JPH09270051A - Card management machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card management machine enabling anyone to simply know the number of cards required to be replenished. SOLUTION: The card management machine calculates the number Z of cards to be ordered and its amount in each card sort based upon an equation Z=X×7- Y-(X×D1+X×D2)} by using the average number X of shipped cards per day, the number Y of stored cards, the number D1 of days required from an order to a delivery trader up to delivery, and the number D2 of preparatory days for absorbing undefined variable elements such as a delivery delay and the increment of sales (S530) and the number Z, a total amount, etc., are printed out by a printer (S540). Thereby also a person who does not grasp the delivery/ shipment state of cards can order the optimum number of cards to the delivery trader only by looking at order data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card management machine capable of storing a large number of cards and automatically counting the number of the stored cards to manage the number of stocks.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of card management machine, for example, an apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-3098 is known. This card management machine has a storage case that can store a large number of cards and a counting sensor that can count the number of cards stored in the storage case, and the number of cards counted by the counting sensor Can be displayed on a display provided on the front surface of the storage case or printed on a recording paper by a built-in printer.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional card management machine can only confirm the number of stocks, and cannot easily judge whether the number of stocks is sufficient or insufficient. It was In other words, whether the number of stocks is sufficient or not is not simply specified by the number of stocks, but how many days after the ordering of the number of issued cards per day and the cards to be replenished from the supplier can be received. Since it is necessary to make decisions based on the loading and unloading status that differs for each card retailer, unless the manager who understands the loading and unloading status of the card calculates according to the loading and unloading status, There is a problem that it is not possible to easily determine whether or not the number of sheets is appropriate.

Of course, as a method of managing the inventory of cards, a rough method of always ordering a large number of cards to a supplier so as not to cause out of stock can be considered. In this case, even a person who does not know the card loading / unloading status at all can place an order with the supplier. However, with such an ordering method, as the excess number of stocks increases, the price of the card paid to the supplier increases, but since a large number of cards that are not sold immediately are held, the card store side There was a problem that the financial burden increased.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a card management machine in which anyone can easily know the number of cards that need to be replenished. It is in.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides, as described in claim 1, a storage means capable of storing a large number of cards and the number of cards stored in the storage means. In a card management machine equipped with a counting means capable of counting, the number of issued cards expected to be delivered within a predetermined period in the future, and the number of stocks counted by the counting means, It is characterized in that a supply number calculating means for calculating the number is provided.

Further, in the card management machine according to a second aspect of the present invention, the replenishment number calculating means accumulates the total number of issued cards in the past predetermined period based on the number of stocks counted by the counting means. At the same time, from the total number of delivered sheets, an average number of delivered sheets calculating means for calculating the average number of delivered sheets per unit period, and from the average number of delivered sheets calculated by the average number of delivered sheets calculating means, delivery is expected within a predetermined period in the future. When the expected number of issued cards calculation means for calculating the number of issued cards and the expected number of bills calculated by the expected number of bills calculation means are subtracted from the number of stocks counted by the counting means, and when the number is insufficient within a predetermined period in the future, A shortage number calculation means for calculating the expected number of cards, and the number of cards calculated by the shortage number calculation means is set as the number of cards to be supplied. Calculation, characterized in that.

Further, in the card management machine according to a third aspect of the present invention, based on the stock number of sheets counted by the counting means and the average number of delivered sheets calculated by the average delivered sheet number calculating means, a predetermined period of time is set in advance. When it is expected that the card will be out of stock within the time, an alarm means is provided to give a warning that the card needs to be replenished.

Furthermore, the card management machine according to claim 4 is provided with an information transmitting means capable of transmitting the number of cards to be replenished calculated by the replenishment number calculating means to an external device through a communication line. It is characterized by that.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION According to the card management machine of the present invention,
The replenishment number calculation means calculates the number of cards to be replenished based on the number of cards that are expected to be issued in the future in the predetermined period and the number of inventories counted by the counting means. Even a person who does not know the situation can easily supply the required number of cards.

In this card management machine, the number of cards to be issued in the future within a predetermined period of time depends on the length of the predetermined period that can be set arbitrarily and the situation of the cards being issued. If the average number of issued cards for one week is checked in advance, that value can be used as the number of cards that are expected to be issued in the next week (hereinafter, also referred to as the expected number of issued cards). If this expected number of delivered goods is registered in advance in this machine, after that, from the difference between the number of inventories counted by the counting means and the expected number of deliveries, or the ratio of the number of inventories to the expected number of deliveries, one week Since you can calculate the number of cards that will be in short supply, if you show it as the number of cards that need to be replenished, even if you do not know the loading and unloading status of cards at all, you will be able to replenish an appropriate number of cards be able to.

As a method of presenting the number of cards to be supplied, for example, a method of displaying the number of cards numerically on a display (for example, CRT, LCD, 7-segment LED, etc.) or printer can be considered. The number of cards that should be used does not necessarily have to be presented numerically, for example,
There is no problem even if the lamp or buzzer simply informs of the shortage of cards, and the operation of the lamp or buzzer stops when the required number of cards are supplied.

By the way, as described above, since the expected number of delivery is different depending on the length of the predetermined period that can be set arbitrarily and the delivery status of the card, it is necessary to register in advance in the machine. As described, the average number of issued cards calculation means accumulates the total number of cards issued in the past predetermined period, calculates the average number of issued cards per unit period from the total number of issued cards, and calculates the average number of issued cards from the average number of issued cards. The expected output number calculation unit calculates the expected output number, and the shortage number calculation unit subtracts the expected output number from the stock number counted by the counting unit, and it is expected that the shortage will occur within a predetermined period in the future. If the configuration is such that the number of cards is calculated, the planned number of items to be issued is calculated based on the number of items that have been statistically processed inside the machine, so it is not necessary to manually check the past items to be issued. Even better, it is very convenient.

In the card management machine having such a structure, the longer the past predetermined period for statistical processing is set, the more the error due to temporary fluctuations can be eliminated, but the shorter period is set for the recent trend. It is possible to obtain data that reflects well. Also, if the data when the number of delivered goods is relatively large is weighted or if the average number of delivered goods is increased by some percentage,
Although the number of stocks in stock may be somewhat larger, it is possible to cope with an unexpected increase in the number of stocks to be delivered, so that the expected quantity of stocks to be delivered may be set to a larger number as necessary.

Further, as a measure against the unexpected increase in the number of delivered goods, the number of stocks counted by the counting means and the average number of delivered goods calculated by the average issued quantity calculation means are set forth in claim 3. Based on the above, when it is expected that the cards will be out of stock within a predetermined period, if the alarm means gives a warning that supply is required, for example, before the next supply date is reached. In addition, it is possible to detect that the card is out of stock by a warning from the alarm means, and it is possible to take necessary measures such as temporarily supplying the card in addition to the normal supply. In addition,
The warning that replenishment is necessary, such as a screen display on the display, a print display on the printer, a notification by a lamp or buzzer, etc.
Anything will do.

Furthermore, as described in claim 4, the information transmitting means may be configured to be able to transmit the number of cards to be replenished calculated by the replenishment number calculating means to an external device through a communication line. . With this configuration, for example, it is possible to construct a card management system in which information transmitted from a large number of card management machines installed in a branch office or the like is received by a host computer installed in the head office, Since the head office can grasp the total number of cards missing at all branches, the head office can collectively place an order for the card supplier. In particular, prepaid cards, which are assumed to be the main symmetry in this card management machine, are often delivered by suppliers in units of hundreds or thousands, so for example, dozens of cards are sold at each branch. When there is a shortage of cards, if you order thousands of cards at each branch, there is a problem that a fairly excessive inventory will occur, but by adopting this card management machine, you will be holding it at each branch Excess inventory is eliminated.

[Specific Example] Next, in order to further clarify the embodiment of the present invention, a specific example of the card management machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The specific examples described below are merely examples of the embodiments of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific examples illustrated below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the card management machine 1 has a card storage section 2 in which a plurality of cards can be sorted and stored according to type, and an operation section capable of inputting various instructions to the card management machine 1. 3, a display unit 4 capable of displaying various messages and the like, and a printer unit 5 capable of printing information such as the number of cards managed by the card management machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the card storage unit 2 has a metallic housing 13 having metallic doors 11 and 12 on the front side.
And six drawers 14 arranged inside the housing 13,
Card counter 15 mounted in each drawer 14
It is composed of At the front center of each drawer 14,
A handle 16 for pulling out is provided, and next to the handle 16, there is provided a label posting section 17 capable of sandwiching a label or the like in which the type of the stored card is entered.

The operation unit 3 also includes a key switch 21 operated by a key (not shown), a power lamp 22 that lights up when the power is turned on, and a keyboard 23 in which a plurality of keys are arranged. The key switch 21 is ON / OFF to enable / disable various operations from the keyboard 23.
In addition to the position, it is possible to switch among three types of setting positions for setting the code number, the time, and the like. Further, the keyboard 23 is a numerical key of "0" to "9", an "ENT / STOP" key used for deciding an input numerical value, an instruction to interrupt the process being executed, etc., and a "CLR" used for canceling the input numerical value. , And a “↑” key and a “↓” key for scrolling the display range on the display unit 4 up and down.

Further, the display unit 4 is composed of a liquid crystal monitor 25 capable of displaying a character string of three lines. Further, the printer unit 5 includes a printer base 32 that can be pulled out as shown by grasping the grip 31, a printer 33 mounted on the printer base 32, and an outlet port 35 for ejecting the printed roll paper 34. And an upper cover 36 that can be opened and closed to replace the roll paper 34.

Next, the detailed structure of the card management machine 1 will be described in more detail. The card management machine 1 has a door 11
It has a locking mechanism inside. This locking mechanism is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b) of the figure, a latch 43 that engages with metal fittings 41 and 42 fixed to the housing 13 side, respectively.
44 and solenoid 4 for operating each latch 43, 44
5 and 46, and a predetermined operation with the operation unit 3 (described later)
When the solenoids 45 and 46 are turned on / off, the latches 43 and 44 are operated and the engaging fittings 4
It is designed to come off from 1, 42.

Further, the door 11 has a cylinder lock 47 which can be rotated by a key (not shown), a plate 48 which rotates with the cylinder lock 47 to a dotted line position in the figure, and a plate 48 which rotates when the plate 48 rotates. Contacts and turns ON / O
The contact switch 49 for switching the FF is provided, and when the cylinder lock 47 is operated, the contact switch 49 is turned ON / O.
Energization / non-energization of the solenoids 45 and 46 is switched according to the FF, and the latches 43 and 44 are engaged with the metal fittings 41 and 42.
It comes out of the.

Further, rods 51 and 52 which move up and down as the plate 48 rotates and the rods 51 and 52 are slidably inserted and caught by the flanges 51a and 52a, respectively, while the latches 43 and 52, respectively. When the cylinder lock 47 is rotated, the latches 43 and 44 are operated even if the solenoids 45 and 46 cannot be supplied with power by a rotating operation of the cylinder lock 47. By doing so, it can be disengaged from the engaging fittings 41, 42.

That is, the above-mentioned locking mechanism can be normally unlocked by electrically actuating the latches 43 and 44 by either the operation of the operation unit 3 or the operation of the cylinder lock 47 by the key. Cylinder lock 47 under conditions where the latches 43, 44 cannot be electrically activated.
It is also possible to unlock the lock by mechanically operating the latches 43 and 44.

A weight 55 is fixed in the middle of the rod 52, and the weight 55 constantly applies a downward load to the rod 52. As a result, the cylinder lock 47 is always biased to rotate toward the locking side, and the latch 43,
44 is urged so as to move to the side that engages with the fittings 41, 42. Therefore, even if the locking operation is not performed intentionally, the latches 43 and 44 are engaged with the engaging fittings 41 and 42 when the door 11 is closed, and the locking is not forgotten by mistake.

In addition, on the housing 13 side, when the door 11 is opened, the force of the built-in spring causes it to project to the front side to be turned ON, while when the door 11 is closed, the door 11 is pushed. A door switch 57 that is turned off by retracting the spring by retracting the spring is provided. This door switch 5
7 is used for detecting the open / closed state of the door 11 according to ON / OFF, and at the same time, when the latches 43, 44 are disengaged from the engaging metal fittings 41, 42, the door force is applied by the built-in spring. It functions to push 11 open. As a result, once the latches 43 and 44 are disengaged from the engaging fittings 41 and 42 by the unlocking operation, at the same time, the door switch 57 is pressed to open the door 11 slightly, after which the latches 43 and 44 return to the initial position. However, it will not be locked again. Therefore, the solenoid 45,
It suffices to energize 46 to the minimum required time.

The above-mentioned locking mechanism is usually operated by the operating section 3.
It is assumed that the key will be unlocked by the operation at, and unlocked when the key switch 21 is not turned on (for example,
When unlocked by a key or unlocked by an illegal method), an alarm buzzer sounds in synchronization with the ON state of the door switch 57. This buzzer receives power from the battery and operates even during a power failure.

The keyboard 23 has a door switch 57.
Input is not accepted when is ON. Therefore, in order to operate from the keyboard 23, it is necessary to close the doors 11 and 12. Next, the card counter 15 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the card counter 15 has a front wall 61, a rear wall 62, a left wall 63, a right wall 64, and a bottom plate 65.
A hopper 66 that is formed by stacking a plurality of cards C and can be stored in a state where they are aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction,
A pressing member 6 that presses the card C toward the left wall 63.
7, a first moving body 69 movable in the longitudinal direction along the rear wall 62, and a counting sensor mounted on the first moving body 69 and capable of counting the number of cards C stored in the hopper 66 while moving. 71, a second moving body 73 that can move in the longitudinal direction along the front wall 61, and a resin roller 75 that is mounted on the second moving body 73 and presses the card C toward the rear wall 62 while moving. It has and.

Of these, the pressing member 67 is the hopper 66.
Through the guide hole 77 formed in the bottom plate 65 of the
Is connected to a third moving body 78 disposed on the lower surface side of the bottom plate 65 and slides on the upper surface side of the bottom plate 65. Then, the third moving body 78
It is connected to one end of a coil spring 80 which is bent in a substantially U shape by a roller 79 and bridged. This allows
When the pressing member 67 is slid to the right in the drawing, the coil spring 80 is extended, and as a result, a force for urging the pressing member 67 to the left in the drawing acts, and the card C presses the pressing member 67. Is pressed to the left by.

The first moving body 69 is connected to the timing belt 83 spanning the pulleys 81 and 82, and moves along the rail 85 as the pulley 81 is rotationally driven by the DC motor 84. Further, at both ends of the movement path of the first moving body 69, optical sensors 86 and 87 each composed of a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged,
On the upper surface side of the first moving body 69, shield plates 88 and 89 are provided so as to project at positions that block the optical paths of the optical sensors 86 and 87 as the first movable body 69 moves. The ON / OFF of 86 and 87 detects the moving position of the first moving body 69 to control the drive of the DC motor 84.

The second moving body 73 also includes the pulley 90,
It is connected to the timing belt 92 hung on 91,
As the pulley 90 is rotationally driven by the DC motor 93, it moves along the rail 94. And
Optical sensors 95 and 96 composed of a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged at both ends of the movement path of the second moving body 73, and the first moving body 69 is provided on the upper surface side of the first moving body 69.
A shield plate 97 is projected at a position that blocks the optical paths of the optical sensors 95 and 96 in accordance with the movement of the second sensor 73. The shield plate 97 turns on / off the optical sensors 95 and 96 to detect the moving position of the second moving body 73. The drive control of the DC motor 93 is performed.

The counting sensor 71 is a reflection type optical sensor for detecting the light projected from the light emitting element and reflected on the surface of the object by the light receiving element, and as shown in FIG.
It is arranged so as to project the light toward the end surface of the card C through the slit 101 formed in 2. This counting sensor 71 counts the card C by utilizing the fact that the projected light is reflected at the end surface of the card C but is not reflected correctly at the boundary between the two cards C, and the counting sensor 71 is turned on. By counting the timing that becomes
The number of cards C can be known. Also, the hopper 6
A notch 102 is formed on the left wall 63 of No. 6 corresponding to the position where the counting sensor 71 is arranged. Notch 102 like this
When the counter C is provided, the light projected from the counting sensor 71 is not reflected toward the counting sensor 71, so that even if the counting sensor 71 passes in front of the left wall 63, the card C is left on the left wall 63.
There is no such thing as counting as. Notch 1
02 may have a structure that does not reflect the light projected from the counting sensor 71 toward the counting sensor 71, and the same function has a notch of a shape other than the illustrated shape or absorbs light. It can also be realized by applying a paint or the like to the end surface of the left wall 63.

The roller 75 is rotatably provided around a support shaft 104 fixed to the roller support 103, and protrudes inside the hopper 66 through a slit 105 formed in a front wall 61 of the hopper 66. . The roller support body 103 is slidably attached to two parallel pins 107 fixed to the second moving body 73, and is constantly pressed toward the front wall 61 by a spring 108. Due to their mutual dimensional relationship, these members are configured such that when the card C is stored in the hopper 66, the roller 75 contacts the end surface of the card C with the spring 108 compressed to some extent. The elastic force of the spring 108 presses the card C toward the rear wall 62. The roller 75 rolls on the end surface of the card C as the second moving body 73 moves, and presses each card C in order from the end toward the rear wall 62.

Incidentally, the hopper 66 has an internal size capable of accommodating up to 2500 prepaid cards for pachinko as the card C, and the front wall 61 and the rear wall 62 for facilitating the loading and unloading of the card C. The upper end of the is sloped upward. Further, although not shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG.
9. The second moving body 73 is covered with protective covers 110 and 111 over the entire moving range.

Next, a control unit for controlling each unit of the card management machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Control unit 120
Is a logical operation circuit composed mainly of a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and includes the key switch 21, the keyboard 23, the liquid crystal monitor 25, the printer 33, the solenoids 45 and 46 for the locking mechanism, the contact switch 49, and the door. The switch 57, the counting sensor 71, the DC motor 84 for the first moving body, the optical sensors 86, 87, the DC motor 93 for the second moving body, the optical sensors 95, 96, etc. are respectively dedicated control circuits (not shown). It is connected to the control unit 120 via. The card management machine 1 also includes a modem 121 for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device such as a host computer, a buzzer 123 for alarm, and a buzzer 123.
A buzzer stop switch 124 for stopping the ringing of the device is provided, and these are also connected to the control unit 120. Note that the card management machine 1 is normally connected to an external power source and supplied with power, but also has an internal emergency battery, so that in the event of a power failure, etc. Can be held.

Next, the operation of the card counter 15 controlled by the controller 120 will be described. Control unit 120
When the card C is inserted into or removed from the card counter 15, the card counter 15 is operated in the procedure shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the DC motor 93 is first driven to operate the second moving body 73 (S10).
0). As a result, the roller 75 sequentially presses the card C from the end toward the rear wall 62 side. Further, the DC motor 84 is driven with a slight delay to operate the first moving body 69 (S105).

Here, the operation timing of both is delayed a little when the roller 75 and the counting sensor 71 are moved so that the card C is counted by the counting sensor 71 immediately after the card C is pressed by the roller 75. In order to maintain the positional relationship, in this specific example, a shift of several tens to several hundreds of milliseconds is set at the timing of starting the movement of both. In this specific example, since the first moving body 69 and the second moving body 73 face each other in the initial position, the operation start timing is shifted, but the initial positions of the two are slightly displaced in advance. If so, the positional relationship as described above can be maintained between the roller 75 and the counting sensor 71 even if the movement is started at the same time.

Next, the control unit 120 controls the counting sensor 71.
The pulse signal for repeating ON / OFF from is input, and the number of cards C is counted by counting the timing of turning ON this input signal (S110).
Next, when the optical sensor 95 is turned off, it is determined that the second moving body 73 has moved to the extreme end (S115: YE
S), the DC motor 93 is stopped to stop the second moving body 73 (S120). If the optical sensor 87 is subsequently turned off, it is determined that the first moving body 69 has moved to the extreme end (S125: YES), the DC motor 84 is stopped, and the first moving body 69 is stopped ( S13
0).

Next, the DC motor 93 is driven to reverse and the second moving body 73 is moved to the initial position (S135), and the DC motor 84 is driven to reverse to move the first moving body 69 to the initial position. It is operated (S140). Then, the control unit 120 inputs the pulse signal which is repeatedly turned ON / OFF from the counting sensor 71 again, and turns ON the input signal.
The number of cards C is counted by counting the timing at which (S143). And the light sensor 96
When is turned off, it is determined that the second moving body 73 has moved to the initial position (S145: YES), and the DC motor 9
3 to stop the second moving body 73 (S15
0). When the optical sensor 86 is turned off, the first
It is determined that the moving body 69 has moved to the extreme end (S155:
YES), the DC motor 84 is stopped and the first moving body 6
9 is stopped (S160).

Thus, the number of cards C is equal to that of the first moving body 6.
When the forward and backward movements of 9 are counted respectively, and when the counting results of both are the same, the number of cards C is
The number of sheets stored at that time is determined. If the two counts do not match, an error is further reported on the LCD monitor 2.
In addition to displaying on 5, the process of sounding a buzzer to notify is performed. Incidentally, the number of stored sheets that has been counted in the past is stored in the memory of the control unit 120, and the number of delivered sheets and the number of replenished sheets can be calculated based on the difference with the newly stored number of stored sheets. I will describe.

Thus, according to this card counter 15,
Since the card C stored in the hopper 66 is pressed by the roller 75 toward the rear wall 62, the card C is
Of the card C. As a result, at least the abutted end faces are evenly aligned in the same plane, and the aligned end faces are scanned by the counting sensor 71.
The number of sheets can be accurately counted. In particular, due to the positional relationship between the roller 75 and the counting sensor 71, the alignment operation by the roller 75 and the counting operation by the counting sensor 71 proceed almost at the same time and end, so that the counting operation is completed relatively quickly.

Next, various functions of the card management machine 1 will be described together with operation methods. The card management machine 1 has seven basic functions as unlocking, totaling, replenishing, ordering, transmitting, monitoring confirmation, and replenishment data writing. These functions are executed by operating the key switch 21 to the ON position and then selecting and inputting a desired number from the keyboard 23.

More specifically, the key switch 21 is normally in the OFF position, and at this time, only the date and time are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25, and the operation from the keyboard 23 is not accepted. Here, when the key switch 21 is operated to the ON position, the control unit 120
LCD monitor 2
5 is displayed. At this time, the LCD monitor 25 displays only three items (three lines) due to the screen size.
When the “↑” key or “↓” key of the keyboard 23 is pressed, the display content is scrolled by one line in the designated direction to display the items that are not displayed. When the numeric key is pressed, the number of the corresponding item is displayed in black / white inversion on the screen. And then, "ENT / STOP"
When the key is pressed, the function whose number is highlighted is executed. On the other hand, after the numeric key is pressed, "ENT / ST
If the "CLR" key is pressed before pressing the "OP" key, the highlighted number is returned to the normal display and the selection by the numeric keys is cancelled.

Now, each of the above functions will be described in more detail. If "unlock" is selected from the above functions, the unlocking process shown in FIG. 8 is executed. This unlocking process is executed when the card for sale is taken out from the device or when the taken card is stored again in the device.

In the unlocking process, first, the input of the password is requested (S200). Specifically, a message prompting the user to input a recitation number is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25, and the keyboard 23 waits for input. At this point, the user inputs a 4-digit code number that is registered in advance and
Press the "T / STOP" key.

The control unit 120 compares the input recitation number with the registered recitation number (S210), and if they do not match, returns to S200. On the other hand, if they match,
The solenoids 45 and 46 are driven to open the door 11 (S
220). At this time, the door switch 57 pushes the door 11 open by the force of the built-in spring as described above, and at the same time, switches on. Then, a message "I am now in and out" is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 (S230), and the system waits until the door switch 57 is turned off (S24).
0).

Now, when the door 11 is closed after the card is loaded and unloaded, the door switch 57 is turned off (S
240: YES), the message "currently counting is being performed" is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 (S250), and the card counting machine 15 is controlled to count the cards as described with reference to FIG. 7 (S260). It should be noted that this counting process is executed for each of the card counters 15 built in the card storage unit 2.

When this counting process is completed, it is checked whether the current number of stored sheets is less than or equal to the maximum allowable number (S).
270). This maximum allowable number is usually the number of cards stored before the door was opened and closed for the first time on the day (only when the number of cards to be described later is being added, the number of cards added is added). . Therefore, if the card is simply taken out and put in, the current number of stored sheets cannot exceed the maximum allowable number. Therefore, if the maximum allowable number is exceeded (S270: N
O), a storage / delivery error is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25, and a buzzer is sounded to notify (S280). Therefore, for example, when a card that should not be stored is mistakenly mixed, it can be immediately detected.

On the other hand, if the current number of stored sheets is less than or equal to the maximum allowable number, it is determined that the goods have been properly loaded and unloaded, and the current number of stored sheets is stored in the memory of the control unit 120 for each card counter 15. (S290), the unlocking process ends. Next, of the above functions ~, "Aggregate"
When is selected, the totaling process shown in FIG. 9 is executed. This tabulation process is executed when the data relating to the loading and unloading of cards stored in the card management machine 1 is output to the printer 33.

In the tabulation process, first, the type of tabulated data to be output to the printer 33 is selected (S310). The aggregated data that can be selected here can be either the number of deliveries or the number of stocks. Note that the control unit 120 displays these selectable items on the liquid crystal monitor 25 and waits for input from the keyboard 23. Therefore, the user selects the desired aggregate data number with the numeric keys and “ENT”. /
Press the "STOP" key.

When the total data is selected in this way, the control unit 120 displays a message on the liquid crystal monitor 25, "Currently outputting data for shipping" (in the case of stock, "Currently outputting data for inventory") (S320). ,
The total amount of money, the average amount of money, etc. are calculated based on the unit price of the card set in advance for each card counter 15 and the number of cards (the number of delivery or the number of stocks) stored in the memory (S330).

Explaining with a more specific example, in this specific example, the six card counters 15 are each 100
0 yen, 2000 yen, 3000 yen, 3000 yen (ie 3
(000 yen is set overlappingly) 5000 yen, 1
A denomination such as 0000 yen is preset and stored in the memory of the control unit 120. In addition, the number of cards loaded / unloaded to / from each card counter 15 is always counted in stock each time a loading / unloading operation is performed, and based on this, the stock in today's stock, the stock in today's stock, the supply stock in supply, etc. are calculated again. And is updated and stored in the memory of the control unit 120.
Therefore, based on these data, it is possible to calculate the number of deliveries or the number of stocks, and the total amount and average amount thereof.

Then, these amounts of money and the like are sent to the printer 33.
Is printed out (S340). For example, if the number of deliveries for today is as shown in FIG. 10, for each denomination of card,
The denomination, the number of sheets, and the total amount of money are output, and further, the total amount of money of all denominations is output. In addition, when the same denomination (3000 yen in this specific example) is set to the plurality of card counters 15, they are not separately divided but are summed in advance and output. Further, for example, when the user wants to see the data of the delivery for the past 3 days, the data for 3 days is repeatedly output by setting from the keyboard. Further, the average daily delivery number and the like are also output as an average amount, for each denomination of the card, and as a total of all denominations. Then, when S340 ends, the aggregation process ends.

Next, if "supplement" is selected from the above functions, the replenishment process shown in FIG. 12 is executed.
This supply process is executed when a newly purchased card is supplied to the device. In the replenishment process, first, similarly to the unlocking process, the input of the password is requested (S400). The control unit 120 compares the input recitation number with the registered recitation number (S410), and if they do not match, S400.
Return to. On the other hand, if they match, the solenoid 45,
The door 11 is opened by driving 46 (S420), and the message "Currently supplying cards" is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 (S430). And the door switch 5
It waits until 7 is turned off (S440).

When the supply of cards is completed and the door 11 is closed, the door switch 57 is turned off (S4
40: YES), and the message “Currently counting is in progress” is displayed on the LCD monitor 25 (S450), and FIG.
As described above, the card counter 15 is operated to count the cards (S460). It should be noted that this counting process is executed for each of the card counters 15 built in the card storage unit 2.

After this counting process is completed, it is checked whether the current number of stored sheets is more than the minimum allowable number (S).
470). This minimum allowable number is the number of cards stored before the door is opened by this processing. Therefore, the current number of stored sheets cannot fall below the minimum allowable number unless at least the internal card is taken out. Therefore, if the number is below the minimum allowable number (S4
70: NO), while displaying the storage / receipt error on the liquid crystal monitor 25, the buzzer is sounded to notify (S480).
Therefore, for example, if the card is accidentally taken out even though the door is opened in the supply mode, it can be immediately detected.

On the other hand, if the current number of stored sheets is equal to or larger than the minimum allowable number, it is determined that the supply is properly performed, and the current stored number of sheets is stored in the memory of the control unit 120 for each of the card counters 15. (S490), and the supply process ends. Now, next, when "order" is selected from the above functions, the order processing shown in FIG. 13 is executed.
This order processing is executed in order to calculate the optimum number of replenishment cards according to the sales situation when ordering a replenishment card from a supplier, and in this specific example, it can be executed only once a week on a specific day of the week. Can be set to.

In the order processing, first, it is checked whether or not it is a day on which order data can be output (S500). This day of the week is separately preset and stored in the memory, and is checked by comparison with the current day of the week managed by a timer.

Here, if it is not a day on which the order data can be output (S500: NO), a message "Weekly day setting error" is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25, and a buzzer sounds to notify (S510). , This process ends. On the other hand, if the order data can be output on a day of the week (S500: YES), a message "Currently outputting order data" is displayed on the LCD monitor 25 (S520), and the number of cards in stock stored in the memory is displayed. , And the average number of deliveries per day, the number of ordered sheets and the amount thereof are calculated for each denomination of the card (S530).

More specifically, in this specific example,
Using the average number of deliveries X per day, the number of stocks Y, the number of days D1 from ordering to delivery to the supplier, and the number of spare days D2 that absorbs uncertain fluctuation factors such as delivery delay and sales increase,
The number Z of sheets to be ordered is calculated based on the following mathematical formula 1.

[0064]

[Equation 1] Z = X × 7− {Y− (X × D1 + X × D2)} In the above formula, the number in parentheses is the number of items expected to be delivered within the period from the time the product is ordered until the time it is delivered. )), And the number in {} is the quantity in stock Y at the present time.
By subtracting from, the number is expected to be in stock at the time of delivery. Therefore, in order to secure the expected number of sheets by the time until the next delivery by subtracting this number from the number (X × 7) expected to be delivered in the period from the delivery to the next delivery one week later. The optimum number Z of sheets to be replenished is required. In the apparatus of this specific example, the number of days D1 is preset to 9 days, and the number of days D2 can be selected separately from 1, 2, and 3 days.
Both may be set so that any variable value can be set.

After calculating the number Z of sheets to be ordered for each denomination of the card, the printer 33 prints out the number of sheets Z and the total amount (S540), and the ordering process is terminated. The order data printed out is
The data is output in a format substantially similar to the delivery data shown in FIG. Therefore, by looking at this order data, the optimum number of sheets can be ordered from the supplier.

Next, when "send" is selected from the above functions, the sending process shown in FIG. 14 is executed.
This sending process is executed when the shipping data is printed out, and at the same time, the shipping data is also sent to an external device such as a host computer via a telephone line, similarly to the above-mentioned totaling process. In the transmission process, first, by setting the type of aggregate data to be transmitted, the average amount of money such as the number of actual warehouses, the number of each sunrise for the past 3 days, the weekly total number of deliveries and the average number of daily deliveries, etc. For each card denomination, the total sum of all denominations, etc. are calculated (S630). All of these data may be set to be transmitted, or any of them may be arbitrarily selected. In the former case, there is an advantage that the trouble of selection can be saved, and in the latter case, there is an advantage that only necessary data can be sent.

Then, connection to an external device such as a host computer is made via a telephone line (S640).
Here, if the connection with the external device cannot be established (S650:
No), an error message is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 (S660), and this process is temporarily terminated.

On the other hand, if connection with an external device is possible (S6
50: YES), the unit price of the card, the number of items issued, the number of items in stock,
Those amounts of money are transmitted to the external device (S670), and the line with the external device is disconnected when the transmission is completed (S68).
0). Then, the same data as the sent out data is printed out by the printer 33 in the same format as the above-mentioned tabulation processing (S690), and the transmission processing is ended.

The external device as the transmission destination may be any computer or the like capable of data processing, and is arranged only at one place such as the head office. On the other hand, the card management machine 1 is arranged in each of a plurality of branches. This allows sales at multiple branches to be aggregated at the head office.For example, based on the aggregated results at the head office, orders for cards are collectively made at the head office, and after delivery, the required number of cards are distributed to each branch. You can easily do such things. By doing this, for example, even if the prepaid card that can be purchased only in large units such as 1000 units from the supplier, it is not necessary to purchase 1000 units in each branch, and excess stock is not held in each branch. There is a merit that it will be better.

The transmission process can be executed manually (manual mode), but can also be executed automatically at a designated time (automatic mode).
In the case of this automatic mode, at a predetermined time reserved in advance, the transmission process is automatically executed and the above-mentioned data is transmitted to the external device which is the transmission destination. Therefore, if data is set to be transmitted at a time when the work is normally completed, such as in the middle of the night, the data can be transmitted regularly every day, and the transmission of the data does not bother humans. The automatic mode is automatically executed when the main power supply of this machine is ON, but is not executed when the main power supply is OFF.

Next, when "monitor confirmation" is selected from the above functions, monitor confirmation processing is executed. The monitor confirmation process is executed when the shipping / stock data that can be output by the above-described totaling process and the order data that can be output by the above-described ordering process are output to the liquid crystal monitor 25 instead of the printer 33. Since this process is substantially the same except for the output destination, the detailed description of the specific process will be omitted.

Next, if "replenishment data write" is selected from the above functions, the replenishment data writing process can be executed and the number of replenished cards can be corrected. More specifically, in the unlocking process described above, if the number of cards increased before and after the door was opened / closed, the previously removed card was statistically processed as if it had been returned, and it is considered that the card was resupplied. Absent. On the contrary, in the above-mentioned supply process, if the number of cards increases before and after the door is opened and closed,
Statistically treat the card as being replenished, and do not consider the card to have been removed and returned again. Here, in the case where replenishment is made by mistake in the unlocking process, if the number of replenished sheets is larger than the number of sheets previously taken out, it can be determined that such a return is not possible, and it can be processed as an error. However, if it is mistakenly replenished in the unlocking process, if the number of replenished cards is less than the number that was previously taken out, it can only be judged that it was returned even though it was a replenished card, and as a result The cards sold and the cards replenished are offset, resulting in a problem that both the number of sold and the number of replenished are small and statistically processed. Therefore, in the unlikely event of such a situation, "replenishment data writing" is selected and the number of replenished cards is corrected.

In this supplemental data writing process, first, the correction contents are requested to be input. Specifically, the LCD monitor 2
Input items as shown in FIG. 15 are displayed on the keyboard 5, and the keyboard 2
Waiting for input from 3. These input items can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25 for only three lines (for example, within the dotted line in the figure), but when the "↑" key or "↓" key of the keyboard 23 is pressed, the displayed content is one line in the specified direction. You can scroll by minutes to see the hidden items.
Then, after inputting an appropriate numerical value for each item using the numerical keys, press the "ENT / STOP" key.

When the "ENT / STOP" key is pressed,
The control unit 120 determines that the input numerical value is the replenishment number,
The stored contents of the memory are updated, and this processing ends. The basic functions of the card management machine 1 have been described above, but in addition to this, there is a function of notifying the shortage of the remaining card capacity. This function is executed when the key switch 21 is returned from ON to OFF, and the remaining amount of the card of a certain card counter 15 is equal to or less than 2 days of the average number of deliveries per day calculated from the data of the past 4 weeks. If so, the denomination is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 25, and a buzzer sounds for a certain time to warn. It should be noted that this state is canceled by supplying a card.

Furthermore, the card management machine 1 has, as auxiliary functions for the manager, a code number, a denomination of the card counter, the number of orders, a switching time, a date / time, a weekday, a data rewrite, and a data. It has nine functions of clear and setting data print. These functions are executed by operating the key switch 21 to the set position and then selecting and inputting a desired number from the keyboard 23. When the key switch 21 is operated to the setting position, the control unit 120 requests the input of the recitation number before selecting the function, and selects each function only when an appropriate recitation number is input. be able to.

Next, each of the above-mentioned functions will be described. In addition, all are messages (input field if necessary)
The flow chart is omitted because it is a simple processing procedure of displaying, the input of numerical values, and the update of the memory contents (only print output). First of all, when the “recitation number” is selected, the control unit 120 displays a four-digit numeric input field on the liquid crystal monitor 25 along with a message “please set a recitation number” and waits for input from the keyboard 23. Become. Here, the user inputs four digits of an arbitrary number and presses the "ENT / STOP" key. Control unit 120
Stores the input number in memory, and thereafter uses that number as a recitation number.

Next, when "card denomination of the card counter" is selected, the control unit 120 responds to the six card counters 15 with the message "Please set the hopper amount" on the liquid crystal monitor 25. 6 input fields are displayed, and the input of the keyboard 23 is awaited. Two digits of ten thousand and thousands can be entered in each input field. At this point, the user inputs any two-digit number and clicks "ENT / STO
Press the "P" key. The control unit 120 stores the input number in the memory, and thereafter stores the number in each card counter 15.
It is used as the unit price of the cards stored in. Note that "00" can be entered as a two-digit number, and in this case, the card counter 15 is excluded from the statistical processing target.

Next, when "order quantity" is selected, the control unit 120 causes the liquid crystal monitor 25 to display "+1 day, +2.
The selection item "day, +3 days" is displayed, and the input from the keyboard 23 is awaited. This is the "spare days D2" described in the above-mentioned order process, and the user inputs the desired number and presses the "ENT / STOP" key. The control unit 120 stores the selected number in the memory, and thereafter uses that number as the number of spare days D2.

Next, when "switching time" is selected, the control unit 120 causes the liquid crystal monitor 25 to display a message "Please set the switching time" and an input field in which the hour and minute can be entered in each two digits. It is displayed, and the input from the keyboard 23 is awaited. Here, the user can enter an arbitrary number of 2 digits x
Input two sets and press the "ENT / STOP" key. The control unit 120 stores the input number in the memory and thereafter uses the time as the switching time.

Note that this switching time is the switching time of the date when statistics of entry and exit are set. For example, if it is set to 01:00, entry and exit will start after 12:00 midnight. Even if you are told, the statistics will be taken as the previous day's loading and unloading until 1:00 am. Therefore, even when the normal day's work is past 12:00 midnight, if the time at which the work is surely finished is set, it is possible to accurately statistically process the entry / exit situation of the day.

Next, when "Date / Time" is selected, the control unit 120 displays the message "Please set the date and time" on the liquid crystal monitor 25 together with the 4 digit year, 2 digit month,
Display an input field where you can enter 2 digits for day, 2 digits for hour, and 2 digits for minute,
The input from the keyboard 23 is awaited. Here, the user inputs the required date and time by numbers and clicks "ENT / STO
Press the "P" key. The control unit 120 sets the built-in timer to an appropriate date and time based on the input numbers.

Next, when "Weekday" is selected, the control unit 120 displays a message "Please set the day of the week" on the liquid crystal monitor 25 along with "Month, Tuesday, Wednesday,
The selected item "..., day" is displayed, and the input of the keyboard 23 is awaited. Here, the user selects an arbitrary number and presses the "ENT / STOP" key. Control unit 1
The memory 20 stores the selected number in the memory, and thereafter automatically updates the totals for the previous week on that day. Further, the order processing described above can be executed only on this day of the week.

Next, when "rewrite data" is selected,
The control unit 120 displays a selection item “Today's shipping data, replenishment data” on the liquid crystal monitor 25 and waits for input from the keyboard 23. Then, when any one of the numbers is selected, a 4-digit input field is displayed for each denomination of the card, and the keyboard 23 waits for input again. Here, the user inputs 4 digits of any number for each denomination,
Press the "ENT / STOP" key. The control unit 120 updates the number of today's delivery or the number of replenishment in the memory with the input number. In addition, this function is used when there is some trouble and the warehousing data for today becomes an inappropriate value.

Next, when "DATA CLEAR" is selected, the control section 120 displays the selection items "TODAY DELIVERY DATA, ALL DATA" on the liquid crystal monitor 25 and waits for input from the keyboard 23. Here, the user selects one of the numbers and clicks "ENT / STOP".
Press the key. The control unit 120 erases the number of today's shipments or all the statistical data in the memory according to the selected number. This function is used when there are some troubles and new statistics are taken.

Next, when "setting data print" is selected, the control section 120 causes the liquid crystal monitor 25 to "display now".
“Setting data is being output” is displayed and the list of the various setting data is printed out by the printer 33. The output result is output in the format shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the card management machine 1 of this specific example, normally, the past loading / unloading status is statistically managed only by loading / unloading the card, and an order is placed based on the status. Since the optimum number of cards to be calculated can be calculated, the labor required for managing the sales of the card is significantly reduced.

Since the statistically managed data can be transmitted via the telephone line, the data of a plurality of card management machines 1 can be further aggregated and card orders etc. can be collectively executed. Therefore, if a large number of branches are performing the same card sales business, it is not necessary for each branch to hold an excessive stock.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above, various specific configurations of the present invention are possible other than the specific examples described above. For example, in the above specific example, the description has been made assuming a prepaid card for a pachinko parlor, but it can be used as a management machine for various cards such as a telephone card and various credit cards.

[0089]

As described above, according to the card management machine of the present invention, since anyone can easily know the number of cards that need to be replenished, it is appropriate even if the card loading / unloading status is not grasped. The number of cards can be replenished, and the labor and financial burden of managing the cards can be significantly reduced compared to the past.

Particularly, according to the card management machine of claim 2, the expected number of issued cards is automatically calculated.
Furthermore, managing the card is easy. Claim 3
According to the card management machine described above, it is convenient because even if the number of goods issued exceeds expectations, it can be detected before the card runs out.

Further, according to the card management machine of claim 4, the number of cards to be supplied to a large number of card management machines is
Since it can be managed by one external device side, the financial burden associated with the occurrence of excess inventory can be further reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a card management machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a door of the card management machine is opened.

FIG. 3 shows a locking mechanism of the card management machine, (a) is a front view thereof, and (b) is a side view showing only a part thereof.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of a card counter.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA showing the structure of the card counter.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control circuit of the card management machine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a counting process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an unlocking process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a totaling process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an output format of delivery data.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an output format of weekly previous weekly data.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a supply process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing order processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a transmission process.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display format of a replenishment data input field.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an output format of setting data.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Card management machine, 2 ... Card storage unit, 3 ...
・ Operating unit, 4 ... Display unit, 5 ... Printer unit, 1
1, 12 ... Door, 13 ... Housing, 14 ... Drawer, 15 ... Card counter, 16, 31 ... Handle,
17 ... Label display section, 21 ... Key switch, 2
2 ... power lamp, 23 ... keyboard, 25 ...
・ LCD monitor, 32 ・ ・ ・ Printer base, 33 ・
..Printer, 34 ... Roll paper, 35 ... Ejection port, 36 ... Top cover, 41, 42 ... Engaging metal fittings, 43, 44 ... Latch, 45, 46 ... Solenoid , 47 ... Cylinder lock, 48 ... Plate, 4
9 ... Contact switch, 51, 52 ... Rod, 51
a, 52a ... collar part, 53, 54 ... coupling tool, 55
... weight, 57 ... door switch, 61 ... front wall, 6
2 ... rear wall, 63 ... left wall, 64 ... right wall, 65
... Bottom plate, 66 ... Hopper, 67 ... Pressing member, 69 ... First moving body, 71 ... Counting sensor,
73 ... second moving body, 75, 79 ... roller, 7
7 ... Guide hole, 78 ... Third moving body, 80 ... Coil spring, 81, 90 ... Pulley, 83, 9
2 ... Timing belt, 84, 93 ... DC motor, 85, 94 ... Rail, 86, 87, 95, 9
6 ... Optical sensor, 88, 89, 97 ... Shielding plate,
101, 105 ... Slit, 102 ... Notch, 1
03 ... Roller support, 104 ... Spindle, 107
... Pin, 108 ... Spring, 110,111 ...
Protective cover, 120 ... Control unit, 121 ... Modem, 123 ... Buzzer, 124 ... Buzzer stop switch.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A card management machine comprising a storing means capable of storing a large number of cards and a counting means capable of counting the number of cards stored in the storing means. A card management machine comprising a supply number calculation means for calculating the number of cards to be supplied based on the expected number of issued cards and the number of stocks counted by the counting means. 2. The card management machine according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment number calculation means accumulates the total number of cards issued in a past predetermined period based on the number of stocks counted by the counting means. At the same time, from the total number of delivered products, the average number of delivered products calculating unit for calculating the average number of delivered products per unit period, and the average number of delivered products calculated by the average number of delivered products is expected to be delivered within a predetermined period in the future. An expected number-of-issues calculating unit for calculating the number of issued cards, and a deduction of the number of stocks counted by the counting unit from the expected number of issued products calculated by the expected number-of-issues calculating unit, if there is a shortage in a predetermined future period A shortage number calculation means for calculating the expected number of cards, and the number of cards calculated by the shortage number calculation means
A card management machine characterized by being calculated as the number of cards to be supplied. 3. The card management machine according to claim 2, wherein a predetermined period of time is predetermined based on the number of stocks counted by the counting means and the average number of discharged goods calculated by the average discharged quantity calculation means. A card management machine provided with an alarm means for issuing a warning that a card needs to be replenished when it is expected that the card will be out of stock. 4. The card management machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of cards to be replenished calculated by the replenishment number calculating means is transmitted to an external device via a communication line. A card management machine having a possible information transmission means.