JPH10228559A - Illegality prevention device for exchanging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent an illegal exchange action that apparently throws in a coin and receives the payment of small denomination coins by providing a coin passage time detection sensor that faces a detection member and discriminating whether a detection time is within a reference time that is preliminarily set or not. SOLUTION: A detection member 30 adjoins a coin passage confirmation sensor 26 and is arranged near the end of a collecting path 15a of a coin path 15. When a coin passes through near the end of the path 15, the member 30 is operated, accompanied with the passage of the coin 14 and a coin passage time detection sensor 32 detects the passage time of the coin 14. A CPU that is a discriminating means discriminates whether the detection time of the sensor 32 is within a reference time that is preliminarily set. This surely prevents such an illegal exchange action as receives small denomination coins by apparently throwing in a coin 14 that is hung by thread, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for preventing fraudulent use of coin changers installed on buses and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of conventional device for preventing fraudulent change of a money changer, a coin identification sensor is provided near a coin slot, and a passage opening / closing member is provided in the middle of a coin passage connected to the coin slot. In addition, a coin passing confirmation sensor is arranged near the end of the coin passage. When a coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot, the correctness and type of the coin are identified by the coin identification sensor, and if the coin is a normal coin, the passage opening / closing member is opened by a solenoid or the like. As a result, coins pass through the coin passage and are collected in a collection case or the like,
When the coin passes near the end of the coin passage, the passing state is confirmed by the coin passing confirmation sensor. Thereafter, based on this confirmation, a small coin corresponding to the type of the identified coin is paid out from the money exchange.

[0003]

However, in this conventional apparatus for preventing fraudulent change of a money changer, the validity of the inserted coin is identified by a coin identification sensor, and the passing state of the coin in the coin passage is checked by a coin passing confirmation sensor. Is to be confirmed. For this reason, for example, when a normal coin is hung on a thread, inserted from a coin slot, and after passing through a portion corresponding to a coin passage confirmation sensor in a coin path, the coin is pulled up by a thread, the inserted coin is There was a problem that small coins were paid out from the currency exchange opening though they were not collected in a collection case.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such problems existing in the conventional technology. An object of the present invention is to provide a currency exchange machine fraud prevention device that can reliably prevent an illegal currency exchange act, in which coins are apparently inserted and small coins are paid out.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a coin identification sensor provided near a coin slot and a coin passage connected to the coin slot are provided. In a device for preventing fraudulent exchange, comprising a passage opening / closing member arranged in the middle of the coin and a coin passage confirmation sensor arranged near the end of the coin passage, the end of the coin passage close to the coin passage confirmation sensor In the vicinity, a detection member that is activated in accordance with the passage of coins is disposed, and a coin passage time detection sensor is disposed opposite to the detection member so as to detect the passage time of the coin by operation of the detection member. In addition, a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the time detected by the coin passing time detecting sensor is within a predetermined reference time is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus for preventing fraudulent change of a money changer according to the first aspect, the determining means comprises:
The time from the start or end of identification of the coin identification sensor to the end of detection of the coin passing time detection sensor is determined.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus for preventing fraudulent change of a money changer according to the first aspect, the determining means includes:
The time from the start or end of detection of the coin passing confirmation sensor to the end of detection of the coin passing time detection sensor is determined.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus for preventing fraudulent change of a money changer according to the first aspect, the determining means comprises:
The time from the start of detection to the end of detection of the coin passing time detection sensor is determined.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a coin is inserted from a coin insertion slot,
The validity and type of the coin are identified by a coin identification sensor. If the coin is normal, the passage opening / closing member is opened by a solenoid or the like, and the inserted coin passes through the coin passage and is collected in a collection case or the like. On the other hand, if the inserted material is not a normal coin, the passage opening / closing member is not opened, and the inserted material is guided to the return port from the middle of the coin passage and returned.

When the normal coin is collected in a collecting case or the like, when the coin passes near the end of the coin passage, the passing state is checked by a coin passing confirmation sensor. At the same time, the detection member is operated with the passage of the coin near the end of the coin passage, and the passage time of the coin is detected by the coin passage time detection sensor.

The determining means determines whether or not the detection time of the coin passing time detection sensor is within a predetermined reference time. And if the detection time is within the reference time,
When the detection signal of the passage confirmation is also input from the coin passage confirmation sensor, a small coin corresponding to the type of the inserted coin identified by the coin identification sensor is paid out from the money exchange.

On the other hand, for example, an illegal coin is inserted from a coin slot in a state where a normal coin is hung on a thread, passed through a portion corresponding to a coin passing confirmation sensor in a coin passage, and then the coin is lifted by the thread. When a currency exchange action is attempted, the detection time of the coin passing time detection sensor becomes longer than the reference time. Therefore, this state is determined by the determination means, and small coins are not paid out from the currency exchange opening.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the discriminating means allows the time from the start or end of identification of the coin identification sensor to the end of detection of the coin passing time detection sensor to be within the reference time. It is determined whether or not there is. Therefore, based on the result of this determination, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal currency exchange act.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the time from the start or end of detection of the coin passage confirmation sensor to the end of detection of the coin passage time detection sensor is within the reference time by the discriminating means. Is determined. Therefore, based on the result of this determination, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal currency exchange act.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the discriminating means determines whether or not the time from the start of detection of the coin passing time detection sensor to the end of the detection is within a reference time. . Therefore, based on the result of this determination, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal currency exchange act.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a pair of guide plates 11 and 12 are vertically arranged at a predetermined interval in a case of a change machine (not shown). The coin insertion slot 13 is provided at the upper end of both guide plates 11 and 12, and the coin insertion slot 13 is provided.
, Coins 14 are inserted. Coin passage 1
5 is a plurality of guide pieces 1 connected to the coin slot 13.
6 defines an inclined section between the two guide plates 11 and 12, and the downstream side thereof is branched into a recovery passage 15a and a return passage 15b.

The coin identification sensor 17 is connected to the coin slot 13.
It is mounted on the outer surface of one guide plate 11 so as to be located near. When a coin 14 is inserted from the coin insertion slot 13, the coin identification sensor 17 identifies whether or not the coin 14 is correct and the type of the coin 14.

A passage opening / closing member 18 is rotatably attached to the outer surface of the other guide plate 12 via a support plate 19, and has a tip end formed in a coin passage 15 through a through hole 20 in the guide plates 11, 12. Comb-shaped opening / closing part 18 that appears and disappears at a branch point
a is formed. The spring 21 is stretched between the passage opening / closing member 18 and the support plate 19, and normally, as shown by a solid line in FIG.
The opening / closing portion 18a is protruded into the coin passage 15, and the collection passage 15a side is closed.

The solenoid 22 is mounted on the support plate 19 and is arranged opposite to the base end of the passage opening / closing member 18.
When the solenoid 22 is excited, the passage opening / closing member 18 is turned against the urging force of the spring 21 as shown by a chain line in FIG. Drawn to. As a result, the coin passage 15 is opened on the collection passage 15a side.

The check member 23 is rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the one guide plate 11 via a mounting plate 24, and is formed in a curved shape by a wire. Normally, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, the check member 23 is opened and closed by the weight 23a provided on a part of the check member 23 through the through holes 25 of the guide plates 11, 12. It protrudes into the collection passage 15a near the downstream side of 18a.

In this state, when the coin 14 is introduced into the collection passage 15a with the opening of the passage opening / closing member 18, as shown by a chain line in FIG. The coin 14 is pivoted outward from the collection passage 15a to allow the coin 14 to pass in the forward direction. Thereafter, the check member 23 is rotated to the projecting position in the collection passage 15a, and the coin 14 is prevented from passing in the reverse direction.

