EP0119006B1 - Dispositif pour le traitement de pièces de monnaie - Google Patents

Dispositif pour le traitement de pièces de monnaie Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0119006B1
EP0119006B1 EP19840300811 EP84300811A EP0119006B1 EP 0119006 B1 EP0119006 B1 EP 0119006B1 EP 19840300811 EP19840300811 EP 19840300811 EP 84300811 A EP84300811 A EP 84300811A EP 0119006 B1 EP0119006 B1 EP 0119006B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coin
coins
gate
gates
actuator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19840300811
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0119006A1 (fr
Inventor
Derek Hutchinson
Peter Reginald Johnson
Peter Maurice Stallwood
Kim Thomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mars Inc
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Mars Inc
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Publication date
Priority claimed from GB08303370A external-priority patent/GB2135096B/en
Application filed by Mars Inc filed Critical Mars Inc
Priority to AT84300811T priority Critical patent/ATE27070T1/de
Publication of EP0119006A1 publication Critical patent/EP0119006A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0119006B1 publication Critical patent/EP0119006B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D3/00—Sorting a mixed bulk of coins into denominations
    • G07D3/14—Apparatus driven under control of coin-sensing elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F5/00—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
    • G07F5/24—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks with change-giving

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a coin handling apparatus.
  • coin is used herein to cover not only genuine coins, but also tokens, slugs and other items of similar shapes and/or sizes to genuine coins.
  • the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to coin handling apparatus which includes means for storing coins, and especially means for storing and dispensing coins of one or more particular denominations.
  • Such means are commonly provided for receiving coins from a validator and subsequently dispensing the coins as change in, for example, vending machines, gaming machines and machines specifically designed solely for change-giving purposes.
  • US-A-3916922 describes several embodiments of coin handling apparatus, one of which comprises a succession of gates for sorting coins.
  • the first sorting stage comprises a single gate which segregates acceptable and non- acceptable coins.
  • the second sorting stage comprises two individually controllable gates for sorting the acceptable coins into three paths, and the third sorting stage comprises three gates having a common actuator for sorting the acceptable coins received from the second stage into six separate paths. If a coin container at the exit of one of these paths is full, then coins which are normally destined for that container are instead diverted at the second sorting stage to an alternate path.
  • Another problem with this prior art arrangement is that there is no provision for delivering those coins which are normally sent to storage containers to respective, individual cashboxes when the associated containers are full.
  • a coin handling apparatus comprising a plurality of supply passages each for supplying coins to a first passage or a second passage, each supply passage having a gate so that coins for the supply passage enter the first or the second passage depending upon whether the gate is in a first or a second position, a common actuator for said gates, the common actuator having a first state in which all said gates are in their respective first positions and a second state in which all said gates are-in their second p osi- tions, and control means responsive to receipt by the apparatus of a coin for determining, in accordance with at least the type of the coin, the state to be adopted by the actuator and for controlling said actuator in such a manner that the actuator is in that state for at least a predetermined period sufficient to ensure that the coin enters the appropriate one of the first and second passages, characterised in that the apparatus is arranged such that the interval separating the arrival of first and second coins .
  • the control means is arranged to ensure that in those circumstances, if either the first or second coin is of a type resulting in a determination that the second stage of the actuator is to be adopted, then that state is adopted for at least said predetermined period irrespective of the type of the other coin.
  • Such an apparatus can handle coins rapidly using an inexpensive gate arrangement driven by a single actuator.
  • the invention has uses in a variety of areas, but is particularly useful for a coin storage assembly in which the first passages lead to respective containers, and the second passages to alternative destinations used when the containers are full. Giving priority to the routing of coins to second passages might result in one or other container filling more slowly than it would otherwise, because occasionally a coin intended for that container will instead be delivered to the respective second passage, but this is of no practical disadvantage.
  • the gates are shifted toward the position for delivering coins to the second passages in sufficient time to ensure that the second coin is in fact delivered correctly.
  • the gate By the time the first coin reaches the gate, the gate could be fully shifted to the position at which coins are delivered to the second passage, or could be in an intermediate position.
  • the destination of the first coin may therefore be indeterminate, but because it was originally intended for the container, and as mentioned above there will be no disadvantage in delivering it to the second passage, this does not matter.
  • the gate is controlled in such a manner that it is ensured that the first coin enters the second passage.
  • the gate is preferably then left in that position so that the second coin goes into its second passage, unless the spacing between the coins is such as to ensure that there is adequate time to shift the gate to its other position before arrival of the second coin.
  • the second coin might go either to the container or to the second passage, but again this is not of any practical disadvantage.
  • each gate preferably has a coin deflecting surface which is arranged so that it is in the path of coins, and thus deflects them, in order to direct the coins to the first passage, and is out of the path of the coins when they are to be delivered to the second passage so that they can proceed to that passage without deflection by the gate.
  • the gate is preferably such that it is pivoted for movement between its first and second positions, and the axis of the pivot is upstream of the gate's coin deflecting surface.
  • the common actuator is arranged so that they gates are all in the position in which they allow coins to enter the second passages when the actuator is de-energized.
