JPH06266951A - Acounting timer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically change the setting of a tariff for the fixed time of an acounting timer. CONSTITUTION:The acounting timer 1 is provided with a controller 10 in which a RAM 18 and a timer 19 are connected to a CPU 16. The RAM 18 stores holiday data such as holidays or specified days for one year. lower tariff switching time, normal tariff switching time and four kinds of tariff to enable use for one hour. The timer 19 is incorpolated with a calendar and can be arbitrarily read from the CPU by counting data and time containing the information of the day of the week. The CPU 16 reads the date and time, when cash is inserted, from the timer 19 and judges whether the date and time show Saturday or Sunday or 'holiday' or not an further whether the time is the low fee switching time or the normal fee switching time, and the time to use a device is automatically calculated based on one tariff, which is selected out of the four kinds of tariff based on the state, and the inserted amount.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charge-type timer, and more particularly to a charge-type timer that allows a connected or built-in device to be operated for a set time by inserting cash.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some televisions installed in hotels and the like are provided with a chargeable timer. The billing timer allows you to watch TV for the length of time according to the coins you have inserted. This time is set so that, for example, if 100 yen is thrown, the television can be watched for 30 minutes.

Recently, rental boxes for karaoke, video, etc. have become popular. The rental box has a different fee setting that allows you to use the fixed time depending on the time and time of use. Also, the price setting differs depending on weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and specific days of rental boxes. With this price setting, the service can be used at a low price during the daytime on weekdays.

For example, the charge is set to 1000 yen for one hour until 6:00 pm on weekdays, and 200 hours for one hour after 6:00 pm
It is set to 0 yen. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the price is set at 2000 yen for 1 hour until 6:00 pm, and after 6:00 pm, it is set at 3000 yen for 1 hour.

In some cases, a device incorporating a charging timer is installed in the rental box. This device is provided with a setting switch for changing the setting of the usage charge.

[0006]

However, this usage fee must be collected from the customer by the rental box clerk at the front desk, checking the usage fee each time according to the usage start time and usage time. It took a long time.

Further, in a device incorporating a charging timer, the usage charge setting switch must be changed every time the switching time comes. This change work had to be performed on all machines almost at the same time, and the equipment in use had to be replaced when the customer replaced. Therefore, there is a possibility that it will take time and that the setting will be wrong.

An object of the present invention is to provide a charging timer which can save labor by automatically changing the usage fee system for different days depending on the time, time, holidays, etc. to be used. is there.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a billing timer for determining the usable time or the number of times based on the amount of cash inserted, and a timer having a calendar, It stores multiple different unit times or usage charge data per predetermined number of times, and also specifies the day of the week to determine the price, the holiday data to specify holidays, the specific day data to specify specific days, and the charge switching time. Storing means for storing the charge switching time data for specifying, the inserting date and time judging means for judging the inserting date and time by a timer when the cash is inserted, and the inserting date and time judged by the inserting date and time judging means for storing means The day of the week, the national holiday, the specific day, and the date and time of the charge changeover stored in the determining means, and the date and time of the entry based on the determination result of the determining means. Selection means for selecting one of the plurality of usage fee data for the usage fee per unit time or a predetermined number of times, and the time or number of times that the usage fee can be used based on the selected usage fee data and the inserted amount of money. And a calculation means for obtaining

[0010]

According to the present invention having such a configuration, it is determined which of the day of the week, the holiday, the specific day, and the charge switching time stored in the storage means, corresponds to the date and time when the cash is inserted.
Based on the determination result, one usage fee data is selected from a plurality of different usage time data stored in the storage means per unit time or a predetermined number of times. By automatically calculating the usable time or number of times based on this selected one usage fee data and the entered amount, the clerk directly collects the usage fee from the customer while watching the price list, It is possible to save the trouble of changing the setting of the usable time or the number of times based on the inserted amount of money each time the switching time comes.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment embodying the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the charging timer 1 is formed in a box shape made of metal or the like. Billing timer 1
The indicator 2 is provided on the front side plate 1a.

