, 54) containing each of the 500 yen coin and the 50 yen coin detected by the coin confirmation sensor 21 is stored as a coin tube to be paid out for the second time or later. The payout is made only for the necessary number of sheets.

  Comparing the states of FIG. 11 and FIG. 10, in the case of FIG. 11, the number of empty sensors is reduced.

  Thus, the combination of the empty sensor and the coin confirmation sensor is not necessarily required for each coin tube, and it is only necessary that the empty sensor be disposed in the coin tube that accommodates a low-priced coin.

  If an empty sensor is disposed in a coin tube that accommodates a low-priced coin, an alternative payout from a low-priced coin tube is possible even if a payout is made until the coin tube without an empty sensor is empty.

  The present invention is suitable for a control method of a coin processing apparatus that quickly and surely pays out coins as change from the inside of a coin tube to the last one.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coin processing apparatus 2 Coin accommodating part 3 Coin dispensing part 4 Apparatus main body 5 Coin tube 6 Coin base 7 Coin 8 Payout slide 9 Payout cam 10 Payout link 11 Change slide 12 Discharge coin selection solenoid 13 Empty sensor 21 Coin confirmation sensor 30 Coin dispensing Motor 51 500 yen coin storage tube 52 100 yen coin storage tube 53 10 yen coin storage tube 54 50 yen coin storage tube 55 Auxiliary tube 100 Coin payout control unit 101 Coin detection storage unit

Claims (1)

A plurality of coin tubes disposed in the apparatus main body, an empty sensor disposed in the coin tube, and an initial position corresponding to the lower end position of the coin tube and a coin dispensing position corresponding to the coin dispensing position. A payout slide that moves and pulls out coins one by one from the lower end of the coin tube, and supports and releases the lower surface of the coins drawn by the payout slide, and pays out and does not pay out the drawn coins A change slide that controls the coin, a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the coin until the coin pulled out by the payout slide reaches the coin payout position, a storage unit that stores a detection result of the sensor, and a storage unit Control of the payout slide and the change slide based on the memory of the desired coins A method of controlling a coin handling apparatus having a control means for the teeth,
Based on the output of the empty sensor and the output of the sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the coin, it is determined whether or not the number of coins in the coin tube can be paid out as change, and that the coin has been paid out as change. Check whether or not the coin in the coin tube can be paid out as change, especially after the empty sensor is turned off. The output of the empty sensor and the presence or absence of the coin are detected. Control method of coin processing apparatus which uses both or any of the output of the sensor to perform.

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