JPS6323594B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for automatically collecting coins from group-controlled ticket vending machines at the time of a deadline, and more specifically, a method for automatically collecting coins from group-controlled ticket vending machines at the time of a deadline. This relates to a method in which the remaining coins are collectively collected at a collection point common to a group of ticket vending machines, with the exception of some coins that are retained as change for the next day's business.

Traditionally, in order to perform deadline work for a group of ticket vending machines,
When a staff member goes to each ticket vending machine, operates them individually, drops coins on board into a safe, refills coins from the safe of each ticket vending machine into a bag, and does not refill the bag or the bag. had collected the safe in the station office. Then, the ticket vending machine that collected the coins was loaded with cassettes and refilled with change for sale the next day. Therefore, in the past, the collection work at the deadline required a great deal of time and effort, and the ticket vending machine had to be stopped for a long time at the deadline, so the deadline had to be done late at night. In addition, fraudulent acts by staff members or outsiders are likely to occur during the refilling of coins into bags when coins are collected or during transportation between ticket vending machines, making it difficult to completely manage cash.

The present invention allows coins to be collected from selected ticket vending machines by simply operating a deadline switch in the station office. The main purpose is to automate the collection work at the deadline and save labor, and to improve cash management by automatically collecting all payments at once.

Another object of the present invention is to close the deadline shutter provided in the path for loading the collected coins from the ticket vending machine onto the collective collection mechanism after the coins are collected by the ticket vending machine, so that the collected coins can be collected based on the full capacity due to the start of sales after the deadline. By preventing coins from being mixed with previous collected coins, ticket vending machines that use the automatic deadline collection method can start selling the next day's coins (for the next business period) immediately after the deadline collection ends. , also,
The purpose is to allow deadline work to be completed during the day.

In this invention, first, a deadline switch installed in the station office is operated to cause the ticket vending machines to collect tickets individually or in groups. That is,
Depending on the situation at the station, whether one ticket vending machine or multiple ticket machines can be stopped due to the deadline.
A deadline switch for each ticket vending machine or common to multiple machines is provided in the station office.

The ticket vending machine selected by turning on the deadline switch stops selling tickets and performs a collection operation. In the collection operation, first, the preparation operation for circulating replenishment is performed, the coins in the replenishing machine are dropped into the coin ejecting machine, the coins are circulated from the coin ejecting machine to the circulating replenishing bucket, and then,
Ejects remaining coins from the coin ejector for collection.

The collected coins are then conveyed to a collection station by denomination via a coin conveyance device common to all ticket vending machines, and collected all at once in a safe installed at the collection station.

Next, the collection operation in the group management ticket vending machine and the batch collection by the batch collection mechanism, which are performed using the method of this invention, will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiment.

The control unit of the ticket vending machine, which has been given a deadline command by turning on the deadline switch, calls a predetermined program and executes it, as shown in the flow chart in Figure 7, and first makes the ticket vending machine the center of vending (p. ₁₎ . ),
The motor 1 constituting the circulation replenishment mechanism is rotated, and the bucket 4 connected to the chain 3 which is passed around the sprocket 2 is kept in a constant position by the guide 5, while the change delivery belt 6 is held at the rear end side. Lower to supply position (p ₂ ). The control unit also rotates the belt 8 of the replenishing machine 7 (p ₃ ) to drop the coins in the replenishing machine into the hopper 10 of the coin ejecting machine 9 until the full detector 11 is blocked from light (p ₅ , p _{6 )} . ).
If there are no coins falling until the full detector 11 is blocked, drop the coins until the supply machine is empty (p ₄ ,
_p6 ).

The control unit then operates a coin out detector 12 of the ejection machine.
Since there is no output from the hopper (p ₇ ), a circulation replenishment command signal is output, the motor 13 of the coin ejector 9 is rotated, and the coins in the hopper 10 are inserted one by one into the notch 15 of the rotary plate 14. let As the rotary plate rotates, the coin slides on the upper surface of the support plate 16, and when the notch matches the discharge hole 17 provided in the support plate, the coin falls from the discharge hole 17 to the lower side of the support plate. A discharge detector 1 is installed outside the discharge hole 17.
8 is provided, and a first chute 1 is provided below it.
9 and a second chute 20 are provided in a bifurcated shape, and normally the distribution piece 21 closes the first chute 19 and connects the discharge hole 17 to the second chute 20. 1st
The lower end of the chute 19 is opened toward the upper surface of the change delivery belt 6, and the second chute 20 is connected to a collective collection mechanism to be described later. Based on the output of the circulation replenishment command signal, the distribution piece 21 is operated by a solenoid or the like to direct the discharge hole 17 to the first
Since it is connected to the chute 19, the ejected coins are placed on the belt 6. In addition, since the belt 6 is reversed by the circulation replenishment command signal,
Coins are stored in the bucket 4.

A counting section counts the number of sheets to be replenished in circulation based on the circulation replenishment command signal and the discharge detection signal, and the comparison section compares the number of sheets to be replenished with the set number of sheets. When the number of sheets to be replenished becomes equal to the set number of sheets, the control section stops outputting the circulation replenishment command signal based on the coincidence signal from the comparison section (p ₁₀ ),
Instead, a collection command signal is output (p ₁₃ ).
As a result, after a certain period of time has elapsed (p ₁₁ ) after the output of the circulation replenishment command has stopped, the belt 6 stops reversing (p ₁₂ ), and at the same time, the sorting piece 21 is rotated while the motor 13 of the coin ejecting machine continues to rotate. recovered (p ₁₄ ),
The control unit sends the coins discharged from the discharge machine to the bulk collection mechanism via the second chute 20.
After a certain period of time from the output of the detection signal from the coin-out detector 12 provided at 0, the output of the collection command is stopped and the rotation of the coin ejector is stopped ( _p15 to _p17 ).

During circulation replenishment, if the number of coins to be circulated does not reach the set number (p _{. 9} ), the coin ejector ejects the coins until they are empty (p. ₁₀ to p. ₂₀ ), and then the coin out-of-coin detector 12 installed in the hopper 10 detects the coins. After a certain period of time from the signal output,
Stop the rotation of the coin ejector and the reverse rotation of the belt 6 (p ₂₀ to _{p 22} ).

Even after the replenishing machine operates at the deadline, if the number of coins in the ejecting machine is below a certain number and the coin out detector is operating (p ₇ ), the control unit will not output the circulation replenishment command signal by the coin out detection signal. In order to output a collection command signal (p ₂₃ ), the coins of all denominations in the coin ejecting machine are ejected, counted, dropped into the second chute, and collected all at once (p ₂₄ , p ₂₅ ).

The bucket 4 containing the circulating replenishment money ejects and counts all the coins in the ejector and sends them to the second chute 2.
After being dropped to 0, the coin is raised by the motor 1 (p ₁₈ ), and at the upper limit, it is overturned and the coins inside are dropped into the circulation replenishment port 22, and are replenished into the discharge machine of the same denomination via the chute 23. When performing cyclical replenishment for two or more denominations, after the cyclical replenishment for one denomination is completed (p. ₁₉ ), the same operation as described above is performed for the other denominations. In this case, the shoot 2
3 is sequentially branched corresponding to each discharger, and each branch point is provided with distribution means 23a, 23b consisting of a normally closed shutter operated by a solenoid or the like.
The distribution means corresponding to the circulation denomination is operated to replenish the discharge machine from the chute 23. for example
Needless to say, if only two denominations, 100 yen coins and 10 yen coins, are to be circulated and supplied, only two branch pipes and only one distribution means need be provided.

As mentioned above, the collected coins discharged from each coin ejecting machine after circulating supply are transferred from the second chute 20a, 20b, 20c to a connecting chute attached to the inner lower part of the ticket vending machine, as shown in FIG. Connection chute 25a, 25b, 2 of assembly 24
5c. The connecting chute assembly 24 is easily fixed to the casing of the ticket vending machine with bolts and nuts, etc.
Alternatively, the connecting chute 25a to 25c are fixed to a removable mounting plate 26, and the lower end portions of the connecting chute 25a, 25b, and 25c are extended to the outside of the casing of the ticket vending machine, and are used for conveying collected coins as described later. It has entered the device. When the connecting chute assembly is removed, it is possible to install a safe in the removed part and use the ticket vending machine as an independent type. Alternatively, the mounting plate 26 may remain fixed to the ticket vending machine, and only the connection chutes 25a to 25c may be detachably mounted.

The coin conveying device has a number of denominations that extend from the ticket vending machine at one end of the discharging machine group, sequentially between adjacent ticket vending machines to the ticket vending machine at the other end, and further to the collection station located beyond the ticket vending machine at the other end. The same number of coin conveyor belts 27a
~ 27c is supported by a large number of pulleys 28 and a sliding plate 29 extending between the pulleys to prevent belt deflection, and one motor that rotates all the belts simultaneously or a plurality of motors that rotate each belt independently ( (not shown), and in order to prevent the coins from falling off the belt during conveyance and to prevent the coins from being touched, the upper belt is equipped with on both sides as shown in Fig. 5. , guides 30, 30' are provided and covered with a cover 31. Each belt 27a~
27c fixes the guide to the inner surface of the housing 32;
They are supported horizontally in vertical alignment. The housing 32 has a front lower part of each ticket vending machine and a customer service counter 33.
It is installed using the gap that exists between the two. Housing 3
2 and the cover 31 are provided with an opening 34 and a cutout 35 at a position corresponding to each ticket vending machine,
The connecting chute 25 is inserted through the opening 34 and the lower end of the connecting chute is connected to the belt 27, the guides 30, 30' and the cover 31 at the notch 35.
It opens into a closed conveyance path formed by. And the end of each belt is the final ticket vending machine Vn
Collective collection safes 38a to 38c are removably installed below chute 37a to 37c provided at each end in a collection box 36 connected to the terminal.

When the deadline switch is turned on, the motor of the coin conveying device is rotated, and the collected coins of the same denomination from each ticket vending machine are conveyed by a common belt for each denomination via the connecting chute, and are collectively transferred to the safe. It will be collected. Deadline switch for all ticket vending machines
When the safe is turned on and the circulation supply and collection at the collection point are completed, the safe is taken out, placed on a trolley 39, and transported to the station office. Then, the empty safe is placed again at a predetermined location at the collection site.

Incidentally, coins are collected from the ticket vending machine not only at the deadline, but also when the full detector of the coin ejecting machine operates during the sale. In this case, the motor of the coin conveying device is driven for a certain period of time every time a certain period of time elapses, and during that time the collected coins placed on each belt from each connection chute are transferred to the safes 38a to 38, respectively.
It is collected in bulk at c. The collective collection operation may be performed every time the number of collected coins discharged from all ticket vending machines reaches a predetermined number. Alternatively, the belt may be driven continuously during the sale. This is advantageous when there are entertainment events and there are many passengers getting on and off the train.

As mentioned above, when a ticket machine closes, a portion of the coins in the machine are counted and circulated, and the remaining coins are counted and collected all at once, so it is clear how many coins remain after the ticket vending machine closes. Therefore, it is possible to perform the deadline work during the day and use the ticket vending machine immediately to sell tickets for the next business period (the next day).
However, while the batch collection of coins collected for the day has not been completed for all ticket vending machines, the coins collected due to the full coin ejecting machine of the ticket vending machine that has started selling will be
There is a risk that the coins may be mixed with the coins collected on that day.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a common closing shutter 40 is provided between the lower end portions of the second chute 20a to 20c and each connecting chute 25a to 25c.
At the deadline, after counting and discharging the coins in the replenishing machine and discharging machine for collection, the deadline shutter 40 is closed by a motor (not shown), etc., so that the collected coins for the current day and the next day are mixed. This ensures that products can be released the next day after the deadline.

Since the deadline shutter 40 is closed even while the safe is being removed from the collection box 36 after the bulk collection has been completed, there is no need to stop the ticket vending machine from selling tickets.
After placing an empty safe in the collection box 36, if the deadline end switch attached to the collection box is manually turned on, the deadline shutter 40 will be opened again, and by opening this shutter, all ticket vending machines will open normally. returns to the on-sale state, and the collected coins that have fallen into each chute are collected by the collective collection operation in the on-sale cycle described above.

In addition, in the figure, 41 is a coin slot, 42 is a coin validator, 43 is a temporary holding part, and 44 is a withdrawal port.

To summarize the effects of the present invention explained above,
It is as follows.

First, by operating the deadline switch installed in the station office, the ticket vending machine can automatically stop selling, replenish counting, collect counts, and collect all tickets at once from the ticket vending machine to the collection point. Therefore, the staff can collect coins at the deadline and replenish change for the next business period without having to go to each ticket vending machine from the station office, resulting in a significant labor-saving effect.

Second, since the coins collected from each ticket vending machine are collected in one place by the bulk collection mechanism, the handling of the safe is centralized, which saves labor when transporting coins to the station office, and shortens deadline work time. and theft prevention effect can be obtained.

Thirdly, according to the second invention, some coins are counted and replenished at the deadline, and the deadline shutter separates the collected coins for the current day and the next day.
The ticket vending machine that has completed the deadline work can immediately start selling the next day's tickets, and therefore, when the deadline work is performed during the day, downtime can be kept to a minimum.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a ticket vending machine showing a coin processing section, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a coin ejecting machine, and FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connecting part between the ticket vending machine and the collective collection mechanism, FIG. 5 is a cutaway perspective view showing a part of the coin conveying device, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mass collection mechanism. FIG. 7, which is a sectional view showing the main parts, is a flowchart showing the flow of operations when a deadline command signal is input in one ticket vending machine. V, Vn _-1 , Vn...ticket vending machine, 1-5...circulation supply mechanism, 1...motor, 2...sprocket, 3
...Chain, 4...Bucket, 5...Guide,
6... Belt for carrying out change, 7... Supply machine, 8...
Belt, 9, 9a-9c... Coin ejector, 10...
...Hopper, 18...Discharge detector, 19...First chute, 20, 20a-20c...Second chute, 21...Distribution piece, 22...Circulation replenishment port, 2
3... Shoot, 23a, 23b... Distribution means,
24... Connection chute assembly, 25a to 25c...
... Connection chute, 27, 27a-27c ... Coin conveyance belt, 28 ... Pulley, 32 ... Housing, 3
6...Collection box, 38a-38c...Bulk collection safe, 39...Dolly, 40...Deadline shutter, 44
...Outlet.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a group management ticket vending machine equipped with a circulation replenishment mechanism that circulates and replenishes a portion of the coins in each ticket vending machine to a coin ejector as change for the next day at the deadline, a deadline switch installed in a station office can be used. Operate the ticket vending machine to give a deadline command signal to each ticket vending machine individually or to a plurality of machines, and drop coins from the change replenishing machine of the ticket vending machine to the coin ejecting machine until the full detector operates, and The coins are discharged by the coin discharge machine, and the coins are placed on the change delivery belt until a predetermined number of coins are reached, and the belt is reversed to be stored in the bucket of the circulation replenishment mechanism, and the coins are discharged from the coin discharge machine. The remaining coins are counted, placed on a coin transport device shared by all ticket vending machines that extends the distance between each ticket vending machine, transported to a collection station, and collected all at once in a safe installed at the collection station.
An automatic coin collection method for a group control ticket vending machine, characterized in that coins in the bucket are replenished into an empty coin ejector. 2. At group control ticket vending machines equipped with a circulation replenishment mechanism that circulates and replenishes a portion of the coins in each ticket vending machine to the coin ejector as change for the next day at the deadline, operate the deadline switch installed in the station office to open the ticket vending machine. A deadline command signal is given to the ticket vending machine individually or to each of a plurality of machines, and coins are dropped from the change replenishing machine of the ticket vending machine to the coin ejecting machine until its full detector is activated, and coins are being fed to the coin ejecting machine. Place the coins on a change delivery belt until a predetermined number of coins are ejected, and then reverse the belt to store the coins in the bucket of the circulation replenishment mechanism, and count the remaining coins ejected from the coin ejection machine. The coins are placed on a coin transport device shared by all ticket vending machines that extends the distance between each ticket vending machine, and transported to a collection station, where they are collected all at once in a safe installed at the collection station.
A chute is provided for replenishing the empty coin ejecting machine with the coins in the bucket and for guiding the collected coins ejected from each coin ejecting machine to the coin conveying device after all the coin ejecting machines have finished discharging the collected coins. Close the deadline shutter, collect the safe at the collection point to the station office after the deadline operation for all ticket vending machines has finished, and when you set up the empty safe at the collection point, turn on the deadline end switch provided at the collection point. 1. An automatic coin collection method for a group-controlled ticket vending machine, characterized in that the deadline shutters of all ticket vending machines are opened by the operator.