The display 2 has a plurality of LED display elements (in this embodiment, three 7-segment type LED display elements and one dot matrix type LED display element).
Is provided. The display 2 displays the remaining usage time of the billing timer 1.

At the bottom of the front side plate 1a of the billing timer 1, a bill insertion slot 3 is opened in a horizontally long rectangle, and a bill guide 3a is provided.
Is projected on the front side plate 1a. As shown in FIG.
As shown in, a cash discriminating device 4 is provided inside the charging timer 1. The cash discriminating device 4 is provided at a position where a bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 3 is inserted, and detects the amount of the inserted bill.

As shown in FIG. 3, a power supply device 5 is provided inside the charging timer 1. The power supply device 5 is provided with a power supply cord 5a to which electric power is supplied, and as shown in FIG. 4, the power supply cord 5a is arranged under the backside plate 1b of the charging timer 1. The power supply device 5 supplies power to all devices of the charging timer 1.

An output outlet 6 is provided inside the charging timer 1. A power cord 7 of the karaoke machine K (see FIG. 1) is connected to the output outlet 6.
A relay 8 is built in the output outlet 6 to control output / non-output of electric power supplied to the connected karaoke apparatus K.

The charging timer 1 has an input device 9 inside.
Is provided. Further, a control device 10 is provided inside the charging timer 1. As shown in FIG. 4, an opening 11 is provided in the back plate 1b of the charging timer 1. A door 12 is provided in the opening 11, and is supported at the right end of the opening 11 so as to be openable and closable. Locking device 13 on door 12
Is provided and can be locked by the key 14.
A wiring portion 15 is cut out at the left end of the opening 11 and the power cord 7 is arranged. The wiring portion 15 is formed in such a size that the plug 7a of the power cord 7 cannot pass through. Therefore, the power cord 7 cannot be pulled out from the charging timer 1 without the key 14. Also, the key 14 is required when operating the input device 9,
It cannot be changed easily.

FIG. 1 shows the electrical configuration of the charging timer 1. The control device 10 is connected to a central processing unit 16 (hereinafter referred to as a CPU), a ROM 17 in which a control program of the CPU 16 is stored, a RAM 18 as a storage means for temporarily storing a calculation result of the CPU 16 and a timer 19. .

The RAM 18 stores the low charge switching time (6:00 am in this embodiment) and the normal charge switching time (6:00 pm in this embodiment) set at predetermined times.
Further, the RAM 18 stores holiday data such as national holidays and specific days (for example, August 9 to August 14). Holiday data is arbitrarily set depending on the place of use.

Further, the RAM 18 stores the usage fee set according to the date and time. This usage fee indicates the amount of money for which the connected karaoke device K can be used for a predetermined time (one hour in this embodiment). This amount is a "holiday" on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and specific days.
And the days other than the above are set as “weekdays”. Further, the period from 6:00 am, which is the low charge switching time, to 6:00 pm, which is the normal charge switching time, is set as "daytime", and the time other than the above is set as "nighttime". Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the usage fee is 1000 yen for "weekday" and "daytime", 2000 yen for "weekday" and "nighttime", and 200 for "holiday" and "daytime".
0 yen, 3000 yen is required for "holiday" and "night".

Further, a battery (not shown) is connected to the RAM 18, and the time and the like are stored even when power is not supplied from the power supply device 5. Timer 19 shows time in the morning and afternoon (for example, 3:32:23 pm)
Is counted as. Further, the timer 19 has a built-in calendar up to a predetermined year (in this embodiment, the year 2002) and counts dates including leap years.
Therefore, the date information includes information about what day of the week it is. Date, day and time of timer 19 are C
It can be arbitrarily read from the PU 16. Further, a battery (not shown) is connected to the timer 19 so that the time can be counted even when power is not supplied from the power supply device 5.

