WO2007094458A1

WO2007094458A1 - Settlement system

Info

Publication number: WO2007094458A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/052860
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoshiro Oie; Kazuyuki Shimizu; Hiroshi Tone; Takahiro Washizu; Ryuichi Tabata
Original assignee: Glory Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-02-17
Filing date: 2007-02-16
Publication date: 2007-08-23
Also published as: JP2007219916A; JP4864478B2

Abstract

The control units (C1, C2) of changing machines (1A, 1B) control to allow discharge units (116, 216) to discharge returned coins the same in amount as the deposited coins according to specified returning conditions based on deposit data when communication with a data processing machine (T) is interrupted after deposit money is charged. For example, the returning conditions are such that both a manual switch that can be directly operated manually and a key switch that can be operated with a specific key only are operated in each changing machine (1A, 1B).

Description

Specification

Price settlement system

Technical field

The present invention relates to a payment system including a money change machine and a sales data processing machine (for example, a POS register) connected to each other by communication.

Background art

[0002] As a price settlement system as described above, for example, there is one described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-4346. That is, this document describes a payment system including a money change machine and a sales data processor (POS register) which are connected to each other. A payment system including such a change machine is generally operated with a difference between the withdrawal priority mode and the deposit confirmation mode.

[0003] Firstly, with the withdrawal priority mode, the customer-oriented approach is more important than the strictness of cash management, and the withdrawal of change money is performed earlier than the confirmation of receipt of deposit money in the customer power. This is the operation mode. Specifically, first, the attendant visually confirms the deposits of customer power and inputs the amount into the sales data processor. Then, according to the withdrawal instruction transmitted from the data processor based on the input amount, the change money is dispensed from the change machine. After that, the clerk puts the deposited money into the change machine and later confirms the deposit.

[0004] On the other hand, in the payment confirmation mode, the stricter management of cash is emphasized rather than the customer making, and the deposit of money in the customer's power is confirmed and the withdrawal of powerful money is made. Operation mode. Specifically, when the clerk inputs the money deposited from the customer into the change machine, the deposit data is transmitted from the change machine to the sales data processing machine. The data processor sends a withdrawal instruction to the change machine based on the received deposit data. And according to the withdrawal instruction transmitted from the data processor, change money is withdrawn from the change machine.

[0005] The price settlement system operated in the deposit confirmation mode as described above has the following problems. In other words, if for some reason the communication between the change machine and the data processor is interrupted after the deposit of money into the money change machine and before the withdrawal instruction by the sales data processor is sent ( In the following, this is also referred to as “when communication is interrupted after depositing”). It becomes impossible to make money settlement. For this reason, payment should be stopped and the deposited money should be returned to the customer. However, since the deposited money has already been thrown into the change machine, it cannot be returned.

Disclosure of the invention

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and includes a money change machine and a sales data processing machine, and is a price settlement system operated in a deposit confirmation mode. The purpose is to make it possible to substantially return the deposited money to the customer when the communication is interrupted.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a price settlement system comprising a money change machine and a sales data processing machine,

(a) The money change machine is

(al) a currency accepting unit that accepts money entered from outside,

(a2) a currency identifying means for identifying the denomination of the accepted money received from the accepting section, and (a3) a currency storage section for storing the received currency in denomination according to the identification result by the identifying means;

(a4) a currency discharge unit for discharging the money taken out from the storage unit to the outside; (a5) in accordance with a withdrawal instruction from the data processor, the currency stored in the storage unit A change machine control unit for controlling a change dispensing mode to be taken out and discharged from the discharge unit;

With

(b) The data processor

(bl) data input means for inputting price data;

(b2) a processor control unit communicatively connected to the change machine control unit;

With

The change machine control unit stores the deposit data on the deposit money of the customer power input from the receiving unit based on the identification result by the identification unit and controls the deposit data with the processor To the department,

The processor control unit is configured to input the price data and the received deposit data. A change amount is calculated based on the amount of money, and a withdrawal instruction to the effect that the change amount corresponding to the amount should be withdrawn is transmitted to the change machine control unit,

The change machine control unit further determines the total amount of the deposited money based on the deposited data when communication with the processing unit control unit is interrupted after the deposited money is inserted and before the withdrawal instruction is transmitted. There is provided a settlement system characterized in that it is configured to control a deposit return mode in which the same amount of return money is discharged from the discharge unit according to a predetermined return condition.

[0008] According to this settlement system, at the time of communication interruption after depositing, in the deposit return mode, the return money equivalent to the total amount of the deposit money based on the deposit data is sent to the release unit of the money changer. Can be released and returned to the customer.

[0009] Thereby, in the price settlement system operated in the deposit confirmation mode, it is possible to substantially return the deposited money to the customer when the communication is interrupted after depositing.

[0010] In this settlement system, the change machine control unit can set the return condition that the communication has been interrupted for a predetermined period of time in the deposit return mode. . This makes it possible to automatically release the returned money without bothering the staff and managers.

[0011] In this settlement system, (a) the money change machine includes:

(a6) a manual switch that can be operated directly by hand;

(a7) a key switch that can be operated only with a specific key;

Further comprising

The change machine control unit may make the return condition that the manual switch and the key switch are operated in the deposit return mode.

[0012] Thereby, the operation for releasing the returned money can be managed more strictly.

[0013] It is preferable that the change machine control unit is configured to delete the deposit data corresponding to the return money after the return currency is released in the deposit return mode.

[0014] The money change machine may be at least one of a banknote change machine and a coin change machine. . That is, you can use both a bill change machine and a coin change machine, which can use only one of a bill change machine and a coin change machine.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a payment system according to the present invention.

2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a coin change machine and a banknote change machine as a money change machine in the system shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a payment system according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration, operation, operational effects, and modifications of the present embodiment will be described sequentially.

[0017] [Configuration]

(1) Overall configuration

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the payment system according to the present invention, which is a combination of a coin change machine 1A, a bill change machine 1B, and a sales data processing machine T, and is operated by a staff member such as a store clerk. The price settlement system is shown.

[0018] Each of the coin change machine 1A and the banknote change machine 1B includes control units (change machine control units) C1 and C2, and the control units CI and C2 are connected to each other by communication. The sales data processor T is configured as, for example, a POS register (a cash register with a point-of-sale management function), and is a control unit (processor control unit) that is connected to the control unit C2 of the banknote change machine 1B. Speak with C3.

The data processor T is provided with an operation unit tl and a display unit t2. The operation unit tl includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad as data input means for inputting price data. In addition, a bar code reader or the like may be provided separately as a data input means for inputting the price data.

[0020] The coin change machine 1A and the banknote change machine 1B are respectively:

A currency accepting unit (coin accepting port 114 and bill accepting port 214) that accepts money (coins and bills) input from outside;

A currency identification means (coin identification set) for identifying the denomination of the accepted currency received from this receiving unit Sensor 101 and banknote identification sensor 201);

According to the identification result by this identification means, the money storage part (coin storage part 106 and banknote storage part 206) which stores received money according to money type;

A currency release part (coin outlet 116 and banknote outlet 216) for releasing the money stored in the money storage part to the outside;

Manual switches that can be operated directly by hand al, bl (Fig. 2); and

It is equipped with key switches a2 and b2 (Fig. 2) that can be operated only with specific keys!

[0021] (1-1) Configuration related to change dispensing mode

The control units CI and C2 of the change machines 1A and 1B are usually controlled by a “change / withdrawal mode (payment confirmation mode)” that deposits money from customers and withdraws change money as needed. It is structured to do the work.

[0022] Specifically, the control units CI and C2 of the change machines 1A and 1B are based on the identification results of the identification means 101 and 201, respectively, and the customer-powered deposit money that is input from the receiving units 114 and 214. The deposit data (including at least one of the denomination and the number of sheets and the total amount) is stored, and this deposit data is transmitted to the control unit C3 of the data processor T.

