JP3320202B2 - Coin processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine typified by a vending machine installed in a railway station building and an online automatic depositing / dispensing terminal installed in a financial institution such as a bank. The present invention relates to a coin processing device which is built in a financial terminal device represented by the like and automatically processes coins.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, in a coin processing apparatus that automatically handles such money, reserve money for appropriating change is prepared in advance for each denomination, and coins input by a user are used. The shortage of change is avoided by providing a so-called circulation type structure in which the money is separated for each denomination and used for change.

[0003] That is, to prepare the above reserves,
For denominations that are frequently used as change, the amount of payment will be greater than the amount of input by the user, leading to a shortage of the absolute amount of the denomination. In order to prevent this, and to apply the coins input by the user to the change as well, if all changes are covered by only reserves, the reserves must be frequently replenished and it becomes complicated, This is to prevent such inconvenience.

A coin processing apparatus employing such a circulation system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-67474. Such a coin processing device has a plurality of denominations, for example,
It is configured to handle 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen of Japanese coins. Of these denominations, denominations that frequently use change, for example, 10 yen and 100 yen,
A large amount of reserve money is stored in advance in a detachable box-shaped coin cassette so that replenishment of reserve money can be performed at a time, and the change use frequency of 50 yen and 50 yen is low.
About 0 yen, the user can replenish from a coin insertion slot for inserting coins. The coin processing device having such a configuration realizes downsizing of the entire device by providing a coin cassette having a large volume only for denominations with high change use frequency, and at least for denominations with low change use frequency. This is based on the rational idea of securing replenishment from the coin slot.

[0005]

By the way, the coin processing apparatus employing such a conventional circulation system exhibits excellent effects based on the above-described rational idea.
In the above-mentioned replenishment from the coin insertion slot, since coins must be inserted one by one, there is a problem that a large amount of insufficient coins cannot be replenished in a short time. Therefore,
When there are few users, replenishment from the coin slot due to such a shortage of change coins is extremely rare, so this is hardly a problem, but in railway station buildings with many users. As a result, the coin processing device installed in the system cannot perform quick coin replenishment, and as a result, a situation occurs in which only a so-called temporary surplus effect is obtained.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and does not become large in size as compared with a conventional coin processing apparatus, regardless of the frequency of change use.
An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device capable of quickly replenishing shortage coins for all denominations.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a hopper feed mechanism for receiving coins, aligning them and sending them out, and coins sent from the hopper feed mechanism for each denomination. And a sorting mechanism for sending out to a passage provided for each denomination, a sensor for detecting a coin passing through each passage and outputting a detection signal, a change storage mechanism provided for each passage, Every time coins are taken out from the change storage mechanism as coins, a coin take-out mechanism that outputs a take-out signal corresponding to each coin, and first counting means that increases a count value by one each time a detection signal is received from the sensor. And second counting means for increasing the count value by one each time the takeout signal is received, and calculating a difference between the count value of the first counting means and the count value of the second counting means. The change storage mechanism And configured to include a control means for obtaining coins remaining amount of each denomination.

In addition, a coin cassette for storing coins as reserve money is provided in advance, and when coins are replenished from the coin cassette to the change storage mechanism, the control means controls the count value of the first counting means and the second count value. The number of refill coins is added to the difference from the count value of the counting means to calculate the remaining coin amount for each denomination of the change storage mechanism.

[0009] Further, there is provided display means for displaying the remaining coin amount for each denomination obtained by the control means.

[0010]

The amount of change in the number of coins remaining in each change storage mechanism is equal to the difference between the number of input coins and the number of output coins. Therefore, the control means can accurately determine the remaining coin amount for each denomination of each change storage mechanism by calculating the difference between the count value of the first counting means and the count value of the second counting means. It is possible to quickly detect a so-called out-of-change state and to prevent inconvenience to the user beforehand. Further, when a coin cassette is provided, the remaining amount of coins for each denomination of each change storage mechanism can be accurately obtained by adding and calculating the number of refill coins.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a coin processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The coin processing apparatus of this embodiment is unitized, and can be attached to various vending machines, automatic ticket vending machines, and other automatic machine systems in a detachable manner, thereby enhancing the functions of these automatic machine systems. It has general versatility. In the description of this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to an automatic ticket vending machine will be described as a representative example.