Further, the cash discriminating device 4 is connected to the CPU 16. When a banknote is inserted, the cash discriminating device 4 sends the inserted amount to the CPU 16. The CPU 16 is also connected to an input device 9 including a mode selection switch 20 for selecting a mode, a data switch 21 for setting data in the selected mode, and a set switch 22 for storing the set data. The data switch 21 is a dip switch and can set an arbitrary numerical value.

The mode selected by the mode selection switch 20 includes a low charge time mode, a normal charge time mode, a holiday setting mode, a specific day setting mode, and an amount of money that can be used for a predetermined time (in this embodiment, one hour is used). "Weekday, daytime" mode, "weekday, night" mode, "holiday, daytime" mode and "holiday,"
There is a "night" mode.

When the set switch 22 is pressed while the mode is the low charge time mode, the CPU 16 stores the data (for example, 600) set in the data switch 21 in the RAM 18 as the low charge change time (6:00 am). Let

When the set switch 22 is pressed while the mode is the normal charge time mode, the CPU 16 uses the data (for example, 1800) set in the data switch 21 as the normal charge switching time (6:00 pm) in the RAM 18.
To memorize.

When the set switch 22 is pressed when the mode is the holiday setting mode, the CPU 16 stores the data (for example, 320) set in the data switch 21 in the RAM 18 as holiday data (March 20th, Equinox day). Let

When the set switch 22 is pressed when the mode is the specific day setting mode, the CPU 16 causes the RAM 18 to store the data (for example, 1195) set in the data switch 21 as holiday data (December 25).

When the set switch 22 is pressed while the mode is "weekday, daytime" mode, the CPU 16 uses the data (for example, 1000) set in the data switch 21 for "weekday, daytime" and uses the karaoke apparatus K for one hour. The amount of money (1000 yen) that can be stored is stored in the RAM 18.

When the set switch 22 is pressed when the mode is "weekday, night" mode, the CPU 16 uses the data (for example, 2000) set in the data switch 21 for "weekday, daytime" and uses the karaoke device K for one hour. The amount of money (2000 yen) that can be stored is stored in the RAM 18.

When the set switch 22 is pressed while the mode is the "holiday, daytime" mode, the CPU 16 uses the data (for example, 2000) set in the data switch 21 for "weekdays, daytime" and uses the karaoke apparatus K for one hour. The amount of money (2000 yen) that can be stored is stored in the RAM 18.

When the set switch 22 is pressed when the mode is "holiday, night" mode, the CPU 16 uses the data (for example, 3000) set in the data switch 21 for "weekdays, daytime" and uses the karaoke apparatus K for one hour. The amount of money (3000 yen) that can be stored is stored in the RAM 18.

Based on the amount of money for which the above-mentioned four types of karaoke apparatus K can be used for one hour and the amount of money put into the cash discriminating apparatus 4, the CPU 16 calculates the usage time that the karaoke apparatus K can use. This usage time is stored in the RAM 18 as the remaining time.

Further, the CPU 16 subtracts the remaining time stored in the RAM 18 according to the time read by the timer 19. Further, the display device 2 is connected to the CPU 16 and R
The remaining time stored in the AM 18 is displayed. The remaining time is displayed in a predetermined unit (in this embodiment, in minutes)
It is represented by and the numerical value up to 3 digits is LE of 7 segment type.
It is represented by a D display element, and "M" indicating a unit is represented by a dot matrix type LED display element.

Further, the CPU 16 is connected to a relay 8 built in the output outlet 6. When the CPU 16 turns on (closes) the relay 8, the karaoke device K connected to the output outlet 6 becomes usable. CPU16
When the relay 8 is turned off (open circuit), the output outlet 6
The karaoke device K connected to is disabled.

Next, the operation of the billing type timer configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The charging type timer 1 has a power cord 7 of the karaoke device K.
Are connected. When trying to use the karaoke machine K, 2000 yen is inserted into the bill insertion slot 3 of the charging timer 1. Then, the CPU 16 receives the deposit amount (2000 yen) sent from the cash discriminating apparatus 4 in step 1 (hereinafter, step is simply referred to as S).

At S2, the CPU 16 calculates the usage time of the karaoke machine K. At this time, the usage time is calculated according to the flowchart of FIG. First, the CPU 16 executes S8
Read out the current date and time from timer 19. This date contains the day of the week information. Based on this day of the week information, the CPU 16 confirms in S9 whether the current day of the week is Saturday or Sunday. If the current day is Saturday or Sunday, the CPU 16 reads "holiday" at S12.
Store in AM18.

CPU 16 if not Saturday or Sunday
In S10, the current date is compared with the holiday data and holiday data stored on the RAM 18 for the specific date. If the current date corresponds to the date stored in the holiday data, that is, a holiday or a specific date, the CPU 16 RAs "holiday" in S12.
Store in M18. If the current date does not correspond to the date stored in the holiday data, the CPU 16 stores “weekday” in the RAM 18 in S11.

Next, the CPU 16 makes a RAM 18 at S13.
The low charge switching time and the normal charge switching time stored in are compared with the current time. When the current time is between the low charge switching time and the normal charge switching time, the CPU
16 stores the "daytime" in the RAM 18 in S14. When the current time is between the normal charge switching time and the low charge switching time, the CPU 16 RAs "night" in S15.
Store in M18.

Next, the CPU 16 calculates the available time of the karaoke apparatus K from the "weekday" or "holiday" stored in S11 or S12 and the "daytime" or "nighttime" stored in S14 or S15 in S16. .

For example, at 20:30 pm on March 19th at 3:30 pm
Suppose that 00 yen is put into the charging timer 1. 1 on this day
Since the day of the week read from the timer 19 in 993 is Friday, it does not correspond to Saturday or Sunday in S9. Further, since this day does not correspond to holiday data in S10, the CPU 16 RAMs "weekdays" in S11.
18 to memorize. In addition, the current time is 3:30 pm and the low charge switching time is from 6:00 am to 6 pm
Since it is 0:00, the CPU 16 stores the "daytime" in the RAM 18 in S14.

Next, the CPU 16 finds from the "weekdays" and "daytime" stored in the RAM 18 that the amount of money for which the karaoke apparatus K can be used for one hour is 1000 yen. Since the input amount is 2000 yen, the karaoke device K can be used for 2 hours.

Also, at 6:30 pm on March 19th, 200
If 0 yen is put into the charging timer 1, the day read from the timer 19 in 1993 is Friday, and therefore it does not correspond to Saturday or Sunday in S9.
Since this day does not correspond to holiday data in S10, the CPU 16 stores "weekdays" in the RAM 18 in S11. Since the current time is 6:30 pm and is not between the low charge switching time of 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, the CPU 16 RAs "night" at S15.
Store in M18.

Next, the CPU 16 finds that the amount of money for which the karaoke apparatus K can be used for one hour is 1000 yen from "weekdays" and "night" stored in the RAM 18. Since the input amount is 2000 yen, the karaoke device K can be used for one hour.

As described above, the remaining time during which the karaoke machine K can be used depending on the amount of money input is the date and time when cash is charged into the charging timer 1, the calendar stored in the timer 19 and the holiday data stored in the RAM 18. Is automatically calculated by.

Further, the CPU 16 confirms in S17 whether or not there is a remaining time before inserting the bill. When there is a remaining time before the bill is inserted, the CPU 16 adds the time calculated in S18 and the remaining time before the bill is inserted to the RAM 1 as a new remaining time.
Store in 8.

Next, in S19, the CPU 16 confirms whether or not the current time is within a predetermined time (1 hour in this embodiment) before the low charge switching time or the normal charge switching time.
When the current time is within 1 hour before the switching time, the CPU
16 sends a bill acceptance prohibition to the cash discriminating apparatus 4 in S17. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from being used for a long time at the "daytime" fee when the usage fee is "night".

