JP5851237B2 - Electronic money deposit terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention particularly relates to an electronic money depositing terminal having an electronic money depositing processing function, which is suitable for being installed in a vending machine having an electronic settlement function.

  The vending machine includes a money processing device such as a banknote processing device or a coin processing device, and the money processing device is controlled by a signal from a main control unit of the vending machine. That is, communication (single master communication) is performed using the main control unit as a master terminal and the money handling apparatus as a slave terminal.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a vending machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a vending machine) having an electronic money settlement function. FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) show a vending machine main control unit 200 and each slave terminal 100, 300, 400. The communication sequence between and is shown for each of power-on and standby. As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the main control unit 200 of the vending machine includes each of the electronic money deposit terminal 100, the coin processing device 300, the banknote processing device 400, etc. in synchronization with the SYNC signal (synchronization signal). Send a command to the slave terminal. When each slave terminal receives a command, each slave terminal performs processing and a response according to the command.

  Specifically, as shown in the communication sequence diagram between the main control unit 200 and each of the slave terminals 100, 300, 400 when the power is turned on in FIG. 6A, when the power is turned on, the main control unit 200 of the vending machine An initialization command is sequentially transmitted to each slave terminal 100, 300, 400, and an ACK response (acknowledgment) (a, b, c) is received from each slave terminal 100, 300, 400 in response to this initialization command. By doing so, the connection of each slave terminal 100, 300, 400 is confirmed. When there is no ACK response to the initialization command from the slave terminals 100, 300, and 400, the main control unit 200 recognizes that the slave terminal that has not received the ACK response is not connected. Therefore, each slave terminal 100, 300, 400 must always return an ACK response to the initialization command transmitted first from the main control unit 200.

  In addition, as shown in the communication sequence diagram between the main control unit 200 and each of the slave terminals 100, 300, 400 during standby in FIG. 6B, the main control unit 200 of the vending machine includes the slave terminals 100, 300, After confirming the connection with 400, polling is performed by periodically sending a command to the slave terminal whose connection is confirmed. On the other hand, each slave terminal 100, 300, 400 that has received the polling transmits only an ACK response when there is no data to be transmitted in response to a valid command for the own terminal, and an ACK response when there is transmission data. In addition to the transmission data, the transmission data is added.

  The main control unit 200 of the vending machine can also reset each slave terminal 100, 300, 400 by a command. When each slave terminal 100, 300, 400 receives a reset command, the slave terminal 100, 300, 400 starts an initial operation by resetting a built-in microcomputer (control unit). For example, when the main control unit 200 of the vending machine fails to receive ACK or ACK and transmission data within a predetermined time from the slave terminal that responds to polling, the main control unit 200 regards it as abnormal and transmits a reset signal. . This reset signal is valid for all the slave terminals 100, 300, and 400, and each slave terminal 100, 300, and 400 is reset.

  In the conventional vending machine described above, each of the slave terminals 100, 300, and 400 can communicate only with the main control unit 200 of the vending machine, and cannot communicate with each other. The deposit terminal 100 cannot read the information of money deposited in the coin processing device 300 or the banknote processing device 400. The electronic money depositing terminal 100 installed in the conventional vending machine configured as described above receives payment information from the main control unit 200 of the vending machine and performs a settlement process.

  Therefore, when the electronic money is deposited (charged) by the vending machine, the money deposited in the coin processing device 300 or the banknote processing device 400 is managed, and the non-contact IC card is deposited in the electronic money depositing terminal. It is necessary to manage the processing and the like, and it is always necessary to perform the communication via communication with the main control unit 200. For this reason, when charging electronic money with a vending machine, it is necessary that at least the software of the main control unit 200 of the vending machine and the electronic money deposit terminal support the charging function.

  By the way, as a terminal for electronic money charging, an electronic money depositing terminal having an electronic money settlement / charging function installed in a POS (Post On Sale) register or a vending machine, an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine), a dedicated charging machine, etc. There is. In recent years, with the spread of electronic payments, there is a need on the side of electronic money companies to increase the arrangement of charging machines. However, the installation of the charging function as a single unit is difficult to spread due to the risk of theft and the trouble of collecting money in the charging machine. In addition, it is difficult to secure the installation space in the store. For this reason, a vending machine equipped with a strong housing and a strong lock and secured with security and equipped with a system for periodically collecting money is equipped with an electronic money charging machine. There was a request to collect the money deposited for the charge along with the sales.

