JP2017138987A - Payment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a money receiving/dispensing device that does not require a human operation upon an overflow of coins.SOLUTION: A money receiving/dispensing device comprises a coin receiving/dispensing device, a bill receiving/dispensing device, and a collecting bag. The coin receiving/dispensing device is configured to store coins acquired through a coin receiving port and discharge the stored coins from a coin dispensing port. The bill receiving/dispensing device is located under the coin receiving/dispensing device and configured to store bills acquired through a bill receiving port and discharge the stored bills from a bill dispensing port. The collecting bag has a shape not interfering with the bill receiving port and the bill dispensing port, and is detachably attached under the coin dispensing port and configured to collect coins discharged by the coin receiving/dispensing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a payment apparatus.

  In recent years, deposit / withdrawal devices such as a self-register (also referred to as a self-checkout device or a self-POS (Point Of Sales)) have been used. The self-checkout is a device that is installed in a retail store such as a supermarket, and allows a customer to register and settle a purchase product by himself. The self-register has a built-in coin deposit / withdrawal device and banknote deposit / withdrawal device.

  The coin deposit / withdrawal apparatus receives coins for payment and stores them in a storage unit, and pays out coins as change from the storage unit. When the coin overflows, that is, when the storage capacity of the storage unit reaches the upper limit, the conventional self-registration becomes incapable of settlement and requires a handling operation by the store clerk. That is, the store clerk opens the self-checkout door, attaches a container such as a dedicated bag to the coin depositing and dispensing device, and collects the coins stored in the storage unit in the container. During this coping operation, the customer cannot use the self-checkout.

  The unusable state due to the overflow of coins as described above is not limited to self-checkout as long as it is a device that deposits and withdraws coins.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a deposit / withdrawal apparatus that does not require manned response when coins overflow.

  The settlement apparatus according to the embodiment is an apparatus for a customer to settle a purchased product by himself / herself, and includes a housing, a flat portion, a coin deposit / withdrawal apparatus, a banknote deposit / withdrawal apparatus, and a container. The housing includes a door that can be opened and closed on the front. The flat surface portion extends across the central portion in the width direction of the housing and has a shape that is long in the width direction so that money can be placed thereon. The coin deposit / withdrawal device is brought into one side of the side wall in the width direction of the casing and is housed in the casing and straddles the central portion in the width direction, and is taken in from a coin receiving port continuous from the flat portion. Coins are stored and change is discharged into the coin outlet. The banknote depositing / dispensing device is accommodated under the coin depositing / withdrawing device in the casing so as to form a space below the coin depositing / dispensing device between one side wall and the other side wall. The banknote that exists across the central portion in the width direction and stores the banknote taken in from the banknote receiving port is stored, and the stored banknote is discharged to the banknote dispensing port. The container is housed in the housing, is attached to the coin depositing / dispensing device so as to be detachable by opening the door, and has a shape that fills the space at least in part, and at least the portion includes the coin depositing / dispensing device Stores coins evacuated from.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an appearance of a self-registration according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the self-checkout seen from obliquely above. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the first housing with the door opened. FIG. 4 is a front view of the payment terminal with the door removed, showing the appearance of the deposit / withdrawal unit. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the payment terminal with the door removed, showing the appearance of the deposit / withdrawal unit. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the collection bag. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the bag portion in a simplified manner, and is a view for explaining the shape of the bag portion. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the self-checkout.

  Exemplary embodiments of a deposit / withdrawal apparatus will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, self-registration (also referred to as a self-checkout device or self-POS (Point Of Sales)) will be described as an example of a deposit / withdrawal device. The self-checkout is a terminal device for a customer to register and settle a product by himself / herself.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external appearance of a self-registration 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the self-registration 100 as viewed from obliquely above. The self-checkout 100 includes a settlement terminal 1, a storage rack 2, and a bagging shelf 3. The settlement terminal 1 includes a deposit / withdrawal unit 4, a reading unit 5, a display operation unit 6, and a control unit 7 (see FIG. 8) that controls each unit.

  The payment terminal 1 includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12. The first housing 11 includes a door 111 that can be opened and closed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the first housing 11 with the door 111 opened. The door 111 rotates up and down around the hinge portion 111a. The first housing 11 accommodates the deposit / withdrawal unit 4 therein. The deposit / withdrawal unit 4 includes a banknote change machine (banknote deposit / withdrawal apparatus) 41 and a coin change machine (coin deposit / withdrawal apparatus) 42. The 1st housing | casing 11 opens the inside of the 1st housing | casing 11 by rotating the door 111 upwards, and exposes the banknote change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42. FIG. Returning to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the second housing 12 houses the control unit 7 therein.

  The reading unit 5 includes a scanner 50 that reads the appearance of a product and a code (such as a barcode) attached to the product in order to specify the product. In addition, the reading unit 5 includes a printer 51 that prints a receipt related to merchandise sales data processing executed by the control unit 7. The printer 51 projects a receipt discharge stand 51 a that supports the discharged receipt from the first housing 11. That is, the receipt discharge stand 51 a is a convex convex portion provided to protrude from the first housing 11. Furthermore, the reading unit 5 includes a card reader 52 that reads a credit card related to a settlement process executed by the control unit 7.

  The display operation unit 6 includes a monitor 61 and a touch panel 62. The monitor 61 displays an image according to the control of the control unit 7. The touch panel 62 is provided on the surface of the monitor 61 and outputs information based on the position touched by the operator to the control unit 7.

  The basket storage shelf 2 is a storage table used as a storage place for the basket when the product in the basket is taken out and held over the reading unit 5. The basket shelf 2 is provided on one side of the payment terminal 1.

  The bagging shelf 3 is a table for packing products after scanning. The bagging shelf 3 is provided on the other side of the settlement terminal 1 (opposite side of the storage rack 2).

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the payment terminal 1 with the door 111 removed, and shows the appearance of the deposit / withdrawal unit 4. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the payment terminal 1 with the door 111 removed, and shows the appearance of the deposit / withdrawal unit 4. The banknote change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42 are stacked and stored in the first housing 11, and the banknote change machine 41 is located under the coin change machine 42.

  The bill change machine 41 discriminates the correctness of the taken banknote, stores the correct coin, and withdraws the bill as change. The coin change machine 42 determines whether or not the taken coins are correct and stores them, and dispenses coins as change. The bill change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42 inform the control unit 7 of the amount of money stored. Further, the banknote change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42 receive notification from the control unit 7 of the amount to be withdrawn as change.

  The control unit 7 comprehensively controls each unit (the deposit / withdrawal unit 4, the reading unit 5, and the display operation unit 6) included in the settlement terminal 1. The control unit 7 acquires code information from the reading unit 5. In addition, the control unit 7 outputs information to be displayed on the monitor 61 of the display operation unit 6, and acquires information on an operation performed by the operator from the touch panel 62. Further, the control unit 7 grasps the deposit to the deposit / withdrawal unit 4 and instructs the deposit / withdrawal unit 4 to withdraw.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the first housing 11 is provided with a coin slot (coin slot, coin slot) 421 for depositing into the coin changer 42 on one end of the upper surface. Further, the first housing 11 (the deposit / withdrawal unit 4) has a coin discharge tray (coin dispensing port) 422, a reject tray 423, and a bill insertion from the back side where the coin insertion port 421 is provided toward the front side. A mouth (banknote receiving port) 411 and a banknote outlet (banknote outlet) 412 are provided stepwise in order. That is, the surface on which the coin insertion port 421 is provided is the upper stage, the surface on which the coin discharge tray 422 and the reject tray 423 are provided is the middle stage, and the surface on which the banknote insertion port 411 and the banknote discharge port 412 are provided is the lower stage. is there. In this way, by arranging various input ports and discharge ports (discharge trays) in a stepped manner, it is possible to overlook all the input ports and discharge ports (discharge trays) from the back side to the front side. Yes.

  The coin discharge tray 422 is a tray that receives coins discharged from the coin change machine 42. The reject tray 423 is a tray that receives coins (reject coins) that should not be accommodated in the coin change machine 42 such as deformed coins, foreign coins, and fake coins. The positional relationship among the coin insertion slot 421, the coin discharge tray 422, and the reject tray 423 depends on the structure of the coin change machine 42.

  The coin insertion slot 421 and the coin discharge tray 422 are provided at positions separated along the width direction of the first housing 11. As described above, since the coin insertion slot 421 and the coin discharge tray 422 are provided so as to be shifted in the height direction, the width direction, and the depth direction, the visibility and operability with respect to the coin discharge tray 422 are good. ing. The reject tray 423 is provided side by side with the coin discharge tray 422 at a position below the coin insertion slot 421.

  The bill insertion slot 411 is a bill insertion slot for depositing into the bill change machine 41. The banknote outlet 412 is a banknote outlet that is discharged from the banknote change machine 41. The positional relationship between the bill insertion slot 411 and the bill ejection slot 412 depends on the structure of the bill change machine 41. Further, the bill insertion slot 411 and the bill discharge slot 412 are located apart (shifted) from the coin discharge tray 422 along the width direction of the first housing 11.

  In addition, LEDs 43 to 46 for notifying operation procedures and errors are provided in the vicinity of the coin insertion slot 421, the coin discharge tray 422, the reject tray 423, the banknote insertion slot 411, and the banknote discharge slot 412, respectively. Yes. In addition, the place in which LED43-46 is provided will not be specifically limited if it is the vicinity of each part. Further, the number and arrangement of the LEDs 43 to 46 are not particularly limited.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the self-registration 100 includes a collection bag 8. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the collection bag 8. In addition, the code | symbol 421a in FIG. 6 is a destination where the coin thrown in from the coin slot 421 of the 1st housing | casing 11 is guide | induced, and is the deposit slot 421a of the coin change machine 42. FIG.

  The collection bag 8 is a container for storing coins to be collected from the coin change machine 42 and coins to be retracted when overflowing. For example, coins are collected when the store is closed. Moreover, overflow is a case where the storage amount of the coin change machine 42 exceeds a predetermined reference value set in advance.

  The collection bag 8 is detachably attached to the lower part of the coin discharge tray 422. The coin change machine 42 has a path for guiding coins on the coin discharge tray 422 and a path for guiding coins to the collection bag 8 below the coin discharge tray 422. The path for discharging coins according to the situation is the above two paths. Switch to one of the two.

  Here, the bill change machine 41 is disposed at a position shifted in the width direction with respect to the coin change machine 42, leaving a space at a position next to the own machine and below the coin discharge tray 422. The collection bag 8 is formed in a shape suitable for this space.

  The collection bag 8 has a bag portion 81 and a frame 82. The frame 82 has a frame portion 821 and a grip portion 822. An opening of the bag portion 81 is attached to the frame portion 821, whereby the frame portion 821 supports the bag portion 81. The grip portion 822 is provided on the near side of the frame portion 821 and is a portion used as a handle when the collection bag 8 is attached and detached. In FIG. 6, the collection bag 8 is shown in a state where it is pulled out slightly to show the frame portion 821.

  FIG. 7 is a front view showing the bag portion 81 in a simplified manner, and is a view for explaining the shape of the bag portion 81. The bag portion 81 is not of a general shape having the same width from the upper part to the lower part, but is formed in a different shape in which the width is different between the upper part and the lower part. The bag portion 81 has a shape that does not cover the bill insertion slot 411 and the bill discharge slot 412.

  The bag portion 81 will be described by dividing it into a bag upper portion 811, a bag lower portion 812, and a slope 813. The bag lower part 812 constitutes a hanging part that fills the space next to the bill change machine 41. The bag upper portion 811 and the slope 813 constitute a guide portion that guides coins from the coin discharge tray 422 to the hanging portion (bag lower portion 812).

  The bag upper part 811 is a part located in the space between the coin change machine 42 and the banknote change machine 41, and has the same width and depth as the coin discharge tray 422. Moreover, the bag upper part 811 does not cover the banknote insertion slot 411 and the banknote discharge slot 412, but is positioned laterally. The bag lower part 812 has a width suitable for the space remaining beside the banknote change machine 41 in the first housing 11. Further, the bag lower portion 812 is formed wider as it goes downward. That is, the dimension indicated by b is larger than the dimension indicated by a in FIG.

  The bag lower portion 812 is connected to one side portion of the bag upper portion 811. Between the other side portion of the bag upper portion 811 and the upper end of the bag lower portion 812, an inclined surface 813 that goes down toward the bag lower portion 812 is provided. The slope 813 gradually narrows the width of the bag upper portion 811 and guides the coins that have entered the bag upper portion 811 to the bag lower portion 812.

  The coin change machine 42 including the collection bag 8 as described above discharges the coins to the coin discharge tray 422 or the collection bag 8. Whether the coin is guided to the coin discharge tray 422 or the collection bag 8 depends on the storage amount (empty condition) of the coin change machine 42. When the storage amount of the coin change machine 42 is full or nearly full (for example, a state exceeding a predetermined number (threshold)), the coin change machine 42 discharges coins to the collection bag 8.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the self-registration 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the self-registration 100. The settlement terminal 1 includes a control unit 7, an I / O device control unit 71, and a communication I / F (interface) 72.

  The communication I / F 72 connects its own device to the bagging shelf 3 so as to be communicable. The I / O device control unit 71 connects the bill change machine 41, the coin change machine 42, the LEDs 43 to 46, the scanner 50, the printer 51, the card reader 52, the monitor 61, and the touch panel 62 to the control unit 7.

  On the other hand, the bagging shelf 3 further includes an I / O device control unit 31, a communication I / F (interface) 32, and a measuring instrument 33. The measuring device 33 weighs the articles placed on the bagging shelf 3. The communication I / F 32 connects the own apparatus so as to be communicable with the payment terminal 1. That is, the I / O device control unit 31 connects the measuring instrument 33 to the control unit 7 via the communication I / Fs 32 and 72. The measuring device 33 measures the weight of the article on the bagging shelf 3 for the purpose of preventing fraud.

  The control unit 7 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores various computer programs executed by the CPU and various data. The RAM temporarily stores data and computer programs when the CPU executes the computer programs. The control unit 7 comprehensively controls each unit by developing and executing a computer program read from the ROM by the CPU on the RAM.

  In such a configuration, the self cash register 100 is used with the collection bag 8 attached to the coin change machine 42. The control unit 7 controls the coin change machine 42 so that the coin is retracted to the collection bag 8 when the coin change machine 42 is in an overflow state.

  When the coin change machine 42 discharges coins to the collection bag 8, the coin enters the bag portion 81 of the collection bag 8. Since the bag upper part 811 is formed in the wide mouth, the coin discharge path | route for coin collection | recovery can be widened, and a quick coin collection | recovery can be performed. In addition, since the bag lower portion 812 is formed in an elongated shape, the bag portion 81 has a constricted shape, so that the coins collected in the bag lower portion 812 are not easily spilled. Furthermore, since the lower end portion of the bag lower portion 812 is wide, the stored coins are easily stabilized.

  The collection bag 8 is formed to have a capacity capable of collecting all the coins stored in the coin change machine 42. When coins are withdrawn into the collection bag 8 at the time of overflow, the coins for change remain in the coin change machine 42, so that the amount of coins transferred to the collection bag 8 at this time is smaller than that at the time of coin collection. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the need for manned response when coins overflow.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

100 ... Self-checkout (withdrawal and withdrawal device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Payment terminal 4 ... Deposit / withdrawal part 41 ... Banknote change machine (banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus)
411 ... Bill insertion slot (banknote receiving port)
412 ... Banknote outlet (banknote outlet)
42 ... Coin change machine (coin deposit and withdrawal device)
421 ... Coin slot (coin receiving slot)
422 ... Coin discharge tray (coin withdrawal port)
8 ... collection bag 81 ... bag part 811 ... upper part of bag (part of guide part)
812 ... Bag lower part
813 ... Slope (part of guide)

JP 2011-54121 A

Claims (5)

A device for customers to settle their purchases themselves,
A housing with a front door that can be opened and closed;
A flat surface portion that is present across the central portion in the width direction of the housing and has a shape that is long in the width direction and on which money can be placed;
A coin that is stored in the housing and straddles one of the side walls in the width direction of the housing and straddles the central portion in the width direction and that is taken in from a coin receiving port that continues from the flat surface portion is housed. A coin deposit and withdrawal device
Centered in the width direction by being placed under the coin depositing / withdrawing device in the casing so as to form a space below the coin depositing / dispensing device with one of the side walls. Banknote depositing / withdrawing device that exists across the section, stores banknotes taken from the banknote receiving port, and discharges the stored banknotes to the banknote outlet,
It is housed in the housing, is removably attached to the coin depositing / dispensing device by opening the door, and has a shape that fills the space at least in part, and at least the portion is retracted from the coin depositing / dispensing device A container for storing coins;
A settlement apparatus. The door can be opened and closed by being pivoted in the vertical direction around the upper end, and the casing is opened in a state of being pivoted upward to open the bill depositing / dispensing device and the coin depositing and dispensing The settlement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus and the container are exposed. The container has a hanging part that fills the space, and a slope that descends toward the hanging part between the coin depositing and dispensing device and the banknote depositing and dispensing device, and the retracted coin is transferred to the hanging part by the slope. The settlement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide unit that guides. The settlement apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a lower end portion of the hanging portion is formed wider than a portion other than the lower end portion. Control means for retracting coins to the container when a predetermined number of coins are stored in the coin depositing and dispensing device;
Used with the container attached,
The settlement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: