JP4720016B2 - Coin processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coin processing device, and more particularly to a coin processing device capable of performing switching setting of various functions in a vending machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The vending machine determines the type and authenticity of the inserted coins, and after purchasing the product, it is stored in a tube prepared for each denomination. If change is required, it is loaded and stored in the tube. A coin processing device (coin mechanism) is mounted to pay out the required number of coins of a predetermined denomination.
[0003]
FIG. 6 is a front view showing the appearance of the coin processing apparatus.
The coin processing device of the vending machine has a coin insertion slot 1 for throwing coins in the upper part, and a coin identification unit 2 for identifying coins inserted one by one in the lower part. At the lower part of the coin identifying unit 2, there is a coin temporary holding unit 3 that distributes the identified coins by denomination and temporarily holds them. The coin temporary storage unit 3 does not store the inserted coins immediately, but temporarily stores them until a product transaction is established. When the purchase of the product is canceled, the coin is temporarily stored. The returned coin is returned to the return slot, that is, a mechanical part of the actual escrow function is configured. A coin storage unit 4 is provided below the coin temporary storage unit 3. The coin storage unit 4 is shown in the figure as a transparent or translucent plate that allows the storage state to be visually observed, but a plurality of cassette tubes for storing coins by denomination are provided behind it. ing. These cassette tubes are integrally configured as a change cassette, and are detachable from the front side with the lower part as a fulcrum.
[0004]
Such a coin processing device has a function that enables various operations in advance in order to cope with the type of vending machine to be mounted, price setting, occurrence of mischief, and the like.
[0005]
FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing the coin processing apparatus with the front-side attachment element removed.
When the transparent or translucent plate of the coin identification unit 2, the coin temporary storage unit 3, and the coin storage unit 4 is removed, the function changeover switch unit 5 and the cassette tube are disposed behind it. The cassette tube includes a tube 6 for 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen for storing coins by denomination and an auxiliary tube 7 for storing spare coins for change.
[0006]
8A and 8B are diagrams showing details of the function changeover switch unit. FIG. 8A shows the function, and FIG. 8B shows a configuration example of the switch.
The function changeover switch unit 5 has, for example, four mechanically operated dip switches 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, and can select an individually assigned function by performing an on / off setting.
[0007]
Here, the dip switch 5a is a switch for selecting whether a coin to be put in the auxiliary tube 7 as a spare change when the change in the tube 6 is insufficient is a 100 yen coin or a 10 yen coin. In the illustrated example, 100 yen coins are set for reserve change.
[0008]
The dip switch 5b is a switch for selecting whether to preferentially return the coins temporarily held after the insertion or to return the coins provided in advance to the return operation performed after the insertion of the coins. In the example, the setting is made to enable the escrow function.
[0009]
The dip switches 5c and 5d are switches for prohibiting the acceptance of the corresponding denomination when a mischievous act by counterfeit money occurs. In the example shown in the figure, the 100 yen coin is permitted to be accepted. However, 500 yen coins are set to be prohibited.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, with the conventional function switching setting switch, if you want to change the function at the time of shipment or after being shipped and installed in the vending machine, it is necessary for the administrator to go to the coin processing device and change it. For example, if there is frequent damage caused by fake coins and it is desired to temporarily prohibit the acceptance of 500 yen coins, there is a problem that the administrator has to visit and set the number of corresponding vending machines.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing apparatus that enables switching of various functions either alone or from the outside.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, in a coin processing apparatus having a switching function of various functions, a mechanical operation switch means for setting switching of various functions, and setting contents set by the switching means are stored. A non-volatile storage means, a communication means capable of changing a setting content stored in the storage means in response to an external setting command, and a setting state by the switch means is instructed via the communication means. Display means for displaying a difference from the set contents, and control means for controlling lighting / extinction of the display means based on the set contents of the storage means and the set contents instructed via the communication means. The control means is configured to change the setting state by the switch means and the setting state by the switch means and the communication means. Said display means turns off when the setting commanded equal Te, and characterized in that lighting the display means when the setting contents are commanded are different through the communication means and setting state by said switching means A coin processing apparatus is provided.
[0013]
According to such a coin processing apparatus, the setting contents set by the switch means are stored in the nonvolatile storage means, and the setting contents of the storage means can be changed via the communication means. This not only can be set individually for the function switching for each vending machine, can be changed temporarily collectively set from the outside to a plurality of vending machines More passing synthetase stage It is. Since the setting changed via the communication means is lit and displayed by the display means, it can be easily known that the setting has been changed by communication in the individual setting in each vending machine.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example the case of application to a vending machine.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a coin processing apparatus according to the related art of the present invention.
A coin processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) unit 11 that controls the coin processing apparatus 10, a setting switch unit 12 connected to the CPU unit 11, a storage unit 13, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode). ) A display unit 14 and a communication unit 15 are provided.
[0016]
The setting switch section 12 is composed of a push button switch group for setting switching of various functions corresponding to a conventional dip switch. The storage unit 13 includes a nonvolatile memory (for example, a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), etc.) that stores the setting contents set by the setting switch unit 12. This is because in the case of setting with a conventional dip switch, the state of the switch is maintained regardless of the power on / off state of the vending machine. The LED display unit 14 displays the setting content by the setting switch unit 12 stored in the storage unit 13.
[0017]
The communication unit 15 is connected via a communication unit 22 to a control unit 21 of a vending machine control device 20 that controls the entire vending machine equipped with the coin processing device 10. The communication unit 22 of the vending machine control device 20 is connected to the host center 40 via the network 30.
[0018]
In the above configuration, when the setting change is performed by the coin processing apparatus 10 as in the past, the function switching is set by operating each push button switch of the setting switch unit 12. When it is desired to change the setting by an operation on the vending machine control device 20 side, a setting command from the control unit 21 is notified to the coin processing device 10 via the communication unit 22. Further, when the vending machine itself is managed by the network, a remote operation command from the host center 40 is notified via the network 30.
[0019]
In any setting by the setting switch unit 12, the control unit 21, and the host center 40, the setting content of the command is received by the CPU unit 11 and stored in the storage unit 13. The CPU unit 11 controls the lighting of the LED display unit 14 so that the setting content can be viewed from the outside, and controls the function switching of the coin processing device 10 according to the setting content.
[0020]
Thereby, the LED display unit 14 can perform an equivalent display in any setting by the setting switch unit 12, the control unit 21, and the host center 40.
[0021]
Next, a function setting process flow in the CPU unit 11 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a function setting process.
In the function setting process, first, it is determined whether or not the setting has been changed by the push button switch in the setting switch unit 12 (step S1). If there is no change in the setting by the push button switch, it is next determined whether or not the setting has been changed by communication from the control unit 21 of the vending machine control device 20 or the host center 40 (step S2). Here, when there is no setting change by the setting switch part 12 and communication, it complete | finishes as it is.
[0022]
When there is a setting change by the setting switch unit 12 or communication, the setting content is stored in the storage unit 13 (step S3). Then, the updated setting contents of the storage unit 13 are displayed on the LED display unit 14 (step S4).
[0023]
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of a coin processing apparatus according to the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention.
The coin processing device 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU unit 51 that controls the coin processing device 50, a storage unit 52 connected to the CPU unit 51, and a dip switch / LED display unit 53. ing.
[0024]
In the DIP switch / LED display unit 53, the setting method for switching various functions by the conventional DIP switch is left as it is, and a function for displaying the setting contents is added thereto.
[0025]
The storage unit 52 is a non-volatile memory that stores the setting contents set by the DIP switch / LED display unit 53.
The communication unit 54 is connected via the communication unit 22 to the control unit 21 of the vending machine control device 20 that controls the entire vending machine equipped with the coin processing device 50 as in the case of the related technology. In addition, the communication unit 22 of the vending machine control apparatus 20 is connected to the host center 40 via the network 30.
[0026]
With the above configuration, remote setting by communication is possible while leaving the setting method by the conventional DIP switch. In the case of the related technology described above, since the setting is an operation using a push button switch, the operation may be somewhat complicated. On the other hand, in the case of a dip switch operation, the operation is intuitive. Easy to set up and easy to set up.
[0027]
In the case of the implementation of the form of this, even if the specification is changed by the communication, the state of the dip switch is a person does not change without intervention. Therefore, it is necessary to determine certain rules so that the current specifications can be understood. Here, the following rules are assumed.
[0028]
First, regardless of the switch setting and communication setting, the one set later is made valid.
Secondly, when the switch setting is equal to the communication setting, the corresponding LED is turned off.
[0029]
Third, if the switch state and specifications differ depending on the contents set by communication, the corresponding LED is turned on.
Fourthly, when the setting is changed by the switch, the state is determined as the specification, and the LED is turned off.
[0030]
Based on the above rules, an example of the operation of the coin processing device 50 will be described by taking, for example, the case of a dip switch that sets the acceptance prohibition / acceptance permission of 500 yen coins as an example.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an operation example of the coin processing device.
First, as shown in (A), in the initial state, the 500 yen coin acceptance prohibition / acceptance setting dip switch is in the OFF position, and the 500 yen coin acceptance prohibition / permission setting is “permitted”. Suppose that
[0032]
Next, it is assumed that the user wishes to prohibit the acceptance of 500 yen coins because of the mischief of false coins imitating the 500 yen coins. At this time, in order to quickly change the specifications of a plurality of vending machines, it is preferable that the external host center 40 preferably transmits a command prohibiting the acceptance of 500 yen coins by its communication function. Then, the coin processing device 50 changes the setting to prohibit the acceptance of 500 yen coins based on the command received by the communication function. In that case, since the coin processing device 50 has different specifications and the state of the DIP switch, as shown in FIG.
[0033]
Next, it is assumed that the acceptance of 500 yen coins is permitted again, and the setting is made by the administrator going to the vending machine. In this case, as shown in (C), the dip switch is once turned on (prohibited side). As a result, the setting is the same as the setting by the communication performed earlier, so the LED is turned off. Next, as shown in (D), when the DIP switch is turned off again (permitted side), the setting is changed by the switch, the specification is fixed to “permitted”, and the LED remains off. It is.
[0034]
Next, a function setting process flow in the CPU unit 51 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a function setting process.
In the function setting process, first, it is determined in the DIP switch / LED display section 53 whether or not the setting has been changed by the DIP switch (step S11). If there is no change in the setting by the DIP switch, it is next determined whether or not the setting has been changed by communication from the control unit 21 or the host center 40 of the vending machine control device 20 (step S12). Here, when there is a setting change by the DIP switch / LED display unit 53 or communication, the setting content is stored in the storage unit 52 (step S13).
[0035]
If the setting contents are stored in step S13, or if there is no setting change by the DIP switch / LED display unit 53 and no setting change by communication, then whether the setting state of the DIP switch is the same as the current setting. It is determined whether or not (step S14). If the setting state of the dip switch is the same as the current setting, the corresponding LED is turned off (step S15). If the setting state of the dip switch is different from the current setting, the corresponding LED is turned off. Is turned on to indicate that there was a setting different from the setting by the DIP switch from the outside (step S16).
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to change the setting contents from the outside, the switch means for setting the function switching, the non-volatile storage means for storing the setting contents, the display means for displaying the setting contents. And a communicable communication means. As a result, as usual, the administrator can go to the site and operate the switch means to change the setting, and can also set from the outside by providing the communication means.
[0037]
In addition, if connected to the host center managed by the vending machine via a network, it will be possible to easily cope with cases where it is necessary to prohibit acceptance of specific coins due to mischief and other actions. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a coin processing device according to a related technique of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a function setting process.
3 is a block diagram showing the structure of a coin processing apparatus according to the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the coin processing device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a function setting process.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing the appearance of the coin processing device.
FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing the coin processing apparatus in a state where a front-side attachment element is removed.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating details of a function changeover switch unit, where FIG. 8A illustrates a function and FIG. 8B illustrates a configuration example of a switch.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coin slot 2 Coin identification part 3 Coin temporary storage part 4 Coin storage part 5 Switch part 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d Dip switch 6 Tube 7 Auxiliary tube 10 Coin processing apparatus 11 CPU part 12 Setting switch part 13 Memory | storage part 14 LED Display unit 15 Communication unit 20 Vending machine control device 21 Control unit 22 Communication unit 30 Network 40 Host center 50 Coin processing device 51 CPU unit 52 Storage unit 53 Dip switch / LED display unit 54 Communication unit

Claims (1)

In a coin processing device having a function switching function,
  Mechanical operation switch means to set the switching of various functions;
  Non-volatile storage means for storing the setting content set by the switch means;
  A communication means that can change the setting content stored in the storage means in response to an external setting command;
  Display means for displaying that the setting state by the switch means is different from the setting content commanded via the communication means;
  Control means for controlling lighting / extinguishing of the display means based on the setting contents of the storage means and the setting contents instructed via the communication means;
  With
  The control means turns off the display means when the setting change by the switch means is performed and when the setting state by the switch means is equal to the setting content commanded via the communication means, and the switch means The coin processing apparatus, wherein the display unit is turned on when a setting state is different from a setting content commanded through the communication unit.

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