AU641549B2 - Coin processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

r$ S64 1549 S F Ref: 192429

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT r-IGINAL 0*o* i eggs *qo: 0 0

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Name and Address of Applicant: 00 g goO 0 555e

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jo S Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Conlux 2-2, Uchisaiwai-cho 2-chome Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

JAPAN

Takeshi Ishida, Kenji Koyama, Hiroshi Kasama, Kenji Nishiumi and Kenji Nakajima Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Coin Processing Apparatus

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Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845/6 TITLE OF THE INVENTION COIN PROCESSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin processing apparatus for use in an automatic vending machine, a money exchanger, service equipment, or the like, and more particularly to a coin processor whose vertical dimension is reduced.

10 DescriDtion of the Related Art Conventionially, a typical coin processing apparatus sea: comprises a coin discriminating section and a coin sorting

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section. The coin discriminating section is arranged such that an inserted coin is allowed to roll along a coin discriminating passage provided with a coin discriminating device, by means of its free fall, and the coin rolling along the coin discriminating passage is discriminated by the coin discriminating device. The coin sorting section is *e 0 arranged such that the coin discriminated by the coin s .odiscriminating device is introduced to a coin distributing passage, and the coin is sorted on the coin distributing passage by the type of denomnation onthe basis of the passage by the type of denomination on the basis of the A C output of discrimination by the coin discriminating device and is accumulated in a relevant coin tube (coin accumulating device). The reason the inserted coins are arranged to be sorted and accumulated in the coin tubes by Sthe types of denominations is to reutilize the inserted coins as change, thereby preventing a shortage of change as practically as possible and securing the opportunity of sales to a maximum degree.

This coin processing apparatus is mounted in, for lo instance, an automatic vending machine, effects the sorting processing of inserted coins, and controls the paying out of change from coin tubes, as necessary.

In an automatic vending machine or the like equipped with this conventional coin processing apparatus, since the Icoin discriminating section makes use of the free fall of SS 0o Se., coins, a dimension of a certain extent is required in the direction of the fall. In addition, since the coin sorting section includes a mechanism for mechanically sorting coins on the basis of their diameters by making use of the free ofall, the coin storing section also requires a dimension of a certain extent. Hence, in some coin processing apparatuses, the distance from a coin slot to a coin return port extends as far as 200 mm.

For this reason, in the automatic vending machine or like equipped with the conventional coin processing apparatus, if, for example, the coin slot is disposed at a position suitable for the user of the automatic vending machine, it has consequently been unavoidable to dispose the change paying-out port at a lower portion of the automatic machine. Therefore, the user of the automatic vending machine is compelled to receive the change by bending down, which is very inconvenient to the user. This has been one factor reducing the number of users of the automatic vending machines.

(0o Accordingly, various proposals have been made to reduce the vertical dimensior Jf the coin processing apparatus.

For instance, an arrangement has been conceived in which a horizontal passage for conveying coins by means of a belt is S*adopted in the coin discriminating section, and the coin (S discriminating device is disposed at the conveying passage, thereby reducing the vertical dimension of the coin 0S processing apparatus. With this arrangement, however, the vertical dimensions of the coin discriminating section and I: the coin conveying section remain unchanged, so that it 2ocannot be said that this arrangement is satisfactory.

In addition, another arrangement has been conceived in 5* q which, to reduce the vertical dimension of the coin sorting section, a plurality of coin distributing sections are arranged in a vertical row in correspondence with a ;Splurality of coin tubes arranged along a coin distributing passage. As these coin distributing sections are controlled on the basis of the output of discrimination by the coin discriminating device, an inserted coin is distributed so as to be introduced to a corresponding coin tube or to a next Scoin distributing section, thereby allowing inserting coins to be distributed to relevant coin tubes by the types of denominations.

With this arrangement, however, if the coin distributing sections are controlled to distribute an toensuing coin before the destination of the previous coin has not been discriminated, there can be cases where the previous coin is introduced not to a coin tube of its **see* destination but to another coin tube. In addition, if the

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S acceptance of an ensuing coin is prohibited until the isprevious coin is introduced to a final coin tube, it is impossible to cope with the continual insertion of coins.

Furthermore, among the coins discriminated by the coin discriminating section, the coins which are to be used as change are accumulated in the coin tubes by the types of 0 Aodenominations, and change is paid out by using the coins accumulated in the coin tubes. However, there are certain limitations to the coin-accumulating capacities of the coin tubes. Hence, the conventional coin processing apparatus is arranged such that the coin tubes are respectively provided 2Swith mechanically arranged levers, and the coins overflowing from the coin tubes are introduced to a cash box by means of the levers.

Nevertheless, each of the levers for controlling overflow requires a substantial vertical dimension for Sdisposition thereof, which has been one factor making it impossible to reduce the vertical dimension of the coin discriminating section.

With this conventional arrangement using the levers, when coins are stacked in each of the coin tubes up to a (ofixed point, the passage leading to that coin tube is blocked, so that the coins subsequently led toward the coin tube are introduced to a passage leading to the cash box.

6**e*S Hence, the number of coins which can be stacked in each of the coin tubes is mechanically fixed. In cases where this (Scoin processing apparatus is mounted in an automatic vending a.

machine which does not require much change, it follows that to unnecessary coins are introduced to the coin tubes. In this case, in the operation of collecting coins, a large number of coins must always be collected from the coin tubes, so othat there has been a drawback in that the operation of collecting coins is very troublesome.

With this conventional arrangement using the levers, since the operation is effected by bringing the coin itself into contact with the lever, there has been another drawback r in that an intended operation cannot be performed owing to wear affecting durability as well as stains.

In the case where the horizontal passage for conveying coins by means of a belt is adopted for the coin discriminating section, the conventional arrangement provided is such that even when a foreign object other than a coin is deposited, the foreign object is temporarily led to the belt conveying passage and is returned after being detected. According to this arrangement, a mechanical o blockage by the foreign object is induced, so that the coin processing apparatus cannot be used until the foreign object is removed.

In particular, most of the automatic vending machines equipped with such a coin processing apparatus are used for (Ssale without being attended by salespersons; hence, the detection of the above drawback is liable to be delayed.

Consequently, there arises a shortcoming in that opportunities of sales are lost.

In the case of the arrangement wherein the horizontal opassage for conveying coins by means of a belt is adopted for the coin discriminating section, there are mechanical limitations to the coin-conveying speed by means of the belt, so that an ensuing coin may be inserted before the *detection processing of a previously inserted coin is 0 2q completed. Accordingly, control which is devoted only to the detection of one coin is insufficient, and parallel detection processing of a plurality of continually inserted coins is required.

Hence, it is conceivable to adopt an arrangement wherein an inlet sensor is provided at the coin slot, and the processing of a coin is commenced when the inlet sensor has shifted from an "on" state to an "off' state. In this case, however, the inlet sensor a.

IG:\WPUSER\LIBMMI00013:LMM 8 automatically shifts from the "on" state to the "off" state even if the user of the coin processing apparatus pulls out the coin midway in the insertion of the coin. Hence, if the processing of the coin is commenced at this point of time, unnecessary coin processing must be executed although the coin has not actually been deposited In particular, if the user of the coin processing apparatus repeatedly turns on and off the inlet sensor by way Se*** 0 0 0 *0 *o~ o° [G:\WPUSER\IBMM10001 3:LMM 9 of a prank, unnecessary coin processing must be commenced on each such occasion, giving rise to problems in that the capacity of software for coin processing must be increased and that the processing becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coin processing apparatus comprising: sees.: o [G:\WPUSERIBMMI00013:LMM coin conveying means for forcibly conveying coins inserted through a coin slot at a predetermined speed along a horizontal coin conveying passage; coin discriminating means disposed along said coin conveying passage for discriminating the denomination of the coin being conveyed by said coin conveying means along said coin conveying passage and emitting a corresponding denomination identification output; 0* 113:LMM 11 a plurality of coin accumulating means providing for each denomination of coin, for accumulating the coins by denominations; distributing means for distributing the coin passed through said coin conveying passage to one of said plurality of coin accumulating as in correspondence with said denomination identification output of said coin discriminating means; and .0 9 9 IG:\WPUSER\UBMM100013:LMM 12 coin paying-out means for paying out required coins from the coins accumulated in said plurality of coin accumulating means; said distributing means comprising an inclined coin passage through which the coin passed through said coin conveying passage rolls down; and

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[G:\WPUSERIBSMM 1000 3:1MM 13 a plurality of coin distributing sections each disposed along said inclined coin passage and in correspondence with said plurality of coin accumulating means and adapted to selectively execute a first distributing operation for passing a coin rolling through said coin passage and a second distributing operation for diverging the coin from said inclined coin passage to introduce to a corresponding one of said coin distributing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS *to 0 a to a,0 9 o o' •o o a Fig. 1 is a perspective front view of the appearance of an embodiment of a coin processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective rear view of the coin s processing apparatus of the embodiment; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side-elevational view of essential portions of the coin processing apparatus of the embodiment; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear view of the coin toprocessing apparatus of the embodiment; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the coin processing apparatus of the embodiment;

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see: Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the state in which overflow sensors are disposed in relation to coin tubes; (S Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view cf a main S plate in this embodiment; Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the state of distribution of a Y500 coin in this embodiment; SFig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the state of Rodistribution of a ¥100 coin in this embodiment; Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the state of 'distribution of a Y10 coin in this embodiment; Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the state of distribution of a ¥50 coin in this embodiment; -14- Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of this embodiment; Fig. 13 is a main flowchart illustrating the operation of this embodiment; Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the details of coin acceptance accuracy changeover in the main flowchart shown in Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the details of normal changeover in the flowchart shown in Fig. 14; fo Fig. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the details of level-1 increased accuracy in the flowchart shown in Fig.

14; 6400 Fig. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the details of S* 0 changeover to level-2 increased accuracy in the flowchart G shown in Fig. 14; Fig. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the details of coin 9 sorting processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 13; Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the details of coin sorting processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 18; Ao Fig. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the details of

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processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 19; Fig. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the details of processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 19; Fig. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the details of Y100 2processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 19; 4 Fig. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the details of ¥500 processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 19; Fig. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the details of true coin processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 18; Figs. 25(a) to 25(c) are flowcharts illustrating the details of true Y10 coin processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 24; Figs. 26(a) to 26(c) are flowcharts illustrating the details of true Y50 coin processing in the flowchart shown lo in Fig. 24; Figs. 27(a) to 27(c) are flowcharts illustrating the details of true Y100 coin processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 24; Figs. 28(a) to 28(c) are flowcharts illustrating the 6 details of true Y500 coin processing in the flowchart shown in Fig. 24; Fig. 29 is a flowchart illustrating the details of coin 0* blockage correction processing in the coin sorting S processing shown in Fig. 18; 0D Fig. 30 is a flowchart illustrating the details of coin paying-out processing in the main flowchart shown in Fig.

13; Fig. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of configuration of a case in which the coin processing -16apparatus of this embodiment is incorporated in an automatic vending machine; Fig. 32 is a diagram illustrating the operation of introducing the coin tc be paid out to a cash box; 6 Fig. 33 is a rear view of the configuration shown in Figs. 31 and 32; and Fig. 34 is a flowchart illustrating the details of coin paying-out processing in a case where the configuration of the embodiment is adopted.

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SDESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS *Figs. 1 and 2 are a perspective front view and a perspective rear view of a coin processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the coin processing apparatus of this embodiment comprises a I coin receiving section 10 projecting forwardly and a main g body section 30. The coin receiving section 10 is provided 6 with a coin slot 11. As shown in Fig. 2, a mechanism

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S* section 24 for horizontally conveying coins is provided within the coin receiving section 10, and this mechanism o section 24 for horizontally conveying coins is adapted to be pulled out rearwardly upon release of a latch mechanism 24a so as to facilitate maintenance. In addition, as shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5, which will be referred to later, disposed in a lower portion of the main body section 30 are -17a plurality of coin tubes, constituting both a coin sorting section and a coin accumulating section, a Y500 tube CT500, a ¥100 tube CT100, a Y10 tube CT10, and a Y50 tube A coin paying-out mechanism 32 is disposed below the S ¥100 tube CT100, the Y10 tube CT10, and the ¥50 tube In addition, a tube CTD indicates one of two auxiliary tubes for manual replenishment provided in this embodiment.

Arranged on a panel 33 are an internal auxiliary unit inventory switch DE, an external auxiliary unit inventory o switch ZDW, a Y500 inventory switch IV500, a Y100 inventory switch IV100, a Y10 inentory switch IV10, and a inventory switch IV50, which will be described later in *o0 detail.

In cases where the coin processing apparatus of this embodiment is mounted in, for instance, an automatic vending machine, the apparatus is mounted in such a manner that the coin slot 11 of the coin receiving section 10 directly faces the outside of the automatic vending machine.

Fig. 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of the coin 2oprocessing apparatus of this embodiment, centering on a coin discriminating section.

