Following the start of production of coin handling equipment for vending machines in 1974, Fuji Electric also commercialized bill validation equipment. Such equipment provides not only advanced technology for removing counterfeit coins and bills, but also meets society’s requirements for low environmental impact with features such as energy savings and light weight. Additional measures, such as the adoption of a universal design, have resulted in improved convenience at the time of purchase and have enabled the provision of vending machines that are more attractive. Change machines not only accept and payout bills and coins reliably and achieve energy savings, but also are equipped with functions linked to a POS system, and have been highly regarded in the marketplace. Other convenient and highly reliable products, such as multi-brand payment terminals for stores and vending machines, are also being supplied.

Fuji Electric’s latest coin handling machines, the“ FMVT Series”, incorporate new technology as well as Fuji’s accumulated currency handling technology and know-how. Characteristic features of this new series include: (1) improved currency detection precision by detecting the surface profile in addition to the material, diameter and thickness of the currency, (2) a cash escrow mechanism that prevents counterfeit currency from being exchanged for real currency, (3) use of flash memory to facilitate program rewriting, (4) a function for paying out three currency denominations simultaneously in order to reduce the waiting time, (5) improved reliability with a payout verification sensor, (6) improved ease of maintenance with the use of a one-touch opening mechanism and a cassette tube, and (7) low power consumption including stand-by time.

Fuji Electric’s latest series of bill validators for vending machines, the“ BVE Series” features a small and low profile size, light weight, and realizes energy savings. This series incorporates various enhanced features such as bill roller transport, a modular unit structure, and an anti-theft mechanism made from a hard-to-deform stainless steel plate. To improve the discriminating ability and support anti-counterfeiting technology for new bills, a fluxgate type magnetic sensor has been developed. In addition, by using a high-performance microprocessor, and developing and utilizing an optical sensor automatic adjustment function, a time-sharing adjustment system and a new algorithm for shape identification, the control functionality has been improved.

Automated change machines for supermarkets and other such distribution sites have been developed to disburse automatically and to provide the customer with change accurately and quickly. These machines have been well received. Recently, Fuji Electric has developed and brought to market the ECS-07 automatic change machine which incorporates advanced and high-performance change machine functionality. This device fully automates all operations from the identification and counting of currency when deposited, until the dispensing of change, so that cash can be managed accurately. The device is additionally provided with checking function that automatically recounts the coins and bills inside the change machine, thereby enabling a reduction in the amount of time needed for cash inventory management. Also, the provision of two-way collection storage and coin roll storage improve the ease and safety with which money can be managed in the field.

Fuji Electric has developed the“ ECS-06” change machine so that a change machine with a POS terminal can be integrated into the gas pumps installed at self-service gas stations. The ECS-06 provides the following features: (1) a compact size that can be housed within a limited space yet provides a large storage capacity for coins and bills, (2) a waterproof, low-temperature resistant and vandalism-proof structure suitable for outdoor installation, (3) the capability to handle six denominations of coins and four denominations of bills, and to reuse and payout all denominations of coins and 1,000 yen bills for change, for enhanced user convenience, and (4) a removable and in order to facilitate the collection of cash, transportable cassette for both coins and bills.

The widespread usage of prepaid electronic money has not only resulted in increased handling amount, but also in increase of the types of such electronic money. Fuji Electric has developed the“ FAP10 Series” which is capable of supporting up to 14 different types of electronic money or point services. Additionally, the FAP10 Series is equipped with a control chip certified under ISO/IEC 15408 EAL4, which improves the security performance. The terminal is housed in a single-piece case, which realizes a small size having 48% of the volume and 53% of the footprint in comparison with conventional product. Upgrading from an upper level server or electronic money clearing center may also be implemented via the network.

Fuji Electric’s “FCL-MVCAD Series” of payment terminals for vending machines accept multiple-electronic moneys. To facilitate the purchase of commercial products from vending machines with electronic money, various schemes such as increased visibility and streamlining of the settlement procedure have been devised. Additionally, to facilitate connection with electronic money clearing centers, a relay server system was constructed in collaboration with Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. As a result, a one-stop service capable of streamlining the procedure for introducing electronic money by a vending machine operator, and a reduction in running costs have been realized.

A bill cashbox transport system has been developed, aiming to increase the models of connectable pachinko ball rental machines, to make thetranport system smaller, to realize energy savings, and to improve installation. The use of a chain drive system for the bill transport mechanism eliminates the need for temporary holding units, which had previously been required for each pachinko machine, and results in a 75% reduction in power consumption. Moreover, the connectable number of manufacturers of pachinko ball rental machines which differ for each pachinko parlor has increased from two to seven in this system. With the new bill storage system, the cashbox has been downsized, and component parts have been made integrated in sub-units. As a result, installation conditions have been eased, and a 50% reduction in volume and 30% reduction in weight have been realized.