JP4702981B2 - Coin processing device and vending machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a coin processing device for processing coins, a vending machine equipped with the coin processing device, in particular, an identification function for identifying coins for withdrawal, collection, etc., in addition to an identification function for identifying deposited coins. The present invention relates to a coin processing device having a vending machine including the coin processing device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A coin processing device provided in a conventional vending machine is provided with a coin identifying device for identifying the denomination, authenticity, and the like of an inserted coin. Fake coins (coins that are not in circulation in Japan), altered coins (coins that have been altered to resemble coins that are in circulation in Japan), deformed coins (deformed and partially damaged by coins that are in circulation in Japan) Coins) (coins that do not correspond to the former three are hereinafter referred to as regular coins) are inserted, the coin identification device identifies these coins, determines whether they are regular coins, and determines that they are not regular coins. If it did, it was returned to the change gate.
[0003]
When more than the amount of merchandise to be purchased is inserted and the account selection switch corresponding to the merchandise is pushed, the merchandise is released and paid out to the change outlet when change is required. In addition, if it is determined that it is a regular coin even if a large amount of coins are inserted so as to greatly exceed the amount of the purchased product, the inserted coins are stored in the temporary holding part, and the coins already stored in the change part are used as change. I was paying out.
[0004]
Currently, the environment for handling coins has become very severe due to the increase in fake coins and cleverly modified coins, and in particular, the damage caused by the use of foreign coins remodeled to resemble 500-yen coins is increasing. As a countermeasure, it has been dealt with by tightening the criteria for determining the coin discriminating apparatus that determines whether or not it is a normal coin when the coin is inserted into the coin processing apparatus.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the conventional coin processing apparatus as described above, if the judgment criteria of the coin discriminating apparatus are tightened due to variations in the outer diameter of the 500 yen coin, the acceptance rate for judging and accepting a true coin as a regular coin is slightly reduced. The current situation is unavoidable, and it is not sufficient to deal with the coin identification device alone.
[0006]
In addition, since the criteria are set so that a certain acceptance rate can be secured, it is inevitable that there are coins that are judged to be genuine coins and stored in the change department even though they are not regular coins. In some cases, it is released to the customer as change from the change department, or it is collected from the change department and sent to the financial institution and found at the financial institution.
[0007]
Also, even if a large amount of modified coins are inserted so as to greatly exceed the amount of the purchased product, if it is determined that the coins are regular coins, the modified coins are stored in the temporary holding unit, and the coins that have already been stored in the change unit are used. It was paid out as change.
[0008]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device that can properly identify whether or not the inserted coin is a regular coin, and has a high identification efficiency, and a vending machine equipped with the coin processing device. .
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above objective, In the first aspect For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the coin processing device 21 according to the invention includes a coin identifying unit 45 having a plurality of identification levels for identifying the inserted coins; and an operation mode confirming unit 41 for confirming the operation mode of the device. An identification level switching means 46 for switching the identification level of the coin identifying means 45 to the identification level corresponding to the confirmed operation mode.
[0010]
If comprised in this way, since the identification level switching means which switches the identification level of a coin identification means to the identification level corresponding to the confirmed operation mode is provided, it switches to the identification level corresponding to the operation mode confirmed by the operation mode confirmation means The coins inserted at an appropriate identification level can be identified for each operation mode. In some operation modes, coins can be identified at a strict identification level, and in other operation modes, coins can be identified at a gradual identification level, and the identification efficiency can be improved.
[0011]
Good identification efficiency means, for example, that the acceptance rate of accepting inserted coins as genuine coins is maintained, and counterfeit coins and the like stored in the coin processing device are released to the customer or collected and sent to a financial institution It means that things can be reduced as much as possible.
[0012]
The operation mode includes a deposit mode for accepting coins inserted by the customer, a change mode for paying change to the customer, a storage mode for storing coins entered by the customer, and coins accumulated without being paid out as change in the customer's input A recovery mode for recognizing coins, a re-identification mode for re-identifying the authenticity of coins that are not determined as genuine coins and separately stored in the coin processing device, and there is a possibility that changes will not be paid out with accumulated coins. In some cases, there is a replenishment mode for replenishing coins from the outside. The strict discriminating level means, for example, that the tolerance level of the identified coin data obtained by the discriminating from the standard data of the genuine coin used as a reference when judging the authenticity of the coin is strict This means that there are many measurement items to be measured, there are many measurement points selected for measurement, and the measurement area is wide.
[0013]
For example, if the standard identification level is set in the deposit mode and the identification level is stricter than the standard in the storage mode, change mode, and collection mode, the modified coins that are not identified as the modified coins in the standard identification level are identified and selected. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the altered coins are discharged as change, and the altered coins are collected and sent to a financial institution.
[0014]
In the second aspect The coin processing apparatus according to the invention is as follows: First aspect In the coin processing apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, there is provided an identification level value setting means 48 for presetting the correspondence between the operation mode and the identification level.
[0015]
Since setting means for setting the correspondence between the operation mode and the identification level in advance is provided, the identification level corresponding to the operation mode can be changed and set in advance according to the environment in which the coin processing device operates. Note that “preliminarily” means that before the coin processing apparatus is operated in a predetermined operation mode.
[0016]
Third aspect For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the coin processing apparatus according to the invention has a feeding means 51 for feeding out the inserted coins; a coin identifying means 45 for identifying the fed coins; and A change part 55 that stores the coin as a coin; a temporary storage part 53 configured to temporarily hold the identified coin and return it to the feeding means 51; and a coin release in which the identified coin is discharged as change Unit 59; and a coin distribution unit 54 that distributes the identified coins to a change unit 55, a temporary storage unit 53, and a coin discharge unit 59; and a feeding means 51 configured to feed out the returned coins. Has been.
[0017]
A temporary holding part configured to temporarily hold the identified coins and return them to the feeding means; a coin allocating part for distributing the identified coins to the change part, the temporary holding part and the coin discharge part; Therefore, if the inserted coins can be used as change, the coins are returned from the temporary holding unit to the feeding means and further identified one by one by the coin identifying means, and the denominated coins that can be used as change are changed by the feeding means. It can be distributed to the coin discharge part. Therefore, in the processing of coins, if more coins are received in addition to the coins necessary for purchasing the product, the further received coins are returned as change from the temporary holding unit without being stored in the change unit. be able to. Therefore, it becomes difficult to exchange the coins stored in the change part by depositing more coins than necessary. Further, since the coins of the change part are not unnecessarily released as change, the coins of the change part can be effectively used as change.
[0018]
The coin processing device typically operates as follows. The inserted coin is fed to the coin identifying means by the feeding means, and is identified by the coin identifying means. The identified coin is distributed by the coin distribution unit to the coin release unit, and the coin determined to be a regular coin is distributed to the temporary storage unit. By recognizing by the coin identifying means, it is possible to know how many coins of which denomination have been inserted, and to know the total of the input amount.
[0019]
When a product is purchased and no change is required, the coins in the temporary holding unit are conveyed to the change unit through the feeding unit, the coin identification unit, and the coin distribution unit. At this time, it is desirable to separately distribute coins determined not to be regular coins. When coins exceeding the purchase amount are deposited and change payment is required, the coins are temporarily transferred from the temporary holding unit, through the feeding unit, the coin identifying unit, and partly changed to the coin discharging unit by the coin distribution unit. The rest is conveyed to the change department. Here, in the case of a change shortage, a necessary number of coins of the required denomination are discharged from the change section to the feeding means, and are conveyed from the feeding means to the coin discharge section through the coin identifying means and the coin sorting section. . At this time, it is desirable to separately distribute coins determined not to be regular coins.
[0020]
Fourth aspect The coin processing apparatus according to the invention according to First aspect Or Second aspect In the coin processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 3, the feeding means 51 for feeding out the inserted coins; the coin identifying means 45 for identifying the fed coins; and storing the identified coins as coins for change A change portion 55 configured to temporarily hold the identified coins and return them to the feeding means; a coin release portion 59 from which the identified coins are discharged as change; A coin distribution unit 54 that distributes the identified coins to a change unit 55, a temporary storage unit 53, and a coin discharge unit 59 is provided; the feeding means 51 is configured to feed out the returned coins.
[0021]
It is possible to change the coin identification level corresponding to the operation mode, and it is possible to return the received coins as change when more than necessary coins are deposited. Therefore, for example, when returning more than necessary coins as change, the identification level is lowered so that only the denomination can be identified, so that the identification device does not reject money returned as change. Can do.
[0022]
Fifth aspect The vending machine according to the invention according to FIG. First aspect Thru Fourth aspect Either 1 aspect A coin processing device 1; an account selection switch 13 for selecting an account; and a product discharge device 15 for discharging a product based on the account selected by the account selection switch 13.
[0023]
There is no person to monitor by providing the coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in a vending machine that can be used by an unspecified number of people who purchase goods by selecting an account. For this reason, it can be effective against fraudulent acts such as inserting a modified coin.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the mutually same or equivalent member, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vending machine 1 as a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automatic ticket vending machine 1 includes a customer service unit 2, a money handling device 3, a ticket issuing unit 4 as a product release device, a staff operation unit 5, and a main control unit 6.
[0026]
The customer service section 2 has an account corresponding to a slot 11 for accepting money from a customer, a change slot 12 for releasing change to the customer, and a ticket purchased by the customer (for example, a boarding ticket, a viewing ticket, an admission ticket, etc.). An account selection switch 13 as an account selection means to be selected, a return switch 14 for instructing to stop the purchase of the ticket after the money is inserted, and to return the money, a ticket outlet 15 for sending the ticket issued by the ticket issuing unit 4 to the customer, and A guidance display unit 16 for displaying purchase guidance for customers is provided. The insertion slot 11 includes a coin insertion slot 17 that accepts coins out of money inserted by a customer, and a bill insertion slot 18 into which a bill is inserted. The change port 12 includes a coin discharge port 19 from which a coin as change is discharged and a bill discharge port 20 from which a bill as change is discharged.
[0027]
The money handling apparatus 3 includes a coin handling apparatus 21 that processes coins and a banknote handling apparatus 22 that processes banknotes. The coins inserted into the coin input port 17 are sent to the coin processing device 21, and the coins sent out as change from the coin processing device 21 are discharged to the coin discharge port 19. The banknotes sent to the banknote insertion slot 18 are sent to the banknote processing apparatus 22, and the banknotes sent out as change from the banknote processing apparatus 22 are discharged to the banknote discharge opening 20.
[0028]
A sensor 30 for detecting inserted coins is installed near the coin insertion slot 17 of the automatic ticket vending machine 1, and a sensor 31 for detecting inserted banknotes is installed near the banknote insertion slot 18.
[0029]
The ticket issuing unit 4 creates a ticket (not shown) corresponding to the account selected by the customer pressing the account selection switch 13, and this ticket is sent to the ticket delivery port 15 and delivered to the customer.
[0030]
The clerk operation unit 5 is divided into an operation unit 23 and a display unit 24. The operation unit 23 includes an identification level setting means operation switch 25 for operating an identification level value setting means 48 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, and a sale / release cancellation switch 26 for operating ticket release / release cancellation. Prepare. The operation unit 23 further includes a recovery switch 27 for instructing the recovery of coins, a re-identification switch 28 for instructing to re-identify coins that have not been determined to be normal coins in the initial identification, and a safe unit 56 (see FIG. 3), a replenishment identification switch 29 for instructing replenishment identification for identifying coins to be replenished.
[0031]
The display unit 24 of the clerk operation unit 5 appropriately corresponds to display of customer purchase information (not shown), display for guiding the clerk's operation (not shown), and display (not shown) indicating the total of the input amount. Do it.
[0032]
The main control unit 6 includes a microprocessor (not shown) that performs signal processing from each unit and signal transmission processing to each unit, a RAM that stores programs necessary for the processing of the microprocessor, and a ROM (both not shown).
[0033]
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the main structure of the control relationship of the coin processing apparatus will be described. The coin processing device 21 includes a control unit 49 and a coin identifying device 45 as a coin identifying means. The control unit 49 includes an operation mode confirmation unit 41, an identification level confirmation unit 42, a comparison unit 43, and a denomination determination unit 44. The coin identifying device 45 includes an identification level switching unit 46, an identifying unit 47, and an identification level value setting unit 48. The identification level switching unit 46 and the identification level value setting unit 48 may be installed in the control unit 49.
[0034]
The operation mode check means 41 of the control unit 49 includes a sensor 30 (see FIG. 1) installed in the vicinity of the coin insertion slot 17 (see FIG. 1) and a sensor installed in the vicinity of the bill insertion slot 18 (see FIG. 1). 31 (see FIG. 1), an insertion detection signal 101 for detecting the insertion of money (coins, bills), switches 26 to 29 (see FIG. 1) attached to the operation unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the clerk operation unit 5 (see FIG. 1). Each switch operation signal 102 to 105 from FIG. 1), a change signal 106 from the comparison means 43 (a signal indicating that there is a change), a diversion signal 107 from the denomination determining means 44 (to store the inserted coins). (The signal indicating that the change is diverted without change), the operation mode is confirmed by monitoring the mode of the apparatus, and the operation mode signal 108 (for example, a signal indicating the deposit mode) is identified. And outputs it to the confirmation means 42. The identification level confirmation means 42 confirms the identification level corresponding to the operation mode signal 108 sent from the operation mode confirmation means 41, and sends the identification level signal 109 (for example, the first identification level to the identification level switching means 46). Output signal).
[0035]
The identification level switching means 46 of the coin identification device 45 outputs an identification level switching signal 110 for switching to an identification level corresponding to the identification level signal 109 from the identification level confirmation means 42 and sends it to the identification means 47. The discriminating means 47 switches the discriminating level according to the discriminating level switching signal 110, discriminates the coins inserted into the coin discriminating device 45 within a predetermined discriminating level allowable range, and denomination data signal 111 (for example, denomination of denomination). Is output to the comparing means 43 and the denomination determining means 44, and a true / false data signal (not shown in FIG. 2) as to whether it is true or false is output to the control unit 49. To do.
[0036]
The discriminating level refers to the allowable range width of the upper and lower limits of the measurement data set to determine that it is a regular coin with respect to the reference data set for each coin in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the identification level is the first discriminating level. Corresponding to each of the level to the fifth identification level, it has an allowable range width of upper and lower limits. The identification level value setting means 48 receives the identification level value switching signal 114 generated when the clerk operates the identification level setting means operation switch 25 (see FIG. 1) from the clerk operation unit 5 (see FIG. 1), for example. The level value signal 115 is sent to the identification unit 47, and the identification level value corresponding to each operation mode of the identification unit 47 (in this embodiment, an upper limit value and a lower limit value for each item to be measured for identification) can be set. it can.
[0037]
The comparison means 43 of the control unit 49 calculates the sum of the input amounts based on the denomination data signal 111 from the identification means 47, and the purchase amount based on the account selection signal 113 from the account selection switch 13 (see FIG. 1). To determine whether or not the mode is change mode (that is, whether or not there is change), and further determine the amount of change. Then, the change signal 106 is output to the operation mode confirmation unit 41, and the change amount signal 112 is output to the denomination determining unit 44.
[0038]
The denomination determining means 44 of the control unit 49 is based on the change amount signal 112 from the comparison means 43 and the denomination data signal 111 for each inserted coin from the identification means 47 and changes the denomination and the denomination of each denomination. The number of denominations that can be used as change from input coins and the number of denominations for each denomination, the denomination of change to be paid out from the change section 55 (see FIG. 3) described later, and the number of denominations for each denomination are obtained. The denomination number signal (not shown) is output to the control unit 49. The denomination determining unit 44 sends a diversion signal 107 to the operation mode confirmation unit 41 when the input coin is used as change.
[0039]
With reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the coin processing apparatus 21 is further demonstrated.
The coin processing device 21 includes the following in addition to the coin identifying device 45. That is, the coin processing device 21 includes a feeding unit 51 as a feeding unit, a transport unit 52, a temporary storage unit 53, a passage switching unit 54 as a coin distribution unit, a change unit 55, a safe unit 56, A change reject unit 57.
[0040]
Furthermore, the coin processing device 21 includes a coin insertion unit 58 that guides coins inserted from the coin insertion port 17 (see FIG. 1) of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 into the coin processing device 21. Moreover, the coin processing part 21 is provided with the coin discharge part 59 which discharge | releases coins, such as a change, to the coin discharge port 19 (refer FIG. 1) of the automatic ticket vending machine 1. FIG.
[0041]
The feeding unit 51 is a hopper for feeding the coins that are collectively fed through the coin feeding unit 58 to the coin identifying device 45 one by one. The coin identifying device 45 includes a coil inside, extracts the characteristics of the fed coin, compares it with reference data serving as a reference for the coin, identifies the denomination and authenticity of the coin, and the identified coin Is sent to the passage switching unit 54, the denomination data signal is sent to the comparison means 43 (see FIG. 2), and the true / false data signal (not shown) is sent to the control unit 49. It is preferable that the feeding speed of the coins being identified by the coin identifying device 45 is constant and always has substantially the same value.
[0042]
The passage switching unit 54 distributes the conveyed coins to the temporary storage unit 53 and the coin discharge unit 59 in accordance with a command signal (not shown) from the control unit 49 based on authenticity data from the control unit 49. Temporary holding unit 53 is a place where coins that have been inserted, fed out from feeding unit 51 to coin identifying device 45, identified by coin identifying device 45 and determined to be regular coins are transported and temporarily held. Coins that are not determined to be normal coins by the coin identification device 45 are sent out from the passage switching unit 54 to the coin discharge port 19 (see FIG. 1) via the coin discharge unit 59. Therefore, coins that are highly likely to be fake coins, altered coins, and deformed coins can be eliminated and returned to the customer.
[0043]
The temporary holding unit 53 collectively releases the temporarily held coins to the feeding unit 51 after issuing a ticket (not shown), and the feeding unit 51 feeds these coins again to the coin identifying device 45 one by one. The coin identifying device 45 again identifies the denomination and authenticity of the coin, sends the identified coin to the passage switching unit 54, and sends an identification result signal (denomination, true / false) to the control unit 49. The passage switching unit 54 distributes the conveyed coins to the change unit 55, the change reject unit 57, and the safe unit 56 in accordance with a command signal from the control unit 49.
[0044]
The change unit 55 stores, for each denomination, coins that are determined to be regular coins by re-identification by the coin identification device 45. However, when it is necessary to divert the inserted coins as change, the diverted coins are not distributed to the change unit 55 by the passage switching unit 54 but to the coin discharge unit 59. In the change reject unit 57, coins that are not determined to be regular coins by re-identification by the coin identifying device 45 are sorted and stored. The change reject unit 57 also stores coins and the like that cannot be delivered to the customer due to the convenience of the apparatus at the time of transport or change discharge. In the safe unit 56, when the number of stored coins in the change unit 55 exceeds the allowable number, coins exceeding the allowable number are sorted and stored for each denomination.
[0045]
In the case where change payout is necessary and the input coins are not diverted, the necessary number of denomination coins are sent from the change portion 55 to the payout portion 51, and the coin identification device 45 and the passage switching portion 54 are sent out. After that, it is discharged to the coin discharge part 59. At this time, if the coin identification device 45 determines whether the coin is true or false, and the coin is not determined to be a genuine coin, the coin is not released as change and is stored in the change reject unit 57. The stored coins are sent out again from the change unit 55 to the feeding unit 51 and discharged to the coin discharge unit 59 through the same path as described above.
[0046]
The conveyance unit 52 (indicated by a line in the figure) is a chute made of a belt, a roller, a sheet metal, or the like, and couples the feeding unit 51 and the coin identification device 45, and couples the coin identification device 45 and the passage switching unit 54. The passage switching unit 54, the change reject unit 57, the change unit 55, the temporary storage unit 53, the coin discharge unit 59, and the safe unit 56, and the feeding unit 51, the coin insertion unit 58, the temporary storage unit 53, The change portion 55 and the change change portion 57 are coupled to convey coins.
[0047]
Next, each operation mode of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The automatic ticket vending machine 1 may be operated by an operation by a customer or may be operated by an operation by an attendant.
First, the ticket purchase operation directly related to the ticket purchase by the customer will be described. The ticket purchase operation includes a deposit mode, a customer operation mode, a change mode, and a storage mode.
[0048]
First, the deposit mode will be described. Coins are inserted into the coin insertion slot 17 by the customer. The inserted coins are conveyed to the feeding unit 51 through the coin inserting unit 58. The feeding unit 51 conveys coins one by one to the coin identifying device 45, and the introduced foreign matter and the like are conveyed from the coin ejection unit 59 to the coin ejection port 19 by a separate mechanism (not shown) and returned to the customer. The coin identifying device 45 performs identification for determining the authenticity and denomination of the coin conveyed from the feeding unit 51 at the first identification level. In the case of identification NG (determined that it is not a regular coin), the passage switching unit 54 distributes the coin to the coin discharge unit 59, and in the case of identification OK (determined as a regular coin), the coin is allocated to the temporary storage unit 53. Then, the total deposit amount is displayed on the guidance display unit 16 of the customer service unit 2.
[0049]
Next, the customer operation mode will be described. The customer operates the account selection switch 13 (push button / touch panel, etc.) corresponding to the account of the ticket to be purchased by the customer service unit 2 when the total amount of money to be inserted becomes equal to or greater than the amount of the ticket to be purchased. When the deposit is less than the ticket fee due to the identification NG or the like, a message to that effect is displayed on the guidance display unit 16 to prompt re-insertion.
[0050]
When the customer does not select the account but returns the inserted coin by pressing the return switch 14, the coin temporarily held in the temporary holding unit 53 is returned to the coin discharge port 19. A signal of the ticket amount is sent to the comparing means 43 by operating the account selection switch 13, and the comparing means 43 calculates the deposit amount from the denomination data sent from the coin identifying device 45. You can compare amounts. When the deposit amount and the ticket amount are the same, the ticket issuing unit 4 issues a ticket corresponding to the account selected by the customer and sends it to the ticket delivery port 15 to enter the storage mode described later, and the coins of the temporary holding unit 53 are changed. The operation is finished by being housed in the section 55 or the like.
[0051]
The change mode will be described.
If the deposit amount is greater than the ticket amount, change processing is started. Here, when the input money cannot be used as change, coins are discharged from the change portion 55 to the feeding portion 51. The identification level is switched to a strict third identification level by the identification level switching means 46 as compared with the first identification level at the time of deposit. This is in order to avoid annoying the coins that are released to the customer from being mixed with altered coins. The coins fed out by the feeding unit 51 are discriminated by the coin discriminating device 45, and the passage switching unit 54, to the coin rejecting unit 57 in the case of identification NG, to the coin discharging unit 59 in the case of identification OK, respectively. Sorted. For the coins stored in the change reject unit 57, coins in place of the same denomination are released again from the change unit 55, the identification is repeated, and all change coins to be paid out to the customer are stored in the coin release unit. When released from 59, the ticket is sent out and the operation is terminated.
[0052]
Next, when the input money can be used as change, the coins held in the temporary holding unit 53 are released to the feeding unit 51. Further, the identification level of the coin identification device 45 is switched to the second identification level which is not strict compared with the first identification level at the time of deposit. The coins fed out by the feeding unit 51 are identified by the coin discriminating device 45, the denomination is determined, and the coins determined to be diverted are sent to the coin discharge unit 59 and determined not to be diverted. The coin is returned to the temporary storage unit 53 by the passage switching unit 54. However, the coin of identification NG is accommodated in the change rejection part 57 by this identification. The inserted coin that can be recognized as a change and can be used as change even if it is determined as NG is preferably discharged from the coin discharge unit 59.
[0053]
When there is a shortage of change in coins that are input by the customer and used as change, processing similar to that described in the case where the input money cannot be used as change is performed. That is, the change is made to the third discriminating level that is stricter than the first discriminating level at the time of deposit, and the change is distributed. When all the change coins to be paid out are sent to the customer, a ticket is sent out and the operation is finished.
[0054]
The storage mode will be described.
According to the description of each mode described above, when the ticket has been sent out, the coins of the temporary holding unit 53 are further discharged to the feeding unit 51 and fed to the coin identifying device 45. At this time, the identification level is the third identification level (the third identification level is continued when change is released from the change unit 55), and the coin is changed by the passage switching unit 54 in the case of an identification NG. 57, in the case of identification 0K, it is distributed to the change part 55.
[0055]
Next, the operation by the operation by the staff will be described. There are a recovery mode, a re-identification mode, and a replenishment mode as the operation by the staff.
First, the collection mode will be described. In order to confirm the daily sales, the coins stored in the change section 55 are stored in a portable safe (not shown) at the deadline. This safe is installed in the safe 56. The identification performed by the coin identification device 45 at the time of operation in this case is called collection identification.
[0056]
First, the collection switch 27 provided in the staff operating unit 5 is operated by the staff. By this operation, coins stored in the change unit 55 are discharged to the feeding unit 51. The identification level switching means 46 switches the identification level of the coin identification device 45 in the direction of the fourth identification level, which is stricter than when depositing. This is because the coin identifying device 45 identifies the coin more strictly and surely, and prevents the counterfeit coins from being mixed with the coins collected and sent to the financial institution to bother the financial institution.
[0057]
In the case of identification NG by the coin identification device 45, the coin is distributed by the passage switching unit 54 to the change rejection unit 57 in the case of identification NG, and to the safe unit 56 in the case of identification OK. All the coins stored in the change unit 55 are identified, and the clerk confirms that the coins are stored in the safe unit 56 and the authenticity of the coins of the change reject unit 57 with the naked eye, thereby completing the collection. .
[0058]
Next, the re-identification mode will be described.
As described above, the coins stored in the change reject unit 57 may be due to poor sorting in the switching function of the transport unit 52, in addition to the case where the coins are not determined by the coin identifying device 45 as described above. That is, by monitoring the coin passing time from the feeding unit 51 to the coin identifying device 45, and the coin passing time by the unillustrated sensor installed at an appropriate place of the transport unit 52. The coin in which the conveyance failure is detected is operated from an opening 60 of the passage switching unit 54 by operating a sorting gate (not shown) provided at the foremost part of the passage switching unit 54 or changing the width of the coin passage. Fall as a reject coin. The dropped coins are stored in the change reject unit 57 by the conveyance path 52 provided in the lower portion of the opening 60. The operation performed to circulate or collect these coins stored in the change reject unit 57 is called re-identification.
[0059]
The re-identification switch 28 provided in the clerk operation unit 5 is operated by the clerk. By this operation, the coins stored in the change reject unit 57 are discharged to the feeding unit 51. At this time, the identification level of the coin identification device 45 is switched by the identification level switching means 46 to at least the fourth identification level in a direction that is stricter than the first identification level at the time of deposit. This is to increase the reliability of re-identification.
[0060]
When the identification by the coin identification device 45 is NG, the coins are sorted and stored again by the passage switching unit 54 to the change rejection unit 57, and when the identification is OK, the coins are sorted and stored by the safe unit 56 or the change unit 55, respectively. The All the coins stored in the change reject unit 57 are identified, and the clerk confirms the authenticity of the coins stored again in the change reject unit 57 with the naked eye and removes it from the change reject unit 57, thereby completing the re-identification. .
[0061]
The replenishment mode will be described.
Coin replenishment is carried out by the staff for shortage of change. In this case, the identification of coins to be replenished is called replenishment identification. First, the replenishment identification switch 29 provided in the staff operation unit 5 is operated. A staff member inserts coins from the coin insertion slot 17 or from a replenishment opening (not shown) provided separately. In either case, the inserted coins are first discharged to the feeding unit 51, then fed to the coin identifying device 45 and identified, and are distributed and stored in principle from the passage switching unit 54 to the change unit 55.
[0062]
At this time, the identification level of the coin identification device 45 is the fifth identification level, and when the change is released (the coin is released as change and used as the supplementary coin), the identification is performed at an identification level stricter than the first identification level at the time of deposit. If it is, it may be the same as the first identification level at the time of deposit. When identification is not performed at a strict identification level at the time of change release, it is desirable to perform identification at a stricter identification level than the first identification level at the time of deposit. At the time of replenishment, in the case of identification NG, the coins are distributed to the change rejection unit 57 by the passage switching unit 54, and to the change unit 55 in the case of identification OK. All coins thrown in by the clerk for replenishment are identified, coins are replenished to the change portion 55, and replenishment identification ends.
[0063]
The operation of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 (see FIG. 1) will be further described with reference to FIGS.
First, with reference to FIG. 4, it demonstrates with reference to FIGS. 1-3 suitably. As shown in FIG. 4, the description starts when the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is in various processing standby modes (step S <b> 1). At this time, the clerk operates the sale / release cancellation switch 26 of the clerk operation unit 5, and the apparatus is on sale (this step, not shown in FIG. 4).
[0064]
When the clerk operation unit 5 is not operated (when step S2 is N (NO)) and a coin is inserted (when step S3 is Y (YES)), the sensor 30 detects this, A deposit process is performed (step S4). In this depositing process, the deposit detection signal 101 is input to the operation mode confirming means 41 of the control unit 49 to confirm that the deposit mode is selected. When there is an operation of the clerk operation unit in step S2 (when step S2 is Y), the route goes to route B in the figure. The route B will be described later with reference to FIG. If no coin is inserted in step S3 (if step S3 is N), the process returns to step S1.
[0065]
When the deposit process (step S4) of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is performed, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 enters the deposit mode, so that the mode of the coin identifying device 45 becomes the deposit identifying mode (step S5), and the identification level switching of the coin identifying device 45 is performed. The means 46 selects and switches the first identification level (step S6). As a result of identifying the coin by the coin identifying device 45, if the determination is OK (when step S7 is Y), the coin is stored in the temporary storage unit 53 via the passage switching unit 54 (step S8). If the result of identifying the coin is NG (when step S7 is N), the coin is returned to the coin discharge port 19 via the passage switching unit 54 and the coin discharge unit 59 (step S9), and then to step S1. Return. After the coins are stored in the temporary storage unit 53 (step S8), the input amount (total amount) is displayed on the guidance display unit 16 of the customer service unit 2 (step S10).
[0066]
Next, when there is an operation of purchasing a customer's ticket (operation of the account selection switch 13) (when step S11 is Y), a comparison is made between the inserted amount and the ticket amount (account amount) by the comparison means 43 of the control unit 49. Is performed (step S12). When there is no customer purchase operation (when step S11 is N), when there is a customer return operation (operation of the return switch 14) (when step S13 is Y), the coin passes through the coin discharge unit 59. It is returned to the coin outlet 19 (step S14) and returns to the position before step S1. Even when there is no customer return operation (operation of the return switch 14) (when the step S13 is N), the process returns to the step S1 in order to wait for the re-input by the customer.
[0067]
The comparison means 43 compares the inserted amount with the ticket amount (account amount) (step S12). If there is a change (if step S15 is Y), the route goes to route C. The route C will be described later with reference to FIG. When there is no change (when step S15 is N), the ticket is sent from the ticket issuing unit 4 to the ticket delivery port 15 (step S16). Next, the storage mode is switched (not shown in FIG. 4). Coins are discharged from the temporary storage unit 53 to the feeding unit 51 and stored in the change unit 55 via the coin identification device 45 and the passage switching unit 54. (Step S17). Then, the process returns to step S1.
[0068]
With reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 as appropriate, the tip of the route C in FIG.
When there is a change (when step S15 is Y (see FIG. 4)), the change process (step S21) of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is performed. In the change process, the change signal 106 from the comparison unit 43 is input to the operation mode confirmation unit 41 of the control unit 49, so that the change mode is confirmed. Since the mode of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is the change mode, the mode of the coin identification device 45 is the change identification mode (step S22). Next, it is determined whether or not the coins stored in the temporary holding unit 53 by being thrown in are used for change to be paid to the customer (step S23). When not diverting at this time (when step S23 is N), it will be described later because it is the same as the subsequent change process when a change due to diverted coins occurs.
[0069]
The use of the diverted coin is determined in advance according to the specifications of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 and is controlled by the diversion signal 107 from the denomination determining unit 44. A case will be described in which the reserved coins held in the temporary holding unit 53 can be used as change (when step S23 is Y). First, coins held in the temporary holding unit 53 are discharged to the feeding unit 51 and are sent from the feeding unit 51 to the coin identifying device 45. At this time, the identification level switching means 46 of the coin identification device 45 selects the second identification level (step S24). This mode processing is confirmed by inputting the change signal 106 from the comparison means 43 and the diversion signal 107 from the denomination determining means 44 to the operation mode confirmation means 41.
[0070]
When the coin identification by the coin identification device 45 is OK (when step S25 is Y) and the identified coin can be used as change (when step S26 is Y), the coin is released through the coin discharge unit 59. When coins are sent to the outlet 19 (step S27) and the sending of diverted coins is finished (when S28 is Y), when there is no shortage of change coins (when step S29 is N), route D in the figure. The process proceeds to step S16 in FIG.
[0071]
When the coin determination by the coin identification device 45 is NG (when step S25 is N), the coins are sorted and stored in the change reject unit 57 by the passage switching unit 54 (step S30), and the process proceeds to step S28.
[0072]
When the identified coin cannot be used as change (when step S26 is N), the coin is sorted and stored in the temporary storage unit 53 by the passage switching unit 54 (step S31), and the process proceeds to step S28. When it is determined that the processing of the coins to be processed as diverted coins is not completed and the processing is not completed (when step S28 is N), the process proceeds to step S25 and the processing is completed.
[0073]
When the processing of the diverted coins is completed, when there are not enough change coins (when step S29 is Y), and when the reserved coins held in the temporary storage unit 53 cannot be used as change (step S23 is N) ), The change portion 55 is operated (step S32), and a denomination of coins to be released as change from the change portion 55 is released to the feeding portion 51 and sent to the coin identifying device 45. Next, the identification level switching means 46 of the coin identification device 45 selects and switches the third identification level (step S33).
[0074]
When the determination of the coin to be released as change by the coin identification device 45 is OK (when step S34 is Y), the coin is conveyed to the coin discharge port 19 via the passage switching unit 54 and the coin discharge unit 59, Then, the process proceeds to step S29. If the coin discriminating device 45 determines that the coin to be released as change is NG (step S34 is N), it is stored in the change reject unit 57 via the passage switching unit 54 (step S36), and then step The process proceeds to S29.
[0075]
In step S29, it is determined whether or not the change coins are insufficient. If the change coins are insufficient (if step S29 is Y), the process proceeds to step S32 and the process is repeated, and if there is no shortage (step S29). Is N), the process proceeds to the route D in the figure and proceeds to step S16 in FIG.
[0076]
With reference to FIG. 6 and with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 as appropriate, the previous steps of route B in FIG. 4 will be described. When the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is in various processing standby modes (step S1), the clerk operates the clerk operation unit 5 (when step S2 is Y) and shifts to this destination route B (see FIG. 4 above). At this time, the clerk operates the sale / release cancellation switch 26 of the clerk operation unit 5 to cancel the sale. The switch operation signal 102 is input to the operation mode confirmation means 41 of the control unit 49, and it is confirmed that the operator is on standby for operation.
[0077]
When collection is identified by the operation of the clerk operation unit 5, that is, when the clerk presses the collection switch 27 (step S41 is Y), the collection process (step S42) of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is performed. In this mode processing, the switch operation signal 103 is input to the operation mode confirmation means 41 of the control unit 49, so that it is confirmed that the recovery mode is set. Since the mode of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is the collection mode, the mode of the coin identification device 45 is the collection identification mode (step S43), and the identification level switching means 46 of the coin identification device 45 selects and switches the fourth identification level (step S44). ). In the collection process, the coins of the change unit 55 are discharged to the feeding unit 51 and are distributed to the safe unit 56 in principle by the passage switching unit 54 via the coin identification device 45 and collected.
[0078]
When the coin determination by the coin identifying device 45 is OK (when step S45 is Y), the coin is stored in the safe 56 through the passage switching unit 54 (step S46). When the collection process is completed (when step S47 is Y), the process proceeds to route A and proceeds to step S1 (see FIG. 4). When the coin determination by the coin identification device 45 is NG (when step S45 is N), the coin is stored in the change rejection unit 57 via the passage switching unit 54 (step S48), and then proceeds to step S47. . If the collection process is not completed (if step S47 is N), the process proceeds to route E, the process proceeds to step S45, and the coin determination is repeated until there is no collected coin in the change unit 55.
[0079]
When the clerk operates the clerk operation unit 5 (when step S2 is Y) (see FIG. 4), the operation of the clerk operation unit is not recognizing identification (when step S41 is N) and re-identification, When the attendant presses the re-identification switch 28 (when step S49 is Y), the re-identification process (step S50) of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is performed. In this mode processing, the switch operation signal 104 is input to the operation mode confirmation unit 41 of the control unit 49, and it is confirmed that the mode is the re-identification mode. At this time, since the mode of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 becomes the re-identification mode, the mode of the coin identification device 45 becomes the re-identification mode (step S51), and the identification level switching means 46 of the coin identification device 45 selects the fourth identification level. Switching (step S52). In the re-identification mode, the coins stored in the change reject unit 57 are discharged to the feeding unit 51 and sent one by one from the feeding unit 51 to the coin identifying device 45.
[0080]
When the coin determination by the coin identification device 45 is OK (when step S53 is Y), the coin is stored in the safe unit 56 or the change unit 55 via the passage switching unit 54 (step S54). When the re-identification process is completed (when step S55 is Y), the process proceeds to route A and proceeds to step S1 (see FIG. 4). When the coin determination by the coin identifying device 45 is NG (when step S53 is N), the coin is stored again in the change rejecting unit 57 via the passage switching unit 54 (step S56), and then the process proceeds to step S55. To do. If the re-identification process is not completed (if step S55 is N), the process proceeds to route F and proceeds to step S53, where coins are determined until no coins are discharged from the change reject unit 57 to the payout unit 51 (step S53) is repeated.
[0081]
When the clerk operates the clerk operation unit 5 (when step S2 is Y) (see FIG. 4) and the clerk operation unit operation is not re-identification (when step S49 is N), that is, clerk Presses the replenishment identification switch 29 (when step S57 is Y), the replenishment process (step S58) of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is performed. In this mode process, the switch operation signal 105 is input to the operation mode confirmation unit 41 of the control unit 49, and it is confirmed that the replenishment mode is set. Since the mode of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is the replenishment mode, the mode of the coin identification device 45 is the replenishment identification mode (step S59), and the identification level switching means 46 of the coin identification device 45 selects and switches the fifth identification level (step S60). ). In the replenishment process, the replenished coins are first discharged to the feeding unit 51, and then fed to the coin identifying device 45 for identification, and are distributed and stored in principle from the passage switching unit 54 to the change unit 55.
[0082]
When the coin determination by the coin identification device 45 is OK (when step S61 is Y), the coins are distributed to the change unit 55 by the passage switching unit 54 and replenished (step S62). When the replenishment identification process is completed (when step S63 is Y), the process proceeds to route A and proceeds to step S1 (see FIG. 4). When the coin identification by the coin identification device 45 is NG (when step S61 is N), the coins are sorted and stored in the change reject unit 57 by the passage switching unit 54 (step S64). The process proceeds to S63. If the replenishment identification process is not completed (when step S63 is N), the process proceeds to route G, proceeds to step S61, and determines coins until no replenishment coins are thrown into the feeding unit 51 by the staff (step S61). Is repeated.
[0083]
The clerk operated the clerk operation unit 5 (when step S2 is Y) (see FIG. 4), and the clerk operation unit operation was not replenishment identification (when step S57 was N), and another clerk operation mode was entered. If so (step S65), the automatic ticket vending machine 1 operates in that mode.
[0084]
When the coins held in the temporary storage unit 53 are stored in the change unit 55 after the payment of the change to the customer and the ticket delivery are completed, the coins are transferred from the temporary storage unit 53 to the supply unit 51 as described above. And is stored in the change portion 55 from the feeding portion 51 through the coin identifying device 45 and the passage switching portion 54. In this storing operation, as another embodiment of the present invention, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 which does not set the operation mode to the storing mode described above may be used.
[0085]
That is, at the time of the storing operation, the coin identifying device 45 performs only the determination of the denomination for switching the path for each denomination by the path switching unit 54 and does not determine whether or not it is a genuine coin. Good. Also in this embodiment, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is operated by the operation in the deposit mode and the change mode before the coins are stored in the change unit 55, the recovery mode by the operation of the staff, and the operation in the replenishment mode. Can do. Therefore, maintaining the acceptance rate of accepting the inserted regular coin as a genuine coin, discharging the input counterfeit coins stored in the change unit 55, the supplemental counterfeit coins stored in the change unit 55, etc. to the customer, The counterfeit coins that are inserted and stored in the change unit 55 can be collected and sent to a financial institution as much as possible.
[0086]
As still another embodiment of the present invention, the identification level in the storage mode is set to a stricter identification level than the identification level in the deposit mode, and when the change is paid out, when the coin is replenished to the change part 55, the change part 55 It is good also as the automatic ticket vending machine 1 which does not determine whether it is a regular coin, only the coin type of a coin is identified at the time of collection | recovery of a coin. When the coins inserted by the customer are stored in the change unit 55, they are identified with a strict identification level, so that the coins stored in the change unit 55 can hardly contain fake coins. Fake coins can be hardly included in the change coins that are released from the change part 55 to the customer and the recovered coins that are collected from the change part and sent to the financial institution.
[0087]
According to the automatic ticket vending machine 1 of the embodiment described above, since the identification level switching means 46 for switching the identification level of the coin identification device 45 to the identification level corresponding to the confirmed operation mode is provided, the coins to be released to the customer are The identification level for identifying and the identification level for identifying the coins to be collected can be switched to a level that is stricter than the identification level for identifying the coins thrown by the customer, and the acceptance rate of accepting the thrown positive coins as positive coins is maintained. In addition, it is possible to make the automatic ticket vending machine 1 with high identification efficiency by reducing the stored counterfeit coins or the like to the customer, or collecting and sending them to the financial institution as much as possible.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the identification level switching means for switching to the identification level corresponding to the confirmed operation mode is provided, the identification level of the coin identification means is set according to the operation mode confirmed by the operation mode confirmation means. The coins can be identified at an appropriate identification level according to the operation mode. Therefore, the coin identification efficiency of the coin processing device can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic ticket vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a main part of the configuration of the control system of the automatic ticket vending machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a coin processing device of the automatic ticket vending machine in FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket vending machine shown in FIG. 1 in a deposit mode.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket vending machine shown in FIG. 1 in the change mode.
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket vending machine shown in FIG. 1 in the collection mode, re-identification mode, and replenishment mode.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Automatic ticket vending machine
13 Account selection switch
15 ticket outlet
21 Coin handling equipment
41 Operation mode confirmation means
45 Coin identification device
46 Identification level switching means
48 Identification level value setting means
51 Feeding section
53 Temporary holding part
54 Passage switching part
55 Change Department
59 Coin release part

Claims (5)

A coin processing device that operates in an operation mode of a deposit mode in which coins are inserted, a change mode in which changes are paid out, and a storage mode in which the inserted coins are stored ;
A feeding means configured to feed the thrown-in coins;
A coin discriminating means for discriminating the fed coin and determining whether or not the coin is a normal coin, and a coin discriminating means having a plurality of discrimination levels;
An operation mode confirmation means for confirming the operation modes of the apparatus;
An identification level switching means for switching the identification level of the coin identifying means to an identification level corresponding to the confirmed operation mode;
An identification level setting means for presetting a correspondence between the operation mode and the identification level;
A temporary holding unit configured to temporarily hold a coin that has been identified by the coin identifying means and is determined to be a genuine coin;
A coin discharge unit that discharges coins that have been identified by the coin identification means and that have not been determined to be regular coins ;
A coin distribution unit that distributes the coins identified by the coin identification means to the temporary storage unit and the coin discharge unit;
The temporary holding unit temporarily holds the coin when all change coins are paid out, the product is sent out and the change mode is ended, and the operation mode check means confirms that the mode has been switched to the storage mode. Configured to return the recovered coins to the feeding means ;
The feeding means is configured to feed the returned coins again;
The coin identifying means is configured to re-identify the coins that have been re-delivered ;
Furthermore, a change part for storing coins for change , wherein the change part stores coins that are re-identified by the coin identification means and are determined to be normal coins ;
A change reject unit for storing a coin that has been identified again by the coin identifying means and has not been determined to be a genuine coin ;
The coin allocating unit distributes the coins identified again by the coin identifying means to the change unit and the change reject unit ;
The identification level switching means is configured to switch the identification level to a level stricter than the identification level in the deposit mode when the coin identification means again identifies the coin returned from the temporary holding unit to the feeding means. It was;
Coin processing device. The coin processing device operates in an operation mode of a re-identification mode for re-identifying coins stored in the change reject unit;
The change reject unit is configured to return the stored coins to the feeding means;
The identification level switching means is configured to switch the identification level to a level stricter than the identification level in the deposit mode when the coin identification means again identifies the coin returned from the change reject unit to the feeding means. It was;
The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1. The coin processing device operates in an operation mode of a change mode in which coins held in the temporary holding unit are repaid as change;
A control unit that determines whether or not the coins held in the temporary holding unit can be used as change;
The temporary holding unit is configured to return the temporarily held coin to the feeding means when the control unit determines that the coin held in the temporary holding unit can be used as change;
The identification level switching unit is configured to switch the identification level to a level that is less severe than the identification level in the deposit mode when the coin identifying unit again identifies the coin returned from the temporary holding unit to the feeding unit. It has been;
The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The coin processing device operates in an operation mode of a change mode in which coins stored in the change unit are repaid as change;
The change unit is configured to return the stored coins to the feeding means when the control unit determines that the coins held in the temporary holding unit cannot be used as change;
The identification level switching means is configured to switch the identification level to a level more severe than the identification level in the deposit mode when the coin identification means again identifies the coin returned from the change portion to the feeding means. ;
The coin processing apparatus according to claim 3. A coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4;
An account selection switch for selecting an account;
A product discharge device for discharging a product based on the account selected by the account selection switch;
vending machine.

Images