In Fig. 3, a light-emitting unit 12 having a lightemitting element accommodated therein is fitted at the coin slot 11. This light-emitting unit 12 is provided so that 2 the user of the automatic vending machine or the like -18equipped with this coin processing apparatus will be able to readily identify the coin slot 11. The light-emitting unit 12 is effective for use particularly during the night, thereby improving the operational efficiency of the Sautomatic vending machine or the like equipped with the coin processing apparatus.

In the coin processing apparatus of this embodiment, a coin discriminating passage based on belt conveyance is adopted to reduce the vertical dimension of the coin to discriminating section. In the case where the coin discriminating passage based on belt conveyance is adopted, a foreign object other than a coin, when led to the belt conveying passage, induces mechanical blockage. In this case, the automatic vending machine equipped with the coin (Sprocessing apparatus cannot be used until the foreign object is removed. In view of the fact that sales by means of automatic vending machines are mostly unattended by salespersons, the detection of the mechanical blockage is frequently delayed, in which case the opportunities of sales .oare lost.

For this reason, in this embodiment, an inlet sensor SEIN for effecting the primary detection of an inserted coin is disposed at the coin slot 11. This inlet sensor SEIN is adapted to remove a foreign object inserted through the coin .slot 11 and detect the insertion of a coin through the coin -19slot 11. The inlet sensor SEIN is constituted by a proximity switch using a coil which reacts to usable coins only.

A shutter 13 is adapted to prevent the foreign object Sinserted through the coin slot 11 and restrict the coin inserted therethrough, and the shutter 13 is driven by a shutter solenoid SOLSH operated on the basis of the output of the inlet sensor SEIN. The operating state of the shutter 13 is detected by a shutter sensor SESH.

(o A belt conveying passage 14 comprises a pair of upper S and lower conveying belts 14a, 14b, and rollers 15a,

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15c, 15d and 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e for driving these belts. The shafts of the rollers 15a, 15b, 15c and the

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shafts of the rollers 16a, 16b, 16c are resiliently I9 supported by springs 1 7 a, 17b, 17c, and springs 18a, 18b, 18c, respectively, so as to allow coins of varying sizes to be conveyed thereby. The roller 16d is driven by a belt conveyance motor MO via a reduction gear system 19, as shown in Fig. 5 which is a plan view of Fig. 3. The roller 16d, loin turn, causes the other rollers 16a, 16b, 16c, 16e to be driven via the conveying belt 14b and the rollers 15a, S 15c, 15d to be driven via the conveying belts 14b, 14a.

A gate sensor SEGE and a sorting sensor SECO are disposed along the belt conveying passage 14.

4 The gate sensor SEGE is disposed at a position spaced apart from the coin slot 11 by more than a distance corresponding to the diameter of the coin having the largest diameter among the coins used, at a position at which S the coin cannot be manipulated by the person who inserted it. In this embodiment, an arrangement is provided such that the sorting processing of the coin is commenced when this gate sensor SEGE is turned on. Here, it is conceivable to adopt an arrangement wherein, for instance, without Loproviding the gate sensor SEGE, the sorting processing of the coin is commenced when the inlet sensor SEIN is turned on. In that case, however, if, by way of a prank, the coin is repeatedly inserted and taken out from the portion where

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the inlet sensor SEIN is disposed, and the inlet sensor SEIN is thereby turned on and off repeatedly, coin sorting processing is commenced on e?.ch such occasion. Hence, the capacity of software for coin processing must be increased, and processing itself becomes complicated. Accordingly, the arrangement provided in this embodiment is such that coin 2osorting processing is commenced upon the turning on of the gate sensor SEGE disposed at a position where the coin 05 cannot be manipulated by the person who inserted it. This gate sensor SEGE comprises a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element disposed with the belt conveying -21passage 14 located therebetween, and optically detects the coin being conveyed along the belt conveying passage 14.

The sorting sensor SECO discriminates the authenticity and the types of denominations of the coins conveyed along S the belt conveying passage 14. The sorting sensor SECO comprises a transmission coil for being excited by an exciting signal of a predetermined frequency and a reception coil for receiving the output of the transmission coil, the transmission coil and the reception coil being disposed in losuch a manner as to face each other with the belt conveying passage 14 located therebetween. As a coin which is a conveyed along the belt conveying passage 14 and whose rim on one side thereof is guided by a guide 20 passes between the transmission coil and the reception coil, the authenticity and the type of denomination are determined on the basis of an attenuation waveform generated in the reception coil. That is, in this embodiment, four types of denominations including ¥500, 100, Y50, and ¥10 are assumed a to be used as the coins. Peak values of attenuation o waveforms produced in the reception coil are compared with window values set in advance in correspondence with Y500, ¥Y100, ¥50, and Y10. When the peak value of the attenuation waveform falls within the window value corresponding to Y500, it is determined that the coin is a Y500 coin. When 2Sthe peak value falls within the window value corresponding -22to Y100, it is determined that the coin is a Y100 coin.

When the peak value falls within the window value corresponding to Y50, it is determined that the coin is a coin. When the peak value falls within the window value Scorresponding to Y10, it is determined that the coin is a coin. When the peak value does not fall under the window values of ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, and Y10, it is determined that the coin is counterfeit. A pullout preventing lever 21 is designed to prohibit an unauthorized operation in which, ofor example, after a string or the like is tied in advance to a coin, the coin is made to pass once through the coin

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sensor and is then pulled out.

The coins which passed the belt conveying passage 14 and dropped therefrom are sorted by a true/false sorting lever LVSF, and true coins are introduced to a true coin passage PS, while false coins are introduced to a false coin passage PF. The true/false coin sorting lever LVSF is driven by a true/false coin solenoid SOLSF which is actuated by the output of discrimination by the sorting sensor SECO.

.0That is, if the coin discriminated by the sorting sensor SECO is a false coin, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is not energized (off), the true/false coin sorting lever LVSF is located at the position indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 3, and the coin which has dropped from the belt ZSconveying passage 14 is introduced to the false coin passage -23- PF. In addition, in the case where the coin discriminated by the sorting sensor SECO is any of the true ¥500, ¥100, and ¥10 coins, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is energized (turned on), which in turn causes the true/false Scoin sorting lever LVSF to be changed over to the position shown by the so3 i d line in Fig. 3, thereby allowing the coin falling from the belt conveying passage 14 to be introduced to the true coin passage PS.

As shown in Fig. 4, arranged along the true coin (opassage PS are a Y500 lever LV500, a Y100 lever LV100, and a Y10 lever LV10 which are each substantially L-shaped. A lower portion of each of the ¥500 lever LV500, the Y100 lever LV100, and the Y10 lever LV10 forms a diagonally inclined coin passage. In addition, a Y50 lever LV50 is disposed at a stage following the Y10 lever LV10. The ¥500 tube CT500, Y100 tube CT100, and Y10 tube CT50 are disposed e*: in correspondence with the Y500 lever LV500, Y100 lever SLV100, and Y10 lever LV10, respectively. The ¥500 lever *550 o* a* LV500 is driven by a Y500 solenoid SOL500. When the ¥500 2 solenoid SOL500 is de-energized, a coin passage on its side is opened to introduce the coin to the position where the ensuing Y100 lever LV100 is disposed. When the Y500 solenoid SOL500 is energized, a Y500 coin passage P500 located therebelow is opened to introduce the coin to the 2 Y500 tube CT500. In addition, the Y100 lever LV100 is -24driven by a Y100 solenoid SOL100. When the Y100 solenoid SOL100 is de-energized, a coin passage on its side is opened to introduce the coin to the position where the ensuing lever LV10 is disposed. When the Y100 solenoid SOL100 is energized, a Y100 coin passage P100 located therebelow is opened to introduce the coin to the Y100 tube CT100. In addition, the ¥10 lever LV10 is driven by a Y10 solenoid When the Y10 solenoid SOL is de-energized, a coin passage on its side is opened to introduce the coin to the (oposition where the ensuing ¥50 lever LV50 is disposed. When too* So* the Y10 solenoid SOL10 is energized, a Y10 coin passage located therebelow is opened to introduce the coin to the Y10 tube The ¥50 lever LV50 is driven by a Y50 solenoid When the Y50 solenoid SOL50 is de-energized, a coin passage PCK on its side for introducing the coin to an unillustraued cash box is opened. When the ¥50 lever LV50 is energized, a 0. coin passage P50 is opened to introduce the coin to the 50 tube o0 A Y500 sensor SE500, a Y100 sensor SE100, a Y10 sensor SE10, and a Y50 sensor SE50 are respectively disposed at the positions where the Y500 lever LV500, Y100 lever LV100, lever LV10, and ¥50 lever LV50 are disposed. The ¥500 sensor SE500, Y100 sensor SE100, Y10 sensor SE10, and 2sensor SE50 each comprise a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device. As the coin in the tube interrupts an optical path leading from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element, each of these sensors is actuated (turned on). It should be noted that in this Sembodiment the inserted coins are counted on the basis of the output of the Y500 sensor SE500.

The manner in which the ¥500 tube CT500, Y100 tube CT100, Y10 tube CT10, and ¥50 tube CT50 are arranged is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. It should be noted that, in Figs. 6 loand 7, tubes CTD, CTE indicate auxiliary tubes for manual 4 replenishment.

As shown in Fig. 6, overflow switches OFS500, OFS100, OFS10, and OFS50 are respectively disposed at predetermined positions in the Y500 tube CT500, Y100 tube CT100, Y10 tube 15CT10, and Y50 tube CT50. The overflow switches OFS500, OFS100, OFS10, OFS50 are used for overflow control which to0* will be described later, and the positions in which they are disposed are so arranged to be changed over into two stages according to the use of the coin processing apparatus. That 0 ois, in cases where the coin processing apparatus is used for an automatic vending machine which requires much change, the overflow switches OFS500, OFS100, OFS10, OFS50 are disposed at an upper stage, while it is used for an automatic vending machine which does not require much change, the overflow .2switches OFS500, OFS100, OFS10, OFS50 are disposed at a -26lower stage. The overflow switches OFS500, OFS100, each comprise a light-emitting element and a lightreceiving element, and are actuated (turned on) as the coin in the respective.tube interrupts the optical path leading Sfrom the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element. It should be noted that the overflow switches OFS500, OFS100, OFS10, OFS50 are fixed in such a manner as to be inclined with respect to the Y500 tube CT500, Y100 tube CT100, Y10 tube CT10, Y50 tube CT50 so as to positively (odetect coins in the respective tubes. incidentally, the p coin tubes CT100, CT10, CT50 are formed integrally and 0 constitute a cassette tube, the cassette tube being detachable with respect to the main body section

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S S •6 Figs. 8 to 11 respectively show the manner in which the 'Scoins are sorted by the ¥500 lever LV500, Y100 lever LV100, lever LV10, and Y50 lever As shown in Fig. 8, when the Y500 solenoid SOL500 is energized and the ¥500 lever LV500 is thereby withdrawn, a s* C lower portion LV500a of the Y500 lever LV500 opens the ¥500 .2ocoin passage P500, allowing the coin at the position of the ¥500 lever LV500 to be introduced to the Y500 tube CT500.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 9, when the Y100 solenoid SOL100 is energized and the Y100 lever LV100 is thereby withdrawn, a lower portion LV100a of the Y100 lever LV100 2S opens the Y100 coin passage P100, allowing the coin located -27at the position of the Y100 lever LV100 to be introduced to the Y100 tube CT100.

As shown in Fig. 10, when the Y10 solenoid SOL10 is energized and the Y10 lever LV10 is thereby withdrawn, a S lower portion LV1Oa of the ¥10 lever LV10 opens the Y10 coin passage P10, allowing the coin located at the position of the Y10 lever LV10 to be introduced to the ¥10 tube CT'0.

As shown in Fig. 11, when the Y50 solenoid SOL50 is energized and the ¥50 lever LV50 is thereby changed over «to from the position shown by the dotted line to the position *0 shown by the solid line, the ¥50 coin passage P50 is opened, allowing the coin to be introduced to the Y50 tube Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a control system in accordance with this embodiment. In this control system, applied to a control unit 100 are the outputs of the inlet sensor SEIN, shutter sensor SESH, gate sensor SEGE, sorting sensor SECO, ¥500 sensor SE500, Y100 sensor SE100, sensor SE10, Y50 sensor SE50, Y500 overflow sensor OFS500, ¥100 overflow sensor OFS100, YiO overflow sensor OFS10, and 2o050 overflow sensor OFS50. On the basis of the outputs of these sensors, the control unit 100 controls the belt

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conveyance motor MO, shutter solenoid SOLSH, true/false coin solenoid SOLSF, Y500 solenoid SOL500, Y100 solenoid SOL100, solenoid SOL10, and Y50 solenoid -28- The control unit 100 receives as its input the output of the mode selection switch SWMO, and controls the coin paying-out mode in response to the changeover mode of the mode selection switch SWMO.

In addition, the control unit 100 switches over the coin-sorting accuracy by making use of the outputs of the internal auxiliary unit inventory switch DE, external auxiliary unit inventory switch ZDW, ¥500 inventory switch IV500, Y100 inventory switch IV100, Y10 inventory switch to IV10, and ¥50 inventory switch Referring now to flowcharts shown in Figs. 13 to 30, a description will be given of the operation of the above- S described control unit 100.

