JP2016162156A - Coin processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently process coins while suppressing occurrence of an error in coin processing.SOLUTION: A coin processor comprises a conveyance path for conveying coins, a conveyance path sensor for outputting a waveform according to the detection result of coins conveyed by the conveyance path, and an identification part for identifying coins conveyed by the conveyance path. When an abnormal waveform which indicates detection of an abnormal coin is outputted by the conveyance path sensor, the coin is returned to outside the processor irrespective of the identification result by the identification part and thereby discharged without storing the abnormal coin such as deformed coins in the processor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin processing device for identifying and counting coins.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a financial institution such as a bank, a coin processing device that can circulate and use deposited coins as withdrawal coins is used. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a coin processing device that performs a coin depositing and dispensing process using a coin storing and feeding unit that stores and dispenses coins using a rotating disk.

  In this coin processing apparatus, each of the feeding unit, the temporary holding unit, and the storage unit that stores coins in denominations is constituted by a coin storage and feeding unit. At the time of deposit processing, the deposited coins are once stored in the feeding unit, and then the coins in the feeding unit are fed one by one to the transport path and are identified and counted by the identifying unit. While the identified and counted coins are stored in the temporary storage unit, deformed coins, unidentifiable coins, foreign objects that are not coins, etc. are rejected and returned. Then, when the depositing process is confirmed after finishing the identification counting of the deposited coins, the coins stored in the temporary storage unit are fed one by one to the transport path and stored in the corresponding storage unit. Further, at the time of the withdrawal process, the coins are drawn out one by one from the storage unit in which the coins are stored by type of money to the delivery path.

Japanese Patent No. 5441256 Japanese Patent No. 5466895

  However, according to the above prior art, coins may not be processed efficiently. For example, abnormal coins such as deformed coins and coins with holes may not be detected, and the coins may be stored in a storage unit that stores money by denomination, and the coins may not be fed out or conveyed. The identification unit detects the coin type and authenticity by detecting the characteristics of the coin, but even if the identification unit determines that it is a normal coin, the coin is deformed or has a hole in the coin There is. If such an abnormal coin is stored in the denomination storage unit, it is not possible to normally carry out or carry out the withdrawal coin, and an error occurs and the coin processing is stopped.

  For example, when a coin processing device is used inside a money processing device such as an ATM (automated teller machine) or the like, if an error occurs in the coin processing device, it becomes impossible to conduct transactions at the ATM. For this reason, it is desirable to prevent the start of transactions at ATMs or the like by suppressing the occurrence of errors in the coin processing device.

  The present invention was made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and provides a coin processing apparatus that can efficiently deposit and withdraw coins while suppressing the occurrence of errors in the coin processing apparatus. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a transport path for transporting coins, a transport path sensor for outputting a waveform corresponding to a detection result of coins transported through the transport path, and the coins. An identification unit for identifying the coin, and when the conveyance path sensor outputs an abnormal waveform indicating that an abnormal coin has been detected, the coin is returned to the outside of the apparatus regardless of the identification result by the identification unit. It is characterized by that.

  Moreover, this invention determines whether the said coin is returned based on the output waveform of the conveyance path sensor provided in the conveyance direction upstream of the said coin with respect to the said identification part in the said invention. Features.

  Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, when an abnormal waveform is output by a conveyance path sensor provided upstream of the coin in the conveyance direction, the conveyance direction with respect to the identification unit. The output waveform from the conveyance path sensor provided on the downstream side is not used for coin processing.

  In the above invention, when the depositing process is performed, if the abnormal waveform is output by the conveyance path sensor, the coin is returned to the outside of the apparatus regardless of the identification result by the identification unit. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the present invention, when an abnormal coin such as a deformed coin or a coin with a hole is received by the coin processing device, the identification unit cannot detect the deformation of the abnormal coin or the like and is determined as a normal coin. However, the presence of abnormal coins can be detected based on the waveform output by the transport path sensor in accordance with the coin shape detected by the coins, and can be discharged out of the apparatus and returned. Thereby, it is possible to avoid storing abnormal coins in the apparatus and reusing them as withdrawal coins. Further, since the abnormal coins are stored, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of an error at the time of operation from the storage unit or transport in the transport path.

  Further, according to the present invention, when an abnormal coin is detected by the conveyance path sensor arranged on the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction with respect to the identification unit, the abnormal coin is detected regardless of the identification result by the identification unit. return. Thereby, for example, it is possible to reduce the processing load in the coin processing device by omitting the identification processing by the identification unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, when an abnormal coin is detected by the transport path sensor on the upstream side in the transport direction of the identification unit, the output waveform of the transport path sensor on the downstream side in the transport direction of the recognition unit is used for coin processing. Execute coin processing without doing it. For example, when an abnormality is detected by the conveyance path sensor on the downstream side of the identification unit even though the identification unit determines that the coin is normal, the conveyance path sensor on the upstream side of the identification unit is set to stop the coin processing as an error. When an abnormal coin is detected, even if an abnormality is detected by the conveyance path sensor on the downstream side of the identification unit, the coin processing can be continued after returning the coin without causing an error.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the coin processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a coin storage and feeding unit constituting the feeding unit. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the coins until the deposited coins inserted from the coin transaction slot during the depositing process are stored in the temporary holding unit. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of coins until the coins stored in the temporary storage unit during the deposit process are stored in the corresponding storage unit. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the initialization operation. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coin detection waveform output from the conveyance path sensor. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an output waveform from the conveyance path sensor, an identification result by the identification unit, and a coin conveyance destination. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of coins when handling an error. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the process of pulling back coins that are being stored to the transport path when handling an error. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when determining the occurrence of an operation failure error. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a part of a saucer part sensor provided in the saucer part. FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining a method of detecting residual coins by the first sensor to the third sensor. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of coins transported along the transport path. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to slipping coins. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of coins that are transported along a transport path in the vicinity of the identification unit. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of foreign object detection processing in the conveyance path near the identification unit. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the cleaning process and the foreign object return process performed in the feeding unit after the deposit process.

Below, with reference to an accompanying drawing, the coin processing device concerning the present invention is explained in detail.
[Device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an internal configuration of a coin processing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment. The coin processing device 11 is a coin depositing and dispensing machine that performs coin depositing and dispensing processing. On the upper front side of the machine body 12 of the coin processing device 11, a coin transaction port 13 for depositing and withdrawing coins and a tray part 14 for receiving and storing coins below the coin transaction port 13 are formed. ing. A shutter 15 is disposed at the coin transaction port 13 so as to be openable and closable. The shutter 15 is automatically opened at a timing at which coins are inserted into the tray 14 and coins are withdrawn from the tray 14, and the shutter 15 is automatically closed upon completion of coin insertion and withdrawal operations. It is like that.

  The tray 14 receives and stores deposit coins that have been thrown into the coin trading port 13 from outside the machine body 12 and withdrawal coins that have been thrown into the coin trading slot 13 from within the machine body 12. A part of the bottom surface of the tray portion 14 is configured to be openable and closable. When the bottom surface is opened, the coins stored in the tray portion 14 are released downward in the apparatus.

  A transport path 17 for transporting coins is disposed in the machine body 12. The transport path 17 includes a first transport path portion 18 provided in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) of the machine body 12 and a second transport path provided in the front-rear direction at a position above the first transport path portion 18. Part 19 and a third transport path 20 that connects the rear ends of the first transport path 18 and the second transport path 19. The front end of the second transport path part 19 is connected to the upper part of the tray part 14, and the coins transported to the front end of the second transport path part 19 can be discharged to the tray part 14.