  Conventionally, the number of vending machines corresponding to the above-described charging function is extremely small in the market as compared with the vending machines corresponding only to electronic money settlement. Therefore, in the current situation, when a shortage of balance occurs at the time of electronic money settlement at a vending machine, it is necessary to go to a store or the like to charge. For this reason, there has been a demand for adding a function for charging electronic money to the vending machine. However, as described above, when charging electronic money with a vending machine, it is essential that at least the software of the main control unit of the vending machine and the electronic money deposit terminal support the charge function. For this reason, it has been impossible to mount an electronic money depositing terminal on a vending machine that does not support a conventional charging function and to support the charging function.

  Therefore, conventionally, when charging with a vending machine, it is necessary to newly install a vending machine corresponding to the charging function or to replace an old type non-charging vending machine with a vending machine corresponding to the charging function. Since this involves a great deal of cost, there is a current situation that the spread of charge-compatible vending machines has not progressed. On the other hand, it may be possible to make the charging function compatible by changing the program of the main control unit of the vending machine. However, in this method, the main control unit of the vending machine has different software depending on the manufacturer, model, year, etc., and it is not easy to change the software of the main control unit each time to support the charge function. Absent. In addition, even if the software is changed once, it is difficult to realize it because it requires on-site update work at the time of installation.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a coin processing device and a bill processing device are directly connected to an electronic money depositing terminal, and the electronic money depositing terminal directly transmits a command to the coin processing device or the bill processing device. It is necessary to be able to receive information from a coin processing device or a bill processing device. For example, in Patent Document 1, in addition to a communication line used when communicating with a main control unit between a banknote processing apparatus and a coin processing apparatus, an electronic money settlement terminal, a banknote processing apparatus, and a coin are newly added. A technique has been proposed in which a dedicated communication line is provided between processing devices. If this technology is applied, the electronic money depositing terminal can receive the deposit information from the coin processing device or the bill identifying device at the time of charging, or the electronic money depositing terminal can receive the coin processing device or the bill identifying device from the electronic money depositing terminal. Command can be sent.

JP 2010-102389 A

  However, when configured in this way, the main control unit of the vending machine and the electronic money depositing terminal respectively transmit commands to the coin processing device and the bill recognition device, and further, the main control unit of the vending machine and the electronic money receiving terminal The money amount information is transmitted from both the coin processing device and the bill recognition device to both of the money deposit terminals. Therefore, an abnormality occurs in the settlement processing related to the sales of products of a normal vending machine. For example, if deposit information is sent from the coin processing device or bill identification device to both the main control unit of the vending machine and the electronic money depositing terminal, both the charge processing and the settlement processing related to the merchandise sale compete and both can be executed. End up. Therefore, the method of connecting the coin processing device and the banknote processing device to the electronic money depositing terminal and the main control unit of the vending machine could not cope.

  For this reason, a vending machine and a money processing device such as a coin processing device or a banknote processing device are connected via an electronic money depositing terminal, and the electronic money depositing terminal appropriately selects the amount information transmitted from the coin processing device. Need to be sent to the vending machine. However, there is also a problem in this case, and when such a connection is simply made, when the electronic money depositing terminal receives the deposit information from the money processing apparatus and executes the charge process, the money processing apparatus When not responding, it is reset from the main control unit of the vending machine as described above. Further, when the electronic money depositing terminal adopts a process of once reading the money amount information from the money processing apparatus and relaying it to the vending machine, the response to the vending machine is delayed, and in this case, it is also reset. Furthermore, when an abnormality occurs in the electronic money depositing terminal, the vending machine and the money handling apparatus can continue to communicate even if the electronic money depositing terminal breaks down in order to avoid that the money handling apparatus cannot be used. It is necessary to be able to continue settlement by product sales.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an electronic money depositing terminal in which an electronic money charging function is added to an existing vending machine without affecting settlement processing by merchandise sales. For the purpose. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic money depositing terminal that enables communication between the vending machine and the money handling device so that settlement processing by product sales can be continued even when the electronic money depositing terminal fails.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is an electronic money depositing terminal including a control unit that executes a depositing process for writing electronic money corresponding to the amount of money deposited in a money handling apparatus to a storage medium. A first communication line connecting the main control unit and the control unit, a second communication line connecting the money handling apparatus and the control unit, the first communication line, and the second communication line. A third communication line that connects without passing through the control unit, and a line switching unit that blocks communication via the third communication line, the control unit during execution of the deposit process, Power is supplied to the line switching unit to cut off the third communication line, communicate with the money handling apparatus via the second communication line, and write the electronic money to the storage medium. Execute the deposit process, during the deposit process, To command transmitted from the control unit to the money handling apparatus, said first through a communication line have line a response that indicates the standby state on behalf of the money handling apparatus, the circuit switching unit, the main control unit The third communication line is changed from the connected state to the blocked state at a timing in response to a command transmitted to the electronic money depositing terminal at the time of polling .