0 Fig. 13 shows a main flow of this embodiment. In Fig.

b 13, when the power source of the apparatus is turned on, predetermined initialization processing is first executed (Step 101), and changeover of coin acceptance accuracy is *age then effected, as required (Step 102). Details of the changeover of coin acceptance accuracy are shown in Figs. 14 2oto 17 which will be described later.

Next, abnormalities of various component parts of the apparatus are checked (Step 103). If abnormalities are not detected in the abnormality check, coin acceptance enabling processing for enabling the acceptance of the coin is Zg executed (Step 104).

-29- At this juncture, if a coin is inserted, coin sorting processing is executed (Step 105). Details of coin sorting processing are shown in Figs. 18 to 29. Subsequently, a determination is made as to whether or not a coin paying-out Scommand has been issued (Step 106). If the coin paying-out command has been issued, coin acceptance prohibiting processing for prohibiting the acceptance of a coin is executed (Step 107).

Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 106 that the lo coin paying-out command has not been issued, a determination is then made as to whether or not any inventory switch has a* e been turned on (Step 10). If an inventory switch has been turned on, coin acceptance prohibiting processing for prohibiting the acceptance of the coin is executed (Step 112) The reason for executing coin acceptance prohibiting processing in Steps 107 and 112 is because control would become impossible if a coin is inserted during a coin paying-out operation or an inventory operation.

After execution of coin acceptance prohibiting processing, coin sorting processing is executed again (Step 108). The reason for executing coin sorting processing in S this step is to sort a coin which was inserted before the acceptance of a previous coin is effected and for which 26 sorting processing has not been completed.

Upon completion of the sorting of a final coin through coin sorting processing (Step 109), coin paying-out processing is executed (Step 110). Details of coin payingout processing are shown in Fig. 30 which will be described later.

Changeover of Coin Acceptance Accuracy Details of an operation of changing over coin acceptance accuracy are shown in Figs. 14 to 17. This changeover of coin acceptance accuracy is effected by making *to use of the inventory switches provided for collecting the coins in the respective tubes. The inventory switches include the following: the internal auxiliary unit r. inventory switch DE for commanding the operation of collecting the coins accommodated in the internal auxiliary G\unit (corresponding to the auxiliary tubes CTD, CTE shown in Fig. the external auxiliary unit inventory switch ZDW for commanding the operation of collecting the coins accommodated in an unillustrated external auxiliary unit, the Y500 inventory switch IV500 for commanding the operation po of collecting the coins accommodated in the Y500 tube CT500, the Y100 inventory switch IV100 for commanding the operation of collecting the coins accommodated in the ¥100 tube CT100,

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'the Y10 inventory switch IV10 for commanding the operation of collecting the coins accommodated in the ¥10 tube 2S and the ¥50 inventory switch IV50 for commanding the -31operation of collecting the coins accommodated in the tube Since the inventory switches are provided for collecting coins to be used as change, as described above, S it is necessary to distinguish between the intrinsic operation for collecting the coins to be used as change and the operation for changing over coin acceptance accuracy.

In addition, since a changeover to the coin acceptance accuracy change-over mode should not be effected during a (onormal operation, an arrangement is provided such that a cannot be made unless the following procedure is taken.

68, That is, the arrangement provided is such that the a changeover to the coin acceptance accuracy changeover mode I1 can be effected only when the internal auxiliary unit inventory switch DE and the external auxiliary unit inventory switch ZDW are turned on and the power source is then turned on.

a a In Fig. 14, a determination is first made as to whether 2p or not both the internal auxiliary unit inventory switch DE and the external auxiliary unit inventory switch ZDW have been turned on (Step 201). If both the internal auxiliary unit inventory switch DE and the external auxiliary unit inventory switch ZDW have been turned on, monitor-lamp -32flickering processing for controlling the flickering of an unillustrated monitor lamp is executed (Step 202).

Through the flickering of the monitor lamp, the operator ascertains that the mode has been set to the coin S acceptance accuracy changeover mode.

In this embodiment, an arrangement is provided such that the turning on of the Y500 inventory switch IV500 effects a changeover to a normal changeover mode for switching to normal accuracy, the turning on of the Y100 a loinventory switch IV100 effects a changeover the to a level-1 a increased accuracy mode for switching to level-i increased accuracy, and the turning on of the Y50 inventory switch IV50 effects a changeover to a level-2 increased accuracy mode for switching to level-2 increased accuracy. The iS normal accuracy referred to herein is the normal accuracy of coin acceptance, and the level 1 increased accuracy is made stricter in coin acceptance than the normal accuracy and is got* MP particularly aimed at eliminating counterfeit coins. The level 2 increased accuracy is designed to virtually prohibit OV othe acceptance'of such a coin deposited. By setting the level 2 increased accuracy, the number of the types of S denominations of acceptable coins can be restricted to from a four to one.

In the coin acceptance accuracy changeover mode, if the 2.Y500 inventory switch IV500 has been turned on (Step 203), a buzzer is sounded once (Step 204), and the operation proceeds to a normal changeover (Step 205). If the Y100 inventory switch IV100 has been turned on (Step 207), the buzzer is sounded twice (Step 208), and the operation proceeds to a changeover to the level-i increased accuracy (Step 209). When the ¥50 inventory switch IV50 has been turned on (Step 210), the buzzer is sounded three times (Step 211), and the operation proceeds to the level 2 increased accuracy (Step 212). Details of the normal lochangeover are shown in Fig. 15, details of the level-1 increased accuracy are shown in Fig. 16, and details of the 2 level-2 increased accuracy are shown in Fig. 17. It should be noted that upon completion of each changeover operation or in the event that a predetermined time has elapsed without the turning on of any of the Y500 inventory switch IV500, Y100 inventory switch IV100, and Y50 inventory switch Go, P.

IV50 after the mode has been set to the coin acceptance changeover mode (Step 213), the monitor-lamp flickering processing ends (Step 206), thereby completing this coin O acceptance changeover flow.

Nor.-' Changeover e,,5 In the normal changeover mode shown in Fig. 15, when the Y500 inventory switch IV500 is turned on, the sorting accuracy with respect to the Y500 coin is changed over to 2 the normal accuracy. When the Y100 inventory switch IV100 -34is turned on, the sorting accuracy with respect to the Y100 coin is changed over to the normal accuracy. When the inventory switch IV50 is turned on, the sorting accuracy with respect to the Y50 coin is changed over to the normal S accuracy. When the Y10 inventory switch IV10 is turned on, the sorting accuracy with respect to the Y10 coin is changed over to the normal accuracy. In addition, in the event that an unillustrated return switch, which is turned on to command the return of the coin, has been turned on, or in Iothe event that a coin is inserted into the coin slot and the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned on, this normal changeover mode is forcedly canceled.

That is, in Fig. 15, a determination is first made as 00*0 to whether or not the return switch has been turned on (Step 221), and if the return switch has not been turned on, a determination is then made as to whether or not the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned on (Step 222). At this juncture, if the inlet sensor SEIN has not been turned on, either, determinations are consecutively made as to whether ~2Oor not the ¥500 inventory switch IV500 has been turned on (Step 223), the Y100 inventory switch IV100 has been turned B on (Step 224), the ¥50 inventory switch IV50 has been turned on (Step 225), and the Y10 inventory switch IV10 has been turned on (Step 226). If any of the Y500 inventory switch 2$IV500, Y100 inventory switch IV100, Y50 inventory switch and ¥10 inventory switch IV10 has been turned on, the buzzer is sounded once (Step 229), the accuracy of acceptance of the coin of the type of denomination corresponding to the inventory switch turned on is changed over to normal accuracy, and its content is stored in an unillustrated control memory (Step 230). As a result, the accuracy of acceptance of the respective coins is thereafter changed over on the basis of the acceptance accuracy stored in the control memory.

to If the return switch or the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned on (Steps 221, 222), or in the even that none of the Y500 inventory switch IV500, ¥100 inventory switch IV100, ¥Y50 inventory switch IV50, and Y10 inventory switch IV10 has ee* been turned on even after the lapse of a predetermined time S 15 subsequent to a changeover to the normal changeover mode o (Step 227), the buzzer is sounded once (Step 228), thereby completing the normal changeover mode.

Chanaeover to Level-i Increased Accuracy In the level-i increased accuracy changeover mode shown Ro in Fig. 16, if the Y500 inventory switch IV500 is turned on, the sorting accuracy with respect to the Y500 coin is *o changed over to the level-i increased accuracy. If the Y100 inventory switch IV100 is turned on, the sorting accuracy 0.

o.0. with respect to the Y100 coin is changed over to the level-1 accuracy. If the Y50 inventory switch IV50 is -36turned on, the'sorting accuracy with respect to the ¥50 coin is changed over to the level-i increased accuracy. If the inventory switch IV10 is turned on, the sorting accuracy with respect to the Y10 coin is changed over to the level-i S increased accuracy. In addition, in the event that the unillustrated return switch for commanding the return of the coin has been turned on, or in the event that a coin is inserted into the coin slot and the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned on, this level-1 increased accuracy is forcedly (o canceled.

That is, in Fig. 16, a determination is first made as to whether or not the return switch has been turned on (Step 231), and if the return switch has not been turned on, a determination is then made as to whether or not the inlet *0 1" 5 sensor SEIN has been turned on (Step 232). If the inlet O, sensor SEIN has not been turned on, either, determinations are consecutively made as to whether or not the Y500 inventory switch IV500 has been turned on (Step 233), the Y100 inventory switch IV100 has been turned on (Step 234), othc Y50 inventory switch IV50 has been turned on (Step 235), and the Y10 inventory switch IV10 has been turned on (Step 236). If any of the Y500 inventory switch IV500, Y100 inventory switch IV100, Y50 inventory switch IV50, and inventory switch IV10 has been turned on, the buzzer is sounded once(Step 23), the accuracy of acceptance of the 2csounded once (Step 239), the accuracy of acceptance of the -37coin of the type of denomination corresponding to the inventory switch turned on is changed over to the level-i increased accuracy, and its content is stored in the unillustrated control memory (Step 240). As a result, the S accuracy of a-ceptance of the coins is thereafter controlled on the base of the acceptance accuracy stored in the control memory.

In the event that the return switch or the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned on (Steps 231, 23), or in the event o that any of the Y500 inventory switch IV500, Y100 inventory switch IV100, Y50 inventory switch IV50, and ¥10 inventory switch IV10 has not been turned on even after the lapse of a predetermined time subsequent to a changeover to the normal changeover mode (Step 237), the buzzer is sounded twice 1(Step 238), thereby completing the changeover mode to the level-1 increased accuracy.

Changeover to Level-2 Increased Accuracy In the level-2 increased accuracy changeover mode shown in Fig. 17, if the Y500 inventory switch IV500 is turned on, 2othe sorting accuracy with respect to the Y500 coin is changed over to the level-2 increased accuracy. When the **ee Y100 inventory switch IV100 is turned on, the sorting accuracy with respect to the ¥100 coin is changed over to the level-2 increased accuracy. When the Y50 inventory 2switch IV50 is turned on, the sorting accuracy with respect -38to the Y50 coin is changed over to the level-2 increased accuracy. When the Y10 inventory switch IV10 is turned on, the sorting accuracy with respect to the Y10 coin is changed over to the level-2 increased accuracy In addition, when S the unillustrated return switch which is turned on for commanding the return of the coin is turned on, or a coin is inserted into the coin slot and the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned on, this changeover mode to the level-2 increased accuracy is forcedly canceled.

(o That is, in Fig. 17, a determination is first made as to whether or not the return switch has been turned on (Step 241), and if the return switch has not been turned on, a determination is then made as to whether or not the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned on (Step 242). If the inlet ~S sensor SEIN has not been turned on, either, determinations 0. are consecutively made as to whether or not the Y500 inventory switch IV500 has been turned on (Step 243), the Y100 inventory switch IV100 has been turned on (Step 244), the ¥50 inventory switch IV50 has been turned on (Step 245), .and the Y10 inventory switch IV10 has been turned on (Step 246). If any of the Y500 inventory switch IV500, Y100 inventory switch IV100, Y50 inventory switch IV50, and inventory switch IV10 has been turned on, the buzzer is sounded once (Step 249), the accuracy of acceptance of the coinof the type of denomination correspoding to the t"I" 25coin of the type of denomination corresponding to the -39inventory-switch turned on is changed over to the level-2 increased accuracy, and its content is stored in the unillustrated control memory (Step 250). As a result, the accuracy of acceptance of the respective coins is thereafter changed over on the basis of the acceptance accuracy stored in the control memory.

In the event that the return switch or the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned on (Steps 241, 242), or in the event that none of the ¥500 inventory switch IV500, ¥100 inventory (-switch IV100, ¥50 inventory switch IV50, and Y10 inventory switch IV10 has been turned on even after the lapse of a predetermined time subsequent to a changeover to the normal changeover mode (Step 247), the buzzer is sounded three times (Step 248), thereby completing this changeover mode to 1Sthe level-2 increased accuracy.

