Patent Grant
10096195
The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-157855 filed in Japan on Aug. 10, 2016.
The disclosure relates to a money processing device. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a money processing device used as a change machine, for example.
Recently, a money processing device serving as an automatic change machine has been installed in stores such as a supermarket and a convenience store to handle customers and to provide stricter cash management. Typically, the money processing device is connected to a host device such as a point of sales (POS) register device to configure a register system, and is used for performing processing of inputting or outputting money such as a coin and a bill in response to a command from the host device.
Such a money processing device includes an operation unit and a money processing unit. The operation unit is a part for giving and receiving money that includes a money input port through which money is input and a money output port through which money is discharged. The money processing unit takes in money input through the money input port so as to sort the input money and store the sorted money in a storage space, and conveys money corresponding to change from the storage space to the operation unit so as to output the corresponding money through the money output port when a money output instruction is given. The operation unit of such a money processing device is typically facing a salesperson of a store as an operator, and money replenishing work, money collecting work, or maintenance work such as releasing jamming of money is performed on the operation unit side (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2015-225614).
In recent years, to improve efficiency of store operation, a self-checkout machine and a semi-self-checkout machine have rapidly spread for stores and the like. The self-checkout machine is used such that a customer himself/herself registers a commodity to be purchased, and gives and receives money. The semi-self-checkout machine is used such that a salesperson registers a commodity to be purchased, and a customer only gives and receives money.
When the money processing device described above is applied to a register system such as a self-checkout machine and a semi-self-checkout machine, the operation unit is installed facing a customer.
Thus, when performing work such as collecting work and maintenance work on the money processing device of the self-checkout machine or the semi-self-checkout machine, a worker needs to perform such work from a customer side, so that other persons in the store such as the customer can see money, which is undesirable from the viewpoint of crime prevention.
It is an object of the disclosure to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology.
In some embodiments, a money processing device includes: an operation unit including a money input port through which money is input and a money output port through which money is discharged, and serving as a part for giving and receiving money; a money processing unit provided on a rear side of the operation unit, and configured to: take in money input through the money input port so as to sort the input money and store the sorted money in a storage space; and convey money corresponding to change from the storage space to the operation unit so as to output the corresponding money through the money output port when a money output instruction is given; and a replenishing and collecting unit provided on a rear side of the money processing unit, and configured to: replenish money of the money processing unit; and collect the money stored in the storage space into a collection space when a collection command is given.
In some embodiments, a money processing device includes: an operation unit including a money input port through which money is input and a money output port through which money is discharged, and serving as a part for giving and receiving money; a money processing unit provided on a rear side of the operation unit, and configured to: take in money input through the money input port so as to sort the input money and store the sorted money in a storage space; and convey money corresponding to change from the storage space to the operation unit so as to output the corresponding money through the money output port when a money output instruction is given; and a main body having a rectangular parallelepiped shape where each of front and rear surfaces has an opening, the main body being configured to house the money processing unit therein. When a pull-out operation is performed on the money processing unit, the main body is configured to allow the money processing unit to be pulled out only through the opening of the rear surface.
The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this disclosure will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The following describes preferred embodiments of a money processing device according to the disclosure in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
The money processing device 10 is connected to a POS register device 1, which is a host device, via a communication line N, and includes an operation unit 20a, a money processing unit 20b, and a replenishing and collecting unit 20c.
The operation unit 20a configures a front portion of the money processing device 10, and includes a coin input port 21, a coin output port 22, a coin return port 23, a bill input port 24, a bill output port 25, and an operation display part 26.
The coin input port 21 is an opening through which a coin is input. The coin output port 22 is an opening through which a coin is discharged to a tray 27 on the outside. The coin return port 23 is an opening through which a coin is returned. The bill input port 24 is an opening through which a bill is input. The bill output port 25 is an opening through which a bill is discharged to the outside.
