JPS63304391A - Coin dispensing 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 "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to a coin dispensing machine used at counters of financial institutions such as banks.

"Prior art and problems" As a conventional example of the above coin dispensing machine,
There is a coin dispensing machine described in Publication No. 5488, which detects whether or not a tray is set in the discharge port for stored coins, and allows coins to be dispensed on the condition that the tray is set. With this structure, dispensing without a tray is prohibited, thereby preventing coins from being scattered due to operational errors.

By the way, at the counters of financial institutions, it is common to place one coin dispensing machine between two tellers for both to share, and in this case, each teller has to operate the machine separately. A control console (Teller's Machine) equipped with a numeric keypad, etc., is connected to a single coin dispensing machine for operation.

In addition, with the two teller's machines mentioned above, there is a possibility that the coins that one teller has instructed to pay out may be mistakenly taken by the other teller, or that the coins that both tellers have instructed to pay out may not be on the same tray. In order to prevent them from mixing up, a control is implemented to prohibit the operation of one teller's machine while the other teller's machine is being operated.

However, assuming that one teller (hereinafter referred to as teller A) instructs coin dispensing without setting the coin tray, as a result of this dispensing instruction, the coin dispensing machine becomes occupied by teller A, and the other teller (
Since the use of teller B (hereinafter referred to as teller B) is prohibited, and dispensing to teller A is also prohibited because the tray is not set, the coin dispensing machine cannot be used at all. In addition, since this situation is due to Teller A's carelessness, Teller A may not realize that he should set the saucer forever.
There is a problem in that the unusable state continues for a long time unless the user notices it.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances, and is intended to prevent the payout machine main body from being occupied in an unusable state by an unusable teller's machine due to a teller's mistake.

"Means for Solving the Problems" In order to achieve the above object, the present invention stores coins and, in response to a withdrawal instruction inputted from any one of a plurality of teller's machines, a corresponding teller's machine. A dispensing machine body that discharges coins into a tray on the side, a sensor that detects whether or not a tray is set in a predetermined position on each teller's machine side, and a condition that the sensor detects that a tray is set. The payout machine is provided with a control unit that operates the payout machine main body in response to a payout command from the teller's machine on which a set has been detected, and invalidates payout commands from other teller's machines.

"Operation" With the above configuration, unless a tray is set, the teller's machine on the corresponding side is prohibited from occupying the payout machine body, and if a tray is set on the other teller's machine, this teller's machine is prohibited from occupying the main body of the payout machine. Permissible.

"Example" Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the layout of the coin dispensing machine and the teller's machine will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a bank counter, 2 a desk installed inside the counter 1, 3 a coin dispensing machine, and 4A and 4B supplying data such as the amount to be withdrawn to the dispensing machine 3. 5A and 5B indicate the seats of tellers A to H, respectively.

The dispensing machine main body 3 is connected to a desk 2 as shown in FIG.
Coin storage tubes 6A to 6F are installed above the coin storage section and serve as a coin storage section that stores coins by denomination in a vertically stacked state.

The coin accumulation tubes 6A to 6F are arranged vertically in rows, and a discharge mechanism (path shown) discharges coins one by one from a discharge lower provided at the bottom. There is. The above-mentioned release mechanism is a known technique as described in Utility Application No. 57-98751 previously filed by the present applicant, so a description of the mechanism will be omitted. Further, below the coin accumulation tubes 6A to 6F, a storage and conveyance section 8 consisting of a belt conveyor extending along the arrangement direction of these tubes is provided. The coins ejected from the cylinders 68 to 6F are picked up by the receiver, conveyed in the left-right direction in FIG. 1, and dropped downward from both ends. Incidentally, reference numerals 9A and 9B are trays for receiving coins that have fallen from either end of the storage and conveyance section 8, and these trays 9A and 9B are placed on the desk 2 in the same way as the dispensing machine main body 3. It is placed on.

Further, the front plate 3a of the dispensing machine main body 3 is provided with tray detection sensors IOA and IOB as shown in FIG. These sensors are comprised of an arm 11 rotatably supported by a front plate 3λ around a shaft 3b, and a photoink clubter 12 operated by the arm 11. The arm 11 is moved to the third position by a spring (path shown).
By being biased clockwise in the figure and rotating in the opposite direction against the bias when the saucer 9A (9B) is set,
As shown by the chain line in FIG. 3, it is pushed into the dispenser main body 3 through the opening 3C of the front plate 3a to shield the photointerrupter 12 from light. Then, this saucer detection sensor moves the saucers 9A and 9B to a predetermined position (
The arm 11 is pushed against the tray by the teller's operation to set the coins in a position that can securely accommodate coins that have fallen from the conveyor, and the photo interrupter 12 is placed in a light-shielding state. ,
The function is to determine whether the coin is not set (the coin is not in a position where it can be received correctly).

The payout machine body 3 also has a flicker (visual notification means) 13A to notify each teller of an abnormality.
・13B1 and buzzer (audible notification means>14A・1
4B is provided.

Then, the teller's machines 4A and 4B, the coin accumulating tube 6
A to 6F (strictly speaking, the discharge mechanism), the storage conveyance unit (strictly speaking, its drive motor) 8, the tray sensors 9A and 9B, the flickers 13A and 13B, and the buzzers 14A and 14B are as shown in FIG. It is connected to a control section 15 consisting of a microcomputer, an interface circuit, etc. to perform predetermined operations. Note that this control section 15 is connected to the payout machine main body 3 or the teller's machines 4A and 4B.
This may be either a built-in configuration or a configuration in which a host computer provided separately from these is configured to play the role.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the control unit 15 in coin dispensing control and teller machine occupancy control will be explained.
Explain the operation. Note that Sn in the following description indicates the n-th step in the flowchart.

Coin dispensing control Sl: Start S2: Amount data (total amount data or data on the number of coins for each denomination) is input from one teller's machine (temporarily assumed to be 4A).

S3: Proceed to the next step 84 on the condition that the payment instruction button (shown in the diagram) provided on the corresponding teller's machine 4A is operated to instruct payment.

S4: Calculate the number of coins, that is, calculate the number of coins of each denomination based on the amount data so that the minimum number of coins to be paid out is obtained. Note that when the amount data is input by specifying the number of coins, it is determined whether the data matches the total amount or not, and then the amount data is used as the number data. Furthermore, if only the number of coins for some denominations is specified, the number of coins is calculated so as to pay the remaining amount using the minimum number of coins.

S5: The payout machine body 3 is the other teller's machine 4B
The following 8 coins are not occupied (no withdrawal command is issued from the other Terror's Machine 4B).
Proceed to step 6.

S62 When an occupancy request signal is outputted to the teller's machine 4A to occupy the payout machine body 3, the control unit 15 judges various conditions (described later) in response to this occupancy request signal and determines whether or not occupancy should be permitted. to determine whether

S7: Determine whether an occupancy permission signal has been output from the control unit 15. If YES, proceed to S8; if NO, proceed to S9.

S8: The control unit 15 outputs the number data for each denomination in order to operate the ejection mechanism of each coin stacking tube 6A to 6F.

S9: Proceed to the next step on the condition that the dispensing of coins is completed (the output of the predetermined number of coins data is completed).

810: The printers 20A and 20B provided for each Teller's Machine 4A and 4B operate to print data regarding the current withdrawal details.

Sll: Ended.

SL2: Determine whether or not the teller is occupied by the other teller. If it is not occupied by the other teller (YES), proceed to S7, and if it is occupied by the other teller (NO), proceed to S5.

Occupancy control operation S20: Initialize the human power data from the previous operation.

S21: Release the occupied state set in the previous operation.

S22: It is determined whether a command to occupy the payout machine main body 3 has been issued from either of the teller's machines 4A or 4B, and on the condition that the command has been issued, proceed to the next step. In addition, the occupancy command is issued when any key (any one of the keys such as the numeric keypad operated at the time of payout) is operated in each Terror's Machine 4A and 4B, or when a separate key from the general operation key is operated. Terror's Machine 4 is activated by operating the occupancy command key provided in
It is supplied to the control unit 15 from A and 4B.

823: Whether or not the saucer 9A corresponding to one teller's machine (for example, 4A) for which occupancy was requested is set in a predetermined position, that is, whether the foot interrupter of the saucer detection sensor IOA is in a light-shielded state. determine whether
If it has been set, the process proceeds to S24 and subsequent steps; if it has not been set, the process proceeds to S40 and subsequent steps.

S24: The payout machine main body 3 can be occupied by any teller.

S25: The payout machine main body 3 is made to be occupied by the teller A who made the request. That is, only the signal from the teller's machine 4A is accepted and the payout machine main body 3 is operated, and the input of the signal from the teller's machine 4B is disabled.

826: Determine whether or not the withdrawal data (amount data or number of coins data) was input manually from the occupied Teller's Machine 4A, and perform the following 3 on the condition that it was input.
Proceed to 26.

S27: The payout mechanism of each stacking cylinder 6A to 6F is operated a predetermined number of times by controlling the payout mechanism of each stacking cylinder 6A to 6F according to the coin number data, and a predetermined number of coins are released onto the storage and conveyance section 8.

S28: Determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the coin discharging, for example, a coin rolling on the storage and transportation section 8 and being dispensed before the storage and transportation section 8 operates, or whether the dispensing mechanism does not operate normally. However, if there is an abnormality, the process advances to S29 to stop the payout and to issue an alarm (for example, the above-mentioned flicker, buzzer, or
(alarm device provided separately from these) is activated, and if there is no abnormality, the process advances to S30.

S30: Activate the dispensing mechanism and release the saucer 7 on the occupied side.
Pay out coins to A. Note that by rotating the belt conveyor of the storage and conveyance section 8 at least half a rotation, all the coins on the belt conveyor can be discharged.

S31: Abnormality in the above-mentioned ejecting operation, for example, a phenomenon where coins stand up on the belt conveyor and roll down in the opposite direction.
Alternatively, it is determined whether there is a phenomenon in which the feed is not sent in the specified direction due to rolling on the belt, and if there is an abnormality, the process proceeds to S32 to stop the payout, and an alarm (for example, the above-mentioned flicker, buzzer, or any of these) is detected. (alarm device installed separately) is activated, and if there is no abnormality, S
Proceed to 33.

S33: One discharge operation is completed, and the process returns to S21 to prepare for the next discharge operation.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S23 that the saucer 9A is not set (for example, on the teller A side), the following steps are executed.

S40: Activate the flicker 13A (or buzzer 14A) on the side where the occupancy request was made to prompt the teller A to set the saucer 9A.

S41: Similarly to S22 in section m, it is determined whether or not there is an occupancy request. If there is a request, the process advances to S42; if there is no request, the process advances to S23.

S42: Similar to S23 above, it is determined whether or not a saucer is set on the side where the occupancy request was made, and if it is set, occupancy is started and the process proceeds to S43; if it is not set, the process goes to 944. Proceed to.

S43: Similarly to S24, the requested teller's machine starts occupying the payout machine.

S44: Similar to S40 above, flicker 13A (or printer f-14
After activating A) to request setting of the saucer, the process returns to S23.

S45 Similar to S25 above, the requested terra
The dispensing machine body 3 according to the instructions from the machine 4A.
occupancy is permitted for activation, and the process returns to step 826.

An example of signal exchange when the dispensing machine configured as described above operates will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, in a state where no payout is being performed, the teller's machine 4A is
- A signal is output to 4B indicating that it is in an unoccupied state (a signal indicating that withdrawal orders from either can be accepted), and therefore, withdrawal orders cannot be input from either Teller's Machine 4A or 4B. Permissible.

Next, when a withdrawal command (occupation request) is issued from the teller's machine 4A in which the saucer 9A is not set, the saucer 9A is immediately set depending on the presence or absence of a signal from the saucer detection sensor IOA.
It is determined that the tray (the tray on the side where the withdrawal command was issued) has not been set, and an alarm is activated to prompt the user to set the tray 9A.

When a withdrawal command is issued from the teller's machine 4B before or after the signal is exchanged with the teller's machine 4A, the set of the receiving tray 9B is immediately determined, and as a result, occupation by the teller's machine 4B is permitted, and from 4A In order to invalidate the withdrawal order, a signal indicating that it is in possession status is output to both Teller's Manons 4A and 4B, and with the permission of possession, the withdrawal data from Teller's Machine 4B is input, and this withdrawal data Counting and counting checks are performed based on this, and coins are released to the occupying side (teller B side).

When the discharge completion is checked (for example, it is checked by the storage and conveyance unit 8 operating for a predetermined time or longer, or by the detection of the discharge completion by a sensor provided in the storage and conveyance unit 8), the discharge to the teller's machine 4B is completed. A signal indicating that the teller's machine 4A is in an unoccupied state is output, and a signal indicating that the teller's machine 4A is in an unoccupied state is output to both the teller's machines 4A and 4B.

In this way, even if a occupancy request is made with the tray not set due to a mistake by teller A, the occupancy request from the teller's machine 4B with the tray set will not be received by the control unit 15 without any hindrance. The money is deposited and the money is withdrawn to Teller B.

"Modified Embodiment" (1) As a warning means when the tray is not set, either one of the above-mentioned flicker and buzzer, or both may be used, or other means other than the flicker and buzzer may be used. Warning means may also be used.

(b) If the tray is not set, the warning means may not be activated and possession may simply become impossible; can be prevented from being occupied.

"Effects of the Invention" As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, unless a tray is set, it is impossible for the teller's machine to occupy the main body of the dispensing machine. The payout machine will not be occupied by the teller,
It is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the payout machine main body when one payout machine main body is shared by a plurality of teller's machines.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a front view of the main body of the dispensing machine, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the layout of the dispensing machine and the teller's machine, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tray detection sensor. , Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the control system, Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the payout operation, Fig. 6 is a flowchart of occupancy permission control, and Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the exchange of signals between the control unit and the teller's machine. be. 3...Coin dispensing machine, 4A/4B...
Terror's machine, 6A-6F... Coin accumulation cylinder, 7
...Dispensing mechanism, 8...Storing and conveying section, 9A/9B...Saucer, 10A-10B...
・・Saucer detection sensor, 13A・j 3 B・・・・
Flicker, 14A-14B...Buzzer, 15.
...control section. Applicant - Relbank Mann Co., Ltd. Figure 6 <-Unoccupied-><-Saucer A request (Saucer loaded) Saucer B check - Occupancy count count check Release to occupied side Release check Release completed -> - Not occupied - 〉 Possession request (re)〉

Claims (1)

[Claims] A dispensing machine body that stores coins and discharges coins into a tray on the corresponding teller's machine in response to a withdrawal command input from one of the plural teller's machines, and a dispensing machine at a predetermined position on each teller's machine. A sensor detects whether or not a tray is set, and on the condition that the sensor detects that a tray is set, the dispensing machine body operates according to a command from the teller's machine on the side where the set is detected. A coin dispensing machine characterized by comprising a control section that allows dispensing commands from other tellers machines and disables dispensing commands from other tellers machines.