"g Coin Sorting Processing a.

Coin sorting processing is shown in Fig. 18. This coin sorting processing is so arranged as to be started upon the turning on of the gate sensor SEGE disposed along the belt **gas: uoconveying passage 14, as described before.

In Fig. 18, a determination is first made as to whether or not memory of the gate sensor "on" indicating that the gate sensor SEGE has been turned on is present (Step 251).

o If the memory of the gate sensor "on" is not present, a a2Sdetermination is then made as to whether or not the gate sensor SEGE has been turned on (Step 252). If the gate sensor SEGE has not been turned on, a determination is then made as to whether or not memory of the inlet sensor "on" indicating that the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned on is _Spresent (Step 253). If the memory of the inlet sensor "on" is not present, a determination is then made as to whether or not the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned on (Step 254).

If the inlet sensor SEIN has not been turned on, it means that the operating state of the apparatus is the standby o state in which no coins have been inserted through the coin slot 11, so that the flow of coin sorting processing ends.

This coin sorting processing is repeated until a coin paying-out command is issued, as shown in Fig. 13.

When a coin is inserted through the coin slot 11, and (Sthe inlet sensor SEIN is thereby turned on, in an ensuing coin sorting process this state is determined in Step 254, and the shutter solenoid SOLSH is turned on (Step 255).

After a fixed duration (Step 256), when the shutter sensor SESH is turned on (Step 257), the memory of the inlet sensor o* 5.o"on" is set to "present" (Step 260), the conveyance motor MO

*S

for driving the belt conveying passage 14 is rotated forwardly (Step 261), and an unillustrated inlet sensor "on" timer is started (Step 262). This inlet sensor "on" timer is desired to detect the blockage of a coin in a portion 2 where the inlet sensor SEIN is disposed or an unauthorized -41operation of a coin in the portion where the inlet sensor SEIN is disposed. This inlet sensor "on" timer can be realized as a softwarewise timer in the control unit 100.

It should be noted that if the shutter sensor SESH is not turned on after a fixed duration upon the turning on of the shutter solenoid SOLSH, the shutter solenoid SOLSH is turned off (Step 258), and predetermined shutter abnormality processing is executed (Step 259).

If the memory of the inlet sensor "on" is set to (o"present," in the next coin sorting processing, it is determined in Step 253 that the memory of the inlet sensor "on" is present. In this case, a determination is then made as to whether or not the inlet sensor SEIN has been turned off (Step 263), and if it has been turned off, a i 1determination is made as to whether or not the counting of motor pulses for detecting the amount of the belt conveying 0 t e passage 14 conveyed by the :conveyance motor MO has been started (Step 267). Here, since the counting of motor pulses has not been started, the counting of motor pulses is .;ostarted (Step 268).

It should be noted that if it is determined in Step 263 I that the inlet sensor SEIN has not been turned off, a determination is made as to whether or not the time of the inlet sensor "on" timer started in Step 262 is up (Step 25264). If the time is up, the conveyance motor MO is stopped -42- (Step 265), wait processing for inlet sensor off to wait for the turning off of the inlet sensor SEIN is executed (Step 266).

In addition, if it is determined in Step 267 that the of motor pulses has already been started, a determination is made as to whether or not the count value of motor pulses is greater than a predetermined value (Step 269). If YES is the answer, the conveyance motor MO is stopped (Step 270), and predetermined coin blockage locorrection processing is subsequently executed (Step 271).

The details of this coin blockage correction processing will be described later with reference to Fig. 29.

When the coin being conveyed on the belt conveying a passage 14 is detected by the gate sensor SEGE, and the gate 1sensor SEGE is thereby turned on (Step 252), the memory of the gate sensor "on" indicating that the gate sensor SEGE eS.

*e a has been turned on is set to "present" (Step 272). Then, the counting of motor pulses for detecting the amount of the belt conveying passage 14 conveyed by the conveyance motor ;MO is started (Step 273).

If it is determined in the next coin sorting processing e* S* that the memory of the gate sensor "on" is present (Step 251), a determination is made as to whether or not memory of the sorting sensor "on" indicating that the coin has been 2*detected by the sorting sensor SECO is present (Step 274) -43- If the memory of the sorting sensor "on" is not present, a determination is then made as to whether or not the coin has been detected by the sorting sensor SECO whether or not the sorting sensor SECO has been turned on) (Step 275).

If the sorting sensor SECO has been turned on, a setting is provided that the memory of the sorting sensor "on" is present (Step 276). However, if the sorting sensor SECO has not been turned on, a determination is made as to whether or not the count value of motor pulses is greater than a lopredetermined value (Step 269). If YES is the answer, the conveyance motor MO is stopped (Step 270), and predetermined coin blockage correction processing is subsequently executed (Step 271). It should be noted that if the count value of *s.e motor pulses is smaller than the predetermined value, this (Scoin sorting processing ends, and the operation waits for the turning on of the sorting sensor SECO.

S* When the sorting sensor SECO is turned on, and a setting is provided that the memory of the sorting sensor in the next coin processing, it is determined in Step o 274 that the memory of the sorting sensor "on" is present, *o0O and "coin sorting" is executed (Step 277). In this "coin e sorting," the determination and storage of a true or false coin on the basis of the output of determination by the sorting sensor SECO as well as the setting and storage of 2S the state of allowance of attraction (energization) by the a -44- Y500 solenoid SOL500, ¥100 solenoid SOL100, Y10 solenoid and ¥50 solenoid SOL50 are carried out. In the true coin processing and false coin processing which will be described later, on the basis of the state of this storage, S control is effected with respect to the Y500 solenoid SOL500, Y100 solenoid SOL100, Y10 solenoid SOL10, solenoid SOL50, and true/false coin solenoid SOLSF. The details of this coin sorting are shown in Figs. 19 to 23 which will be described laterto If a sorted coin is set to be a true coin, "true coin 1" in the "coin sorting" (Step 278), true coin processing is subsequently executed (Step 279). In the true coin processing, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is turned on, and the true coin is introduced to the true coin Spassage PS by the true/false coin distributing lever LVSF, go* so as to execute the distributing processing of the true coin. The details of this true coin processing are shown in Figs. 24 to 28.

Meanwhile, if a sorted coin is set to be a false coin, *too$* Doi.e., "true coin 0" in the "coin sorting" (Step 278), false coin processing is subsequently executed (Step 278).

In the false coin processing, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF remains off, and the false coin is introduced to the false coin passage PF by the true/false coin distributing lever LVSF.

C lever LVSF.

Coin Sorting As shown in Fig. 19, in the coin sorting, a discrimination between a true coin and a false coin is made on the basis of the output of determination by the sorting SECO (Step 301). Here, the coin is determined to be a true coin, a determination is made as to whether or not it is Y10 (Step 302). If it is Yl0, predetermined processing is executed (Step 303). The details of this processing are shown in Fig. (o Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 302 that the true coin is not Y10, a determination is then made as to whether or not this true coin is ¥50 (Step 304). If it is ¥50, predetermined Y50 processing is executed (Step 305).

The details of this Y50 processing are shown in Fig. 21.

S 5 If it is determined in Step 304 that the true coin is **o not ¥50, a determination is then made as to whether or not this true coin is ¥100 (Step 306). If it is Y100, predetermined Y100 processing is executed (Step 307). The details of this.Y100 processing are shown in Fig. 22.

S0 If it is determined in Step 306 that the true coin is not Y100, a determination is then made this true coin is Y ¥500, and predetermined ¥500 processing is executed (Step 308). The details of this Y500 processing are shown in Fig.

23.

a Upon completion of Y10 processing, Y50 processing, Y100 processing, and Y500 processing, a setting is provided that "true coin 1" (Step 309), and this coin sorting flow ends.

In addition, if it is determined in Step 301 that the coin is a false coin, a setting is provided that "true coin 0" (Step 310), and this coin sorting flow ends.

Processing As shown in Y1O processing shown in Fig. 20, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous coin (-is a coin of the same type of denomination, Y10 (Step 311). If it is not a coin of the same type of denomination, a determination is then made as to whether or not the overflow sensor OFS10 is on (Step 312). Here, if the

*S.

overflow sensor OFS10 is not on, determinations are 1respectively made as to whether or not all the solenoids which the coin passes through up to the position where the e a ¥10 solenoid SOL10 corresponding to l10 is disposed, i.e., the Y500 solenoid SOL500, Y100 solenoid SOL100, and YlO solenoid SOL10, have been allowed to be turned on (Steps o 313, 314, 315). If all the solenoids have been allowed to be turned on, a setting is provided that the turning on of all the solenoids which the coin passes through up to the position where the Y10 solenoid SOL10 corresponding to is disposed, the Y500 solenoid SOL500, Y100 solenoid 100, and 10 solenoid SOL s prohibited (tep 319) 1; SOL10O, and Y10 solenoid SOL10, is prohibited (Step 319), -47and this Y10 processing ends. Here, in a case where the previous coin was a ¥10 coin and the coin being presently processed is ¥10, and an ensuing coin is, for example, then the ¥50 solenoid SOL50 may be allowed to be turned on.

However, if the turning on of any one of the Y500 solenoid SOL500, ¥100 solenod SOL100, and ¥10 solenoid SOL10 has been prohibited, the operation proceeds to Step 310 in Fig. 19, and a setting provided that "true coin so as to process the coin as a false coin.

o Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 312 that the overflow sensor OFS10 is on, a setting is provided that OVERFLOW 1" indicating that the Y10 overflow sensor is on (Step 31). Then, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous coin has been processed as o Soverflowing (Step 317). If it has been processed as overflowing, a setting is provided that the turning on of *5 the solenoid in the stage following the Y10 solenoid the ¥50 solenoid SOL50, is prohibited (Step 318). and the operation then proceeds to Step 319. It should be noted oothat if a determination is made in Step 317 that the previous coin has not been processed as overflowing, the ass* b* I operation proceeds to Step 313.

In addition, if it is determined in Step 311 that the previous coin is a coin of the same type of denomination, Y10, the operation proceeds directly to Step 319.

-48- Processing In the Y50 processing shown in Fig. 21, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous coin is a coin of the same type of denomination, t¥O (Step 321). If it is not a coin of the same type of denomination, a determination is then made as to whether or not the overflow sensor OFS50 is on (Step 322). Here, if the overflow sensor OFS50 is not on, determinations are respectively made as to whether or not all the solenoids (owhich the coin passes through up to the position where the solenoid SOL50 corresponding to Y50 is disposed, i.e., the Y500 solenoid SOL500, Y100 solenoid SOL100, ¥10 solenoid SOL10, and ¥50 solenoid SOL50, have been allowed to be a 6 turned on (Steps 323, 324, 325, 326) If all the solenoids Shave been allowed to be turned on, a setting is provided that the turning on of all the solenoids which the coin passes through up to the position where the Y50 solenoid corresponding to Y50 is disposed, the Y500 solenoid SOL500, noid L500, lenoid SOL100, Y50 solenoid 2oand Y10 solenoid SOL10, is prohibited (Step 329), and this 0b processing ends. However, if the turning on of any one Sof the Y500 solenoid SOL500, Y100 solenod SOL100, solenoid SOL10, and Y50 solenoid SOL50 has been prohibited, 0'o the operation proceeds to Step 310 in Fig. 19, and a setting 4.

000 -49provided that "true coin so as to process the coin as a false coin.

Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 322 that the overflow sensor OFS50 is on, a setting is provided that SOVERFLOW 1" indicating that the Y50 overflow sensor is on (Step 327) Then, a cetermination is made as to whether or not the previous coin has been processed as overflowing (Step 328). If it has been processed as overflowing, the operation proceeds to Step 329, whereas if loit is determined that the previous coin has not been processed as overflowing, the operation proceeds to Step 323.

In addition, if it is determined in Step 321 that the previous coin is a coin of the same type of denomination, Y50, the operation proceeds directly to Step 329.

S ¥100 Processing f*e* In the Y100 processing shown in Fig. 22, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous coin is a coin of the same type of denomination, Y100 (Step Z331). If it is not a coin of the same type of denomination, 1 a determination is then made as to whether or not the Y100 overflow sensor OFS100 is on (Step 332). Here, if the Y100 overflow sensor OFS100 is not on, determinations are respectively made as to whether or not all the solenoids which the coin passes through up to the position where the 2gwhich the coin passes through up to the position where the Y100 solenoid SOL100 corresponding to Y1C0 is disposed, the ¥500 solenoid SOL500 and Y100 solenoid SOL100, have been allowed to be turned on (Steps 333, 334). If all the solenoids have been allowed to be turned on, a setting is provided that the turning on of all the solenoids which the coin passes through up to the position where the Y100 solenoid SOL100 corresponding to Y100 is disposed, the Y500 solenoid SOL500 and Y100 solenoid SOL100, is prohibited (Step 338), and this Y100 processing ends. However, if the (oturning on of either of the Y500 solenoid SOL500 and ¥100 solenod SOL100 has been prohibited, the operation proceeds to Step 310 in Fig. 19, and a setting provided that "true coii so as to process the coin as a false coin.