The operation display part 26 includes a display part 26a and an operation part 26b. The display part 26a is a part that displays various pieces of information such as reception states of money for each denomination. The operation part 26b is used by an operator for inputting various commands, and includes a plurality of push button switches, for example.
The money processing unit 20b is arranged on the rear side of the operation unit 20a, and includes a coin processing unit 30 and a bill processing unit 40.
As illustrated in
The input money conveying mechanism 31 conveys a coin input through the coin input port 21. The coin identification sensor 32 determines whether the coin conveyed by the input money conveying mechanism 31 is true or false, and determines a denomination thereof.
The coin storage space 33 includes a one-yen coin storage space 33a, a fifty-yen coin storage space 33b, a five-yen coin storage space 33c, a hundred-yen coin storage space 33d, a ten-yen coin storage space 33e, and a five-hundred-yen coin storage space 33f that are arranged for each denomination to store coins of a corresponding denomination, and includes a temporary reservation space 33g for temporarily reserving a coin.
The sorting and conveying mechanism 34 conveys a coin reserved in the temporary reservation space 33g. To convey the coin forward, the sorting and conveying mechanism 34 conveys the coin reserved in the temporary reservation space 33g to the coin return port 23. To convey the coin backward, the sorting and conveying mechanism 34 conveys the coin reserved in the temporary reservation space 33g to the coin storage space 33a or the like.
The output money conveying mechanism 35 conveys the coin forward or backward. When an output money sorting gate 36 is switched to the temporary reservation space 33g side, the output money conveying mechanism 35 conveys the coin to be conveyed to the temporary reservation space 33g. When the output money sorting gate 36 is switched to the coin output port 22 side, the output money conveying mechanism 35 conveys the coin to be conveyed to the coin output port 22.
As illustrated in
The bill conveying mechanism 41 conveys a bill. The bill discrimination sensor 42 determines whether a bill conveyed by the bill conveying mechanism 41, more specifically, the bill that is input through the bill input port 24 and conveyed by the bill conveying mechanism 41 is true or false, and determines the denomination thereof.
The bill storage space 43 includes an inspection space 43a, a one-thousand-yen bill storage space 43b, and a mixed bills storage space 43c. The inspection space 43a is a storage space for temporarily storing bills when the one-thousand-yen bill storage space 43b and the mixed bills storage space 43c are temporarily emptied of bills stored therein to recalculate the number of bills stored in each bill storage space 43. The one-thousand-yen bill storage space 43b is a space for storing a one-thousand-yen bill. A temporary reservation space 44 is dividedly configured on an upstream side portion of the one-thousand-yen bill storage space 43b. The mixed bills storage space 43c is a space for storing bills other than the one-thousand-yen bill. The temporary reservation space 44 is dividedly configured on an upstream side portion of the mixed bills storage space 43c.
The replenishing and collecting unit 20c is arranged on the rear side of the money processing unit 20b, and includes a coin replenishing and collecting unit 50 and a bill replenishing and collecting unit 60.
As illustrated in
The coin collection space 52 is a space for collecting a coin stored in the coin storage space 33a or the like when a collection command is given and the output money conveying mechanism 35 is driven backward. The coin replenishing and collecting unit 50 is arranged on the coin processing unit 30 in a detachable manner. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the coin replenishing and collecting unit 50 includes a door body to be opened or closed when a coin is replenished or collected.
As illustrated in
The following simply describes an operation (a coin input operation, a coin output operation, a coin replenishment operation, a coin collection operation, a bill input operation, a bill output operation, a bill replenishment operation, and a bill collection operation) of the money processing device 10 having the configuration described above.
Coin Input Operation
When a coin is input through the coin input port 21 by a transaction, the coin input port 21 temporarily reserves a deposit from a customer. The coin that is temporarily reserved as described above is detected by an input detection sensor (not illustrated) in response to a money input permission command from the POS register device 1, and conveyed to the input money conveying mechanism 31. The coin identification sensor 32 determines whether the coin conveyed by the input money conveying mechanism 31 is true or false, and determines the denomination thereof. The coin that is determined to be a true coin by the coin identification sensor 32 is reserved in the temporary reservation space 33g. On the other hand, the coin that is determined to be a false coin by the coin identification sensor 32 is discharged and returned to the tray 27 through the coin output port 22. When a money input finishing command is given from the POS register device 1 thereafter, the coin reserved in the temporary reservation space 33g is conveyed by the sorting and conveying mechanism 34 to be stored in the coin storage space 33a or the like corresponding to the denomination.
Coin Output Operation
When a money output command is given from the POS register device 1, the output money sorting gate 36 is switched to the coin output port 22 side, and the output money conveying mechanism 35 is driven forward. Thereafter, when a coin corresponding to a desired amount is sent out to the output money conveying mechanism 35 by the coin storage space 33a or the like, the coin is conveyed to the coin output port 22, and discharged and output to the tray 27 through the coin output port 22.
Coin Replenishment Operation
When a replenishment command is given, the output money sorting gate 36 is switched to the temporary reservation space 33g side, the output money conveying mechanism 35 is driven forward, and the sorting and conveying mechanism 34 is driven backward. The coin replenishing part 51 is then driven forward to supply the coin in the coin replenishing part 51 to the output money conveying mechanism 35. Accordingly, the coin supplied to the output money conveying mechanism 35 is conveyed to the temporary reservation space 33g, and stored in the coin storage space 33a or the like by the sorting and conveying mechanism 34 thereafter.
Coin Collection Operation
When a collection command is given, the output money conveying mechanism 35 is driven backward, and the coin stored in the coin storage space 33a or the like is sent out to the output money conveying mechanism 35. Accordingly, the coin sent out to the output money conveying mechanism 35 is conveyed backward to be collected into the coin collection space 52.
Bill Input Operation
When a bill is input through the bill input port 24 by a transaction, the bill input port 24 temporarily reserves a deposit from a customer. The bill that is temporarily reserved as described above is conveyed to the bill conveying mechanism 41 after the money input permission command is received from the POS register device 1. The bill discrimination sensor 42 determines whether the bill conveyed by the bill conveying mechanism 41 is true or false, and determines the denomination thereof. The bill that is determined to be a true bill by the bill discrimination sensor 42 is reserved in the temporary reservation space 44 that is dividedly configured on the upstream side portion of the one-thousand-yen bill storage space 43b or the mixed bills storage space 43c in the bill storage space 43 depending on the denomination. On the other hand, the bill that is determined to be a false bill by the bill discrimination sensor 42 is discharged and returned through the bill output port 25. Thereafter, when the money input finishing command is given from the POS register device 1, the bill reserved in the temporary reservation space 44 is stored in the one-thousand-yen bill storage space 43b or the mixed bills storage space 43c.
Bill Output Operation
When the money output command is given from the POS register device 1, a bill corresponding to a desired amount is sent out from each bill storage space 43 to the bill conveying mechanism 41, and the bill is conveyed to the bill output port 25 to be output through the bill output port 25.
Bill Replenishment Operation
When the replenishment command is given, the bill conveying mechanism 41 is driven forward, and the bill is sent out from the replenishment and collection space 61 to the bill conveying mechanism 41. The bill that is sent out from the replenishment and collection space 61 to the bill conveying mechanism 41 as described above is temporarily conveyed to the inspection space 43a. After all replenishment bills are conveyed to the inspection space 43a, the bill conveying mechanism 41 is driven backward, and the bill is sent out from the inspection space 43a to the bill conveying mechanism 41. Accordingly, the denomination of the bill sent out to the bill conveying mechanism 41 is discriminated by a bill discriminating unit 45 in the middle of the bill conveying mechanism 41, and the bill is conveyed to each bill storage space 43 (the one-thousand-yen bill storage space 43b and the mixed bills storage space 43c) to be stored therein.
Bill Collection Operation
When a collection command is given for the bills stored in the inspection space 43a, the bill conveying mechanism 41 is driven backward, and the bill stored in the inspection space 43a is sent out to the bill conveying mechanism 41. Accordingly, the bill sent out to the bill conveying mechanism 41 is conveyed backward to be collected in the replenishment and collection space 61.
On the other hand, when a collection command is given for the bills stored in the one-thousand-yen bill storage space 43b or the mixed bills storage space 43c, the bill conveying mechanism 41 is driven forward, and the bill stored in the bill storage space 43b or the like is sent out to the bill conveying mechanism 41. Accordingly, the bill sent out to the bill conveying mechanism 41 is conveyed forward to be stored in the inspection space 43a. In this way, after all bills as collection targets are stored in the inspection space 43a, the bill conveying mechanism 41 is driven backward, and the bill stored in the inspection space 43a is sent out to the bill conveying mechanism 41. Accordingly, the bill sent out to the bill conveying mechanism 41 is conveyed backward to be collected into the replenishment and collection space 61.
In the money processing device 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the replenishing and collecting unit 20c is arranged on the rear side of the money processing unit 20b in a detachable manner, so that, when the operation unit 20a is installed facing a customer side in a register table 2 as illustrated in
With the money processing device 10 as described above, in performing money replenishing work, money collecting work, or maintenance work such as releasing jamming of money, the replenishing and collecting unit 20c may be detached from the money processing unit 20b. Thus, when the money processing device 10 is applied to the self-checkout machine, the semi-self-checkout machine, and the like, safety of work such as collecting work and maintenance work can be improved.
The money processing device 11 includes an operation unit 70a, a money processing unit 70b, and a main body 70c.
The operation unit 70a configures a front portion of the money processing device 11, and includes a coin input port 71, a coin output port 72, a bill input port 73, a bill output port 74, and a bill collection space 75.
The coin input port 71 is an opening through which a coin is input. The coin output port 72 is an opening through which a coin is discharged. The bill input port 73 is an opening through which a bill is input. The bill output port 74 is an opening through which a bill is discharged to the outside. The bill collection space 75 is a space for storing a bill that is collected when a collection command is given, and has a configuration that enables the bill collection space 75 to be pulled out toward the front.
The money processing unit 70b is arranged on the rear side of the operation unit 70a, and is known in the related art. The money processing unit 70b includes a coin processing unit 76 and a bill processing unit 77.
The coin processing unit 76 takes in the coin input through the coin input port 71 so as to sort the input coin and store the sorted coin in the coin storage space, and conveys a coin corresponding to change from the coin storage space to the operation unit 70a so as to output the corresponding coin through the coin output port 72 when a money output instruction is given.
The bill processing unit 77 takes in the bill input through the bill input port 73 so as to sort the input bill and store the sorted bill in the bill storage space 43, and conveys a bill corresponding to change from the bill storage space 43 to the operation unit 70a so as to output the corresponding bill through the bill output port 74 when the money output instruction is given.
The main body 70c is a housing having a rectangular parallelepiped shape where a front surface and a rear surface are opened. A width L1 of a front surface opening 81 and a rear surface opening 82 of the main body 70c is larger than a width m1 of the operation unit 70a and a width n1 of the money processing unit 70b, and a height L2 of the front surface opening 81 and the rear surface opening 82 is larger than a height m2 of the operation unit 70a and a height n2 of the money processing unit 70b.
As illustrated in
Accordingly, the main body 70c allows the money processing unit 70b to be pulled out to the outside only through the rear surface opening 82.
With the money processing device 11 according to the second embodiment described above, as illustrated in
The preferred first and second embodiments have been described above. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and can be variously modified.
In the first embodiment described above, the replenishing and collecting unit 20c is configured to be detachable from the money processing unit 70b. Alternatively, according to the disclosure, the replenishing and collecting unit may incorporate a memory that can store a replenished denomination, the number of replenished coins or bills, a collected denomination, the number of collected coins or bills, and the like. Due to this, money replenishing work and money collecting work can be performed in a state in which money is stored in the replenishing and collecting unit 20c, and money is not exposed during work such as collecting work and maintenance work, so that safety of the work can be improved.
In the first embodiment described above, the replenishing and collecting unit 20c (the coin replenishing and collecting unit 50 and the bill replenishing and collecting unit 60) are arranged on the money processing unit 20b (the coin processing unit 30 and the bill processing unit 40) in a detachable manner. Alternatively, according to the disclosure, the replenishing and collecting unit may be fixed to the money processing unit. Also in such a case, coins and bills can be replenished or collected on the opposite side of the customer side by opening and closing the door body, so that safety of work such as collecting work and maintenance work can be improved. According to the description of the first embodiment described above, the door body is individually arranged on each of the coin replenishing and collecting unit and the bill replenishing and collecting unit. Alternatively, according to the disclosure, the door body may be shared by the coin replenishing and collecting unit and the bill replenishing and collecting unit, and may be locked with a key lock, an electronic lock, and the like.
In the second embodiment described above, the money processing unit 70b is pulled out toward the opposite side of the customer side together with the operation unit 70a, and only the money processing unit 70b is exposed to the outside. Alternatively, according to the disclosure, the money processing unit 70b may be arranged so as to move toward and apart from the main body 70c with a rail mechanism 85 in a slidable manner as illustrated in
In the second embodiment described above, the money processing unit 70b is pulled out toward the opposite side of the customer side together with the operation unit 70a to be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, according to the disclosure, the money processing unit may include a covering member for covering the money processing unit that is pulled out from the main body to the outside.
In the second embodiment described above, the width dimension and the height dimension of the operation unit 70a are smaller than the width dimension and the height dimension of the openings of the front surface and the rear surface of the main body 70c. Alternatively, according to the disclosure, the height dimension and the width dimension of the operation unit in a normal state may be configured to be larger than the width dimension and the height dimension of the front surface opening of the main body, and configured to be foldable such that the width dimension and the height dimension can be varied to be smaller than the width dimension and the height dimension of the front surface opening when the money processing unit is pulled out toward the rear side.
According to some embodiments, the replenishing and collecting unit is arranged at the rear of the money processing unit, the replenishing and collecting unit replenishing money of the money processing unit and collecting money stored in the storage space into a collection space when a collection command is given. Accordingly, when the self-checkout machine or the semi-self-checkout machine are configured with the operation unit facing a customer, a worker such as a salesperson can perform money replenishing work, money collecting work, or maintenance work such as releasing jamming of money without moving to the customer side. Thus, when the money processing device is applied to the self-checkout machine, the semi-self-checkout machine, and the like, safety of work such as collecting work and maintenance work can be improved.
According to some embodiments, when a pull-out operation is performed on the money processing unit, the main body allows the money processing unit to be pulled out only through the opening on the rear surface. Thus, in a case where the self-checkout machine or the semi-self-checkout machine is configured with the operation unit facing a customer, the money processing unit may be pulled out toward the opposite side of the customer side (rear side) to cause the money processing unit to be exposed through the opening on the rear surface of the main body when a worker performs money replenishing work, money collecting work, or maintenance work such as releasing jamming of money in the money processing unit. This configuration can lower the possibility of money being seen by the customer during the work. Thus, when the money processing device is applied to the self-checkout machine, the semi-self-checkout machine, and the like, safety of work such as collecting work and maintenance work can be improved.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the disclosure in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-157855 | Aug 2016 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20020014736 | Katou | Feb 2002 | A1 |
| 20090184034 | Doi | Jul 2009 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-225614 | Dec 2015 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180047239 A1 | Feb 2018 | US |