According to the present invention, the control unit of the electronic money depositing terminal supplies power to the line switching unit to cut off the third communication line and executes the second communication line via the second communication line during execution of the electronic money depositing process. A deposit process is performed in which electronic money is written in a storage medium by communicating with the money handling apparatus.
For this reason, the control unit of the electronic money depositing terminal can control the communication connection between the vending machine and the money processing apparatus, and therefore the received money amount information is not transmitted to the main control unit of the vending machine, It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that both money transfer and sales settlement are executed.
In addition, during the deposit process, the control unit of the electronic money depositing terminal responds to a command transmitted from the main control unit of the vending machine to the money handling apparatus, indicating a standby state instead of the money handling apparatus.
For this reason, the main control unit of the vending machine cannot detect that the communication with the money handling apparatus is interrupted during the deposit process, and thus avoids being reset to the main control unit. be able to. In this way, it is possible to provide an electronic money depositing terminal in which an electronic money charging function is added to an existing vending machine without affecting the settlement processing by merchandise sales.
Further, when an abnormality occurs in the electronic money depositing terminal and power-on is detected at the time of return, the line switching unit connects between the main control unit and the money handling apparatus, so that the vending machine can It is possible to continue communication with the money handling apparatus by enabling communication with the money handling apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic money depositing terminal in which an electronic money charging function is added to an existing vending machine without affecting the settlement processing by merchandise sales. It is also possible to provide an electronic money depositing terminal that enables communication between the vending machine and the money handling apparatus so that settlement processing by product sales can be continued even in the event of a failure.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vending machine carrying the electronic money deposit terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement of the electronic money depositing terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the discrimination | determination processing operation in the cash sale process of the electronic money deposit terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence at the time of the payment process transfer of the vending machine by which the electronic money payment terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention is mounted. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional vending machine carrying an electronic money deposit terminal. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence at the time of power activation of the conventional vending machine, and standby.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as the present embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Configuration of the embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vending machine 10 equipped with an electronic money deposit terminal 11 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine 10 connects a main control unit 12 and a money processing device such as a coin processing device 13 or a bill processing device 14 via the electronic money depositing terminal 11 according to the present embodiment. Connected. For this reason, the electronic money depositing terminal 11 transmits a command (command) transmitted from the main control unit 12 to the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 and from the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 to the main control unit 12. It is in a form that can monitor the data that is sent.

  The electronic money depositing terminal 11 includes a communication line 15 (first communication line) connected to the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10. The communication line 15 is used for output only in the main control unit 12 and only for input in the electronic money depositing terminal 11, and is used for output only in the main control unit 12 and only for input in the electronic money depositing terminal 11. It includes a transmission line and a reception line used exclusively for input in the main control unit 12 and dedicated for output in the electronic money deposit terminal 11.

  Further, the electronic money deposit terminal 11 includes a communication line 16 (second communication line) connected to the coin processing device 13 and the banknote processing device 14. The communication line 16 is a SYNC (synchronous) line used exclusively for output in the electronic money depositing terminal 11 and dedicated for input in the coin processing device 13 and the bill processing device 14, and is dedicated for output in the electronic money depositing terminal 11. The bill processing apparatus 14 includes a transmission line used exclusively for input, and the electronic money deposit terminal 11 includes a dedicated input line, and the coin processing apparatus 13 and the bill processing apparatus 14 include a reception line used exclusively for output.

  The main control unit 12 includes a control circuit 120 (control unit 120 in FIG. 1), a SYNC output circuit 121, a transmission circuit 122, and a reception circuit 123. The SYNC output circuit 121 generates a SYNC signal generated by the control circuit 120 and simultaneously transmitted to the electronic money depositing terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the banknote processing device 14 at the start of data transfer. Output to the line. The transmission circuit 122 transmits various data relating to the sales process including the “transmission permission” command generated by the control circuit 120 to the electronic money depositing terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the banknote processing device 14 via the transmission line of the communication line 15. To do.