First, the external structure of the coin processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Coin M input by the user
A hopper feed mechanism A is provided for temporarily storing, aligning, and delivering. This hopper feed mechanism A
When the coin processing device is mounted on the back side of an automatic ticket vending machine panel (not shown) in the station building, the coin processing device is positioned so as to face a coin slot provided in the automatic ticket vending machine panel. Further, the hopper feed mechanism A
Is a container-shaped hopper 1 for temporarily storing an arbitrary number (one or more) of coins M inserted therein, and a lid 2 for opening and closing an upper opening formed in the hopper 1.
A coin guide tube 3 attached to one end of the lid 2 and communicating the coin slot with the inside of the hopper 1;
An automatic sensor 3a provided at one end of the inserted coin guide tube 3 for optically detecting the passage of the inserted coin M (which generates an insertion detection signal _SPD when the passage of the inserted coin M is detected); The coin M inserted from the coin insertion slot of the panel is accommodated in the hopper 1 via the inserted coin guide tube 3. Also, during normal ticket sales, the inserted coin M must be supplied to the hopper 1 via the inserted coin guide tube 3 without fail.
The upper opening of the hopper 1 is closed by the lid 2 so that the lid 2 is supported by a hinge mechanism attached to the upper end of the hopper 1. The upper opening of the hopper 1 can be opened by lifting the hopper 1 upward, and a large number of coins can be thrown into the hopper 1 collectively from the upper opening.

A coin delivery end (see FIG. 3) 4 of the hopper feed mechanism A has a sequential transport for sequentially transporting coins which are delivered one by one in a line from the hopper feed mechanism A along a predetermined guide path. A section B is provided continuously, and a discrimination sensor C for detecting a denomination of coins is attached in the middle of the guide path. The above guide path is inclined so that coins sent from the sending end 4 of the hopper feed mechanism A roll under their own weight.

At the end of the sequential transport section B, there is provided a sorting mechanism D for sorting the transported coins for each denomination and transferring them to separate drop paths, and at the lower end of each drop path, A temporary holding mechanism E for temporarily storing the dropped coins for each denomination is provided. At the lower end of the temporary holding mechanism E, a plurality of change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd are provided, and coins discharged from the temporary holding mechanism E are stored for each denomination.

At the top of the coin processing device, a box-shaped coin cassette G ₁ , which stores coins of a specific denomination as reserves,
G ₂ is adapted to be mounted detachably.
Also, coin cassettes G ₁ and G ₂ and change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd
There is provided a coin transport path (not shown) for communicating with a specific change storage mechanism of the above-mentioned, and when the amount of change is reduced, the specific change storage mechanism is automatically replenished via those coin transport paths. It has become. For example, the change storage mechanism Fa accommodates a Japanese 50 yen coin, the change accumulation mechanism Fb accommodates a Japanese 100 yen coin, the change accumulation mechanism Fc accommodates a Japanese 10 yen coin, and the change accumulation mechanism Fd accommodates a Japanese 500 yen coin. with placing, leave each accommodating 100 yen coins and 10 yen higher change frequency in the coin cassette G ₁ and G _2, the coin cassette G ₁ of 100 yen change reservoir mechanism coin through one of the coin conveying passage Fb to, and is configured with 10-yen coin of the coin cassette G ₂ as appropriate automatically replenished via the other coin conveying passage to change the reservoir mechanism Fc.

Further, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-53331 by the present applicant, the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd have three to three bottoms.
It has a disk with holes about the size of five coins, and when this disk is driven to rotate, coins restrained in each hole collide with the fixed desk below the disk and are ejected one by one. A coin take-out mechanism (not shown) having a structure to be used is provided for each denomination. In addition, a return transport mechanism having a belt conveyor or the like for transporting the change coins released from each coin removal mechanism or the return coins released from the temporary holding mechanism E to a return port 50A provided in the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL (FIG. 6 (a)) is provided.

[0017] These various mechanisms are automatically controlled by a control circuit system having a built-in microcomputer. If the user's input amount is larger than the fare up to the designated boarding section, the inserted coins are used. Are separated for each denomination, and held by the temporary holding mechanism E until the start of the next customer processing, and finally stored in the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd, and by the above-mentioned coin removal mechanism and the return transport mechanism. Return the change corresponding to the difference between the input amount and the fare to the user.
By supplemented with _1, G _2, and performs efficient coin processing.

Next, the configurations of the above-described various mechanisms will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2A is a plan view showing the coin processing device shown in FIG. 1 from the side, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the coin processing device shown in FIG. 1 in the rear of the coin cassettes G ₁ and G ₂ . FIG. 3 shows a hopper feed mechanism A.
And the structure of the sequential transport unit B and the discrimination sensor C, FIGS. 4 and 5
6 shows the structure of the sorting mechanism D, and FIG.