[0023] The control unit C3 of the data processor T calculates the amount of change based on the price data input by the data input means and the deposit data transmitted from each of the change machines 1A, 1B. A withdrawal instruction to the effect that the amount of change money should be withdrawn is sent to the control units CI and C2 of the change machines 1A and 1B.

[0024] Then, the control units CI and C2 of the change machines 1A and 1B take out the money stored in the storage units 106 and 206, respectively, in accordance with the withdrawal instruction from the data processor T, and discharge the unit. Control to release from 1, 16, 216.

[0025] (1-2) Structure related to deposit return mode

The control units CI and C2 of the change machines 1A and 1B are further connected when the communication with the control unit C3 of the data processor T is interrupted after the deposit money is inserted and before the withdrawal instruction is sent (after deposit In the case of communication interruption), the amount of money returned equal to the total amount of deposit money based on the deposit data is taken out from the discharge sections 116 and 216 according to the predetermined return conditions (taken out of the storage sections 106 and 206) It is configured to control the “deposit money return mode” to be released. [0026] Furthermore, the control units CI and C2 of the change machines 1A and IB are configured to delete the (stored) deposit data corresponding to the return money after the return money is released. The If the deposit data stored in the control units CI and C2 of the change machines 1A and 1B includes the denomination and number of deposit money, return money that matches the deposit money and denomination and number of coins It can also be released.

In the present embodiment, in the deposit return mode, the return condition is that the manual switches al and bl and the key switches a2 and b2 of the change machines 1A and 1B are operated (for example, simultaneously). Note that either one of the change machines 1A and 1B can be configured to satisfy the return conditions of the change machines 1 A and 1 B independently by operating the switches al, a2; bl, b 2. It is also possible to configure so that the return conditions of both change machines 1A and IB can be satisfied simultaneously by operating switches al and a2; bl and b2 of change machines 1A and 1B.

[0028] Hereinafter, the configurations of the coin change machine 1A and the banknote change machine 1B will be described in detail.

[0029] (2) Coin change machine

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coin change machine 1A includes a housing 110 having an operation / display unit 112 (FIG. 2) on the upper surface of the front part. In the operation / display unit 112, a manual switch al (for example, a reset key) is arranged. In the front part of the casing 110, a coin receiving port 114, a coin receiving port 116, and a key switch a2 (FIG. 2) are provided.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a coin feeding mechanism 102 for feeding coins received from the receiving port 114 in a single row is provided. A coin transport path 103 for transporting coins fed by the feeding mechanism 102 extends behind the feeding mechanism 102. In the middle of the conveyance path 103, a coin identification sensor 101 for identifying the denomination of coins and the like, and a coin discharge unit 109 for discharging reject coins to be described later are provided.

An in-machine storage box 104 that stores discharged reject coins and the like is detachably attached to the casing 110 below the discharge unit 109. In addition, a detachment sensor S that detects the detachment of the in-machine storage box 104 from the casing 110 is provided.

[0032] On the downstream side of the coin conveyance path 103, a denomination sorting unit 105 that sorts coins by denomination is provided. Also, the coins that are sorted by denomination by the sorting unit 105 are stored. A coin storage unit 106 and a coin feeding mechanism 108 for selectively feeding out coins stored in the coin storage unit 106 are provided. Coins fed by the feeding mechanism 108 are discharged to the outlet 116. The coins collected from the coin storage unit 106 are also discharged to the outlet 116 in the same manner.

[0033] Since specific structures of the feeding mechanism 102, the discharging section 109, the sorting section 105, the storage section 106, the feeding mechanism 108, and the like described above can be used, detailed descriptions are omitted. To do.

[0034] (3) Banknote change machine

A bill change machine 1B shown in FIG. 1 includes a casing 210 and an annular circulation transport path 203a provided at a substantially central portion in the casing 210. In addition, in the case 210, the banknote transfer boot 202, the banknote storage unit 206, the banknote discharge unit 208, the withdrawal rejection unit 204, and the banknote collection cassette 207 surround the outer periphery of the circulation transport path 203a. Are arranged.

[0035] In addition, a banknote connection transport path 203b that connects between the feeding unit 202, each storage section 206, the discharge unit 208, the withdrawal reject section 204, the recovery cassette 207, and the circulation transport path 203a is provided. Is formed. A banknote identification sensor 201 for identifying a denomination of paper money passing through the circulation path 203a is provided on the right side portion of the circulation path 203a. A route switching means (not shown) for switching the banknote transport path between the circulation transport path 203a and each connection transport path 203b is arranged along the circulation transport path 203a.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the front surface of the casing 210, there are a paper money inlet 214 corresponding to the feeding unit 202, a banknote outlet 216 corresponding to the discharging unit 208, and a key switch b2. (Fig. 2). The collection cassette 207 is detachably attached to the casing 210. Further, an operation / display unit 212 (FIG. 2) is provided on the upper surface of the front part of the casing 210. The operation 'display unit 212 is provided with a manual switch bl (for example, a reset key).

In FIG. 1, a transfer unit 202 is for introducing deposited banknotes inserted into the receiving port 214 and for feeding these banknotes to the circulation path 203a. Each banknote storage unit 206 is for storing banknotes in denomination according to the identification result by the identification sensor 201. Usually, for 1000 yen banknotes, for 2000 yen Z5000 yen banknotes (mixed) It is also used by dividing it into three storage units for 10,000 yen bills. The discharge unit 208 is connected to each storage section 206. The banknotes that have been taken out are discharged from the outlet 216, and are used for taking out the banknotes to the outside.

The withdrawal reject unit 204 is for storing “withdrawal reject banknotes” to be described later. The collection cassette 207 is for storing banknotes collected from each storage unit 206. This collection cassette 207 is also used for storing “overflow bills” described later. The release unit 208 also serves as a deposit reject unit from which a “deposit reject banknote” to be described later is discharged.

[0039] As specific configurations of the feeding unit 202, the storage units 206, the discharge unit 208, the withdrawal reject unit 204, the recovery cassette 207, and the like, well-known or publicly known ones can be used. The detailed explanation is omitted.

[0040] [Action]

Next, the basic operation in the normal change dispensing mode and the operation specific to the deposit return mode in the coin change machine 1A and the banknote change machine 1B will be sequentially described.

[0041] (1) Basic operation of coin change machine

(1-1) Deposit Z Reject action

In FIG. 1, coins inserted into the receiving port 114 are further fed in a line by the feeding mechanism 102. The fed coins (accepted coins) are transported along the coin transport path 103, and the denomination and the like are identified by the identification sensor 101 in the middle.

[0042] As a result, when there is a denomination identification // coin, the coin is discharged as a “reject coin” by the coin discharge unit 109 and stored in the on-board storage box 104. Also, coins identified as denominations in which the coin storage unit 106 is full are discharged as “overflow coins” by the coin discharge unit 109 and stored in the in-flight storage box 104. In some cases, the reject coins discharged by the coin discharge unit 109 may be discharged to the outlet 116.

Other coins are sorted by denomination sorting unit 105 and stored in coin storage unit 106 by denomination. In the sorting process, the deposit coins are counted by a counting sensor (not shown) provided in the sorting unit 105, and the deposit amount is calculated based on the counted coins.

[0044] (1-2) Withdrawal Z collection operation The coin change machine selectively feeds the change coins to be withdrawn from the coin storage unit 106 of each type by the feeding mechanism 108. The coins that are fed out are each discharged to the outlet 116.

[0045] Also, for example, when one day of business is finished and it is desired to collect all the coins in the storage unit 106 or only the amount corresponding to the sales, the coins are stored in the storage unit 10 6 by the feeding mechanism 108. And can be discharged to the outlet 116.

[0046] (2) Basic operation of banknote change machine

(2-1) Payment operation

In FIG. 1, banknotes inserted into the receiving port 214 are fed out one by one from the feeding unit 202 to the circulating transport path 203a through the connection transport path 203b. The banknotes (accepted banknotes) fed out to the circulation conveyance path 203a are conveyed in the counterclockwise direction along the conveyance path 203a. The banknotes transported through the circular transport path 203a are identified by the identification sensor 201 during one turn and stored in the corresponding denomination storage unit 206.

[0047] (2-2) Withdrawal operation

The bill change machine performs a withdrawal operation as illustrated below according to the amount of the change bill to be withdrawn.

[0048] (2-2-1) Withdrawal amount 3,000 yen (1,000 yen)

In this case, three (one) thousand-yen banknotes fed out from the storage unit 206 for thousand-yen banknotes are fed out one by one (only one sheet) to the circulation transport path 203a through the connection transport path 203b. The banknotes fed out to the circulation transport path 203a are transported in the clockwise direction along the circulation transport path 203a, and are sent to the banknote discharge unit 208 without receiving the denomination identification by the identification sensor 201. When the three (one) thousand-yen banknotes are fed, the discharge unit 208 discharges the banknotes in a bundled state (in the case of a single sheet) so as to project outward from the outlet 216.

[0049] (2-2-2) Withdrawal amount of 7,000 yen

In this case, only the first banknote is first fed out from the storage unit 206 for the 2000 yen Z5000 yen banknote, and is conveyed in the clockwise direction along the circulation path 203a. The banknote is denominated by the identification sensor 201 during one or more rounds of the circular transport path 203a, and then (2 In the same manner as in -2-1), it is sent to the discharge unit 208.

[0050] If the denomination of the first banknote is 5,000 yen, two thousand yen banknotes are drawn out from the storage section 206 for the thousand yen banknotes as the remaining 2,000 yen, and the above (2-2 As in -1), it is sent to the discharge unit 208 without denomination identification.

[0051] Next, if the denomination of the first banknote is 2,000 yen, only one second banknote is drawn out from the storage unit 206 for the 2,000 yen Z5 thousand yen banknote, and the circulation path 203a Receives denomination identification. If the denomination of the second banknote is 5,000 yen, the 5,000 yen banknote is sent to the discharge unit 208 and the dispensing operation is completed. On the other hand, if the denomination of the second banknote is 2,000 yen, the 2,000-yen banknote is sent to the discharge unit 208 and the remaining 3,000 yen is sent from the storage unit 206 for the thousand-yen banknote. Three yen bills are fed out and sent to the discharge unit 208 without denomination identification.

[0052] Note that the banknotes sent to the discharge unit 208 are all discharged to the outside from the outlet 216 in the same manner as in the above (2-2-1).

[0053] (2-3) Recovery operation

For example, if you want to collect all the banknotes in the storage unit 206 or only the amount equivalent to the sales amount after the day's business is over, connect the banknotes drawn out from the storage unit 206 sequentially from the circulation transport path 203a. It can be stored in the bill collection cassette 207 through the transport path 203b. In addition, when a banknote of the corresponding denomination is further accepted even though one of the storage units 206 is full, the banknote is regarded as an “overflow banknote” from the circulation transport path 203a through the connection transport path 203b. It is stored in the recovery cassette 207.

[0054] (2-4) Reject operation

If there is a banknote that cannot be recognized by the identification sensor 201 due to fouling, etc., the banknote is sent to the banknote discharge unit 208 from the circulation transport path 203a through the connection transport path 203b as a "deposit receipt banknote". . Also, if there is a banknote that cannot be identified by the identification sensor 201 by skewing or the like in the banknote drawn out from the storage unit 206, the banknote is referred to as a “withdrawal reject banknote” as the circulation conveyance path 203 a. Is sent to the withdrawal rejection unit 204 through the connection conveyance path 203b.

[0055] (3) Operation specific to deposit return mode The operations specific to deposit return mode in coin change machine 1A and banknote change machine IB are as follows.

[0056] In the control units CI and C2 of the change machines 1A and 1B, the deposits received by the receiving units 114 and 214, and before the withdrawal instruction is sent from the control unit C3 of the data processor T after the money is inserted. When the communication with the control unit C3 of the data processor T is interrupted (when the communication is interrupted after depositing), the “deposit return mode” is activated.

[0057] In this return mode, if there is an operation on both manual switches al, bl and key switches a2, b2 of each change machine 1A, 1B, the return condition is used as the return condition. Return money equivalent to the total amount is released from the discharge sections 116 and 216. After the return money is released, the deposit data corresponding to the return money stored in the control units CI and C2 of the change machines 1A and 1B is deleted.

[0058] [Function and effect]

Next, the operational effects of the price settlement system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0059] According to the price settlement system of this embodiment, when communication is interrupted after depositing, in the deposit return mode, a return money equivalent to the total amount of deposit money based on the deposit data is sent to the money changer. It can be discharged from the discharge parts 116 and 216 of 1A and 1B and returned to the customer. As a result, in the payment settlement system operated in the deposit confirmation mode, the deposit money can be substantially returned to the customer at the time of communication interruption after deposit deposit.

In the present embodiment, the return condition is that the manual switches al and bl and the key switches a2 and b2 of the change machines 1A and 1B are operated in the deposit return mode. For this reason, the operation for releasing returned money can be managed more strictly by placing the keys for the key switches a2 and b2 under the control of a specific superior manager.

[0061] [Modification]

(1) Although the case where the coin change machine 1A and the banknote change machine 1B are configured separately from each other has been described in the above embodiment, they may be combined to form an integrated money change machine. Also, only one of the coin change machine 1A or the banknote change machine 1B It may be used as a money change machine.

(2) In the above embodiment, in the deposit return mode, the force with the return condition being the operation of the switches a1, a2; bl, b2 of the change machines 1A, 1B. The present invention is not limited to this. Yes. For example, in the deposit return mode, the return condition may be that the communication has been interrupted for a predetermined time. This makes it possible to automatically release the returned money without bothering the staff and managers.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A payment system comprising a money changer and a sales data processor,

(a) The money change machine is

(al) a currency accepting unit that accepts money entered from outside,

(a2) a currency identification means for identifying the denomination of the accepted currency received from the receiving unit;

(a3) according to the identification result by the identification means, a money storage unit for storing the received money in denominations;

(a4) a money discharge part for discharging the money taken out from the storage part to the outside;

(a5) according to a withdrawal instruction from the data processor, a change machine control unit that controls a change dispensing mode in which the money stored in the storage unit is taken out and discharged from the discharge unit;

With

(b) The data processor

(bl) data input means for inputting price data;

With

The change machine control unit stores the deposit data on the deposit money of the customer power input from the receiving unit based on the identification result by the identification unit and controls the deposit data with the processor Send to the department,

The processor control unit calculates a change amount based on the input price data and the received deposit data, and issues a withdrawal instruction indicating that the change amount of money should be withdrawn. Configured to transmit to the change machine controller,

The change machine control unit further determines the total amount of the deposited money based on the deposited data when communication with the processing unit control unit is interrupted after the deposited money is inserted and before the withdrawal instruction is transmitted. A payment system configured to control a deposit return mode in which the same amount of returned money is discharged from the discharge unit according to a predetermined return condition.

[2] The change machine control unit is in the deposit return mode !, and the communication is interrupted. The settlement system according to claim 1, wherein the return condition is that the period of time is a predetermined time.

[3] (a) The money change machine is

(a6) a manual switch that can be operated directly by hand;

(a7) a key switch that can be operated only with a specific key;

Further comprising

The settlement system according to claim 1, wherein the change machine control unit sets the return condition to be an operation of both the manual switch and the key switch in the deposit return mode.

[4] The change machine control unit is configured to delete the deposit data corresponding to the return money after the return money is released in the deposit return mode. 1 payment system.

5. The settlement system according to claim 1, wherein the money change machine is at least one of a bill change machine and a coin change machine.