JPS625495A - Multi-control vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field to which the Invention Pertains]] This invention relates to a group-controlled automatic ticket vending machine that automatically collects the day's worth of coins at the deadline and automatically replenishes the next day's worth of coins.

[Prior art and its drawbacks] In early group-controlled automatic ticket vending machines, coins were collected from all automatic ticket vending machines (hereinafter simply referred to as ticket vending machines) at the same time at the closing of business, and all the machines in the system were collected at the same time. Coins for the day were collected in a safe, and after the collection was completed, coins for the next day were supplied from outside. According to this method, the functions of all ticket vending machines are taken down at once, so there are drawbacks such as a restriction on the time period in which the deadline can be used and the need to prepare external subsidy funds.

Deadlines were closed one by one without shutting down the functions of all ticket machines at the same time, and ticket machines that had finished collecting coins were supplied with the next day's worth of coins from outside so that they could be sold, and the deadline collection for all ticket machines was ended. Sometimes, it may be possible to replenish coins for the entire group from outside using a separate cassette, but this method imposes time constraints on external replenishment, and it is difficult to supply the next day's worth of coins to each ticket vending machine and the entire group. All supplies must be carried out by staff, and extra reserves must be prepared, which poses problems in terms of both money management and labor.

This applicant filed an earlier patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 59-27257).
No. 9) In the specification, the coin processing device of the group-controlled automatic ticket vending machine has an automatic circulation system, and by leaving a certain number of good quality coins in the system at the time of the deadline and using these to replenish the next day's worth of coins, In addition to removing the time constraints for replenishing the next day's worth of coins, a coin storage unit and a coin counter are installed at the end of the coin circulation system, and when collecting the day's worth of coins in the coin circulation system at the deadline, - Proposed an invention that automates the preparation of replenishment money by counting the coins, storing them in a cassette, and moving them to the replenishment position as replenishment money for the next day, eliminating the need to bring in reserves from outside. did. However, with this proposal, after the collection is completed, the staff must move and set the cassettes to the replenishment position, which results in low labor-saving effects and limits replenishment time.

[Object of the present invention] In view of the above points, the present invention is provided with a coin ejecting function in which a portion of the collected coins is placed in a supply position as coins for the next day without requiring any staff work at the deadline. To improve the labor-saving effect by storing the next day's worth of coins in a safe and replenishing each ticket vending machine with the next day's worth of coins at the same time as the collection of the same day's worth of coins is completed.

[Example] Next, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration. This group management automatic ticket vending machine generally includes a circulation bath A at one end of a group of ticket vending machines C1 to Cn, and a replenishment coin conveyor that conveys replenishment coins from the upper part of the circulation bath to each ticket vending machine. A collection coin transport means for transporting collected coins from the means B and each ticket vending machine 01 to On to the circulation tower A is provided, and
The circulation tower is provided with a means for feeding the coins collected by the collecting coin transporting means and the coins replenished from outside to the replenishing coin transporting means B upon request. The coin circulating device includes a means for discharging some of the coins present in the machine through a change hopper onto the collecting coin conveying means when the same signal is input. In each ticket vending machine, a predetermined number of coins are stored as the next day's worth of coins via the change hopper, and after all other coins are discharged to the coin conveyance means for collection, the next day's worth of coins are returned to the change hopper. It has a circulation mechanism for replenishment.

Next, inside the circulation base A of the coin circulation device and each ticket vending IC
The components inside the ticket vending machine and the circulation mechanism inside the ticket vending machine will be explained in detail.

Inside the circulation bath circulation base A, there is stored a power supply box 1 that supplies driving power for each B1 of this coin circulation device, and logic for controlling each of the above-mentioned devices, and based on inputs from various detection terminals. A logic unit 2 that outputs a required control signal, a removable cassette 3a, 3b for externally replenishing coins used as change in this group of ticket vending machines, and a system for accepting and receiving coins from the cassette or the lift described later. a safe for the next day, which is equipped with a means for ejecting a fixed number of coins by being driven by an ejection command output from a logic unit based on a replenishment request from each ticket vending machine or a deadline command; A receiver receives and holds collected coins discharged from the end of the conveying means (hereinafter referred to as a collection belt) D, and is driven by a discharge command output from the logic unit 2 to discharge a predetermined number or all of the coins. pumping up the coins discharged by the next-day sorting J*4 or the coin ejecting means of the distribution unit 5 to the later-described supply machine 7;
Alternatively, there is a coin pumping means (hereinafter referred to as a lift) 6 that pumps up the coins discharged by the distribution unit 5 into a safe for the next day, and a logic unit that is provided at the top of the circulation tower to hold the coins supplied from the lift 6. A replenishing machine 7 has a means for discharging a predetermined number of coins or all of the coins by being driven by a discharging command output from the dispensing unit 5, and a replenishing machine 7 is provided below the distributing unit 5 and is configured to distribute collected coins discharged from the dispensing unit 5. Same-day distribution Jt that is stored via the functional distribution pipe 8! i
9a to 9C.

As shown in FIG. 2, the logic unit 2 includes logic for controlling each device, a predetermined number of coins to be supplied to the ticket vending machine by the supply machine 7 during sale, a maximum number of coins that can be stored in the safe 4 for the next day, etc. A storage unit 2a that stores basic constants, a counting unit described later, and the counted values of the counter of the ticket vending machine, a replenishment request signal 5ift”5ttn from each ticket vending machine, a deadline command signal S!1% replenishment machine 7, and a safe for the next day 4 and a discharge detection signal S from the coin discharge detectors 7b, 4b, and 5b provided in the distribution unit 5.
'rllS411SS1, coin presence/absence detector 7c, 4c,
Detection signal ST2 from 5c. 8% detection signal from the full detector provided in S42 + SS2 and distribution unit 5
3, a counting section 2C that counts the number of sheets to be discharged based on the discharge detection signal, and a counter 2C that counts the number of sheets to be discharged based on the above-mentioned basic constant and count value, A calculation unit 2d that calculates the exponent number of coins, and an output unit that outputs a required drive signal based on the counts of the detector and counting unit of each device. 2e, and each of the above parts (
2a to 2e).

The cassettes 3a to 3b are used to supply coins of denominations necessary as change (for example, 10 yen coins, 100 yen coins) from outside when the group managed ticket vending machine is first moved, and are brought and loaded by the staff. do. After moving, as described below,
Since the next day's worth of coins in the safe will be used, external replenishment using the cassettes 3a to 3b is not required until the coin presence/absence detector in the safe operates (which normally does not).

The next day's safe 4, lift 6, and supply machine 7 are provided in the same number as the number of denominations of change. Then, there is a replenishment coin conveying means (hereinafter referred to as a replenishment belt).

) 8 is also composed of a plurality of belts so as to transport coins of the same number of denominations from the supply machine 7.

On the other hand, the collection belt D, the distribution unit 5, the distribution pipe 8, and the safes 98 to 9C are all provided in numbers that can transport, accommodate, distribute, and store all the denominations of coins used in the ticket vending machine. It is being

The lift 6 is arranged between a packet 6a that stores and releases a required number of coins, and a lower limit position where the packet can receive coins released from the lower end of the distribution pipe 8 to an upper limit position where the packet is fed into the replenishing machine 7. 6b (motor m, pulley p, wire y, guide g) and a switch (lower limit detection switch sw) for determining the stop position of the packet.
1, a first intermediate detection switch sw2, a second intermediate detection switch sw3, and an upper limit detection switch SW,
Intermediate overturning device 5c for overturning the packet 6a and inserting the coins inside into the next day's safe 4 or the supply 817
, and an upper overturner 6d.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the intermediate rotation unit 6C is
a guide plate 6Ct connected to one side opening portion of the main passage ll1p formed by and having an arc-shaped side passage sp continuous to the main passage ll1p, and provided at a branch point of the main passage mp and the side passage sp, It consists of a conversion piece 6C2 that is switched between the normal position and the reverse position by a solenoid or the like, and the conversion piece 602 is normally maintained in the normal position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, and is protruded from both left and right sides of the packet 6a. The guide roller r is moved up and down between the lower limit position and the upper limit position along the main path mp, but when the logic unit 2 causes the public money 14 to draw up coins the next day, the switching piece 6.02 is moved by the solenoid.
is moved to the opposite position shown by the chain line in FIG. 3, guides the guide roller r of the rising packet into the side path sp, and
By the time the motor m stops raising the packet based on the detection signal of the intermediate detection switch sw3, the packet 6
A is overturned as shown by the chain line in FIG. 3, and the coins therein are thrown into the public money Ji[4 the next day via a chute 4d.

The switching piece 6c2 is released by the detection signal from the second intermediate detection switch sw3, and is returned to its normal position by a spring or the like.

The upper overturner 6d has a structure in which a side passage of a guide plate similar to the guide plate 6C1 in FIG. The coins are overturned by the action of the rollers and their sideways, and the coins inside are thrown into the supply machine 7 via the chute 7e. Based on the detection signal of the upper limit detection switch sw4, the motor m is stopped for a certain period of time until the end of the application.
The lower limit detection switch SWt or the first
It is lowered until the intermediate detection switch SW2 is activated and is stopped at a position where it can accept coins in packets from the distribution unit or the next day's safe.

As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate overturner 6C has a straight passage Op.
and a guide block 6C3 having a curved closed path CP, a return spring 6C4 that holds the straight passage Op in a normal position where it is continuous with the main passage 1p, and a guide block 6C3 that holds the straight passage Op in the normal position where it is continuous with the main passage 1p. It can also be configured with a solenoid 60s that moves the curved closed path cpB of the block 6C3 to the opposite position that is continuous with the main path mp.

A replenishment gate 10 is disposed above each ticket vending machine on the replenishment belt B, and is selectively operated by the logic unit 2 to feed coins conveyed on the replenishment belt to the ticket vending machine that has issued a replenishment request. It has been measured.

Since the ticket vending machines 01 to Cnτ all have the same configuration, one of them will be explained in detail based on FIG. 5.

At each ticket vending machine C, from the supply belt B to the supply gate 10
A replenishment storage machine 11a temporarily stores a predetermined amount of coins fed through the denomination.

Insert the receiver at 11b and connect it to the supply chute 12a, 12
Change is supplied to change hoppers 13a and 13b via b. Each reservoir is equipped with a coin presence detector (not shown). In addition, the coins inserted by the customer are stored in the coin verification section 14.
The coins are judged to be genuine and passed through the sorting section 15 and temporarily held in the storage section 16 for each denomination.Even when the vice-minister inserts the coins after the sale of tickets, the coins in the storage section are stored in the storage chute 17.
a', 17b, 17c Wosai T each change boppa 1
3a-130.

Each of the change hoppers 13a to 13c is equipped with a known means for discharging the coins therein one by one, and the coins discharged by the discharging means pass through a sorting section and a chute (not shown), and then the coins are conveyed. It is adapted to be guided onto the belt 18 or into temporary storage units 19a-190. When the ticket vending machine is on sale and dispenses change to a customer, the conveyor belt 18 is rotated in the direction of the outlet 20 on the customer service side of the ticket vending machine, so that a predetermined number of coins are ejected from the change hopper. It is designed to be discharged into the outlet 20.

In addition, the change hopper is equipped with a coin presence detector and a fullness detector (both not shown), which outputs a replenishment request to the logic unit 2 based on the coin absence detection signal. When the collected coins are full, the ejecting means operates and the discharging section transfers the coins to the cylinders 21a to 21 of the temporary storage units 19a to 190.
Store it in c. Partition shutters 228 to 22c are provided under the cylinder of the temporary storage unit, and these shutters are open during sale, and the coins discharged from the change hopper of each ticket vending machine when full is detected are transferred to the temporary storage unit. , and is dropped onto the collection belt D which is constantly driven below, so that it is collected by the distribution unit 5 via this belt.

Furthermore, each ticket vending machine is provided with a coin circulation mechanism 23 between the other end of the conveyor belt 18 and an upper portion thereof.

As an example, this circulation mechanism sequentially operates the change hopper 13a.
, 13b and conveyed by the conveyor belt 18 are received into the packet 24 from the other end of the belt, and the packet is lifted by the lift 25 and placed at a predetermined position above the replenishment chute 12a.

12b.

As will be described later, this circulation mechanism is operated based on a collection command signal from the logic unit 2, and is provided with a discharge means, a discharge detector, and a discharge coin counter (Fig. (not shown) and the transport belt 18 transports a predetermined number of coins to the lower packet 2.
4, and the coins in this packet are transferred to the supply storage machine 1.
1 and all the remaining coins in the change hopper 13 are dropped onto the collection belt D, and the supply chutes 12a,
supply to b.

Explanation of the operation Next, the coin processing operation at the deadline with the above configuration will be explained in the sixth section.
This will be explained based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

Turn on the cut-off switch installed in the central control center or circulation bath.
When the output deadline signal S21 is inputted to the logic unit 2, this logic unit starts controlling the coin circulation device according to the present invention, and first, the ticket vending machine m C1~
A program is executed to reserve a certain amount of coins in a predetermined ticket vending machine of Cn in the aircraft as a reserve for the next day, and send all other coins onto the collection belt D for collection. (X).

The control and drive for coin retention and collection into the circulation bath within each ticket vending machine is performed as shown in detail in FIG. 7. That is, by inputting a collection command from the logic unit 2, the specified ticket vending machine is discontinued (Pl.
), the circulation mechanism 23 in the ticket vending machine is operated, and the change hopper 13
For example, a predetermined number of 10 yen coins and 100 yen coins, for example, 100 coins are sequentially discharged by the ejecting means, ejection detector, and counter of 13a and 13b, and the coins are transferred through the conveyor belt 18 into the lower packet 24. (Pl)
.

The logic unit 2 uses the storage unit 2a and the calculation unit 2d to determine whether or not a predetermined number of coins of each denomination have been accommodated in the packet based on the value of the counter (P3).
When the count value reaches a predetermined value, it is determined that the coin storage has been completed, and the coin ejection is temporarily stopped, and the rotation of the conveyor belt 18 is continued for a certain period of time. ), resumes discharging coins from the change hopper, changes the direction of the change hopper's distribution to the collection belt side, and replenishes the replenishment storage machines 11a and 11b.
Drop all the coins inside into the change hoppers 13a and 13b,
All the coins discharged from all the hoppers, that is, all the remaining coins in the ticket vending machine are sent onto the collection belt D (P
4).

The coins stored in the packet 24 of the circulation mechanism are reserves used as change when the ticket vending machine sells tickets for the next day.

At this cut-off time, the collection belt D is moved by the motor M1.
Since it is constantly rotating, the change hopper 1 of the ticket vending machine
The coins sent onto the collection belt from 3a and 13b are collected into the distribution unit 5 of the circulating bath A.

When it is determined by the coin presence/absence detector of the change hopper that all coins other than the coins held as reserves of this ticket vending machine have been sent onto the collection belt, the temporary storage unit 19a of the ticket vending machine is determined. ~19C partition shutter 2
2a to 22c are closed (P5). By closing this shutter, the coins counted and reserved in the ticket vending machine by the circulation mechanism 23 are reliably divided into the next day's coins and the same day's coins collected by the distribution unit via the collection belt D. Therefore, after the partition shutter is closed, the logic unit 2 enables the ticket vending machine to sell coins using the coins reserved in the machine (Ps).

By the way, if the predetermined number of coins are not stored in the packet 24 in the on-board reserve holding step (P2 to P3), the logic unit stores the replenishment storage machines 11a and 11b.
It is determined whether there is a coin or not based on the output of a coin presence detector installed therein (Pr), and when it is determined that there is a coin, one coin is replenished from the replenishment storage machine to the change hoppers 13a and 13b (P8 ). After this replenishment, the second step P2
The process jumps to , continues filling the packet again, and performs the same operation as described above.

Further, if it is determined that there are no coins in the replenishment reservoirs 11a and 11b, the logic unit
The presence or absence of coins in the replenishment machine 7 is determined based on the output of a coin presence/absence detector 7C provided in the replenishment machine (Ps),
If it is determined that there is, the replenishment belt B is rotated by the motor M2, and a predetermined amount of coins are sent out from the replenishment machine 7 to replenish the replenishment storage machine of the ticket vending machine (P
lo). If this replenishment is carried out, the eighth step P
8 or less of the above-mentioned operations are performed.

When it is determined that there are no coins in the circulating bath supply device 7, the presence or absence of coins in the distribution unit 5 is determined based on the output of a coin presence/absence detector 5C provided in the same unit (PIL ).

If there are coins in the distribution unit, a predetermined number of coins are discharged and sent to the supply machine 7 via the lift 6.
(Piz).

After supplying coins from this distribution unit, the 10th step P! . The following actions are performed.

In addition, if it is determined that there are no coins in the distribution unit, the presence or absence of coins in the safe for the next day is determined based on the output of the coin presence/absence detector 4C installed in the safe (PL
3). Then, coins are supplied to the supply machine 7 via the lift 6 (Plz).

After replenishing the next day's worth of coins from the safe, the following ten operations are executed in the tenth step.

Although it is unlikely in reality, if there are no coins in the safe for the next day, the storing routine will be ended even if the number of coins stored in the packet 24 has not reached the predetermined number (Pi
4) Jump to the fifth step P5 to enable the ticket vending machine to sell tickets.

As described above, the coin collection operation for this ticket vending machine is completed, and then similar collection operations are performed for other ticket vending machines.

The logic unit 2 performs the following operations both during the sale and after the deadline command is input, or at least after the deadline command is input.
Based on the presence or absence of a fullness detection signal from the fullness detector 5d of the distribution unit, it is detected whether the coin storage box of the distribution unit is full or not. 4b and counting unit 2C, the current number of coins of each denomination in the safe is known at all times.
When the full detection signal 353 is input, it is determined whether the current capacity of the safe for the next day has reached the specified maximum capacity, and if it has not reached the specified maximum capacity, a program for holding next day's reserves for the ticket vending machine group is executed. It is set to run.

The operation when executing the program will be explained. The logic unit outputs a reserve holding command signal to drive the coin ejection means 5a of the distribution unit to eject coins one by one, and at the same time operates the distribution means 5e to collect the coins ejected by the distribution unit. It is stored in the packet at the lower limit position of the lift 6. The AND output of the reserve money holding command signal and the detection signal of the discharge detector 5b is added to the currently accommodated number of sheets by the counter 2C, and the reserve money is held until the addition result reaches the maximum number of sheets stored. Every time the number of coins ejected from the unit reaches a predetermined value determined according to the capacity of the packet, the ejection of coins is temporarily stopped, and during that time, the lift 6 is raised and the intermediate overturner 60 is operated. Insert the coins inside into public money FJ4 the next day,
Return the packet to the lower limit position again.

While the coin presence/absence detector 5C of the distribution unit outputs a presence detection signal, the next day's coins are held in the safe by the lift until the maximum number of coins accommodated is reached.

However, when the coin presence/absence detector 5C outputs a no-coin detection signal, the holding operation waits until the time of closing and collection.

Then, at the time of deadline collection, when the collection of coins from the ticket vending machine of a certain denomination or a match is completed, the next day's reserve retention program is executed, and the coins are transferred from the distribution unit 5 via the lift 6 to the next day's safe in the same manner as described above. Pumping will be suspended until the maximum capacity is reached in step 4. In this manner, in this invention, the change reserve for the next day's sale of the ticket vending machine group is held in the next day's safe 4 before being collected in the same day's safe 9.

When a predetermined number of next day's reserves have been reserved, the logic unit 2 outputs a collection command signal, drives the coin ejection means 5a of the distribution unit, and distributes the coins to the means 5e.
The coins discharged by returning the coins are counted based on the AND output of the detection signal of the discharge detector 5b and the collection command signal, and are dropped into the current day's total Ii'tt 9.

Furthermore, if there are coins in the replenishing machine 7 when the coin collecting operation for all ticket vending machines is finished, the ejecting means 7a is driven to eject them, and the sorting means 7d is operated to remove the ejected coins. They are sorted into the chute 26, dropped into the distribution unit 5, counted in the same way, and collected into the safe.

At stations where the quantity of coins collected by the distribution unit 5 at the deadline is sufficiently larger than the reserve for the next day, the operation may be performed only at the deadline without holding the reserve during sales. .

As described above, when the distribution unit 5 is also empty and the closing operation is completed, the coins in each ticket vending machine C and the reserve coins in the next day's safe 4 of the circulation device are stored in the ticket vending machine group. , and the collected coins in the safe 9 for that day. Therefore,
At the same time as the deadline operation is completed, the coins in each ticket vending machine and the next day's safe 4 are treated as that day's worth, and the coins are transferred from the next day's safe 4 to the supply machine 7.
The machine then waits for a replenishment request from one of the ticket vending machines. Further, the partition shutter 22 is opened at the same time as the closing operation is completed, and the coins that have been discharged from the change hopper of the ticket vending machine that has been filled up to that point are stored in the distribution unit 5 via the collection belt. Therefore, after the deadline operation is completed, there is a considerable amount of time before the distribution unit is full and is discharged, so the same day's safe can be collected at any time during that time, so the same day's sales proceeds can be collected. is not subject to time constraints.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the next day's reserve money is held in each ticket vending machine, the next day's reserve money is held in the circulation device for a group of ticket vending machines, and all remaining coins are saved. Collecting the same day's worth of money into the safe is done automatically under the control of the logic unit based on the deadline command signal, and after the deadline operation is completed, the next day's worth of money is automatically replenished from the safe to the replenishing machine.
No staff work is required at the time of closing, and the staff only needs to collect the safe for the day at an appropriate time after the closing operation is completed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a rest stop, Fig. 2 is a system diagram mainly showing the configuration inside the circulation tower and the signal system, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the lift. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of an intermediate overturning machine, FIG. 5 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the ticket vending machine, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining the operation at the time of deadline. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of X in Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the contents of Y in FIG. 6.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (a) A circulation tower is provided at one end of the group-controlled automatic ticket vending machine, and a replenishment request is sent between the circulation tower and each automatic ticket vending machine from a replenishment machine provided in the circulation tower. A replenishing coin conveying means for conveying a required number of coins to the automatic ticket vending machine; and a collecting coin conveying means for conveying the coins discharged from each automatic ticket vending machine when the change hopper is full or when the change hop is closed to a distribution unit provided in the circulation tower. each automatic ticket vending machine is provided with a change hopper capable of receiving coins replenished from the replenishing coin conveying means and coins collected from customers, and discharging the coins to the customer service receiving port or the collecting coin conveying means. (b) Each automatic ticket vending machine stores a predetermined number of coins discharged from the change hopper based on the deadline signal as a reserve for the next day of the automatic ticket vending machine, and closes the partition shutter described later. a circulation mechanism for later replenishing the change hopper; and a flow path for loading coins other than the next day's reserve, which are discharged from the change hopper, onto the recovery coin conveying means, and the flow path is normally open. , a partition shutter that is operated to close off the flow path after the discharge of all coins other than the next day's reserves held by the circulation mechanism at the time of deadline; (c) within the circulation tower; includes a coin ejecting means that accepts the coins collected by the collecting coin conveying means and ejects the coins one by one, and a distributing means that distributes the ejecting direction to either the safe side for the day or the coin pumping means side described later. a next-day safe having a coin ejecting means for accepting coins from the coin pumping means described below, ejecting the coins one by one and storing them in the coin pumping means; the replenishing machine, which is supplied with coins from the distribution unit or the next day's safe; the coin pumping means that transfers coins between the distribution unit, the next day's safe, and the replenishing machine; and sending and receiving each signal. and the circulation mechanism, the partition shutter,
Replenishment coin means, collection coin conveyance means, distribution unit,
A group control automatic ticket vending machine characterized by comprising means for respectively controlling a safe for the next day, a supply machine, and a coin pumping means.