In FIG. 2 (a), this coin processing device is installed on a rail previously fixed to an automatic ticket vending machine,
When mounted by pushing along the rails to the back side of the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL, the inserted coin guide tube 3 of the hopper feed mechanism A communicates with the coin input port Q of the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL, and further inserts. Since the coin guide tube 3 is located at a position slightly lower than the coin insertion slot Q, the inserted coin M is inserted into the container-shaped hopper section 1 by its own weight. As shown in FIG. 3 (the cover 2 and the inserted coin guide tube 3 are omitted), the coin M inserted in this way has a rotating disk 5 provided in the hopper 1. The coins are agitated by rotation (rotation in the R direction in the drawing) and are aligned one by one by engaging one end of a fan-shaped protrusion 6 fixed to the side surface of the revolving disk 5 and integrally rotating, thereby sending out coins. End 4
It is fried to the side. A claw-shaped guide projection 7 is provided at a predetermined position near the coin sending end 4.
By restricting the movement of the coin M scooped up by the fan-shaped protrusion 6 on the way, the coin M is sequentially sent from the coin sending end 4 to the guide path 8 of the transport section B. The turning disk 5 is provided with a drive motor 5
a is driven to rotate via a timing belt or the like. In this manner, the hopper feed mechanism A is arranged one by one and sequentially sent out to the transport unit B even if the user continuously inserts a large number of coins M in a short time.
A denomination detection process for each coin by a discrimination sensor C described later;
The sorting mechanism D can sort coins.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the sequential transport section B has a vertically meandering guideway 8 connecting the coin feeding end 4 to the sorting mechanism D, and is formed in the middle of the guideway 8. ,
A discrimination sensor C is attached, which magnetically detects the characteristics of the material and the shape (size, thickness, pattern, etc.) based on the magnetic loss of the passing coin and outputs the characteristic data Sc.
Note that such a discrimination sensor C is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 4-1997.
No. 02 and the like are applied.
Further, the meandering guide path 8 is designed to have a width and a depth capable of passing the largest diameter and thickest coin among a plurality of types of coins to be processed. Such a meandering guideway 8 can be realized by a well-known molding technique. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the largest coin rolls and moves on the flat back plate 3. A pair of meandering protruding members 10 and 11 which are opposed to each other in a width as wide as possible and are slightly thicker than the coin having the maximum thickness are fixed, and are supported by a hinge mechanism attached to the back plate 9 so as to be able to swing back and forth. The protruding members 10, 1 are provided by the restricted plates 12, 13 (see FIG. 2A).
By covering the first guideway 1, a guideway 8 having a stride-like shape is realized. In this manner, the swingable regulating plates 12, 1
Providing 3 provides an effect that, when deformed coins or the like are clogged in the guide path 8, it can be easily removed by opening the regulating plates 12, 13. Further, when the discrimination sensor C detects a counterfeit coin, the regulating plate 13 is automatically opened only for a short time, and the counterfeit coin is dropped onto a belt conveyor (see FIG. 6A) 50 of a return transport mechanism described later. This prevents the intrusion into the sorting mechanism D before it occurs. FIG. 3 shows the guide path 8 and the projecting member 1.
In order to clearly show the shapes of 0 and 11, the regulating plates 12 and 13 shown in FIG. 2 are shown in a state where they are removed from the hinge mechanism.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a sorting mechanism D connected to the end of the sequential transport section B is provided with a flat plate provided so as to be flush with the back plate 9 of the sequential transport section B. It is carried in from a left end (hereinafter, referred to as a receiving end) IN of the screen-like sorting plate 14. A ridge rail member 15 extending in the transport direction (the X direction in the drawing) is fixed to the selection plate 14 and the selection plate 14
A receiving coin M, whose falling is regulated by the rail member 15, is placed on the front side of the sorting plate 14 by transport belts 16 and 17.
A transport mechanism H for forcibly transporting along the transport direction X while being pressed against the sliding contact surface is provided.

The transport mechanism H has an aluminum die-cast base 19 to which a drive motor 18 is mounted. The base 19 is formed by a pair of arms 20 and 21 hanging at the lower end thereof. It is supported by being connected to supporting projections 22 and 23 fixed to the lower end of the plate 14. Further, a fixed shaft 24 and a drive shaft 25 rotationally driven by the drive motor 18 are protrudingly provided at the upper end portion of the base 19, and are oscillated while being elastically urged in a predetermined direction by a spring. Arms 26, 27, 28 are provided. Further, rotatable rotary pulleys 29 and 30 are attached to the fixed shaft 24, and drive pulleys 31 and 32 that rotate integrally with the drive shaft 25 are fixed to the drive shaft 25, and are fixed to the swing arms 26 to 28. Have rotatable rotary pulleys 33 to 38 attached thereto, and these pulleys 29 to 38
Transport belts 16 and 17 are wound between them. In addition, the swing arms 26 to 28 are always separated from the sorting plate 14 by a spring.
The conveying belts 16 and 17 driven by the driving pulleys 31 and 32 which receive the driving force of the driving motor 18 are elastically urged to the side, and the sorting belt 14 is driven by the appropriate elastic force.
, And the received coin M is conveyed so as to be sandwiched in cooperation with the sliding surface.