As described above, the available remaining time is calculated according to the steps from S8 to S17. Next, the CPU 16 sets S
At 3, the relay 8 of the output outlet 6 is turned on to enable the karaoke machine K. Further, the CPU 16 displays the remaining time on the display unit 2 in minutes in S4. Therefore, since the remaining time is 2 hours in the above, "120M" is displayed.

Next, the CPU 16 subtracts the remaining time stored in the RAM 18 according to the time read from the timer 19 in S5. Then, the CPU 16 confirms in S6 whether or not the remaining time has become zero. When the remaining time is not 0, the CPU 16 returns to S4 and displays the remaining time. When the remaining time becomes 0, the CPU 16 turns off the relay 8 in S7 to disable the connected karaoke device K.

As described above, in the accounting timer 1 of this embodiment, the calendar built in the timer 19 and the RA
"Weekdays""holidays""daytime""night" stored in M18
The time during which the karaoke device K can be used can be automatically calculated for a long period of time based on the amount of money that can be used for one hour.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be modified as follows without departing from the spirit of the present invention. (1) In the above embodiment, the karaoke device K is installed in the charging timer 1.
However, other devices may be connected.
The charging timer 1 may be built in the device.

(2) In the above embodiment, the low charge switching time and the normal charge switching time are set, but a plurality of them may be set. The switching time may be set to any time.

(3) In the above embodiment, the amount of money used per hour is set to 1000 yen, 2000 yen, and 3000 yen, but it may be set to any amount. (4) Although the bill insertion slot 3 is provided in the above embodiment, a coin insertion slot may be provided instead. Also, a bill slot and a coin slot may be provided at the same time.

(5) In the above embodiment, the display unit 2 has a 7-segment type LED and a dot matrix type LE.
Although D is used, display may be performed using only one of the LEDs. In addition, other types of LED or display device 2 such as a liquid crystal display may be used.

(6) In the above embodiment, the remaining time is displayed on the display unit 2 in minutes, but the remaining time, the current time, or the set end time may be displayed in any combination. Also, the display unit may be arbitrarily changed.

(7) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the usage time is calculated based on the input amount of money, but the number of times of use may be calculated based on the input amount of money. (8) In the above embodiment, data such as switching time is stored in the RAM 1
However, it may be stored in the ROM 17. In addition, the data stored in the ROM 17 is stored in the RAM 1
8 may be transferred and used.

(9) In the above embodiment, the data switch 21
Although the dip switch is used as the switch, a switch such as a numerical key may be used.

[0056]

As described in detail above, according to the charging timer of the present invention, the time or number of times of use is automatically calculated based on the usage charge, holiday setting and charge switching time stored in the storage means. By doing so, it is possible to save the labor required for the store clerk to directly collect from the customer while looking at the price list, and to save time and effort to change the setting each time the use time or the number of times changes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electrical connection of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing calculation of remaining time according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Billing timer, 2 ... Indicator, 4 ... Cash discriminating device, 6
… Output outlet, 8… Relay, 9… Input device, 10…
Control device, 16 ... CPU as a date / time determination means, a determination means, a selection means and a calculation means, 17 ... ROM, 18 ...
RAM as storage means, 19 ... Timer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A billing timer for determining a usable time or the number of times based on the amount of cash deposited, a timer (19) having a calendar and a plurality of different unit time or a predetermined number of usage fee data. Storage means for storing day of the week data for specifying a day of the week for determining a fee, holiday data for specifying a holiday, specific day data for specifying a specific day, and charge switching time data for specifying a charge switching time ( 18)
When cash is inserted, the insertion date and time determining means (16) for determining the insertion date and time by the timer (19), and the day of the week and the holiday when the insertion date and time determined by the insertion date and time determining means is stored in the storage means. A determination means (16) to which the date and time of the charge switching time belongs to a specific day, and a usage fee per unit time or a predetermined number of times on the input date and time of the plurality of usage fee data based on the determination result of the determination means. A selection means (16) for selecting one from among, and a calculation means (1 for obtaining the usable time or the number of times based on the selected usage fee data and the inserted amount of money.
6) A chargeable timer comprising: