JPH0816879A - Coin processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a coin processor capable of speedily and easily replenishing short coins independent of the frequency of the utilization of change. CONSTITUTION:When throw-in coins by a user or coins for replenishing are thrown into a hopper feed mechanism A, the hopper feed mechanism A sends them by lining up each coin one by one. The sent coins are judged by kinds by a discerning sensor provided for a forcedly carrying mechanism B, classified by a classification mechanism D by each kind of coins, temporarily stored by a coin storing mechanism E, and after then inputted to change storing mechanisms Fa to Fd by each kind of coins so as to count the number of throw-in coins to be housed in each change storing mechanism. At the time of returning change, the number of coins to be fetched from each change storing mechanism is counted by each kind of coins. Then, the difference between the number of the coins of each kind inputted from each change storing mechanism and the number of the coins to be fetched is successively calculated so as to control the residual amount of the coins of each kind in each change storing mechanism.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine such as an automatic ticket vending machine installed in a railway station or an online automatic deposit / withdrawal terminal device installed in a financial institution such as a bank. The present invention relates to a coin processing device that is built in a financial terminal such as a computer and that automatically processes coins.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Usually, in a coin processing device for automatically handling such money, a reserve for appropriating change is prepared in advance for each denomination, and coins inserted by a user are stored. In order to avoid shortage of change, a so-called circulation type structure is provided, in which each denomination is sorted and applied for change.

That is, preparing the above reserve is
For denominations that are frequently used as change, the amount paid is larger than the amount input by users, causing a shortage of the absolute amount of the denominations. It is for the purpose of preventing, and the reason that the coins inserted by the above-mentioned user are also appropriated for change is that if all the change is covered only by the reserve fund, the reserve fund must be frequently replenished, which is complicated. This is to prevent such inconvenience.

As a coin processing device adopting such a circulation system, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-67474. Such a coin processing device has a plurality of denominations, for example,
It is configured to handle 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen of Japanese coins. Among these denominations, the denominations that are frequently used for change, for example, 10 yen and 100 yen,
A large amount of reserve money is stored in advance in a removable box-shaped coin cassette for each, so that the reserve money can be collectively replenished.
The 0 yen can be replenished from the coin insertion slot for the user to insert coins. The coin processing device having such a configuration realizes downsizing of the entire device by providing a coin cassette having a large volume only for denominations with a high change usage frequency, and at least for denominations with a low change usage frequency. It is based on the rational idea of securing replenishment from the coin slot.

[0005]

By the way, in the coin processing device adopting such a conventional circulation system, the excellent effect based on the above-mentioned rational idea is exhibited.
The above-mentioned replenishment from the coin insertion slot has a problem that a large amount of insufficient coins cannot be replenished in a short time because coins must be inserted one by one. Therefore,
When the number of users is small, it is extremely rare that a situation of replenishment from the coin slot due to such shortage of change coins will occur, so it will not cause any problem, but in the railway station building where there are many users. In the coin processing device installed in the above, there is a situation in which as a result of not being able to quickly replenish coins, only a so-called temporary surplus effect can be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art as described above, and is not large in size as compared with a conventional coin processing device, regardless of the frequency of change use.
An object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device capable of quickly replenishing insufficient coins for all denominations.

[0007]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a hopper feed mechanism for accommodating input coins while aligning them and delivering them, and coins delivered from the hopper feed mechanism for each denomination. And a sorting mechanism for sending to a passage provided for each denomination, a sensor for detecting a coin passing through each passage and outputting a detection signal, and a change storing mechanism provided for each passage, A coin take-out mechanism that outputs a take-out signal corresponding to each coin each time a coin is taken out from the change storing mechanism, and a first counting means that increments the count value by 1 every time the detection signal from the sensor is received. And a second counting means for increasing the count value by one each time the extraction signal is received, and a difference between the count value of the first counting means and the count value of the second counting means. The change saving mechanism And configured to include a control means for obtaining coins remaining amount of each denomination.

Further, when a coin cassette for accommodating coins as a reserve is provided in advance and coins are replenished from the coin cassette to the change storing mechanism, the control means causes the count value of the first counting means and the second count value to be added. The number of replenished coins is added to the difference from the count value of the counting means to calculate the remaining coin amount for each denomination of the change storing mechanism.

Further, there is provided display means for displaying the remaining amount of coins for each denomination obtained by the control means.

[0010]

The amount of change of coins remaining in each change storing mechanism is equal to the difference between the number of input coins and the number of output coins. Therefore, the control means can accurately obtain the coin remaining amount for each denomination of each change saving mechanism by obtaining the difference between the count value of the first counting means and the count value of the second counting means. Therefore, it is possible to quickly detect a so-called out-of-change condition and prevent inconvenience to the user. Further, when a coin cassette is provided, the remaining coin amount for each denomination of each change saving mechanism can be accurately obtained by adding and calculating the number of supplementary coins.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a coin processing device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The coin processing device of this embodiment is unitized, and by attaching it to various automatic vending machines, automatic ticket vending machines and other automatic mechanical systems in a detachable manner, it is possible to enhance the functionality of these automatic mechanical systems. It has the versatility that can be achieved. In the description of this embodiment, a case of applying to an automatic ticket vending machine will be described as a typical example.

First, the external structure of the coin processing device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Coin M inserted by the user
A hopper feed mechanism A for temporarily storing, aligning, and sending out is provided. This hopper feed mechanism A
When the coin processing device is mounted on the back side of the automatic ticket vending machine panel (not shown) in the station building, the coin processing device is positioned so as to face the coin slot provided in the automatic ticket vending machine panel. Furthermore, this hopper feed mechanism A
Is a container-shaped hopper part 1 for temporarily accommodating an arbitrary number (one or two or more) of inserted coins M, and a lid body 2 for opening and closing an upper opening formed in the hopper part 1.
And a coin insertion guide tube 3 attached to one end of the lid body 2 for communicating the coin insertion opening with the inside of the hopper unit 1,
An automatic ticket vending machine having an optical sensor (which generates an insertion detection signal _SPD when the passage is detected) which is provided at one end of the insertion coin guide tube 3 and optically detects the passage of the insertion coin M. The coin M inserted from the coin insertion port of the panel is accommodated inside the hopper unit 1 via the insertion coin guide tube 3. Also, during normal ticket sales operations, the input coin M is always inserted through the input coin guide tube 3 and the hopper unit 1
The upper opening of the hopper portion 1 is closed by the lid body 2 in order to accommodate the lid body 2 in this state. However, since the lid body 2 is supported by a hinge mechanism attached to the upper end of the hopper portion 1, the lid body 2 The upper opening of the hopper portion 1 can be opened by lifting the above, and a large number of coins can be thrown into the hopper portion 1 all at once from this upper opening.

The coin delivery end (see FIG. 3) 4 of the hopper feed mechanism A sequentially conveys coins aligned and fed from the hopper feed mechanism A one by one along a predetermined guide path. The section B is continuously provided, and a discrimination sensor C for detecting the denomination of coins is attached in the middle of the guide path. The above-mentioned guide path is inclined so that the coin fed from the feeding end 4 of the hopper feed mechanism A rolls under its own weight.

At the end of the sequential transfer section B, there is provided a sorting mechanism D for sorting the transferred coins into denominations and transferring them to separate drop paths, and further, at the lower ends of the respective drop paths, A temporary holding mechanism E is provided for temporarily storing the falling coins for each denomination. A plurality of change saving mechanisms Fa to Fd are provided at the lower end of the temporary holding mechanism E, and coins discharged from the temporary holding mechanism E are stored for each denomination.

At the uppermost part of the coin processing device, a box-shaped coin cassette G ₁ for storing coins of a specific denomination as reserve money,
G ₂ can be detachably attached.
Further, the coin cassettes G ₁ and G ₂ and the change storing mechanism Fa to Fd.
There is a coin transfer path (not shown) that communicates with the specified change storage mechanism inside the coin so that when the amount of change decreases, the specified change storage mechanism automatically replenishes through those coin transfer paths. It has become. For example, the change saving mechanism Fa stores 50 yen coins of Japan, the change storing mechanism Fb stores 100 yen coins of Japan, the change storing mechanism Fc stores 10 yen coins of Japan, and the change storing mechanism Fd stores 500 yen coins of Japan. 100 yen coins and 10 yen, which are frequently changed, are stored in coin cassettes G ₁ and G ₂ , respectively, and the 100-yen coins in the coin cassette G ₁ are transferred through one coin transport passage to the change storage mechanism Fb. The 10-yen coin of the coin cassette G ₂ is configured to be automatically automatically replenished to the change storing mechanism Fc via the other coin transport passage.

Further, the change storing mechanisms Fa to Fd are provided with 3 to 3 at the bottom as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-53331 by the present applicant.
It has a disk with holes about the size of five coins, and when this disk is driven to rotate, the coins constrained in each hole collide with a fixed machine at the bottom of the disk and are ejected one by one. Each coin has a coin take-out mechanism (not shown) having the structure described above. Further, a return transport mechanism having a belt conveyor or the like for transporting change coins discharged from each coin removal mechanism and return coins discharged from the temporary holding mechanism E to a return port 50A provided in the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL (Fig. 6 (a)) 50 is provided.

These various mechanisms are automatically controlled by a control circuit system having a built-in microcomputer, and when the user's input amount of money is larger than the fare to the designated boarding section, the inserted coins are inserted. Are sorted by denomination and held by the temporary holding mechanism E until the start of the next customer processing, and finally accumulated in each change saving mechanism Fa to Fd, and by the coin take-out mechanism and the return transport mechanism described above. , The change amount corresponding to the difference between the input amount and the fare is returned to the user, and when the change coin is insufficient, the coin cassette G
By replenishing with ₁ and G ₂ , coins are efficiently processed.

Next, the structures of the above-mentioned various mechanisms will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) is a plan view showing the coin processing device shown in FIG. 1 from the side, and FIG. 2 (b) shows the coin processing device shown in FIG. 1 behind the coin cassettes G ₁ and G ₂ . The side view shown from the side, FIG. 3 shows the hopper feed mechanism A
And the structure of the sequential conveyance section B and the discrimination sensor C, FIG. 4 and FIG.
Shows the structure of the sorting mechanism D, and FIG. 6 shows the structure of the temporary holding mechanism E.

In FIG. 2 (a), this coin processing device is installed on a rail that is fixed in advance to an automatic ticket vending machine.
When installed by pushing along the rails to the back side of the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL, the input coin guide tube 3 of the hopper feed mechanism A communicates with the coin input port Q of the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL, and is further inserted. Since the coin guide tube 3 is located at a position slightly lower than the coin input port Q, the input coin M is loaded into the container-shaped hopper portion 1 by its own weight. As shown in FIG. 3 (the lid 2 and the insertion coin guide tube 3 are omitted), the coins M inserted in this way are stored in the revolving disc 5 provided in the hopper unit 1. While being stirred by rotation (rotation in the direction of R in the figure), the coins are aligned one by one by engaging with one end of the fan-shaped projection 6 that is fixed to the side surface of the swivel disc 5 and integrally rotates. Edge 4
It is fried to the side. A claw-shaped guide projection 7 is provided at a predetermined position near the coin sending end 4, and the guide projection 7 is
By restricting the movement of the coins M scraped up by the fan-shaped protrusions 6 on the way, the coins are sequentially delivered from the coin delivery end 4 to the guide path 8 of the transport unit B. It should be noted that the orbiting disk 5 is the drive motor 5
It is driven to rotate by a through a timing belt or the like. As described above, the hopper feed mechanism A sequentially arranges the coins M one by one and sends them to the conveyor B even if the user continuously inserts a large number of coins M in a short time.
Denomination detection processing for each coin by the discrimination sensor C described later,
Enables sorting of coins by the sorting mechanism D.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the successive conveying section B is formed with a vertically meandering guide path 8 connecting the coin delivery end 4 to the sorting mechanism D, and in the middle of the guide path 8. ,
A discrimination sensor C that magnetically detects the characteristics of the material and the shape (size, thickness, pattern, etc.) based on the magnetic loss of the passing coin and outputs the characteristic data Sc is attached.
Incidentally, as the discrimination sensor C, Japanese Patent Application No. 4-1997
The magnetic sensor disclosed in No. 02 is applied.
Further, such a meandering guide path 8 is designed to have a width and a depth that allow a coin having the largest diameter and the thickest wall of a plurality of types of coins to be processed to pass therethrough. Although such a meandering guide path 8 can be realized by a known molding technique, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the largest coins roll and move on the flat back plate 3. A pair of meandering projecting members 10 and 11 which are arranged opposite to each other with a possible width and are slightly thicker than the coin having the maximum thickness, are fixedly supported by a hinge mechanism attached to the back plate 9 so as to be swingable back and forth. The restriction members (see FIG. 2 (a)) 12 and 13 that are formed by the protruding members 10 and 1
By covering the area 1, a guide path 8 in the form of a straight road is realized. In this way, the swingable regulation plates 12, 1
The provision of 3 has an effect that, when a deformed coin or the like is clogged in the guide path 8, it can be easily removed by opening the restriction plates 12 and 13. Further, when the discrimination sensor C detects a counterfeit coin, the regulation plate 13 automatically opens for a short period of time, and the counterfeit coin is dropped onto a belt conveyor (see FIG. 6A) 50 of a return transport mechanism described later. As a result, the intrusion into the sorting mechanism D is prevented in advance. In FIG. 3, the guide path 8 and the protruding member 1 are shown.
In order to clearly show the shapes of 0 and 11, the regulation plates 12 and 13 shown in FIG. 2 are shown in a state of being removed from the hinge mechanism.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the sorting mechanism D continuously provided at the end of the successive transfer section B is a flat plate provided so as to be flush with the back plate 9 of the successive transfer section B. The sorting plate 14 is carried in from the left end (hereinafter referred to as the receiving end) IN. A rail member 15 having a ridge extending in the transport direction (X direction in the drawing) is fixed to the sorting plate 14, and the sorting plate 14
On the front side of the receiving coin M, which is regulated by the rail member 15 from dropping, the sorting coins 14 are conveyed by the conveyor belts 16 and 17.
A transport mechanism H for forcibly transporting along the transport direction X while pressing the slide contact surface is provided.

The transport mechanism H has a base body 19 made of aluminum die cast to which a drive motor 18 is attached, and the base body 19 has a pair of arm portions 20 and 21 hanging from the lower end thereof for sorting. It is supported by being connected to supporting projections 22 and 23 fixed to the lower end of the plate 14. Further, a fixed shaft 24 and a drive shaft 25 that is rotationally driven by the drive motor 18 project from the upper end portion of the base body 19, and can swing while being elastically biased in a predetermined direction by a spring. Arms 26, 27, 28 are provided. Rotatable rotary pulleys 29 and 30 are attached to the fixed shaft 24, drive pulleys 31 and 32 that rotate integrally with the drive shaft 25 are fixed to the drive shaft 25, and are attached to the swing arms 26 to 28. Is attached with rotatable pulleys 33 to 38, and these pulleys 29 to 38 are attached.
The conveyor belts 16 and 17 are wound between them. In addition, the swinging arms 26 to 28 are always spring-loaded by the sorting plate 14.
Since they are elastically urged to the side, the conveyor belts 16 and 17 that are driven by the drive pulleys 31 and 32 that rotate by receiving the driving force of the drive motor 18 have an appropriate elastic force.
The sliding contact surface is slidably contacted, and the received coin M is conveyed by being sandwiched by the sliding contact surface.

Next, the structure of the selection plate 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Note that FIG. 5 is shown with the transport mechanism H removed in order to clearly show the structure of the sorting plate 14. In FIG. 5, a plurality of (four) sorting holes 39a to 39d through which coins of a denomination to be sorted are passed through are formed on the sliding contact surface where the transport belts 16 and 17 face each other.
The selection hole closer to the receiving end IN is formed to have an inner diameter through which a coin having a smaller outer diameter can pass. For example, the sorting hole 39a is a 50-yen coin, and the sorting hole 39b is
Is a 100 yen coin, the selection hole 39c is a 10 yen coin, and a selection hole 3
9d allows a 500-yen coin to pass through. Further, at the lower ends of the respective sorting holes 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, there are recesses that are slightly lower than the upper edge portion of the rail member 15 (the portion where the peripheral edge of the coin M is conveyed when being transported). By forming the cutouts 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, the coins M of a specific size that have respectively been conveyed can easily pass through the sorting holes 39a to 39d. Further, a stopper piece 41 for preventing coins from being erroneously conveyed further is fixed to the rightmost end of the sorting plate 14.

Further, tongues 42a to 42d, which are slightly bent toward the front side by press working, are provided on the lower end faces of the selection holes 39a to 39d, respectively.
Small-diameter through holes 43a to 43d are formed at lower end portions below the tongue pieces 42a to 42d.

An intermediate plate (not shown) having a large notch on the rear surface of the selection plate 14 as shown by a dotted line in FIG.
Further, a back flat plate (not shown), which is a flat plate having substantially the same size as the intermediate plate, is integrally fixed to the intermediate plate, so that a coin-shaped drop passage for dropping coins each having a predetermined size is formed. La, Lb, Lc and Ld are formed. That is, as the intermediate plate, a flat plate that is slightly thicker than the thickness of the coins to be sorted is applied, and each notch is designed to have a width that allows a predetermined coin to pass through. Independent trail paths La, Lb, Lc, L
d is configured. It should be noted that the Y direction in the figure indicates the direction of gravity.

When the 50-yen coin is supplied from the receiving end IN, the 50-yen coin is transferred to the sorting hole 3 while being conveyed in the X direction (horizontal direction) by the conveyor belts 16 and 17.
9a is fitted and penetrates, and falls along the drop passage La. In the case of a 100-yen coin, since the 100-yen coin is larger than the sorting hole 39a, the conveyor belts 16 and 17 cause the X-direction. While passing through the sorting hole 39a while being conveyed to, it fits into and penetrates the sorting hole 39b, and falls along the drop path Lb, so that in the case of a 10-yen coin, it is more likely than the sorting holes 39a and 39b. Since the 10-yen coin is larger, the conveyor belts 16 and 17
While being conveyed in the X direction by the selection holes 39a, 39
After passing through b, it fits into and penetrates the selection hole 39c, and falls along the drop passage Lc.
In the case of a 0-yen coin, since the 500-yen coin is larger than the sorting holes 39a, 39b, 39c, the conveyor belt 16,
The sorting holes 39a to
After passing through 39c, it fits into and penetrates the selection hole 39d and falls along the drop passage Ld.
As described above, the sorting mechanism D pays attention to the fact that the size of the coin M is different for each denomination, and automatically sorts the coins, and sends the coins to the predetermined drop passages La to Ld.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 4, each falling passage L
Optical sensors PDa to PDd are attached corresponding to a to Ld, and the beam light is continuously emitted through the small-diameter through holes 43a to 43d, and the beam light is blocked by the passage of coins. , The passage of the coin is detected based on the change of the beam light intensity. Then, these detection signals S
a to Sb are used to count the number of inserted coins of each denomination in the control circuit system described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 (a), the coin storage portion E has through cylinders 45a to 45d corresponding to the lower ends of the drop passages La to Ld, and fixes the through cylinders 45a to 45d. The support 46 is swingably supported by a drive mechanism 47 having a drive motor, an electromagnetic solenoid, and the like. The inner diameter of each of the through cylinders 45a to 45d is designed to a size that allows each coin to be inserted depending on the type of coin. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6B, the through-cylindrical body 45a-45d has a lower end at the lower end thereof.
An opening / closing plate 48 for collectively controlling the opening and closing of the lower end openings of a to 45d is swingably provided. Further, below the opening and closing plate 48, there are drop passages corresponding to the through cylinders 45a to 45d. 2 (shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2 (a)), and at the lower ends of the respective drop passages, the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd have respective upper openings at the lower end openings of the through cylinders 45a to 45d. They are arranged so as to face each other. Incidentally, FIG. 2 (a)
As shown in FIG. 5, an optical sensor 49 for optically detecting whether or not the amount of coins accumulated in each change storing mechanism Fa to Fd is in an overflow state is provided at the lower end portion of each drop passage.
a to 49d are provided, and overflow signals OFa to OFd are output when an overflow condition is detected. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd.
A belt conveyor 50 of a return transport mechanism extending to the return port of the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL is provided on the back side of the. Further, the coin taking-out mechanism, that is, the change saving mechanism F
The coin storage mechanism Fa that collects coins for change from a to Fd and supplies the coins to the belt conveyor 50.
A single pulse signal T every time one coin of 50 yen is taken out
a, a single pulse signal Tb each time one coin of 100 yen is taken out from the change saving mechanism Fb, a single pulse signal Tc every time one coin of 10 yen is taken out from the change saving mechanism Fc, and 500 from the change saving mechanism Fd An optical sensor (not shown) that outputs a single pulse signal Td each time one yen coin is taken out is provided. Then, these pulse signals Ta to Td
The control circuit system described later indicates that each change storing mechanism Fa
It is used to count the remaining amount (number) of coins existing within ~ Fd.

While the user is inserting coins, the coin storing section E is in a state in which the through cylinders 45a to 45d are in the vertical state and the opening / closing plate 4 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 (b).
8 is maintained in a horizontal state, the fall path L
a through Ld, the inserted coins dropped from the through cylinder 45a
The ticket is issued when it is determined that the transaction is completed by storing in 45d and the user instructing the boarding section, the fare, etc. by the instruction button of the automatic ticket vending machine panel PL. Further, when the next customer starts inserting coins, the through-cylindrical bodies 45a to 45d and the opening / closing plate 48 incline in a predetermined direction as shown by the dashed line in FIG. Are collectively dropped and stored in the change storing mechanisms Fa to Fd. or,
When the user gives an instruction to cancel the ticketing request despite inserting the coin, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 6B,
Since the penetrating cylinders 45a to 45d and the opening / closing plate 48 are inclined in the opposite direction to the above, all the coins inserted so far are collectively dropped onto the belt conveyor 50 and returned from the return port. There is. The control of these operations is performed by a control circuit system described later.

Next, a spare change replenishing unit is provided at the bottom of the coin cassettes G ₁ and G ₂ detachably attached to the uppermost part of the coin processing device, and a change storing mechanism Fa is provided at the bottom thereof.
A coin take-out mechanism (not shown) similar to that of Fd is provided, and when coins are replenished due to a shortage of change, these coin take-out mechanisms operate according to a command from a control circuit system described later. , Is supplied to a specific change storing mechanism among the change storing mechanisms Fa to Fd via the predetermined coin transport path. An optical sensor is provided at the exit of the coin withdrawing mechanism to calculate how many coins have been supplied to the change storing mechanisms Fb and Fc.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, on the back surface of the coin processing device, when the coins are replenished from the hopper feed mechanism A, a mode changeover switch 51 for stopping the normal coin processing operation is provided. And a code display unit 52 for displaying the operating state inside the coin processing device. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a micro switch 53 is provided which detects the movement of the coin processing device when the coin processing device is removed by pulling it out of the automatic ticket vending machine and generates an attachment / detachment detection signal S _M.

Next, a control circuit system for controlling the operation of these mechanisms will be described with reference to FIG. This control circuit system has a central control unit 54 containing a microcomputer, and the central control unit 54 has a counter 5
Count value data U from 5 _U , 55 _{D to} 58 _U , 58 _D
a, Da to Ud, Dd, the attachment / detachment detection signal S _M from the microswitch 53, the switching signal S _MD from the mode changeover switch 51, and the closing detection signal SPD from the optical sensor _PD.
And the feature data Sc from the discrimination sensor C and the overflow signals OFa to OFd are sequentially input, and on the other hand, the drive for controlling the rotation and stop of the orbiting disc 5 by controlling the power supply to the drive motor 5a. The control signal S _A and the drive control signal S for controlling the operation of the conveyor belts 16 and 17 by controlling the power supply to the drive motor 18.
_D , a drive control signal S _E for controlling the operation of the coin temporary holding mechanism E by controlling the electromagnetic solenoid of the drive mechanism 47, and a control signal S _X for operating the coin take-out mechanism. Belt conveyor 5 of return transportation mechanism
The drive control signal S _Y for driving and controlling 0 is output, and the display data D _V for displaying the internal operation state on the code display unit 52 are output.

Counters 55 _U , 56 _U , 57 _U , 58 _U
Corresponds to the optical sensors PDa to PDd, increases the count value by one each time the detection signals Sa to Sb are input, and outputs the count value data Ua to Ud to the central control unit 54.
Supply to Counters 55 _D , 56 _D , 57 _D , 58 _D
Is a pulse signal Ta output from the coin take-out mechanism.
.About.Td are counted, and the count value data Da to Dd are supplied to the central control unit 54.

Next, the operation of the coin processing device of this embodiment by the control circuit system will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. First, before the manager or the like gives an instruction to start the coin processing operation, the central control unit 5 obtains the number-of-coins data for each denomination stored in advance in the change saving mechanisms Fa to Fd.
While being stored in the fourth predetermined internal register, all counters _{55 U, 55 D ~58 U,} 58 D are reset.

When the job start button (not shown) is turned on, the central control unit 54, in step 100, sends the changeover signal S _MD from the mode changeover switch 51 and the attachment / detachment detection signal S _M from the microswitch 53. Determine the logic level. If both logic levels are “H” or at least the logic level of the attachment / detachment detection signal S _M is “H”,
When it is determined that this coin processing device is installed in the automatic ticket vending machine system and the instruction for supplying coins from the hopper feed mechanism A has not been issued, the routine proceeds to normal coin processing in steps 110 to 140. If both are at the logical level "L", it is determined that the instruction for coin replenishment from the hopper feed mechanism A is made, and the process proceeds to steps 150 to 180. Therefore, an administrator such as an operator must pull out the coin processing device main body from the automatic ticket vending machine and operate the mode changeover switch 51 in order to supply coins. As a result, even if the administrator mistakenly operates the mode changeover switch 51, the normal coin processing operation is performed, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a malfunction due to a malfunction.

Step 1 in the normal coin processing mode
In 10, the central control unit 54 by detecting a change of the logic level on detection signal S _PD from the optical sensor 3a, performs a new determination of whether the coin is turned on, step 100, if not yet turned The standby state is repeated by shifting to the processing of. On the other hand, when a new coin is inserted, the coin inspection process is performed in step 120.

That is, in step 120, the swivel disc 5 in the hopper feed mechanism A is rotated by outputting the drive control signal S _A , and the drive control signal S _D is generated to convey the sorting mechanism D. Belt 1
6 and 17 are operated, and the denomination is determined based on the characteristic data Sc detected by the discrimination sensor C. Also, the counter 55
_U , 56 _U , 57 _U and 58 _U count the number of denominations passing through the drop passages La to Ld based on the detection signals Sa to Sd. Then, when the user instructs the boarding section, the fare, etc., the central control unit 54 causes the counters 55 _U , 56 _U ,
Count value data Ua, Ub, Uc from 57 _U and 58 _U ,
The amount of money inserted by the user is calculated based on Ud, and if the amount of money inserted is equal to or larger than the amount of the boarding section, the fare, etc., the drive control signal S _E is output and the coin temporary holding mechanism. By operating E, the coins accumulated so far are collectively stored in the change storing mechanisms Fa to Fd. or,
When the input amount of money is larger than the amount of the boarding section or the fare described above, the coin change mechanism and the return transfer mechanism are operated by the drive control signals S _X and S _Y to transfer the change amount to the return port, Counters 55 _D , 56 _D , 57 _D , 58
By counting the pulse signals Ta to Td by _D , the count value data Da, Db, Dc, Dd of the change number for each denomination
Is output.

Then, the central control unit 54 controls the count value data Ua, Ub, Uc, Ud and the count value data Da, Db, D.
The difference calculation between c and Dd is obtained for each denomination, and the difference calculation result and the number-of-coins data for each denomination previously stored in the predetermined internal register are added and calculated. The number of coins stored in each change storing mechanism Fa to Fd is calculated and stored again in the internal register. That is, the number data of coins for each denomination stored in advance in the predetermined internal register is Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd, and the number data obtained by the addition operation is Xa, Xb, Xc, Xd.
Then, Xa = (Ua-Da) + Ca, Xb = (Ub-Db) + Cb, Xc = (Uc-Dc) + Cc, Xd = (Ud-Dd) + Cd. Xa, Xb, X
c and Xd are new number data Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd
Is again stored in the internal register.

If the user gives an instruction to cancel the ticketing request even though he or she has inserted coins, the coin temporary holding mechanism E and the return / conveyance mechanism are operated by the drive control signals S _E and S _Y. , Collect all the input coins that have been accumulated so far to the return slot. When such a ticketing cancellation instruction is issued, the central control unit 54 does not perform the above calculation, and the internal register number data Ca, Cb, Cc, C.
Do not change d.

Then, in step 130, the automatic ticket vending machine is made to issue a predetermined ticket.

As described above, in step 120, by performing the above-mentioned arithmetic processing, the coin number data Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd in each of the change saving mechanisms Fa to Fd is stored in the internal register of the central control unit 54. Is stored.

Further, in step 140, the central control unit 54 determines / manages whether or not the coin number data Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum remaining amount. If the minimum prescribed remaining amount is exceeded, the number data Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd are displayed on the code display portion 52, and the process proceeds to step 100. On the other hand, when a denomination less than the minimum specified remaining amount is detected, the coin corresponding to the denomination is replenished from the coin cassette G ₁ or G ₂ and the internal register in the central control unit 54 is also replenished. Among the number data Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd, the replenishment number is added for the replenished denomination. That is, since the coin replenishment amount (the number of coins) per time by the coin cassette G ₁ or G ₂ is constant, the predetermined number of coins is added. The number data Ca, Cb, C is displayed on the code display section 52.
After displaying c and Cd, the process proceeds to step 100. Further, when the number of coins supplemented by the coin cassette G ₁ or G ₂ reaches the number of times the predetermined, because the coin is eliminated in these coin cassette G ₁ or G _2, the coin cassette G ₁ or G ₂ is empty And a warning display indicating that there is a change saving mechanism of insufficient change is displayed on the code display unit 52. Also, from step 140 to step 1
When the processing shifts to 00, all counters 55 _U , 5
By resetting the 5 _D ~58 _U, 58 _D, to allow processing of the coins next user turns on.

By repeating the processing of steps 100 to 140 in this manner, every time the user issues a ticket,
The amount of coins remaining in each change storage mechanism Fa to Fd can be managed, and the warning display on the code display unit 52 can promptly inform the occurrence of change shortage.

Next, in step 100, when the administrator instructs coin replenishment from the hopper feed mechanism A, that is, the coin processing device is pulled out and the changeover switch 51 is used.
When is changed, the process proceeds to steps 150 to 180. Here, the administrator can collectively insert an appropriate number of coins into the hopper unit 1 through the input coin guide tube 3 of the hopper feed mechanism A within the denominations processed by this coin processing device. That is, one or all types of coins may be mixed and inserted as long as they are within the denominations processed by this coin processing device, and any number of coins may be inserted as long as they are within the storage capacity of the hopper unit 1. You may. First, step 15
At 0, the central control unit 54 instructs the automatic ticket vending machine to stop the ticket issuing business, and all counters 55 _U , 55 _D.
After resetting ~ 58 _U and 58 _D , the replenishment process of step 160 is performed.

In step 160, the step 120 is executed.
Processing similar to is performed. That is, the drive control signal S _A is output to rotate the turning disk 5 in the hopper feed mechanism A, and the drive control signal S _D is generated to operate the conveyor belts 16 and 17 of the sorting mechanism D. Therefore, the inserted coins are aligned one by one and sequentially sent to the transport section B, the discrimination sensor C determines the denomination, and the sorting mechanism D sorts the denominations. It is sent to the falling passages La to Ld. Also, the counters 55 _U , 56 _U , 57 _U , 58 _U
The number of denominations passing through the drop passages La to Ld is counted based on the detection signals Sa to Sd, and the coins are stored in the change saving mechanisms Fa to Fd via the coin temporary holding mechanism E. Furthermore, counters 55 _U , 56 _U , 57 _U , 58 _U
The count value data Ua, Ub, Uc, and Ud are sequentially displayed on the code display unit 52.

After all the input coins have been stored in the change storage mechanisms Fa to Fd, the administrator switches the changeover switch 51 to the normal coin processing mode again or sells the coin processing device automatically. When installed on the machine,
The processing shifts to step 170, and the number data C for each denomination stored in the internal register of the central control unit 54.
a, Cb, Cc, Cd and the finally obtained count value data Ua, Ub, Uc, Ud are added and calculated for each denomination, and the resulting number data is added to the new number data Ca, C.
It is stored in the internal register as b, Cc and Cd. Then, in step 180, the central control unit 54 instructs the main body of the automatic ticket vending machine to end the coin replenishing process, and the routine proceeds to normal coin processing in steps 110 to 140 via step 100.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the hopper feed mechanism A is provided, not only the normal coin processing but also the replenishment of coins from the hopper feed mechanism A can be performed. It has a new function of being able to supply a single coin at a time. And
Even with such a batch insertion, the number of coins for each denomination is automatically managed, so that coins can be replenished very easily. Furthermore, the number of coins of each denomination inserted into the change collecting mechanisms Fa to Fd from the hopper feed mechanism A and the coin cassettes G ₁ and G ₂ and each denomination output as change from the change collecting mechanisms Fa to Fd to the return port. The difference from the number of coins is sequentially calculated and all denominations are automatically managed without excess or deficiency, so a so-called out-of-change condition can be prevented.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, the number of coins inserted into each change saving mechanism is counted for each denomination, and the number of coins removed as change from each change saving mechanism. Is calculated for each denomination, and the difference between the number of coins inserted and withdrawn for each denomination is calculated to manage the remaining amount of coins in each change saving mechanism. It is possible to prevent the inconvenience to the user while detecting it. Further, when a coin cassette is provided, the number of replenished coins is added to the above difference, and thus the remaining coin amount for each denomination of each change saving mechanism can be accurately obtained.

Further, the coins inserted by the user can be inspected through the hopper feed mechanism and the coins can be replenished from the hopper feed mechanism.
The operation of supplying coins can be extremely simplified. That is, even if a plurality of coins are thrown in at a time, the hopper feed mechanism aligns and sends the coins one by one (sheets), and the classification sensor and the classification mechanism perform the classification process for each denomination, Even if you insert multiple coins of the same type at once or multiple coins of multiple types at the same time, they are automatically sorted by denomination and stored in the change saving mechanism, so coin replenishment operation is extremely It will be easier.

Further, the coins inserted by the user are inspected through the hopper feed mechanism, and the coins are also replenished from the hopper feed mechanism.
As a result of eliminating the need for a dedicated mechanism for replenishing coins, it is possible to substantially prevent the overall size of the device from becoming large with respect to the high functionality as described above.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external structure of a coin processing device according to an embodiment.

2 is a plan view and a side view showing the structure of the coin processing device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part structure of a hopper feed mechanism, a forced conveyance mechanism, and a discrimination sensor.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a structure of a sorting mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a main structure of a sorting mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a main structure of a coin storage mechanism and a return transport mechanism, and an explanatory view showing the function of the coin storage mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the main operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... Hopper feed mechanism, B ... Forced transport mechanism, C ... Identification sensor, D ... Sorting mechanism, E ... Coin storage mechanism, Fa-F
d ... change reservoir mechanism, G _1, G ₂ ... coin cassette, 1 ... hopper, 2 ... lid, 3 ... deposited coin guide tube, 3a ... optical sensor, 4 ... coin dispensing end, 5 ... turning disc 6 ... Fan-shaped projections, 7 ... Guide projections, 8 ... Guide paths, 16, 17 ... Conveyor belts, 39a to 39d ... Sorting holes, La to Ld ... Fall paths,
PDa to PDd ... Optical sensor, 54 ... Central control unit, 55
_U , 55 _{D to} 58 _U , 55 _D ... Counter.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A hopper feed mechanism that accommodates thrown coins and arranges them for delivery, and coins delivered from the hopper feed mechanism are sorted by denomination and delivered to a passage provided for each denomination. A sorting mechanism, a sensor that detects a coin passing through each passage and outputs a detection signal, a change saving mechanism provided for each passage, and a coin every time a coin is taken out from the change storing mechanism as change. A coin take-out mechanism that outputs a corresponding take-out signal, a first counting unit that increments the count value by 1 each time the detection signal from the sensor is received, and a count value that is received each time the take-out signal is received. A second counting unit that increments by one, and a difference between the count value of the first counting unit and the count value of the second counting unit is obtained to determine the coin remaining amount for each denomination of the change saving mechanism. With control means to get Coin processing apparatus including a. 2. A coin cassette for accommodating coins as a reserve fund in advance, and when the coin cassette is replenished with coins from the coin cassette, the control means causes the count value of the first counting means and the 2. The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein a coin remaining amount for each denomination of the change saving mechanism is obtained by adding and calculating the number of supplementary coins to the difference from the count value of the counting means of 2. . 3. The coin processing device according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the remaining amount of coins for each denomination obtained by the control means.