Next, the structure of the sorting plate 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the transport mechanism H has been removed in order to clearly show the structure of the sorting plate 14. In FIG. 5, a plurality (four) of sorting holes 39a to 39d for penetrating coins of a denomination to be sorted are provided on the sliding contact surface facing the transfer belts 16 and 17 in the transfer direction X.
The sorting hole closer to the receiving end IN has an inner diameter that allows a coin having a smaller outer diameter to penetrate. For example, the sorting hole 39a is a 50-yen coin, the sorting hole 39b
Is 100 yen coin, sorting hole 39c is 10 yen coin, sorting hole 3
9d allows a 500-yen coin to penetrate. Further, the lower end of each of the sorting holes 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d has a recess slightly downward from the upper edge of the rail member 15 (the portion where the periphery of the coin M rolls when the coin M is conveyed). By forming the cutouts 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d, the coins M of a specific size, which have been conveyed, can easily pass through these sorting holes 39a to 39d. Further, a stopper piece 41 for preventing coins from being erroneously conveyed is fixed to the rightmost end of the sorting plate 14.

Further, on the lower end surface of each of the sorting holes 39a to 39d, there are provided tongue pieces 42a to 42d which are slightly bent toward the front side by press working, for example.
Small-diameter through holes 43a to 43d are formed in lower end portions below the tongue pieces 42a to 42d.

An intermediate plate (not shown) having a large cutout as shown by a dotted line in FIG.
Further, a back flat plate (not shown), which is a flat plate having substantially the same size as the intermediate plate, is integrally fixed, so that coins of a predetermined size are dropped. La, Lb, Lc, and Ld are formed. That is, as the intermediate plate, a flat plate slightly thicker than the thickness of the coin to be sorted is applied, and each notch is designed to have a width through which a predetermined coin can pass. Independent trail-shaped fall paths La, Lb, Lc, L
d is configured. Note that the Y direction in the drawing is the direction of gravity.

When a 50-yen coin is supplied from the receiving end IN, the 50-yen coin is transported by the transport belts 16 and 17 in the X direction (horizontal direction), and the sorting hole 3
9a, it penetrates and falls along the falling path La. In the case of a 100-yen coin, the 100-yen coin is larger than the sorting hole 39a. After passing through the sorting hole 39a on the way of being conveyed, it fits into and penetrates the sorting hole 39b, and falls along the falling path Lb. In the case of a 10-yen coin, the coins are larger than the sorting holes 39a and 39b. Because the 10-yen coin is larger, the conveyor belts 16, 17
Sorting holes 39a, 39 while being conveyed in the X direction by
b, after passing through the sorting hole 39c, it penetrates and falls along the falling path Lc.
In the case of a zero-yen coin, the 500-yen coin is larger than the sorting holes 39a, 39b, and 39c.
In the course of being conveyed in the X direction by the sorting holes 17,
After passing through 39c, it fits into and penetrates the sorting hole 39d, and falls along the falling path Ld.
As described above, the sorting mechanism D pays attention to the fact that the size of the coin M differs for each denomination, and automatically sorts out the coins M to predetermined falling passages La to Ld for each denomination.