  A feeding unit 21 is connected to the front side of the first conveyance path unit 18, and a temporary storage unit 23 is connected to the front side of the second conveyance path unit 19. A storage unit 22 that stores coins by denomination on the rear side (X-axis negative direction side) of the first conveyance path unit 18 and the temporary storage unit 23 of the second conveyance path unit 19. Is connected. An identification unit 24 for identifying the denomination, authenticity, and correctness of the coin is disposed between the temporary storage unit 23 and the storage unit 22 of the second transport path unit 19. The feeding unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the temporary storage unit 23 are configured to branch and store coins transported through the transport path 17 and to feed the stored coins one by one to the transport path 17. . In the conveyance path 17, a conveyance belt provided with a plurality of conveyance protrusions at predetermined intervals conveys coins while pressing the coins with the conveyance protrusions.

  The feeding part 21 is located below the saucer part 14. Between the saucer part 14 and the delivery part 21, the coins released by opening the saucer part gate provided on the bottom surface of the saucer part 14 are delivered. A chute 25 is provided that leads to Further, a return port 26 is provided on the front surface of the machine body 12. Further, a feeding portion gate that can be opened and closed is provided on the bottom surface of the feeding portion 21. When foreign matter is mixed in the coin received by the feeding portion 21, the feeding portion gate is opened to remove the foreign matter. It can be discharged and returned from the return port 26. A sensor for detecting opening and closing is provided in the saucer part gate and the feeding part gate, and processing using the saucer part 14 and the feeding part 21 is started after confirming that these gates are in the closed state. An abnormal coin such as a deformed coin or a coin with a hole among the coins transported through the transport path 17 is discharged from the front end of the second transport path section 19 to the tray section 14 and returned.

  In addition, an overflow stacker 29 for storing coins that cannot be stored because the storage unit 22 is full and an overflow coin and a coin cassette 30 for storing supplementary coins and recovered coins are disposed in the lower part of the machine body 12. ing. A transport mechanism 31 is disposed between the overflow stacker 29 and the coin cassette 30 to transport the coins fed from the overflow stacker 29 and the coin cassette 30 to the upper temporary storage unit. The overflow stacker 29 is provided with a belt 32 for feeding coins to the transport mechanism 31 and a collection cassette 33 for collecting forgotten coins in the tray part 14. Further, the coin cassette 30 is provided with a belt 34 for feeding coins to the transport mechanism 31 and a reject box 35 for collecting reject coins.

  The first transport path 18 includes a branching part 36 for branching the overflow coins to the overflow stacker 29, a branching part 37 for branching the forgotten coins to the recovery cassette 33, and a branching part 38 for branching the reject coins to the reject box 35. And a branching portion 39 for branching the collected coins to the coin cassette 30 is provided.

  The feeding unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the temporary storage unit 23 are configured by a coin storage and feeding unit, and have a function of storing a large number of coins and feeding the stored coins one by one to the transport path 17.

[Coin storage feeding unit]
FIG. 2 is a view showing the structure of the coin storage and feeding unit constituting the feeding unit 21. The coin storage and feeding unit is covered with a cover 43 indicated by hatching in FIG. 2 with only an upper part exposed, and a storage space for storing a large number of coins between the rotating disk 41 and the cover 43. Is to be formed.

  The coin storage and feeding unit includes a rotating disk 41 that rotates in an inclined posture facing obliquely upward, a cover 43 that forms a storage space for storing coins between the rotating disk 41 and the surface 41a side of the rotating disk 41, and a surface 41a of the rotating disk 41. A feeding guide 44 that guides coins that are opposed to the upper area and that is fed from the rotary disk 41 toward the conveyance path 17, and has a curved shape through which the coins that are fed from the upper area of the rotary disk 41 to the conveyance path 17 pass. A guide passage 45, a delivery disk 46 disposed across the guide passage 45 and the conveyance path 17, a regulation guide (not shown) disposed to face the delivery disk 46, and the like are provided.

  The rotating disk 41 rotates around the rotation shaft 49. A coin contact surface 50 is formed in the peripheral area of the surface 41a. The dimension of the coin contact surface 50 in the radial direction is such that the outer diameter is larger than the diameter dimension of one coin within the processing target range and smaller than the diameter dimension of two coins. The coins fed to the transport path 17 are sent upward along with the rotation of the rotary disk 41 in a state where the coin surface is in contact with the coin contact surface 50.

  The coin contact surface 50 has a feeding protrusion 52 that contacts the peripheral portion of one coin whose coin surface is in contact with the coin contact surface 50 and picks up the coin to the upper area of the rotary disk 41 in the storage space. A plurality are arranged in the radial direction. A plurality of feeding protrusions 52 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the coin contact surface 50 with a predetermined interval larger than the coin diameter of the processing target range. The feeding protrusion 52 protruding from the surface 41a (coin contact surface 50) of the rotating disk 41 has a protruding dimension smaller than the thickness dimension of the minimum thickness coin to be processed so that only one coin is caught in the thickness direction. It is configured. The feeding protrusion 52 is formed such that a tip surface facing the feeding rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2) is a curved surface, and a surface on the opposite rear end side is formed as an inclined surface rising from the surface 41 a of the rotating disk 41 in an inclined manner. Has been.

  On the inner peripheral side of the groove portion 51 of the rotating disk 41, a coin support portion 53 that supports the lower peripheral edge side of the coin picked up by the feeding protrusion 52 to the upper area of the rotating disk 41 corresponds to the position of each feeding protrusion 52. Are arranged in the circumferential direction. The coin support part 53 protruding from the surface 41a (coin contact surface 50) of the rotary disk 41 has a protruding dimension smaller than the thickness of the minimum thickness coin to be processed, and only one coin is present in the thickness direction. It is configured to be placed. The size in the radial direction between the coin support 53 and the outer peripheral edge of the rotary disk 41 is such that the outer diameter is larger than the diameter of one coin within the processing target range and smaller than the diameter of two coins. It is configured so that only the coins are placed.

  The feeding protrusions 52 and the coin support portion 53 support the coins in the storage space one by one by the rotation of the rotating disk 41 and move them to the upper area of the rotating disk 41 and cooperate with the feeding guide 44 to rotate the rotating disk. A feeding means 54 for feeding coins from the upper area of 41 toward the transport path 17 is configured.

  The coin contact surface 50 of the rotary disk 41 is formed with a plurality of sensor holes 55 for detecting the remaining coins in the storage space corresponding to the positions of the feeding protrusions 52 and the coin support portions 53. Yes.

  Further, the rotating disk 41 is provided with an excluding means 57 so that coins whose outer diameter is outside the processing target range fall out of the coins that move to the upper area of the rotating disk 41 by the rotation of the rotating disk 41. The exclusion means 57 has a plurality of small-diameter side exclusion portions 58 that exclude coins having an outer diameter smaller than that of the processing target range. The leading end portion in the feeding rotation direction of the small-diameter side exclusion portion 58 and the rear end portion on the opposite side come into contact with a coin whose outer diameter is outside the processing target range, and this coin is dropped.

  The feeding guide 44 is disposed opposite to the coin contact surface 50 of the rotary disk 41 with a gap where no coin enters. On the back surface of the feeding guide 44 facing the coin contact surface 50 of the rotating disk 41, a groove portion through which each feeding protrusion 52 and the small-diameter side exclusion portion 58 can pass by rotation of the rotating disk 41 is formed. The rotating disk 41 can be rotated without colliding. The feeding guide 44 is arranged in a state where the tip is inserted into the groove 51 of the rotary disk 41, and guides the coin while curving toward the upper conveyance path 17 at the upper edge continuous from the tip of the feeding guide 44. A guide edge 44a is formed.