  The receiving circuit 123 receives various data related to the sales process including a reception response that is generated by the electronic money depositing terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the banknote processing device 14 and transmitted via the receiving line included in the communication line 15. Transfer to the control circuit 120. In the control circuit 120, the main control unit 12 sequentially transmits a “transmission permission” command to the electronic money deposit terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the banknote processing device 14 at regular time intervals via the transmission line of the communication line 15. The reception response is received from each of the electronic money depositing terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the bill processing device 14 via the communication line 15, and the electronic money depositing terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the bill processing device 14 having received the reception response. Sequence control of the SYNC output circuit 121, the transmission circuit 122, and the reception circuit 123 is performed in order to transfer data related to the sales process between them.

  Here, “data related to sales processing” refers to data transmitted from the main control unit 12 to the electronic money depositing terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the bill processing device 14, and the electronic money depositing terminal 11, coin processing device. 13 is data transmitted from the banknote processing device 14 to the main control unit 12. In the former case, for example, a “command to pay 180 yen as change” transmitted to the coin processing device 13. In the latter case, for example, in the coin processing device 13, “500 yen is deposited and the banknote processing device. 14 indicates information such as “1000 yen is deposited” and “built-in banknote storage is full”.

  The electronic money depositing terminal 11 includes a control unit 110, a first communication circuit 111, a second communication circuit 112, a third communication line 17, a line switching unit 113, a communication unit 114, and a reader / writer unit 115. , An operation unit 116, a display unit 117, and a storage unit 118.

  The control unit 110 executes a depositing process of writing electronic money corresponding to the amount of money deposited in the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 into a storage medium. During execution of the deposit process, the control unit 110 supplies power to the line switching unit 113 to cut off the third communication line 17, and between the coin processing device 13 and the banknote processing device 14 via the second communication circuit 112. To perform a deposit process for transferring electronic money to a storage medium. In addition, the control unit 110 responds to a command transmitted from the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10 to the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 during the deposit process via the first communication circuit 111. A response indicating a standby state is made in place of the banknote handling apparatus 14.

  The first communication circuit 111 includes a SYNC receiver circuit, a receiver circuit # 1, and a transmitter circuit # 1 that enable communication between the electronic money deposit terminal 11 and the main control unit 12 of the vending machine. . Here, the SYNC receiving circuit is connected to the SYNC output circuit 121 of the main control unit 12 via the SYNC line of the communication line 15. The reception circuit # 1 is connected to the transmission circuit 122 of the main control unit 12 via the transmission line of the communication line 15. The transmission circuit # 1 is connected to the reception circuit 123 of the main control unit 12 via the reception line of the communication line 15.

  The second communication circuit 112 includes a SYNC transmission circuit, a transmission circuit # 2, and a reception circuit # 2 that enable communication between the electronic money deposit terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the banknote processing device 14. Is done. Here, the SYNC transmission circuit is connected to the coin processing device 13 and the SYNC receiving circuits 131 and 141 of the banknote processing device 14 via the SYNC line of the communication line 16, respectively. The transmission circuit # 2 is connected to the coin processing device 13 and the receiving circuits 132 and 143 of the banknote processing device 14 via the transmission line of the communication line 16, respectively. The reception circuit # 2 is connected to the coin processing device 13 and the transmission circuits 133 and 143 of the banknote processing device 14 via the reception line of the communication line 16, respectively.

  The first communication line 15 and the second communication line 16 are respectively provided with a branching part 18 and a branching part 19 for branching the communication line. The branching part 18 and the branching part 19 are connected to the third communication line 17. Connected through. The communication line 17 is a communication line that connects the communication line 15 and the communication line 16 without going through the first communication circuit 111, the second communication circuit 112, and the control unit 110. That is, it is a communication line that connects the vending machine 12 and the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 so that they can communicate directly. Further, the communication line 17 is provided with a line switching unit 113, and the line disconnection and connection can be switched under the control of the main control unit 110.

  The line switching unit 113 is a relay circuit, and always connects the first communication circuit 111 and the second communication circuit 112 in a state where power is not supplied. In addition, the communication line is cut off while power is supplied under the control of the control unit 110.

  Specifically, the line switching unit 113 includes a SYNC switching circuit, a reception switching circuit, and a transmission switching circuit. Here, the SYNC switching circuit is a relay circuit that connects or disconnects the communication line 17 a that connects the SYNC line of the communication line 15 and the SYNC line of the communication line 16 according to the control of the control unit 110. The reception switching circuit is a relay circuit that connects or disconnects the communication line 17 b that connects the transmission line of the communication line 15 and the transmission line of the communication line 16 according to the control of the control unit 110. The transmission switching circuit is a relay circuit that connects or disconnects the communication line 17 c that connects the reception line of the communication line 15 and the reception line of the communication line 16 according to the control of the control unit 110.

  The communication unit 114 is a communication interface used when communicating with an external management server (not shown) during settlement or deposit processing. By communicating with the external management server, the electronic money payment information is transmitted, and the setting values of the terminals including the electronic money depositing terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the banknote processing device 14, and the program data are transmitted to the external management server. It is also used as a communication means for taking in from

  The reader / writer unit 115 communicates with a non-contact IC card when a storage medium for storing electronic money such as a non-contact IC card is held over the electronic money depositing terminal 11. The operation unit 116 is assigned a charge button for starting the deposit process, and the display unit 117 displays the remaining amount information of electronic money stored in the non-contact IC card, various messages, and the like. In addition to the program area in which the program executed by the control unit 110 is stored, the storage unit 118 includes data being processed such as a flag generated in the course of executing the program, and payment or payment using a non-contact IC card. It consists of work areas in which information histories are stored, and programs or data are stored in the respective areas.

  The coin processing device 13 includes a control circuit (the control unit 130 in FIG. 1) 130 (the control unit 130 in FIG. 1), a SYNC reception circuit 131, a reception circuit 132, and a transmission circuit 133. The processing device 14 includes a control circuit 140 (the control unit 140 in FIG. 1), a SYNC reception circuit 141, a reception circuit 142, and a transmission circuit 143, and each is configured.

(Operation of the embodiment)
Next, the operation of the electronic money deposit terminal 11 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

As described above, the electronic money depositing terminal 11 is transmitted from the main control unit 12 to the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 and from the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 to the main control unit 12. Therefore, the vending machine 10 is connected to the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 in order to avoid competition between the deposit processing and the sales processing from the command or data that is always transferred. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the sales process is in progress (step S11). In this process, it is determined whether or not the vending machine 10 is in the sales process with the coin processing device 13 and whether or not the vending machine 10 is in the sales process with the banknote processing device 14. When the vending machine 10 is in the sales process with at least either the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14, it is determined that the sales process is in progress.
FIG. 3 shows, as an example, details of determination processing for determining whether or not the vending machine 10 and the coin processing device are in the sales process.

According to FIG. 3, the control unit 110 of the electronic money depositing terminal 11 checks whether or not a denomination signal of money deposited from the coin processing device 13 has been received in step S111. When the denomination signal of money received from the coin processing device 13 is received (step S111 “YES”), the “sale processing flag” of the coin processing device 13 in the storage unit 118 is set to ON (step S112). . Next, the process proceeds to step S112. On the other hand, when the denomination signal is not received from the coin processing device 13 (step S111 “NO”), the process proceeds to step S113. In step S113, the control unit 110 checks whether or not the coin processing device 13 has received a signal indicating that the amount of money has been cleared. When the coin processing device 13 receives a signal indicating the input amount clear (step S113 “YES”), the “processing flag for sale” flag of the coin processing device 13 is cleared (step S114). Then, the process ends. If the coin processing device 13 does not receive a signal indicating clearing of the inserted amount (“NO” in step S113), the process ends.
The process for determining whether the vending machine 10 and the banknote processing device 14 are in the sales process is the same as the process for determining whether the vending machine 10 and the coin processing apparatus are in the sales process.

  As described above, the control unit 110 of the electronic money depositing terminal 11 determines that the vending machine 10 is in the sales process based on the denomination signal indicating that money has been inserted from the coin processing device 13 or the bill processing device 14. . When recognizing that the merchandise sales process is being performed, the control unit 110 sets a “sale processing flag” assigned to a partial area of the storage unit 118 for each of the coin processing device 13 and the banknote processing device 14. The coin processing device 13 and the banknote processing device 14 store the amount of unprocessed money transmitted to the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10 as a “input amount” in a built-in memory. When the vending machine 10 completes the sales process, a money collection command, a refund command, and a change dispensing command are transmitted from the main control unit 12, and the coin processing device 13 and the banknote processing device 14 that have received the command receive the money collection process and the refund process. Alternatively, change change processing is executed and a processing completion signal is returned. At this time, the main control unit 12 issues a command to clear the “input amount”. The coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 that has received this command transmits a signal indicating clearing of the inserted amount to the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10. The control unit 110 of the electronic money depositing terminal 11 monitors the signal for clearing the input amount, thereby recognizing the end of the cash sales process.

  Returning to FIG. The electronic money is charged in the vending machine by the user pressing the charge button of the operation unit 116, depositing a coin or bill of the amount to be deposited, and holding the non-contact IC card over the holding portion of the electronic money depositing terminal. Is done.

  The control unit 110 of the electronic money depositing terminal 11 first determines whether or not the charge button assigned to the operation unit 116 has been pressed after executing the determination process during the cash sales process (step S11) (step S12). Here, when the pressing of the charge button is detected, the control unit 110 further refers to the storage unit 118 and determines whether or not the “cash sales processing flag” is set (step S13). If the cash sales processing flag is set (step S13 “YES”), since the vending machine 10 is in the process of selling merchandise with cash, the display unit 117 displays “Electronic money cannot be charged during cash sales”. Is displayed, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the “cash sales processing flag” is not set in the flag determination process in step S13 (step S13 “NO”), the control unit 110 controls the line switching unit 113 to execute the line blocking process. (Step S14). That is, the control unit 110 determines the timing at which the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10 is not transmitting commands to the coin processing device 13 and the banknote processing device 14, and between the coin processing device 13 and the banknote processing device 14. Is disconnected (step S14). That is, the control unit 110 blocks communication of the communication line 17 by supplying power to the line switching unit 113. For example, the block timing is performed during communication between the control unit 110 of the electronic money depositing terminal 11 and the main control unit 12.

  Next, control for shifting from the standby mode to the deposit processing mode (charge mode) is executed (step S15). The deposit processing mode is a mode for executing a series of processes for writing electronic money corresponding to the amount of money deposited in a so-called money handling apparatus, which is activated by pressing a charge button or the like, to a storage medium.

  Subsequently, when shifting to the charge mode, the control unit 110 determines whether or not money has been deposited in the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 (step S16). If the deposit is confirmed here (step S16 “YES”), the control unit 110 controls the reader / writer unit 115 to start the electronic money writing process (step S17). If the deposit has not been confirmed (step S16). "NO"), a cancel operation or timeout determination is performed (step S23). If cancellation or timeout has not been detected (step S23 “NO”), the process returns to the payment determination process in step S16 to wait for payment. If a cancel operation or timeout is detected (step S23 “YES”), line switching is performed. The line connection process is executed by controlling the unit 113 (step S21).

  The line connection process is a process in which the control unit 110 connects the communication line 17 by cutting off the power supply to the line switching unit 113. At this time, the control part 110 performs communication connection of the coin processing apparatus 13 and the banknote processing apparatus 14 in anticipation of the timing when the main control part 12 of the vending machine 10 is not communicating with the coin processing apparatus 13 and the banknote processing apparatus 14. While the electronic money depositing terminal 11 is responding to the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10, the main control unit 12 does not communicate with the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14, and therefore connection is possible at this timing.

  When there is a deposit and the writing process by the reader / writer unit 115 is started, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the non-contact IC card is held over the electronic money depositing terminal 11 (step S18). Here, if the non-contact IC card is not held over the holding surface, a cancel operation or timeout is determined (step 24). If cancellation or timeout has not been detected (step S24 “NO”), the process returns to the cover determination process in step S18 and waits for the non-contact IC card to be held over the cover, and if a cancel operation or timeout is detected. (Step S24 "YES"), the process which returns the received coin or the received banknote is performed (step S26).

  On the other hand, when it is detected that the contactless IC card is held over (step S18 “YES”), the control unit 110 writes the amount information read from the contactless IC card by the reader / writer unit 115 to the contactless IC card. The process is executed, and it is determined whether or not the writing process is normally completed (step S19). If the writing process ends normally (step S19 “YES”), the control unit 110 executes a process of collecting the received coins or bills (step S20).

  Specifically, when the control unit 110 transmits a money collection command to the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 and receives a signal indicating that money has been collected from these money processing devices 13, 14, the input amount is further cleared. It is considered that the collection process has been completed by receiving a signal indicating. In addition, when the writing process is not normally completed (step S19 “NO”), the control unit 110 executes a writing cancellation process of the reader / writer unit 115 (step S25), and the received coin or the received banknote. Is executed (step S26).

After the collected money is collected or the deposited money is refunded, the control unit 110 executes line connection processing of the line switching unit 113 (step S21).
After executing the line connection process, the process of exiting the chard mode and shifting to the standby mode is executed, thereby completing a series of processes related to the deposit process. As described above, while the electronic money depositing terminal 11 is in the deposit processing mode, power is supplied to the line switching unit 113 and the communication line 17 is shut off.

  Here, with reference to the communication sequence at the time of transition to the depositing process shown in FIG. 4 (after step S15 in FIG. 2), supplementary explanation will be given for the line connection and blocking process operations of the electronic money depositing terminal 11 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, the main control unit 12 first transmits a “SYNC” signal to the electronic money deposit terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the banknote processing device 14 via the communication line 15 (ac). . The electronic money deposit terminal 11, the coin processing device 13, and the banknote processing device 14 that have received this “SYNC” signal are all waiting for a command from the main control unit 12. Next, the main control unit 12 grants the ownership of the communication line 15 to a specific terminal or device via the communication line 15 "electronic money deposit terminal command (d)", "coin processing device command (e) ”,“ Banknote processing device command (f) ”(polling).

  The electronic money depositing terminal 11 that has received the command (d) returns an ACK response (g) by the first communication circuit 111 (transmission circuit # 1) as a response to the command received from the main control unit 12, and a coin processing device. An ACK response (h) is returned in place of 13, and an ACK response (i) is returned in place of the bill processing apparatus. The electronic money depositing terminal 11 returns an ACK response to the main control unit 12 instead of the coin processing device 13, and then transmits a SYNC signal (j) by the second communication circuit 112 (SYNC transmission circuit), and further receives a coin processing device command. (K) is transmitted by the second communication circuit 112 (transmission circuit # 2). The coin processing device 13 that has received this command (k) via the communication line 16 returns a coin processing device response (l) via the communication line 16 to the electronic money depositing terminal 11.

  Thereafter, the main control unit 12 transmits the “SYNC” signal via the communication line 15 (mo). The electronic money depositing terminal 11 that has received the command (p) returns an ACK response (s) by the first communication circuit 111 (transmission circuit # 1) as a response to the command received from the main control unit 12. In response to the command (q), an ACK response (t) is returned instead of the coin processing device 13, and an ACK response (u) is returned in response to the command (r) instead of the banknote processing device.

  In addition, the electronic money depositing terminal 11 thereafter transmits the banknote processing device command (x) and the coin processing device command (y) by the second communication circuit 112 (transmission circuit # 2). The banknote processing device 14 and the coin processing device 13 that have received this command (x, y) via the communication line 16 both respond to the electronic money depositing terminal 11 via the communication line 16 and the banknote processing device response (z ′), Returns the coin processing unit response (z).

  For example, when a 1000-yen bill is inserted into the banknote processing apparatus 14, the banknote processing apparatus 14 transmits a denomination signal of 1000 yen (z '). The electronic money depositing terminal 11 that has received this denomination signal starts the writing process (step S17) and further detects that a non-contact IC card is held over (step S18) as described in the flowchart of FIG. “YES”), the writing process for writing to the non-contact IC card is executed.

  The communication line 16 to which the coin processing device 13 and the bill processing device 14 are connected does not pass through the control unit 110 via the communication line 17 and the line switching unit 113 when the line switching unit 113 is in the “connected” state. Since the vending machine 10 is connected to the communication line 15 to which the vending machine 10 is connected, the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10 is in communication with the coin processing device 13 and the bill processing device 14 (specifically, the main control of the vending machine 10). When the command is transmitted from the unit 12 to the coin processing device 13 or the bill processing device 14 or during the response from the coin processing device 13 or the bill processing device 14 to the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10) A communication abnormality occurs with the main control unit 12, and in the worst case, the system may be reset from the main control unit 12. For this reason, the change to the “blocking” state by the line switching unit 113 of the electronic money depositing terminal 11 needs to be performed at a timing when the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10 and the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14 are not communicating. is there.

  Therefore, the change to the “blocking” state by the line switching unit 113 is performed at a timing in response to a command transmitted to the electronic money depositing terminal 11 at the time of polling from the main control unit 12. At this timing, the main control unit 12 waits for a response from the electronic money depositing terminal 11, so that no command is transmitted to the coin processing device 13 or the banknote processing device 14, and the line switching unit There is no problem even if 113 is changed from the “connected” state to the “blocked” state.

In addition, after the transition from the standby mode to the charge mode or the completion of the change to the “blocking” state by the line switching unit 113, it is transmitted from the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10 to the coin processing device 13 and the banknote processing device 14. Are received once by the electronic money depositing terminal 11 and then notified to the coin processing device 13 and the bill processing device 14.
The response from the coin processing device 13 or the bill processing device 14 is received once by the electronic money depositing terminal 11, the data is confirmed, it is determined whether notification to the main control unit 12 is necessary, and the main control unit Data for notification is added to ACK only when notification to 12 is necessary, and only ACK response is transmitted when unnecessary. That is, during the charge mode (when the deposit process is being executed), a response indicating that the coin processing device 13 and the banknote processing device 14 are in a standby state is performed. As described above, during the charge mode, information related to depositing and paying out is not notified so that the vending machine 10 does not sell the product, and information related to failure is notified as necessary.

  As described above, even if the vending machine 10 does not support the electronic money charging function, it is possible to easily add the electronic money charging function without changing the software of the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10. it can. In addition, although explanation is omitted in this embodiment, even a vending machine that does not have a payment function by electronic money can add a charge function without changing the software of the main control unit of the vending machine. In this case, it can be used as a charge-only machine.

(Effect of embodiment)
As described above, according to the electronic money depositing terminal 11 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 110 of the electronic money depositing terminal 11 is connected to the main control unit of the vending machine via the first communication line 15, A third communication line that is connected to the money handling apparatus via the second communication line 16 and connects the first communication line 15 and the second communication line 16 without going through the control unit. 17 and a line switching unit 113 for blocking the third communication line.
Further, when the electronic money depositing process is being executed (in the depositing process mode), that is, when the depositing process mode is activated by pressing the charge button or the like, the power is supplied to the line switching unit 113 and the third communication line 17 is connected. The first communication line is cut off and executes a depositing process for transferring and writing electronic money to a storage medium such as a non-contact IC card by communicating with the money handling apparatus via the second communication line 16 In response to the money handling apparatus, a response indicating a standby state is made.

  As a result, the electronic money depositing terminal 11 can control (connect / block) the communication connection between the vending machine 10 and the money handling apparatus, and therefore the received money amount information is sent to the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10. It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the electronic money is not transmitted and both electronic money writing and sales settlement are executed.

  Moreover, the control part 110 makes the response which shows a standby state instead of a money processing apparatus with respect to the instruction | command transmitted to the money processing apparatus from the main control part 12 of the vending machine 10 during a money_receiving | payment process. For this reason, the main controller 12 of the vending machine 10 does not detect that communication with the money handling apparatus is interrupted during the deposit process. Therefore, resetting to the main control unit 12 can be avoided. In this way, it is possible to provide the electronic money depositing terminal 11 in which the electronic money charging function is added to the existing vending machine 10 without affecting the settlement processing by the merchandise sales.

  Furthermore, even if the electronic money depositing terminal 11 breaks down and the line switching unit 113 cannot be controlled by the control unit 110 of the electronic money depositing terminal 11, power is supplied to the line switching unit 113 in that case. Since the communication line 17 between the main control unit 12 of the vending machine 10 and the money processing apparatus is connected at the time when the electronic money depositing terminal 11 fails, the main control unit 12 and the money processing apparatus are connected. It is possible to continue communication and settlement processing through product sales. Therefore, an electronic money depositing terminal is provided that adds an electronic money charging function to an existing vending machine without affecting the settlement process by merchandise sales. It is possible to provide an electronic money depositing terminal that enables communication to continue the settlement process through product sales.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vending machine, 11 ... Electronic money depositing terminal, 12 ... Main control part, 13 ... Coin processing apparatus, 14 ... Banknote processing apparatus, 15 ... 1st communication line, 16 ... Second communication line, 17 ... Third communication line, 18 ... Branch part of first communication line, 19 ... Branch part of second communication line, 110 ... Control 111, first communication circuit, 112, second communication circuit, 113, line switching unit, 114, communication unit, 115, reader / writer unit, 116, operation unit, 117 ... display unit, 118 ... storage unit

Claims (1)

An electronic money depositing terminal including a control unit that executes a depositing process for writing electronic money corresponding to the amount of money deposited in a money handling apparatus to a storage medium,
A first communication line connecting the main control unit of the vending machine and the control unit;
A second communication line connecting the money handling apparatus and the control unit;
A third communication line for connecting the first communication line and the second communication line without going through the control unit;
A line switching unit that blocks communication through the third communication line,
The control unit supplies power to the line switching unit to cut off the third communication line during the deposit process, and communicates with the money handling apparatus via the second communication line. To execute a deposit process for writing the electronic money to the storage medium, and during the deposit process, in response to a command transmitted from the main control unit to the money handling apparatus, the first communication line There line a response that indicates the standby state on behalf of the money handling apparatus,
The circuit switching unit changes the third communication line from a connected state to a blocked state at a timing in response to a command transmitted to the electronic money depositing terminal at the time of polling from the main control unit. An electronic money deposit terminal.

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