JP4370906B2 - Coin processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin processing apparatus, and more particularly to a coin processing apparatus having an inventory function for forcibly collecting coins for change.

  The inventory function of a coin processing device applied to vending machines, money changers, etc. is to manually pay out and collect coins for change by operating the inventory switch for change dispensing provided in the coin processing device. It is a function for. Such a coin processing device is often provided with a cassette tube denomination start switch, and when a depressing start switch corresponding to one of the denominations is pressed, coins of the corresponding denomination are paid out. Also, the inventory operation can be stopped by pressing the off switch, stopping when the dispensing start switch is pressed again, automatically stopping when coins in the cassette tube are lost, There are various types such as one that automatically stops when a predetermined number is paid out.

  And this inventory function is intended to be collected by the administrator, so that it can be operated unconditionally as long as power is supplied to the coin processor. Met.

  However, in recent years, criminals who have been aware of this defense are, for example, drilling a hole in the vending machine that only has a bar for operating the inventory switch of the coin processing device, and operating the payout start switch. The act of stealing coins by stealing or misoperating the control circuit of the inventory switch due to illegal radio wave irradiation was rampant.

  On the other hand, a recent coin processing device has a function of prohibiting an inventory operation when a command signal indicating “inventory prohibition” is received from the control unit in cooperation with a control unit on the vending machine side. It was. As a result, inventories that have been able to perform inventory operations unconditionally by switch operations now have means for prohibiting the operation.

  In addition, since this invention was invented based on a well-known and public technique, it does not disclose a prior art document.

  Incidentally, the operation of switching between the “inventory prohibition” and “inventory permission” commands in the control unit on the vending machine side is generally linked to the signal output of the door open / close detection switch in the vending machine. In other words, when the vending machine door is open, the inventory is allowed on the assumption that there is an administrator of the vending machine, while when the vending machine is closed, the normal sales possible state (unmanned state) Therefore, inventory is prohibited.

However, many older vending machines do not have a door open / close detection switch, and such vending machines cannot be in an inventory-prohibited state.
Further, even in a coin processing apparatus having an inventory prohibiting function, the initial state at the time of power-on is generally set to an inventory permitted state. This is considered to be an extension of the old idea that “the inventory function always operates”. However, especially when considering the installation of devices called “information terminals” that control systems such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”), which have increased in recent years, in vending machines, It is not uncommon for it to take several minutes to operate, unlike a normal vending machine. Such an apparatus is in an inventory-permitted state during a period from when the power is turned on until the coin processing apparatus is in an inventory-inhibited state by communication.

  Furthermore, in the inventory permission state, an inventory operation is generally possible regardless of the presence or absence of a cassette tube. In this case, if the inventory operation is considered as “change change operation”, it is meaningless to perform the inventory operation without a cassette tube. However, if the inventory function is used to check the change dispensing operation, it makes sense. As described above, since the inventory function is used differently depending on the purpose of the user, basically, the inventory function is in an allowed state so that it can always operate.

  However, in the conventional configuration as described above, there is a possibility that the change due to the crime (mischief) as described above may be performed while the inventory is permitted in the initial state when the power is turned on. In order to reduce the possibility of such a payout, it is effective to limit the operation of the inventory function particularly in the initial state when the power is turned on. However, since the user's purpose may be different, it is preferable that the presence or absence of the inventory operation can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is intended to prevent crimes by effectively limiting the inventory function, and can appropriately set whether or not the inventory function operates according to the purpose of the user. An object is to provide a processing apparatus.

In the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, a cassette tube that stores at least a part of the inserted coins for each denomination as change, and an inventory execution unit that forcibly pays out the coins stored in the cassette tube. In the coin processing apparatus comprising: the inventory execution state in which the inventory execution unit is operated in the initial state when the power is turned on, or the inventory prohibition state in which the operation of the inventory execution unit is prohibited can be selected. Setting means for setting to, and inventory control means for permitting or prohibiting the operation of the inventory execution means based on the setting of the setting means , the cassette tube is detachably mounted, When the cassette tube is installed or when the cassette tube is installed If not, the coin processing apparatus is provided which is characterized in that it is configured to set said inventory permitted state.