  The guide passage 45 that guides coins along the guide edge 44 a is formed such that the passage surface is flush with the surface 41 a (coin contact surface 50) of the rotating disk 41 and the passage surface of the transport path 17. The area and the entrance / exit 21a that opens to the transport path 17 are connected. The guide passage 45 is provided with a restricting portion 63 that moves integrally with the guide member 60 and protrudes from the passage surface of the guide passage 45. The restricting portion 63 is buried in the passage surface of the guide passage 45 when the closing portion 61 of the guide member 60 is in an open state, and allows passage of coins. When the closing portion 61 moves to the closing position, the restricting portion 63 passes through the guide passage 45. Coins that protrude from the road surface and enter the guide passage 45 are configured to fall into the storage space.

  In addition, the delivery disk 46 has a surface across the guide passage 45 and the conveyance path 17, and the surface of the delivery disk 46 is flush with the surface 41 a (coin contact surface 50) of the rotating disk 41 and the passage surface of the conveyance path 17. It is arranged so that it can rotate. At the periphery of the delivery disk 46, a protrusion 65 is provided so as to abut against the peripheral edge of the coin and to feed out the coin from the rotary disk 41 side to the transport path 17. The delivery disk 46 is rotationally driven in conjunction with the rotary disk 41, and when the rotary disk 41 rotates in the feeding rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in the figure), the delivery disk 46 also rotates in the feeding rotation direction (clockwise in the figure). Direction). The protrusion 65 of the delivery disk 46 is brought into contact with the peripheral edge of the coin fed into the guide passage 45 along the feeding guide 44 while being pushed by the feeding protrusion 52 of the rotating disk 41 so that the coin is fed out to the transport path 17. It has become. The coins fed out to the conveyance path 17 are conveyed while being pushed by a conveyance protrusion 212 provided on the conveyance belt 211.

  In addition, in the area where the guide passage 45 through which the coin passes and the delivery disk 46 are arranged, a space through which the coin passes is adjusted in accordance with the thickness dimension of the coin to be processed so that only one coin passes through. There are provided a regulation guide for regulation, a drive unit that moves the regulation guide and expands the space so that the coin falls if the coin is jammed in the space. Including these, the function and structure of a coin storage and feeding unit that uses the rotating disk 41, and the function and structure of a coin processing device that performs coin depositing and dispensing processes using the coin storage and feeding unit are disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5441256. No. 5466895, etc., and detailed description thereof is omitted. In addition, each process demonstrated below is performed when the control part which is not shown in figure controls the function and operation | movement of each part.

[Rotating disc alignment]
In the coin storing and feeding unit, the rotary disk 41 and the delivery disk 46 are prevented so that the coins scraped by the rotary disk 41 and sent to the transport path 17 by the delivery disk 46 do not collide with the transport protrusion 212 of the transport belt 211. And the driving of the conveyor belt 211 are synchronized. For this reason, in the coin storage and feeding unit, the rotary disk 41 can be stopped at a predetermined rotational position. Specifically, a storage unit sensor for projecting and receiving the detection light is provided so that the detection light transmitted through the sensor hole 55 provided in the rotation disk 41 can be received when the rotation disk 41 reaches a predetermined position. It has been. By using the storage unit sensor, the rotating disk 41 can be rotated and stopped at a predetermined rotational position.

  The storage unit sensor is provided at a plurality of positions, such as a position for detecting coins remaining in the storage space, and a position for detecting that the storage space is full of coins. When the rotary disk 41 is stopped at a predetermined rotational position, even if the coins in the storage space become full, the position above the feeding guide 44 is prevented so that the detection light is not blocked by these coins. The rotation position of the rotary disk 41 is detected using the storage unit sensor provided in the storage area. However, if a clogging of coins occurs in the region from the feeding guide 44 to the conveyance path 17, the detection light is blocked and the rotation disk 41 rotates. The position cannot be detected.

  In the coin processing device 11, the operation of eliminating the clogging of coins can be performed by driving the transport belt of the transport path 17 above the feeding guide 44 at a low speed or rotating the delivery disk 46. Yes. As a result, if the coin that blocks the detection light moves and the detection light can be used, the storage unit sensor is used, but if the detection light is not blocked by the coin, it is rotated using another sensor. The rotational position of the disk 41 is detected.

  Specifically, a rotation sensor such as a rotary encoder provided to detect the rotation position of the rotating shaft 49 that rotates the rotating disk 41 is used. And when the detection light of the storage part sensor which permeate | transmits the hole 55 for sensors can be utilized, the position of the rotation disk 41 is detected using the detection result by this detection light, and the detection result by detection light is utilized. If it is not possible, the position of the rotating disk 41 is detected using a rotation sensor.

  As a result, in the coin storage and feeding unit, the storage unit sensor used for detecting the rotational position of the rotary disk 41 cannot be used due to coins stored in the storage space or coins jammed around the feeding guide 44. Even in this case, the rotational position of the rotating disk 41 can be detected using another sensor, and the rotating disk 41 can be stopped at a predetermined rotational position. If the rotating disk 41 cannot be stopped at a predetermined rotational position, an error occurs and the coin processing cannot be executed, but this can be avoided and the coin processing can be continued.

[Initialization operation]
The alignment of the rotary disk 41 is executed as part of the initialization operation at the start of the deposit process, for example. While the deposit process or the like is continuously performed, the rotational position of the rotating disk 41 is recognized at the time of the previous deposit process, so that the next deposit process can be performed by using this. For this reason, although a deposit process can be performed continuously without aligning the rotary disk 41, for example, immediately after the coin processing device 11 is activated or after the coin processing device 11 enters the energy saving mode, energy saving is performed. When returning from the mode, it is unclear which rotational position the rotating disk 41 is in, so an initialization operation including alignment of the rotating disk 41 is required.

  First, the flow of coins during the deposit process will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the coins until the deposited coins inserted from the coin transaction port 13 during the depositing process are stored in the temporary holding unit 23. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the coins until the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 during the deposit process are stored in the corresponding storage unit 22.

  In the depositing process, the deposited coins inserted into the tray 14 from the coin transaction port 13 are stored in the feeding unit 21 as indicated by an arrow 201 in FIG. The deposited coins stored in the feeding unit 21 are fed one by one to the conveyance path 17 one by one by the rotating disk 41 and then conveyed toward the identification unit 24 as indicated by an arrow 202. Then, after being identified and counted by the identification unit 24, the abnormal coin is returned to the tray unit 14 as a reject coin as indicated by an arrow 203. On the other hand, normal coins are stored in the temporary storage unit 23 as indicated by an arrow 204.

  When the transaction related to the deposit process is confirmed, the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 are fed one by one to the transport path 17 one by one by the rotating disk 41 and identified as indicated by an arrow 205 in FIG. It is conveyed toward the section 24. Then, after being identified and counted by the identification unit 24, the normal coin is stored in the corresponding storage unit 22 as indicated by an arrow 206 according to the identification result. On the other hand, the abnormal coin is branched as a reject coin at the branch portion 38 and stored in the reject box 35 as indicated by an arrow 207.

  For this reason, in the initialization operation before starting the depositing process, the inside of the tray part 14 is emptied, and the rotary disk 41 is aligned by the feeding part 21 and the temporary holding part 23 for feeding out coins to the conveyance path 17. Is required.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the initialization operation. First, a process for adjusting the rotational position of the rotary disk 41 of the feeding unit 21 is performed (step S1). And after that, in order to empty the inside of the saucer part 14, the process which opens and closes the saucer part gate provided in the bottom face of the saucer part 14 (step S2), and the rotational position of the rotary disk 41 of the temporary storage part 23 (Step S3) is performed in parallel.

  For example, when the tray part gate of the tray part 14 is opened and closed in the state where there is a foreign object in the tray part 14, the foreign substance falls through the chute 25 to the feeding part 21, and the foreign substance is positioned at the rotary disk 41 in the feeding part 21. May interfere with alignment. For this reason, in the coin processing apparatus 11, after performing the alignment (step S1) of the rotary disk 41 of the feeding part 21, the saucer part gate of the saucer part 14 is opened and closed (step S2). Further, in parallel with the process of opening and closing the saucer part gate of the saucer part 14 (step S2), the processing time relating to the initialization operation can be shortened by aligning the rotary disk of the temporary storage part 23.

(Invention: Document 12)
[Return of abnormal coins]
As indicated by the arrow 203 in FIG. 3, the coin that is identified as not being a true coin by the identification unit 24 is returned to the tray unit 14 during the deposit process. The identification unit 24 identifies the denomination, authenticity, etc. of the coin based on the characteristics appearing in the image obtained by imaging the coin, the magnetic characteristics of the coin, etc., but the abnormal condition such as a deformed coin or a coin with a hole is bad Coins may not be detected. In the coin processing device 11, in order to detect such an abnormal coin, a conveyance path sensor provided in the conveyance path 17 can be used.

  In the transport path 17, detection of coins stored in the coin storage and feeding units constituting the feeding unit 21, the storage unit 22 and the temporary storage unit 23, detection of coins fed out from the unit, and detection of coins branching to the branching units 36 to 39. In order to perform the above, transport path sensors are provided at a plurality of locations. In the transport path sensor, the detection light projected and received between the light projecting section and the light receiving section is blocked by the coin transported through the transport path 17, thereby detecting the coin.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coin detection waveform output from the conveyance path sensor. FIG. 6A shows an example of a waveform when a normal coin is detected, and FIG. 6B shows an example of a waveform when an abnormal coin with a hole is detected. When a normal coin is detected, a pulse-like normal waveform is output in which light shielding is continued for a time according to the conveyance speed and the coin diameter. On the other hand, in the case of a coin with a hole, since the output value of the transport path sensor shows a value different from the light-shielding state at the hole portion, an abnormal waveform called a waveform crack is output. In addition, even when the coin is deformed, since the deformed portion shows an output value different from the normal value, an abnormal waveform having a shape different from the normal waveform in FIG. 6A is obtained.

  When the deposit processing is performed by the coin processing device 11, the coins fed from the feeding unit 21 are detected by a plurality of conveyance path sensors provided on the conveyance path 17 until reaching the identification unit 24. In the coin processing device 11, a plurality of conveyance path sensors provided between the feeding unit 21 and the identification unit 24, that is, upstream in the counterclockwise feeding conveyance direction indicated by an arrow 202 in FIG. 3 with respect to the identification unit 24. If even one of the transport path sensors on the side has a transport path sensor that shows an abnormal waveform as shown in FIG. 6B, the coin is determined to be a normal coin by the identification unit 24. Even in this case, the coin is conveyed to the tray 14. The coins conveyed to the tray part 14 are returned to the customer who has started the deposit process.

At this time, a conveyance path sensor provided in the conveyance path 17 between the identification unit 24 and the tray unit 14, that is, downstream in the counterclockwise feeding conveyance direction indicated by an arrow 202 in FIG. 3 with respect to the identification unit 24. About a certain conveyance path sensor, this coin is conveyed to the saucer part 14 irrespective of whether the waveform output by detecting the coin from which the abnormal waveform was obtained first is a normal waveform or an abnormal waveform. In other words, when an output waveform indicating an abnormal coin is obtained by the transport path sensor upstream of the identification unit 24,
Coin processing is continued without using the output waveform of the conveyance path sensor on the downstream side of the identification unit 24.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an output waveform from the conveyance path sensor, an identification result by the identification unit, and a coin conveyance destination. Note that the upstream side and the downstream side shown in FIG. 7 are based on the counterclockwise feeding and conveying direction indicated by the arrow 202 in FIG.

  Even when a normal waveform is output by the transport path sensor upstream from the identification unit 24, when the identification unit 24 identifies the coin as a fake coin, the coin identified as an abnormal coin by the identification unit 24 is Regardless of whether a normal waveform or an abnormal waveform is output by the conveyance path sensor downstream of the identification unit 24, it is conveyed to the saucer unit 14 and returned outside the apparatus.

  After the normal waveform is output by the conveyance path sensor upstream of the identification unit 24, the identification unit 24 identifies the true coin and the normal coin, and the conveyance path sensor downstream of the identification unit 24 When a normal waveform is obtained, the normal coin is stored in the temporary storage unit 23. This coin is stored in the corresponding storage unit 22 after the deposit process is confirmed, and is used as a withdrawal coin during the withdrawal process.

  After the normal waveform is output by the conveyance path sensor upstream of the identification unit 24, the identification unit 24 determines that the coin is a true normal coin, but the conveyance path sensor downstream of the identification unit 24 is abnormal. When the waveform is output, there is a possibility that there is a problem in the coin identification result by the identification unit or the detection result (output waveform) by the conveyance path sensor, so the coin processing is stopped as an error. In this case, the person in charge of managing the coin processing device 11 performs an operation of confirming the identification unit 24, the conveyance path sensor, the coin, and the like.

  On the other hand, when an abnormal waveform is output by the conveyance path sensor upstream from the identification unit 24, regardless of the identification result by the identification unit 24 and the output waveform output by the conveyance path sensor downstream from the identification unit 24, This coin is conveyed to the tray 14 and returned outside the apparatus.

  As described above, the coin whose abnormal waveform is obtained by the conveyance path sensor upstream of the identification unit 24 is transferred to the tray unit 14 regardless of the subsequent identification result by the identification unit 24 or the detection waveform by another conveyance path sensor. By conveying and returning, abnormal coins such as deformed coins or coins with holes can be prevented from being stored in the apparatus and dispensed to the customer as withdrawal coins. Further, it is possible to avoid stopping such coin processing due to an error without feeding out such abnormal coins from the temporary storage unit 23 or the storage unit 22.

[Coin transport for handling errors during deposit processing]
If an error relating to a coin that is being transported through the transport path 17 occurs while the deposit processing is being performed by the coin processing device 11, a process for responding to the error is performed. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of coins when handling an error. When an error relating to the coins being conveyed through the conveyance path 17 occurs, all the coins on the conveyance path 17 are first conveyed toward the tray part 14 as indicated by an arrow 208. And after conveying all the coins to the saucer part 14, as shown by the arrow 209, the coin currently accommodated in the temporary storage part 23 is drawn out to the conveyance path 17, and is conveyed to the feeding part 21, and is accommodated. To do.

  Then, the identification count result obtained until the error occurs is cleared, coins are again fed out from the feeding unit 21, and the identification unit 24 performs identification counting. That is, the identification counting process of the deposited coin is performed again.

  For example, when a coin is deformed, an error is likely to occur when the coin is fed out or conveyed. When the coin causing the error is returned to the feeding unit 21 and reprocessed, the conveyance speed of the coin and the rotation speed of the rotary disk 41 for feeding out the coin are reduced so that the error does not occur again. However, there is a case where an error occurs again even if such a response is performed and the coin processing must be stopped. In order to avoid such a situation, the coin processing device 11 transports and returns all coins that were on the transport path 17 when the error occurred to the tray 14. Thereby, since the coin counting / determination process can be performed in a state in which the coin causing the error is removed, the coin processing speed can be kept high without being slowed down.

[Coin withdrawal for handling errors during deposit processing]
At the time of error handling, as indicated by an arrow 208 in FIG. 8, when the coin on the transport path 17 is transported toward the tray part 14, it is being stored in the temporary storage unit 23 before the transport is started. The process of pulling the coins back to the transport path 17 is performed. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a process of pulling back a coin that is being stored to the transport path 17 when handling an error. The conveyance path 17 has an upstream side (right side in FIG. 9) and a downstream side in the counterclockwise feeding conveyance direction indicated by an arrow 208 in FIG. 8 with respect to the guide path 45 that connects the conveyance path 17 and the temporary storage unit 23. Conveyance path sensors 231 and 232 are provided on the left side of FIG. The coins in the transport path 17 are transported while being pushed by the transport protrusion 212 of the transport belt 211, but the transport protrusion 212 is not shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the transport belt 211 is slightly moved in the direction of moving the coin from the temporary storage unit 23 to the identification unit 24 (right direction in the figure), and temporarily suspended in conjunction with this. The coin 100a stopped in the middle of being stored in the temporary storage unit 23 when an error occurs is indicated by a broken line by slightly rotating the rotary disk 41 and the delivery disk 46 of the unit 23 in the direction of feeding the coins to the transport path 17. Pull back to the position of the coin 100b.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9B, the coin 100c that has been pulled back to the transport path 17 in the direction in which the coin is transported from the temporary holding unit 23 to the tray unit 14 (leftward in the figure) is It is transported toward the section 14. Thus, as indicated by the arrow 208 in FIG. 8, the coins on the transport path 17 are transported to the tray part 14, and then the coins in the temporary storage part 23 are moved to the feeding part 21 as indicated by the arrow 209 in FIG. 8. At this time, a process is performed in which the number of coins stored in the temporary holding unit 23 at the time of error occurrence is compared with the number of coins moved from the temporary holding unit 23 to the feeding unit 21 to confirm that they match. Is called. If the two do not match, the coin processing is stopped as an error, and a confirmation operation is performed by a person in charge of managing the coin processing device 11.

  For example, it is assumed that an error occurs after three coins are stored in the temporary storage unit 23. At this time, if the fourth coin that should be stored in the temporary storage unit 23 is the coin 100a shown in FIG. 9A, this coin is transported to detect the coin stored in the temporary storage unit 23. Since the vehicle passes through the road sensor 231, the coin processing apparatus 11 recognizes that the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 is four.

  In this state, the coin 100a is pulled back as shown in FIG. 9A, and when the coin 100a is detected by the transport path sensor 231, the coin processing device 11 sends the coin 100a to the temporary storage unit 23. Recognizing that the fourth coin 100a that was being stored has been pulled back to the transport path 17, the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 is corrected to three.

  On the other hand, if the coin 100a is not detected by the transport path sensor 231 when the coin 100a is pulled back, the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 remains four. In this state, as shown by an arrow 209 in FIG. 8, when the process of moving the coins of the temporary storage unit 23 to the feeding unit 21 is performed, the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 is four. Since only three coins are actually fed from the temporary storage unit 23 and conveyed to the feeding unit 21, an error occurs.

  In the coin processing device 11, in order to avoid such a situation, after the error occurs, the coin path being stored is pulled back to the transport path 17, and the transport path is closer to the identification section 24 than the temporary storage section 23. Even if the coin 100a cannot be detected by the sensor 231, if a coin is detected by the conveyance path sensor 232 closer to the tray part 14 than the temporary storage part 23 during a predetermined time after performing the withdrawal process, Recognizing that this coin 100a is the fourth coin 100a that has been pulled back to the transport path 17 while being stored in the temporary storage unit 23, the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 is increased from four. Correct to 3 sheets. That is, when a coin is detected by one of the transport path sensors 231 and 232 within a predetermined time from the pull-back process, the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 is corrected. The predetermined time is set based on the conveyance speed, coin diameter, and the like by the conveyance path 17.

  In this way, the coin processing device 11 can accurately recognize the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 when an error occurs, so the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 and the temporary storage unit It is possible to verify that all the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 have been paid out by comparing the number of coins conveyed and stored from the 23 to the feeding unit 21.

[Operation failure detection of temporary holding section]
In the coin processing device 11, if a handling failure occurs in the temporary holding unit 23 during the deposit process, the corresponding processing is performed, and if the handling failure is still not resolved, the handling failure error is detected. Stop coin processing. When determining the occurrence of the operation failure error, the verification based on the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 is also performed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when determining the occurrence of an operation failure error. In addition, when starting the process shown in FIG. 10, the coin processing apparatus 11 is in the state of recognizing the number of coins fed out from the feeding unit 21 and stored in the temporary holding unit 23 during the depositing process.

  The temporary storage unit 23 monitors the occurrence of operation failure (step S11; No), and when a supply failure occurs (step S11; Yes), processing corresponding to this is executed. Specifically, the manipulation process by the rotating disk 41 is repeated, the manipulation process is performed again after the rotating disk 41 is rotated at a high speed so that the storage state of coins in the storage space changes, or the rotating disk 41 is rotated again. The feeding failure is attempted to be solved by performing the steering process while rotating at a low speed by lowering the rotation speed. Thus, the coin is successfully fed from the temporary storage unit 23 to the transport path 17, and the coin is detected by the transport path sensor provided in the transport path 17, and the storage unit sensor provided in the temporary storage unit 23. If it is detected that there is no remaining coin in the temporary storage unit 23 (step S12; Yes), the processing is terminated as if all the coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 have been normally drawn out.

  In the case where coins fed out from the temporary storage unit 23 to the transport path 17 cannot be detected despite the processing corresponding to the operation failure, the remaining in the temporary storage unit 23 again. A process of detecting coins is performed (step S13). And when a residual coin is detected (step S13; Yes), even if it performs the process corresponding to the necessity of paying out, this residual coin is a handling failure error as what cannot be paid out to the conveyance path 17. Determination is made (step S14).

  On the other hand, after detecting that a feeding failure has occurred and there is a residual coin in the temporary storage unit 23, the coins fed out from the temporary storage unit 23 to the transport path 17 can be detected even if a process for eliminating the feeding failure is performed. In spite of the absence, in the subsequent processing, when no remaining coins are detected by the temporary storage unit 23 (step S13; No), the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23, The number of coins fed out from the holding unit 23 is compared (step S15).

  And when both do not correspond (step S15; No), there is an error in any of the number of coins stored in the temporary holding unit 23, the number of coins fed out from the temporary holding unit 23, and the detection result of the remaining coins. As a thing, it determines with it being a feeding failure error (step S14), and complete | finishes a process. If it is determined that it is a feeding failure error, a confirmation work is performed by a person in charge who manages the coin processing device 11.

  On the other hand, when the number of coins stored in the temporary holding unit 23 and the number of coins drawn out from the temporary holding unit 23 match (step S15; Yes), it is determined that there is no feeding failure and processing is performed. finish.

  For example, when a temporary coin is detected by the temporary storage unit 23, a foreign object may be erroneously detected as a residual coin. In this case, even if the process for paying out the remaining coins is performed after the foreign matter is detected, the coins drawn out from the temporary storage unit 23 to the transport path 17 cannot be detected. In the coin processing device 11, when the coins that should have been in the temporary storage unit 23 cannot be detected without being fed out to the transport path 17, the number of coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 Compare the number of coins paid out from the temporary holding unit 23, and if both match, it is determined that the previously detected one is not a coin but a foreign object, and the process is performed without causing a feeding failure error. It ends.

[Exception handling during transport path cleaning]
An error occurred during the deposit process, and the error was removed by manually removing coins from the transport path 17, the feeding unit 21, the storage unit 22, the temporary holding unit 23, etc. in the coin processing apparatus 11. Thereafter, in order to confirm that there is no coin remaining in the transport path 17, a process called transport path cleaning may be performed. Specifically, one coin out of coins stored in the storage unit 22 by denomination is fed to the transport path 17 as a cleaning coin and transported, and there is no other coin remaining on the transport path 17. Check that the cleaning coins are transported normally. And after performing conveyance path cleaning and confirming that there is no abnormality in conveyance path 17, coin processing is started. The cleaning coins used for transport path cleaning are stored in the original storage unit 22.

  In the coin processing device 11, when the storage unit 22 that stores coins by denomination becomes empty, the coin withdrawal process cannot be performed, so the coin process is stopped as an error, but the error release process is performed. In this case, the cleaning process cannot be executed if the process is stopped due to an error because the coin is fed out for the cleaning process. In the coin processing device 11, in order to avoid such a situation, when the storage unit 22 becomes empty because the cleaning coin is fed out, the conveyance path cleaning is performed as an exception process without causing an error. It can be done.

  If there are other coins remaining on the transport path 17 during the transport path cleaning, the coins and the cleaning coins are collected in the reject box 35, and then the transport path cleaning with the cleaning coins is performed again. . Also in this case, even if the storage unit 22 becomes empty because the cleaning coin is fed out, the conveyance path cleaning can be executed as an exception process without causing an error.

[Exception processing for continuous reject errors]
In the coin processing device 11, when any one of the feeding unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the temporary holding unit 23 has a feeding failure in which a coin cannot be fed out continuously for a predetermined number of times, the rotational speed of the rotary disk 41 is changed. Drop and rotate at low speed to try to pay out coins.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when depositing, coins stored in the temporary storage unit 23 are fed out, identified by the identification unit 24, and stored in the storage unit 22 in denominations. When the unsuccessful feeding is continued for a predetermined number of times (for example, 11 times), the rotation of the rotary disk 41 is reduced to start feeding out coins while rotating at a low speed.

  Then, the first coin that is fed to the transport path 17 after rotating the rotary disk 41 at a low speed is the first coin, and the first to third coins are abnormal coins that have caused feeding failure such as deformed coins. Therefore, it is stored in the reject box 35 without being stored in the storage unit 22. From the fourth and subsequent coins, the coins are stored in the corresponding storage units 22 based on the identification result by the identification unit 24 as usual.

  In the coin processing device 11, when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of coins are continuously rejected, the coin processing is stopped as a continuous reject error. As an exception, the three coins that are fed out at a low speed and forcedly rejected are excluded from the number of rejects for determining a continuous reject error.

  Similarly, when a feeding failure occurs in the feeding unit 21, the rotation speed of the rotary disk 41 is reduced to start feeding at a low speed rotation in order to deal with the handling failure, and the first three pieces fed out are started. It is forcibly collected in the reject box 35 as a reject coin. At this time, as in the case of the temporary holding unit 23, the three coins that are forcibly rejected are excluded from the reject number for determining a continuous reject error as an exception.

  Note that the number of coins to be forcibly rejected to the reject box 35 after starting the handling process for the defective feeding is one example, and the number of coins to be forcibly rejected can be changed by setting. .

[Residual coin detection at the tray]
The saucer part 14 is provided with a plurality of saucer part sensors for detecting coins in the saucer part 14. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a part of a saucer part sensor provided in the saucer part 14. The tray 14 is provided with a number of sensors as a tray sensor in order to detect various foreign substances and the amount of coins, but in FIG. 11, it remains on the bottom surface of the tray 14. A first sensor 101, a second sensor 102, and a third sensor 103 are provided for detecting coins and foreign matters. FIG. 11A shows a view seen from above, and FIG. 11B shows a view seen from the side.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the first sensor 101 to the third sensor 103 are the light projecting units 101a to 103a that irradiate the detection light in the positive Y-axis direction, and the detections that are emitted from the light projecting units 101a to 103a. It is comprised by the light-receiving parts 101b-103b which light-receive, and can detect the object which interrupts detection light. As shown in FIG. 11 (b), the first sensor 101 to the third sensor 103 are arranged in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the saucer portion 14 at a distance in the X-axis direction in accordance with the side surface shape of the curved bottom surface. .

  The saucer portion 14 has a semi-cylindrical shape as viewed from the side, and moves to the bottom if any coins remain in the saucer portion 14. Moreover, in the coin processing apparatus 11, if there exists a coin which remains in the saucer part 14, the saucer part 14 will be vibrated when the coin process is not performed so that this may move to a bottom face side. The first sensor 101 to the third sensor 103 are arranged with their positions adjusted so that at least two sensors detect the coin when the coin is moved to the bottom surface of the tray 14 in this way. In other words, an object that can be detected by only one of the three sensors of the first sensor 101 to the third sensor 103 can be determined not to be a coin. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11B, when an object is detected only by the second sensor 102, it is determined that the object is not a coin but a foreign object 200.

  When the first sensor 101 to the third sensor 103 operate two or more sensors at the same time, each sensor is affected by the detection light used by the other sensors. In order. Specifically, the first sensor 101, the second sensor 102, and the third sensor 103 are sequentially irradiated with the detection light from the light projecting units 101a to 103a, and the corresponding light receiving units 101b to 103b receive the detection light. To do.

  At this time, for example, when the foreign matter attached to the side surface inside the tray part 14 falls and crosses or reciprocates the detection area of the first sensor 101 to the third sensor 103 at the bottom part, the first If it is detected at the time of detection by the sensor 101 and also detected by the second sensor 102, the foreign object is erroneously determined to be a coin because it has been detected by two or more tray sensors. The coin processing device 11 can accurately detect residual coins while avoiding such erroneous detection.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining a method of detecting residual coins by the first sensor 101 to the third sensor 103. The first sensor 101 to the third sensor 103 perform detection in order with a time of 40 mS (milliseconds). That is, each sensor performs the detection process in the saucer part 14 once in 120 mS.

  For example, when a foreign substance moving in the tray 14 passes through a detection area by the first sensor 101 at time t1, the output of the first sensor 101 that has detected the foreign substance is turned on as shown in FIG. . Thereafter, if the foreign matter does not pass through the detection area of the first sensor 101, the output of the first sensor 101 is turned off at times t4, t7, t10, and t13.

  Since detection by the first sensor 101 is performed every 120 mS, such as times t1 and t4, when a foreign object is detected at time t1, and no foreign object is detected in the detection after time t4, FIG. As shown in b1), the detection result is turned on for 120 mS from time t1 to time t4.

  In the coin processing device 11, when an object is continuously detected by two detections by the sensor, that is, when the detection result is continuously turned on for 240 mS, it is determined that the object has been detected. For this reason, when an object is detected only once as shown in FIG. 12 (a1), that is, when the detection result is turned on only for 120 mS as shown in FIG. 12 (b1). It is determined that no object has been detected as shown in FIG.

  When the foreign matter detected by the first sensor 101 moves in the tray 14 and passes through the detection area by the second sensor 102 at time t2 and t5, as shown in FIG. 12 (a2), at time t2 and t5. The output of the second sensor 102 is turned on. Thereafter, if the foreign matter does not pass through the detection area of the second sensor 102, the output of the second sensor 102 is turned off at times t8, t11, and t14.

  The detection by the second sensor 102 is performed every 120 mS, such as times t2 and t5. However, when a foreign object is detected at times t2 and t5 and no foreign object is detected by detection after time t8, FIG. 12 (b2), the detection result is turned on for 240 mS from time t2 to t8.

  In the coin processing device 11, when an object is detected continuously by two detections, that is, when the detection result is continuously turned on for 240 mS, it is determined that the object has been detected. When an object is detected continuously by two detections as shown in FIG. 12 (a2), that is, when the detection result is turned on for 240 mS as shown in FIG. As shown, it is determined that the object has been detected from time t5 when the object is detected for the second time to time t8 when the object is no longer detected.

  Subsequently, when the foreign matter detected by the first sensor 101 and the second sensor 102 moves in the tray 14 and remains in the detection region by the third sensor 103 after time t9, FIG. 12 (a3) As shown, the output of the third sensor 103 is turned on after time t9. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12B3, the detection result is turned on after time t9, and as shown in FIG. 12C3, the object is detected after time t12 when the object is detected for the second time. Determined.

  When the determination results (FIG. 12 (c1) to (c3)) by the first sensor 101 to the third sensor 103 are obtained in this way, the determination result that an object is detected by two or more sensors is obtained. Then, this object is determined to be a coin. In the example of FIG. 12, since two or more sensors do not detect an object at the same time, it is determined that the objects detected by the second sensor 102 and the third sensor 103 are not coins.

  For example, if the detection results of the sensors shown in FIGS. 12B1 to 12B3 are used as they are, the detection results of the first sensor 101 and the second sensor 102 are turned on between time t2 and t4, and two or more. Although the object is detected by the sensor at the same time, the foreign object is mistakenly detected as a coin, but as shown in (c1) to (c3) in FIG. In this case, by using the determination result that the object is detected after the second detection, even if there is a foreign object moving inside the tray part 14, it is possible to avoid erroneously detecting it as a coin. it can.

[Coin slipping through coins]
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of coins conveyed through the conveyance path 17. FIG. 13A shows a normal conveyance state of coins, and FIG. 13B shows a conveyance abnormality state in which coins pass through the conveyance protrusions.

  Specifically, normally, the coin 100 (100c, 100d) in the transport path 17 is placed on the transport belt 211 in a state where the coin surface is in contact with the transport surface of the transport path 17, as shown in FIG. The sheet is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow so as to be pushed from behind by conveyance protrusions 212 (212a, 212b) provided at predetermined intervals.

  However, if the coin is deformed or has burrs, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), the coin 100c being transported passes through the transport protrusion 212a that has pushed the coin 100c from the rear, and moves downstream in the transport direction. It may move. As a result, if another coin 100d is transported downstream in the transport direction, the coin 100c is transported while being pushed by the coin 100d while passing through the transport protrusion 212a. If there is no coin 100d on the downstream side in the transport direction, the coin 100c that has passed through the transport protrusion 212a is transported while being pushed by the next transport protrusion 212b on the downstream side in the transport direction. Each coin transported in the transport path 17 is monitored by transport path sensors provided at various positions in the transport path from the time when the coins are fed to the transport path 17 until the coins are stored in the storage unit 22 or the temporary storage unit 23 of the transport destination. Thus, it is possible to detect the presence of the coin 100c that has passed through the transport protrusion 212a, the presence or absence of the coin 100d on the downstream side of the coin 100c, the transport status of the coin 100c after slipping through, and the like.

  In the coin processing device 11, even when there is a slipped coin 100c that has passed through the transport protrusion 212, the coin processing can be continued without stopping the coin processing as a transport error. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to slipping coins.

  The presence or absence of the coin 100 that has passed through the transport protrusion 212 is monitored by the transport path sensor (step S21; No), and when the slip-through coin 100c is generated (step S21; Yes), downstream in the transport direction following the slipped coin 100c. The presence / absence of the succeeding coin 100d conveyed on the side is confirmed (step S22).

  When there is no subsequent coin 100d and the slipping coin 100c is being transported while being pushed by the next transporting protrusion 212b (step S22; No), the transport destination of the slipping coin 100c is changed to the overflow stacker 29, and the overflow stacker 29 is changed. 29 (step S23).

  If there is a succeeding coin 100d that is transported following the slipping coin 100c (step S22; Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the transport destination of the succeeding coin 100d is a predetermined storage unit (step S24). Specifically, it is confirmed whether the transport destination of the subsequent coin 100d is any one of the overflow stacker 29, the coin cassette 30, the collection cassette 33, and the reject box 35. That is, it is confirmed whether or not the subsequent coin 100d is transported to a predetermined storage unit in which a coin that is not reused as a withdrawal coin is stored.

  When the transport destination of the subsequent coin 100d is the predetermined storage unit (step S24; Yes), the slipping coin 100c is transported together with the subsequent coin 100d and stored in the predetermined storage unit (step S25).

  On the other hand, when the subsequent coin 100d transport destination is not the predetermined storage unit (step S24; No), the transport destination of the subsequent coin 100d is changed to the overflow stacker 29 (step S26), and the slip-through coin 100c is replaced with the subsequent coin 100d. At the same time, it is transported and stored in the overflow stacker 29 (step S27).

  The coin that has passed through the transport protrusion 212 may be a deformed coin or a coin with burrs. For this reason, if it accommodates in the accommodating part 22 or the temporary storage part 23, a conveyance error may arise by slipping through the conveyance protrusion 212 again by subsequent conveyance. For this reason, an overflow stacker 29, a coin cassette are not stored in the temporary storage unit 23 for feeding the coins to the transport path 17 immediately after the coins are temporarily stored, or the storage unit 22 for reusing the stored coins as a withdrawal coin. 30. The slip-through coin 100c is stored in one of the collection cassette 33 and the reject box 35. At this time, if there is a succeeding coin 100d following the slipping coin, the passing coin 100c is recovered to the overflow stacker 29 by changing the transport destination of this succeeding coin to the overflow stacker 29. As a result, the slipping coin 100c is immediately fed out from the temporary storage unit 23 and the storage unit 22 and is not transported through the transport path 17 again, and it can be avoided that the coin processing is stopped due to a transport error. .

[Foreign matter detection by identification unit]
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the coin 100 that is transported through the transport path 17 in the vicinity of the identification unit 24. In the identification unit 24, in order to identify the coin 100, imaging of the coin 100 and acquisition of a feature amount are performed. For this reason, the identification unit 24 includes an identification unit timing sensor 221 for detecting the coin 100 arriving at the identification unit 24 and determining the timing of imaging and measurement.

  In addition, the conveyance path sensor is arranged at various places on the conveyance path 17, but the conveyance path sensor 222 is also arranged at a position from the identification unit 24 to the temporary holding unit 23. You can monitor the coins that have passed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, in the conveyance path 17, coin conveyance is performed using the conveyance belt 211 and the conveyance protrusion 212, but these are abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, when the foreign object 223 is conveyed together with the coin 100 in the direction indicated by the arrow, the foreign object 223 is detected by the identification unit timing sensor 221, and this foreign object has abnormally approached the coin 100. May be erroneously determined to be an abnormally close coin conveyed in a state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the foreign object 223 stops during the subsequent conveyance and only the coin 100 is conveyed, the conveyance path sensor 222 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the identification unit 24 Only the coin 100 is detected, and the foreign object 223 is not detected. In such a case, in the coin processing apparatus 11, it can determine with the abnormally approaching coin detected previously having misdetected the foreign material.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of foreign object detection processing in the conveyance path 17 near the identification unit 24. Whether or not the abnormally approaching coin is detected by the identification unit timing sensor 221 is monitored (step S31; No), and when an abnormally approaching coin is detected (step S31; Yes), information indicating that there is an abnormally approaching coin Is recorded (step S32).

  Subsequently, when an abnormally approaching coin is detected by the transport path sensor 222 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the identification unit 24 (step S33; Yes), the transport status of the abnormally approaching coin is continuously monitored, and the saucer unit A predetermined process such as return to 14 is performed (step S37), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the abnormally approaching coin is not detected by the transport path sensor 222 (Step S33; No), and the subsequent coin that is normally transported through the transport path 17 is detected following the coin 100 (Step S34; Yes). ) The previously recorded record of abnormally approaching coins is deleted (step S36), and the process related to abnormally approaching coins is terminated. After detecting the coin 100 accompanied by the abnormally approaching coin by the transport path sensor 222, if the subsequent coin is detected without detecting the abnormally approaching coin, the previously detected abnormally approaching coin erroneously detected the foreign object 223. Therefore, it is determined that the coin 100 and subsequent coins are normally conveyed, and the coin processing is continued.

  In addition, when the abnormally approaching coin is not detected and the normal coin following the coin 100 cannot be detected (Step S34; No), a predetermined time has elapsed since the identifying unit timing sensor 221 detected the abnormally approaching coin. It is determined whether or not there is (step S35). The processes of steps S33 to S35 are continued until a predetermined time has elapsed (step S35; No).

  When the predetermined time has passed without detecting the abnormally approaching coin and the subsequent normal coin by the transport path sensor 222 (step S35; Yes), the previously recorded record of the abnormally approaching coin is deleted (step S36), The process related to the abnormally approaching coin is terminated. After detecting the coin 100 accompanied by the abnormally approaching coin by the transport path sensor 222, if the abnormally approaching coin cannot be detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the previously detected abnormally approaching coin is an erroneously detected foreign object 223. Therefore, it is determined that the coin 100 is normally conveyed and the coin processing is continued.

  In addition, about the predetermined time used for determination of step S35, it sets according to the conveyance speed of the coin 100, the distance between the coins conveyed in the adjacent state, etc. Specifically, after detecting the normally transported coin 100, the detected object 100 is longer than the time length set to determine that the detected object is an abnormally approaching coin, and is detected normally. It is set to a time shorter than the time length until the subsequent coins conveyed in the adjacent state are detected.

  As described above, in the coin processing device 11, the abnormally approaching coin erroneously detects a foreign object based on the detection result by the identification unit timing sensor 221 and the detection result by the conveyance path sensor 222 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the identification unit 24. In the case of erroneous detection, the coin processing can be continued without stopping.

[Cleaning process of feeding section]
In the coin processing device 11, after the depositing process is completed, a cleaning process for discharging dust and the like from the feeding unit 21 can be performed. In addition, when foreign matter is mixed with coins in the feeding unit 21 or when there is a possibility, foreign matter return processing for returning the foreign matter to the return port 26 can be performed.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the cleaning process and the foreign object return process performed by the feeding unit 21 after the deposit process. After the depositing process is finished, if a feeding failure has occurred in the feeding unit 21 during the depositing process (step S41; Yes), there is a possibility that foreign matter is mixed in the feeding unit 21, so that the feeding unit The feeding part gate provided on the bottom surface of 21 is fully opened, and a foreign matter return process for returning foreign matter to the return port 26 is performed (step S42). Moreover, since there exists a possibility that the foreign material is returned to the return port 26 by this, the alerting | reporting process which alert | reports to confirm the presence or absence of a foreign material is performed (step S43). When the coin processing device 11 includes a display unit or the like, the notification processing is performed using the notification processing. When the coin processing device 11 is used in a money processing device such as an ATM, the money processing is performed. Done by the device.

  On the other hand, if no feeding failure has occurred during the depositing process (step S41; No), it is determined whether or not the number of coins fed out from the feeding unit 21 during the depositing process is greater than or equal to a predetermined number ( Step S44). The predetermined number of coins can be changed by setting. For example, when the number of coins is set to 15 and the number of coins to be fed is less than 15 (step S44; No), the cleaning process is unnecessary. It is determined that there is, and the process is terminated as it is.

  If the number of feeding defects is 15 or more (step S44; Yes), a cleaning process for cleaning the feeding portion 21 by slightly opening the feeding portion gate provided on the bottom surface of the feeding portion 21 is performed (step S45). . In the foreign matter return process (step S42), the feeding part gate is fully opened, but in the cleaning process (step S45), the opening of the feeding part gate is kept slightly open so that the process is completed in a short time. ing.

  After cleaning with the feeding part gate opened slightly, if the feeding part gate can be closed normally (step S46; Yes), there is a possibility that foreign matter has been returned to the return port 26 by the cleaning process. Since there is, this is notified (step S48).

  On the other hand, after the cleaning process is performed, if the feeding part gate cannot be closed (step S46; No), the feeding part gate is fully opened and the foreign matter return process is performed (step S47). For example, when a foreign matter such as a clip remains in the feeding portion 21 and the cleaning process is performed with the feeding portion gate slightly opened, the foreign matter is sandwiched between the feeding portion gate and the feeding portion gate is closed. There are things that cannot be done. In such a case, the foreign matter return process is performed by fully opening the feeding portion gate to discharge the foreign matter.

  Thus, after performing the foreign object return process and closing the feeding portion gate, the notification process for notifying that there is a possibility that the foreign object has been returned to the return port 26 is performed (step S48), and the process is terminated. .

  When the number of coins fed out from the feeding unit 21 during the depositing process is large, that is, when the number of coins thrown into the tray part 14 during the depositing process is large, foreign matter such as a clip is inserted between the inserted coins. May be mixed. For this reason, when there are a large number of sheets to be fed, a cleaning process is performed in the feeding unit 21, and it is possible to prevent a feeding failure or the like from occurring due to foreign matters remaining in the feeding unit 21 during the next depositing process. Further, since the cleaning process is performed by slightly opening the feeding part gate, the process can be completed in a short time. In addition, when the feeding portion gate cannot be closed after the cleaning process, the foreign portion is discharged by closing the feeding portion gate to perform the foreign matter return processing, thereby closing the feeding portion gate and continuing the coin processing. be able to.

  According to the coin processing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment, by executing each of the processes described above, it is possible to efficiently perform the coin processing while suppressing the occurrence of an error related to the coin processing. For example, in addition to the identification result by the identification unit 24, it is possible to detect an abnormality such as a coin deformation using a waveform output by detecting a coin conveyed through the conveyance path 17 using a conveyance path sensor. it can. In the case where an abnormal coin such as a deformed coin or a coin with a hole is included in the deposited coin put into the tray 14 at the time of deposit processing, it is taken out of the apparatus without being stored in the apparatus. Since it can return, it can avoid that an abnormal coin is accommodated in the accommodating part 22, and is utilized as a withdrawal coin. Moreover, it is possible to continue the coin processing by avoiding a situation in which an abnormal coin is processed in the coin processing apparatus 11 and an error occurs in feeding or transport and the coin processing must be stopped. .

  As described above, the coin processing apparatus according to the present invention is useful for efficiently performing coin processing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Coin processing apparatus 12 Machine body 13 Coin transaction port 14 Receptacle part 15 Shutter 17 Transport path 18 1st transport path part 19 2nd transport path part 20 3rd transport path part 21 Feeding part 22 Storage part 23 Temporary reservation part 24 Identification part 25 Chute 26 Return port 29 Overflow stacker 30 Coin cassette 31 Transport mechanism 32, 34 Belt 33 Collection cassette 35 Reject box 36-39 Branching part 41 Rotating disk 43 Cover 44 Feeding guide 45 Guide passage 46 Delivery disk 53 Coin support part 55 Sensor hole Unit 60 guide member 61 closing unit 63 regulating unit 101 first sensor 102 second sensor 103 third sensor 211 conveying belts 212, 212a, 212b conveying projections 221 identifying unit timing sensors 222, 231, 232 conveying path sensors

Claims (4)

A transport path for transporting coins;
A transport path sensor that outputs a waveform according to a detection result of coins transported through the transport path;
An identification unit for identifying the coin,
When the conveyance path sensor outputs an abnormal waveform indicating that an abnormal coin is detected, the coin is returned to the outside of the apparatus regardless of the identification result by the identification unit.   2. The coin according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to return the coin is determined based on an output waveform of a conveyance path sensor provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the coin with respect to the identification unit. Processing equipment.   When an abnormal waveform is output by the transport path sensor provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the coin with respect to the identification unit, the transport path sensor provided on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the identification unit. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an output waveform from the power is not used for coin processing.   2. The coin is returned to the outside of the apparatus regardless of the identification result by the identification unit when the abnormal waveform is output by the conveyance path sensor when performing the deposit process. 4. The coin processing device according to any one of items 3.

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