DE2334076A1 - PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR CHECKING THE GENUINEITY AND NOMINAL VALUE OF COINS - Google Patents

Description

PATENTANWÄLTE 89 Augsburg-Geggingen 22, German

_-_ «__>.". von-Eichendorff-SfraB · TO

dr. ing. E. LIEBAU

DIPL.ING. G. LIEBAU (BAdan ^ o ^ aongeA 2334076 Your sign

MARS, Incorporated

Westgate Park, 1651, Old Meadow Road,

McLean, Virginia 22101 / USA

Method and device for checking the authenticity and denomination of coins

The invention relates to a method and a device between coins according to their authenticity and their denomination and in particular the use of a moving magnetic field to move coins to drive in a coin discriminator.

Various coin discriminators in the trade Real coins differ by their trajectory after the coin is accelerated by gravity and then has been delayed or deflected by the interaction of a stationary magnetic field with the coin. Such Devices are however for sorting coins with

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Telegr.-Adr .: ElPATENT- Augsburg Postscheckkonto Munich 86510-809 Deutsche Bank AG Augsburg Account No. 08/34

Bank code 730 700 01

high speed is unsatisfactory because the speed of real coins in such devices is limited by the acceleration under the action of gravity and by the interaction with Permanent magnetic fields are still further limited.

In the inventive method for testing the The coin size is checked for authenticity and the face value of coins and the coin is checked under one of several preliminarily classified according to the coin size according to acceptable denominations, a moving magnetic field generated in such a way that the force of the magnetic field drives the coin and throws it from the end of a coin path, and the coin will only be accepted if it has a career similar to that of a coin of face value corresponds to under which the coin is provisionally classified.

An inventive device for testing the Authenticity and denomination of coins possesses a means for preliminary classification of a coin from one of several acceptable denominations based on the coin size, which classifier emits a signal indicating the denomination indicates under which the coin has been provisionally classified, means for generating a wandering Magnetic field used to drive the coin and move it from the end of a coin support into a Tossing a career; and a device having an acceptance window in the career that will throw coins of the face value under which the coin has been provisionally classified.

The coin discriminator according to the invention accelerates Coins of different denominations on one

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Terminal speed, which depends on the properties of the coins, making it through spatial separation of different coins it is made relatively easy to recognize coins as genuine and to sort them accurately. Since the movement communicated to the coin by the coin discriminator system is primarily through the coin driver is effected, instead of by gravity, can be higher top speeds and a faster one Achieve sorting. The reliability and effectiveness of the coin discriminator according to the invention is because of the minimal fluctuation in the speed of coins of the same face value of about - 2% high. The coin driver can drive coins with several times the acceleration due to gravity speed up, creating the potential for much faster coin sorting than Devices is possible whose mode of operation is based on the acceleration of the coins by gravity.

Most of the world's coins are not ferromagnetic and in the case of non-ferromagnetic coins, the magnetic field of the driver according to the invention accelerates one Coin to a speed which depends primarily on its characteristic acceptance ratio, i.e., of their electrical conductivity divided by their density. The coin speed after exiting the Magnetic field determines the coin trajectory, which therefore depends on the acceptance ratio of the coin.

Embodiments of the invention are described below, for example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings described in more detail, namely show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a side view

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a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a side view in elevation of a second embodiment of FIG Invention and

3 in a schematic representation a plan view of a linear stator driver, which is suitable for both embodiments.

Other devices that use the trajectories of powered coins to distinguish between coins are described in U.S. Patent 3,701,405.

In the following description and in the claims, the term "coin" means real coins, tokens, counterfeit coins, round pieces of metal, washers and any other pieces that can be used by individuals to attempt to use coin operated devices. "Denomination" is to be understood as meaning all coins in a country that have the same monetary value and essentially the same properties, such as size, density, electrical conductivity and permeability _β

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown in schematic form a coin sorter 10 for electrically conductive coins which, among other things, a coin support track 12, a coin driver 16, an arrival sensing device, coin receptacles 7, 8 and 9 and a return container 6 has. The coin sorter 10 is provided with a coin receiving hopper 13

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and equipped with a coin route 17 through which the latter coins are fed individually one after the other to the track 12. The top 18 of the route is provided with an opening that is large enough to allow the largest denomination of coins to be sorted. The inserted coins then fall down the path 17 and onto the path 12 adjacent to the start end of the driver 16. As the coin approaches the coin driver 16, it moves on an arrival sensing device 22, which detects the presence of a coin in the system. Though many sensing devices are suitable, for example microswitches, inductive switches or a radiation source and a detector, A preferred sensing element is a photoelectric device, such as a photocell, which together works with a light source. The presence of a coin on the sensing element is determined by the fact that the Coin obscures the light beam from the light source that normally falls on the photocell. That from the photocell The output signal, which indicates the presence of a coin, is used to start the driver 16.

The coin 28 shown with a dashed line reaches the coin track 12, where it is brought into the vicinity of the coin driver 16. The laif track 12 forms the bottom of a coin channel 29 and serves as a support for the coin 28. The driver 16 shown in FIG. 1 is of the type with a linear stator in which a magnetic field progresses linearly over the length of the driver at a speed which is determined by the frequency of the supplied current and by the geometry of the pole arrangement of the driver. Suitable coin drivers are described in more detail in U.S. Patent 3,701,405.

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ben, so they are only briefly described below.

An electrically conductive coin that moves relative to a magnetic field has a due to eddy currents induced magnetic field. The induced field reacts with the linear drive field to move the coin along the channel to accelerate. The coin is accelerated along the channel 29 to a speed that depends on the acceptance ratio of the coin and the relationship between the chord dimensions of the coin and the driver geometry. The magnetic susceptibility of the coin is also a factor affecting its speed. These Speed determines the trajectory of the coin through space after it has reached the end of the runway or taxiway 12 has left. Since all coins of a given denomination have essentially the same trajectories, they are placed at the opening or mouth of the special receptacle 7, 8 or 9 for the respective nominal value recorded. Any other coins or objects that do not represent acceptable coins, do not have the correct trajectories for receipt by one of the containers and therefore do not fall into the mouth of the container. They are received by a reject container 6 which holds them or returns to the buyer or customer. Sensing elements 51 to 53 indicate the arrival of acceptable coins. Your signals can be processed to calculate the total amounts, to return change, to initiate a sale of goods or other issuing reactions to bring about upon receipt of the desired amount.

An arrangement of sensing elements as shown below in connection Described with Fig. 2, provision can be made to check the chordal dimension of each coin, and preliminarily below one of several acceptable nominal values

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to be classified tentatively according to their tendon dimensions. The value of the frequency or the current of the driver can be selected according to the nominal value, under which the coin is tentatively classified in order to increase the difference in strength with which coins of different denominations are driven. If necessary, signals from the sensing element arrangement be used to actuate stops in the mouths of containers 7, 8 and 9, to prevent coins from entering all containers except the one corresponding to face value, under which the coin is provisionally classified.

The embodiment described above can, although it is structurally simple, with great accuracy Sort coin acceptance and denomination discrimination at high speed. With a linear magnetic Drivers with an active area that is approximately 12 1/2 cm (approximately 5 ") long can experience coin accelerations of over 12 g can be achieved. The acceleration of the coins away from the runway, of course, causes a quick release the runway for the next coin. As a result, coins can be easily sorted just as quickly, how they are fed by gravity. With a special feed technology, sorting speed Achieve rates of over 6000 coins per minute. Multi-compartment incline feeders, the coins convey in a periodic sequence, or additional magnetic drivers that in the form Arranged by branches of a tree can be used to absorb the above a simple incline feed path in order to increase the output capacity for even greater sorting speeds as fair as possible. Vibrating or shaking input feed paths contribute to an even coin

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flow at.

Tre iber excitement s-EssenefreguLenzem ,, the fcofear than the 60 Hz, which is norncal in the USA, can be used for higher speeds can be sent. About drivers can be operated with selectable drive values, about sorting sicii slower moving coins of lower conductivity, such as five cent pieces, too accelerate. As each rivets ferroaoagne ti cal coin face value results in a different trajectory the coins of each currency system thereby, from one another separately «earth the appropriately arranged collecting container to be provided «

The degree of differentiation between genuine coins depends on the tolerance permitted for the trajectory. The mouths of the inlet containers are dimensioned in such a way that they accept genuine coins with little clearance, but interfere with coins that are too large to be genuine or Coins whose trajectory differs from the normal trajectory for a real coin. The mouths of the acceptance containers form "acceptance windows ¹¹¹ " acceptance windows can be arranged at any point along the trajectory and have the shape of a dimensioned opening, pins or the like arranged at a precise distance from one another. Ba the deviation of real coins from the average or normal trajectory for the respective denomination is around -2%, a slight play in the acceptance window can be used to reject dubious coins. The reliability of the rejection of non-genuine coins is extraordinarily high with a relatively narrow play in the acceptance window »

Fig. 2 is to another embodiment of the invention

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directed. A group of sensing elements 31, 32 and 33 is assigned a simple logic circuit, an initial preliminary experimental determination or classify the denomination of the coin based on a chordal dimension of the coin. the initial nominal value classification is done by closing one or more of the sensing elements 31, 32 and 33, which can be photocells and interact with light sources (not shown). The sensing elements are at an angle between coin runway 12 and end wall 19 and each is so arranged that it should go straight through the coin with the smallest acceptable diameter of one of the respective acceptable face diameter is obscured when the coin includes both the runway 12 and the end wall 19 touched. One or more of the sensing elements 31, 32 and 33 also serves as a presence sensor to detect the arrival of a coin. The sensing elements check the diameter of the coin and the logic circuit determines for which of the preselected allowable Coin denominations the coin is large enough.

A number of acceptance windows can be used, for example, with the help of retractable pins or the like can be provided in a number of trajectories. However, below is a Device with one or more acceptance windows a single Stellofoah described.

Two pens, which are at a distance from each other, are selected from a group based on the pre-classification, either through fixed pins 41 and 42 or through the fixed mouth of a container or through solenoid actuated retractable pins 43 and 44 are formed. The pens chosen are like this

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arranged that they receive a window of acceptance from an appropriate Form the dimension through which the trajectory of an acceptable coin passes “Unacceptable Mints have trajectories or diameters that cause such coins to hit the pins and rebound so that they are rejected. The spacing of the acceptance window pins is designed to be straight there is sufficient play to accept genuine coins reliably and reject unacceptable coins.

The appropriate retractable acceptance window pin 43 or 44 is selected based on the preliminary denomination classification and the driver 16 is then electrically driven by an amount which is a function of this initial Determination is chosen. The values of the driver drive are determined, for example, by the choice of the Frequency or the current amplitude chosen to the rate of change and the strength of its magnetic field to be chosen so that the speed of the coin communicated if it is genuine, which means that it passes through the acceptance window for the face value, under which the coin has been provisionally classified. If the coin is genuine and the appropriate one Face value, its trajectory is such that the coin touches the chosen pair of pins in the group 41-44 moved past and freely into a receptacle 5, in which a sensing element 50 can operate to generate an output signal indicative of receipt of a indicates acceptable coin. The preliminary nominal value classification based on the chord dimension is therefore confirmed and accepted the coin. To ensure the uniformity of the top speed, the Driver 16 are operated briefly in reverse, whereby the

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Coin is propelled against the end wall 19 before being propelled forward in the coin acceleration direction will. This initial driver reversal has the effect of rebounding or causing the Gravity induced initial speed is turned off and it is ensured that all coins start at zero speed at the start end of the taxiway.

The way in which the inFig. The device shown in FIG. 2 can best be used in conjunction with a set of coins of three denominations, for example for the 5-cent, 10-cent and 25-cent coins. Those shown in FIG Sensing elements 31, 32 and 33 are arranged so that they are just obscured by 10-cent, 5-cent and 25-cent coins will. These three are acceptable ratings for this example. The sensing element 31 serves as a coin presence sensor, since it is obscured by an acceptable coin. The sensing element 31 is with the driver start regulator 106 and connected to the driver drive selector 60. The sensing elements 3 2 and 33 are with a logic circuit 25, the outputs of which determine which, if any, of pins 43 and 44 is to be withdrawn, which outputs are also inputs for the driver drive force selector 60.

When the coin covers all three sensing elements 31-33, the logic circuit 25 initially determines that the coin is likely a 25 cent piece and draws both pins 43 and 44 return to an acceptance window of the size suitable for a 25-cent piece between the fixed pins 41 and 42. The logical one Circuit 25 also gives a signal which is a 25 cent

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Piece represents to the driver drive force selector 60. The selector 60 provides a power output level for the Driving the driver 16 at a value suitable for a 25 cent piece. Assuming that the Coin is a true 25 cent piece and that it is potentially acceptable, the driver of the coin divides the correct one Speed with so that it enters freely between the fixed pins Hl and 42 and into the container 5, to activate the sensing element 50.

Referring now to Fig. 3, a stationary linear driver is for generation for use in conjunction with the first and second embodiments described above a moving magnetic field. A linear motor is a conventional cylindrical stator Similar to a two-phase motor that is slotted and flattened along a radial plane. As shown in Fig. 3, such a driver 16 has two rows of coils, a first row of coils 82 and 8 4 and one second row with coils 86 and 8 8. Although only two coils per row are shown, a larger one is used Number of coils per row preferred, especially for the embodiment in which at different speeds should be driven. The coils are protruding around a low carbon steel driver core 90 Pole pieces or core fingers 9 2 to 95 wound around, extending in the longitudinal direction of the desired coin migration are at a distance from each other. On the side of the coin carrier track 12 opposite to the driver 16 a magnetic shunt 98 is provided to minimize the overall magnetic resistance. The magnetic shunt can be formed by a plate made of low carbon steel. in the In the case of a high flux density, it is desirable that the core 90 be made of laminated steel.

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To create the effect of a moving magnetic field, adjacent fields must be out of phase with each other. Fig. 3 shows a circuit used for Ereeugung a phase shift of about 90 ° between adjacent pole pieces 92 to 95 is suitable. As can be seen the first row of coils 82, 84 is wound alternately, i.e. ^ the coil 82 is around in a counter-clockwise direction the pole piece 92 is wound around while the coil 84 is wound around pole piece 94 in a clockwise direction. The second row of coils 86, 88 are similarly alternately wound, i.e. the coil 86 is in Wrapped counterclockwise around the pole piece 93 while coil 88 is wound around pole piece 95 in a clockwise direction.

Either the first row or the second row of coils can optionally be connected directly to a source of one individually periodically changing current can be connected, for example to a power source 100 for a chopped Direct current or a single phase sinusoidal alternating current, e.g., through an AND gate 102 and an AND gate, respectively 104, which are controlled by signals from the start control circuit 106. When a single-phase sinusoidal alternating current is used, the two rows are connected in parallel through a capacitor 108, thus making the capacitor will come in series with the row of coils that is not directly switched on. The condenser 108 results in a phase shift of 90 between the two rows of coils. Because of the reverse winding direction adjacent coils within a row and the phase shift between the coil rows caused by the capacitor 108, an effective magnetic field migration in one direction is obtained. For example, if is to a point in time the polarity of the first coil 82 is a north pole, the polarity of the coil 86 is a north pole + 90 °,

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the polarity of the coil 84 is a south pole and the polarity the coil 8 8 is a south pole + 90 °. The thrust direction of the driver 80 can be determined in a simple manner reverse j that the just blocked AND gate is made conductive and vice versa. This enables a reversal the pushing direction to ensure the uniform conditions for the coin start described above bring about.

In order to get proper coin speeds, it is preferable to have the driver 16 on the same one each time Point in the supply current waveform. on in this way the resulting coin speed does not depend on the particular point in time at which the Coin is first exposed to the magnetic field of the driver. The zero crossing detector 109 has the task of Determine zero crossing of the drive current in the direction that gives the desired initial polarity. The zero crossing detector 109 comprises a saturation amplifier, a diode, a differentiating circuit for Choice of the desired transition direction and a current impulse relay, which is triggered by the output of the differentiating circuit is operated.

Claims :

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Claims (1)

P a ten t claims Iy procedure for checking authenticity and face value of coins, characterized in that a coin dimension is checked and the coin under one is tentatively classified from several acceptable denominations according to the coin size, a traveling magnetic field is generated so that the force of the field drives the coin, causing it it throws off the end of a coin carrier, which coin is only accepted if it has a trajectory which corresponds to that of a coin of the face value under which the coin is provisionally classified has been. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a chord dimension of the coin is checked and the Coin is tentatively classified according to its chord dimension. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the value of a property of the magnetic field is chosen according to the face value under which the coin has been provisionally classified, 30988470556 4 ". The method according to claim 3, characterized in that that the mentioned property is the rate of change of the magnetic field. 5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that said property is the strength of the magnetic field is. 6. The method according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that that the value of the property is chosen so that all acceptable coins are replaced by an or multiple acceptance windows can be thrown at a single point. 7, method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that that an acceptance window in the trajectory it is provided that it corresponds to that of coins of the face value below which the coin is provisionally has been classified, whereby the coin is only accepted if it has been accepted by the aforementioned acceptance office passes through. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that that the magnetic field is initially set in motion in a direction that is the direction of the coin ejection is opposed to bring the coin to a stop, and then that Field is brought to migrate in the direction of the coin toss. 309884/0556 233-076 9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that that the desired coins are sorted according to their characteristic trajectories. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the coin initially becomes a Stop is directed and the coin dimension is checked while stationary at the stop '. 11. Apparatus for checking the authenticity and denomination of coins, characterized by a device for the preliminary classification of a coin under one of several acceptable denominations the coin dimension, which classifier emits a signal which the dimension indicates under which the coin has been provisionally classified, a means for producing a traveling magnetic field used to drive the coin and remove it from the end of a coin carrier to throw in a trajectory, and a device which forms an acceptance window in the trajectory, which Coins of the face value under which the coin has been provisionally classified. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the device forming an acceptance window is at least a movable barrier in the area in which coins are thrown and means to move the lock, whereby for the operation of the The last-mentioned movement device is controlled by the signal from the classification device isrt. 309884/0556 13. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, characterized by a device based on the signal from the Classifier responds to select a value of a property of the magnetic field. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the value selection device has means for selecting the change speed of the magnetic field. 15, device according to claim 13, characterized in, that the value selection device means for selecting the size of the field generating device supplied Has performance. 16. The device according to claim 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that that the value selection device is used to select a value of a property of the magnetic field such that at least two types of desired coins are thrown in trajectories passing through a or multiple acceptance windows in one place get lost. 17. Device according to one of claims 11-16, characterized in that the device for generating a wandering magnetic field is a linear stator. 18, device according to claim 17, characterized by a 309884/0556 AC power source, a starting regulator for connecting the AC power source to the linear stator, and a zero crossing detector so switched is that the power source is monitored and switched so that the starting device is started. 19, device according to claims 11-18, characterized in that that a stop above the coin carrier upstream of the device for generating a moving magnetic field is arranged. 309884/0556 90 Blank page