  According to such a coin processing device, it is possible to set in advance whether or not the inventory is permitted or the inventory prohibited state in the initial state when the power is turned on via the setting means before the power is turned on. it can.

  For this reason, when the power is turned on, the inventory control unit can immediately permit or prohibit the operation of the inventory execution unit based on the set value by the setting unit, without depending on an external input signal.

According to the coin processing device of the present invention, the setting of permission or prohibition of the inventory operation in the initial state when the power is turned on is performed so that the coin processing device can select in advance before turning on the power.
For this reason, when a setting for prohibiting the inventory operation at the time of power-on is performed, the coin processing apparatus itself can immediately set the inventory prohibited state. In particular, in coin processing devices that control inventory operations continuously by communicating with externally installed information terminals such as personal computers, inventory is banned promptly regardless of the operation time of the information terminals when the power is turned on. Can be in a state. As a result, crimes such as mischief and theft aimed at power-on can be prevented.

  In addition, since the inventory operation can be selected to be permitted or prohibited, the inventory can be permitted when the power is turned on depending on the user's purpose. Can be secured.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the coin processing device of the present invention is applied to a vending machine, and FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the coin processing device.

  As shown in the figure, the coin processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a coin receiving port 2 for receiving coins inserted in the upper part of the figure, and determines the denomination and authenticity of the coins inserted in the lower part thereof. The coin identifying unit 3 is provided. Below the coin discriminating unit 3, a gate that sorts the identified coins so that they are accepted when they are genuine, and leads them to the return port when they are fake coins, a gate that sorts them according to the type of the accepted coins, and is sorted. There is provided a sorting mechanism including a gate for sorting whether or not to collect the coins to the safe, and a gate for sorting the coins not collected to the safe to the lower cassette tube 4 for each denomination.

  In addition, an inventory switch 5 is provided on the front surface of the coin processing apparatus 1 to be pressed when a manager of the vending machine collects coins stored in the cassette tube 4. This inventory switch 5 is provided for each denomination, and when the administrator presses one of the switches, the inventory is forcibly paid out coins of the corresponding denomination from the cassette tube 4 to the return port of the vending machine. The action is executed.

  In addition, on the back of the inventory switch 5 in the coin processing device 1, a solenoid drive control that activates the gates or activates a coin dispensing mechanism based on the operation of a return lever (not shown) or the operation of the inventory switch 5. A board on which a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a “microcomputer”) for performing the above is mounted is installed. The operation surface of the inventory switch 5 can be opened and closed by advancing and retreating (or rotating) back and forth in the figure by operating a predetermined key. The selection switch SW can be operated.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a control circuit centered on the microcomputer.
The microcomputer 10 includes a CPU 11 for performing predetermined arithmetic processing, a ROM 12 in which various numerical values and programs are written in advance, a RAM 13 in which numerical values and flags of arithmetic processes are written in predetermined regions, and an I / O in which various digital signals are input and output. The O interface 14 and a bus line 15 to which these devices are connected are configured. The process shown in the flowchart described later is executed based on a control program written in advance in the ROM 12. The microcomputer 10 is configured to be capable of serial communication with the microcomputer on the vending machine side via the I / O interface 14. The microcomputer 10 receives input signals from the inventory switch 5 and signals from various sensors and switches.

Further, the microcomputer 10 is configured with a switching circuit for setting in advance whether or not to operate the inventory function in an initial state when the coin processing apparatus 1 is turned on.
That is, the resistor R and the inventory selection switch SW are connected in series to the driving power source Vcc of the coin processing apparatus 1, and one port A of the CPU 11 is located at a position intermediate between the resistor R and the inventory selection switch SW. It is connected. This port A is configured as a terminal for determining whether or not to operate the inventory function of the coin processing device 1 in the initial state when the power is turned on. In this embodiment, when the inventory selection switch SW is off, the port A becomes “H” level and becomes “inventory prohibited”, and when the inventory selection switch SW is on, the port A becomes “L” level. Is set to "Inventory permission". Therefore, when the inventory selection switch SW is set to OFF by the administrator, the inventory is prohibited in the initial state when the power is turned on regardless of whether or not communication with the microcomputer on the vending machine side is started. .

Next, power-on processing executed by the CPU 11 each time the power is turned on will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
When the coin processing apparatus 1 is powered on, first, the inventory state is set based on the setting of the inventory selection switch SW. That is, when the inventory selection switch SW is off, the inventory is prohibited, and when the inventory selection switch SW is on, the inventory is allowed. Accordingly, when the inventory selection switch SW is off, the inventory is immediately prohibited, and no coin is paid out even if a third party simply operates the inventory switch 5. Conversely, when the inventory selection switch SW is on, when the inventory switch 5 is pressed from the outside, the corresponding coin is paid out from the cassette tube 4 to the return port of the vending machine.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an inventory setting command that prompts the user to set an inventory state (permitted or prohibited) is received from the microcomputer on the vending machine side. It is determined whether it is in a prohibited state or an inventory permitted state, and if the determination content is the same as the current setting state, the process proceeds to S140 as it is, and if it is different, the setting is changed (S130).

  Then, it is determined whether the current setting state is an inventory prohibition state. If the inventory prohibition state is present (S140: YES), it is determined whether the inventory prohibition state is currently being forcibly released. (S150). This determination is made by referring to whether or not a flag indicating "forced cancellation" is set in the RAM 13 as described later. At this time, if it is determined that the forced release is not in progress (S150: NO), then two of the inventory switches 5 (in this case, inventory switches corresponding to 10 yen and 100 yen) are turned on simultaneously. It is determined whether or not (S160). That is, in this embodiment, the inventory prohibition state is temporarily forcibly released when two of the inventory switches 5 are simultaneously turned on for 2 seconds (set time) or more. If two of the inventory switches 5 are simultaneously turned on for two seconds or more (S160: YES, S170: YES), a flag indicating “forced release” is set in a predetermined area in the RAM 13. (S180) Similarly, a release timer (not shown) set in the RAM 13 is cleared to zero and an up-count is started (S190), and the process returns to S120.

  On the other hand, in S150, it is determined that the inventory prohibition state is being forcibly released (S150: YES), and it is determined that 30 seconds (second set time) has elapsed since the forced release started with reference to the release timer. If it is (S200), the flag indicating "forcibly released" is cleared to cancel the forced release, and the process returns to S120 (S210).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S140 that the inventory is not prohibited, that is, the inventory is permitted (S140: NO), or if 30 seconds have not elapsed since the start of forced release (S200: NO), the inventory switch It is determined whether one of 5 is turned on (S220). At this time, if it is determined that one of the inventory switches 5 is not turned on (S220: NO), the process returns to S120. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is turned on (S220: YES), the inventory operation (change change processing) is executed for the corresponding coin (S230), and if the release timer is activated, it is cleared to zero. (S240).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the above-described inventory off condition for stopping the inventory operation is satisfied (S250), and the processes of S230 and S240 are continued until the condition is satisfied. In this case, as shown in S160, S170, S200, etc., the inventory off condition is that 30 seconds have elapsed since two of the inventory switches 5 were simultaneously pressed for 2 seconds or more and being forcibly released. If this inventory-off condition is satisfied (S250: YES), the inventory operation is stopped and the process returns to S120.

  As described above, in the coin processing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the setting of permission or prohibition of the inventory operation in the initial state when the power is turned on is selected in advance by the inventory selection switch SW on the coin processing device 1 side before the power is turned on. Implemented as possible. That is, the inventory operation can be set on the coin processing apparatus 1 side regardless of the presence or absence of a command from the vending machine side.

  For this reason, if the inventory operation is set to be prohibited when the power is turned on, the coin processing device 1 itself can immediately enter the inventory prohibited state to prevent a crime such as a mischief or theft aimed at turning on the power. be able to.

  In particular, the effect is advantageous in a coin processing apparatus that is equipped with an information terminal such as a personal computer as a configuration corresponding to the microcomputer on the vending machine side and that performs continuous inventory operation control by communication with the information terminal. Appears as FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operational effects of the present embodiment.

  That is, in the coin processing device having the inventory prohibition function, the initial state when the power is turned on is generally the inventory permission state, but as shown in FIGS. 4 (A) to (D), In a coin processing apparatus in which an information terminal such as a personal computer is incorporated in a control system, it takes time until the personal computer becomes operable after the power is turned on. For this reason, it takes time T until the personal computer is actually operable, an inventory prohibition command is transmitted to the coin processing apparatus, and the inventory operation is prohibited. Depending on the size of the control system, this time may take from several minutes to over 10 minutes. If the power is turned on automatically (unattended), it will be mischievous during that time T. There is a risk.

  However, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the inventory prohibited state can be set as shown in FIG. 4E in the initial state when the power is turned on, and the control system for controlling the coin processing device 1 can be operated. Even if it takes a long time, it is possible to prevent mischief and criminal acts in the initial state.

  In addition, since the initial state can be set to the inventory permission state by operating the inventory selection switch SW, compatibility with the conventional coin processing apparatus can be maintained. Moreover, it is possible to set an inventory operation according to various user requests.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the inventory permission state is once set immediately after the power is turned on, and thereafter, permission or prohibition of the inventory operation is set based on a command from the microcomputer on the vending machine side. Even when an inventory prohibition command is being received, coins can be paid out by temporarily forcibly canceling “inventory prohibition”.

  This forcible release can be performed by pressing two of the inventory switches 5 at the same time for a predetermined time or more, so that it is extremely difficult for a third party other than the administrator to execute without opening the vending machine door. For example, if it is just a long press of a switch, there is a possibility that a person trying to mischief can operate from a hole opened in the vending machine, but the act of pressing two specific switches for a predetermined time or more is the operation method. It is difficult to conceive itself, and it is also difficult to operate with a hole in a vending machine. For this reason, criminal acts such as theft of coins can be prevented.

  Further, even in an old-type vending machine having no door switch, an inventory prohibiting function for preventing theft can be executed by operating the inventory selection switch SW.

In the present embodiment, the microcomputer 10 corresponds to inventory execution means and inventory control means, and the inventory selection switch SW corresponds to setting means.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the entire configuration and processing flow of the coin processing apparatus of the present embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, the description of the same components is omitted. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing power-on processing in the coin processing device of the present embodiment, but most of the processing is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 3, and therefore the same steps are given the same step numbers. The description is omitted.

The coin processing device of the present embodiment is configured so that permission or prohibition of the inventory operation can be set in advance based on the mounting of the cassette tube 4.
Specifically, a switch circuit connected to the CPU 11 as shown in FIG. 2 is provided, and switching between two types of modes A and B is possible. Here, mode A is a mode in which the inventory is permitted when the cassette tube 4 is mounted, and mode B is a mode in which the inventory is permitted when the cassette tube 4 is not mounted. In the present embodiment, when the inventory selection switch SW is off, the port A becomes “H” level and becomes “mode A”, and when the inventory selection switch SW is on, the port A becomes “L” level. Is set to be in the “mode B” state.

  For example, when the change is collected without using the inventory function (that is, the inventory is prohibited in the normal state) but it is desired to check the operation of the payout mechanism by operating a return lever (not shown), etc., mode B Set it to. In this case, since the inventory operation is not performed in the normal operation in which the cassette tube 4 is mounted, it is useful for preventing theft.

  On the other hand, in general, when the cassette tube is detached in the coin processing apparatus, the hand is in contact with the coin dispensing mechanism, and therefore it is dangerous that the inventory operation is performed when the cassette tube 4 is detached. If it is determined, mode A may be set.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, it is determined in S140 that the “inventory prohibition” state is not established, or the release timer has not reached 30 seconds even though the forced release is in progress in S150 and S200. The process proceeds to S310 in the state where the conditions for enabling the inventory operation are met.

  That is, it is first determined whether or not the cassette tube 4 is attached. If it is determined that a cassette is mounted (S310: YES), then it is determined whether or not the switch is set to mode A, and if it is set to mode A, (S320: YES), the process proceeds to S230 to perform the same processing as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, if it is determined in S320 that the mode is not A (S320: NO), the process returns to S120.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S310 that no cassette is mounted (S310: NO), then it is determined whether or not the inventory selection switch SW is set to mode B, and the mode B is set. If yes (S330: YES), the process proceeds to S230 to perform the same processing as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, if it is determined in S330 that the mode B is not set (S330: NO), the process returns to S120.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to deal with both the case where emphasis is placed on theft prevention and the case where emphasis is placed on risk prevention when the cassette is not mounted.
As described above, in the coin processing device of the present embodiment, the cassette tube 4 is detachably mounted, and the inventory permission state is set based on whether or not the cassette tube 4 is mounted, or the inventory is prohibited. It can be set so that it can be selected. Since the contents of this setting can be set as appropriate according to the purpose of the user, the convenience of the user can be achieved.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and it can be changed and modified within the spirit of the present invention. Not too long.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the inventory selection switch SW is installed on a substrate disposed on the back side of the operation surface of the inventory switch 5, and the inventory selection switch SW is operated by the administrator operating a predetermined key. Although the configuration is such that the operation can be freely performed, the operation surface of the inventory switch 5 may not be opened, and the inventory selection switch SW may be selected only when the coin processing apparatus is manufactured.

  Moreover, although the example which applied the coin processing apparatus of this invention to the vending machine was shown in the said embodiment, it is also possible to apply to a money-changing machine and other money processing apparatuses.

It is a front view showing the external appearance of the coin processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the electric constitution of the control circuit of the coin processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the flow of the process at the time of power activation of the coin processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a timing chart showing the operation effect of a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the flow of the process at the time of power activation of the coin processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coin processing apparatus 2 Coin receiving port 3 Coin identification part 4 Cassette tube 5 Inventory switch 10 Microcomputer SW Inventory selection switch

Claims (4)

A cassette tube that houses at least a part of the inserted coins for each denomination as change,
Inventory execution means for forcibly paying out coins contained in the cassette tube;
In the coin processing apparatus comprising:
A setting means for setting the inventory execution state to operate the inventory execution means in an initial state when power is turned on, or an inventory prohibition state for prohibiting the operation of the inventory execution means;
Inventory control means for permitting or prohibiting the operation of the inventory execution means based on the setting of the setting means;
Equipped with a,
The cassette tube is configured to be detachably mounted,
A coin processing apparatus configured to set the inventory permission state when the cassette tube is attached or when the cassette tube is not attached .   The inventory control means includes a plurality of inventory switches for forcibly executing a coin payout operation for each denomination, and the inventory prohibited state is set by pressing a plurality of predetermined switches among the inventory switches at the same time. The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coin processing apparatus is switched to a forced release state in which the inventory is allowed to be temporarily released.   3. The inventory control unit according to claim 2, wherein the inventory control unit releases the inventory prohibition state and sets the inventory permission state by simultaneously pressing the plurality of inventory switches for a predetermined set time. Coin processing device.   The inventory control means ends the forced release when a predetermined second set time has elapsed since the inventory prohibited state is forcedly released, and makes the inventory prohibited state again. Item 2. A coin processing device according to item 2.

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