*0 Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 332 that the (5Y100 overflow sensor OFS100 is on, a setting is provided that "¥100 OVERFLOW 1" indicating that the Y100 overflow 00 sensor OFS100 is on (Step 335). Then, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous coin has been processed as overflowing (Step 336).. f it has been oprocessed as overflowing, a setting is provided that the 0* 0 turning on of the solenoids in the stages following the Y100 0 solenoid SOL100, the Y10 solenoid SOL10 and the solenoid SOL50, is prohibited (Step 337), and the operation S.o. proceeds to Step 333.

e *q -51- In addition, if it is determined in Step 331 that the previous coin is a coin of the same type of denomination, Y100, the operation proceeds directly to Step 338.

Y500 Processing In the Y500 processing shown in Fig. 23, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous coin is a coin of the same type of denomination, ¥500 (Step 341). If it is not a coin of the same type of denomination, a determination is then made as to whether or not the ¥500 (o overflow sensor OFS500 is on (Step 342). Here, if the ¥500 overflow sensor OFS500 is not on, a determination is made as to whether or not the ¥500 solenoid SOL500 has been allowed to be turned on (Steps 343). If it has been allowed to be turned on, a setting is provided that the turning on of the 15Y500 solenoid SOL500 is prohibited (Step 347), and this Y500 processing ends. However, if the turning on of the ¥500 solenoid SOL500 has been prohibited, the operation proceeds to Step 310 in Fig. 19, and a setting provided that "true coin so as to process the coin as a false coin.

Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 342 that the ¥500 overflow sensor OFS500 is on, a setting is provided that "Y500 OVERFLOW 1" indicating that the Y500 overflow sensor OFS500 is on (Step 344). Then, a determination is made as to whether or not the previous coin has been *processed as overflowing (Step 345). f it has been zs.processed as overflowing (Step 345). If it has been -52processed as overflowing, a setting is provided that the turning on of the solenoids in the stages following the ¥500 solenoid SOL500, the ¥10 solenoid SOL10, Y50 solenoid and ¥100 solenoid SOL100, is prohibited (scep 346), Sand the operation proceeds to Step 347. It should be noted that if it is determined in Step 345 that ti. previous coin has not been processed as overflowing, the operation proceeds to Step 343.

In addition, if it is determined in Step 341 that the toprevious coin is a coin of the same type of denomination, Y500, the operation proceeds directly to Step 347.

True Coin Processing True coin processing is shown in Fig. 24. In the true coin processing, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is first ISturned on (Step 401), and an unillustrated true/false coin Io solenoid timer is started (Step 402). This true/false coin

S.

solenoid timer can be realized as a softwarewise timer in the control unit 100. In addition, various timers shown below can also be realized as softwarewise timers in the S: o control unit 100.

Next, a determination is made as to whether or not the true coin is ¥10 (Step 403). If the true coin is Y10, true coin processing is executed (Step 404). The details of this true Y10 coin processing are shown in Figs. 25(a) to 2.

~2S25((c) -53- Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 403 that the true coin is not Y10, a determination is then made as to whether or not the true coin is ¥50 (Step 405). If the true coin is ¥50, true ¥50 coin processing is executed (Step 406). The details of this true ¥50 coin processing are shown in Figs. 26(a) to 26(c).

If it is determined in Step 405 that the true coin is not Y50, a determination is then made as to whether or not the true coin is ¥100 (Step 407). If the true coin is Y100, totrue Y100 coin processing is executed (Step 408). The details of this true Y100 coin processing are shown in Figs.

27 to 27(c).

If it is determined in Step 407 that the true coin is not Y100, it is judged that the true coin is ¥500, and true 5¥Y500 coin processing is executed (Step 409). The details of this true ¥500 coin processing are shown in Figs. 28(a) to 28(c).

True Y10 Coin Processing In Figs. 25(a) to 25(c), a determination is first made S :-XOas to whether or not a setting has been provided that OVERFLOW whether or not the Y10 coin is to be subjected to overflow processing (Step 411). If OVERFLOW 1" does not hold true, the Y10 solenoid SOL10 is turned on (Step 412), and the operation proceeds to Step 413 to tart anuni Y olenoid timer. Meanwhile, if 2$to start an unillustrated ¥10 solenoid timer. Meanwhile, if OVERFLOW 1" holds true, the operation directly proceeds to Step 413 to start the unillustrated Y10 solenoid timer.

Subsequently, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO for driving the belt conveyance motor 14 is executed (Step 414), and a determination is made as to whether or not the ¥500 sensor SE500 is on (Step 415). If it is detected in Step 415 that the Y500 sensor SE500 has been turned on before the time of the true/false coin solenoid timer is up, locount up processing for counting the inserted coins is executed on the basis of the output of the Y500 sensor SE500 (Step 421). This count up processing of the inserted coins is effected by using the output of determination by the a g**e sorting sensor SECO and the "on" output of the Y500 sensor *o (5 SE500.

Meanwhile, if the ¥500 sensor SE500 is not turned on even after the time of the true/false solenoid timer is up, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is turned off (Step 417).

Then, if the time of the Y10 solenoid timer is up (Step .o0418), the Y10 solenoid SOL10 is turned off (Step 419), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step S* 0 420), and this flow of true Y10 coin processing ends.

If count up processing ends in Step 421, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is turned off (Step 422). Then, an s s 2S unillustrated ¥500 sensor blockage timer is started (Step 423), and stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 424). Then, the turning off of the Y500 sensor SE500 is monitored (Step 425), and if the Y500 sensor SE500 is turned off before the time of the Y500 sensor timer is up (Step 426), a setting is provided that the ¥500 solenoid SOL500 is allowed to be turned on (Step 429).

Meanwhile, even if the time of the ¥500 sensor blockage timer is up, unless the ¥500 sensor SE500 is turned off lo(Step 426), it is assumed that the portion where the ¥500 sensor SE500 is disposed is blocked with a coin, so that the solenoid SOL10 is turned off (Step 443). Subsequently, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO and sensor blockage processing are executed (Step 444) /5 If a setting is provided in Step 429 that the ¥500 solenoid is allowed to be turned on, stop processing of the a.

conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 430), and the turning on of the Y100 sensor SE100 is then monitored (Step 431).

Here, if the O100 sensor SE100 is turned on before the time S. oof the Y10 solenoid timer is up (Step 432), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 433), and the turning off of the Y100 sensor SEO00 is monitored (Step 434). Here, if the Y100 sensor SE100 is turned off before the time of the ¥10 solenoid timer is up (Step 435), a S 26setting is provided that the ¥100 solenoid SOL100 is allowed -56to be turned on (Step 436), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 437), and the turning on of the ¥10 sensor S910 is monitored (Step 438). Here, if the Y10 sensor SE10 is turned on before the time of the solenoid timer is up (Step 439), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 440), and the turning off of the Y10 sensor SE10 is monitored (Step 441). Here, if the Y10 sensor SE10 is turned off before the time of the solenoid timer is up (Step 442), a tetting is provided lothat the Y10 solenoid SOL10 is allowed to be turned on (Step 445) It should be noted that even after the time of the sensor blockage timer is up, if the Y100 sensor SE100 is not turned on (Step 432), if the ¥100 sensor SE100 is not turned ISoff (Step 435), if the Y10 sensor SE10 is not turned on eq (Step 439), or if the Y10 sensor SElO is not turned off (Step 442), then it is assumed that the sensor portion is blocked with a coin, so that the Y10 solenoid SOL10 is turned off (Step 443). Subsequently, stop processing of the S -2oconveyance motor MO and sensor blockage processing are executed (Step 444).

After providing a setting in Step 445 that the solenoid SOL10 is allowed to be turned on, a determination is made as to whether or not a setting has been provided 2that "¥10 OVERFLOW 1" with respect to the coin being 8 -57presently processed (Step 446) If a setting has not been provided that "Y10 OVERFLOW 1 after waiting for a predetermined time required for the passage of the coin (Step 447), a determination is made as to whether or not S there is an ensuing coin of the same type of denomination, Y10 (Step 448). Here, if there is an ensuing coin, a determination is made as to whether or not the solenoid SOLlO has been turned on by the ensuing Y10 coin (Step 450) Then, if there is no ensuing Y10 coin, or in a lo case where the Y10 solenoid SOLlO has not been turned on by the Y10 coin despite the presence of the ensuing Y10 coin, the Y1O solenoid SOL10 is kept turned off (Step 449).

Meanwhile, if the Y10 solenoid SOL10 has been turned on by the ensuing Y10 coin, this true Y10 coin processing is ended See 0:0 without turning off the Y10 solenoid SOLlO.

If it is determined-in Step 446 that a setting has been provided that "IY1 OVERFLOW with respect to the coin being presently processed, the unillustrated overflow timer is started (Step 451), and a setting is provided with orespect to the coin being presently processed that OVERFLOW 011 (Step 452), stop processing of the conveyance 5 motor MO is executed (Step 453), and the turning on of the sensor SE50 is monitored (Step 454). Here, if the sensor SE50 is turned on before the time of the overflow is up (Step 455), stop processing of the conveyance -58motor MO is executed (Step 456), and the turning off of the sensor SE50 is monitored (Step 457). Here, if the sensor SE50 is turned off before the time of the overflow timer is up (Step 458), a setting is provided that by S solenoid SOL50 is allowed to be turned on (Step 460), and this true Y10 coin processing ends.

It should be noted that in a case where, even after the time of the overflow timer is up, the Y50 sensor SE50 is not turned on (Step 455) or the Y50 sensor SE50 is not turned (ooff (Step 458), it is assumed that the sensor portion is blocked with a coin, so that stop processing of the conveyance motor MO and sensor blockage processing are executed (Step 444).

True Y50 Coin Processin 15 In Figs. 26(a) to 26(c), a determination is first made *Vo as to whether or not a setting has been provided that OVERFLOW whether or not the Y50 coin is to be subjected to overflow processing (Step 461). If OVERFLOW 1" does not hold true, the Y50 solenoid SOL50 is e Oturned on (Step 462), and the operation proceeds to Step 463 to start an unillustrated ¥50 solenoid timer. Meanwhile, if "Y50 OVERFLOW 1" holds true, the operation directly proceeds to Step 463 to start the unillustrated ¥50 solenoid timer.

-59- Subsequently, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO for driving the belt conveyance motor 14 is executed (Step 464), and a determination is made as to whether or not the ¥500 sensor SE500 is on (Step 465). If it is detected in Step 465 that the Y500 sensor SE500 has been turned on before the time of the true/false coin solenoid timer is up, count up processing for counting the inserted coins is executed on the basis of the output of the ¥500 sensor SE500 (Step 471). This count up processing of the inserted coins lois effected by using the .utput of determination by the sorting sensor SECO and the "on" output of the Y500 sensor SE500.

Meanwhile, if the ¥500 sensor SE500 is not turned on even after the time of the true/false solenoid timer is up, 5 the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is turned off (Step 467).

'Then, if the time of the Y50 solenoid timer is up (Step *e S468), the Y50 solenoid SOL50 is turned off (Step 469), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 470), and this flow of true ¥50 coin processing ends.

o If count up processing ends in Step 471, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is turned off (Step 472). Then, the unillustrated ¥500 sensor blockage timer is started (Step 473), and stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 474). Then, the turning off of the Y500 2 .sensor SE500 is monitored (Step 475), and if the ¥500 sensor SE500 is turned off before the time of the ¥500 sensor blockage timer is up (Step 476), a setting is provided that the Y500 solenoid SOL500 is allowed to be turned on (Step 479) Meanwhile, even if the time of the ¥500 sensor blockage ,timer is up, unless the Y500 sensor SE500 is turned off (Step 476), it is assumed that the portion where the Y500 sensor SE500 is disposed is blocked with a coin, so that the solenoid SOL50 is turned off (Step 490). Subsequently, to stop processing of the conveyance motor MO and sensor blockage processing are executed (Step 491).

If a setting is provided in Step 479 that the ¥500 solenoid is allowed to be turned on, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 480), and the turning (Son of the Y100 sensor SE100 is then monitored (Step 481).

Here, if the Y100 sensor SE100 is turned on before the time of the Y50 solenoid timer is up (Step 482), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 483), and the turning off of the Y100 sensor SEl00 is monitored (Step 3o484). Here, if the ¥100 sensor SE100 is turned off before 4e the time of the Y50 solenoid timer is up (Step 485), a .0 setting is provided that the Y100 solenoid SOL100 is allowed to be turned on (Step 486), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 487), and the turning on of the sensor SE is monitor (Step 488). Here, if 2Son of the Y10 sensor SE10 is monitored (Step 488). Here, if the ¥10 sensor SE10 is turned on before the time of the solenoid timer is up (Step 489), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 494), and the turning off of the l10 sensor SE10 is monitored (Step 495). Here, if the Y10 sensor SE10 is turned off before the time of the solenoid timer is up (Step 496), a setting is provided that the Y10 solenoid SOL10 is allowed to be turned on (Step 497).

Next, stop pr<cessing the conveyance motor is executed O0(Step 498), and the turning on of the Y50 sensor SE50 is monitored (Step 499). Here, if the Y50 sensor SE50 is turned on before the time of the Y50 solenoid timer is up (Step 500), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 501), and the turning off of the Y50 sensor 5SE50 is then monitored (Step 502). Here, if the Y50 sensor SE50 is turned off before the time of the Y50 solenoid timer g• is up (Step 503), a setting is provided that the solenoid SOL50 is allowed to be turned on (Step 504).

It should be noted that even after the time of the S* 2osensor blockage timer is up, if the Y100 sensor SE100 is not turned on (Step 482), if the Y100 sensor SE100 is not turned off (Step 485), if the Y10 sensor SE10 is not turned on (Step 489), if the Y10 sensor SE10 is not turned off (Step 496), if the Y50 sensor SE50 is not turned on (Step 500), or Sif the 50 sensor SE50 is not turned off (Step 503) then it ^2 if the ¥50 sensot SE50 is not turned off (Step 503), then it -62is assumed that the sensor portion is blocked with a coin, so that the ¥50 solenoid SOL50 is turned off (Step 490).

Subsequently, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO and sensor blockage processing are executed (Step 491).

After providing a setting in Step 504 that the solenoid SOL50 is allowed to be turned on, a determination is made as to whether or not a setting has been provided that "Y50 OVERFLOW 1" with respect to the coin being presently processed (Step 505). If a setting has not been foprovided that "Y50 OVERFLOW after waiting for a predetermined time required for the passage of the coin (Step 506), a determination is made as to whether or not there is an ensuing coin of the same type of denomination, 9 ¥50 (Step 507). Here, if there is an ensuing (Scoin, a determination is made as to whether or not the **99 solenoid SOL50 has been turned on by the ensuing Y50 coin (Step 510). Then, if there is no ensuing Y50 coin, or in a case where the Y50 solenoid SOL50 has not been turned on by the Y50 coin despite the presence of the ensuing Y50 coin, 2othe Y50 solenoid SOL50 is kept turned off (Step 508).

Meanwhile, if the Y50 solenoid SOL50 has been turned on by S 0 the ensuing Y50 coin, this true Y50 coin processing is ended without turning off the ¥50 solenoid If it is determined in Step 505 that a setting has been S provided that "Y50 OVERFLOW 1" with respect to the coin -63being presently processed, a setting is provided with respect to the coin being presently processed that OVERFLOW 0" (Step 509), and this true ¥50 coin processing ends.

True Y100 Coin Processing In Figs. 27(a) to 27(c), a determination is first made as to whether or not a setting has been provided that "¥100 OVERFLOW whether or not the ¥100 coin is to be subjected to overflow processing (Step 521). If "¥100 (oOVERFLOW does not hold true, the ¥100 solenoid SOL100 is turned on (Step 522), and the operation proceeds to Step 523 to start an unillustrated ¥100 solenoid timer.

3 Meanwhile, if "¥100 OVERFLOW 1" holds true, the operation directly proceeds to Step 523 to start the unillustrated (S¥Y100 solenoid timer.

Subsequently, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO for driving the belt conveyance motor 14 is executed (Step 524), and a determination is made as to whether or not the Y500 sensor SE500 is on (Step 525). If it is detected oin Step 525 that the Y500 sensor SE500 has been turned on before the time of the true/false coin solenoid timer is up, count up processing for counting the inserted coins is executed on the basis of the output of the Y500 sensor SE500 (Step 531). This count up processing of the inserted coins is effected by using the output of determination by the 25 is effected by using the output of determination by the -64sorting sensor SECO and the "on" output of the Y500 sensor SE500.

Meanwhile, if the Y500 sensor SE500 is not turned on even after the time of the true/false solenoid timer is up, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is turned ofi (Step 527).

Then, if the time of the ¥100 solenoid timer is up (Step 528), the Y100 solenoid SOL100 is turned off (Step 529), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 530), and this flow of true Y100 coin processing ends.

Io If count up processing ends in Step 531, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is turned off (Step 532). Then, the unillustrated Y500 sensor blockage timer is started (Step 533), and stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 534). Then, the turning off of the Y500 *i (sensor SE500 is monitored (Step 535), and if the Y500 sensor SE500 is turned off before the tim'i of the YJ00 sensor d £4 e. blockage timer is up (Step 536), a setting is provided that attraction by the ¥500 solenoid SOLO0 .i allowed (Step 539).

So Meanwhile, even if the time of the Y500 sensor blockage S* S timer is up, unless the Y500 sensor SE500 is turned off (Step 536), it is assumed that the portion where the ¥500 sensor SE500 is disposed is blocked with a coin, so that the Y100 solenoid SOL100 is turned off (Step 547).

Subsequently, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO and sensor blockage processing are executed (Step 548).

If a setting is provided in Step 539 that the Y500 solenoid is allowed to be turned on, stop processing of the S conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 540), and the turning on of the ¥100 sensor SE100 is then monitored (Step 541).

Here, if the Y100 sensor SE100 is turned on before the time of the Y100 solenoid timer is up (Step 542), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 543), and the ioturning off of the Y100 sensor SE100 is monitored (Step 544). Here, if the Y100 sensor SE100 is turned off before the time of the Y100 solenoid timer is up (Step 545), a setting is provided that the Y100 solenoid SOL100 is allowed to be turned on (Step 546).

I5 It should be noted that even after the time of the .sensor blockage timer is up, if the Y100 sensor SE100 is not turned on (Step 542), or if the ¥100 sensor SE100 is not turned off (Step 545), then it is assumed that the sensor portion is blocked with a coin, so that the Y100 solenoid ~o SOL100 is turned off (Step 547). Subsequently, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO and sensor blockage processing are executed (Step 548).

After providing a setting in Step 546 that the Y100 Sof*, solenoid SOL100 is allowed to be turned on, a determination 2 is made as to whether or not a setting has been provided -66that "¥100 OVERFLOW 1" with respect to the coin being presently processed (Step 549). If a setting has not been provided that "Y100 OVERFLOW after waiting for a predetermined time required for the passage of the coin (Step 550), a determination is made ar to whether or not there is an ensuing coin of the same type of denomination, Y100 (Step 551). Here, if there is an ensuing ¥100 coin, a determination is made as to whether or not the Y100 solenoid SOL100 has been attracted by the ensuing ¥100 coin Io(Step 553). Then, if there is no ensuing Y100 coin, or in a case where the Y100 solenoid SOL100 has not been turned on by the Y100 coin despite the presence of the ensuing ¥100 coin, the Y100 solenoid SOL100 is kept turned off (Step 552). Meanwhile, if the Y100 solenoid SOL100 has been em o* 15turned on by the ensuing Y100 coin, this true ¥100 coin processing is ended without turning off the ¥100 solenoid

S*

SOL100.

If it is determined in Step 549 that a setting has been provided that "Y100 OVERFLOW 1" with respect to the coin C o .2obeing presently processed, the unillustrated overflow timer is started (Step 554), and a setting is provided with respect to the coin being presently processed that "Y100 OVERFLOW 0" (Step 50), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 556), and the turning on of the "*:emm 2SY10 sensor SE10 is monitored (Step 557). Here, if the -67sensor SE10 is turned on before the time of the overflow timer is up (Step 558), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 559), and the turning off of the sensor SE10 is monitored (Step 560). Here, if the sensor SE10 is turned off before the time of the overflow timer is up (Step 561), a setting is provided that the solenoid SOL10 is allowed to be turned on (Step 562).

Next, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 563), and the turning on of the ¥50 sensor is monitored (Step 564). Here, if the ¥50 sensor Sis turned on before the time of the overflow timer is up (Step 565), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is o0o. executed (Step 566), and the turning off of the ¥50 sensor SE50 is monitored (Step 567). Here, if the ¥50 sensor ISis turned off before the time of the overflow timer is up (Step 568), a setting is provided that the ¥50 solenoid SOL50 is allowed to be turned on (Step 569), and this true 0* Y100 coin processing ends.

00 0 It should be noted that even after the time of the 2ooverflow timer is up, if the Y10 sensor SE10 is not turned on (Step 558), if the ¥10 sensor SE10 is not turned off S (Step 561), if the ¥50 sensor SE50 is not turned on (Step 565), or if the ¥50 sensor SE50 is not turned off (Step 568), then it is assumed that the sensor portion is blocked -68with a coin, so that stop processing of the conveyance motor MO and sensor blockage processing are executed (Step 548).

True Y500 Coin Processing In Figs. 28(a) to 28(c), a determination is first made Sas to whether or not a setting has been provided that "Y500 OVERFLOW whether or not the Y500 coin is to be subjected to overflow processing (Step 571). If "Y500 OVERFLOW 1" does not hold true, the Y500 solenoid SOL500 is turned on (Step 572), and the operation proceeds to Step b 573 to start an unillustrated Y500 solenoid timer.

Meanwhile, if "Y500 OVERFLOW 1" holds true, the operation directly proceeds to Step 573 to start the unillustrated ¥500 solenoid timer.

ooq* Subsequently, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO for driving the belt conveyance motor. 14 is executed (Step 574), and a determination is made as to whether or not the ¥500 sensor SE500 is on (Step 575). If it is detected in Step 575 that the Y500 sensor SE500 has been turned on before the time of the 'true/false coin solenoid timer is up, 5* 2pcount up processing for counting the inserted coins is Sexecuted on the basis of the output of the Y500 sensor SE500 (Step 581). This count up processing of the inserted coins is effected by using the output of determination by the sorting sensor SECO and the "on" output of the ¥500 sensor 2! SE500.

-69- Meanwhile, if the T500 sensor SE500 is not turned on even after the time of the true/false solenoid timer is up, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is turned off (Step 577).

Then, if the time of the Y500 solenoid timer is up (Step g 578 the Y500 solenoid SOL500 is turned off (Step 579), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 580), and this flow of true Y500 coin processing ends.

If count up processing ends in Step 581, the true/false coin solenoid SOLSF is turned off (Step 582). Then, the ounillustrated Y500 sensor blockage timer is started (Step *ee*:t 583), and stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is See.

OO:O executed (Step 584). Then, the turning off of the Y500 sensor SE50.0 is monitored (Step 585), and if the Y500 sensor *too SE500 is turned off before the time of the Y500 sensor timer is up (Step 586), a setting is provided that the Y500 solenoid 30L500 is allowed to be turned on (Step 587).

Meanwhile, even if the time of the Y500 sensor blockage timer is up, unless the Y500 sensor SE500 is turned off 2o(;tep 586), it is assumed that the portion where the Y500 r..sor SE500 is disposed is blocked with a coin, so that the Y500 solenoid SOL500 is turned off (Step 588).

•Subsequently, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO and sensor blockage processing are executed (Step 589).

After providing a setting in Step 587 that the ¥500 solenoid SOL500 is allowed to be turned on, a determination is made as to whether or not a setting has been provided that "¥500 OVERFLOW 1" with respect to the coin being processed (Step 590). If a setting has not been provided that "Y500 OVERFLOW after waiting for a predetermined time required for the passage of the coin (Step 616), a determination is made as to whether or not there is an ensuing coin of the same type of denomination, ¥500 (Step 617). Here, if there is an ensuing ¥500 coin, a determination is made as to whether or not the Y500 solenoid SOL500 has been turned on by the ensuing Y500 coin (Step 618). Then, if there is no ensuing Y500 coin, or in a case where the Y500 solenoid SOL500 has not been turned on SISby the ensuing ¥500 coin despite the presence of the ensuing Y500 coin, the ¥500 solenoid SOL500 is kept turned off (Step 619). Meanwhile, if the Y500 solenoid SOL500 has been 9 turned on by the ensuing Y500 coin, this true Y500 coin S.processing is ended without turning off the Y500 solenoid SOL500.

If it is determined in Step 590 that a setting has been 0, .provided that "Y500 OVERFLOW 1" with respect to the coin o being presently processed, the unillustrated overflow timer is started (Step 591), and a setting is provided with respect to the coin being presently processed that "Y500 -71- OVERFLOW 0" (Step 592), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed 'Step 593), and the turning on of the Y100 sensor SE100 is monitored (Step 594). Here, if the Y100 sensor SE100 is turned on before the time of the timer is up (Step 595), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 596), and the turning off of the Y100 sensor SE100 is monitored (Step 597). Here, if the Y100 sensor SE100 is turned off.before the time of the overflow timer is up (Step 598), a setting is provided S lothat the Y100 solenoid SOLlnO is allowed to be turned on (Step 599).

SNext, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is boo: executed (Step 600), and the turning on of the Y10 sensor SE10 is monitored (Step 601). Here, if the ¥10 sensor (Sis turned on before the time of the overflow t mer is up (Step 602), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 604), and the turning off of the 1.0 oensor *e SE10 is monitored (Step 605). Here, if the Y10 sensor is turned off before the time of the overflow timer is up ao(Step 606), a setting is provided that the ¥10 solenoid W SOL10 is allowed to be turned on (Step 607).