As shown in FIG. 4, each falling path L
The optical sensors PDa to PDd are attached corresponding to a to Ld, and continuously emit light beams through the small-diameter through holes 43a to 43d. , The passing of the coin is detected based on the change in the light beam intensity. Then, these detection signals S
a to Sb are used to count the number of coins inserted for each denomination in a control circuit system described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 (a), the coin storage section E includes through-cylinders 45a to 45d corresponding to the lower ends of the drop passages La to Ld, and fixes the through-cylinders 45a to 45d. A support 46 is swingably supported by a drive mechanism 47 having a drive motor, an electromagnetic solenoid, and the like. The inner diameter of each of the through cylinders 45a to 45d is designed to be large enough to allow each coin to be inserted according to the type of coin. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the lower ends of the penetrating cylinders 45a to 45d
An opening / closing plate 48 for controlling opening and closing of the lower end openings of a to 45d collectively is provided so as to be swingable. 2 (a), and at the lower end of each drop passage, the change storage mechanisms Fa-Fd have their respective upper openings opened at the lower end openings of the respective through-cylinder bodies 45a-45d. They are arranged so as to face each other. FIG. 2 (a)
As shown in the figure, an optical sensor 49 for optically detecting whether or not the amount of coins accumulated in each of the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd is in an overflow state is provided at a lower end portion of each of the falling paths.
a to 49d are provided to output overflow signals OFa to OFd when an overflow state is detected. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd
A belt conveyor 50 of a return transport mechanism extending to a return port of the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL is provided on the back side of the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL. Further, the above-mentioned coin removing mechanism, that is, the change storage mechanism F
a to Fd, coins for change are taken out and supplied to the belt conveyor 50.
A single pulse signal T every time one 50-yen coin is taken out
a, a single pulse signal Tb every time one 100-yen coin is taken out from the change storage mechanism Fb, a single pulse signal Tc every time one 10-yen coin is taken out from the change storage mechanism Fc, and 500 from a change storage mechanism Fd. An optical sensor (not shown) for outputting a single pulse signal Td every time one yen coin is taken out is provided. Then, these pulse signals Ta to Td
Is a control circuit system described below, each change storage mechanism Fa
It is used to count the remaining amount (number of coins) of the coins existing in Fd.

As shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 (b), the coin storage section E holds the penetrating cylinders 45a-45d in a vertical state and the open / close plate 4 while the user inserts coins.
8 is held in a horizontal state, the falling path L
a to Ld are inserted into the penetrating cylinder 45a
The ticket is stored in the area 45d, and the user issues an instruction such as a boarding section and a fare using the instruction button on the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL, and when it is determined that the transaction is established, a ticket is issued. When the next customer starts to insert coins, the penetrating cylinders 45a to 45d and the opening / closing plate 48 are inclined in a predetermined direction as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Are collectively dropped and stored in the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd. or,
When the user issues an instruction to cancel a ticketing request despite inserting a coin, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
The penetrating cylinders 45a to 45d and the opening / closing plate 48 are tilted in the opposite direction to the above, so that all the coins thus far are collectively dropped onto the belt conveyor 50 and returned from the return port. I have. Note that these operation controls are performed by a control circuit system described later.

Next, a spare change replenishment unit is provided below the coin cassettes G ₁ and G ₂ which are detachably attached to the top of the coin processing device, and a change storage mechanism Fa is provided at the bottom thereof.
To Fd are provided, and at the time of coin replenishment due to shortage of change, these coin ejection mechanisms are operated according to a command of a control circuit system described later. The change is supplied to a specific change storage mechanism among the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd via the predetermined coin transport path. An optical sensor is provided at the exit of the coin take-out mechanism, and it is calculated how many coins have been supplied to the change storage mechanisms Fb and Fc.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), a mode changeover switch 51 for stopping a normal coin processing operation when refilling coins from the hopper feed mechanism A is provided on the back of the coin processing device. And a code display unit 52 for displaying an operation state inside the coin processing device. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, when removing by drawing a coin handling apparatus from the automatic ticket machines, micro switch 53 is provided for generating a detachment detection signal S _M detects the movement of the coin processing apparatus.

Next, a control circuit system for controlling the operation of these mechanisms will be described with reference to FIG. This control circuit system has a central control unit 54 containing a microcomputer, and the central control unit 54
5 _U, 55 _D ~58 _U, from 58 _D count data U
a, Da~Ud, Dd and the detachment detection signal S _M from the micro-switch 53, a switching signal S _MD from the mode selector switch 51, on detection signal S _PD from the optical sensor PD
And the characteristic data Sc from the discrimination sensor C and the overflow signals OFa to OFd are sequentially inputted, while controlling the power supply to the drive motor 5a to control the rotation and stop of the rotating disk 5 A control signal S _A and a drive control signal S for controlling the operation of the transport belts 16 and 17 by controlling the power supply to the drive motor 18.
_D , a drive control signal S _E for controlling the operation of the coin temporary holding mechanism E by controlling an electromagnetic solenoid or the like of the drive mechanism 47, and a control signal S _X for operating the coin take-out mechanism, Return conveyor belt conveyor 5
0 and outputs a driving control signal S _Y for controlling driving, and outputs the display data D _V for displaying the internal operation status code display unit 52.

Counters 55 _U , 56 _U , 57 _U , 58 _U
Corresponds to the optical sensors PDa to PDd, increases the count value by one each time the detection signals Sa to Sb are input, and outputs the count value data Ua to Ud to the central control unit 54.
Supply to Counter _{55 D, 56 D, 57 D} , 58 D
Is a pulse signal Ta output from the coin ejection mechanism.
To Td, and supplies the counted value data Da to Dd to the central control unit 54.

Next, the operation of the coin processing apparatus of this embodiment by the control circuit system will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, before the administrator or the like instructs the start of the coin processing operation, the central control unit 5 stores the data of the number of coins for each denomination stored in the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd in advance.
While being stored in the fourth predetermined internal register, all counters _{55 U, 55 D ~58 U,} 58 D are reset.

When a work start button (not shown) is turned on, the central control unit 54, at step 100, transmits the switching signal S _MD from the mode switch 51 and the detachment detection signal S _M from the micro switch 53. Determine the logic level. The logic level of both both "H" or, if the logic level of at least attachment detection signal S _M is "H",
It is determined that the coin processing device is attached to the automatic ticket vending machine system and that no instruction for replenishing coins has been issued from the hopper feed mechanism A, and the process proceeds to normal coin processing in steps 110 to 140. If both are at the logical level "L", it is determined that an instruction to supply coins has been issued from the hopper feed mechanism A, and the process proceeds to steps 150 to 180. Therefore, in order to supply coins, an administrator such as an operator must pull out the coin processing device main body from the automatic ticket vending machine and operate the mode changeover switch 51. As a result, even if the administrator operates the mode changeover switch 51 by mistake, the normal coin processing operation is performed, so that the occurrence of a malfunction due to the mistaken operation can be prevented.

Step 1 in normal coin processing mode
In 10, the central control unit 54 by detecting a change of the logic level on detection signal S _PD from the optical sensor 3a, performs a new determination of whether the coin is turned on, step 100, if not yet turned The standby state is repeated by shifting to the processing of (1). On the other hand, when a new coin is inserted, a check process is performed in step 120.

[0037] That is, in step 120, to rotate the pivoting disc 5 in the hopper feed mechanism A by outputting the drive control signal S _A, transport sorting mechanism D by generating a drive control signal S _D Belt 1
6 and 17 are activated to determine the denomination based on the characteristic data Sc detected by the discrimination sensor C. Also, the counter 55
_{U, 56 U, 57 U,} 58 U is the number of each denomination passing through the falling passage La to Ld, counted on the basis of the detection signal Sa to Sd. Then, when the user indicates a boarding section, a fare, and the like, the central control unit 54 causes the counters 55 _U , 56 _U ,
57 _U, 58 in total from the _U numeric data Ua, Ub, Uc,
Based on Ud, the input amount of the user is calculated, and if the input amount is equal to or larger than the above-mentioned boarding section, fare, or the like, the drive control signal _SE is output and the coin temporary holding mechanism is output. By operating E, the coins stored so far are collectively stored in the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd. or,
When the amount inserted is large than the amount of such boarding section and fares above driving control signals S _X, to convey the change of the difference component to the return port by actuating the coin take-out mechanism and returning the transport mechanism by S _Y, counter _{55 D, 56 D, 57 D} , 58
_D counts the pulse signals Ta to Td, so that the count data Da, Db, Dc, Dd of the number of change for each denomination.
Is output.

The central control unit 54 calculates the count value data Ua, Ub, Uc, Ud and the count value data Da, Db, D
By calculating the difference calculation between c and Dd for each denomination, and adding the difference calculation result and the coin number data for each denomination stored in the predetermined internal register in advance, The number of coins stored in each of the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd is obtained and stored again in the internal register. That is, the number data of coins for each denomination previously stored in the predetermined internal register is Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd, and the number data obtained by the above-described addition operation is Xa, Xb, Xc, Xd.
Xa = (Ua-Da) + Ca, Xb = (Ub-Db) + Cb, Xc = (Uc-Dc) + Cc, Xd = (Ud-Dd) + Cd, Xa, Xb, X
c and Xd are new number data Ca, Cb, Cc and Cd
Is stored again in the internal register.

If the user instructs cancellation of the ticketing request even though the user has inserted coins, the drive control signals S _E and S _Y activate the coin temporary holding mechanism E and the return transport mechanism. The coins stored so far are collectively returned to the return port. When such an instruction for canceling a ticket is issued, the central control unit 54 does not perform the above-described calculation, and the number data Ca, Cb, Cc, and C in the internal register.
Do not change d.

At step 130, the automatic ticket vending machine issues a predetermined ticket.

As described above, by performing the above-described arithmetic processing in step 120, the coin number data Ca, Cb, Cc, and Cd in the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd are stored in the internal register of the central control unit 54. Is stored.

Further, in step 140, the central control unit 54 determines and manages whether or not the coin number data Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd has become equal to or less than a predetermined minimum remaining amount. If the minimum remaining amount is exceeded, the number data Ca, Cb, Cc, and Cd are displayed on the code display section 52, and the process proceeds to step 100. On the other hand, if such a minimum specified remaining follows since the denomination is detected, the coin corresponding to the denomination with to perform replenishment from the coin cassette G ₁ or G _2, the internal registers in the central control unit 54 Of the number data Ca, Cb, Cc, and Cd, the number of replenishment is added for the replenished denomination. That is, since the amount of coin replenishment (number of coins) by the coin cassette G ₁ or G ₂ is constant, the predetermined number of coins is added. Then, the number data Ca, Cb, C
c and Cd are displayed, and the process proceeds to step 100. Further, when the number of coins supplemented by the coin cassette G ₁ or G ₂ reaches the number of times the predetermined, because the coin is eliminated in these coin cassette G ₁ or G _2, the coin cassette G ₁ or G ₂ is empty Is displayed on the code display unit 52, indicating that there is a change storage mechanism with a shortage of change. Also, from step 140 to step 1
When the processing shifts to 00, all counters 55 _U , 5
By resetting the 5 _D ~58 _U, 58 _D, to allow processing of the coins next user turns on.

As described above, by repeating the processing of steps 100 to 140, every time a ticketing operation is performed for the user,
The remaining coins in the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd can be managed one by one, and the occurrence of shortage of change can be quickly known by the warning display of the code display unit 52.

Next, in step 100, when the administrator instructs coin supply from the hopper feed mechanism A, that is, when the coin processing device is pulled out and the changeover switch 51
Are switched, the process proceeds to steps 150 to 180. Here, an administrator can collectively input a proper number of coins to the hopper unit 1 through the coin guide tube 3 of the hopper feed mechanism A within the denomination processed by the coin processing device. That is, one or all kinds of coins may be mixed and inserted if the coin type is processed by the coin processing apparatus, or an arbitrary number of coins may be inserted if the coin capacity is within the storage capacity of the hopper 1. May be. First, step 15
At 0, the central control unit 54 instructs the automatic ticket vending machine to stop the ticket issuing business, and all the counters 55 _U and 55 _D
After resetting the ~58 _U, 58 _D, performs replenishment process of step 160.

In step 160, the processing in step 120 is performed.
Is performed. That is, by outputting the drive control signal S _A , the turning disk 5 in the hopper feed mechanism A is rotated, and by generating the drive control signal S _D , the transport belts 16 and 17 of the sorting mechanism D are operated. Therefore, the inserted coins are arranged one by one and sequentially sent out to the successive transport section B, the discrimination sensor C determines the denomination, and the sorting mechanism D sorts the denominations for each denomination. It is sent to the falling passages La to Ld. Also, the counters 55 _U , 56 _U , 57 _U , 58 _U are:
The number of denominations passing through the drop passages La to Ld is counted based on the detection signals Sa to Sd, and the respective coins are stored in the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd via the coin escrow mechanism E. Further, the counter _{55 U, 56 U, 57 U} , 58 U
Are sequentially displayed on the code display section 52. The count value data Ua, Ub, Uc, and Ud are sequentially displayed.

After the completion of accommodating all of the inserted coins in the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd, the administrator switches the changeover switch 51 to the normal coin processing mode again, or automatically switches the coin processing apparatus to automatic ticket sales. When attached to the machine,
The processing shifts to step 170, and the number data C for each denomination stored in the internal register of the central control unit 54
a, Cb, Cc, Cd and the finally obtained count value data Ua, Ub, Uc, Ud are added and calculated for each denomination, and the number data of the addition result is converted to new number data Ca, C
b, Cc, and Cd are stored in an internal register. Then, in step 180, the central control unit 54 instructs the automatic ticket vending machine main body to end the coin replenishment processing, and proceeds to normal coin processing in steps 110 to 140 via step 100.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the hopper feed mechanism A is provided, not only ordinary coin processing but also coin supply from the hopper feed mechanism A is possible. It has a new function of being able to replenish coins at once. And
Even if such batch insertion is performed, the management of the number of coins for each denomination is automatically performed, so that coin supply can be performed extremely easily. Further, each number of denominations fed into the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd from the hopper feed mechanism A and the coin cassettes G ₁ and G ₂ and each denomination output from the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd to the return port as change. And the number of coins is sequentially calculated and all the denominations are automatically managed without excess or shortage, so that a so-called out-of-change state can be prevented.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, the number of coins stored in each change storage mechanism is counted for each denomination, and the number of coins taken out as change from each change storage mechanism. Is calculated for each denomination and the difference between the number of coins inserted and the number of coins removed for each denomination is calculated, so that the remaining coins of each change storage mechanism are managed. And inconvenience to the user can be prevented beforehand. Further, when a coin cassette is provided, the number of refill coins is added to the above-described difference, so that similarly, the remaining coin amount for each denomination of each change storage mechanism can be accurately obtained.

In addition, coins inserted by the user can be checked through the hopper feed mechanism and coins can be supplied from the hopper feed mechanism.
Such a coin supply operation can be extremely simplified. That is, even if a plurality of coins are put in at once, the hopper feed mechanism arranges coins one by one (sheets) and sends out the coins, and furthermore, the discrimination sensor and the sorting mechanism perform the sorting process for each denomination. Even if multiple coins of the same type are inserted at once, or multiple types of coins are inserted at a time, multiple coins are automatically sorted for each denomination and stored in the change storage mechanism. It will be easier.

Further, coins inserted by the user are checked through a hopper feed mechanism, and coins are supplied from the hopper feed mechanism.
As a result of eliminating the need for a dedicated mechanism for coin replenishment, it is possible to substantially prevent the entire apparatus from being enlarged in response to the above-described high functionality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external structure of a coin processing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view and a side view showing the structure of the coin processing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a main structure of a hopper feed mechanism, a forced conveyance mechanism, and a discrimination sensor.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a structure of a sorting mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a main structure of the sorting mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a main structure of a coin storage mechanism and a return transport mechanism, and an explanatory diagram showing functions of the coin storage mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining main operations of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: hopper feed mechanism, B: forced conveyance mechanism, C: discrimination sensor, D: sorting mechanism, E: coin storage mechanism, Fa to F
d: change storage mechanism, G ₁ , G ₂ : coin cassette, 1: hopper, 2: lid, 3: inserted coin guide tube, 3a: optical sensor, 4: coin sending end, 5: rotating disk, 6 ... fan-shaped projections, 7 ... guide projections, 8 ... guide paths, 16 and 17 ... conveyor belts, 39a to 39d ... sorting holes, La to Ld ... fall paths,
PDa to PDd: optical sensor, 54: central control unit, 55
_{U, 55 D ~58 U, 55} D ... counter.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07D 1/00-13/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic machine system which is detachably assembled to an automatic machine system.
A coin processing apparatus, a hopper feed mechanism for sending aligning while accommodating a deposited coin, a coin sent from the hopper feed mechanism with fractionated for each denomination, provided each denomination passage A sorting mechanism that sends out coins passing through the respective passages, a sensor that detects a coin passing through each of the passages and outputs a detection signal, a change storage mechanism provided for each of the passages, and each time coins are taken out of the change storage mechanism as change. A coin take-out mechanism that outputs a take-out signal corresponding to each coin; a first counting unit that increases a count value by one each time a detection signal is received from the sensor; and each time the take-out signal is received. A second counting means for increasing the count value by one, and a remaining coin amount for each denomination of the change storage mechanism using the count value of the first counting means and the count value of the second counting means.
Control means for controlling the number of coins for each denomination of the change storage mechanism.
Means and a switch for switching between the normal mode and the supply mode
When, wherein the coin processing apparatus is mounted on the automatic machine system
In the normal mode, the controller performs processing in the normal mode when coins are inserted.
Then, the count value of the first counting means and the second count value
Addition of the difference from the count value of the step to the number data
To obtain the remaining coin amount for each denomination of the change storage mechanism
And the coin processing device is removed from the automatic machine system.
And when the switch is switched, the replenishment mode is
In the replenishment mode, the control means performs the first counting operation.
Resetting the means, and then the coin processing device
Attached to the kinematic machine system or the switch is turned off
When replaced, the count value of the first counting means is changed to the number of sheets.
By adding data to the data, the change storage mechanism
A coin processing device that obtains the remaining coins for each type . 2. A control device according to claim 1, further comprising a coin cassette for storing coins as reserve money , and in the processing in the normal mode, the control means includes:
When a denomination whose remaining amount is less than the minimum specified remaining amount is detected,
The coin corresponding to the denomination is removed from the coin cassette by the fishing
The coin processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the coin storage mechanism is replenished, and the number of replenished coins is added to the number data to calculate the remaining coin amount for each denomination of the change storage mechanism. . 3. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the remaining coin amount for each denomination obtained by said control means. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hopper feed mechanism is
Hopper for temporarily storing coins, and the hopper
A lid for opening and closing the upper opening formed in the part,
Further comprising: lifting the lid,
So that the upper opening of the hopper can be opened
The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the coin processing device comprises: