JPS6232837B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention allows all or part of the coins present in the change machine and replenishment machine to remain when collecting coins due to the business deadline, and to continue using them as change for the next business period. This invention relates to a coin counting management device for a vending machine used for

Conventionally, the devices for storing coins in vending machines include a change machine, a replenishment machine, and a safe, but when collecting cash after the business deadline, the number of coins in these devices is unknown, so when collecting cash, the change machine and Drop all the coins in the replenishment machine into a safe, collect the entire safe, count the number of collected coins at the counting station, subtract the number of coins supplied during the business period from the result, calculate sales, and combine this with the sales data. I was doing a comparison.

Therefore, since all the coins are dropped during collection, the staff has to spend a lot of time waiting at the site, and collection efficiency is poor.
It is also unfavorable from a security standpoint. In addition, it was necessary to resupply coins for sale after collection, and a lot of labor and time was wasted in collecting and replenishing coins. Furthermore, since it is necessary to count the number of collected sheets after collection, there is a drawback that back-order work is time-consuming.

This invention dispenses a predetermined number of coins to release change into an outlet on the customer service area when the amount inserted by the customer is greater than the purchase amount, and ejects the coins while counting them in order to collect them in the safe when the coin is full. A vending machine equipped with a change machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a vending machine)
When coins are collected due to the closing of the vending machine business, the coins in the change machine and replenishment machine are counted using the change machine, and all or part of the coins are retained as change for the next business period. The aim is to significantly shorten the time required for recovery, reduce the need for new supplies after recovery, and simplify logistics operations.

Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Before the sale starts, cassettes 1 containing coins of one denomination are placed in a predetermined position in the vending machine V for the denominations to be used as change, the shutters of each cassette are opened, and the coins are naturally dropped into the supply machine 2. When the vending machine's electrode is turned on, there are no coins in the change machine 5 yet, so the out-of-change detector 3 installed in the change machine activates the change machine.
operate, and each outputs an out-of-change detection signal _i1 and sends it to the control unit CONT. First output circuit of control section
_R1 supplies a replenishment command signal _s5 to the replenishment machine control means 4C based on the input of the out-of-change detection signal for one denomination. The replenishing machine control means 4C gives a drive signal d4 for a certain period of time _t2 to the belt drive circuit 4D based on the replenishment command signal _s5 , rotates the coin feeding belt ₄ of the replenishing machine 2 for a certain period of time, and operates the replenishing machine. A fixed amount of coins is supplied to the change machine 5 from the change machine 5. This completes the financial conditions for the vending machine to become available for sale.

During sale, each time it is detected that change is out, a fixed amount of coins are repeatedly supplied from the replenishing machine in the same way as described above. If there are no coins in the replenishing machine, based on the lack of change detection continuing for a predetermined period of time,
Release will be canceled.

When the coin that the customer inserts from the slot 6 is determined to be a counterfeit coin by the coin verification machine 7, it is returned to the withdrawal slot 9 via the chute 8, and when it is determined to be a genuine coin, it is sent to a holding box (not shown). After the product is released, the coins are dropped into the change machine 5 when the next customer inserts coins. As in the past, the calculation unit AR calculates the input amount x input from the coin validation machine and the product selection button Bs provided on the customer service side.
Compare the purchase amount y input by pressing ,
When the two are equal (x=y), or when the input amount is greater than the purchase amount (x>y), a release condition fulfillment signal _i2 is input to the control unit CONT to cause the product to be released. Further, when x>y, change signal _i3 is input to the control section.

The change signal _i3 has the content of the number of coins to be dispensed for each denomination, and based on the input of this change signal _i3 , the second output circuit _R2 of the control section outputs the change dispensing command signal _s1 for each denomination. Output. In Figure 7, for simplicity,
Only one denomination is shown. This change discharge command signal s ₁ is given to the change machine control means 10C, and this 10C gives a drive signal d ₁₀ to the drive circuit 10D of the motor 10 of the change machine 5, so that the motor 10 rotates the disk 11. The change machine is similar to the known one,
By rotating the disk, coins are discharged one by one from the coin discharge section 12.

Further, the change release command signal _s1 is given to the distribution control means 13C, and via the drive circuit 13D,
The solenoid 13, which is one component of the sorting means, is energized and attracts the flapper 14, which is another component of the sorting means, to close the entrance of the collection chute 15, and at the same time, connects the coin ejection path 12 to the chute 16. , Coin transport circulation mechanism for discharging coins
Place it on belt 17 of RS. The belt 17 also has a belt control means 1 which inputs the change release command signal _s1 .
Motor control circuit 17D by drive signal d ₁₇ of 7C
The coins are rotated in the normal direction by a motor (not shown) which is rotated in the normal direction via the motor, and the coins are discharged into the outlet 9 as change.

The coin discharge path 12 is provided with a discharge detector 18 that outputs a coin discharge detection signal _s2 every time it detects one coin to be discharged, and outputs the change discharge command signal.
While the coin discharge detection signal s ₁ is being outputted, the coin discharge detection signal s ₂ outputted by the discharge detector 18 is counted by the counting circuit C ₁ to count the number of coins discharged.
The coin discharge detection signal _s2 is also given to the calculation unit AR, and when the number of coin discharge detection signals matches the specified number of coins to be ejected, the calculation unit AR transmits the change signal _i3 to the control unit. Since the input is eliminated, the change discharge command signal _s1 is also eliminated, the motor 10 is stopped, the distributing means is restored by demagnetizing the solenoid 13, and the belt 17 is stopped after a predetermined period of time.

When the coins in the change machine 5 become full due to the insertion of coins by the customer, a fullness detector 1 provided in the change machine is activated.
9 operates, and the third output circuit R ₃ of the control section outputs a collection command signal s ₃ for a certain period of time based on the detection output i ₄ . In response to the collection command signal _s3 , the motor 10 is rotated for a certain period of time via the change machine control means 10C while the solenoid 13 of the sorting means remains demagnetized, and a certain amount of coins are discharged. Since the flapper 14 of the sorting means opens the entrance of the collection chute 15 by the force of the spring 20, the coins are transferred to the ejection path 1.
2 into the collection chute 15 and stored in the safe 21. The coin ejection detection signal outputted by the ejection detector 18 while the collection command signal _s3 is outputted from the third output circuit _R3 of the control section based on full detection.
s ₂ is counted by a counting circuit C ₂ to count the number of coins collected in the safe.

The vending machine according to the present invention is provided with a deadline switch SW that is operated at the time of business deadline. When this cutoff switch is turned on, the fourth output circuit _R4 of the control unit CONT sequentially outputs a cutoff signal _s4 for each denomination in response to the cutoff command signal _i5 output. In FIG. 7, only one denomination is shown. Based on one deadline signal, all the coins in the change machine 5 and in the replenishment machine 2 are counted by the change machine 5, and all or a predetermined amount of the counted coins are circulated back to the empty replenishment machine 2. It is now being put on hold.

The method of handling coins at the deadline and the circulation and holding of coins in the replenishing machine depend on whether all the coins in the vending machine are held or a part of a predetermined amount are held, and the capacity of the change machine and the replenishing machine. It depends on the relationship.

Next, an example will be explained for each case. Furthermore, when the deadline switch is turned on,
In all cases, the motor 10 is rotated, the solenoid 13 is energized, and the belt 17 is reversed, and even if an out-of-change detection signal is output, the replenishing operation of the replenishing machine is prohibited.

(b) When holding all coins at the deadline a When the capacity of the change machine≫capacity of the supply machine In this case, when the deadline switch SW is turned on, the fourth output circuit _R4 outputs the deadline signal _s4 to the supply machine control means. 4C
Based on this, 4C gives a drive signal d4 for a predetermined time _t2 to the drive circuit 4D, rotates the belt ₄ of the replenishing machine for a predetermined time _t2 , and transfers all the coins in the machine to the change machine. 5 and empty the supply machine, then stop the belt 4. The rotation time _t2 of the belt 4 is set according to the capacity of the supply machine, and the time required for all the coins to fall therein. By stopping the belt 4, the supply machine 2 is separated from the change machine 5.

The deadline signal _s4 is also given to the change machine control means 10C, the distribution control means 13C and the belt control means 17C, whereby each control means 10C, 13
C and 17C are connected to the motor 1 via drive signals d ₁₀ , d ₁₃ , and d ₁₇ after a predetermined time t ₂ from the input of the deadline signal, that is, after the replenishment machine is removed from the change machine side.
0 and excite the solenoid 13 of the sorting means, coins are discharged from the change machine one by one through a discharge path, and are reversely rotated through a chute 16 and a drive circuit 17D. 17. The coin discharge detection signal s ₂ output while the deadline signal s ₄ is output is counted by a counting circuit C ₃ to count the number of coins in circulation for one denomination. The coins conveyed by the belt 17 are transferred to a coin conveying circulation mechanism (hereinafter simply referred to as circulation mechanism) RS in which this belt is one of the components.
and placed into the circulation hopper 22 provided above the supply machine.

As the circulation mechanism RS, either a continuous type RS 1 using a belt as shown in FIG. ₁ or an intermittent type RS ₂ using a bucket as shown in FIG. 4 can be used. In the continuous type (belt type) RS ₁ , the rear end of the belt 17 is bent upward to make horizontally fed coins vertical one by one, and the pair of belts 23 and 24 pinch and lift the coins. One of the belts is bent horizontally to make it easier to fall into the circulation hopper 22.

In the intermittent type (bucket type) RS ₂ , as shown in FIG. 4, a bucket 27 connected to a wire or chain 26 rotated by a motor 25 capable of forward and reverse rotation is provided so as to be movable up and down along a guide 28. By known means, when a predetermined amount of coins is inserted from the belt 17, discharging from the change machine is temporarily stopped and the bucket 27 is raised, and the bar 29 provided near the upper limit hits the bucket. The fulcrum 3
The coins in the bucket are turned around 0 and dropped into the circulation hopper 22. After a predetermined period of time after the upper limit switch is operated, the bucket is lowered and stopped at a fixed position by the lower limit switch, and the change is discharged from the change machine and the belt 17 is rotated in the reverse direction again.

When all the coins in the replenishing machine fall into the change machine 5 and the coins in the change machine are also discharged, the out-of-change detector 3 operates and the out-of-change detection signal _i1 is input to the fourth output circuit _R4 . Circuit R ₄ outputs out-of-change detection signal i ₁ on the condition that deadline command signal i ₅ is input.
After a predetermined period of time from the input of the change machine 5,
When there are no coins on any of the belts of the circulation mechanism and the belt of the circulation mechanism, the motor 10 and the circulation mechanism are stopped in order to eliminate the cut-off signal _s4 for one denomination.

That is, while the belt 4 of the replenishing machine is stopped after rotating for a predetermined time _t2 , and the cut-off signal _s4 is input to the replenishing machine control means 4C, the out-of-change detector 3 detects the out-of-change detection signal i. Even if ₁ is output, the rotation of the belt 4 is prohibited based on the detection of out of change due to the deadline signal.

Therefore, the coins sent from the replenishing machine to the change machine and the coins transferred to the replenishing machine from the circulation mechanism are separated.
Coins that have been counted and circulated to the replenishment machine will not be double counted.

Such prevention of double counting can be realized, for example, by a combination of gate circuits AND and OR as illustrated in FIG. Note that in the figure, T ₁ and T ₂ are timers that maintain outputs for a certain period of time t ₁ and t ₂ depending on the input. t ₁ is the time required to supply one supply of coins from the supply machine into the change machine, and t ₂ is the time required to drop all the coins in the supply machine into the change machine.

The circulation mechanism RS is commonly used for each denomination. Therefore, when the deadline operation for the first denomination is completed, the control section generates the deadline signal _s4 for the first denomination based on the input of the out-of-change detection signal while the deadline signal for the first denomination is being output. The closing signal for the next denomination is output, and the closing operation is performed in the same manner. Then, upon input of the out-of-change detection signal for the last denomination, the control section determines that the closing operation of the vending machine has ended, and eliminates the closing signal for the last denomination. After that, the staff exchanges the safe of the vending machine with the new one to make it available for sale.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the chute 31 connected to the lower end of the circulation hopper 22 is provided with distribution means 32 and 33 consisting of a solenoid and a flapper that changes the course when the solenoid is energized. The solenoid of the sorting means corresponding to the coin denomination is energized and the coin is fed from the chute to the corresponding replenishing machine 2a or 2b, or directly from the chute 31 to the predetermined replenishing machine 2c without energizing either solenoid. It's like this.

b Capacity of a change machine (capacity of a replenishing machine) If the cut-off cycle of a vending machine is relatively short, the amount of change ready for replenishment may be small, so case a above is generally suitable. However, if the deadline cycle is long, the number of times the change runs out increases, so in order to have a sufficiently large amount of change to replenish, it is necessary to make the capacity of the replenishing machine larger than the capacity of the change machine.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the coin storage chamber of the replenishing machine 2 is divided into upper and lower parts by a shutter 35 that is opened and closed by a motor 34. deadline switch
By turning on the switch, the shutter 35 is closed to partition the upper storage chamber 2u of the replenishing machine from the change machine side, and then, as in the case described above, the motor 10 is rotated to eject and count the coins in the change machine. It is introduced into the upper storage chamber 2u using the circulation mechanism RS described above. In order to prevent the coins from overflowing, the belt 4 of the replenishing machine is rotated and the lower storage chamber 2 of the replenishing machine is rotated while resting for a certain period of time each time a full detection signal is output.
Drop a coin into the change machine from l. In this way, by dropping the coins in the lower storage chamber 2l into the change machine, all the coins in the change machine and in the replenishing machine are counted.

When the out-of-change detection continues for more than a predetermined time, it is determined that the coins in the lower storage chambers of the change machine and replenishing machine are gone, and the motor 10 and the circulation mechanism are stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed. This results in
The closing operation for one denomination is completed, and the same process is performed for other denominations. Then, the motor 34 is turned and the shutter 35 is opened to drop the denominations for which the deadline has been completed from the upper storage chamber to the lower storage chamber. Shutter is the next deadline switch.
It will be open until it is turned on. Therefore, external replenishment using a cassette is also carried out to the upper storage chamber 2u.

In this way, at the deadline, the replenishing machine is made into two storage chambers, upper and lower, using a shutter, and the coins to be counted and circulated are placed in the upper storage chamber, and the shutter is opened after counting, so that the coins that have been counted and circulated are This prevents the coins from being mixed with coins in the replenishment machine that have not yet been counted. Moreover, after the shutter is opened, it can be dropped into a change machine and used as change when it is re-released, and it can also be replenished from the outside using a cassette.

(b) When some coins are kept on board at the deadline In a and b above, all the coins in the change machine and replenishment machine are
This is a case where change is circulated and stored in a replenishment machine, but when it first goes on sale, it is usually sufficient to replenish a certain amount of change to the change machine. Therefore, a further improvement was added to the above invention so that once a certain amount of coins had been stored in the supply machine, the remaining coins were counted and dropped into a safe. The present invention can be applied to both cases a and b, and can be performed by using a control circuit even though the structure is mechanically the same.

a When the capacity of the change machine≫capacity of the replenishing machine Circulating number of coins counting circuit _C3 based on the coin discharge detection signal _s2 and the deadline signal _s4 when the deadline switch SW is ON
When the count value of reaches the set value, the third output circuit
Input the control signal i ₆ to R ₃ and the fourth output circuit R ₄ ,
The third output circuit R ₃ outputs the collection command signal s ₃ until the out-of-change detection signal is input, and the deadline signal from the fourth output circuit R ₄ disappears, causing the solenoid 13 to disappear, and from then on, the change machine Collect the coins that are ejected into the safe. The reverse rotation of the belt 17 continues until a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the circulating coin count becomes equal to the set value, and all the coins sent onto the belt are circulated to the stopped supply machine.

b Capacity of the change machine (in the case of the capacity of the supply machine) When the deadline switch SW is turned ON, the motor 34 closes the shutter 35 as described above, divides the supply machine into upper and lower parts, rotates the belt 4, and opens the lower supply chamber. Drop 2 liters of coins into the change machine until it is detected as full. The rotation of the belt 4 is paused for a certain period of time each time a full state is detected. Upon detection of the most full state, the coins are ejected from the change machine, the solenoid 13 of the sorting means is energized, the circulation mechanism is reversed, and the number of coins is counted by the circulating number counting circuit _C3 . When the circulating sheet count value matches the set value, control signal i ₆
is input to the third output circuit R ₃ and the fourth output circuit R ₄ , and the collection command signal s ₃ is outputted from the third output circuit R ₃ , and the cut-off signal from the fourth output circuit R ₄ is extinguished, so that the solenoid 13 After demagnetizing the
Collect the hard material discharged from the change machine into a safe. The reversal of the circulation mechanism RS (belt 17) continues until a predetermined time has elapsed after the circulating coin count value becomes equal to a predetermined value, and all coins sent onto the belt are transferred to the upper storage chamber 2u of the stopped supply machine. It will be put on hold.

The effects of this invention can be summarized as follows. That is, in both the first invention and the second invention, since coins are counted using a change machine, coins can be counted quickly with a simple configuration.

At the end of the deadline, the counted coins are left in the vending machine for change, and the counted coins are stored in the safe.

Therefore, there is no need to drop all of the coins in the change machine and replenishment machine into the safe at each deadline, unlike in the past, and the coins can be used effectively for the next sale period, reducing the hassle of replenishing new coins. Ru.

Furthermore, since there is no need to count the coins in the safe after they are collected, the time required for back-office operations is reduced.

Since the number of sheets being circulated and replenished is counted, it is immediately clear whether or not new replenishment is necessary after collection at the deadline.

Further, in the second invention, since it is possible to leave enough change for the next sales period at the time of the deadline, it is possible to use coins more rationally.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the main parts of a vending machine equipped with an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the change machine and its surroundings, and Fig. 3 is taken along the - line in Fig. 2. 4 is a side view showing another example of the circulation mechanism, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the distribution mechanism of the circulation hopper, FIG. An explanatory diagram showing the control system, FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing an example of double counting prevention means. 2... Supply machine, 5... Change machine, 12... Coin discharge path, 17, RS ₁ , RS ₂ ... Coin transport circulation mechanism,
18...Coin discharge detector, 19...Full detector,
13, 14, 20...Distributing means, 21...Safe, C1...Circuit for counting the number of change output, _{C2 ...} Circuit for counting the number of coins collected in the safe, _C3 ...Circuit for counting the number of circulating coins.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1 a. Has an out-of-change detector and a full-change detector,
a change machine that discharges predetermined coins one by one; b) a coin discharge detector provided in a coin discharge passage of the change machine; and c) a predetermined amount of coins supplied to the change machine by the operation of the out-of-change detector. A change supply machine, and d one end of which is located at the change outlet on the customer service side of the vending machine.
a coin transport circulation mechanism whose other end faces the change replenishing machine and rotates forward or reverse to transport coins discharged from the change machine via the coin discharge passage; e. coins discharged from the coin discharge passage; a distributing means for distributing the coins toward the coin conveying circulation mechanism or toward the safe, wherein the change machine receives a predetermined number of coins to be released when the input amount is greater than the purchase amount, and the change machine detects the coin discharge. At the same time, the coin conveying circulation mechanism rotates forward to convey the change to the change outlet, and when the full detector outputs an output, the change machine discharges a certain amount of coins. In a vending machine that counts and discharges coins with a detector and collects the discharged coins into a safe via the sorting means, (a) it is turned on at the business deadline and inputs a deadline signal to the deadline control means described below; a deadline switch is provided; (b) based on the input of the deadline signal, the change replenishing machine is caused to perform a replenishment operation until all the coins in the machine are exhausted; Prohibiting the replenishment operation of the change replenishing machine, and discharging all the coins in the change replenishing machine from the coin discharging path via the sorting means onto the coin conveying circulation mechanism based on the input of the deadline signal, and inputting the deadline signal. After providing the change replenishing machine with means for preventing coins from the change replenishing machine from mixing with the change replenishing machine based on the above,
The coin transport circulation mechanism is reversed to transport the ejected coins to the change supply machine, and the coins are transported to the change supply machine at the deadline based on the deadline signal and the output signal of the coin discharge detector. A coin counting management device for a vending machine, comprising: a deadline control means for counting the number of coins. 2 a. It has an out-of-change detector and a full-change detector,
a change machine that discharges predetermined coins one by one; b) a coin discharge detector provided in a coin discharge passage of the change machine; and c) a predetermined amount of coins supplied to the change machine by the operation of the out-of-change detector. A change supply machine, and d one end of which is located at the change outlet on the customer service side of the vending machine.
a coin transport circulation mechanism whose other end faces the change replenishing machine and rotates forward or reverse to transport coins discharged from the change machine via the coin discharge passage; e. coins discharged from the coin discharge passage; a distributing means for distributing the coins toward the coin conveying circulation mechanism or toward the safe, wherein the change machine receives a predetermined number of coins to be released when the input amount is greater than the purchase amount, and the change machine detects the coin discharge. At the same time, the coin conveying circulation mechanism rotates forward to convey the change to the change outlet, and when the full detector outputs an output, the change machine discharges a certain amount of coins. In a vending machine that counts and discharges coins with a detector and collects the discharged coins into a safe via the sorting means, (a) it is turned on at the business deadline and inputs a deadline signal to the deadline control means described below; a deadline switch is provided; (b) based on the input of the deadline signal, the change replenishing machine is caused to perform a replenishment operation until all the coins in the machine are exhausted; prohibiting the replenishment operation of the change replenishing machine, and discharging some of the coins in the change replenishing machine onto the coin conveying circulation mechanism from the coin discharging passage via the sorting means based on the input of the deadline signal; , discharging the remainder of the coins in the change machine to the safe side, and preventing a part of the coins from the change supply machine from being mixed into the change supply machine based on the input of the deadline signal. After applying the means, the coin conveying circulation mechanism is reversed to convey some of the discharged coins to the change replenishing machine, and a deadline is determined based on the deadline signal and the output signal of the coin discharge detector. A coin counting management device for a vending machine, comprising: a deadline control means for counting the number of coins conveyed to the change replenishing machine and the number of coins discharged to the safe side.