JPH04275695A - Method and device for sorting and storing money - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To maintain the work of the device even when money can not be stored in a money storage part at the money sorting and storing device to store the inserted money while sorting into the denominations. CONSTITUTION:For inserted paper moneys, the truth and the denomination are identified by a paper money identification part 5a. When the paper money is a 1000-yen bill, it is discriminated by a storing state monitor sensor 15a whether a safe 7 for storing 1000-yen bills is full or not and when the paper money can be stored, the 1000-yen bill is stored in the first safe 7 by a conveying-in mechanism 12. In this case, when the safe 7 is full and the paper money can not be stored, it is conveyed to a spare safe 14 by a paper money conveying mechanism 11 without returning the 1000-yen bill, and the working state of a paper money sorting and storing device 1 is maintained. This spare safe 14 is provided in a large size separately from first and second safes 7 and 9 and in this safe 14, the paper moneys not to be stored in the prescribed safes 7 and 9 are stored regardless of the denominations.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for sorting and storing coins for sorting and storing deposited coins by type.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In cigarette vending machines and the like, coins and banknotes inserted into the machine are stored in safes corresponding to their denominations, and the coins and banknotes stored in the safes are used as change. This makes it easier to collect coins and banknotes from vending machines and make payments, and prevents sales from being canceled in a short period of time due to running out of change.

[0003] Here, a conventional banknote sorting and storage device will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a conventional banknote sorting and storage device. 7 and 8 are flowcharts of the sorting and storing operation divided into flow lines A, B, C, D, and E, and FIG. 7 shows the banknote identification operation (steps ST31 to ST37, ST42 ~Step ST47), and FIG. 8 shows the storage possibility determination operation (Step ST38~Step ST40) and the banknote loading operation (Step ST41, Step ST48~Step ST49).
) is shown.

[0005] In these figures, a device 31 is used in a vending machine and is configured to store banknotes divided into two types: 1,000 yen banknotes, 5,000 yen banknotes, and 10,000 yen banknotes. The control unit 32 controls a first safe 33 in which 1,000 yen banknotes are stored, a 5,000 yen banknote, and a 5,000 yen banknote when there are banknotes remaining in the banknote transport path 32 that passes through the inside from the side of the device 31 and leads downward. If all of the second safes 34 storing ten thousand yen banknotes are full (step ST31), the banknote transport mechanism 36 is instructed to return the banknotes.

[0006] At least one of the first and second safes 33 and 34 is in a retractable state, and the entrance 32a of the conveyance path 32
When a thousand yen bill S is inserted from the slot and the insertion detection sensor 35 of the entrance 32a detects the insertion of the bill (step ST32
), the conveyance belt 36a of the conveyance mechanism 36 rotates, and the banknote passes through the banknote identification section 37. Here, the identification process (step 33) is performed, and when the banknote identification unit 37 identifies the banknote as a genuine banknote (step ST34) and as a thousand yen banknote (step ST35), the storage state monitoring sensor 33a detects the banknote in the first safe. 33 is in a full state (step ST
36). Here, if the banknote S is not in the full state, the conveyor belt 36a transports the banknote S to the first position detection sensor 38 and holds the banknote S there, and the control unit 2 controls the main control unit ( (not shown) outputs a signal indicating that it is a 1,000 yen bill (step ST37). Here, if there is a refund command according to the instructions of the vending machine user, the banknote is returned (steps ST38 and ST49), and if there is a payment command by the purchase operation (step ST39), the banknote must be a thousand yen bill. (step ST40), and the loading mechanism 3
9 carries banknotes into the first safe 33 (step ST4
1).

[0007] Furthermore, when the banknote is identified as a 5,000 yen banknote or a 10,000 yen banknote (step ST42 or step ST43), the storage status monitoring sensor 34a determines that the second safe 34 is not full. (step ST44 or step ST45), the banknote S is conveyed to the position detection sensor 40. Here, a denomination identification signal is output (step ST46 or step ST4).
7) If there is a bill collection command from the main control unit, the carry-in mechanism 41 carries the banknotes into the second safe 34 (step S
T48).

[0008]

However, in the conventional device and operation, the first and second safes 33, 3
4 are full, or when the predetermined safe that should store the inserted banknotes is full (steps ST36, ST44, and ST45).
), even if there is no problem such as lack of change or out of stock, the inserted banknotes are returned and the vending machine stops selling. Therefore, the vending machine owner
This is undesirable as it is necessary to frequently collect banknotes so that the operating rate does not decrease.

Furthermore, since 5,000 yen bills and 10,000 yen bills are not used as change, by sharing a safe for these bills, the number of safes is kept to the minimum necessary and the device 31 is made compact. For example, when high-value bills such as 50,000 yen bills are issued and it becomes necessary to use 5,000 yen bills or 10,000 yen bills as change, in order to store these bills by denomination, , it becomes necessary to add a safe. However, adding a safe to conventional equipment requires extensive modification or is impossible. Even if you do not use 5,000 yen or 10,000 yen bills as change, if the new banknotes are too large to fit in a conventional safe,
The new banknotes will no longer be usable.

[0010] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to prevent the coin storage unit from operating even when the coin storage unit is unable to store the money, or even when coins other than the designated money storage unit that should be stored are inserted. The object of the present invention is to realize a method and device for sorting and storing money that can continue to do so.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the sorting and storing method of the money sorting and storing device of the present invention, at least one money storage part corresponding to the inserted money, and a money storage part are provided. A spare storage section separate from the coin storage section is provided, the type of coin inserted is identified, it is determined whether the coin can be stored in the corresponding coin storage section or it cannot be stored, and the coin is stored in the corresponding coin storage section. When it is determined that the coin can be stored in the coin storage section, it is stored in the coin storage section.When it is determined that the coin cannot be stored in the coin storage section, the coin is stored in the reserve storage section regardless of its type. It is characterized by storage.

[0012] An apparatus for realizing such a money sorting and storage method includes at least one money storage section corresponding to the inserted money, a first carrying means disposed up to the money storage section, and a first money storage section corresponding to the inserted money. a currency identification means for identifying the type of money;
A storable/unstorable determining means receives an identification output from the currency identifying means and determines whether the currency can be stored in the currency storage section or not; and when the storable/unstorable determining means determines that the currency can be stored. and a first control means for controlling the first carrying means to carry the coins into the corresponding coin storage section, and further includes a spare storage section separate from the money storage section, The second part is located in the storage area.
and a second control means for controlling the second carrying means so as to carry the currency into the preliminary storage section regardless of the type thereof when the storage possibility determining means determines that the currency cannot be stored. It is characterized by

[0013] Here, in order to prevent the first and second carrying-in means from being arranged redundantly on the currency conveyance route, the carrying-in of either the first carrying-in means or the second carrying-in means is carried out. Preferably, the means are arranged and controlled to convey the currency to the other delivery means.

In the present invention, the storage possibility determining means includes:
For example, when the corresponding coin storage section is already filled with coins up to its storage limit, or when the inserted coin is of a type that does not have a corresponding coin storage section, this currency is It is determined that it cannot be stored in the storage section.

[0015]The spare storage section is preferably larger in size than the currency storage section in order to increase the currency storage capacity of the device and also to be able to store larger sized coins.

[0016]

[Operation] In the money sorting and storage device according to the present invention having the above-described structure, when money such as banknotes, coins, or gold certificates is inserted for the purpose of purchasing products or exchanging money, the money identifying means determines whether the money is genuine or not. Identify the type of denomination, etc. Based on this identification information, the storage possibility determining means determines whether the currency can be stored in the corresponding currency storage section or not. Here, if the storage possibility determining means determines that the currency can be stored in the currency storage section, the first control means causes the first carrying means to carry the currency into the currency storage section. command to do so. Here, the storability determining means determines, for example, because the currency storage section has already reached its currency storage limit, or because a different type of currency has been inserted into the corresponding currency storage section.
When it is determined that the coins cannot be stored in the coin storage unit, the second control means causes the second carrying unit to carry the coins into the spare storage unit regardless of their type without returning the coins. command. Therefore, the operation of sorting and storing money is not interrupted even if the money storage section is in either a state in which money can be stored or in a state in which it cannot store money.

[0017]

Embodiments Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of the banknote sorting and storage device of this example. It is set up so that it can be stored.

In this figure, the device 1 has a vertically elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape with a control section 2 at the top, and a banknote inlet 3a is formed on the side surface of the device 1. From here, bill conveyance path 3
is arranged horizontally, bent at 90° inside the device 1, and reaches the banknote outlet 3b below. On one side of the banknote conveyance path 3, from the banknote entrance 3a to the banknote exit 3b, an insertion detection sensor 4, a banknote identification section 5a, and a first position detection sensor 6 are installed.
, the first safe 7, which can store approximately 200 thousand yen bills, and the second safe.
position detection sensor 8, 5,000 yen banknote and 10,000 yen banknote approximately 2
A second safe 9 that can accommodate 0.00 sheets and a third position detection sensor 10 are arranged in this order. On the other side of the banknote conveyance path 3, a banknote conveyance mechanism 1 is provided from the banknote inlet 3a to the banknote outlet 3b.
One conveyor belt 11a (second carrying means) is arranged, and banknotes can be moved inside the banknote conveyance path 3. Here, the conveyor belt 11a is rotatable in either direction of arrow F or arrow G. Inside the conveyor belt 11a, there is a carry-in mechanism 12 (first carry-in means) that moves to the first safe 7 side and carries the thousand yen bill into the first safe 7, and a second safe 9. A carry-in mechanism 13 (first carry-in means) that moves to the side and carries a 5,000 yen bill or a 10,000 yen bill into the second safe 9 is arranged. Further, directly below the banknote outlet 3b, a spare safe 14 is arranged which communicates with the banknote conveyance path 3 and is larger than the first and second safes 7 and 9.

Further, storage state monitoring sensors 15a and 15b are arranged inside the first safe 7 and the second safe 9 to determine the storage state of banknotes.

FIG. 2 shows the main parts of the control system of the apparatus of this example. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a control unit composed of a microcomputer, and the control unit 2 receives various input signals, for example, an identification signal from a banknote identification unit 5a, and identifies the banknote (banknote identification means 5). , storage status monitoring sensor 1
In response to the storage status signals from 5a and 15b, it is determined whether or not storage is possible (storage permission/impossibility determining means 15), and a pre-stored control program is executed. The control section 2 also includes a first control section 2a (first control means) and a second control section 2b (second control means). 13 (first carrying-in means), and the second control unit 2b controls the banknote transport mechanism 11 (second carrying-in means). In this example, for example, when the banknote identification means 5 identifies a fake banknote, the second control unit 2b instructs the conveyor belt 11a to rotate in the direction of arrow G, and transfers the fake banknote to the banknote entrance 3a. Return from. Moreover, the banknote identification means 5
identifies the denomination, and when the storability determination means 15 determines that the banknote can be stored in the corresponding first or second safe 7, 9, the first control unit 1a controls the loading mechanisms 12, 13 (the 1) from the conveyor belt 11a to the safe 7,
9 to be carried in. Here, if the storability determining means 15 determines that the banknote cannot be stored in the first or second safe 7 or 9, the second control unit 2b causes the banknote to be stored in the banknote transport mechanism 11 (second loading means). A command is given to carry the coins into the reserve safe 14.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the banknote sorting and storing operation of the apparatus 1 of this example will be explained.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts of the sorting and storing operation divided into flow lines H, I, J, K, and L, and FIG.
T1~Step ST6, Step ST13~Step S
T16), and FIG. 4 shows the storing possibility determining operation (step S
T7 to step ST10, step ST17 to step ST18), and banknote carrying-in operation (step ST11 to step ST12, step ST19 to step ST20) are shown.

In these figures, in step ST1,
The device 1 is in a standby state until the previous sales process is completed and the control unit 2 receives a signal indicating that there are no bills from the third position detection sensor 10. Here, when a signal indicating that there is no banknote is received and the insertion detection sensor 4 detects that the banknote S has been inserted into the banknote entrance 3a (step ST2), the banknote S is conveyed to the banknote identification section 5a by the conveyor belt 11a. .

[0025] In step ST3, the authenticity and denomination of the banknote are identified, and if the banknote is identified as a fake banknote (step ST4
), return the banknotes from the banknote entrance 3a (step ST2
0). When the banknote is identified as a genuine banknote and a 1,000 yen banknote (step ST5), a signal indicating that the banknote is a genuine banknote and a 1,000 yen banknote is output to the main control unit of the vending machine (step ST6), and the transport The belt 11a rotates in the direction of the arrow F, conveys the banknote S to a position where it passes the first position detection sensor 6, and waits until receiving a command from the main control unit of the vending machine (banknote identification operation). .

Next, step ST7 and step ST8
If the user of the vending machine makes a purchase and the main control unit of the vending machine instructs the machine to accept the bill without refunding the bill, the banknotes to be stored are 1,000 yen bills. After confirming this (step ST9), the storage state monitoring sensor 15a checks the storage state of the first safe 7 (step ST10) (storage availability determination operation).

Here, if it is determined that the bill is not full and can be stored, the carry-in mechanism 12 carries the 1,000-yen bill S into the first safe 7 (step ST11), and then proceeds to step ST1.
Return to the initial state. On the other hand, in step ST10, if the storage state monitoring sensor 15a determines that the first safe 7 is full and cannot be stored, the transport belt 11
A does not return the 1,000 yen banknote S, but discharges it from the banknote outlet 3b, stores it in the reserve safe 14 (step ST12), and returns to the initial state of step ST1 (banknote carrying operation).

Next, a case will be explained in which a 10,000 yen bill is inserted from the bill entrance 3a.

If the banknote is identified as a 10,000 yen banknote in step ST14, a signal indicating that the banknote is a genuine banknote and a 10,000 yen banknote is output (step ST15), and the conveyor belt 11a The bill is conveyed to a position where it passes the position detection sensor 8, and is waited there. Here, if there is a command to collect the money without refunding it (steps ST7 and ST8), confirm that the banknotes to be stored are 5,000 yen banknotes or 10,000 yen banknotes (step ST17).
, the storage state of the second safe 9 is checked by the storage state monitoring sensor 15b. When it is determined that the safe 9 is not full and can be stored (step ST18), the carry-in mechanism 13 carries the 10,000 yen bill into the second safe 9 (step ST19), and returns to the initial state. On the other hand, step ST18
If it is determined that the second safe 9 is full and cannot be stored, the 10,000 yen banknote is also stored in the reserve safe 14 without returning the banknote (step ST12), and the initial state is restored. Return to

The above operation is the same when a 5,000 yen bill is inserted from the bill entrance 3a, and in step 13, if the bill is identified as a 5,000 yen bill, it is determined that it is a genuine bill and a 5,000 yen bill. Outputting a signal that is a banknote (step ST16),
The bill waits at a position where it passes the second position detection sensor 8. Here, if there is a command to collect money (step ST8), it is confirmed that the banknotes to be stored are 5,000 yen banknotes or 10,000 yen banknotes (step ST17), and the storage state monitoring sensor 15b detects the If it is determined that the banknote can be stored in the second safe 9 (step ST18), the 5,000 yen bill is also carried into the second safe 9 (step ST19), and the process returns to the initial state of step ST1. On the other hand, in step ST18,
If it is determined that the second safe 9 is full and cannot be stored, the 5,000 yen banknote is also stored in the reserve safe 14 without returning the banknote (step ST12), and the process returns to the initial state.

As described above, in the apparatus 1 of this example, when it is determined that the predetermined safe in which banknotes are to be stored is full and cannot be stored (step ST10, step ST1
8), the banknote transport mechanism 11 does not return the banknotes,
Regardless of the denomination, it is stored in the reserve safe 14. Therefore, the fact that the safe is full does not cause the vending machine to stop selling. Moreover, since the reserve safe 14 has a large storage capacity, the operating rate of the vending machine can be increased, and the owner of this vending machine can reduce the frequency of collecting banknotes from the vending machine. Can be done. moreover,
The reserve safe 14 is disposed directly below the banknote outlet 3b, and the bill transport mechanism 11 is also used as a means for carrying the paper money into the reserve safe 14 and as a means for transporting the paper money to the carry-in mechanisms 12 and 13. There is no need to change the design, and the coin storage capacity is improved while remaining small.

In this example, the reserve safe is used when the safe is full, but as an applied example, new banknotes larger in size than conventional banknotes, such as 50,000 yen banknotes, are issued. Even in such a case, the reserve safe 14 can be used.

In this case, the settings are changed so that the first safe 7 stores 1,000 yen bills as before, and the second safe 9 stores only 10,000 yen bills, while the 5,000 yen bills The setting is changed so that the 50,000 yen bill is stored in the reserve safe 14. The operation in this case is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing part of the operation of the device 1, and a determination that it is a 50,000 yen bill is made at point M on the flow line connecting step ST14 and step ST20 in FIG. 4 (step ST21). , a process (step ST22) is added to output a signal indicating that the banknote is a genuine banknote of 50,000 yen, and a signal indicating that the banknote is a 5,000 yen or 50,000 yen banknote is output at point N on the flow line connecting step ST9 and step ST17. This includes an additional judgment (step ST23). Further, step 17 is changed to a determination of a 10,000 yen bill (step ST17a).

[0035] As a result, even if a 50,000 yen bill is issued and is of a size that cannot be stored in a conventional safe, the 50,000 yen bill will be stored in the reserve safe 14, so there is no need to add a safe. Therefore, it is possible to issue new banknotes without requiring major modifications. Moreover, since only 10,000 yen bills are stored in the second safe 9, these 10,000 yen bills can also be used as change. Furthermore, the bill storage capacity can be improved while keeping the device 1 small. As for the current banknote types, the reserve safe 14 can be used as a reserve safe for 1,000 yen bills and 10,000 yen bills, and also as a safe for 5,000 yen bills.

[0036] In addition, when a counterfeit bill is inserted and it can be reliably identified as a counterfeit bill, the counterfeit bill may be confiscated in a reserve safe to prevent it from being used again. In addition, if an abnormality occurs in the banknote transport mechanisms 12 and 13 and a state in which banknotes cannot be transported into either or both of the safes 7 and 9, the banknote transport mechanism 1
1, all banknotes may be stored in the reserve safe 14 and the operation may be continued.

[0037] In this example, two money storage units are provided to store specific types of banknotes, but the number of money storage units,
The size, furthermore, the arrangement and mechanism of the carrying means, the size and position of the reserve safe, etc., should be provided with an optimal structure depending on the function of the vending machine or the like in which the device is used. Further, a plurality of spare storage units may be arranged by utilizing the space of the device to increase the storage capacity, or they may be provided outside the device and made detachable while taking safety into consideration. Furthermore, a conveying means for the reserve safe may be provided in order to convey banknotes from the reserve safe to another reserve safe. In addition to banknotes and coins, the money inserted into the device may be a gift certificate or other gift certificate.

[0038]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the money sorting and storage device according to the present invention, the type of money such as a banknote inserted is identified, and when the money cannot be stored in the corresponding money storage section, , regardless of the type of currency, it is stored in a spare storage section separate from this currency storage section, so that the following effects are achieved.

[0039] Even when the coin storage section corresponding to the type of coin is stored to its storage limit or when there is no corresponding coin storage section, even when the coin cannot be stored in the coin storage section, the coin can be stored in the spare storage section. It can be stored and kept in working condition. Therefore, the operating rate can be improved, and the frequency of collecting stored coins can be reduced.

[0040] By using the spare storage section, it is possible to increase the types of currency that can be stored in a single type without increasing the number of currency storage sections, so when high-value banknotes are issued, the amount of money that should be used for change can be increased. It can be handled even if the number of types increases.

[0041] If one of the first and second carrying means is also used to transport money to the other, there is no need to redundantly arrange the carrying means on the money transport route.

■ If the spare storage section is larger than the coin storage section, the coin storage limit of the main body of the device can be maximized, and even if new coins of larger size are issued, it can be handled. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a bill sorting and storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the main parts of the control system of the device of this example.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing part of the operation of the banknote sorting and storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing part of the operation of the banknote sorting and storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the applied example of the banknote sorting and storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional banknote sorting and storage device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing part of the operation of a conventional banknote sorting and storage device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing part of the operation of a conventional banknote sorting and storage device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1... Bill sorting and storage device 2... Control section 2a... First control section 2b... Second control section 5... Bill identification section 7, 9... Safe (money storage section) ) 11...Banknote transport mechanism (second carrying means) 12, 13
... Carrying mechanism (first carrying means) 14... Spare safe (spare storage section) 15a, 15b... Storage state monitoring sensor 15... Storage availability determining means

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for sorting and storing money in a money sorting and storing device, comprising at least one money storage section corresponding to coins to be inserted, and a spare storage section separate from the money storage section, comprising:
Identifies the type of coin inserted, determines whether the coin can be stored in the corresponding coin storage section or not, and when it is determined that the coin can be stored in the coin storage section; , the coin is stored in the money storage unit, and when it is determined that the coin cannot be stored in the money storage unit, the coin is stored in the spare storage unit regardless of its type. Currency sorting and storage method. 2. At least one money storage section corresponding to the inserted money; and a first money storage section arranged up to the money storage section.
a carrying-in means, a money identification means for identifying the type of the inserted money, and receiving an identification output from the money identification means to determine whether the money can be stored in the money storage section or not. storage possibility determining means for determining that storage is possible; and when the storage possibility determining means determines that storage is possible,
a first control means for controlling a first carry-in means to carry the currency into the money storage section, further comprising a spare storage section separate from the money storage section. and a second carry-in means disposed up to the preliminary storage section, and an identification signal from the currency storage means, and when the storage possibility determining means determines that the currency cannot be stored, the currency is transported regardless of its type. A second control means for controlling a second carrying-in means so as to carry money into the preliminary storage section. 3. According to claim 2, either one of the first carrying means and the second carrying means is arranged and controlled so as to convey the currency to the other carrying means. A currency sorting and storage device characterized by: 4. In claim 2 or 3, when the money storage unit to which the money corresponds has already stored money up to its storage limit, the storage possibility determining means stores the money in the money storage unit. A currency sorting/storage device characterized in that the currency is determined to be unstorable. 5. According to any one of claims 2 to 4, when the inserted money is a type of money for which there is no corresponding money storage section, the storage possibility determining means:
A currency sorting/storage device that determines that the currency cannot be stored in the currency storage section. 6. The money sorting and storage device according to claim 2, wherein the spare storage section is larger in size than the money storage section.