U.S. patent application number 11/860687 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-03 for coin-roll storing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Glory, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Mikito Imai, Yumiko Imai, Koichi Nishida, Hiroshi Tone, Osamu Uehara.
Application Number | 20080078143 11/860687 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38670909 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080078143 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uehara; Osamu ; et
al. |
April 3, 2008 |
COIN-ROLL STORING MACHINE
Abstract
The present invention provides a coin-roll storing machine which
can reduce the dimension in the width direction and facilitate to
ensure the installation space, as compared with those of a type
including a plurality of coin-roll storing portions each adapted to
put the coin-roll on the bottom face such that the axis of each
coin-roll package extends in the horizontal width direction. In one
aspect, a coin-roll storing machine 1 includes a storing main body
1a, and three coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13, respectively provided
such that they can be drawn out relative to the storing main body
1a. In the respective coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13, a plurality of
coin-roll storing portion 14 are provided, each for storing
coin-roll B, with each axis of the coin-roll B being oriented in
the vertical direction.
Inventors: |
Uehara; Osamu;
(Hiratsuka-Shi, JP) ; Imai; Mikito; (Ako-Shi,
JP) ; Imai; Yumiko; (Ako-Shi, JP) ; Nishida;
Koichi; (Ota-Ku, JP) ; Tone; Hiroshi;
(Itabashi-Ku, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURR & BROWN
PO BOX 7068
SYRACUSE
NY
13261-7068
US
|
Assignee: |
Glory, Ltd.
Himeji-Shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
38670909 |
Appl. No.: |
11/860687 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07D 1/02 20130101; G07D
9/06 20130101; G07D 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/212 |
International
Class: |
B65B 11/04 20060101
B65B011/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 28, 2006 |
JP |
2006-264467 |
Claims
1. A coin-roll storing machine, comprising: a storing main body;
and a coin-roll drawer which is provided such that it can be drawn
out relative to the storing main body, and having a plurality of
coin-roll storing portions, each for storing coin-roll with each
axis of coin-roll being oriented in the vertical direction.
2. The coin-roll storing machine according to claim 1, wherein the
coin-roll drawer is configured such that it can be drawn out, by
hand, in the horizontally longitudinal direction, between its
closed position and its drawn-out position, relative to the storing
main body.
3. The coin-roll storing machine according to claim 2, further
comprising: a displacement detection means for detecting the
displacement in the longitudinal direction of the coin-roll drawer
relative to the storing main body; a coin-roll diameter sensor
including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit
respectively fixed to the coin-roll storing main body in positions
opposed to each other across an area through which the coin-roll
stored in the coin-roll drawer will pass, during drawing out and
pushing in the coin-roll drawer, the coin-roll diameter sensor
being adapted to output a signal corresponding to presence or
absence of shading due to the coin-roll; and a judgment means for
judging the number and the kind of money of the coin-roll stored in
each coin-roll storing portion of the coin-roll drawer, based on
the displacement in the longitudinal direction of the coin-roll
drawer to be detected by the displacement detection means as well
as on the output of the coin-roll diameter sensor.
4. The coin-roll storing machine according to claim 1, wherein each
of the coin-roll storing portions of the coin-roll drawer has an
axis extending in the vertical direction and a cylindrical shape
having a bottom face, the internal diameter of each coin-roll
storing portion being slightly larger than the outer diameter of
the coin-roll to be stored therein, and wherein a projection is
selectively formed at the bottom face to extend vertically upward,
depending on presence or absence of a hole of the coin-roll to be
stored therein.
5. The coin-roll storing machine according to claim 1, wherein each
of the coin-roll storing portions of the coin-roll drawer has an
axis extending in the vertical direction and a cylindrical shape
having a bottom face, the internal diameter of each coin-roll
storing portion being slightly larger than the outer diameter of
the coin-roll to be stored therein, and wherein a circular opening
is formed in the bottom face to have an inner diameter slightly
smaller than the outer diameter of the coin-roll to be stored
therein.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to coin-roll (a roll of coins)
storing machine for storing coin-roll (bar-shaped predetermined
number of stacked coins, e.g. each roll made by wrapping the same
kind of coins into a package), in respectively particular coin-roll
storing portions in order to separate the kinds of coins, and in
particular to a coin-roll storing machine adapted to store
coin-roll therein, with the coin-roll independently standing up in
the vertical direction.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] For instance, as the coin-roll storing machine for storing
coin-roll in respectively particular coin-roll storing portions to
separate the kinds of coins, those described in JP11-250314A and
JP2006-85332A are known. The coin-roll storing machines
respectively disclosed in the above JP11-250314A and JP2006-85332A
include multiple stages of coin-roll drawers each able to be
independently drawn out, in the forward direction, by hand, from a
housing (storing main body) of the coin-roll storing machine. Each
coin-roll drawer includes a plurality of coin-roll storing
portions, each for storing coin-roll, usually consisting of fifty
(50) coins, while putting them on the bottom face of the drawer
horizontally in the width (lateral) direction, or such that the
axis of each coin-roll extends in the horizontal width
direction.
[0005] However, there are problems as described below, in the
aforementioned conventional coin-roll storing machine. For example,
each coin-roll storing portion of the conventional coin-roll
storing machine is configured to store the coin-roll therein such
that the axis of each coin-roll extends in the horizontal width
direction. Thus, the dimension in the width direction of the
storing main body should be larger. Additionally, in the case where
the coin-roll storing machine is provided in combination with a
coin change machine to be arranged in the lateral direction, i.e.,
in the case where the coin-roll storing machine is installed in a
juxtaposition to the coin change machine, the dimension in the
width direction of the entire body of a resultant change supplement
and management system, which is a combined body of the coin-roll
storing machine and the coin change machine, should be larger.
Thus, it may be difficult to ensure an installation space for such
a change supplement and control system.
[0006] This invention was made in light of the point above, and
therefore it is an object thereof to provide a coin-roll storing
machine which can reduce the dimension in the width direction and
facilitate to ensure the installation space, as compared with those
including a plurality of coin-roll storing portions each adapted to
put the coin-roll on its bottom face such that the axis of each
coin-roll package extends in the horizontal width direction.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
coin-roll storing machine which can provide the same benefit as
described above, as well as can judge each kind of the coin-roll
stored in the plurality of coin-roll storing portions in the
respective coin-roll drawers, in a shorter time, thereby to
facilitate management of the total amount of money of the
coin-roll.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is a coin-roll storing machine,
comprising: a storing main body; a coin-roll drawer which is
provided such that it can be drawn out relative to the storing main
body, and having a plurality of coin-roll storing portions, each
for storing coin-roll with each axis of coin-roll being oriented in
the vertical direction.
[0009] According to the coin-roll storing machine, the coin-roll
can be stored with the axis of the coin-roll being oriented in the
vertical direction relative to each coin-roll storing portion, as
such the dimension in the width direction of the storing main body
can be significantly reduced, as compared with the type of storing
the coin-roll while putting them on each coin-roll storing portion
such that the axis of each coin-roll extends in the horizontal
direction relative to the coin-roll storing portion. This can
further facilitate to ensure the installation space of the
coin-roll storing machine. Moreover, in the case where the
coin-roll storing machine is installed in a juxtaposition to a coin
change machine, the dimension in the width direction of a change
supplement and management system, i.e., the resultant combined body
from the two machines, can be further reduced.
[0010] In the coin-roll storing machine according to this
invention, it is preferred that the coin-roll drawer is configured
such that it can be drawn out, by hand, in the horizontally
longitudinal direction, between its closed position and its
drawn-out position, relative to the storing main body. In this way,
an operator can perform drawing out and pushing in operations of
the coin-roll, more readily, relative to the coin-roll storing
machine.
[0011] In the coin-roll storing machine as described above, it is
preferred that the coin-roll storing machine further comprises: a
displacement detection means for detecting the displacement in the
longitudinal direction of the coin-roll drawer relative to the
storing main body; a coin-roll diameter sensor including a light
emitting unit and a light receiving unit respectively fixed to the
coin-roll storing main body in positions opposed to each other
across an area through which the coin-roll stored in the coin-roll
drawer will pass during drawing out and pushing in the coin-roll
drawer, the coin-roll diameter sensor being adapted to output a
signal corresponding to presence or absence of shading due to the
coin-roll; and a judgment means for judging the number and the kind
of money of the coin-roll stored in each coin-roll storing portion
of the coin-roll drawer, based on the displacement in the
longitudinal direction of the coin-roll drawer to be detected by
the displacement detection means as well as on the output of the
coin-roll diameter sensor.
[0012] According to the coin-roll storing machine described above,
the judgment means can judge the presence or absence and the kind
of money of the coin-roll stored in each coin-roll storing portion
of the coin-roll drawer, based on the displacement in the
longitudinal direction of the coin-roll drawer to be detected by
the displacement detection means as well as on the output of the
coin-roll diameter sensor, when drawing out/pushing in the
coin-roll drawer, by hand, relative to the storing main body. In
this case, the kind of money of the coin-roll can be judged, on the
basis of the diameter of the coin-roll, which is to be identified
based on the displacement in the longitudinal direction of the
coin-roll drawer as well as on the output of the coin-roll diameter
sensor. Thus, by utilizing the longitudinal displacement of each
coin-roll drawer, even though there is some change of speed when
drawing out/pushing in the coin-roll drawer by hand, the diameter
of the coin-roll can be identified accurately without experiencing
no negative impact due to such change.
[0013] Therefore, only by drawing out/pushing in the coin-roll
drawer, by hand, each kind of money of the coin-roll stored in the
plurality of coin-roll storing portions can be judged accurately in
a shorter time. Additionally, there is no need to provide an
additional mechanism for moving the sensor at a constant speed, as
conventional. Accordingly, the production cost for the coin-roll
storing machine can be significantly reduced. It is noted that the
management of the total amount of the coin-roll in the coin-roll
storing machine can be carried out, in particular, based on the
judgment to be provided when pushing in the coin-roll drawer.
[0014] In the coin-roll storing machine according to this
invention, it is preferred that each of the coin-roll storing
portions of the coin-roll drawer has an axis extending in the
vertical direction and a cylindrical shape having a bottom face,
the internal diameter of each coin-roll storing portion being
slightly larger than the outer diameter of the coin-roll to be
stored therein, and that a projection is selectively formed at the
bottom face to extend vertically upward, depending on presence or
absence of a hole of the coin-roll to be stored therein. Thus,
inadvertent storage of the coin-roll, having a larger diameter, in
an unmatched coin-roll storing portion can be prevented. In
addition, if other kinds of coin-roll with no hole are
inadvertently stored in the coin-roll storing portion in which
apertured coin-roll are to be stored, they can not be stored
therein because of block due to the projection against advance of
such coin-roll. Therefore, such inadvertent storage of the
coin-roll can be further prevented.
[0015] In the coin-roll storing machine according to this
invention, it is preferred that each of the coin-roll storing
portions of the coin-roll drawer has an axis extending in the
vertical direction and a cylindrical shape having a bottom face,
the internal diameter of each coin-roll storing portion being
slightly larger than the outer diameter of the coin-roll to be
stored therein, and that a circular opening is formed in the bottom
face to have an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer
diameter of the coin-roll to be stored therein. Thus, inadvertent
storage of the coin-roll having an improperly larger diameter into
the coin-roll storing portion with a smaller inner diameter can be
prevented. Furthermore, if other coin-roll having a diameter quite
smaller than the inner diameter of the coin-roll storing portion is
inadvertently inserted therein, it will fall downward through the
circular opening. Accordingly, inadvertent storage of such unduly
smaller coin-roll in the coin-roll storing portion can also be
prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a
coin-roll storing machine according to the present invention, with
the coin-roll storing machine incorporated in a change supplement
and management system.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the coin-roll storing
machine and a coin change machine in the system shown in FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the coin-roll
storing machine in the system shown in FIG. 1, when viewed from
below.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of displacement of one coin-roll
drawer in the coin-roll storing machine shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
with the drawer shown in (a) a closed position, (b) a pushed-in
position, (c) a detection start/end position, (d) a detection
end/start position, and (e) a fully-drawn-out position,
respectively.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing relationships
between the respective coin-roll drawers and displacement detection
means in the coin-roll storing machine shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0021] FIG. 6 shows cross sections illustrating the construction of
the coin-roll storing portion in the coin-roll storing machine
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein FIG. 6(a) shows a construction of
the coin-roll storing portion adapted for one-yen coin-roll,
ten-yen coin-roll, hundred-yen coin-roll, or five hundred-yen
coin-roll, and FIG. 6(b) shows a construction of the coin-roll
storing portion adapted for five-yen coin-roll or fifty-yen
coin-roll.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross section showing another construction of
the coin-roll storing portion in the coin-roll storing machine
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system of the
coin-roll storing machine shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 8 are diagrams
for illustrating one embodiment of a coin-roll (a roll of coins)
storing machine according to the present invention and a change
supplement and management system including the coin-roll storing
machine.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a
coin-roll storing machine according to the present invention, with
the coin-roll storing machine incorporated in a change supplement
and management system. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the
coin-roll storing machine and a coin change machine in the system
shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the
coin-roll storing machine in the system shown in FIG. 1, when
viewed from below.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of displacement of one coin-roll
drawer in the coin-roll storing machine shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
with the drawer shown in (a) a closed position, (b) a pushed-in
position, (c) a detection start/end position, (d) a detection
end/start position, and (e) a fully-drawn-out position,
respectively. FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing
relationships between the respective coin-roll drawers and
displacement detection means in the coin-roll storing machine shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows cross sections illustrating the construction of
the coin-roll storing portion in the coin-roll storing machine
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein FIG. 6(a) shows a construction of
the coin-roll storing portion adapted for one-yen coin-roll,
ten-yen coin-roll, hundred-yen coin-roll, or five hundred-yen
coin-roll, and FIG. 6(b) shows a construction of the coin-roll
storing portion adapted for five-yen coin-roll or fifty-yen
coin-roll. FIG. 7 is a cross section showing another construction
of the coin-roll storing portion in the coin-roll storing machine
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system of the
coin-roll storing machine shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0029] Hereinafter, through reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, a
construction of the change supplement and management system
including the coin-roll storing machine of this embodiment, a
specific construction of the coin-roll storing machine, a
construction of the coin change machine in the system, and the
operation and effect, and modifications of this embodiment, will be
described, in succession.
[Construction of the Change Supplement and Management System]
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the coin-roll storing machine 1 of this
embodiment is combined with the coin change machine 3 and a POS
resistor (point of sales resistor) 5, so as to constitute the
change supplement and management system. As shown in FIG. 2, the
coin-roll storing machine 1 of this embodiment is integrally
juxtaposed to the coin change machine in the lateral direction.
Specifically, a storing main body 1a of the coin-roll storing
machine 1 and a housing 3a of the coin change machine 3 are
integrally formed relative to each other. The POS resistor 5 is
located in the vicinity of the coin change machine 3 and the
coin-roll storing machine 1.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the coin-roll storing machine 1, coin
change machine 3 and POS resistor 5 have control units 16, 36 and
50, respectively. Among them, the control unit 16 of the coin-roll
storing machine 1 is connected in communication with the control
unit 36 of the coin change machine 3, and the control unit 36 of
the coin change machine 3 is in turn connected in communication
with the control unit 50 of the POS resistor 5.
[Construction of the Coin-Roll Storing Machine]
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the coin-roll storing machine 1
includes the storing main body 1a, and three coin-roll drawers 11,
12, 13, respectively attached to the storing main body 1a, such
that they can be independently drawn out in the forward direction
(the horizontally longitudinal direction), by hand. These coin-roll
drawers 11, 12, 13 are juxtaposed relative to each other in the
horizontally lateral direction. In the respective coin-roll drawers
11, 12, 13, a plurality of coin-roll storing portions 14 (FIG. 2),
each adapted to store coin-roll B therein, are provided. The
coin-roll B are stored in each coin-roll storing portion 14 to have
such an attitude that each axis of the coin-roll B is oriented in
the direction vertical to the drawing direction (horizontally
longitudinal direction) of the coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13.
[0033] Specifically, for example, to the drawer 11 located on the
most left side in FIG. 2, eight (8) coin-roll storing portions 14
adapted for one-yen coin-roll, and two (2) coin-roll storing
portions 14 for five-yen coin-roll are provided. Besides, to the
coin-roll drawer 2 located in an intermediate position as shown in
FIG. 2, eight (8) coin-roll storing portions 14 adapted for ten-yen
coin-roll, and two (2) coin-roll storing portions 14 for fifty-yen
coin-roll are provided. Additionally, to the coin-roll drawer 13
located on the most right side in FIG. 2, eight (8) coin-roll
storing portions 14 adapted for hundred-yen coin-roll, and two (2)
coin-roll storing portions 14 for five-hundred yen coin-roll are
provided.
[0034] As a representative of the above three coin-roll drawers 11,
12, 13, the construction of the respective coin-roll storing
portions 14 provided to the coin-roll drawer 11 will be described
with reference to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). FIG. 6(a) shows the
construction of the coin-roll storing portion 14 adapted for
one-yen coin-roll, ten-yen coin-roll, hundred-yen coin-roll, or
five hundred-yen coin-roll, and FIG. 6(b) shows the construction of
the coin-roll storing portion 14 adapted for five-yen coin-roll or
fifty-yen coin-roll.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), each coin-roll storing
portion 14 of the coin-roll drawer 11 has an axis extending in the
vertical direction, and is of a cylindrical shape having a bottom
face. The inner diameter of each coin-roll storing portion 14 is
slightly larger than the outer diameter of the corresponding
coin-roll B to be stored therein. Thus, inadvertent storage of the
coin-roll B having an improperly large diameter in an unmatched
coin-roll storing portion 14 can be prevented. Further, as shown in
FIG. 6(b), in each coin-roll storing portion 14 for storing
coin-roll B, for coins, each having a central hole, such as the
five-yen coins or fifty-yen coins, a projection 14a is formed to
extend vertically upward from the bottom face. In this manner, when
storing the coin-roll B consisting of five-yen coins or fifty-yen
coins are stored in the coin-roll storing portion 14, the hole of
each coin constituting the coin-roll B is fitted around the
projection 14a. Thus, because of the block against advance of the
coin-roll B due to the projection 14a, other kinds of coin-roll B
consisting of coins with no holes can not be stored in the
coin-roll storing portions 14 configured for the five-yen coins or
fifty-yen coins. Therefore, such inadvertent storage of the
coin-roll B can be further prevented.
[0036] As another construction of each coin-roll storing portion 14
of the coin-roll drawer 11, one as shown in FIG. 7 can be
mentioned. The coin-roll storing portion 14 as shown in FIG. 7 has
an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the
coin-roll B to be stored therein. In addition, in the bottom face
of the coin-roll storing portion 14, a circular opening 14b is
formed with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer
diameter of the coin-roll B to be stored in the coin-roll storing
portion 14. In this way, inadvertent storage of the coin-roll B
having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the coin-roll
storing portion 14 can be prevented. Furthermore, if other
coin-roll B having a diameter quite smaller than the inner diameter
of the coin-roll storing portion 14 is stored therein, it will fall
downward through the circular opening 14b. Accordingly, inadvertent
storage of such smaller diameter coin-roll B in the coin-roll
storing portion 14 can also be prevented.
[0037] As a still another construction of each coin-roll storing
portion 14 of the coin-roll drawer 11, the coin-roll storing
portion 14 having the projection 14a as shown in FIG. 6(b) may be
used for five-yen coin-roll or fifty-yen coin-roll, while the other
coin-roll storing portion 14 having the circular opening 14b as
shown in FIG. 7 may be used for one-yen coin-roll, ten-yen
coin-roll, hundred-yen coin-roll and five-hundred-yen
coin-roll.
[0038] The coin-roll storing machine 1 includes a detection system
18 (FIG. 1) for detecting a signal, for use in judging presence or
absence of coin-roll B and the kind of the coins, for each
coin-roll storing portion 14 of the coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13.
The detection system 18 is configured to judge the presence or
absence of coin-roll B and the kind of the coins for each coin-roll
storing portion 14, both in the case where each of the coin-roll
drawers 11, 12, 13 is pushed into the storing main body 1a and in
the case where each of the pushed in coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13
is drawn out from the storing main body 1a.
[0039] The control unit 16 has a function as a judgment means for
judging the presence or absence and the kind of money of the
coin-roll B stored in each coin-roll storing portion 14 of the
particular coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13, based on a signal outputted
from the detection system 18.
[0040] As described herein, the coin-roll taken out from each
coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13 of the coin-roll storing machine 1 will
be referred to as "taken-out coin-roll".
[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the storing main body 1a of the
coin-roll storing machine 1 includes a frame body F adapted to hold
the respective coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13 such that they can
individually slide in the horizontally longitudinal direction. At a
bottom portion of each coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13, an optically
transparent portion (not shown) is provided. Each optically
transparent portion extends over a range, in which the plurality of
coin-roll storing portions 14 in each coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13
are provided, as well as, it extends up to a point in the vicinity
of a distal end of the coin-roll drawer distal to the most forward
coin-roll storing portion 14. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, at the
bottom face of each coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13, a rack R is
provided, extending in the longitudinal direction.
[0042] In FIG. 4, various longitudinal positions are shown, on the
basis of a front face panel 1c (see FIG. 2) of the storing main
body 1a of the coin-roll drawer 11, which is exemplified as a
representative of the aforementioned three coin-roll drawers 11,
12, 13.
[0043] Namely, FIG. 4 illustrates, respectively:
[0044] a position (a), which is a "closed position", wherein the
front face of the coin-roll drawer 11 is positioned to be flush
with the front face panel 1c;
[0045] a position (b), which is a "pushed-in position", wherein the
coin-roll drawer 11 is further pushed in from the closed position,
and thus the front face of the coin-roll drawer 11 is slightly
retracted from the front face panel 1c;
[0046] a position (c), which is a "detection start/end position",
wherein detection due to the detection system 18 is started when
drawing out the coin-roll drawer 11, and the detection due to the
detection system 18 is ended when pushing in the coin-roll drawer
11;
[0047] a position (d), which is a "detection end/start position",
wherein the detection due to the detection system 18 is ended when
drawing out the coin-roll drawer 11, and the detection due to the
detection system 18 is started when pushing in the coin-roll drawer
11; and
[0048] a position (e), which is a "fully-drawn-out position",
wherein the coin-roll drawer 11 is fully drawn out, such that the
storage/taking out of the coin-roll B relative to all of the
coin-roll storing portions 14 (FIG. 2) of the coin-roll drawer 11
can be carried out.
[0049] As a typical example of the detection system 18 (FIG. 1), a
coin-roll diameter sensor S1, as will described below, is shown in
FIG. 4.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, at a front portion of the frame body F,
one coin-roll diameter sensor S1 and three coin-roll hole sensors
S21, S22, S23 are provided. The coin-roll diameter sensor S1
comprises a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit,
respectively fixed to the frame F (storing main body 1a) in the
lateral direction, in positions opposed to each other, with the
coin-roll B interposed between them, wherein the coin-roll B are
respectively stored in the three coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13, in
each raised state. The coin-roll diameter sensor S1 is located such
that its light axis passes through a position forward to the most
forward coin-roll storing portion 14 of each coin-roll drawer 11,
12, 13 in the closed position (FIG. 4(a)) (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
[0051] The coin-roll hole sensors S21, S22, S23 are provided,
respectively corresponding to the coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13.
Each coin-roll hole sensor S21, S22, S23 comprises a light emitting
unit and a light receiving unit, respectively fixed to the frame F
(storing main body 1a), in positions opposed to each other in the
vertical direction, with each corresponding coin-roll drawer 11,
12, 13 interposed between them. Each coin-roll hole sensor S21,
S22, S23 is located such that its light axis passes through the
axis of the coin-roll B stored in each corresponding coin-roll
drawer 11, 12, 13, such that they can be taken out and pushed in,
while being in each raised state.
[0052] Additionally, on one side face near the bottom portion of
the frame F, a single two-phase rotary encoder E is provided. As
shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the rotary encoder E has an input axis e1
extending in the horizontally lateral direction. To the input axis
e1, three pinions P respectively corresponding to the coin-roll
drawers 11, 12, 13 are fixed. The racks R of the coin-roll drawers
11, 12, 13 and the corresponding pinions P are respectively
arranged such that they can be engaged with each other at least
when the coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13 are in positions between the
detection start/end position (FIG. 4(c)) and the detection
end/start position (FIG. 4(d)) (i.e., positions within a range
necessary for judgment by a judging means between the closed
portion (FIG. 4 (a)) and the fully-drawn-out position (FIG. 4 (e)),
while not engaged with each other at least when the coin-roll
drawers 11, 12, 13 are in the respective closed positions.
[0053] Thus, the rotary encoder E may be configured to output pulse
signals of a number in proportion to the displacement in the
longitudinal direction of each coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13. Namely,
the rotary encoder E, racks R and pinions P constitute together a
displacement detection means for detecting the displacement in the
longitudinal direction of each coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13 relative
to the storing main body 1a.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, the coin-roll diameter sensor S1,
coin-roll hole sensors S21, S22, S23 and rotary encoder E, which
constitute together the detection system 18, are respectively
connected to the control unit 16. Also, to the control unit 16, a
memory (storage means) M and a communication interface T are
connected. In the memory M, relationships between positions of the
respective coin-roll storing portions 14 and the kinds of coin-roll
B to be stored in the respective coin-roll storing portions 14, in
all of the coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13, are inputted in advance.
The communication interface T is adapted to connect the control
unit 36 of the coin change machine 3 (FIG. 1) in communication with
the control unit 16.
[0055] The control unit 16 has a function as a judgment means for
judging presence or absence and the kind of money of the coin-roll
B stored in the respective coin-roll storing portions 14 of each
coin-roll drawer, based on the displacement in the longitudinal
direction of either one of the coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13 to be
identified from the output of the rotary encoder E as well as on
the respective outputs from the coin-roll diameter sensor S1 and
coin-roll hole sensors S21, S22, S23.
[0056] Specifically, when drawing out one of the coin-roll drawers
by hand from the storing main body 1a, or when pushing it into the
storing main body 1a by hand, the rotary encoder E, coin-roll
diameter sensor S1 and coin-roll hole sensor S21, S22, S23
corresponding to the respective coin-roll drawer, output pulse
signals, respectively. Of these output signals, by using the pulse
signal of the rotary encoder E, the displacement, in the
longitudinal direction relative to the storing main body 1a, of
each coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13 is identified, as such the
displacement in the longitudinal direction relative to the
respective coin-roll sensors S1; S21, S22, S23 of the coin-roll
storing portions 14 can be identified. Further, by using the pulse
signals of the respective coin-roll sensors S1; S21, S22, S23,
transition of light transmission/shading (presence or absence of
shading) due to the radial outer periphery and inner periphery of
the respective coin-roll B (or only the outer periphery in the
cases of coins other than the five-yen coins and fifty-yen coins)
can be identified.
[0057] Consequently, not only the presence or absence of the
coin-roll B but also the diameter and presence or absence of the
central hole of the coin-roll B stored can be identified for each
coin-roll storing portion 14 of the coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13.
Based on the identification, the control unit 16 can judge whether
the kind of coin-roll B present in a certain coin-roll storing
portion 14 is adequate or not to be stored therein.
[Construction of the Coin Change Machine]
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coin change machine 3
includes a slot 30 provided in a front portion of the housing 3a, a
delivery port 34, and a display and operation panel 3b (FIG. 2).
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the coin change machine 3 includes an
identification means 31, a selection means 32 and a coin storing
portion 33 in which respective coins are classified for their
kinds. The identification means 31 is configured to identify the
kinds and the number of loose coins to be put into the slot 30. The
selection means 32 is configured to sort the loose coins, having
been identified, by the identification means 31, for each kind of
money. The coin storing portion 33 is configured to store the loose
coins, having been sorted by the selection means 32, therein, while
classifying them for the respective kinds.
[0059] The coin change machine 3 is configured to feed the loose
coins stored in the coin storing portion 33 into the delivery port
34, depending on the need for delivering the change or the like. As
the loose coins to be put into the slot 30, in addition to coins
(typically, loose coins to be obtained by removing wrapping for
taken-out coin-roll) supplemented as those used for changes, coins
received from customers are also included. However, it is not
critical to discriminate them, but instead, they may be stored
together in the coin storing portion 33 so as to be utilized as
changes.
[0060] To the control unit 36 of the coin change machine 3,
judgment results is transmitted from the control unit 16 of the
coin-rolltoring machine 1. The control unit 36 has a function for
comparing the kind and the number of loose coins identified by the
identification means 31 with the kind and the number of taken-out
coin-roll based on the judgment results received, as well as for
managing the correspondence between the both.
[0061] The judgment results are also transmitted to the control
unit 50 of the POS resistor 5, from the control unit 16 of the
coin-roll storing machine 1, via the control unit 36 of the coin
change machine 3.
[0062] If the kind and the number of the loose coins does not
correspond to the kind and the number of the taken-out coin-roll
(i.e., if the coins are the same kind, but the total number of the
loose coins is not coincidence with the total number of the
taken-out coin-roll to be calculated by multiplying the number of
coins (usually fifty) per package of the coin-roll by the number of
packages of the coin-roll), some address, such as flagging to a log
data of the change supplement and management system, will be taken.
Consequently, the correspondence between the taken-out coin-roll
and the loose coins supplemented as changes can be managed
accurately. Instead of using the control unit 36 of the coin change
machine 3, a function for managing such a correspondence may be
provided to the control unit 50 of the POS resistor 5.
[0063] It should be appreciated that the coin-roll B to be stored
in the coin-roll storing machine 1 are not limited to those wrapped
into a package consisting of fifty NIPPON-yen coins, but may be
those wrapped into a package consisting of a predetermined number
of coins other than the NIPPON-yen coins, for example, U.S. or Euro
coins. Specifically, with respect to a package of coin-roll
consisting of U.S. coins, for example, a one-cent coin-roll package
consists of fifty one-cent coins, a five-cent coin-roll package
consists of forty five-cent coins, a ten-cent coin-roll package
consists of fifty ten-cent coins, a twenty-five-cent coin-roll
package consists of forty twenty-five-cent coins, a fifty-cent
coin-roll package consists of twenty fifty-cent coins, and
one-dollar coin-roll package consists of twenty one-dollar
coins.
[0064] With respect to the Euro coins, for example, a one-cent
coin-roll package consists of fifty one-cent coins, a two-sent
coin-roll package consists of fifty two-cent coins, a five-cent
coin-roll package consists of fifty five-cent coins, a ten-cent
coin-roll package consists of forty ten-cent coins, a twenty-cent
coin-roll package consists of forty twenty-cent coins, a fifty-cent
coin-roll package consists of twenty fifty-cent coins, a one euro
coin-roll package consists of twenty-five one-euro coins, and a
two-euro coin-roll package consists of twenty-five two-euro
coins.
[0065] In the case where the coin-roll to be stored in the
coin-roll storing machine 1 are coins other than Nippon-yen coins,
such as U.S. or Euro coins, information concerning the number of
coins per coin-roll package of such U.S. or Euro coins, for each
kind of money, is inputted in advance to the memory M of the
control unit 16. In this way, when calculating the total amount of
the coin-roll B stored in the coin-roll storing machine 1 by using
the control unit 16 of the coin-roll storing machine 1 and/or by
using control unit 50 of the POS resistor 5, with consideration as
to information concerning the kinds and the number of coin-roll B
to be obtained and calculated by the control unit 16 of the
coin-roll storing machine 1, as well as concerning the number of
coins per coin-roll package, for each kind of money, of each
country, stored in the memory M, the total amount of coin-roll B
stored in the coin-roll storing machine 1 can be automatically
calculated.
[Operation and Effect]
[0066] Next, the operation and effect of the coin-roll storing
machine of this embodiment constructed as described above will be
discussed.
[0067] According to the coin-roll storing machine 1 of this
embodiment, the coin-roll B can be stored in each coin-roll storing
portion 14, while orienting each axis of the coin-roll B to be
vertical to the coin-roll storing portion 14. Thus, the dimension
in the width direction of the storing main body 1a can be
significantly reduced, as compared with the type of storing the
coin-roll B in each coin-roll storing portion 14, while putting
them on the bottom face in the horizontal direction. This can
facilitate to ensure an installation space for the coin-roll
storing machine 1. In addition, in the case where the coin-roll
storing machine 1 is arranged in a juxtaposition to the coin change
machine 3 as shown in FIG. 2, the dimension in the width direction
of the entire body of the resultant supplement and management
system can also be reduced.
[0068] According to the coin-roll storing machine 1 of this
embodiment, when drawing out or pushing in the particular coin-roll
drawer 11, 12, 13 relative to the storing main body 1a, based on
the longitudinal displacement of each coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13
to be identified from the output of the rotary encoder E as the
displacement detection means as well as on each output of the
coin-roll diameter sensor S1 and coin-roll hole sensors S21, S22,
S23 depending on the presence or absence of shading due to the
coin-roll B, the control unit 16 as the judgment means judges the
presence or absence and the kind of money of the coin-roll B stored
in each coin-roll storing portion 14 of the coin-roll drawer. In
this case, the kind of money of the coin-roll B can be judged, on
the basis of the diameter of the coin-roll B to be identified based
on the longitudinal displacement of each coin-roll drawer 11, 12,
13 and the output of the coin-roll diameter sensor S1, as well as
on the basis of the presence or absence of the central hole of the
coin-roll B to be identified based on the output of each coin-roll
hole sensor S21, S22, S23. Thus, by utilizing the longitudinal
displacement of each coin-roll drawer 11, 12, 13, even though there
is some change of speed during drawing out/pushing in the coin-roll
drawer by hand, the diameter of the coin-roll B can be identified
accurately without experiencing no negative impact due to such
change.
[0069] Therefore, only by pushing in the particular coin-roll
drawer 11, 12, 13, by hand, the kind of money of the coin-roll B
stored in the plurality of coin-roll storing portions 14 of each
coin-roll drawer can be judged accurately in a shorter time,
thereby to grasp the total amount of the money. Additionally, there
is no need to provide a mechanism for moving the sensor at a
constant speed as conventional. Accordingly, the production cost
for the coin-roll storing machine can be significantly reduced.
Furthermore, the longitudinal displacement of the plurality of
coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13 can be detected respectively by using
the single rotary encoder E. Therefore, the production cost of the
displacement detection means can also be reduced, leading to
further reduction of the production cost of the coin-roll storing
machine.
[Modifications]
[0070] It should be appreciated that the coin-roll storing machine
1 of this embodiment is not limited to the aspect described above,
but various modifications may be added thereto.
[0071] For example, in the aspect described above, while the case
wherein the control unit 16 of the coin-roll storing machine 1 has
the function as the judgment means has been discussed, the control
unit 36 of the coin change machine 3 or the control unit 50 of the
POS resistor 5 may instead be configured to have a function as such
a judgment means.
[0072] While the case wherein each pinion P is fixed to the input
axis e1 of the rotary encoder E has been described, each pinion P
may not be fixed to the input axis e1, provided that it can be
rotated together with the input axis e1. For example, another gear
or axis may be provided between each pinion P and the input axis
e1.
[0073] Additionally, the coin-roll hole sensors S21, S22, S23 may
be omitted, in the case where apertured coins are not included in
the coin-roll B to be stored, and/or in the case where the
difference of the diameter is sufficiently large between the
respective kinds of coin-roll B, as such the judgment of the kind
of money can be performed enough only by using the output of the
coin-roll diameter sensor S1.
[0074] The coin-roll drawers 11, 12, 13 may be constructed with
respectively separated units so as to be detachable from the
storing main body 1a and/or from other coin-roll drawers. In such a
case, a further drawer unit may be added to the coin-roll storing
machine 1 which includes the three coin-roll drawers as shown in
FIG. 2, or otherwise, the unit of the coin-roll drawer 13, for
example, may be removed as needed.
* * * * *