JPH0225230B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin dispensing device in a vending machine, a money changer, etc.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY Conventional coin dispensing devices in vending machines, money exchange machines, etc. have coin tubes for each denomination, for example,
Activate the respective coin dispensing mechanisms corresponding to the 10 yen, 50 yen, and 100 yen coin tubes,
They paid out 10 yen, 50 yen, and 100 yen, respectively (see Utility Model Publication No. 48269, etc.). Further, a coin tube cassette that is detachably attached to a coin dispensing device is also known from Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-60153. Furthermore, there is also a system in which a code indicating the type of stored banknotes is attached to a small box containing banknotes that is attached to a banknote dispensing machine, and the code is notified to the banknote dispensing machine. It is known from Publication No. 82394.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Depending on the type of vending machine or money exchange machine, the coins that can be dispensed may be only 10 yen, or only 10 yen and 100 yen, or even 10 yen. The frequency of dispensing coins varies depending on the price of the product sold by the vending machine, such as when the vending machine dispenses very few 50 yen and 100 yen coins.

As a result, a large number of specific coins are dispensed, resulting in running out of change, which causes a decrease in the operating rate of the vending machine. To prevent this, it is possible to increase the number of coins that can be accommodated by installing a large number of coin tubes for coins that are highly needed, depending on the price of the product being sold. The control device also has to make various coin dispensing devices depending on the coin tube,
From the point of view of maintenance to manage these, and
It was also not a good idea because the amount of coins required to be paid out would change depending on changes in product sales prices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and to change only the tube cassette without changing the coin dispensing mechanism of the coin dispensing device. The objective is to provide a coin dispensing device that can be changed to

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention automatically replenishes a tube cassette that is removably attached to a coin dispensing device with coins fed into the coin dispensing device using a coin sorting piece until the coin tube is full. The coin tube is made up of a combination of a first type coin tube and a second type coin tube that does not automatically replenish coins fed into the coin dispensing device, and each coin tube is stored in the tube cassette. A code transmitter that transmits a code according to the type of coin is provided, a code reader that reads the code from the code transmitter is provided on the coin dispensing device body, and coins are dispensed according to the code read by the code reader. The above problem was solved by providing a coin dispensing control section that controls the operation of the mechanism, selects a coin tube according to the type of coin to be dispensed, and controls the coin dispensing system.

Function: Depending on the type of vending machine or money changer to which the coin dispensing device is installed, the above-mentioned first type of coin tube is arranged at the position where the coins that need to be dispensed are sent, and the coin tube is dispensed. A tube cassette provided with the second type of coin tube is attached to the coin dispensing device at a position into which unnecessary coins are fed. The first type coin tube stores coins that are automatically replenished, and the second type coin tube stores coins that are frequently dispensed. When the tube cassette is installed, a code corresponding to the type of coin stored in the various coin tubes is transmitted from the code transmitter.
The code reading section reads the code, and the control section controls the coin dispensing mechanism according to the read code. As a result, the first type of coin tube is automatically replenished with coins sent to the coin dispensing device, but the coins sent to the second type of coin tube position are not introduced into the coin tube. Coins of different types will not be taken into a safe or the like and stored in the second type coin tube. Then, depending on the type of coin to be dispensed, the coin dispensing control section selects a first or second type of coin tube that stores coins of that type, and dispenses coins from the coin tube.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a tube cassette 1 that can be detachably attached to the coin dispensing device of the present invention, and a switch for detecting the type of the tube cassette.
It is a perspective view of one Example of _SW1 - _SW3 . The tube cassette 1 has three coin tubes C ₁ , C ₂ ,
C ₃ , and these coin tubes C ₁ to _{C 3} correspond to the coin passages for different types of coins sent to the coin dispensing device when the tube cassette 1 is attached to the coin dispensing device main body. It is designed to be placed in a position where In this example, the coin tube
C ₁ , C ₂ , and C ₃ correspond to 10 yen, 50 yen, and 100 yen coin passages, respectively, and are adapted to accept the above coins. Furthermore, the coin tubes C ₁ to _{C 3} are of type A structure as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 2, and of type B structure as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3.
A plurality of types of tube cassettes 1 are prepared in which various combinations of B type coin tubes are combined. The A type coin tube shown in FIG.
Coins 6 falling down the coin passage 4 are sorted by a sorting piece 5 into a main tube M for coin dispensing and a passage 3 leading the coins to the safe.Normally, the main tube M for coin dispensing When the main tube M becomes full and the topmost coin 6' shown by the broken line tilts the sorting piece 5 to the broken line, the next falling coin 6 is sorted to the passage 3 side. It is becoming more and more popular. Note that 10 is a return path for counterfeit coins and the like. In the B type coin tube shown in FIG. 3, coins 6 that have fallen down the coin passage 4 are not automatically supplied to the main tube M for coin dispensing, and the coins 6 that have fallen are sorted into a sorter. 8, the coins are sorted into a subtube S which accommodates them in a diametrically stacked manner and a passage 3 which leads the coins to the safe, and the coins 6 are manually stored in the main tube M.

Therefore, the tube cassette 1 is a combination of the A type and B type coin tubes, and for example, the coin tubes C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ are
If all of them are of type A shown in FIG. 2, they will be the same as the conventional coin dispensing device. But for example, 10
If you pay out a lot of yen and less of other 50 yen and 100 yen, use tube cassette 1 in which coin tube C ₁ is type A and coin tubes C ₂ and C ₃ are type B. 10 yen coins are manually stored in the main tubes M of ₂ and _C3 , and 10 yen coins are dispensed from these coin tubes _C1 to _C3 . In this case, the 50 yen coin falling into coin tube _C2 is supplied to subtube S,
When the subtube S is full, it is distributed to the passage 3 side by a distribution piece 8. Additionally, 100 yen coins falling into coin tube _C3 are processed in the same way.

In this manner, the cassette tube 1 which is a combination of type A and type B coin tubes is selected depending on the degree of need for coins to be dispensed such as change and the like, and is loaded into the coin dispensing device. When the cassette tube 1 is attached to the coin dispensing device, the combination of the A type and B type coin tubes of the cassette tube 1 and the respective coins are placed on the surface in contact with the coin dispensing device and the cassette tube 1. A code transmitter P is provided depending on the type of coin stored in the tube (ultimately determined by the type of coin stored in each coin tube), and a code transmitter Q is provided on the coin dispensing device side in correspondence with the code transmitter. has been established. In this embodiment, the code transmitter P is connected to the protrusion P ₁ ~
It consisted of a column of _P3 , and the code transmitter consisted of micro switches _SW1 to _SW3 . Note that pressure-sensitive elements may be used in place of the microswitches _SW1 to _SW3 , or bar codes and phototubes may be used.

FIG. 4 shows the control circuit of the coin dispensing device of this embodiment, in which 21 is a CPU (central processing unit);
2 is an input circuit that receives signals from the code transmitter Q, signals from the coin dispensing confirmation switch, signals from the coin out detection switch of the 10 yen main chute, and the type of coin inserted into the device using this coin dispensing device. , the amount of coins inserted, and other signals are input. 23 is a memory, and the memory 23 contains 50
The number of coins accumulated in the main tubes M ₂ and M ₃ of the coin tubes C ₂ and C ₃ for yen and 100 yen, the sub-tubes S ₂ and S ₃ that accumulate coins in the diametrical direction, and the tube S ₄ for 500 yen is calculated. Memory tube resistor M ₂ R,
M ₃ R, S ₂ R, S ₃ R, and S ₄ R are provided, and when the coin is paid out from the tube, "1" is subtracted from the tube register, and the coin is transferred to the tube through the coin path. When it is automatically replenished via 4, "1" is added. However, the tube becomes full and no coins are replenished into the tube, that is, the number of coins exceeding the number of full coins in the tube is not added. The memory 23 also includes an amount calculation register.
A TCR is provided, and the payout amount is calculated from this amount calculation register. Note that 24 is an output circuit, and 25 is each coin dispensing mechanism.

Next, the operation of this coin dispensing device will be described.

First, all coin tubes C ₁ to _{C 3} are A type coin tubes, and coin tube C ₁ is 10 yen,
Assume that a tube cassette 1 with a value of 50 yen for _C2 and 100 yen for _C3 is attached to the coin dispensing device. and,
The code transmitter P of the tube cassette 1 is "100"
shall be issued. When a coin dispensing command is issued to a coin dispensing device equipped with such a tube cassette 1, the CPU 21 determines whether the code from the code transmitter P of the tube cassette 1 is "100" or not, as shown in FIG. If the payout amount is ``100'' (step S <sub>1</sub> ), it is first determined whether the payout amount is 500 yen or more, and if it is 500 yen or more, the 500 yen tube register S <sub>4</sub> R in the memory 23 is Determine whether it is "0" or not. If this tube register S <sub>4</sub> R is not “0” (step S <sub>5</sub> ), the 500 yen coin tube S <sub>4</sub>
This means that 500 yen coins are accumulated, and the 500 yen dispensing mechanism <sub>S4D</sub> is activated to dispense 500 yen. Then, from the amount calculation register TCR in the memory 23,
Subtract 500 yen and 500 yen tube register S <sub>4</sub> R
``1'' is subtracted from the value (step _S7 ), and the process is repeated from step _S1 . And the payout amount is 400
If the amount is less than 100 yen and more than 100 yen, it is determined whether the 100 yen main tube register M ₃ R, which stores the number of accumulated coins in the 100 yen main tube M ₃ , is "0" or not.
If it is not "0", the coin dispensing mechanism _M3D of the 100 yen main tube _M3 is operated to dispense 100 yen (steps _S9 , _S10 ). Next, subtract 100 yen from the amount calculation register TCR, and add 100 yen to the main tube register.
Subtract "1" from M ₃ R and repeat the process from step _S1 .

When the payout amount is less than 90 yen and more than 50 yen, it is determined whether the 50 yen main tube register M ₂ R is "0" or not. If it is not "0", the coin dispensing mechanism M ₂ D of the 50 yen main tube M ₂ is activated. If you activate it and pay out 50 yen,
50 yen is subtracted from the amount calculation register TCR, and "1" is subtracted from the 50 yen main tube register _M2R (steps _S12 to _S15 ). In addition, the 100 yen and 50 yen main tube registers M ₃ R and M ₂ R can only be filled up to a certain number when the main tubes M ₃ and M ₂ are full.
Count and add 100 yen and 50 yen coins to the main tube.
M ₃ and M ₂ are full, the sorting piece 5 becomes like the broken line in Figure 2, and the inserted 100 yen and 50 yen coins are transferred to the safe passage 3.
It will not be added if it is distributed to either side. When the payout amount becomes 40 yen or less, the coin dispensing mechanism M ₁ D of the 10 yen main tube M ₁ is activated to pay out 10 yen.
Subtract 10 yen from the amount calculation register TCR. Ten
Regarding yen, there is no main tube register that stores the number of coins accumulated in the main tube, and there is a 10 yen runout detection switch M that issues a signal when the number of 10 yen coins in the main tube falls below a certain number, for example 9 coins or less. _1E is provided in this embodiment. And this 10 yen cutoff detection switch M ₁ E
When a signal is sent from the vending machine, the CPU 21 causes the vending machine to sell only when 10 yen change is not required. It goes without saying that instead of the 10 yen depletion detection switch M ₁ E, a 10 yen main tube register may be provided and controlled as in the case of other coins. Furthermore, in the above embodiment,
When a coin of a higher value is lost in the tube, coins of a lower value are used to dispense the coins. In addition, in the above embodiment, the coin dispensing mechanisms M ₁ D to M ₃ D,
After S ₄ D was activated, the amount was subtracted from the amount calculation register TCR and each tube register M ₁ R to M ₃ R, S ₄ R, but after confirmation with the coin dispensing detection switch (not shown) installed in the coin dispensing passage. It may also be subtracted.

Next, coin tube C ₁ is type A, coin tube C ₂ , C ₃
is type B, and all coin tubes C ₁ to _{C 3}
The operation when the tube cassette 1 containing 10 yen coins is attached to the coin dispensing device will be described below.

Coin tube in tube cassette 1 at this time
Since C ₁ is type A, the 10 yen coin that falls through the coin passage 4, such as input coins, is in the coin tube C _1.
When the main tube M ₁ is full, it is distributed to _the passage 3 side by the distribution piece 5. Also, other coins tube C ₂ ,
Since C ₃ is of type B, the 50 yen and 100 yen coins that have fallen through the coin passage 4 corresponding to the coin tube are transferred to the respective subtubes S ₂ and S ₃ where the coins are accumulated in the diametrical direction by the sorting piece 8. When the subtubes S ₂ and S ₃ become full, they are distributed to the passage 3 on the safe side. and,
In this case, count and add 50 yen and 100 yen coins until the subtubes S ₂ and S ₃ are full.
When it is full, the distribution piece 8 will look like the broken line in Figure 3,
A subtube register that does not add up when sorting 50 yen and 100 yen coins to the safe passage 3 side.
S ₂ R and S ₃ R are available. In addition, there is a coin out detection switch only in main tube _M1 of coin tube _C1 .
M ₁ E is provided, and when the number of coins in the main tube M ₁ reaches 9, a coin out detection switch is activated.
The point that the signal is output from M ₁ E is also similar to the above.

When such a tube cassette 1 is attached to the coin dispensing device, the code transmitter P transmits a code such as "010", and when a coin dispensing command is issued, the CPU 21 issues a code as shown in FIG. Perform processing. In other words, if the payout amount is 500 yen or more,
The same process as explained in FIG. 5 is performed to pay out 500 yen coins. Also, when the amount is less than 400 yen and more than 100 yen, the same process as explained in Figure 5 is performed, but the difference is that in Figure 5, 100 yen coins are paid out from the 100 yen main tube _M3 . 100 points
This is the point at which 100 yen coins are dispensed from the yen subtube _S3 . That is, if the subtube register _S3R for 100 yen is not "0", the coin dispensing mechanism _S3D of the subtube _S3 is operated to dispense a 100 yen coin,
Subtract 100 yen from the amount calculation register TCR in the memory 23, and subtract "1" from the subtube register _S3R for 100 yen (steps _S24 to _S26 ),
Processing from step _S1 is performed again. Next, when the payout amount is less than 90 yen and more than 50 yen, it is similarly determined whether the sub tube register S ₂ R for 50 yen is "0", and if it is not "0", the 50 yen main Activate the payout mechanism _S2D of Tube _S2 to pay out 50 yen,
50 yen is subtracted from the amount calculation register TCR, and "1" is subtracted from the subtube register _S2R for 50 yen (steps _S27 to _S30 ). Next, if the payout amount is 40 yen or less, it is determined whether a signal is output from the 10 yen coin out detection switch M ₁ E (step S ₃₂ ), and if no signal is output, the 10 yen main tube is
Activate the coin dispensing mechanism _M1D of _M1 to dispense a 10 yen coin. Then, 10 from the amount calculation register TCR
Subtract yen. If 10 yen main tube M ₁
When the number of coins in the coins becomes 9 or less, a signal is output from the 10 yen coin out detection switch M ₁ E, so the CPU 21
Next, it is determined whether flag F ₃ in the memory is ON (step S ₃₅ ), and if not, it is determined whether flag F ₂ is ON (step S 35 ).
S ₃₆ ), if it is not ON, activate the coin dispensing mechanism M _{2 D of the main tube M 2 of the} coin tube C 2,
The 10 yen coins accumulated in the main tube _M2 are paid out (step _S37 ). When a signal is output from a coin dispensing detection switch (not shown) provided in the coin dispensing passageway and it is detected that a coin has been dispensed (step _S38 ), a signal is sent from the amount calculation register TCR.
Subtract 10 yen. However, if there is no signal from the coin dispensing detection switch, it is determined that there are no accumulated coins in the main tube _M2 of the coin tube _C2 ,
Turn on the flag _F2 , operate the coin dispensing mechanism _M3D of the main tube _M3 of the coin tube _C3 , and dispense the 10 yen coins accumulated in the main tube _M3 .
Then, when a signal is output from the coin payout detection switch (step _S41 ), the amount calculation register TCR
Subtract 10 yen from. Thereafter, since the flag _F2 is turned ON, the coin dispensing mechanism of the main tube _M3 operates to dispense 10 yen coins. When there are no more 10 yen coins in the main tube M ₃ of the coin tube C ₃ , the flag F ₃ is turned on and the coin dispensing mechanism M _{1 D of the main tube M 1 of} the coin tube C ₁ is activated to dispense 10 yen coins. pay out. From now on flag F ₃
is ON (step S ₃₅ ), the coin dispensing mechanism
M ₁ D operates and pays out a 10 yen coin, completing one transaction. Regarding subsequent transactions, since flags F ₂ and F ₃ are ON, the CPU 21 controls only transactions that do not require paying out 10 yen coins for change.

The above is the process when the tube cassette 1 of the type that stores 10 yen coins in the main tubes M ₁ , M ₂ , and M ₃ of all the coin tubes C ₁ , C ₂ , and C ₃ is attached to the coin dispensing device. .

Next, the coin tube C ₂ is set as a B type tube, and 10 yen coins are stored in its main tube M ₂ , and the other coin tubes C ₁ and C ₃ are A type.
FIG. 7 shows the processing flow when the tube cassette 1 storing 10 yen and 100 yen coins, respectively, is attached to the coin dispensing device.

In this case, the input coins, 10 yen and 100 yen coins, are automatically supplied to main tubes M ₁ and M ₃ , respectively.
50 yen coins will now be automatically supplied to Subtube S ₂ . It is assumed that the tube cassette is provided with a code transmitter P so as to output the code "001". Such a tube cassette 1
When a coin dispensing command is issued to the coin dispensing device equipped with the coin dispensing device, as in the previous example, if the dispensing command is for 500 yen or more, the 500 yen coin dispensing mechanism S ₄ D will operate and dispense 500 yen, then 400 yen. If it is below 100 yen, activate the coin dispensing mechanism M ₃ D of the main tube M ₃ that has accumulated 100 yen, and if it is below 90 yen or more than 50 yen, activate the coin dispensing mechanism of sub tube S ₂ that has accumulated 50 yen. If the coin is 40 yen or less, the coin dispensing mechanism of the main tube M ₁ that has accumulated 10 yen is activated and the coin is dispensed _. When the number of coins becomes 9 or less, the out-of-coin detection switch M ₁ E turns ON and issues a signal. From now on, it is determined whether the flag F ₂ is ON or not.
If it is not ON, the 10 yen coins accumulated in main tube _M2 of coin tube _C2 will be paid out. and,
The coin payout detection switch detects whether or not the coin has been paid out, and if it has been paid out, the amount calculation register
Subtract 10 yen from TCR. If no payout is detected, it means that there are no more 10 yen coins in the main tube _M2 , so set flag _F2.
Turn ON, main tube M ₁ of coin tube C ₁
Activate the coin dispensing mechanism _M1D to dispense a 10 yen coin. The 10 yen coin payout for the transaction is then paid out by _the coin payout mechanism _M1D of the main tube M1 (steps _S58 , _S61 , _S59 ).
For transactions after this transaction, the coin out detection switch will be activated.
Unless M ₁ E is turned OFF, only transactions that do not require the withdrawal of 10 yen coins will be performed.
The CPU 21 controls.

Above, we have described an example in which three types of tube cassettes 1 are attached to the coin dispensing device, but there are also types A and B.
It is sufficient to create a combination of types of coin tubes and coins to be stored, and to transmit a code corresponding to the combination from the code transmitter P. For example, if you only need to dispense 100 yen coins, coin tubes C ₁ and C ₂ are type B, coin tube C ₃ is type A, and if you only need to dispense 50 yen coins, coin tube C _{1 is} used. , C ₃ to B
Type, coin tube C ₂ should be set as type A, and all coin tubes should store 100 yen and 50 yen, respectively.

Further, in the above embodiment, a subtube for storing coins in the diametrical direction is provided, but this subtube may not be provided, and only a main tube may be provided to form a B type coin tube that does not perform automatic replenishment. This is used when there is no need to dispense the type of coin fed into the B type coin tube placement position with change or the like.

Effects of the Invention Coins can be arbitrarily dispensed by selecting the type of tube cassette and the type of coins to be stored in accordance with the type of coins to be dispensed and the frequency of dispensing, and by attaching the tube cassette to a coin dispensing device. The type and number of types can be changed, and coins that are frequently dispensed are stored in the coin tube of the tube cassette (first and second type coin tubes) in advance to avoid limited coin storage. The probability of not being able to make a payout can be reduced by effectively using the number of copies. Therefore, in a vending machine or the like equipped with this coin dispensing device, it is possible to avoid running out of change even if the price of a selling product is changed, and the efficiency of using the vending machine can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a relational diagram showing an embodiment of a tube cassette used in an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an A-type coin tube, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a B-type coin tube. 4 is a control block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the main tube of the coin tube.
Figure 6 shows the operation flow when accumulating 100 yen.
Operation flow when accumulating yen Figure 7 shows the operation flow when 10 yen, 10 yen, and 100 yen are accumulated in the main tube of the coin tube.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a coin dispensing device in which a tube cassette having a plurality of coin tubes for storing coins is detachably attached, the tube cassette is configured to sort coins fed into the coin dispensing device. It consists of a combination of a first type of coin tube that automatically replenishes the coin tube until it is full with coins, and a second type of coin tube that does not automatically replenish the coins fed into the coin dispensing device, and each coin It has a code transmitter that transmits a code according to the type of coin stored in the tube, a code reader that reads the code from the code transmitter, and a coin dispensing mechanism that uses the code read by the code reader. A coin dispensing device having a coin dispensing control section that controls the operation of the coin dispensing device, selects a coin tube according to the type of coin to be dispensed, and controls the coin dispensing unit to select a coin tube according to the type of coin to be dispensed. 2 The first type of coin tube is comprised of a main tube that accumulates coins fed into the coin dispensing device in the thickness direction, which are automatically replenished by a coin sorting piece until the tube is full. 2
The coin tube of this type has a main tube that accumulates coins in the thickness direction and a subtube that accumulates coins in the diametrical direction until the coins are filled by a sorting piece. The coin dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein coin dispensing from each main tube and sub tube is controlled by the received code.