JPH07296226A - Coin handling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent theft of changes and selling article and to easily add a coin handling device even to an equipment operating in market by interrupting a power supply inside the coin handling device when a detection means detects a noise component different from that in the usual operation. CONSTITUTION:A fault detection circuit of a coin mis-payment preventing device 2 is provided with three kinds of fault detection means such as a fault detection means for a control power supply 30 of a coin mechanism 1, a fault detection means for a serial communication output signal (TXD) 27 between the coin mechanism 1 and the controller 3, and a fault detection means to a GND 29 of the DC power supply. When each fault detection means detects a fault, a power supply-interrupting circuit activates a relay, a power supply to the coin mechanism 1 is interrupted through a normally closed contact and when no fault is detected, the relay is open while delaying the operation of the relay by a time set at a trailing delay circuit 11 to start the application of power to the coin mechanism 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling money such as a vending machine and a money changer, and more particularly to a means for preventing the money from being mistakenly paid out due to noise from the outside in these apparatuses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the development of unmanned vending machines for selling goods and unmanned money changing machines has been remarkable, and it seems that various vending machines overflow everywhere in the town. Became. With the increasing use of such vending machines and money changers, mischief and crimes are increasing because the vending machines and money changers are unmanned facilities.

An automatic vending machine usually has an operating section 40, a coin mechanism 41, and a product payout section 4 as shown in FIG.
2 and the control device 43. The coin mechanism 41 discriminates the type and number of coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 44 to calculate the amount of money to be inserted, and accordingly displays the amount of money inserted into the operation unit 40 and the payable products. In accordance with the product selection and the dispensing instruction from the operation unit 40, the product dispensing unit 42 dispenses the product from the product dispensing port 46, and if there is a change, the coin mechanism 4
It is the basic processing operation of the vending machine that the 1 recognizes it and pays out the amount from the change dispensing port 45. The judgment of the processing of each of these parts, the transmission and reception of signals between each part, the supply of power, etc. It is performed by the control device 43.

By the way, the processing such as the calculation of the amount of money to be inserted and the payout of change are carried out by the control of electronic circuits incorporated in the coin mechanism 41 and the like, and a CPU chip is used at the center of control of these electronic circuits. Is normal. The CPU chip normally operates with a basic clock of several MHz to several tens of MHz. Therefore, it may malfunction due to unpredictable external noise, and for the purpose of stealing change,
Using a radio that oscillates a frequency near this clock frequency, a device that generates a high-voltage pulse, and the like, the electronic circuit of the coin mechanism 41 malfunctions, and the method of stealing change or goods has been created.

As a countermeasure against this, in a conventional circuit, for example,
By shielding the electronic circuit board of the coin mechanism 41 and providing a number of capacitors for noise removal,
The internal components of the device are improving noise immunity, but it is impossible to increase the noise immunity indefinitely, especially in high-density integrated circuits, etc. It was the current situation.

Further, the method of improving the noise immunity by the internal components of the device such as the coin mechanism 41 is difficult to be applied to the existing market-operated products, resulting in enormous cost.

[0007]

As described above, conventional vending machines, money changers, etc. do not have sufficient resistance to external noise, and therefore, a change transmitter or a product can be used by using a wireless transmitter or a high-voltage pulse generator. Powerless against the crime of stealing,
In addition, even if countermeasures are taken, there is a drawback that the cost is high in the method of improving the noise resistance by the internal component.

The present invention improves on this point and provides a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-add method for dealing with change and stealing methods using wireless transmitters and high-voltage pulse generators. The purpose is to provide.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a currency handling apparatus such as a vending machine, a money changer, or a game machine that handles currency, and a power line or a signal inside the currency handling apparatus. Detection means for detecting whether or not the line contains a noise component different from that during normal operation, and a power supply for shutting off the power supply inside the money handling device when the detection means detects a noise component different from that during normal operation And a blocking means.

It is assumed that the detecting means detects a fluctuation of the power supply line voltage exceeding an allowable range.

Further, it is assumed that the detecting means detects that the interruption rate of the signal flowing through the signal line is out of a specific range.

Alternatively, the detection means detects the current flowing from the negative side of the power supply line to the ground line of the apparatus casing.

Further, the detecting means detects a noise component of the power supply line or the signal line between a control unit including a power source inside the money handling apparatus and a coin mechanism for selecting and paying out money, The power supply cutoff means cuts off the power supply line between the control unit and the coin mechanism.

[0014]

The present invention monitors the power supply line or the signal line of the money handling means, and when the interfering noise intended to cause the coin mechanism to malfunction is detected, the coin
Turn off the power of the mechanism to prevent accidental payout.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An erroneous currency withdrawal prevention device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the money handling apparatus of the present invention, showing only the portions related to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes an erroneous money dispensing prevention device, 1
Is a coin mechanism, 3 is a controller, and 4 is a connector. Further, 27 is a serial communication output signal (TXD) line between the coin mechanism 1 and the control device 3, 28 is a line on the positive side of the power supply line from the control device 3 to the coin mechanism 1, and 29 is a power supply line. Line on the GND side, 3
0 is a line for monitoring the control power supply of the coin mechanism 1,
Reference numeral 31 denotes a ground wire from the payout prevention device to the device casing. In this manner, the coin mispayment prevention device 2 is added between the coin mechanism 1 and the control device 3 by using the connector that connects them, and the ground wire 31 is attached to the device casing for operation.

FIG. 2 shows an abnormality detecting circuit of the money erroneous withdrawal prevention device 2. In this example, abnormality detecting means (block a in FIG. 2) for the control power source 30 of the coin mechanism 1 and the coin are used.・ Mechanism 1 and control device 3
Abnormality detection means (block b in FIG. 2) for the serial communication output signal (TXD) 27 between and the GND 2 of the DC power supply.
There are provided three types of abnormality detecting means for the abnormality detecting means for 9 (block c in FIG. 2).

When these abnormality detecting circuits a, b, c detect an abnormality, the relay 13 is operated by the power cutoff circuit of the block d of FIG. 2, and the power supply 28 to the coin mechanism 1 is operated by its normally closed contact. When the abnormality is no longer detected, the fall delay circuit 11 delays the time set and then the relay 13 is turned off to restart the power supply to the coin mechanism 1.

The details of the operation of these abnormality detecting means will be individually described.

First, consider the monitoring block (FIG. 2a) of the control power supply of the coin mechanism 1. Originally, the control power supply 30 is a stable constant DC voltage and should be within a range of about ± 10% of the reference voltage even if there is some variation. If it fluctuates more than this, it is judged that there is some disturbance from the outside.

The abnormality detecting means provided in the control power supply 30 are the voltage comparators 5 and 6 and the Zener diode 1.
It is composed of 4-1 and 14-2. The reference voltage of the low voltage detection comparator 5 formed by the Zener diode 14-1 is set to the lower limit value of the control power supply, and the Zener diode 1
If the reference voltage of the high voltage detection comparator 6 formed in 4-2 is set to the upper limit value of the control power supply, a negative voltage is output at the point A when the control power supply exceeds the upper and lower limit range. . The resistors 25-1, 25-2, 25-3 are resistors for taking a bias.

Next, the signal line of the coin mechanism 1 (TX
D) The monitoring block of 27 (FIG. 2b) will be described. Since this signal line is maintained at H level when there is no signal, the output of the inverter 8-1 is at L level. Therefore, the output of the open collector output inverter 23 to the point A is at the H level.

When communication is started to the signal line now, the L level and the H level intersect with each other in the signal line. However, the communication signal is composed of a combination of a start bit, a data bit and a stop bit, and there is always a stop bit and H level when one word transmission is completed. Therefore, the H level period is longer than the L level period, and the inverter 8-
The output of 1 has the L level for a longer period than the H level. The output of the inverter 8-1 is provided with a charging circuit composed of a resistor 15 and a capacitor 16 having a time constant longer than the maximum H level time expected by the combination of the start bit of the signal and the data bit. Then, the inverter 8-
When the output of 1 is at L level, the capacitor 16 is rapidly discharged by the diode 24. During normal communication, the output of the inverter 8-1 does not become at H level for longer than this time constant, so the capacitor 16 is fully charged. There is nothing to do. Therefore, the open collector output of the inverter 23 does not become L level either. If the signal line becomes L level for a long time, the capacitor 16 is charged, and the open collector output of the inverter 23 becomes L level, a negative voltage is output to the point A and an abnormality is detected.

Next, a monitoring block (FIG. 2c) will be described as to an abnormality detecting method when an abnormal voltage is applied to the DC power source.

When an abnormally high voltage pulse is applied to the DC power supply by a high voltage generator or the like, the GND side 29 of the DC power supply has a voltage with respect to the ground wire of the device casing, and a current flows between them. . An abnormality is determined by detecting this current.

The light emitting diode portions of the photocouplers 17 and 18 are connected between the GND 29 of the DC power source and the device housing ground via the capacitor 19. When an abnormally high voltage pulse is applied to the DC power supply, the capacitor 19 and the photocoupler 17,
A current flows through the light emitting diode of 18, and the photocoupler 17,
18 output transistors are activated to output a negative voltage at point A. The varistor 20 and the resistor 21 in the figure are provided for the purpose of protecting the light emitting diodes of the photocouplers 17 and 18.

Thus, when a negative voltage is generated at the point A by any of the above methods, the detection sensitivity adjusting capacitor 9 is first discharged. When the negative voltage continues for a certain period of time or more, the capacitor 9 for sensitivity adjustment is discharged and the voltage at the point A drops, the monostable multivibrator 7 is activated, and the falling delay circuit 11 operates stably from its output. A positive pulse having a sufficient time length is output and connected to one of the inputs of the OR gate 10. On the other hand, the inverter 8
-2 is provided so that the power of the coin mechanism can be continuously cut off when the noise detection state continues and the negative voltage at point A is maintained, and its output is the other input of the OR gate 10. It is connected to the.

When the noise detection state continues due to the occurrence of an abnormality and the voltage at the point A is negative, the output of the OR gate 10 becomes H level and the output of the falling delay circuit 11 also becomes H level. As a result, the output of the relay driver 12 becomes L level, the relay 13 works, the normally closed contact of the relay 13 inserted into the power circuit of the coin mechanism opens, and the power of the coin mechanism is turned off. Detection monitor LED while the power of the coin mechanism is OFF
22 lights up. The resistor 26 is a load resistor of the detection monitor LED 22.

Next, when there is no noise and a steady state is reached,
The voltage at the point A returns to the H level, and from that point, the falling delay circuit 11 is delayed by the timer of the falling delay circuit 11.
Output turns off the relay 13 and restores power to the coin mechanism.

When the integrated circuit of the coin mechanism may be burned out due to noise level or the like, or when wear of the relay 13 contact is predicted by repeated ON / OFF, a self-holding type relay or By using a timer relay or the like, it is possible to keep the power off state of the coin mechanism.

The circuit shown in FIG. 2 is designed to be installed by utilizing the connector 4 between the coin mechanism 1 and the control device 3 as shown in FIG. 1, and to be operated by attaching the ground wire to the main body. Since it can be easily attached to an existing market operation product, and no special treatment is required for attachment, the cost required for remodeling is also low.

The circuit shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, a money handling device such as a vending machine, a money changer, or a game machine that handles money can be used in a power line or a signal line inside the money handling device during normal operation. Has a detecting means for detecting whether or not a different noise component is included, and a power cutoff means for cutting off the power supply inside the money handling apparatus when the detecting means detects a noise component different from that during normal operation.

The detection means detects a fluctuation of the power supply voltage exceeding the allowable range, a detection means that the intermittent rate of the signal flowing through the signal line is within a specific range, and a device side from the negative terminal of the power supply. It is conceivable to detect the current flowing through the ground wire of the.

This makes it possible to prevent crimes such as stealing change or goods by using a wireless transmitter or a high-voltage pulse generator, and the cost required for countermeasures is low, and it is already in operation in the market. It can be easily added to the device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of main parts of an automatic money handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an abnormality detecting means and a payout stopping means used in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional vending machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 31 Coin mechanism 2 Money mispayment prevention device 3, 33 Control device 5, 6 Voltage comparator 7 Monostable multivibrator 8-1, 8-2 Inverter 9, 16, 19 Capacitor 10 OR gate 11 Fall delay circuit 12 Relay driver 13 Relay 14-1, 14-2 Zener diode 15, 21, 25-1, 25-2, 25-3, 26 Resistor 17, 18 Photocoupler 20 Varistor 22 LED 23 Output inverter 24 Diode 27 Serial communication output signal ( TXD) line 28 Power supply line positive side line 29 Power supply line GND side line 30 Coin mechanism control power supply line 31 Ground line to the equipment case 40 Operation part 42 Product payout part 44 Currency input port 45 Change payout port 46 Product payout mouth

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. In a money handling device such as a vending machine, a money changer, or a game machine that handles money, whether a power line or a signal line inside the money handling device contains a noise component different from that during normal operation. A currency handling apparatus comprising: a detection unit that detects whether or not the detection unit and a power cutoff unit that shuts off the power supply inside the currency handling device when the detection unit detects a noise component different from that during normal operation. 2. The money handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects a fluctuation of the power supply line voltage exceeding an allowable range. 3. The currency handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects that the interruption rate of the signal flowing through the signal line is out of a specific range. 4. The currency handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects a current flowing from the negative side of the power supply line to the ground line of the device case. 5. The power cutoff unit detects the noise component of the power supply line or the signal line between a control unit including a power supply inside the money handling apparatus and a coin mechanism for sorting and paying out money. 2. The money handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means cuts off the power supply line between the control unit and the coin mechanism.