The coin passage confirmation sensor 26 is connected to the coin passage 1
5 are mounted on the guide plates 11 and 12 so as to be located near the end of the collection passage 15a. The coin passing confirmation sensor 26 is connected to one guide plate 11
A light emitting element 26a attached to the outer surface of the
And a light receiving element 26b attached to the outer surface of the other guide plate 12 through the light emitting element 26.

Usually, the coin passing confirmation sensor 2
6 through the through holes 2 in the guide plates 11 and 12.
Light is applied to the light receiving element 26b through the light receiving element 9 and the collection passage 15a. When this light is blocked by the coin 14 passing through the collection passage 15a, the light receiving element 26
A confirmation signal of the passage of the coin 14 is output from b.

The detecting member 30 is a coin passing confirmation sensor 2
6, the two guide plates 11, 12 are supported by the support shaft 31 so as to be located near the end of the collection passage 15 a of the coin passage 15.
It is rotatably mounted between the twelve. A through hole 30a is formed at the center of the detection member 30, and a stopper 30b is formed at an edge.

Normally, as shown in FIG. 1, the detection member 30 is pivotally disposed at the entrance position in the collection passage 15a by its own weight, and is engaged with the stopper 30b and the side edge of the guide plate 12 to be engaged. It is held in its approach position. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the coin 14 passes through the collection passage 15a, the coin 14
Is rotated to the protruding position outside the recovery passage 15a. And
After the passage, the coin 14 is rotated again to prevent the coin 14 from passing in the opposite direction.

The coin passing time detecting sensor 32 is mounted on both the guide plates 11 and 12 in the vicinity of the coin passing confirming sensor 26 so as to face the detecting member 30. The coin passing time detecting sensor 32 includes a light emitting element 32a attached to the outer surface of one guide plate 11 via the attaching portion 27 and a light receiving element attached to the outer surface of the other guide plate 12 via the attaching portion 28. And the element 32b.

Normally, as shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting element 32a of the coin passing time detecting sensor 32 detects the through holes 33 of the guide plates 11 and 12 and the through holes 30 of the detecting member 30.
Light is applied to the light receiving element 32b via a. As shown in FIG. 5, when the detection member 30 is rotated to the protruding position as the coin 14 passes, this light is blocked by the detection member 30 and the light from the light receiving element 32b.
Is output.

Next, a description will be given of a control circuit in the fraud prevention apparatus for a money changer configured as described above. As shown in FIG. 6, a central processing unit (CPU) 36 constitutes a control unit and a determination unit, and the CPU 36 includes a read only memory (ROM) 37 and a random access memory (RA).
M) 38 and a timer 39 are connected. ROM3
7 includes a program for controlling the operation of the entire change machine and a reference time corresponding to a time T1 from the start of identification of the coin identification sensor 17 as shown in FIG. Data and the like are stored.

The CPU 36 receives an identification signal from the coin identification sensor 17, a detection signal from the coin passage confirmation sensor 26, and a detection signal from the coin passage time detection sensor 32. When the identification signal of a normal coin is input from the coin identification sensor 17, the CPU 36 outputs an excitation signal to the solenoid 22 via the drive circuit 40 to rotate the passage opening / closing member 18 to the open position of the collection passage 15a. Move.

Further, the CPU 36 controls each of the sensors 17,
In response to the timer 39 based on the input signals from the coins 26 and 32, the timer 39 notifies the timer 39 of the actual time T from the start of the coin identification sensor 17 to the end of the coin passage time detection sensor 32 detection.
Let 1 count. Then, the CPU 36
It is determined whether or not the actual detection time T1 measured in 9 is within the reference time stored in the RAM 38.

As a result of this determination, when the detection time T1 is within the reference time and the detection signal for passage confirmation is also input from the coin passage confirmation sensor 26, the CPU 36 is identified by the coin identification sensor 17. A small coin corresponding to the type of the inserted coin is paid out from a change port of a payout case (not shown). On the other hand, if the detection time T1 exceeds the reference time, the CPU 36 determines that an illegal currency exchange has been performed, and sends an activation signal to the alarm 42 such as a buzzer or a lamp via the drive circuit 41. Is output to notify an abnormal state.

Next, the operation of the fraud prevention device for a money changer configured as described above will be described. When the coin 14 is inserted from the coin insertion slot 13 in the fraud prevention device of the money changer, the authenticity and type of the coin 14 are identified by the coin identification sensor 17. Then, when the coin 14 is normal, the solenoid 22 is excited by the CPU 36, and the passage opening / closing member 18 is rotated to the open position of the collection passage 15a in the coin passage 15. As a result, the inserted coin 14 passes through the collection passage 15a and is collected in a collection case or the like (not shown).

On the other hand, when the inserted coin is not a normal coin, or when the normal coin 14 is continuously inserted into the coin slot 13 in a short time, the solenoid 22 is maintained in the demagnetized state and The opening and closing member 18 is not opened and rotated. For this reason, the input material is returned to the return passage (not shown) through the return passage 15b without being introduced into the coin passage 15 on the side of the collection passage 15a.

When the normal coins 14 are collected in a collecting case or the like as described above, when the coins 14 pass near the end of the collection passage 15a, the coins pass from the coin passing confirmation sensor 26 to the CPU 36. A confirmation detection signal is output. At the same time, as the coin 14 passes near the end of the collection passage 15a, the detection member 30 is rotated to the protruding position as shown in FIG. 5, and the coin passage time detection sensor 32 sends the coin 14 Is output.

Based on these detection signals, the CPU 36
Causes the timer 39 to time the actual time T1 from the start of the coin identification sensor 17 to the end of the coin passage time detection sensor 32 as shown in FIG. Then, the CPU 36 determines whether or not the actual detection time T1 measured by the timer 39 is within the reference time stored in the ROM 37. As a result of this determination, the detection time T1 is within the reference time, and the coin passing confirmation sensor 26
If the pass confirmation signal is also input from
The CPU 36 causes a small coin corresponding to the type of the inserted coin identified by the coin identification sensor 17 to be paid out from a change port of a payout case (not shown).

On the other hand, for example, a normal coin 14 is inserted from the coin insertion slot 13 in a state
After passing through a portion corresponding to the coin passage confirmation sensor 26 in the collection passage 15a, an illegal currency exchange act of pulling up the coin 14 with a thread may be attempted. In such a case, the detection time T1 from the start of the identification of the coin identification sensor 17 to the end of the detection of the coin passage time detection sensor 32 becomes longer than the reference time. Accordingly, this state is determined by the CPU 36, and the dispensing of small coins from the currency exchange port is stopped, and the alarm 42 such as a buzzer or a lamp is operated to notify an abnormal state.

The effects that can be expected from the first embodiment will be described below. (A) In the currency-change prevention device of this embodiment, when the coin 14 passes near the end of the coin passage 15, the detection member 30 is activated as the coin 14 passes, and the coin passing time is detected. The passage time of the coin 14 is detected by the sensor 32. The coin passing time detection sensor 3
It is determined whether or not the detection time 2 is within a preset reference time. For this reason, coin 1
4 can be reliably prevented from being illegally exchanged, in which the coin 4 is hung on a thread or the like and apparently inserted, and a small coin is paid out.

(B) In the apparatus for preventing fraudulent exchange of the present embodiment, the CPU 36 as a discriminating means uses:
It is determined whether or not the time from the start of the coin identification sensor 17 to the end of the detection of the coin passage time detection sensor 32 is within the reference time. Therefore, based on the result of this determination, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal currency exchange act.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

Now, in the second embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (2), the CPU 36 causes the timer 39 to measure the actual time T2 taken from the start of the detection of the coin passage confirmation sensor 26 to the end of the detection of the coin passage time detection sensor 32. Then, the CPU 36
The actual detection time T2 measured by the timer 39 is R
It is determined whether or not the time is within the reference time stored in the AM 38.

Therefore, also in the second embodiment,
As in the first embodiment described above, it is possible to reliably prevent unauthorized currency exchange based on the determination result of the CPU 36.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

Now, in the third embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (2), the CPU 36 causes the timer 39 to measure the actual time T3 taken from the start of detection of the coin passing time detection sensor 32 to the end of detection. Then, the CPU 36 determines whether or not the actual detection time T3 measured by the timer 39 is within the reference time stored in the RAM 38.

Therefore, also in the third embodiment,
As in the first embodiment described above, it is possible to reliably prevent unauthorized currency exchange based on the determination result of the CPU 36.

The present invention can be embodied with the following modifications. (1) The actual time taken from the end of identification of the coin identification sensor 17 to the end of detection of the coin passing time detection sensor 32 is measured, and this detection time is determined as a reference time.

(2) The actual time taken from the end of the detection of the coin passing confirmation sensor 26 to the end of the detection of the coin passing time detection sensor 32 is measured, and the detected time is determined as the reference time. thing.

(3) The opening / closing structure of the passage opening / closing member 18 is appropriately changed. (4) The detection operation configuration of the detection member 30 is appropriately changed and configured. Next, technical ideas grasped in the embodiment will be listed.

In the apparatus for preventing fraudulent change of a money changer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the passage opening / closing member 1
A non-return member 23 for allowing the coin 14 to pass in the forward direction and preventing the coin 14 from passing in the reverse direction is provided in the coin passage 15 near the downstream side of the coin 8.
A fraud prevention device for a money changer with a.

With this configuration, the passage opening / closing member 18
In the coin passage 15 on the downstream side, the check member 23 prevents the coin 14 from moving in the reverse direction, thereby making it possible to more reliably prevent an illegal exchange act.

[0051]

The present invention is configured as described above, and has the following effects. According to the invention as set forth in claims 1 to 4, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal currency exchange action in which a coin is hung on a thread or the like and apparently inserted, and a small coin is paid out. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a currency-change prevention device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the operation state of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a fraud prevention device for a money changer;

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the operation of the fraud prevention device of the money changer;

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 12: guide plate, 13: coin slot, 14: coin, 15: coin passage, 15a: collection passage, 15b: return passage, 17: coin identification sensor, 18: passage opening / closing member, 1
8a: opening / closing part, 21: spring, 22: solenoid, 23 ...
Check member, 26: coin passing confirmation sensor, 26a: light emitting element, 26b: light receiving element, 30: detecting member, 30a: through hole, 32: coin passing time detecting sensor, 32a: light emitting element, 32b: light receiving element, 36 ... CPU constituting a discriminating device as discriminating means, 37 ... ROM, 39 ... timer.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A coin discriminating sensor arranged near a coin slot, a passage opening / closing member arranged in a coin passage connected to the coin slot, and a coin passage arranged near the end of the coin passage. In a fraud prevention device for a change machine including a confirmation sensor, a detection member that is operated in accordance with the passage of coins is disposed near the coin passage confirmation sensor and near the end of the coin passage. A coin passing time detection sensor is disposed opposite to the detecting member so as to detect a coin passing time by operation, and whether a time detected by the coin passing time detection sensor is within a preset reference time or not. A fraud prevention device for a money changer, which is provided with a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the fraud has occurred. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines a time from the start of identification or the end of identification of the coin identification sensor to the end of detection of the coin passing time detection sensor. 3. The fraud prevention device for a money exchange machine according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines a time from the start or end of detection of the coin passage confirmation sensor to the end of detection of the coin passage time detection sensor. 4. The fraud prevention device for a money changer according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines a time from the start of detection of the coin passage time detection sensor to the end of detection.