JP3604863B2 - Vending machine coin processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coin processing device used in a vending machine, and can use a denomination other than a denomination set in this communication specification without changing a communication specification used in the vending machine industry. The present invention relates to a coin processing device that can accept and pay out coins of this denomination as change.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there are only four types of coins that can be accepted by a vending machine: 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen coins. The communication specifications between the main control unit of the vending machine and the control unit of the coin processing device are based on the assumption that only these four kinds of denomination data are handled. It cannot be included inside. This communication specification is a standard unified in the industry, and it is not easy to change this standard.
[0003]
Therefore, in the conventional coin processing device, neither accepting a 5-yen coin nor paying out a 5-yen coin as change has been performed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
After the introduction of the consumption tax in recent years, the circulation of 1-yen coins and 5-yen coins has increased. In particular, when the consumption tax becomes 5%, the circulation amount of 5-yen coins is expected to increase more than ever.
[0005]
In the conventional vending machine, the denominations that can be handled are only four types of coins of 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen as described above, and cannot handle 5 yen coins. Therefore, there is a need for a vending machine that can handle 5-yen coins in response to an increase in the circulation of 5-yen coins.
[0006]
Furthermore, the selling price of the product including the consumption tax is inevitably a fraction of 1 yen unit or 5 yen unit.
[0007]
In a conventional vending machine, the fractional amount has to be treated in units of 10 yen, so if the selling price of vending is reduced by a fraction, the retailer will bear the fraction, and If the fraction is rounded up, the consumer will bear an extra change portion.
[0008]
Either way, one side will be dissatisfied, so there is a need for a vending machine that can set the selling price every 115 yen, 125 yen, or the like.
[0009]
It is an object of the present invention to enable a vending machine to handle 5 yen coins without changing communication specifications in the vending machine.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object is achieved by the following aspects of the invention.
[0011]
[Invention of claim 1]
Coin insertion means for the customer to insert coins,
Denomination identification means for identifying the denomination of the coin inserted into the coin insertion means,
A plurality of coin storage means in which coins in the communication protocol and coins smaller than the coin in the minimum communication protocol are stored for each denomination,
Coin payout means for paying out coins stored therein from the coin storage means,
Coin processing control means,
A coin processing device comprising:
The coin processing control device includes:
A function of transmitting information on the denomination of the coin identified by the denomination identifying means each time a coin in the communication protocol is inserted,
When the coin identified by the denomination discriminating means is inserted into an odd-numbered coin of a half of the minimum amount of coins in the communication protocol, the coin of the minimum amount of coins in the communication protocol is A function of transmitting denomination information to the main controller of the vending machine main body,
Upon receiving a sales end or return instruction from the main control device of the vending machine main body, the controller controls the coin dispensing means so as to pay out change based on this instruction, and at that time, the coin within the minimum amount of communication protocol A function of controlling the coin payout means so as to further pay out a half of the minimum number of coins in the communication protocol when the number of inserted coins of a half of the number is an even number;
Coin processing control device with
A coin processing device for a vending machine, characterized by the following.
[0012]
[Invention of claim 2]
The coin processing device according to claim 1,
The minimum coin in the communication agreement is a 10 yen coin,
A coin smaller than the minimum coin in the above communication rules is a 5-yen coin
A coin processing device for a vending machine, characterized by the following.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a communication block diagram of a vending machine, in which devices such as a main control device 1, a coin processing device 2, a customer service processing device 3, and a vending device 4 are connected via a vending machine communication line 5. It shows the situation.
[0014]
The main control device 1 receives information generated by each device from the coin processing device 2, the customer service processing device 3, the vending device 4 and the like via the vending machine communication line 5, and also receives this information. By transmitting command information to each device at the same time, the entire device is controlled overall.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the outline of the configuration of the coin processing device 2 and the flow of coins.
[0016]
Reference numeral 201 denotes a coin insertion unit from which a customer inserts coins.
[0017]
Reference numeral 202 denotes a denomination discriminating means. The coin inserted from the coin insertion means 201 is guided to the denomination discriminating means 202, where the type of the coin is identified.
[0018]
203 is a coin sorting means, and 204 is a shutter means.
[0019]
The coin whose denomination has been identified by the denomination identifying means 202 is guided to the coin sorting means 203.
[0020]
The coin sorting means 203 sorts coins toward one of the shutter means 204 or the first auxiliary passage 205 according to a denomination. More specifically, when the identified coins are 10, 50, 100, and 500 yen, the coins are directed toward the corresponding ones of the shutter means 204, and when the coins are 5 yen, toward the first auxiliary passage 205. Distribute.
[0021]
The shutter 204 guides the coin to a passage 208 connected to the coin storage 209 or a passage 207 connected to the second auxiliary passage 206 by opening and closing the shutter. The first auxiliary passage 205 and the second auxiliary passage 206 guide coins guided to these to the safe 211. Note that these passages 205 and 206 may be joined on the way.
[0022]
The shutter means 204 operates to guide coins to the passage 207, that is, the safe means 211, when a coin storage means 209 described later is full.
[0023]
Reference numeral 209 denotes a coin storage unit, which is a container for holding coins of 10, 50, 100, and 500 yen. Most of the coins paid by the customer are used as change as described later, so that these coin storage units 209 Is stored in However, in this example, all 5-yen coins are stored in the safe.
[0024]
210 is another coin storage means.
[0025]
Conventionally, coins that are likely to cause a change shortage are stored in the coin storage means 210, and when all the coins in the coin storage means 209 are paid out, the change is paid out from the coin storage means 210.
[0026]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the coin storage means 210 stores the minimum coin (a coin in the communication protocol) of the coins (coins in the communication protocol) which can be handled as communication of communication data transmitted via the communication line in the vending machine as the change described above. A half of the minimum amount of coins in the communication protocol, that is, a 10-yen coin (a half of the minimum amount of coins in the communication protocol, that is, a 5-yen coin) is stored.
[0027]
212 is a coin payout means. The fishing coin payout means 212 pays out a required number of denominations from the coins stored in the coin storage means 209 and the coin storage means 210 by a required number.
[0028]
A coin processing control device (not shown) is constituted by a microcomputer, controls the denomination discriminating means 202, the coin sorting means 203, the shutter means 204, the coin payout means 212, and a main control device of a vending machine. It has a function of performing communication between the devices, and has a function of receiving instructions from the main control device and transmitting information generated in the coin processing device to the main control device.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is a main flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the coin processing control device of the coin processing device.
[0030]
This program is started by turning on the power of the coin processing control device (# 301), and in the initial processing subroutine, the operation setting of peripheral ICs and the like, the initial value setting of variables, and the like are performed (# 302).
[0031]
The variable N is used to determine whether the inserted 5-yen coin is an odd number or an even number. When the value of the variable N is 0, it indicates an even number, and when the value of the variable N is 1, it indicates an odd number. Initially, since no coin has been inserted, the value of the variable N is set to 0 (# 303).
[0032]
It is checked by a not-shown coin insertion detecting means whether or not a coin has been inserted (# 304), and if a coin has been inserted, the process proceeds to a coin acceptance processing subroutine (# 305) to identify the denomination of the accepted coin. (To be described later).
[0033]
When the coin receiving process subroutine (# 305) is completed, or when it is not detected in step # 304 that a coin has been inserted, the process proceeds to step # 306 and determines whether or not a change dispensing command has been sent from the main control device. Check if
[0034]
If the change dispensing command has been sent, a change dispensing process subroutine described below is entered (# 307), change is dispensed, and when the change dispensing process subroutine (# 307) is completed, the variable N is set for the next sale. It is set to 0 (# 308).
[0035]
After step # 308, or if the change dispensing command has not been sent, the process returns to step # 304 and repeats the same operation again.
[0036]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the coin receiving process subroutine (# 305), and FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the change dispensing process subroutine (# 307).
[0037]
Before entering into the description of these flowcharts, a description will be given of a five-yen mode and a mode other than the five yen mode (standard mode).
[0038]
In both the standard mode and the 5-yen mode, there is no difference between them in that they can accept 5-yen coins.
[0039]
In the standard mode, the selling price of the vending machine is set in units of 10 yen, and every time two 5-yen coins are received, that is, every even number, the information that a 10-yen coin has been received is processed as a coin. The control device sends the information to main controller 1.
[0040]
If an odd number of five-yen coins have been inserted when the change is paid out, the last one is extra and the five-yen coin is paid out.
[0041]
On the other hand, in the 5-yen mode, the selling price of the vending machine is always set at a price with a fraction of 5 yen, and the coin processing control device sends information that a 10-yen coin has been inserted by inserting the first 5-yen coin. Send to main controller 1. Information that a 10-yen coin has been inserted is subsequently output for each of the third, fifth, and odd-numbered coins. If an even number of 5-yen coins have been inserted at the time of change payout, the last 5-yen coin is extra and 5 yen is paid out.
[0042]
Hereinafter, the standard mode and the 5-yen mode will be described separately.
[0043]
"Standard mode"
The standard mode includes # 401, # 402, # 403, # 404, # 405, # 406, # 407, # 408, # 409, and # 499 in the flowchart of FIG. 4, and # 501, # 501, and # 499 in the flowchart of FIG. This is a flow passing through # 502, # 503, # 554, # 505 and # 599.
[0044]
** Subroutine of Fig. 4 **
When this subroutine is entered (# 401), the denomination of the inserted coin is identified, and the result of the identification is substituted into a variable "denomination"(# 402).
[0045]
In step # 403, it is checked whether the denomination is 5 yen, and if the denomination is 5 yen, the value of the variable N is increased by 1 (# 404).
[0046]
In the next step # 405, it is checked whether or not the mode is the 5-yen mode. Here, since the mode is the standard mode instead of the 5-yen mode, the process proceeds to step # 406 to check whether or not the value of the variable N is 2.
[0047]
If the check result is N = 2, 0 is substituted for the variable N (# 407), and 10 yen is substituted for the variable "denomination"(# 408). That is, every time two 5-yen coins are received, the value of the variable "denomination" is replaced with 10 yen.
[0048]
In the next step # 409, the value of this variable "denomination" is transmitted to main controller 1.
[0049]
If the denomination is not 5 yen in step # 403, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen or 500 yen is substituted for the variable "denomination". Is sent to the main controller.
[0050]
Here, every time two 5-yen coins are accepted, the main controller receives information that one 10-yen coin has been accepted, even though two 5-yen coins have actually been accepted. .
[0051]
Main controller 1 cannot recognize only one 5-yen coin, but recognizes a set of two coins as one 10-yen coin.
[0052]
When N is not equal to 2 in step # 406 or when step # 409 is completed, the process exits this subroutine (# 499).
[0053]
** Subroutine of Fig. 5 **
When entering this subroutine (# 501), first, change is paid out as instructed by the main controller 1 (# 502). This is no different from conventional vending machines.
[0054]
In step # 503, it is checked whether the mode is the 5-yen mode.
[0055]
In this description, since the mode is set to the standard mode, the process proceeds to the next step # 554.
[0056]
In this step # 554, it is checked whether N = 0. If N = 0, that is, if an even number of 5 yen coins are inserted, there is no fraction of 5 yen, so there is no need to do anything, and the process exits this subroutine (# 599).
[0057]
If N = 1, that is, if an odd number of 5 yen coins have been inserted, the last one is extra (since the selling price is set in units of 10 yen), so the process proceeds to step # 505, and the 5 yen coins are paid out. Then, the process exits this subroutine (# 599).
[0058]
"5 yen mode"
** Subroutine of Fig. 4 **
The 5-circle mode corresponds to # 401, # 402, # 403, # 404, # 405, # 456, # 457, # 458, # 459, and # 499 in the flowchart of FIG. 4, and # 501 in the flowchart of FIG. , # 502, # 503, # 504, # 505 and # 599.
[0059]
When this subroutine is entered (# 401), the denomination of the inserted coin is identified, and the result of the identification is substituted into a variable "denomination"(# 402).
[0060]
In step # 403, it is checked whether the denomination is 5 yen, and if the denomination is 5 yen, the value of the variable N is increased by 1 (# 404).
[0061]
In the next step # 405, it is checked whether or not the mode is the 5-yen mode. In this case, since the 5-circle mode is set, the process proceeds to step # 456 to check whether or not the value of the variable N is 2.
[0062]
If the check result is N = 2, 0 is substituted for the variable N (# 457), and this subroutine is exited (# 599).
[0063]
If N is not 2 in step # 456, the process proceeds to step # 458, and 10 yen is substituted for the variable "denomination". That is, every time an odd number of 5-yen coins are received, the value of the variable "denomination" is replaced with 10 yen.
[0064]
In step # 459, the denomination information is transmitted to the main controller. The value substituted in step # 402 or step # 458 is stored in the denomination information.
[0065]
Then, the process exits this subroutine (# 499).
[0066]
** Subroutine of Fig. 5 **
When this subroutine is entered (# 501), first, change is paid out as instructed by the main controller (# 502). This is no different from conventional vending machines.
[0067]
In step # 503, it is checked whether the mode is the 5-yen mode.
[0068]
In this description, since the 5-yen mode is set, the process proceeds to the next step # 504.
[0069]
In this step # 504, it is checked whether N = 0. If N = 0, that is, if an even number of 5-yen coins are inserted, in this 5-yen mode, all sales prices have a fraction of 5 yen, so that an extra 5 yen is inserted.
[0070]
Therefore, in the next step # 505, a 5-yen coin is paid out, and in step # 599, this subroutine is exited.
[0071]
On the other hand, in step # 504, if N is not 0, that is, if an odd number of 5-yen coins have been inserted, the sales price matches the fraction of 5-yen coins. Without leaving the subroutine (# 599).
[0072]
The overall operation in the 5-circle mode will be further described with an example.
[0073]
In the 5-yen mode, all products are sold at a fractional price of 5 yen. As described above, the vending machine cannot handle data of 5 yen due to the data communication rules of the internal communication line.
[0074]
Now, assume that a vending machine sells a product with a price of 115 yen. Since the data of 5 yen cannot be handled as described above, the main controller 1 is set so that the product is sold for 120 yen.
[0075]
On the other hand, it is assumed that the customer has one 100-yen coin, one 50-yen coin, two ten-yen coins, and one five-yen coin.
[0076]
(Example 1) An example in which 100 yen coin, 10 yen coin and 5 yen coin are inserted in this order.
[0077]
At the time when the customer first inserts the 100 yen coin and then the 10 yen coin, main controller 1 receives the information of the insertion of the 100 yen coin once and the information of the insertion of the 10 yen coin once. Therefore, main controller 1 recognizes that a total of 110 yen has been inserted (so far, the recognition of the main controller and the actual state match).
[0078]
Here, when a 5-yen coin is further inserted, the 5-yen coin insertion is the first (odd-numbered) time, so that the coin processing control device transmits information to the main control device 1 that the 10-yen coin has been accepted. Then, the actual input amount is 115 yen, but the main control device 1 recognizes that the total of 120 yen has been inserted, and since the set amount of 120 yen is satisfied, the display indicates that it is possible to sell, and the product selection button is displayed. If it is pressed, it issues a command to sell it.
[0079]
(Example 2) Example in which 100 yen coin, 5 yen coin and 50 yen coin are inserted in this order.
[0080]
When the customer first inserts a 100-yen coin and then a 5-yen coin, the main controller 1 sends the information of the insertion of the 100-yen coin once, and inserts the 10-yen coin (actually, The main controller 1 recognizes that a total of 110 yen has been inserted since the information of one 5-yen coin has been received once.
[0081]
Since this amount does not satisfy the set amount of 120 yen of the main control device 1, a lamp that can be sold is not turned on. Further, when a 50-yen coin is inserted, the main control device 1 recognizes that a total of 160 yen has been inserted, so that a lamp capable of selling is attached, and after being sold, a change of 160-120 yen (= 40 yen). Is issued to the coin processing control device to pay out the coin. Upon receiving this command, the coin processing control unit pays out 40 yen.
[0082]
The actual amount inserted by the customer is 155 yen, and the change price is 115 yen since the change 40 yen is received.
[0083]
(Example 3) Example in which 100 yen coin, 10 yen coin and further 10 yen coin are inserted in this order.
[0084]
When the customer first inserts the 100-yen coin and then inserts the 10-yen coin twice, main controller 1 receives the information of the insertion of the 100-yen coin once and the information of the insertion of the 10-yen coin twice. Therefore, the main controller 1 recognizes that a total of 120 yen has been inserted, and the recognition of the main controller and the actual match.
[0085]
Since the sellable lamp is turned on, the customer presses the product selection button, and when the product is sold, the sales price recognized by the main control device 1 matches the input amount, so that a command for paying out change is particularly transmitted. No, signal the end of sales.
[0086]
Since the insertion of the 5-yen coin is 0 times, that is, an even number of times, the coin processing control device pays out one 5-yen coin irrespective of the instruction of the main control device 1. The customer has bought the product for 115 yen.
[0087]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION This invention has the effect that a vending machine can accept 5 yen coins and can pay out 5 yen coins as change, without changing the communication specifications in a vending machine.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a communication block diagram showing a state in which a coin processing device of the present invention is connected in a vending machine.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a coin processing device of the present invention and a flow of coins.
FIG. 3 is a main flowchart of a coin processing control device in the coin processing device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a coin receiving process subroutine in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of a change payout processing subroutine in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main control device 2 Coin processing device 3 Customer service processing device 4 Vending device 5 Vending machine communication line 201 Coin insertion means 202 Denomination identifying means 203 Coin sorting means 204 Shutter means 205 First auxiliary passage 206 Second auxiliary passage 207 Passage 208 Passage 209 Coin storage means 210 Coin storage means 211 Safe means 212 Change dispensing means

Claims (2)

Coin insertion means for the customer to insert coins,
  Denomination identification means for identifying the denomination of the coin inserted into the coin insertion means,
  A plurality of coin storing means in which coins in the communication protocol and coins smaller than the coin in the minimum communication protocol are stored for each denomination,
  Coin payout means for paying out coins stored therein from the coin storage means,
  Coin processing control means,
A coin processing device comprising:
  The coin processing control device includes:
  A function of transmitting information on the denomination of the coin identified by the denomination identifying means each time a coin in the communication protocol is inserted,
  When the coin identified by the denomination discriminating means is inserted into an odd-numbered coin of a half of the minimum amount of coins in the communication protocol, the coin of the minimum amount of coins in the communication protocol is A function of transmitting denomination information to the main controller of the vending machine main body,
  Upon receiving a sales end or return instruction from the main control device of the vending machine main body, the controller controls the coin dispensing means so as to pay out change based on this instruction, and at that time, the coin within the minimum amount of communication protocol A function of controlling the coin payout means so as to further pay out a half of the minimum number of coins in the communication protocol when the number of inserted coins of a half of the number is an even number;
Coin processing control device with
A coin processing device for a vending machine, characterized by the following. The coin processing device according to claim 1,
  The minimum coin in the communication agreement is a 10 yen coin,
  A coin smaller than the minimum coin in the above communication rules is a 5-yen coin
A coin processing device for a vending machine, characterized by the following.

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