JP7425849B2 - money processing device - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies 50th Supermarket Trade Show 2016 Tokyo Big Sight Dates February 10th to 12th, 2016

Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies: http://toshibatec. co. jp/page. jsp? id=5555 Posting date February 8, 2016

Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies Retail Tech JAPAN 2016 Tokyo Big Sight Dates March 8th to 11th, 2016

Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies Place of sale AV Co., Ltd. (1-5-1 Heiseimachi, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture) Date of sale April 19, 2016

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a money processing device.

POS (Point Of Sales) terminals conventionally used in supermarkets and the like have an area where customers can temporarily place and check money deposited with them before storing it in the drawer. Such areas are called ginmidai or kensendai. By providing such an area, store clerks can avoid troubles when transferring money and can perform cash register operations quickly and accurately.

In recent years, self-checkout devices (self-registers) have been used in supermarkets and the like to allow customers to make payments themselves without relying on store staff. A self-checkout register is provided with a coin insertion section that can accept a plurality of coins at once so that a customer can complete the coin insertion operation at once.

By the way, some customers who use the above-mentioned self-checkout system, when making a payment, line up the coins in their wallet on a flat area above the self-checkout register, check the coins, and then insert the desired coins into the coin slot. Customers exist.

In such usage, the customer must place the coins side by side on a flat area above the self-checkout register to check them, then pick up the desired coin and insert it into the coin slot. Therefore, even as devices become smaller, they require as wide a flat area as possible.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is that it is possible to easily perform the work of placing coins side by side for checking and then inserting them into the coin input section, and it is also possible to secure a wide area for coins to be placed. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a money processing device that is easy to use.

The money processing device of the embodiment is a money processing device used for payment processing by a customer, and includes a casing including a depositing and dispensing section for storing coins and dispensing the stored coins, and a casing in the width direction of the casing. a coin insertion section provided at a position on one side of the center portion into which coins are inserted; and a coin placement surface provided on the housing for temporarily placing coins; a coin loading section that is connected to the coin loading section and has a long shape in the width direction extending from the coin loading section to the opposite side across the center portion in the width direction of the casing; a payment means that accepts and processes an inserted coin; the coin placement section has a dust hole on the coin placement surface; The distance to the side edge of the housing and the distance between the coin placement part and the other side edge of the housing closest to the coin placement part are both greater than the depth of the coin placement part. Characterized by being small.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a self-checkout device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the payment terminal with the door open. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the self-checkout device viewed from above. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the vicinity of the coin insertion section. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the payment terminal viewed from the left side. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the self-checkout device. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing functions related to payment processing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing.

Embodiments of the money processing device will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment describes an example in which a self-checkout device in which a customer registers products and makes payments by himself/herself is applied as a cash processing device. Further, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which a coin change machine is applied as the coin storage unit. Note that the deposit processing refers to the processing of depositing coins into a coin change machine in conjunction with the payment processing. Further, the deposit processing refers to a process of depositing coins such as change reserves into a coin change machine. Also, money is used as a general term for coins and banknotes, or when referring to either coins or banknotes unspecified. That is, a money processing device refers to a device that handles coins, banknotes, or both.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a self-checkout device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the self-checkout device 100 includes a payment terminal 1, a basket storage shelf 2, and a bagging shelf 3. The payment terminal 1 includes a deposit/withdrawal section 4, a reading section 5, a display/operation section 6, and a control section 7 (see FIG. 6) that controls each section.

The payment terminal 1 includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12. The first housing 11 includes a door 111 that can be opened and closed. The door 111 rotates in the vertical direction around the hinge portion 111a. The first housing 11 houses therein a banknote change machine 41 and a coin change machine 42 (both shown in FIG. 2) that constitute the deposit/withdrawal section 4. The second housing 12 houses the control section 7 therein.

The reading unit 5 includes a scanner 50 that reads the appearance of the product and a code (such as a barcode) attached to the product in order to identify the product. Further, the reading unit 5 includes a printer 51 that prints a receipt related to the product sales data processing executed by the control unit 7. The printer 51 issues the ejected receipt from the receipt issuing port 51b. The issued receipt is supported from below by the receipt discharge table 51a. The receipt ejection table 51a is a convex portion that protrudes toward the front side in the depth direction from the front surface 11a that is erected on the first housing 11. Further, the reading unit 5 includes a card reader 52 that reads a credit card related to the payment process executed by the control unit 7. Payment processing refers to processing related to payment for products purchased by a customer.

The display operation section 6 includes a monitor 61 and a touch panel 62. The monitor 61 displays images under the control of the control unit 7. The touch panel 62 is provided on the surface of the monitor 61 and outputs information to the control unit 7 based on the position touched by the operator.

The basket storage shelf 2 is a storage stand used as a storage place for a basket when taking out a product from the basket and holding it over the reading unit 5. The basket shelf 2 is provided on one side of the payment terminal 1.

The bagging shelf 3 is a stand for bagging the scanned products. The bagging shelf 3 is provided on the other side of the payment terminal 1 (opposite the basket storage shelf 2).

Here, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the payment terminal 1 with the door 111 open. As shown in FIG. 3, the first housing 11 opens the inside of the first housing 11 by rotating the door 111 upward, exposing the banknote change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42. The bill change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42 are housed in the first housing 11 in an overlapping manner, and the bill change machine 41 is located below the coin change machine 42.

The banknote change machine 41 determines whether the banknotes taken in are correct or not, stores genuine coins, and dispenses banknotes as change. The coin change machine 42 determines whether the coins taken in are correct or not, stores the coins, and dispenses the coins as change. The banknote change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42 communicate the amount of stored money to the control unit 7. Further, the banknote change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42 receive notification from the control unit 7 of the amount to be withdrawn as change.

The control section 7 centrally controls each section (the deposit/withdrawal section 4, the reading section 5, and the display/operation section 6) included in the payment terminal 1. The control unit 7 acquires code information from the reading unit 5. Further, the control unit 7 outputs information to be displayed on the monitor 61 of the display operation unit 6, and acquires information on operations performed by the operator from the touch panel 62. Further, the control unit 7 grasps the deposit to the deposit/withdrawal unit 4 and instructs the deposit/withdrawal unit 4 to withdraw money.

Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the self-checkout device 100 viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 3, the first housing 11 has a coin placement section 70 for placing coins, and a coin insertion slot for depositing coins into the coin change machine 42, on one end side of the upwardly facing flat section 11b. A charging section 421 is provided. Coin input unit 421 receives inserted coins. The coins received by the coin input section 421 are stored in the coin change machine 42, which is a coin storage section.

The first housing 11 (cash deposit/withdrawal section 4) also includes, from the back side where the coin insertion section 421 is provided toward the front side, a coin ejection section 422 and a reject tray 423 shaped like a saucer, a bill insertion section 411, and a reject tray 423. A bill discharging section 412, which is a discharging section, is provided in a stepwise manner. That is, the surface where the coin insertion section 421 is provided is the upper stage, the surface where the coin ejection section 422 and the reject tray 423 are provided is the middle stage, and the surface where the bill insertion section 411 and the bill ejection section 412 are provided is the lower stage. be. By arranging the various input ports and discharge ports in a stair-like manner, it is possible to see all the input ports and discharge ports from the back side to the front side.

The coin ejection section 422 is a tray that receives coins ejected from the coin change machine 42. The reject tray 423 is a tray for receiving coins (reject coins) that should not be stored in the coin change machine 42, such as deformed coins, foreign coins, and counterfeit coins.

As shown in FIG. 3, the coin ejecting section 422 is provided at an end opposite to the widthwise end of the payment terminal 1 where the coin inserting section 421 is provided. In this way, the coin input section 421 and the coin ejection section 422 are provided offset from each other in the height direction, width direction, and depth direction, so that the visibility and operability of the coin ejection section 422 are improved. ing. Note that the reject trays 423 are arranged below the coin input section 421 and aligned with the coin discharge section 422 .

The banknote input unit 411 is an input slot for receiving banknotes to be deposited into the banknote change machine 41 . The customer inserts the arranged banknotes into the coin insertion section 411 so as to drop them from above. The bill insertion unit 411 receives inserted bills. The banknotes received by the banknote input unit 411 are stored in the banknote change machine 41. The banknote ejecting section 412 is an ejection port that supports banknotes ejected from the banknote change machine 41. The banknotes serving as change are conveyed upward from the banknote change machine 41, and the conveyed banknotes are supported and stopped by the banknote discharge section 412. In this way, banknotes are dispensed from the banknote change machine 41. The customer receives the paid bills.

In addition, LEDs 43 to 46 are provided near each of the coin insertion section 421, coin ejection section 422, reject tray 423, bill insertion section 411, and bill ejection section 412 for notifying operation procedures and errors. There is. Note that the locations where the LEDs 43 to 46 are provided are not particularly limited as long as they are located near each part. Furthermore, the number and arrangement of the LEDs 43 to 46 are not particularly limited.

Next, the configurations of the coin input section 421 and the coin placement section 70, and the configurations of the vicinity will be explained. Here, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the appearance of the vicinity of the coin insertion section 421. As shown in FIG. 4, the coin insertion section 421 has a funnel-shaped inclined surface 421a that descends from the outside toward the inside, and a hole 421b provided at the lowest part of the inclined surface 421a. The hole 421b is a hole that allows coins that have slipped down the slope 421a to fall into the coin change machine 422. The hole 421b is a vertically elongated hole when viewed from a customer standing in front of the payment terminal 1. The longitudinal dimension of the hole 421b is larger than the diameter of a 500 yen coin, which is the largest coin, and the width dimension of the hole 421b perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is large enough to allow multiple coins to overlap and pass through. . With such a configuration, the coin input unit 421 can accept a plurality of coins at once.

The hole 421b has a shape such that the length in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the coin is slid toward the coin insertion section 421 is longer than the length in the direction in which the coin is slid toward the coin insertion section 421. Ideally, the hole 421b is a long hole whose longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the direction in which the coin is slid toward the coin insertion section 421. The direction does not have to be perpendicular to the direction in which it is slid toward the input section.

In addition, the door 111 of the first housing 11 includes a coin placement section 70 on the flat surface 11b, which is connected to the coin insertion section 421 in a position aligned with the width direction of the payment terminal 1. The coin placement section 70 is generally called a scrutinizing stand or a coin checking stand. The coin placement section 70 is for a customer to take out money from a wallet and line them up to visually check the money to be used for payment during payment processing at the payment terminal 1. The coin placement section 70 is located at the center of the first housing 11. Further, the coin insertion section 421 is located on one side in the width direction of the first housing 11 from the center of the first housing 11 . The coin placement section 70 is provided extending from the center of the first housing 11 to the side opposite to the coin insertion section 421.

More specifically, the coin placement portion 70 has a concave shape slightly recessed downward from the flat portion 11b, and the bottom portion of the coin placement portion 70 has a planar coin placement portion on which coins are placed. A surface 71 is provided. The coin placement surface 71 is a flat surface on which coins are temporarily placed. Further, the coin placement section 70 includes guide walls 72 that form three peripheral portions of the coin placement surface 71. The guide wall 72 is a surface that extends downward from the flat portion 11b toward the coin placement surface 71. Note that the coin placement surface 71 is not limited to a planar shape, and may be curved into a concave shape. Alternatively, the flat portion 11b may be provided with an edge surrounding three sides of the coin placement surface 71 that protrudes upward, and the coin placement portion 70 may have a concave shape recessed downward from the upper end of this edge. In this case, the coin placement surface 71 may be located above the flat portion 11b, flush with the flat portion 11b, or located below the flat portion 11b. In this case, the edge may be an edge that continuously surrounds the coin holder 70. Further, the edge may be an intermittently surrounding edge that prevents coins from spilling from the coin placement section 70 to the surrounding area. Note that the coin placement surface 71 is formed to have approximately the same size as the coin placement portion 70.

Incidentally, the customer may want a mark indicating where on the coin placement section 70 the coins in the wallet should be placed. Therefore, in the embodiment, a sheet 71a made of plastic or metal is attached to the coin placement surface 71. The surface of the sheet 71a is coated with a low friction coating such as fluorine treatment. Therefore, coins placed on the sheet 71a easily slide on the sheet 71a.

The sheet 71a is attached to prevent the coin placement section 70 from being soiled or damaged by placed money. Further, on the surface of the sheet 71a, a display explaining how the coin placement section 70 is used is provided. In the embodiment, as an example of a guide indicating that the coin placement section 70 is an area where coins are placed, the word "coin" 71b, a picture 71c of a coin, and a picture of an arrow 71d are displayed on the surface of the sheet 71a. ing. That is, the character 71b of "coin" and the coin shown in FIG. 71c are messages indicating that the coin placement section 70 is an area where a coin is placed. The arrow 71d is a message indicating to the customer the operation of sliding the coin on the sheet 71a in the direction of the arrow, which is the direction of money insertion. Note that when the sheet 71a is attached to the coin placement surface 71, the surface of the sheet 71a is the coin placement surface 71.

Note that the guide may be displayed directly on the coin placement surface 71, such as by being printed on the coin placement surface 71 of the coin placement section 70. Further, the guide may be displayed on the coin placement surface 71 so as to be projected onto the coin placement surface 71 from above. In addition, the coin placement surface 71 may have a color that is significantly different in hue from the coin placed on the coin placement surface 71, or a color in which the coin placed on the coin placement surface 71 can be clearly recognized (for example, gray). ) is formed. Specifically, the coin placement surface 71 is formed in a color different from the silver color of 1 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen coins, and the copper color of 5 yen and 10 yen coins. Therefore, the customer distinguishes the coin placed on the coin placement surface 71 from the coin placement surface 71 and recognizes it. Therefore, the customer can easily visually check whether there are any coins left behind on the coin placement surface 71.

Note that the characters 71b, FIG. 71c, and arrow 71d are not all necessary; for example, in order to indicate the position where a coin is placed on the coin placement section 70, either or both of the characters 71b and FIG. 71a should be printed. Note that instead of pasting the sheet 71a on the coin placement surface 71, the characters 71b, the coin illustration 71c, and the arrow 71d may be directly printed on the coin placement surface 71 (forming a guide portion).

The coin insertion section 421 includes four inclined surfaces 421a. The first inclined surface 421a is an inclined surface 421a1 that is connected to a coin placement surface 71, which will be described later. The inclined surface 421a1 is inclined downward in the direction in which the coin is slid. The second inclined surface 421a is an inclined surface 421a2 provided on the opposite side to the inclined surface 421a1. The inclined surface 421a2 is inclined downward from the opposite side to the inclined surface 421a1 (that is, it is inclined downward toward the opposite side to the direction in which the coin is slid). The third inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface are both connected to the first inclined surface 421a1 and the second inclined surface 421a2, and are inclined downward in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the coin is slid. It is sloping. The third inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface 421a are provided at positions facing each other.

The coin insertion section 421 is formed into a square shape by the first inclined surface 421a1, the second inclined surface 421a2, the third inclined surface, and the fourth inclined surface 421a. The first inclined surface 421a1, the second inclined surface 421a2, the third inclined surface, and the fourth inclined surface 421a each form an inclined surface descending toward the center of the coin insertion section 421. That is, the coin insertion section 421 includes four inclined surfaces that slope downward toward the center of the coin insertion section 421. The coin insertion section 421 has a hole 421b in the center. The hole 421b communicates with each inclined surface.

Further, the length K of the second inclined surface 421a2 in the inclined direction is longer than the length J of the first inclined surface 421a1 in the inclined direction. That is, the length J of the first inclined surface 421a1 in the inclined direction is shorter than the length K of the second inclined surface 421a2 in the inclined direction. In other words, the second inclined surface 421a2 is formed to a higher position than the first inclined surface 421a1. Therefore, the coins that slide down the coin placement surface 71 and are carried to the coin input section 421 and slide down the first inclined surface 421a1 with force jump over the hole 421b and are conveyed to the second inclined surface 421a2 side. However, there is no fear that the coin will jump over the second inclined surface 421a2 to the outside, and the coin will slide down the second inclined surface 421a2 toward the hole 421b.

The coins that have slid on the coin placement surface 71 are received by the inclined surface 421a provided in the coin insertion section 421. The coins that have slipped down the slope 421a fall into the hole 421b and are stored in the coin change machine 422.

Note that the coin insertion section 421 is a color that is significantly different in hue from the coin placement section 70 and the first housing 11, or a color that emphasizes the coin insertion section 421, or a color that allows the coin insertion section 421 to be clearly recognized. (for example, orange). Therefore, the customer can easily visually confirm the position of the coin insertion section 421.

Further, the coin placement section 70 includes a plurality of dirt drop holes 70b on the upstream side of the connection portion 421c of the coin placement surface 71 in the coin sliding direction. The dust drop hole 70b allows dust and the like attached to the coin to fall. The dust drop holes 70b are formed by arranging elongated holes in a staggered manner in the coin sliding direction (that is, the direction of the arrow 71d). Therefore, coins sliding in the direction of the arrow 71d are unlikely to be caught in the elongated hole. Note that the sheet 71a is pasted up to a position in front of the dust hole 70b, and is not pasted to a position that hides the dust hole 70b.

Further, it is desired to deposit the coins so that the coins slipped on the sheet 71a and inserted into the coin input section 421 do not get caught in the hole 421b and become clogged. For this reason, in the embodiment, the hole 421b is formed in a direction in which the longitudinal direction of the hole intersects with the sliding direction of the coin (i.e., the direction of the arrow) (in the embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the coin). has been done. By forming the hole 421b in such a direction, the largest coin can slide on the sheet 71a, be carried by fingers to the coin input section 421, pass through the connecting section 421c, and slide down the slope 421a toward the hole 421b. Since the longitudinal dimension of the hole 421b is larger than the diameter of the 500 yen coin, coins will not get stuck near the hole 421b.

Note that even if the direction in which the coin slides is not perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hole 421b, as long as it intersects at a certain angle, the coin can be deposited without becoming clogged near the hole 421b.

The guide wall 72 is provided at the edge of the coin placement surface 71 excluding the side that connects with the coin insertion section 421. The guide wall 72 protrudes above the coin placement surface 71 and supports the side of money (particularly coins) placed on the coin placement surface 71. Note that such a guide wall 72 is formed as a part of the first housing 11.

On the other hand, the coin insertion section 421 has a planar connecting section 421c extending from the inclined surface 421a at a position connected to the coin placement surface 71. That is, the coin input section 421 and the coin placement surface 71 are connected. Note that, when the coin placement surface 71 is curved into a concave shape, it goes without saying that the connecting portion 421c is molded to match the shape. Here, the expression that the coin insertion section 421 and the coin placement surface 71 are connected means that, for example, the coin insertion section 421 and the coin placement surface 71 are connected in a substantially flat plane. Note that a case where the coin insertion section 421 and the coin placement surface 71 are connected by a surface including a somewhat uneven surface is also included in the concept that the coin insertion section 421 and the coin placement surface 71 are connected. Furthermore, since the coin can be slid from the coin placement surface 71 to the coin input section 421, it is included in the concept of being connected.

Further, the coin placement section 70 formed in a concave shape on the door 111 of the first housing 11 can be used to store receipts of the printer 51 in a state where the door 111 is rotated upward to open the inside of the first housing 11. It is provided at a position that interferes with the discharge table 51a. The depth of the concave portion of the coin placement section 70 is set to a depth that allows collision with the receipt ejection table 51a to be avoided (that is, a depth greater than the length of the receipt ejection table 51a).

Next, in order to prevent customers from forgetting to take out change coins discharged into the coin discharging section 422, it is desired to make the coin discharging section 422 easier for customers to see. In addition, in order to confirm that the customer has forgotten to take out a coin as change, it is desirable to take an image of the vicinity of the coin ejecting section 422 from above with a camera (not shown) to make it easy to confirm that the customer has forgotten to take out a coin. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, in order to make the coin ejecting section 422 easily visible to a camera (not shown) and the customer, a portion of the first casing 11 near the coin placement section 70 is removed. is set back. Further, an LED 47 (see FIG. 6), which is an irradiation unit that irradiates light by emitting light, is provided below the coin placement unit 70 in the first housing 11 and above the coin ejection unit 422. The LED 47 emits light when change coins are discharged to the coin discharge section 422, thereby illuminating the coin discharge section 422.

That is, in FIG. 4, the first casing 11 includes a front surface 11e on the near side of the coin placement section 70 along the width direction of the first casing 11. The widthwise length of the first housing 11 of the front surface 11e is approximately equal to the widthwise length of the first housing 11 of the coin placement section 70. Further, the first housing 11 includes a front surface 11f on the near side of the coin insertion section 421 along the width direction of the first housing 11. The front surface 11e is located further back in the depth direction of the first housing 11 than the front surface 11f. Further, the front surface 11e is located on the near side in the depth direction of the first case 11 from the edge 422a of the coin ejecting section 422 on the near side in the depth direction of the first case 11. Therefore, since the front surface 11e is cut out from the front surface 11f, the camera located above the self-checkout device 100 captures an image of all or at least part of the coin ejection section 422 located below the coin placement section 70. can do. Therefore, by checking the image captured by the camera when the LED 47 illuminates the coin ejecting section 422, it is possible to check whether the customer has forgotten to take coins as change.

The payment terminal 1 also includes a sensor 73 (see FIG. 6), which is a detection unit that detects objects (such as wallets and coins) placed on or around the coin placement surface 71. We are prepared. Examples of the sensor 73 include an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and an image sensor. For example, the optical sensor is arranged such that its optical axis runs along the coin placement surface 71, and when the optical axis is blocked, it is determined that there is an object on the coin placement surface 71. The magnetic sensor is placed, for example, at a position on the back side of the coin placement surface 71, and when it detects metal, it determines that there is an object on the coin placement surface 71. The image sensor is arranged above the coin placement surface 71, for example, and determines that there is an object on the coin placement surface 71 by image recognition.

Note that in FIG. 4, A to G indicate the length of each part of the first casing 11. A is the distance between the end 70a of the first casing 11 on the opposite side in the width direction from the connection part 421c of the coin placement part 70 with the coin input part 421 and the left end 11h of the first casing 11. shows. B indicates the length of the first housing 11 of the coin placement section 70 in the width direction. C indicates the length of the first housing 11 of the coin insertion section 421 in the width direction. D is an end 421d of the first casing 11 opposite in the width direction from the connection part 421c of the coin insertion part 421 with the coin placement part 70, and a right end 11g of the first casing 11 (the other side end). indicates the distance between E indicates the length of the first housing 11 of the coin placement section 70 in the depth direction. F indicates the length of the first housing 11 of the coin insertion section 421 in the depth direction. G indicates the length of the first housing 11 in the width direction. Further, H indicates the center portion of the first housing 11 in the width direction. Note that A is the length of the side end of the first housing 11 that is closest to the coin placement section 70. Further, D is the length between the money slot 421 and the side end of the first housing 11 closest to it. Further, the length F in the depth direction of the first casing 11 of the coin insertion section 421 is longer than the length E in the depth direction of the first casing 11 of the coin placement section 70 .

Here, in order for a customer using the self-checkout register to check the coins and then insert them into the coin insertion section 421, the coin placement section 70 allows the customer to easily insert the coins into the coin insertion section of the coin change machine after arranging the coins. Is required. Therefore, in the embodiment, the length (B) in the width direction of the first casing 11 of the coin placement section 70 and the length (C) in the width direction of the first casing 11 of the coin insertion section 421 are combined. The length (B+C) is set to be 70% or more of the length (G) of the first housing 11 in the width direction. Furthermore, the connection portion 421c of the coin placement portion 70 with the coin input portion 421 is defined by the distance ( A) and the connection portion 421c of the coin insertion portion 421 with the coin placement portion 70 are the connection portion 421c between the widthwise opposite end portion 421d of the first housing 11 and the right side end portion 11g of the first housing 11. Both distances (D) are smaller than the length (E) of the coin placement section 70 in the depth direction.

Further, the coin insertion section 421 is provided on the right side (one side) in the width direction of the first housing 11 from the center portion H. The coin insertion section 421 is connected to the coin placement surface 71 in the width direction of the first housing 11 at a position on the right side of the center portion H. In other words, the coin insertion section 421 is connected to the coin placement section 70 in the width direction of the first housing 11 at a position on the right side of the center section H. The coin placement part 70 is formed to extend from the central part H from this connected position to the side opposite to the coin insertion part 421. That is, the coin placement portions 70 are formed on both sides of the first housing 11 across the widthwise central portion H, and are sized to straddle the central portion H. That is, the money slot 421 is located on one side of the widthwise center H of the first housing 11, and the coin placement section 70 is located at a position that includes the widthwise center H of the first housing 11. Moreover, it is provided extending from the money slot 421 to the opposite side of the widthwise central portion H of the first housing 11 .

In this way, in the embodiment, the coin placement section 70 can be made larger in the width direction and also in the depth direction of the first housing 11, so the coin placement section 70 can be After confirming the arranged coins, it is possible to insert them into the connected coin input section 421. Specifically, during payment processing at the payment terminal 1, the customer can take out the money (coins) used for payment from the wallet, line them up on the coin placement surface 71 of the coin placement section 70, and check them. . Further, the customer can carry the arranged coins by sliding them on the coin placement surface 71 in the direction of the arrow 71d toward the coin insertion section 421, and then insert the coins into the coin insertion section 421 to make a payment. In the embodiment, the first housing 11 is made large in the width direction and to some extent large in the depth direction, so that the customer can insert the coin into the coin change machine after arranging the coins. 421 can be easily performed. Note that at this time, the guide wall 72 of the coin placement section 70 prevents the coin from falling from the coin placement surface 71 by supporting the side portions of the coin.

Next, the vertical and front-to-back arrangement relationships of the receipt issuing port 51b, the coin placement section 70, the coin ejection section 422, the bill insertion section 411, and the bill ejection section 412 will be explained. That is, since the payment terminal 1 is operated by a customer, the receipt issuing port 51b, coin placement section 70, coin ejection section 422, bill insertion section 411, bill ejection section 412, etc. are generally It must be visible to the customer. Therefore, in the embodiment, the vertical and front-to-back arrangement relationships are as follows. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the first housing 11 viewed from the left side in FIG. In FIG. 5, the dotted lines are virtual lines showing the configuration of parts that are actually hidden by the casing or the like and cannot actually be seen.

The upper planar front surface 11a of the first housing 11 is provided with a receipt issuing port 51b for issuing a receipt R on which content based on payment processing (product information, payment information, etc.) is printed. The receipt R is issued toward the right side in FIG. Further, the receipt discharge table 51a is a convex portion that protrudes from the first housing 11 toward the front side in the depth direction of the first housing 11 (to the right side in FIG. 5). The receipt discharge stand 51a supports the receipt R from below upwards just after it has been issued from the receipt issuing port 51b.

Further, the coin placement section 70 is formed on the plane section 11b below the receipt issuing port 51b, and on the near side in the depth direction of the first housing 11 from the receipt issuing port 51b. Here, I want a receiving surface for receiving the receipt R issued from the front surface 11a located at a high position. Therefore, the payment device 1 issues the receipt R toward the coin placement surface 71. Therefore, the tip of the receipt R issued from the receipt issuing port 51b and beyond the receipt discharge table 51a eventually comes into contact with the coin placement surface 71 of the coin placement section 70 and receives the receipt R. This coin placement portion 70 serves as a receiving surface for the receipt R. Note that the coin insertion section 421 is also formed on the same plane section 11b as the coin placement section 70.

Further, the length L1 from the hinge portion 111a to the receipt issuing port 51b and the length L2 from the hinge portion 111a to the central portion of the first casing 11 of the coin placement portion 70 in the depth direction are approximately the same. Therefore, when the door 111 is rotated upward, the receipt ejection table 51a and the coin placement section 70 are in a position where they interfere with each other. The receipt ejection table 51a fits into the concave portion of the coin placement section 70 and does not collide with each other.

Further, the coin ejecting section 422 is formed on the flat surface section 11c below the coin placing section 70, and on the near side of the first housing 11 in the depth direction from the coin placing section 70. Further, the banknote input section 411 and the banknote discharge section 412 are formed side by side on the plane part 11d below the coin discharge section 422 and on the near side in the depth direction of the first housing 11 from the coin discharge section 422. The banknote input unit 411 is formed closer to the front side of the first housing 11 in the depth direction than the banknote output unit 412 .

In this way, the receipt issuing port 51b, the coin placement section 70, the coin ejection section 422, the bill insertion section 411, and the bill ejection section 412 are formed in a substantially step-like shape from the top to the bottom of the first housing 11. Ru. Therefore, the customer can view the entire receipt issuing port 51b, coin placement section 70, coin ejection section 422, bill insertion section 411, and bill ejection section 412. Further, since coins are paid out to customers as change more frequently than banknotes, the coin discharge section 422 is located above the banknote discharge section 412. Further, the bill insertion section 411 located at the bottom is formed to open upward. The banknote insertion unit 411 receives banknotes inserted from above to below by the customer. Therefore, customers can easily perform deposit operations. Moreover, the bill ejecting section 412 is formed to open upward. Then, the banknote discharging unit 412 discharges the banknotes dispensed from the banknote change machine 41 from the bottom to the top. Therefore, the customer can easily receive the paid bills. Note that the receipt issuing port 51b, the coin placement section 70, the coin ejection section 422, the bill insertion section 411, and the bill ejection section 412 are formed stepwise downward in this order, and are formed stepwise in this order toward the front side in the depth direction. It does not necessarily have to be formed in a step-like shape.

Next, the hardware configuration of the self-checkout device 100 will be explained. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the self-checkout device 100.

As shown in FIG. 6, the payment terminal 1 includes a control section 7, an I/O device control section 81, and a communication I/F 82. A communication I/F (interface) 82 connects the device itself to the bagging shelf 3 in a communicable manner. The I/O device control section 81 connects the bill change machine 41, the coin change machine 42, the LEDs 43-47, the scanner 50, the printer 51, the card reader 52, the monitor 61, the touch panel 62, and the sensor 73 to the control section 7.

On the other hand, the bagging shelf 3 further includes an I/O device control section 31, a communication I/F 32, and a measuring device 33. The weighing device 33 measures the weight of the articles placed on the bagging shelf 3. A communication I/F (interface) 32 connects its own device to the payment terminal 1 in a communicable manner. That is, the I/O device control unit 31 connects the measuring device 33 to the control unit 7 via the communication I/Fs 32 and 82. The weighing device 33 measures the weight of the articles on the bagging shelf 3 for the purpose of preventing fraud.

The control unit 7 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores various computer programs and various data executed by the CPU. The RAM temporarily stores data and computer programs when the CPU executes the computer programs. The control unit 7 comprehensively controls each unit by loading a computer program read from the ROM by the CPU into the RAM and executing it.

Note that the computer program executed by the self-checkout device 100 of this embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format and can be stored on a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). ) and other computer-readable recording media.

Further, the computer program executed by the self-checkout device 100 of this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the computer program executed by the self-checkout device 100 of this embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Further, the computer program executed by the self-checkout device 100 of the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in a ROM or the like in advance.

Next, among the various processes executed by the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 of the self-checkout device 100, payment processing, which is a characteristic function of this embodiment, will be described. Here, FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing functions related to payment processing, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing.

In the payment processing, the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 implements the irradiation means 91 and the notification means 92 as functional parts, as shown in FIG. 7, by following a computer program.

The irradiation means 91 causes the LED 47 to emit light in accordance with the timing of dispensing money from the coin change machine 42 to execute light irradiation.

When the sensor 73 detects an object (such as a wallet or coins) placed on or around the coin placement surface 71 when the payment is completed, the notification means 92 notifies the user to that effect. do.

The payment process will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, first, the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 executes a product registration process (step S1).

Here, the product registration process will be explained. When a customer holds up an image with an encoded product code over the scanner 50, the scanner 50 reads the code and outputs the product code. When the scanner 50 outputs the product code, the control unit 7 refers to a PLU (Price Look Up) file stored in the storage unit of the scanner 50 or an external device connected online, for example. The PLU file records the product name, price, etc. in association with the product code, for example, in the form of a table.

Next, the control unit 7 obtains information associated with the product code read by the scanner 50 from among the information recorded in the PLU file. Then, this information is recorded as product information, and the price of the product is added to the purchase price. This completes the product registration.

Next, the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 performs payment processing when the customer completes product registration and bagging (Yes in step S2) (step S3). If the customer has not completed the product registration process (No in step S2), the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 returns to the product registration process (step S1).

Here, payment processing will be explained. When the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 receives an operation from the customer to proceed with payment, the control unit 7 displays the total price of registered products on the monitor 61. Along with this, the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 starts accepting payment operations by the customer.

In cash payments, when money is deposited into the banknote insertion section 411 of the banknote change machine 41 and the coin insertion section 421 of the coin change machine 42, the control section 7 calculates the difference (change) from the price. If there is change, the control unit 7 dispenses the change from the bill discharging section 412 of the bill change machine 41 and the coin discharging section 422 of the coin change machine 42.

Here, the control section 7 (irradiation means 91) of the payment terminal 1 executes the irradiation of the LED 47 in accordance with the timing of dispensing money to the coin ejection section 422 of the coin change machine 42 (step S4). By irradiating the LED 47 in accordance with the timing of dispensing money from the coin change machine 42 in this way, it is possible to prevent the customer from forgetting to take out the coins discharged to the coin discharge section 422.

In addition, the control unit 7 (notification means 92) of the payment terminal 1 controls the amount on the coin placement surface 71 or around the coin placement surface 71 at the stage when the customer's payment has been completed (an example of a state in which the deposit processing has been completed). When an object (wallet, coin, etc.) placed on the screen is detected (Yes in step S5), a notification to that effect is notified (step S6). The message to that effect is a message indicating that the object has been forgotten. Notification methods include audio, screen display, and outputting a signal to an attendant terminal (not shown). This can prevent customers from leaving their wallets, coins, etc. on or around the coin placement surface 71. If the control unit 7 (notifying means 92) of the payment terminal 1 does not detect an object (such as a wallet or coin) (No in step S5), the process directly proceeds to step S7. Note that the state in which the deposit processing has been completed includes, in addition to the stage in which the customer's payment has been completed, the stage in which the payment processing has been completed, the state in which the human sensor has stopped detecting a person after the customer's payment has been completed, etc.

The control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 ends one transaction upon completion of the payment (Yes in step S7), and shifts to a state of waiting for the start of the next transaction (step S1).

As described above, according to the payment device 1 of the present embodiment, the customer places a coin on the coin placement surface 71 of the coin placement section 70 and then slides the desired coin on the coin placement surface 71. By doing so, the coin can be inserted into the coin insertion section 421. Therefore, the customer does not need to pick up a desired coin from among the coins placed side by side on the coin placement surface 71 and insert it into the coin input section 421, and the customer can remove the coins on the coin placement surface 71. The operation of inserting coins into the coin input section 421 of the coin change machine 42 can be easily performed.

In the embodiment, the distance between the coin placement section 70 and the side end 11h of the first housing 11 closest to the coin placement section 70, and the distance between the coin insertion section 421 and the first housing closest to the coin insertion section 421 are described. 11 and the other side end 11G are both smaller than the depth length E of the coin placement section 70. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a wide space for the coin placement section 70 on the flat surface section 11b of the payment terminal 1.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

For example, although the coin placement surface 71 has been described as being a flat surface in the embodiment, it is not limited to this. For example, the coin placement surface 71 may be an uneven surface that repeats unevenness in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the coin. In this case, since the contact surface between the coin and the coin placement surface 71 is reduced, the coin easily slides on the coin placement surface 71.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, an example has been described in which the payment terminal 1, which is a self-checkout device 100 for customers to register products and make payments by themselves, is applied as a money processing device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cash processing device may be an accounting machine that is installed in a semi-self checkout lane and used for payment processing by a customer after product registration by a store clerk.

Further, in the embodiment, a ticket vending machine (ticket issuing machine) that issues meal tickets at a restaurant, a payment machine at a parking lot, a station, etc., a vending machine, etc. can also be applied as the money processing device.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, an example has been described in which the coin change machine 42 is applied as a money depositing device and a money depositing/dispensing device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the banknote change machine 41 may be applied as the money depositing device and the money depositing/dispensing device.

Further, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the coin placement section 70 is connected to the left side of the coin insertion section 421, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a case where the coin insertion section 421 is arranged on the left side, the coin placement section 70 may be connected to the right side of the coin insertion section 421.

1 Settlement device 11 Housing 41 Banknote change machine 42 Coin change machine 47 Irradiation part 51a Convex part 70 Coin placement part 71 Coin placement surface 73 Detection part 91 Irradiation means 92 Notification means 111 Door 411 Banknote insertion part 412 Banknote discharge part 421 Coin input section 422 Coin ejection section

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-156138

Claims (5)

A money processing device used for payment processing by a customer,
a housing including a deposit/withdrawal section for storing coins and dispensing the stored coins;
a coin input unit provided at a position on one side of the center of the housing in the width direction, into which coins are input;
The housing has a coin placement surface for temporarily placing coins, and is connected to a position lined up with the coin insertion section, and is connected to the center in the width direction of the housing from the coin insertion section. a coin resting part, which is provided in a shape that is long in the width direction and extends to the opposite side across the coin resting part;
a payment means that accepts and processes coins inserted into the coin input section;
Equipped with
The coin placement section has a dirt drop hole on the coin placement surface,
The distance between the coin insertion part and the side end of the housing closest to the coin insertion part, and the distance between the coin placement part and the other side edge of the housing closest to the coin placement part are , both of which are smaller than the depth of the coin placement section,
A money processing device characterized by: comprising a connecting part connecting the coin placement surface and the coin input part,
A plurality of the dirt drop holes are provided upstream of the connecting portion in a coin sliding direction in which a coin slides from the coin placement surface to the coin input portion.
The money processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dirt pit has a long hole shape along the sliding direction of the coin,
The money processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: a display section that displays the total amount to be paid to the customer;
The money processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: comprising a printer that issues a receipt with printed contents based on the processing of the payment means;
The money processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:

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