9 Next, stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 608), and the turning on of the Y50 sensor is monitored (Step 609). Here, if the Y50 sensor 26is turned on before the time of the overflow timer is up -72- (Step 610), stop processing of the conveyance motor MO is executed (Step 611), and the turning off of the Y50 sensor is monitored (Step 612). Here, if the Y50 sensor is turned off before the time of the overflow timer is up 613), a setting is provided that the Y50 solenoid is allowed to be turned on (Step 614), and this true Y500 coin processing ends.

It should be noted that even after the time of the overflow timer is up, if the ¥100 sensor SE100 is not turned (lon (Step 595), if the Y100 sensor SE100 is not turned off C oi (Step 598), if the ¥10 sensor 'SE1l is not turned on (Step 602), if the Y10 sensor SE10 is not turned off (Step 606), if the ¥50 sensor SE50 is not turned on (Step 610), or if the Y50 sensor SE50 is not turned off (Step 613), then it is assumed that the sensor portion is blocked with a coin, so that stop processing of the conveyance motor MO and sensor blockage processing are executed (Step 589).

Coin Blockae Correction Processing In this embodiment, the arrangement provided is such Accordingly, are introdued by ment, a method based on the Accordingly, in this embodiment, a method based on the control of the conveyance motor MO is adopted as a measure against the coin blockage in the belt conveying passage 14.

That is, as shown in Fig. 29, in the coin blockage processing of this embodiment, after first -73waiting for a fixed duration (50 ms in the flow chart), the conveyance motor MO is reversely rotated (Step 701), and an unillustrated reverse rotation timer is started (Step 703).

Then, when the time of the reverse rotation timer is up (Step 704), the conveyance motor MO is stopped (Step 705).

Then, after waiting for a fixed duration (50 ms in the flowchart) (Step 706), the conveyance motor MO is rotated forwardly (Step 707), and an unillustrated forward rotation timer is started (Step 708). When the time of the forward lorotation timer is up (Step 709), the conveyance motor MO is stopped (Step 710), and this coin blockage correction

I

processing ends.

It should be noted that although in this embodiment the 90.0 number of revolutions in reverse and forward rotation is Slone, if the reverse and forward rotation is repeated, the coin blockage can be corrected more positively.

Coin Paving-Out Processing The details of coin paying-out processing are shown in Fig. 30. In this embodiment, an arrangement is provided to Soallow four modes to be selectively used in paying out change. The selection of the modes is effected by the mode selection switch SWMO shown in Fig. 12.

O Among the four modes selected by the mode selection switch SWMO, mode 1 is designed to reduce the paying-out 2 speed of change. In this mode 1, coins to be paid out as -74change are handled half and half by the main tubes (Y500 tube CT500, ¥100 tube CTI00, ¥10 tube CTI0, and ¥50 tube and the sub tubes (auxiliary tube CTD and auxiliary tube CTE), respectively, and are paid out simultaneously $from both the main tubes and the sub tubes. For instance, in cases where four ¥100 coins and four Y10 coins are to be paid out as change, if a case is considered in which the auxiliary tube CTD has been set for Y10 and the auxiliary tube CTE has been set for Y100, two Y100 coins and two Y100 S locoins are respectively paid out simultaneously from the Y100 tube CT100 and the auxiliary tube CTE, and two Y10 coins and two ¥10 coins are respectively paid out simultaneously from the Y10 tube CT10 and the auxiliary tube CTD. It should be *o noted that if the main tubes become empty, coins are paid (Sout preferentially from the sub tubes.

Mode 2 is used for preferentially paying out deposited coins. In this mode 2, change is paid out only from the 9 main tubes until the main tubes become empty, and change is paid out from the sub tubes when the main tubes become 9.

empty.

In mode 3, the paying out of change is carried out on 4 the basis of mode 1, but in a case where coins have been manually replenished to the main tubes in the standby state, change is paid out from the main tubes up to a predetermined number of coins, and change is subsequently paid out in accordance with mode 1.

In addition, in mode 4, although the paying out of change is basically carried out on the basis of mode 2, in a case where coins have been manually replenished to the main tubes in the standby state, change is paid out from the main tubes up to a predetermined number of coins, and change is subsequently paid out in accordance with mode 2.

In coin.paying-out processing shown in Fig. 30, a Io determination is first made as to whether or not coins are to be paid out on the basis of the operation of an inventory switch (Step 801). If coins are not to be paid out on the 6:60 basis of the operation of the inventory switch, a determination is then made as to whether or not the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO is mode 1 (Step 804). Here, in the case of mode 1, the paying out of coins .t in accordance with the specifications of mode 1 is carried S out (Step 805), and the paying out of change in accordance with mode 1 is repeated until the paying out of change is Socompleted (Step 806).

If the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO

U.

is not mode 1, a determination is then made as to whether or anot the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO is mode 2 (Step 812). Here, in the case of mode 2, the paying 2out of change in accordance with the specifications of mode -76- 2 is carried out (Step 813), and the paying out of change in accordance with mode 2 is repeated until the paying out of change is completed (Step 814).

If the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO is not mode 2, a determination is then made as to whether or not the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO is mode 3 (Step 815). Here, in the case of mode 3, the paying out of change in accordance with the specifications of mode 3 is carried out (Step 816), and the paying out of change in ID accordance with mode 3 is repeated until the paying out of change is completed (Step 817).

If the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO is not mode 3, it is assumed that mode 4 has been selected, and the paying out of change in accordance with the 41 9* I0specifications of mode 4 is carried out (Step 818), and the paying out of change in accordance with mode 4 is repeated until the paying out of change is completed (Step 819).

Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 801 that the case is the paying out of coins on the basis of the ?ooperation of the inventory switch, the paying out of coins corresponding to the inventory switch turned on is effected (Step 821), and when inventory stop is inputted by the pressing of any of the inventory switches (Step 822), the paying out of inventory coins ends.

-77- Figs. 31 to 34 illustrate an example of configuration in a case where the coin processing apparatus of this embodiment is actually mounted in an automatic vending machine.

The example shown in Fig. 31 is configured such that a coin delivery section 40 is added to the coin processing apparatus comprising the coin receiving section 10 and the main body section As described earlier, the coin receiving section includes the coin slot 11, the belt conveying passage 14 for Shorizontally conveying a coin inserted through the coin slot

C

ee** 11, and the sorting sensor SECO disposed along the belt conveying passage 14.

*The main body section 30 includes the coin distributing

S.

section for distributing the inserted coin on. the basis of the output of the sorting sensor SECO and the plurality of coin tubes CT500, CT100, CT10, and CT50 for accumulating coins to be used as change by types of denominations.

Disposed at the lower end of the coin tube CT500 is a Y500 aocoin paying-out mechanism 31 for paying out ¥500 coins accumulated in the coin tube CT500, and this Y500 coin paying-out mechanism 31 is driven by a ¥500 coin paying-out 4motor M0500. In addition, the cassette tube coin paying-out mechanism 32 (Fig. 32) is disposed at the lower ends of the z$coin tubes CT100, CT10, and CT50. This cassette tube coin -78paying-out mechanism 32 is driven by a cassette tube coin paying-out motor MOCT.

The coin delivery section 40 based on belt conveyance is formed below the main body section 30. This coin delivery section 40 based on belt conveyance is adopted to reduce the vertical dimension of the coin processing apparatus from the Y500 coin paying-out mechanism 31 and the cassette tube coin paying-out mechanism 32 to a coin return section 46.

lo .A coin delivery belt 41 is disposed at a position where .*64 coins paid out by the Y500 coin paying-out mechanism 31 and the cassette tube coin paying-out mechanism 32 are received.

The coin delivery belt 41 is trained between a pair of rollers 42, 43, and is driven by a coin delivery motor a pulley 45a fitted on the rotating shaft of the coin delivery motor 45, a belt 44, and a pulley 43a fitted on the shaft of the roller 43, and the roller 43, in such a manner as to be capable of being changed over between forward rotation and reverse rotation.

As shown in Fig. 31, when the coin delivery belt 41 is rotated forwardly, the coin which dropped on the coin del3 l ry belt 41 is led to the coin return section 46 via a gate 48. The coin in the coin return section 46 can be taken out by the user via a gate -79- In addition, as shown in Fig. 32, when the coin delivery belt 41 is rotated reversely, the coin dropped on the coin delivery belt 41 is introduced to a coin passage 47 which leads to the cash box via a gate 49. Incidentally, as S for the control of this coin delivery section 40, a detailed description will be given later with reference to the flow chart shown in Fig. 34.

In Fig. 33, the panel 33 is provided with inventory switches for forcedly paying out coins accumulated in the lo coin tubes. Specifically, the panel 33 is provided with the internal auxiliary unit inventory switch DE, external .6 auxiliary unit inventory switch ZDW, Y500 inventory switch "o IV500, ¥100 inventory switch IV100, Y10 inventory switch IV10, Y50 inventory switch IV50, and monitor lamp ML for (S displaying the state of inventory.

The details of coin paying-out processing in this example of configuration are shown in Fig. 34. In this example of configuration as well, an arrangement is provided to allow four modes to be selectively used in paying out I* 2 change in the same way as coin paying-out processing shown in Fig. That is, in Fig. 34, the operation described in Steps 801, 804 806, 812 819, 821, and 822 is the same as that shown in Fig. That is, in the coin paying-out processing shown in Fig. 34, a determination is first made as to whether or not coins are to be paid out on the basis of the operation of an inventory switch (Step 801). If coins are not to be paid out on the basis of the operation of the inventory switch, a determination is then made as to whether or not the mode is a lump-sum paying-out mode (Step 802). The lump-sum payingout mode referred to herein means a mode in which after coins to be paid out are allowed to drop on the coin lodelivery belt 41 (Fig. 31), the coin delivery belt 41 is seei#, S" rotated forwardly so as to pay out the coins on the coin delivery belt 41 in a lump.

.When it is determined in Step 802 that the mode is the we..

lump-sum paying-out mode, the operation proceeds to Step 804 IS without forwardly rotating the coin delivery motor 45 (Fig.

31). Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 802 that the mode is not the lump-sum paying-out mode, the coin delivery

I

motor 45 is rotated forwardly (Step 803), and the operation Y.b. proceeds to Step 804.

I 32 In Step 804, a determination is made as to whether or not the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO is r" mode 1. Here, in the case of mode 1, the paying out of coins in accordance with the specifications of mode 1 is carried out (Step 805), and the paying out of change in -81accordance with mode 1 is repeated until the paying out of change is completed (Step 806).

If the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO is not mode 1, a determination is then made as to whether or S not the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO is mode 2 (Step 812). Here, in the case of mode 2, the paying out of change in accordance with the specifications of mode 2 is carried out (Step 813), and the paying out of change in accordance with mode 2 is repeated until the paying out of is completed (Step 814).

If the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO is not mode 2, a determination is then made as to whether or not the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO is mode 3 (Step 815). Here, in the case of mode 3, the paying of change in accordance with the specifications of mode 3 is carried out (Step 816), and the paying out of change in accordance with mode 3 is repeated until the paying out of

I

change is completed (Step 817).

If the mode selected by the mode selection switch SWMO .ois not mode 3, it is assumed that mode 4 has been selected, and the paying out of change in accordance with the specifications of mode 4 is carried out (Step 818), and the too** paying out of change in accordance with mode 4 is repeated until the paying out of change is completed (Step 819).

-82- Then, a determination is made again as to whether or not the mode is the lump-sum paying-out mode (Step 807).

Here, if the mode is the lump-sum paying-out mode, the coin delivery motor 45 is rotated forwardly, and the coins on the S coin delivery belt 41 are paid out to the coin return section 46 in a lump (Step 810). Subsequently, after the lapse of a fixed duration (Step 811), the coin delivery motor 45 is stopped (Step 809).

It should be noted that if it is determined in Step 807 (othat the mode is not the lump-sum -aying-out mode, after the lapse of a fixed duration (Step 808), the coin delivery motor 45 is stopped (Step 809).

me .Meanwhile, if it is determined in Step 801 that the case is the paying out of coins on the basis of the I operation of the inventory switch, the coin delivery motor is rotated reversely (Step 820), and the paying out of coins corresponding to the inventory switch turned on is effected (Step 821). Then, when inventory stop is inputted by the pressing of any of the inventory switches (Step 822), ayafter the lapse of a fixed duration (Step 808), the coin delivery motor 45 is stopped (Step 809).

B BIn accordance with the above-described arrangement, since the discrimination of coins is effected while the coins inserted through the coin slot are being conveyed 2Ssubstantially horizontally, and the coins are conveyed -83substantially horizontally in the coin delivery section, the vertical dimension of the coin processing apparatus can be reduced. As a result, in cases where the coin processing apparatus is applied to an automatic vending machine or the like, it is possible to reduce the distance between the coin slot and the coin return port, so that the user of the automatic vending machine or the like need not bend down to receive change.

0 se s o e O 0 0 0 0 1 U -84-

Claims (38)

1. A coin processing apparatus comprising: coin conveying means for forcibly conveying coins inserted through a coin slot at a predetermined speed along a horizontal coin conveying passage; S coin discriminating means disposed along said coin conveying passage for discriminating the denomination of the coin being conveyed by said coin conveying means along said coin conveying passage and emitting a corresponding denomination identification output; a plurality of coin accumulating means providing for each denomination of coin, for accumulating the coins by denominations; distributing means for distributing the coin passed through said coin conveying passage to one of said plurality of coin accumulating means in correspondence with said denomination identification output of said coin discriminating means; and coin paying-out means for paying out required coins from the coins accumulated in said plurality of coin accumulating means; said distributing means comprising an inclined coin passage through which the coin passed through said coin conveying passage rolls down; and a plurality of coin distributing sections each disposed along said inclined coin i passage and in correspondence with said plurality of coin accumulating means and adapted to selectively execute a first distributing operation for passing a coin rolling through said coin passage and a second distributing operation for diverging the coin from said inclined coin passage to introduce to a corresponding one of said coin distributing means.

2. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said coin conveying means comprises a first belt disposed along said coin conveying passage, a second belt 25 disposed opposite to said first belt with said coin conveying passage interposed therebetween and drive means for driving said first and second belts, wherein the coin inserted through said coin slot is sandwiched between said first and second belts and conveyeidl along said coin conveying passage.

3. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of coin accumulating means comprises a plurality of coin tubes arranged in a row, and said plurality of coin distributing sections are respectively disposed at positions corresponding to said plurality of coin tubes.

4. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said coin conveying passage intersects at right angles to said coin passage.

5. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said coin distributing sections comprise: L-shaped levers arranged along a coin passage, and which in a projecting state constitute a bottom portion of the coin passage and allow the coin to roll through said passage and in a withdrawn state said levers block the coin passage and open the bottom 40 portion of the coin passage; and IG:\WPUSER IBMMIOOO13LMM solenoids for driving said L-shaped levers.

6. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said solenoids are adapted to drive said L-shaped levers to the withdrawn state by being energized, and reset said L-shaped levers to the projecting state by being de-energized.

7. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said distributing means comprises: coin sensors disposed in correspondeilce with said coin distributing sections and adapted to detect the coin passing therethrough; a timer for setting expected passing times of the coin passing through each of said coin distributing sections, respectively; and control means, in response to the discrimination by said coin discriminating means, for setting a prohibited state of the second distributing operation of all of coin distributing sections disposed upstream of one of the coin distributing section corresponding td the discriminated denomination of coin and sequentially cancelling the prohibited state of the second distributing operation of said coin distributing sections if the coin has passed through each of the coin distributing sections within said expected passing times set in said timer.

8. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control means .oo..i S comprises: 20 coin blockage detecting r, for detecting coin blockage on an assumption that the coin blockage has occurred if the coin did not pass through the coin distributing sections within said expec;ted passing times set in said timer.

9. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control means comprises: S. 25 means for detecting whether a previously distributed coin is of the same denomination as a coin being presently distributed; and means for returning a coin as a false coin if the previously distributed coin is of a different denomination from the coin being presently distributed, and if the second distributing operation of any one of said coin distribution sections leading to the coin 30 distributing section corresponding to the discriminated denomination has been set in the prohibited state.

A coin processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said control means comprises: means for processing the coin as a true coin if the previously distributed coin is of the same denomination as the coin being presently distributed, and even if the second distributing operation of any one of said coin distributing sections leading to the coin distributing section corresponding to the discriminated denomination has been set in the prohibited state.

11. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said coin pay-out A 1 40 means comprises: (G:\WPUSERU.BMMIOOO I3:LMM coin delivery means for conveying the coin paid out from said coin accumulating means in the substantially horizontal direction and delivering the coin to a coin return section.

12. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said coin delivery means comprises belt conveying means for conveying the coin paid out from said coin paying-out means by means of a belt.

13. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said belt conveying means, when rotated forwardly, delivers the coin on said belt to said coin return section and, when rotated reversely, delivers the coin on said belt to a cash box.

14. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of coin accumulating means comprise: a plurality of overflow sensors for detecting that amount of coins held in any one of said coin accumulating means exceeds a predetermined number of coins, generating a corresponding overflow output, and wherein said distributing means comprises: means for introducing to the cash box the coins to be distributed to said coin accumulating means on the basis of said overflow output.

A coin processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of coin accumulating means comprise a plurality of coin tubes, and wherein said overflow sensors comprise photosensors disposed at predetermined positions in said coin tubes.

16. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each of said photosensors comprises a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element for receiving light emitted from said light-emitting element, and detects the coin on the basis of an output of said light-receiving element generated when the optical path leading from said light-emitting element to said light-receiving element is shielded by the coin in the 25 coin tube, wherein the optical path leading from said light-emitting element to said light- 9 receiving element is inclined at an angle with respect to the plane of the coin in said coin tube so that said optical path traverses at least the thickness of one of said coins in said coin tube. S 30

17. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: inlet sensor means disposed at said coin slot and adapted to selectively sense a usable coin.

18. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said inlet sensor includes a coil whose inductance changes when the coin is inserted.

19. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: inlet sensor means disposed at said coin slot and adapted to selectively sense a usable coin; and shutter means actuated on the basis of an output of detection by said inlet sensor means so as to open said coin slot.

IG:\WPUSER\IBMM 100I1 3:LMM A coin processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said inlet sensor means includes a coil whose inductance changes when the coin is inserted.

21. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said shutter means comprises: a shutter solenoid energized by the output of detection by said inlet sensor means; and a shutter for closing said coin slot when said shutter solenoid is de-energized, and for opening said coin slot when said shutter solenoid is energized.

22. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: gate sensor means disposed on an inner side of said coin slot by being spaced apart from said coin slot at least by a distance greater than the diameter of the coin having a maximum diameter among the usable coins; and means for starting the discrimination processing of said coin discrimination means when the inserted coin has been detected by said gate sensor means.

23. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: inlet sensor means disposed at said coin slot and adapted to selectively sense a usable coin; gate sensor means disposed on an inner side of said coin slot by being spaced apart S from said coin slot at least by a distance greater than a diameter of the coin having a 20 maximum diameter among the usable coins; and *means for starting the discrimination processing of said coin discrimination means when the inserted coin has been detected by said inlet sensor means and detected by said o gate sensor means.

24. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said inlet sensor 25 means is turned on at the time of detection of the coin, and is turned off at the time of nondetection, and said coin discrimination means starting the discrimination processing of the inserted coin when the inserted coin has been detected by said gate sensor means after said inlet sensor means has been turned on and off.

25. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: inlet sensor means disposed at said coin slot and adapted to selectively sense a usable coin; shutter means actuated on the basis of an output of detection of said inlet sensor means so as to open said coin slot; gate sensor means disposed on an inner side of said coin slot by being spaced apart from said coin slot at least by a distance greater than the diameter of the coin having a maximum diameter among the usable coins; and Z:- Z means for starting the discrimination processing of said coin discrimination means J when the inserted coin has been detected by said sensor means and detected by said gate o ,0 sensor means. [G:WPUSER\LIBM 0001 3:LMM

26. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an inlet sensor disposed at said coin slot and adapted to be turned on through the insertion of a coin and to be turned off through the passage of the coin; a shutter actuated on the basis of an output of detection by said inlet sensor so as to open said coin slot; first storage means for storing a first signal indicative of said inlet sensor being turned on; a gate sensor disposed on an inner side of said coin slot by being spaced apart from said coin slot at least by a distance greater than a diameter of the coin having a maximum diameter among the coin, and adapted to be turned on upon detection of a passing coin; second storage means for storing a second signal indicative of said gate sensor being turned on when the first signal is stored in said first storage means; third storage means for storing a third signal indicative of the completion of discrimination of the coin by said coin discrimination means when the second signal is stored in said second storage means; and means for starting discrimination processing of said coin discrimination means when the third signal is stored in said third storage means.

27. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising: shutter abnormality detecting means for detecting shutter abnormality when said 20 shutter fails to be actuated within a fixed duration after the turning on of said inlet sensor.

28. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising: means for starting conveyance by said conveying means when said first signal is •0 stored in said first storage means; a first timer for starting counting for a fixed duration when said first signal is stored 25 in said first storage means; and :0 means for suspending conveyance by said conveying means and waits for the turning V. off of said inlet sensor, unless said inlet sensor is turned off before the time of said first timer is up.

29. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising: S 30 pulse generating means for generating a pulse each time said conveying means moves the coin by a distance of a fixed unit; pulse counting means for starting the counting of pulses generated from said pulse generating means when said second signal is stored in said second storage means; and means for suspending conveyance by said coin conveying means and executes correction processing of coin blockage, unless said third signal is stored in said third storage means before a count value of said pulse counting means reached a predetermined value.

A coin processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said correction Sprocessing of coin blockage is effected by at least once repeating an operation in which rla 1 said coin conveying means is driven for a fixed duration by reversing the direction of IG\WPUSER\LIBMMIOOO 3:LMM conveyance by said coin conveying means and conveyance by said coin conveying means is then suspended, and subsequently said coin conveyance means is driven for a fixed duration by changing the direction of conveyance by said coin conveying means in a forward direction and conveyance by said coin conveying means is then suspended.

31. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said coin accumulating sections are provided with main tubes and sub tubes with respect to the same denominations, and wherein said coin paying-out means selectively executes a first coin paying-out mode in which coins to be paid out as change are handled half by said main tubes and half by said sub tubes, respectively, and are paid out simultaneously from both said main tubes and said sub tubes, and a second coin paying-out mode in which change is paid out only from said main tubes until said main tubes become empty, and change is paid out from said sub tubes when said main tubes become empty.

32. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said coin accumulating means are provided with main tubes and sub tubes with respect to the same denominations, and wherein said coin paying-out means selectively executes a first coin paying-out mode in which coins to be paid out as change are handled half by said main tubes and half by said sub tubes, respectively, and are paid out simultaneously from both said main tubes and said sub tubes, a second coin paying-out mode in which change is paid out only from said main tubes until said main tubes become empty, and change is paid out from said sub tubes when said main tubes become empty, a third coin paying-out mode in which, in a case where the coins are manually replenished to said main tubes during standby, change is paid out preferentially from said main tubes up to a predetermined number of the coins, 25 and change is subsequently paid out in accordance with the first coin paying-out mode, and a fourth coin paying-out mode in which, in a case where the coins are manually replenished to said main tubes during standby, change is paid out preferentially from said main tubes up to a predetermined number of the coins, and change is subsequently paid out in accordance with the second coin paying-out mode.

33. A coin procesing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of inventory switches disposed in correspondence with said plurality of coin accumulating means and adapted to instruct the collection of accumulated coins in said coin accumulating means; and discrimination accuracy changeover control means which, after a specific inventory switch among said plurality of inventory switches is turned on, shifts to an accuracy changeover control mode upon turning on of a power source, and changes over the discrimination accuracy of said coin discrimination means by the operation of said plurality of inventory switches in the shifted accuracy changeover control mode. [IG:\WPUSER\LIBMMIO00 3:LMM 91

34. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said discrimination accuracy cl-angeover means establishes a first accuracy, a second accuracy, and a third accuracy, wherein the first accuracy is normal coin-acceptance accuracy; the second accuracy is coin-acceptance accuracy in which the restriction of coin acceptance is made stricter than that of the normal coin-acceptance accuracy; and the third accuracy is accuracy for prohibiting the acceptance of the coin.

A coin processing apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising: an internal auxiliary unit for accumulating coins for change; an external auxiliary unit for accumulating coins for change; a first inventory switch corresponding to said internal auxiliary unit for accumulating the coins for change; a second inventory switch corresponding to said external inventory unit for accumulating the coins for change; and discrimination accuracy changeover control means which, after said first and second inventory switches are turned on, shifts to an accuracy changeover control mode upon turning on a power source, and changes over the discrimination accuracy of the coins in said coin discrimination means by the operation of the inventory switch corresponding to said coin accumulating means in the shifted accuracy changeover control mode. 20

36. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said discrimination accuracy changeover control means selectively effects a shift to the first 0. accuracy, second accuracy, or third accuracy changeover control mode through the operation of said inventory switch corresponding to said coin accumulating reans in said accuracy changeover control mode.

37. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said S: discrimination accuracy changeover control means selectively changes over the i" discrimination accuracy of the coins by the denorr ions through the operation of said inventory switch corresponding to said coin ac alating means in the first accuracy, :second accuracy, or third accuracy changeover control mode.

38. A coin processing apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising: means for exiting from the accuracy changeover control mode upon the pressing of a return switch for designating the return of the coin or upon the detection of the coin inserted through said coin slot. Dated 30 June, 1993 Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Conlux r. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON&FERGUSON [GAWPUSER\LIBMM100013;LMM