JP7123661B2 - Coin handling equipment and coin handling system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a coin processing device and a coin processing system for processing coins.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, coin processors for handling special coins unsuitable for market distribution, such as damaged coins (deformed coins, damaged coins), commemorative coins, old coins, etc., are known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an example of such a coin processing device.

In the coin processing device of Patent Literature 1, one coin is placed at a deposit position inside the housing through the deposit port. The placed coin is imaged by a camera at the deposit position. This image is displayed on the display unit together with candidates for coin types and denominations. The operator selects the coin type and denomination from a plurality of candidates while viewing the coin image. When the coin type and denomination are selected, this information is associated with the image and stored in the storage unit. After that, the coins are sorted and stored in the loss coin box or the commemorative coin box depending on whether they are loss coins or commemorative coins.

JP 2015-018304 A

In the above coin processing device, when there are a plurality of coins to be deposited, the above operation is repeated one by one. For this reason, the depositing operation is troublesome for the user, and the depositing time tends to take a long time.

In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device and a coin processing system capable of processing a plurality of coins smoothly and appropriately.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a coin processing device. A coin processing apparatus according to this aspect includes a first placement area for placing a plurality of coins of a predetermined type, a second placement area for placing a plurality of coins of a predetermined type, and the first placement area for placing a plurality of coins of a predetermined type. An imaging unit that captures an image of the coins placed on the placement area and the second placement area, a first storage part that stores the coins placed on the first placement area, and the second placement area. and a storage mechanism for guiding the coins placed on the first placement area and the second placement area to the first storage section and the second storage section. And prepare.

According to this configuration, the operator can collectively process coins of different types by collectively placing coins of corresponding types on the first placement area and the second placement area. Therefore, the coins placed on the first placement area and the second placement area can be processed very simply and quickly. Also, the coins placed in the first placement area and the second placement area are stored in the first storage section and the second storage section associated with the first placement area and the second placement area, respectively. be done. Therefore, each type of coin can be sorted and stored in the first storage section and the second storage section according to type, and subsequent processing of the coins can proceed smoothly.

In the coin processing apparatus according to this aspect, the first placement area and the second placement area are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, and the imaging section includes the first placement area and the second placement area. can be configured to simultaneously image all coins placed on each of the .

According to this configuration, one imaging unit is assigned to the first placement area and the second placement area, so the configuration can be simplified.

In the coin processing apparatus according to this aspect, the first placement area and the second placement area are provided so as to be able to be pulled out from a housing that forms an outer shell of the apparatus, and the imaging section includes the first placement area. As the placement area and the second placement area are pulled into the housing, the coins placed in the first placement area and the second placement area pass through the imaging area. can be configured to be deployed.

According to the above configuration, while the first placement area and the second placement area are drawn into the housing, the coin can be photographed at the same time, so that the deposit process can proceed smoothly and quickly. .

In the coin processing apparatus according to this aspect, a regulation mechanism is provided for regulating coin insertion/removal operations with respect to the first placement area and the second placement area, and the image pickup unit is configured to operate the first placement area by the regulation mechanism. An image of the coins placed in the first placement area and the second placement area may be captured in a state in which coin insertion/removal operations with respect to the placement area and the second placement area are restricted.

According to the above configuration, since the image is captured in a state in which coins cannot be put in or taken out, it is possible to suppress miscalculation caused by taking out the coin after the image is taken or placing the coin after the image is taken.

The coin processing apparatus according to this aspect can be configured to include a control unit that controls processing of coins to be processed.

In this case, the control unit may be configured to set the type of coin to be processed according to the setting operation, for example.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to appropriately set the type of coins to be placed in the placement area. Therefore, user convenience can be enhanced.

Further, the control section may be configured to determine the type of each coin based on the image of the coin to be processed captured by the imaging section.

According to this configuration, predetermined control can be performed by the control unit based on the determination result of the coin type.

In this case, the control section may be configured to perform processing for notifying the detection result when a coin that should not be processed is detected based on the image of the coin captured by the imaging section.

According to this configuration, the operator can know that the wrong type of coin has been placed on the placement area. This allows the operator to perform an operation such as replacing the wrong kind of coin with the correct coin. Therefore, coins can be accurately deposited and processed.

In the above configuration, the control unit may be configured to perform a process for the operator to take out the coin when determining that the coin to be processed is a coin that should not be stored.

According to this configuration, the operator can smoothly take out and store coins that should be stored individually without being stored in the storage unit, such as coins in a case, after the image is captured. .

In the coin processing apparatus according to this aspect, the control section may be configured to perform processing for displaying an image of the surface of the coin captured by the imaging section.

According to this configuration, the operator can directly visually confirm the displayed surface image of the coin to confirm the type of each coin placed in the placement area. Therefore, coins can be accurately deposited and processed.

In the coin processing apparatus according to this aspect, the types of coins to be processed may be configured to include at least one of loss coins and commemorative coins.

According to this configuration, the user can collectively process a plurality of loss coins or commemorative coins. Therefore, loss money or commemorative money can be processed quickly and smoothly.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a coin processing system. A coin processing system according to this aspect includes the coin processing device according to the first or second aspect, and a display device for displaying an image of a coin to be processed captured by the imaging unit.

According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the first aspect or the second aspect can be obtained.

A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a coin processing system. A coin processing system according to this aspect includes the coin processing device according to the first or second aspect, a control unit that controls processing of a coin to be processed, and an image of the coin to be processed captured by the imaging unit. and a display device for displaying.

According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the first or second aspect can be achieved.

In addition, the structure provided with the display part may be sufficient as the coin processing apparatus which concerns on a 1st and 2nd aspect. In this case, the coin processing device can be configured to display the image of the coin captured by the imaging section on the display section.

Also, the processing of the control unit of the coin processing apparatus according to the first and second aspects may be performed by another control unit constituting the coin processing system according to the third and fourth aspects.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin processing device and a coin processing system that can process a plurality of coins smoothly and appropriately.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiment shown below is merely one example of the implementation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the money handling system according to the embodiment. FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing the configuration of the special coin processing device according to the embodiment. FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d) show a method of setting coin types for the first placement area and the second placement area of the special coin processing apparatus according to the embodiment, and the first placement area and the second placement area in each setting method. It is a figure which shows the number of coins which can be processed by the 2nd placement area. 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration and operation of the special coin processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the special coin processing device and operation terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing special coin deposit processing according to the embodiment. FIGS. 7A to 7D are diagrams showing screens displayed on the operation terminal during special coin deposit processing, respectively, according to the embodiment. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams schematically showing an operation for setting a denomination for an image of a coin according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detailed screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing special coin deposit processing according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG. FIGS. 11A to 11D are diagrams showing screens displayed on the operation terminal during special coin deposit processing according to Modification 1. FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing special coin deposit processing according to Modification 2. As shown in FIG. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing screens displayed on the operation terminal during special coin deposit processing according to Modification 2. FIG. 14(a) and 14(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration of a special coin processing apparatus according to Modification 3. FIG. 15(a) and 15(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration of a special coin processing apparatus according to Modification 4. FIG. FIGS. 16(a) to 16(c) are plan views schematically showing the configuration of a special coin processing apparatus according to Modification 4. FIG. 17(a) and 17(b) are a sectional view and a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a special coin processing apparatus according to Modification 5. FIG. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a special coin processing device according to another modification.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, the special coin processing device 7 corresponds to the "coin processing device" recited in the claims, and the combination of the special coin processing device 7 and the operation terminal 8 (operation display unit 301) corresponds to the corresponds to the "coin handling system" described in the scope of The operation terminal 8 (operation display unit 301) corresponds to the "display device" described in the claims. Also, the camera 51 corresponds to the "imaging section" described in the claims. The frame member 24 and the mounting member 25 correspond to the "storage mechanism" described in the claims.

However, the above description is only for the purpose of associating the structure of the scope of claims with the structure of the embodiment, and the above correspondence allows the invention described in the scope of claims to correspond to the structure of the embodiment. It is not limited at all.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a money handling system 1 according to this embodiment.

The money processing system 1 includes a loose banknote processing device 2, a banknote bundle processing device 3, a loose coin processing device 4, a wrapped coin processing device 5, a valuable medium processing device 6, a special coin processing device 7, and an operation terminal. 8 and a money storage device 9 .

The loose banknote processing device 2 has a banknote storage unit capable of storing loose banknotes by denomination, and performs deposit processing of depositing loose banknotes into the banknote storage unit and dispensing processing of dispensing loose banknotes from the banknote storage unit. The banknote bundle processing device 3 has a banknote bundle forming unit that binds a predetermined number of separate banknotes (for example, 100) to form a banknote bundle (banded banknote), and a banknote bundle storage unit that stores the banknote bundle. The banknote bundle processing device 3 is connected to the loose banknote processing device 2, and based on the loose banknotes sent from the loose banknote processing device 2, a banknote bundle forming unit generates a banknote bundle and throws out the banknote bundle to the outside. Alternatively, the generated banknote bundle is stored in the banknote bundle storage unit.

The loose coin processing device 4 has a coin storage unit capable of storing loose coins by denomination, and performs deposit processing for depositing loose coins into the coin storage unit and dispensing processing for dispensing loose coins from the coin storage unit. The wrapped coin processing device 5 has a wrapped coin forming unit that wraps a predetermined number (eg, 50) of loose coins to form wrapped coins, and a wrapped coin storage unit that stores the wrapped coins. The wrapped-coin processing device 5 is connected to the loose-coin processing device 4, and based on the loose coins sent from the loose-coin processing device 4, the wrapped-coin forming unit generates wrapped coins and throws them out. Alternatively, the generated wrapped coins are stored in the wrapped coin storage unit.

The valuable medium processing device 6 processes valuable media that are not handled by the separate banknote processing device 2 and the banknote bundle processing device 3 . Specifically, the valuable medium processing device 6 has an unfit bill storage unit and a valuable security storage unit. Processing for depositing and withdrawing damaged bills that cannot be processed by the processing device 2 to and from the bill storage unit, and processing for depositing and withdrawing specific securities such as checks and bills to and from the securities storage unit. The valuable medium processing device 6 also has a new bill storage unit, and performs processing for dispensing new bills, which are unused banknotes, from the new bill storage unit.

The special coin processing device 7 handles special coins that are not suitable for market distribution, such as damaged coins (deformed coins, damaged coins), commemorative coins, and old coins. These special coins cannot be handled by the loose coin processing device 4 .

The operation terminal 8 includes an operation display section 301 and a printer 302 . The user uses the operation terminal 8 to operate the loose banknote processing device 2 , bundle banknote processing device 3 , loose coin processing device 4 , packaged coin processing device 5 , valuable medium processing device 6 , special coin processing device 7 and money storage device 9 . Perform operations for deposit processing and operations for withdrawal processing.

The money storage device 9 is used to store special coins such as unfit coins (deformed coins, damaged coins), commemorative coins, and old coins that are not suitable for circulation in the market.

2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing the configuration of the special coin processing device 7. FIG.

The special coin processing device 7 has an outer shell formed by a rectangular parallelepiped housing 10 . An opening 11 is formed in the upper front side of the housing 10 . This opening 11 is opened and closed by a shutter 12 . 2(a) shows a state in which the opening 11 is closed by the shutter 12, and FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which the opening 11 is opened. The shutter 12 is supported by the housing 10 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along guide grooves 13 formed on the left and right inner surfaces of the housing 10 .

When the shutter 12 is opened, the first mounting area 21 and the second mounting area 22 arranged side by side are exposed to the outside. The first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are separated by a partition 23 . Directly below the first placement area 21, a first storage section 31 for storing coins placed on the first placement area 21 is installed so as to be able to be pulled out forward. Directly below the second placement area 22, a second storage section 32 for storing the coins placed on the second placement area 22 is installed so as to be able to be pulled out forward. That is, the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 32 are provided in association with the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22, respectively.

The types of coins to be placed on the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 can be arbitrarily set. The type of coin to be placed in each placement area is set using, for example, a predetermined setting screen. The type of coin in each set placement area is stored in the storage unit within the operation terminal 8 . Labels 33 and 34 are attached according to the settings.

The setting of the types of coins to be placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d).

FIGS. 3A to 3D respectively show methods for setting coin types for the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22, and the setting methods for the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22, respectively. 4 is a diagram showing the number of coins that can be processed by a placement area 22; FIG. 3A to 3D, the left side shows a state in which coins are placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22, and the right side shows the first placement area 21. and the maximum number of coins that can be placed in the second placement area 22 and the maximum number of coins that can be stored in the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 are shown. Note that the numbers shown in the table on the right side are just an example, and are appropriately set depending on the size of the special coin processing device 7, the type of coins, and the like.

FIG. 3A shows standard coin type setting patterns (standard patterns). This setting pattern is set in the operation terminal 8 by default, for example. In the standard pattern, the first placement area 21 is set as a loss coin placement area, and the second placement area 22 is set as a commemorative coin placement area. Therefore, the first storage portion 31 stores lost coins, and the second storage portion 32 stores commemorative coins. Labels 33 and 34 indicating the types of coins to be placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are attached directly above the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 32, respectively. be done. By referring to these labels 33 and 34, the operator can grasp the types of coins to be placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22. FIG.

As shown in the table of FIG. 3A, in the standard pattern, for example, a maximum of 12 damaged coins can be placed in the first placement area 21, and a maximum of 4 coins can be placed in the second placement area 22. Commemorative coins can be placed. Further, in the standard pattern, up to 120 damaged coins can be stored in the first storage portion 31 . On the other hand, the second storage section 32 can store up to 40 commemorative coins.

FIG. 3B shows a set pattern in which the types of coins placed on the first placement area 21 and the types of coins placed on the second placement area 22 are interchanged with respect to the standard pattern. (replacement pattern) is shown. In the replacement pattern, the first placement area 21 is set as a commemorative coin placement area, and the second placement area 22 is set as a loss coin placement area. Accordingly, commemorative coins are stored in the first storage portion 31 and lost coins are stored in the second storage portion 32 . The descriptions of the labels 33 and 34 are changed according to the exchange of coin types.

As shown in the table of FIG. 3B, in the replacement pattern, a maximum of 4 commemorative coins can be placed in the first placement area 21, and a maximum of 12 lost coins can be placed in the second placement area 22. can be placed. Up to 40 commemorative coins can be stored in the first storage section 31 . On the other hand, the second storage section 32 can store up to 120 damaged coins.

In FIG. 3(c), both the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 show setting patterns (lost coin patterns) set for the areas where unprofitable coins are placed. there is In addition, in FIG. 3(d), both the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 show a set pattern (lost coin pattern) set in the area where commemorative coins are placed. It is

In the lost coin pattern of FIG. 3C, 12 damaged coins can be placed in each of the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 . Therefore, in the lost coin pattern, a total of 24 damaged coins can be placed on the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 at one time for processing. In this case, a total of 240 damaged coins can be stored in the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 .

In the commemorative coin pattern of FIG. 3D, four commemorative coins can be placed in each of the first placing area 21 and the second placing area 22 . Therefore, in the commemorative coin pattern, a total of eight commemorative coins can be placed on the first placing area 21 and the second placing area 22 at one time for processing. In this case, 80 commemorative coins can be stored in the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 together.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the types and number of coins to be placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 can be appropriately set. Each setting pattern is received by the control unit 305 (see FIG. 5) of the operation terminal 8 via a predetermined setting screen, and stored in the storage unit (see FIG. 5) of the operation terminal 8. FIG.

4A and 4B are cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration and operation of the special coin processing device 7. FIG. 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views taken along the line A-A' in FIG. 2(a). FIG. 4(a) shows a state immediately after the shutter 12 is closed after target coins are placed on the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22, and FIG. shows a state in which the storage operation is started thereafter.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first placement area 21 is composed of a frame member 24 and a placement member 25 . The inner surface of the frame member 24 constitutes the inner surface of the first mounting area 21 together with the side surface of the partition 23, and the upper surface of the mounting member 25 is the bottom surface of the first mounting area 21, that is, the first mounting area. It constitutes a coin placement surface in the area 21 . The frame member 24 is fixed inside the housing 10, and the mounting member 25 is supported by the support frame 41 so as to be movable forward and backward. The support frame 41 is provided with an opening 41 a that allows the inner side surface of the frame member 24 and the first storage portion 31 to communicate with each other. The second placement area 22 also has the same configuration as in FIGS.

Note that the frame member 24 may be a single member that is common to both the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 , and may be separate for each of the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 . may be provided in Further, the mounting member 25 may be a single member common to both the first mounting region 21 and the second mounting region 22, and each of the first mounting region 21 and the second mounting region 22 may It may be provided separately.

A camera 51 whose angle of view includes both the first mounting area 21 and the second mounting area 22 is installed on the upper inner surface of the shutter 12 . That is, all the coins placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are captured by one camera 51 at the same time. In addition, a light emitting unit (not shown) for illuminating the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 is installed inside the housing 10 .

When the mounting member 25 is moved backward from the state of FIG. 4A by a drive mechanism (not shown), the bottom surface of the first mounting area 21 is gradually opened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the coin C1 falls into the first storage section 31 from the opened bottom surface through the opening 41a. The mounting member 25 moves to a position where the front end of the mounting member 25 is positioned on the inner surface of the rear end side of the frame member 24 . As a result, all the coins C1 placed on the first placement area 21 fall into the first storage portion 31 and are stored in the first storage portion 31 . Coins placed on the second placement area 22 are also stored in the second storage section 32 by the same operation.

A drive mechanism for the mounting member 25 is composed of a motor and gears. For example, the mounting member 25 is provided with a rack gear extending back and forth, and this rack gear is meshed with a gear driven by a motor. When the motor is driven, the driving force of the motor is applied to the mounting member 25 via the gear and the rack gear. Thereby, the mounting member 25 is transferred back and forth.

In the coin storage operation shown in FIG. 4(b), the operator assigns a predetermined denomination to the image of each coin captured by the camera 51 in the state shown in FIG. 4(a). It is executed by performing a confirmation operation. Here, the captured image of each coin is cut out for each coin and displayed on the operation terminal 8 . The operator visually confirms the captured image of each coin displayed on the operation terminal 8 and sets the denomination of the coin in each captured image. After that, the operator inputs a confirmation operation to the operation terminal 8 , so that each captured image is associated with the denomination and stored in the storage unit of the operation terminal 8 . Each coin is thus managed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the special coin processing device 7 and the operation terminal 8. As shown in FIG.

The special coin processing device 7 includes an imaging processing section 201 , a shutter driving section 202 , a unit driving section 203 , a communication section 204 , a control section 205 and a storage section 206 .

The imaging processing unit 201 drives the camera 51 under the control of the control unit 205 , processes image data from the camera 51 , and transmits the processed image data to the control unit 205 . The shutter drive unit 202 includes a motor and drive circuit for driving the shutter 12 and opens and closes the shutter 12 under the control of the control unit 205 . The unit driving section 203 includes a motor and a drive circuit for driving the mounting member 25 shown in FIGS. The communication unit 204 performs wireless or wired communication with the communication unit 304 of the operation terminal 8 under the control of the control unit 205 .

The control unit 205 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the imaging processing unit 201 , the shutter driving unit 202 , the unit driving unit 203 and the communication unit 204 according to programs stored in the storage unit 206 . The storage unit 206 includes a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, or the like, stores a control program for the control unit 205, and stores a work area during control processing of the control unit 205. used as

The operation terminal 8 includes a card reader 303 , a communication section 304 , a control section 305 and a storage section 306 in addition to the operation display section 301 and the printer 302 described above.

The operation display unit 301 is composed of a touch panel having a display 301a and a touch sensor 301b. The display 301a displays various information. The touch sensor 301b detects a user's touch operation on the display 301a. The printer 302 performs deposit processing and withdrawal with respect to the loose banknote processing device 2, the banknote bundle processing device 3, the loose coin processing device 4, the packaged coin processing device 5, the valuable medium processing device 6, the special coin processing device 7, and the money storage device 9. The results of various processing such as processing are printed on paper as a journal and output.

The card reader 303 reads the ID card and outputs the read data to the control section 305 . The communication unit 304 communicates with the communication unit 204 of the special coin processing device 7 by a wireless system or a wired system. In addition, the communication unit 304 communicates with each communication unit of the loose banknote processing device 2, the banknote bundle processing device 3, the loose coin processing device 4, the packaged coin processing device 5, the valuable medium processing device 6, and the money storage device 9. It communicates by wireless system or wired system.

The control unit 305 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, and controls the operation display unit 301 , the printer 302 , the card reader 303 and the communication unit 304 according to programs stored in the storage unit 306 . Further, the control unit 305, via the communication unit 304, controls the loose banknote processing device 2, the banknote bundle processing device 3, the loose coin processing device 4, the wrapped coin processing device 5, the valuable medium processing device 6, the special coin processing device 7, and the By exchanging various commands and information with the money storage device 9, the operation of these devices is controlled.

A storage unit 306 includes a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, or a hard disk, stores a control program for the control unit 305, and is used as a work area when the control processing of the control unit 305 is performed. Further, the storage unit 306 holds a coin image database 306a in which reference images of loss coins and commemorative coins are associated with denominations. The coin image database 306a is prepared for each coin type (loss coin/commemorative coin). The coin image database 306 a is referred to by the control unit 305 when determining the denomination of the coin image captured by the camera 51 .

Next, a process for depositing special coins such as loss coins and commemorative coins into the special coin processing device 7 will be described. Here, the standard pattern shown in FIG. 3A is set as the setting pattern of the types of coins placed on the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 .

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing deposit processing for special coins such as loss coins. 7A to 7D are diagrams showing screens displayed on the operation display unit 301 of the operation terminal 8 during special coin deposit processing according to the embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed in the control unit 305 of the operation terminal 8. FIG.

In the process of depositing special coins, the operator first operates the menu screen 410 shown in FIG. 7(a). The menu screen 410 includes an area 411 that displays selection candidates for processing items. The operator selects the “special coin” processing item in area 411 . As a result, among the types of money included in the area 412, items of lost/old coins and commemorative coins to be processed are highlighted. Further, in the area 413, an image 413a of the special coin processing device 7 for depositing the coin is displayed. By referring to the image 413a, the operator can smoothly grasp to which device the money should be deposited. After that, the operator operates the button 414 . Thereby, the processing shown in FIG. 6 is started.

The control unit 305 transmits an instruction to open the shutter 12 to the control unit 205 of the special coin processing device 7 (S101). As a result, the shutter 12 of the special coin handling device 7 is opened. Further, the control unit 305 causes the operation display unit 301 to display the set request screen 420 . As a result, the screen of the operation display unit 301 is switched from the menu screen 410 of FIG. 7(a) to the set request screen 420 of FIG. 7(b).

Referring to FIG. 7(b), area 421 includes an image similar to area 411 in FIG. 7(a). In the area 422, an image 422a showing the form of allocation of coin types in the coin placement area of the special coin processing device 7 is displayed. Here, since the standard pattern is set as described above, the left coin placement area (first placement area 21) is assigned to the area for placing lost coins, and the right coin placement area An area (second placement area 22) is assigned as an area for placing commemorative coins. By referring to the image 422a, the operator can accurately grasp the type of coin to be placed in each placement area.

The area 423 includes a message 423a prompting to set coins to be processed in the special coin processing device 7 and to operate the button 424 after setting is completed. The operator refers to the message 423a and places the loss coins and commemorative coins to be processed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 of the special coin processing device 7, respectively. After setting all the loss coins and commemorative coins to be processed, the operator operates the button 424 . As a result, the determination in step S103 of FIG. 6 becomes YES.

Thus, when the determination in step S103 becomes YES, the control section 305 transmits an instruction to close the shutter 12 to the control section 205 of the special coin processing device 7 (S104). As a result, the shutter 12 of the special coin handling device 7 is closed. Furthermore, the control unit 305 transmits an instruction to image the coin to the control unit 205 of the special coin processing device 7 (S105). As a result, the camera 51 captures an image of the coins placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 in the special coin processing device 7 . Data of the image thus captured is transmitted from the special coin processing device 7 to the operation terminal 8 via the communication units 204 and 304 . Control unit 305 causes storage unit 306 to store the received data.

Next, the control unit 305 processes the data of the received image and cuts out the image of each coin included in the image (S106). At this time, the control unit 305 performs distortion correction on the clipped image of each coin, and acquires an image of each coin that is close to a perfect circle. Then, the control unit 305 compares the distortion-corrected image of each coin with the reference image held in the coin image database 306a to identify the denomination of each coin image (S107).

Specifically, the control unit 305 extracts from the coin image database 306a the reference image with the highest degree of matching equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold for each coin image, and the denomination associated with this reference image is Assign to the coin image. At this time, the control unit 305 further assigns to each coin image a classification indicating whether the reference image assigned to each coin image belongs to a lost coin or a commemorative coin. In addition, an identification result indicating that the denomination is unknown is assigned to an image of a coin that has a degree of matching equal to or greater than the threshold and does not have a reference image.

After identifying the denomination of each coin image in this manner, the control unit 305 appropriately selects the coin of the corresponding type (loss coin/commemorative coin) for the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22. It is determined whether or not it has been set (S108). That is, the control unit 305 refers to the classification of the coin type assigned to the image of each coin, and selects one of the images of each coin acquired from the first placement area 21 where the lost coin should be placed. When the category of commemorative coins is assigned, and when the category of lost coins is assigned to any of the images of each coin acquired from the second placement area 22 where the commemorative coins are to be placed, the second It is determined that a coin has been misplaced in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 .

If a coin is misplaced (S108: YES), the control unit 305 causes the operation display unit 301 to display a confirmation request screen 430 shown in FIG. 7(c) (S109). In the confirmation request screen 430, the image of the area 431 is displayed superimposed on the set request screen 420 shown in FIG. 7B. The area 431 includes a message 431a and a button 432 for prompting that a coin has been misplaced and that the coin should be reset. The operator refers to the message 431a and operates the button 432 after grasping the misplacement of the coin. As a result, the determination in step S110 of FIG. 6 becomes YES.

In response, the control unit 305 returns the process to step S101 and executes the processes after step S101 again. As a result, the shutter 12 of the special coin processing device 7 is opened, and the coins can be replaced. The operator replaces the coin in the appropriate placement area while referring to the set request screen 420 displayed in step S102. After that, the operator performs the same operation as described above.

If there is no coin misplacement (S108: NO), the control unit 305 causes the operation display unit 301 to display a deposit processing screen 440 shown in FIG. 7(d) (S111).

Referring to FIG. 7(d), deposit processing screen 440 includes areas 441 and 442 and buttons 443-445. In an area 441, coin deposit results 441a and 441b are displayed for each denomination. In the area 442, an image 442c of each coin cut out from the captured image is displayed. The displayed image 442c of each coin is an image after the above-described distortion correction. The area 442 has a tab 442a for displaying images of lost coins and a tab 442b for displaying images of commemorative coins. That is, the tabs 442a and 442b are assigned to the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22, respectively. When the tab 442a is selected, images of lost coins set in the first placement area 21 are displayed, and when the tab 442b is selected, images of commemorative coins set in the second placement area 22 are displayed. is displayed.

An item 442d indicating the denomination of each image is displayed at a position immediately below each image 442c of the coin. When the deposit processing screen 440 starts to be displayed, the denomination of the coin image 442c identified in step S107 of FIG. 6 is displayed in the item 442d. In the image 442c of the coin whose denomination is determined to be unknown in step S107, a "?" symbol is displayed in the item 442d. The number of images 442c other than the image 442c marked with a "?" The area 442 is provided with a scroll bar 442e for scrolling the image 442c.

Note that the item 442d indicating the denomination does not necessarily have to be arranged directly under each image 442c, and may be arranged at another position as long as it is associated with the image 442c. For example, item 442d may be placed so as to partially overlap image 442c.

The operator can set the denomination of each coin image 442c by operating the item 442d.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams schematically showing the operation for setting the denomination for the coin image 442c.

For example, when setting the denomination for the image 442c identified as having an unknown denomination, the operator first refers to the image 442c and visually confirms the denomination of the coin in the image 442c. Next, as shown in FIG. 8A, the operator touches the item 442d associated with the image 442c with a finger and drags the finger downward. As a result, the denomination displayed in the item 442d changes according to the drag distance.

For example, if the finger is dragged a predetermined distance, the denomination of the item 442d will be 1 yen, and if the finger is further dragged a predetermined distance, the denomination of the item 442d will be 5 yen. Thereafter, similarly, each time the finger is dragged by a predetermined distance, the denomination of the item 442d changes to 10 yen, 50 yen, and so on. When the finger is dragged in the opposite direction (upward), the denomination change is reversed.

Thus, the operator drags the finger until the denomination corresponding to the image 442c is displayed in the item 442d. Then, when the denomination corresponding to the image 442c is displayed in the item 442d, the operator releases his/her finger from the screen. As a result, the denomination is set in the item 442d as shown in FIG. 8(b). At this time, the item 442d for which the denomination is set by the operator is displayed in a form distinguishable from the item 442d for which the denomination is identified in step S107 of FIG. For example, the item 442d for which the denomination is set by the operator is displayed in a different color from the other items 442d.

The operator also sets the denomination for the other image 442c identified as having an unknown denomination by performing a similar operation. The operator also appropriately corrects the denomination of the item 442d for which the denomination was identified in step S107 of FIG. 6 by performing the same operation as described above. Thus, when the denomination of each image 442c is set by the operator, the deposit results 441a and 441b of each denomination displayed in the area 441 are updated accordingly.

In the example shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the denomination candidate is changed by dragging the finger, but the method of changing the denomination candidate is not limited to this. . For example, the denomination candidate may be changed each time the item 442d is tapped.

Returning to FIG. 7D, the button 443 is a button for displaying the image captured by the camera 51. FIG. When the button 443 is operated, the detailed screen 450 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the entire display 301a of the operation display section 301. FIG.

The entire captured image of the camera 51 is displayed on the detail screen 450 . Images obtained by imaging the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 from above are displayed in the areas 451a and 451b, respectively. The image captured in the area 451 c is the partition 23 separating the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 .

Since the images displayed in the areas 451a and 451b are displayed in substantially the entire display area of the display 301a, the surface images of the respective coins are displayed large. The operator appropriately operates the button 443 to display the details screen 450 when performing the denomination setting operation for the area 442 . This allows the operator to more smoothly visually confirm the denomination of each image. After confirmation, the operator operates the button 452 . As a result, the screen returns to the payment processing screen 440 of FIG. 7(d).

Returning to FIG. 6, after displaying the deposit processing screen 440 (S111), the control unit 305 executes denomination acceptance processing (S112) and detailed confirmation acceptance processing (S113). In the denomination acceptance process (S112), the control unit 305 accepts the operations shown in FIGS. Change seeds. Further, in the details confirmation acceptance process (S113), the control unit 305 accepts an operation on the button 443 in FIG. 7D, and displays the details screen 450 shown in FIG. 9 when the button 443 is operated. .

Together with the processing of steps S112 and S113, the control unit 305 determines whether or not the operator has performed a redo operation on the deposit processing screen 440 (S114). Specifically, the control unit 305 determines whether or not the button 444 in the deposit processing screen 440 has been operated by the operator.

The operator operates the button 445 when confirming the need to redo the deposit process, such as when he forgets to set some of the coins to be processed in the first placement area 21 or the second placement area 22 . Accordingly, the control unit 305 determines YES in step S114, and returns the process to step S101. In response to this, the shutter 12 of the special coin processing device 7 is opened. Accordingly, the operator accesses the first placement area 21 or the second placement area 22 and redoes the coin deposit operation.

The operator sets denominations for all coin images 442c on the deposit processing screen 440 of FIG. After that, when the button 445 for confirming the process is operated (S115: YES), the control unit 305 executes the deposit confirmation process (S116). In the payment confirmation process, the control unit 305 associates the image 442c of each coin with the denomination set in the item 442d, and causes the storage unit 306 to store them. At the same time, the control unit 305 causes the storage unit 306 to store the deposit results 441 a and 441 b shown in the area 441 .

When the payment confirmation process is completed in this way, the control section 305 transmits a notification indicating the completion of the process to the special coin processing device 7 via the communication section 304 . In response to this, the control section 205 of the special coin processing device 7 controls the unit driving section 203 to move the placement member 25 to the rearmost position. As a result, the coins placed on the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are dropped and stored in the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32, respectively. After that, the controller 205 moves the mounting member 25 to the frontmost position (initial position). This completes the coin deposit process.

<Effects of Embodiment>
According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

By collectively placing coins of corresponding types (loss coins, commemorative coins) in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22, respectively, the operator collectively stacks the coins of the respective types. can be processed. Therefore, the target coin can be processed very simply and quickly. Also, the coins placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are stored in the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 31 associated with the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22, respectively. 2 storage portion 32 . Therefore, each type of coin can be sorted and stored in the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 32 for each type. This allows the operator to smoothly proceed with subsequent processing for each type of coin.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. The angle of view is set so that all the coins placed in the two placement areas 22 are simultaneously imaged. Since one camera (imaging unit) is assigned to the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22, the configuration can be simplified.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the camera 51 (imaging unit) is operated in a state in which coin insertion/removal operations with respect to the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are restricted by the shutter 12 (restriction mechanism). , the coins placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are imaged. In this way, since the image is captured in a state in which the coin cannot be put in or taken out, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of miscalculation due to the removal of the coin after the image is taken or the placement of the coin after the image is taken.

As shown in FIG. 4( a ), the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 32 are open at the top and below the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 . The frame member 24 and the placement member 25 (storage mechanism) are arranged to store the coins placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 in the first storage section 31 and the second storage section, respectively. 32 is configured to drop. More specifically, by relatively moving the frame member 24 and the placing member 25 in the horizontal direction, the coins placed on the first placing area 21 and the second placing area 22 move to the second position. It drops into the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 32 . As a result, the coins placed on the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 can be moved to the first storage portion 31 by simply moving the frame member 24 and the placement member 25 relative to each other in the horizontal direction. and the second storage portion 32 . Therefore, the configuration of the storage mechanism can be simplified, and control for coin storage can be easily performed.

As described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D, the control unit 305 controls the number of coins to be placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 in accordance with the setting operation. Set type. Thereby, user convenience can be improved. For example, when it is expected that a large amount of commemorative coins will be deposited, the area for placing the commemorative coins can be set to a convenient area for the operator, out of the first placing area 21 and the second placing area 22 . Alternatively, both the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 can be set as areas for placing commemorative coins. As a result, convenience for the operator can be enhanced.

In step S107 of FIG. 6 , the control unit 305 controls each coin placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 based on the image of the coin captured by the camera 51 (image capturing unit). determine the type. Thereby, the control unit 305 can perform predetermined control based on the determination result of the coin type.

For example, control unit 305 determines that a coin that does not correspond to the coin type of first placement area 21 and second placement area 22 has been placed on at least one of first placement area 21 and second placement area 22. When an error (misplacement) is detected, processing for reporting the detection result, that is, display of the confirmation request screen 430 shown in FIG. 7(c) is performed. As a result, the operator can grasp the misplacement of the coin in the first placement area 21 or the second placement area 22, and can perform an operation such as replacing the coin. As a result, the operator can perform accurate deposit processing.

As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 305 performs processing for displaying an image of the surface of the coin captured by the camera 51 (image capturing unit). Accordingly, the operator can directly visually confirm the displayed surface image of the coin to confirm the type of each coin placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 . Therefore, coins can be accurately deposited and processed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways other than those described above.

<Modification 1>
In Modification 1, the control unit 305 determines that a coin that should not be stored in the first storage unit 31 and the second storage unit 32 is placed in at least one of the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22. If so, processing is performed to remove the coin. Specifically, when a commemorative coin stored in a case such as a cosmetic case is taken out of the case and placed on the first placing area 21 or the second placing area 22, the control unit 305 After photographing the commemorative coin with a camera 51, the shutter 12 is opened to set the commemorative coin to a state in which the commemorative coin can be taken out without storing the commemorative coin in the first storage part 31 or the second storage part 32.例文帳に追加

Note that, in Modification 1, the menu screen 410 shown in FIG. 7A is modified as shown in FIG. 11A. That is, when the operator selects the processing item "special coin" in the area 411, the items of lost/old coins and commemorative coins to be processed are highlighted in the area 412, and the corresponding item is displayed. At the bottom, a selection item 412a of "*contained" is displayed. The operator selects the selection item 412a when the coin to be processed is a cased commemorative coin. In response, the control unit 305 sets a flag indicating that the coin to be processed is a cased commemorative coin.

Further, in Modification 1, when the operator selects the selection item 412a, the deposit processing is executed only for commemorative coins in cases. That is, the control unit 305 sets only the placement area on which the commemorative coin should be placed among the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 as a valid placement area. If a coin is placed outside this placement area, the control unit 305 determines YES in step S108 of FIG.

When processing a commemorative coin stored in a case such as a cosmetic box, the operator selects the processing item "special coin" in the area 411 on the menu screen 410 of FIG. A selection item 412a displayed in 412 is selected and a button 414 is operated. Thereby, the processing shown in FIG. 6 is started.

In this case, in step S102 of FIG. 6, the set request screen 420 of FIG. 11(b) is displayed instead of FIG. 7(b). Here, the area 423 includes a message 423b prompting the special coin processor 7 to take out the commemorative coin to be processed from the case and set it, and to operate the button 424 after the completion of setting. Further, as described above, the control unit 305 sets only the placement area where the commemorative coin should be placed as the effective placement area. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11(b), commemorative coins are assigned to the right coin placement area (second placement area 22) of the coin placement areas of the special coin processing device 7 in area 422. An image 422b is displayed.

The operator refers to the message 423b, takes out the commemorative coin from the case, and places the taken out commemorative coin on the second placing area 22 for the commemorative coin. After setting the commemorative coin to be processed, the operator operates the button 424 . As a result, the determination in step S103 of FIG. 6 becomes YES, and the processes after step S104 are performed. A plurality of cased commemorative coins can be placed on the second placement area 22 .

In step S108 of FIG. 6, in addition to the case where a coin other than a commemorative coin is placed in the second placement area 22, some kind of coin is placed in the first placement area 21 which is not a valid placement area. The determination is also made YES when it is done. As in the above embodiment, the operator operates the deposit processing screen 440 (see FIG. 7D) displayed in step S111 to set the denomination for each image of commemorative coins to be processed. When the operator sets the denominations for all the commemorative coin images 442c and then operates the button 445 for confirming the process (S115: YES), the control unit 305 executes the deposit confirmation process. (S116).

Here, in the above-described embodiment, after the deposit results 441a and 441b shown in the area 441 are stored in the storage unit 306 in the deposit confirmation process (S116), the lost coins and the commemorative coins are stored in the first storage unit 31 and the commemorative coins, respectively. It was stored in the second storage section 32 . On the other hand, in Modification 1, when the coin to be processed is a commemorative coin in a case, the process shown in FIG. 10 is executed in the deposit confirmation process (S116).

That is, in step S121 of FIG. 10, the control unit 305 causes the storage unit 306 to store the image 442c of each commemorative coin in association with the denomination set in the item 442d. At the same time, the control unit 305 causes the storage unit 306 to store the deposit result 441b shown in the area 441 .

Next, the control section 305 transmits an instruction to open the shutter 12 to the control section 205 of the special coin processing device 7 (S122). As a result, the shutter 12 of the special coin handling device 7 is opened. Then, the control unit 305 switches the screen of the operation display unit 301 to the removal request screen 460 shown in FIG. 11(c) (S123).

An area 461 of the removal request screen 460 displays a message 461a prompting the user to remove all commemorative coins from the second placement area 22 and to return the removed commemorative coins to the case. The operator refers to the message 461a, takes out the commemorative coin from the second placement area 22 of the special coin processing device 7, and operates the button 462. FIG. As a result, the determination in step S124 of FIG. 10 becomes YES. Note that after the button 462 is operated, the control unit 305 acquires an image of the second placement area 22 using the camera 51 and checks whether or not any commemorative coins remain in the second placement area 22. good. In this case, the control unit 305 determines YES in step S124 by confirming that no commemorative coin remains in the second placement area 22 .

Thus, when the determination in step S124 becomes YES, the control section 305 transmits an instruction to close the shutter 12 to the control section 205 of the special coin processing device 7 (S125). As a result, the shutter 12 of the special coin handling device 7 is closed. When the shutter 12 is closed, the control unit 305 causes the operation display unit 301 to display a screen 470 shown in FIG. 11(d). An area 471 of the screen 470 displays an image 471a prompting the user to store the commemorative coin stored in the case from the special coin processing device 7 in the money storage apparatus 9. Further, an area 472 displays the commemorative coin. A message 472a is displayed prompting the user to save the .

The operator refers to the image 471a and the message 472a, stores the commemorative coins stored in the case together with the case in the money storage device 9, and operates the button 473. FIG. As a result, the determination in step S126 of FIG. 10 becomes YES. This completes the process of depositing the cased commemorative coin.

As described above, according to the configuration of Modified Example 1, the cased commemorative coin is not stored in the second storage portion 32 but is set in a state in which it can be taken out from the second placement area 22 . As a result, the operator can smoothly take out the cased coins, which should be stored individually without being stored in the second storage part 32, from the special coin processing device 7 after the image is captured, and store them.

Here, the case where the second placement area 22 is set as the commemorative coin placement area (standard pattern) is taken as an example, but the first placement area 21 is set as the commemorative coin placement area. (replacement pattern), or when both the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are set as commemorative coin placement areas (commemorative coin pattern), similar control is performed. will be

In addition, whether or not the cased coins are processed is identified by whether or not the selection item 412a is selected, but the identification method is not limited to this. It may be identified whether incoming coins are to be processed. Note that when the case is transparent, a commemorative coin may be placed in the corresponding placement area for each case.

Further, in Modification 1, when a commemorative coin in a case is processed, only the commemorative coin is subject to processing. In this case, the first placement area 21 is set as a placement area for damaged coins, as in the above embodiment, and the same processing as in the above embodiment is performed on the damaged coins.

Furthermore, although the commemorative coins stored in the case have been exemplified as coins that should not be stored in the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32, they should not be stored in the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32. Coins are not limited to this.

<Modification 2>
In the above embodiment, only one surface image of the coin is acquired in the deposit process, but in Modification 2, both surface images of the coin are acquired. In Modification 2, both of the acquired surface images and denominations are linked and stored in the storage unit 306 .

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing deposit processing of special coins such as loss coins according to Modification 2. As shown in FIG. For convenience, steps S101 to S115 of FIG. 6 are omitted in FIG. Also in Modification 2, steps S101 to S115 in FIG. 6 are similarly executed. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing screens displayed on the operation display unit 301 of the operation terminal 8 during special coin deposit processing according to Modification 2, respectively.

If the determination in step S115 in FIG. 6 is YES, the control unit 305 associates the front image 442c of each coin with the denomination set in the item 442d and temporarily stores them in the storage unit 306 (S131). At the same time, the control unit 305 also causes the storage unit 306 to store the combination of the position and the denomination of each coin placed in the first placement area 21 or the second placement area 22 . Further, the control unit 305 causes the storage unit 306 to store the deposit results 441 a and 441 b shown in the area 441 .

Next, the control section 305 transmits an instruction to open the shutter 12 to the control section 205 of the special coin processing device 7 (S132). As a result, the shutter 12 of the special coin handling device 7 is opened. Then, the control unit 305 causes the operation display unit 301 to display the reversal request screen 480 shown in FIG. 13(a) (S133). In an area 481 of the reversing request screen 480, a message 481a is displayed that prompts the user to turn over all the coins without moving them from where they were placed, and to operate the button 482 after turning over. . The operator refers to the message 481a, turns over the coins placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 of the special coin processing device 7, and operates the button 482. FIG. As a result, the determination in step S134 of FIG. 12 becomes YES.

Thus, when the determination in step S134 becomes YES, the control section 305 transmits an instruction to close the shutter 12 to the control section 205 of the special coin processing device 7 (S135). As a result, the shutter 12 of the special coin handling device 7 is closed. When the shutter 12 is closed, steps S136 to S138 are performed. The processing of steps S136 to S138 is the same as the processing of steps S105 to S107 in FIG. 6 of the above embodiment. However, in step S138, the control unit 305 also causes the storage unit 306 to store the combination of the position and the denomination where each coin is placed in the first placement area 21 or the second placement area 22. FIG.

After identifying the denomination of the back image of each coin in this manner, the control unit 305 performs a linking process (S139). In the linking process, the control unit 305 compares the combination of the position and denomination of each coin stored in the storage unit 306 in step S131 with the position and denomination of each coin stored in the storage unit 306 in step S138. Extract combinations. Coins that are positioned at the same position or positioned very close to each other and that have the same denomination are tied together. Then, the control unit 305 displays the image of the front side and the image of the back side of the tied coin on the linking processing screen 490 .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13(b), a tab 491a for displaying images of lost coins, a tab 491b for displaying images of commemorative coins, and a tab 491b for displaying images of lost coins are displayed in an area 491 of the link processing screen 490. It has When the tab 491a is selected, images of lost coins set in the first placement area 21 are displayed, and when the tab 491b is selected, images of commemorative coins set in the second placement area 22 are displayed. is displayed. Each of these images includes an image 491c of a coin that has been successfully linked and an image 491d of a coin that has not been linked. Further, the area 491 is provided with a scroll bar 492e for scrolling the image 491c and the image 491d. In the area 491, the upper part is the image of the front side of each coin, and the lower part is the image of the back side of each coin. Here, "successfully linked" means that the control unit 305 determines that the positions of the obverse and reverse sides of the coin are the same or extremely close, and that the denominations of the two match. "Failure to link" means that the control unit 305 determines that the positions of the front and back sides of the coin are different, or that the positions of the front and back sides of the coin are the same or very close, This is the case when it is determined that the denominations of the two do not match, or when the same image is acquired due to forgetting to turn over.

Images 491c of coins that have been successfully linked are displayed as being connected by a solid line, as shown in FIG. 13(b). Also, the denomination is displayed next to the solid line.

In the process of step S139, the control unit 305 accepts a linking operation by the operator. Specifically, when the operator continuously taps an image of coins in the upper row (front image) and an image of coins in the lower row (back image), the control unit 305 controls these two images. are linked as images of the same coin. The operator visually confirms the upper and lower images that are not connected by a solid line, and continuously taps the two images that are determined to be images of the same coin for linking. In this case, the operator appropriately touches the button 492 to display the entire images of the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 side by side when the front side image is captured and when the back side image is captured. Let Note that the operator may perform the linking operation using these overall images. The operator appropriately performs the tying operation including the image of the coin that has been successfully tyed as an object of the tying operation.

After performing the linking operation in this way, the operator operates the button 493 for confirming the processing. As a result, the control unit 305 determines that the processing has been confirmed (S140: YES), and executes the payment confirmation processing (S116). In the deposit confirmation process, the control unit 305 causes the storage unit 306 to store the linked front and back images of each coin and the denomination of each front face image temporarily stored in step S131 in a linked manner. At this time, the deposit result stored in step S131 is stored in the storage unit 306 at the same time.

When the payment confirmation process is completed in this way, the control section 305 transmits a notification indicating the completion of the process to the special coin processing device 7 via the communication section 304 . In response to this, the control section 205 of the special coin processing device 7 controls the unit driving section 203 to move the placement member 25 to the rearmost position. As a result, the coins placed on the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are dropped and stored in the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32, respectively. After that, the controller 205 moves the mounting member 25 to the frontmost position (initial position). This completes the coin deposit process.

Thus, in Modification 2, the images on the front and back sides of each coin are managed in association with the denomination. Thereby, the image of each coin can be managed more accurately.

<Modification 3>
14(a) and 14(b) are sectional views schematically showing the configuration of the special coin processing device 7 according to Modification 3. FIG.

In the above embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, by moving the placing member 25 rearward, the coins placed on the placing member 25 move into the first storage portion. Housed in 31. On the other hand, in Modification 3, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, by moving the frame member 24 rearward, the coins placed on the placement member 25 are placed in the first storage portion 31. stored in. That is, in Modification 3, the mounting member 25 is fixed, and the frame member 24 is arranged so as to be movable back and forth. Further, the opening of the first storage portion 31 is widened rearward.

When the frame member 24 is moved rearward from the state shown in FIG. 14A, the opening of the frame member 24 gradually separates from the mounting member 25 from the rear side. As a result, the bottomless range expands from the rear side in the first placement area 21 . Due to this bottomless range, the coins placed on the first placement area 21 fall and are stored in the first storage portion 31 . In this way, when the frame member 24 moves to the rear end position, all the coins placed on the first placing area 21 are dropped into the first storing portion 31 and stored. A similar configuration is applied to the second placement area 22 as well.

Even with the configuration of Modification 3, the coins placed in the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 can be smoothly transferred to the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 as in the above-described embodiment. can be stored. However, in the configuration of Modification 3, the shapes of the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 need to be longer in the front-rear direction than in the above-described embodiment.

<Modification 4>
15(a) and 15(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration of the special coin processing device 7 according to Modification 4. FIG. 16(a) to (c) are plan views schematically showing the configuration of the special coin processing device 7 according to Modification 4. FIG. 15(a) and 15(b) show a plan view of the tray 61 and its drive mechanism, and also show the portion of the housing 10 near the tray 61. FIG. For convenience, in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the housing 10 is hatched. Also, the tray 61 corresponds to the "regulatory mechanism" described in the claims.

In the modification 4, the shutter 12 is omitted as compared with the first embodiment, and the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 are protruded outside the housing 10 by the tray 61. 10 are transported to and from locations housed within. The tray 61 is supported by support rollers 62 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. A gear 61c is provided on the right side of the tray 61, and a gear 63 is meshed with the gear 61c. Gear 63 is driven by a motor (not shown). By driving the gear 63 , the tray 61 is transported back and forth through the opening 14 of the housing 10 . When the tray 61 is positioned at the rearmost position, the opening 14 is closed by the lid portion 61 b at the front end of the tray 61 .

The tray 61 has a box-like shape with an open top surface and a rear surface. The bottom surface of the tray 61 is formed with an opening 61a in the front region. A frame member 24 is fixed to the tray 61 . A support plate 27 is fitted in the tray 61 so as to be movable back and forth, and mounting members 25 and 26 are installed on the front portion of the upper surface of the support plate 27 . The support plate 27 may be supported by a guide so as to be movable back and forth. On the upper surfaces of the mounting members 25 and 26, a plurality of mounting surfaces are formed with predetermined steps, as in the above-described embodiment.

A rack gear 28 is installed on the rear portion of the support plate 27 so as to extend forward and backward. An opening 27a is formed in the support plate 27, and a motor 71 is installed on the tray 61 through the opening 27a. A gear 72 installed on the drive shaft of the motor 71 meshes with the rack gear 28 . By driving the motor 71, the rack gear 28 is fed back and forth. As a result, the support plate 27 moves relative to the tray 61 in the front-rear direction.

In Modification 4, the shutter driving section 202 in the block diagram of FIG. 5 is changed to a tray driving section for driving the tray 61 . Further, the unit drive section 203 drives a motor for driving the gear 63 to transfer the mounting members 25 and 26 together with the support plate 27 . Further, in Modification 4, instead of opening and closing the shutter 12 in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the tray 61 is projected and retracted.

During special coin deposit processing, the control unit 205 projects the tray 61 out of the housing 10 as shown in FIGS. Transfer to position. In this state, the operator places the corresponding coins C1 and C2 on the placement surfaces of the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22, respectively. After that, the control unit 205 moves the tray 61 to a position where it is housed inside the housing 10 as shown in FIG.

When the movement of the tray 61 is completed, the controller 205 captures images of the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 with the camera 51 . As a result, similarly to the above-described embodiment, captured images including surface images and side images of the coins C1 and C2 are obtained. The captured image is transmitted to the operation terminal 8 .

After that, when the operator operates the operation terminal 8 to confirm the process, a notification to that effect is transmitted from the operation terminal 8 to the control unit 205 . In response, the controller 205 moves the support plate 27 rearward as shown in FIG. 15(b). As a result, the coins C1 and C2 placed on the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 drop into the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 32 through the opening 61a.

As shown in FIG. 16(c), the support plate 27 is moved to the rearmost position. As a result, all the coins C1 and C2 placed on the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 drop into the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 32 and are stored. After that, the controller 205 moves the support plate 27 to the initial position shown in FIG. 16(b). As a result, the operation for deposit processing is completed.

Also in Modification 4, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

<Modification 5>
17(a) and 17(b) are a sectional view and a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a special coin processing device 7 according to Modification 5. FIG.

In Modification 5, the camera 51 is replaced with a line sensor 54 as compared with Modification 4. FIG. Other configurations are the same as those of the fourth modification. The line sensor 54 is arranged across both the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 .

In Modification 5, the line sensor 54 constitutes the "imaging section" recited in the claims.

In Modification 5, while the tray 61 is being moved from the protruded position to the retracted position, the line sensor 54 captures the range of the first placement area 21 and the second placement area 22 and the partition 23 . As a result, captured images including surface images and side images of the coins C1 and C2 are obtained. Other operations during the deposit process are the same as in Modification 4.

Also in Modification 5, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and Modification 4 can be achieved. In addition, in Modification 5, since captured images including surface images and side images of coins C1 and C2 are acquired when the tray 61 is retracted, deposit processing can be performed more efficiently than in the above-described embodiment and Modification 4. You can proceed smoothly and quickly.

<Modification 6>
In the above embodiment, the operator operates the button 444 shown in FIG. 7(d) when he/she wishes to redo the deposit processing. The control unit 305 determines YES in step S114 in FIG. 6, and returns the process to step S101 in FIG. This allows the operator to access the first placement area 21 or the second placement area 22 and redo the operation for coin deposit. In Modification 6, when the depositing process is redone, the control unit 305 selects the image of each coin captured during the previous depositing process among the images 442c of the coins captured during the current depositing process. 442c.

The control unit 305 maintains the denomination selected by the operation at the time of the previous deposit process for the image matching the image 442c of each coin captured during the previous deposit process, and reproduces the image of each coin. The denomination is associated with 442c and displayed on the operation display unit 301. FIG. In addition, the control unit 305 newly determines the denomination of the other coin images 442c, associates the determination results with the coin images 442c, and causes the operation display unit 301 to display them.

In this way, the operator's denomination selection at the time of the previous deposit processing is maintained, so that the operator does not have to perform denomination selection operations again for all the coin images 442c. Therefore, the burden on the operator can be reduced, and the convenience of the device can be enhanced.

<Other modification examples>
Although the operation display unit 301 is separate from the special coin processing device 7 in the above embodiment and modification examples 1 to 6, the operation display unit 301 may be provided integrally with the special coin processing device 7 . In this configuration, the processes of FIGS. 6, 10, and 12 may also be performed by the control section 205 on the special coin processing device 7 side.

In this case, the special coin processing device 7 is configured as shown in FIG. 18, for example. The special coin processing device 7 has an operation display section 207 consisting of a display 207a and a touch sensor 207b. The storage unit 206 holds a coin image database 206a similar to the coin image database 306a shown in FIG.

The control unit 205 executes the process of FIG. 6 while causing the operation display unit 207 to display the screens of FIGS. 7(a) to (d) and FIG. Information based on the processing result may be stored in the storage unit 206, or may be transmitted to the operation terminal 8 side and stored in the storage unit 306 on the operation terminal 8 side. 10 and 12 in modified examples 1 and 2 are also executed by the control unit 205, and the screens of FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d) and FIGS. be done.

Further, in the configuration of the above embodiment, when a coin is misplaced, the control unit 305 causes the operation display unit 301 to display the confirmation request screen 430. However, when a coin is misplaced, the button The shutter 12 may be opened without depending on the operation of 432, or notification may be given by voice or the like. This allows the operator to quickly notice the misplacement.

Further, in the configurations of the above embodiment and modified examples 1 to 6, the processing of FIGS. 6, 10 and 12 may be performed by the control unit 205 on the special coin processing device 7 side. In this case, the operation display unit 301 of the operation terminal 8 is simply used for displaying screens and accepting operation inputs. Also in this case, the storage unit 206 of the special coin processing device 7 holds the coin image database 206a, as in the case of FIG. In addition, the processes of FIGS. 6, 10, and 12 may be performed by joint operation of the control unit 205 on the special coin processing device 7 side and the control unit 305 on the operation terminal 8 side.

Also, the number of placement areas is not necessarily limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

In addition, the special coin processing device 7 has a communication function with a tablet terminal or a smartphone, and special coins are deposited into the special coin processing device 7 using the display function and operation function of the tablet terminal or the like. may

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, foreign coins and old coins may be deposited as special coins into the special coin processing device 7 . Moreover, the present invention may be applied to a coin processing device that processes ordinary coins as well as special coins.

In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims.

7 special coin processing unit 8 operation terminal 21 first placement area 22 second placement area 24 frame member (storage mechanism)
25 Placement member (storage mechanism)
31 first storage section 32 second storage section 51 camera 54 line sensor 61 tray (restriction mechanism)
205, 305 control unit 207, 301 operation display unit

Claims (13)

a first placement area for placing a plurality of coins of a predetermined type;
a second placement area for placing a plurality of coins of a predetermined type;
an imaging unit that images the coins placed in the first placement area and the second placement area;
a first storage unit that stores the coins placed on the first placement area;
a second storage unit that stores the coins placed on the second placement area;
a storage mechanism that guides the coins placed in the first placement area and the second placement area to the first storage section and the second storage section;
A coin processing device characterized by: The first placement area and the second placement area are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction,
The coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said imaging section simultaneously images all the coins placed in said first placing area and said second placing area. The first placement area and the second placement area are provided so as to be able to be pulled out from a housing forming an outer shell of the apparatus,
The imaging unit is placed on the first placement area and the second placement area as the first placement area and the second placement area are pulled into the housing. 2. The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein coins are arranged so as to pass through the imaging area. a regulation mechanism for regulating coin insertion/removal operations with respect to the first placement area and the second placement area;
The imaging unit is placed on the first placement area and the second placement area in a state in which the regulation mechanism restricts the insertion and removal of coins into and out of the first placement area and the second placement area. 4. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which captures an image of a coin that has been picked up. 5. The coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , comprising a control section that controls processing of coins to be processed. The coin processing device according to claim 5 , wherein the control section sets the type of coin to be processed according to a setting operation. The coin processing device according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the control section determines the type of each coin based on the image of the coin to be processed captured by the imaging section. 8. The coin processing according to claim 5 , wherein said control unit performs processing for notifying a detection result when a coin that should not be processed is detected based on the image of the coin captured by said imaging unit. Device. 9. The coin processing according to any one of claims 5 to 8 , wherein when the control unit determines that the coin to be processed is a coin that should not be stored, the operator performs processing for removing the coin. Device. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 5 to 9 , wherein the control section performs processing for displaying an image of the surface of the coin captured by the imaging section. The coin processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the types of coins to be processed include at least one of lost coins and commemorative coins. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ;
and a display device for displaying an image of a coin to be processed captured by the imaging unit. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ;
a control unit that controls processing for coins to be processed;
and a display device for displaying an image of a coin to be processed captured by the imaging unit.

Images