  • All the containers may be provided with a gate operated by the common actuator, or alternatively there may be a group of the containers associated with the gates operated by the common actuator, and one or more other containers having gates operated by one or more other actuators.
  • a preferred arrangement according to the invention is concerned with improving the rate at which coins can be handled.
  • a separation means directs coins to respective supply passages in accordance with the coin types
  • the control means is arranged so as to prevent a subsequent coin from being sent to the separation means until a predetermined interval has elapsed from the separation means having received a preceding coin, the interval being dependent upon the type of the preceding coin and/or the type of the subsequent coin.
  • the maximum coin handling rate may thus vary in dependence upon the types of coins being handled. It is therefore possible to optimise the handling rate in accordance with the physical structure of a coin separating means.
  • the apparatus may be arranged such that successive coins of the same denomination, which are routed through the separation means in the same manner, are allowed to be sent to the separation means at a faster rate than coins of different denominations, which are routed in a different manner which may require more time, e.g. for operating gates.
  • the maximum rate at which coins are sent to the separation means may be controlled by causing a coin to be rejected instead of being sent to the separation means if it is received within a predetermined interval of a preceding coin being sent to the separation means. It would be possible alternatively to delay the subsequent coin until the end of the predetermined interval, and then send it to the separation means.
  • a convenient way of implementing this aspect of the invention would be to generate, each time a coin is sent to the separation means, an inhibit signal having a period which determines the maximum rate at which coins can be handled by the apparatus. Any further coins which are received during that interval are not permitted to pass to the separation means. At the end of that - interval, there will be a second predetermined interval in which only a coin of one or more selected types, the selection depending upon the nature of the coin which has already been sent to the separation means, would be delivered to the separation means. To determine whether a coin may be sent to the separation means during this interval, each coin may have assigned to it a code, referred to herein as a "block code", This would be determined in accordance with the path taken by that coin through the separation means. The code would indicate which coins could subsequently be sent to the separation means during the second interval referred to above.
  • any type of coin is permitted to be sent to the separation means.
  • This arrangement is particularly useful in coin handling apparatus which incorporates storage means for storing coins of different denominations.
  • control means is operable to cause the actuator to adopt its second state in response to the appearance of a predetermined condition, and is operable to reduce temporarily the maximum rate at which coins can be handled by the apparatus in response to the disappearance of said predetermined condition in order to allow sufficient time for the gates to be moved to their first positions before a subsequent coin arrives at the gates.
  • the predetermined condition may be a signal indicating that the coins in a storage means exceed a predetermined amount, e.g. that the storage means is full or nearly full. This may be provided by a level sensor. Preferably, the reduction in the maximum coin handling rate occurs in response to the level sensor indicating that the storage means is no longer full or nearly full.
  • the reduction in the maximum rate can be achieved by delaying a coin or preferably by rejecting it.
  • by rejecting a single coin enough time is provided to allow the gates to adopt the state in which subsequent coins are sent to the appropriate destination.
  • the gates are arranged in the manner set out above in order that jamming does not occur when they move from one position to the other position, coins can very rapidly be sent to the gates, and the flow of coins switched between the two destinations without jamming occurring.
  • jamming is avoided because the control means allows adequate time for the switching to occur before allowing a further coin to reach the diverting means, and when the flow is switched in the other manner jamming does not occur because of the structure of the gate.
  • control means could be arranged so as to prevent, for a predetermined interval, further coins from being presented to the gates on both the appearance and the disappearance of the detection output. This however is not preferred, because it slightly reduces further the effective rate at which the coins are handled.
  • the coin handling apparatus includes means operable, each time a coin is delivered to a reject path because of the existance of one of a plurality of predetermined conditions, to generate a data signal the content of which is indicative of which said predetermined conditions exists.
  • the data signal may be provided at an output for delivery to a device for processing and/or storing the signal.
  • the coin handling apparatus itself may include means for storing the signal, and preferably for storing a plurality of such signals.
  • the signal provides an indication of why a coin has not been delivered to its correct destination. It is envisaged that this particularly useful for providing, in an apparatus which has been found repeatedly to reject more coins than would normally be expected, an indication of why such rejection occurs.
  • the handling apparatus may be arranged so that coins are rejected if it is discovered that gate-operating solenoids are not receiving sufficient power, if an inhibit signal has been generated because a sensor in the apparatus has detected that a previously-accepted coin has remained in the coin path, because a host machine in which the apparatus is installed is for some reason generating an inhibit signal, and for various other reasons. If the apparatus repeatedly provides a signal indicating that rejection has occurred because of e.g., the first of these conditions, this will provide an immediate indication to anyone servicing the machine as to the general area in which a fault in the apparatus may lie. Accordingly, fault diagnosis is made much easier.
  • the coin handling apparatus 100 comprises a validator 102, a separator 104 and a coin storage assembly 106.
  • the assembly 106 forms the subject of EP-A-119712.
  • the validator receives coins via a hopper 108 and validates them using coils at a testing station 110.
  • the apparatus is intended for use with five different types of coins, referred to herein as types A, B, C, D and E.
  • types A, B, C, D and E are five different types of coins, referred to herein as types A, B, C, D and E.
  • type B is in fact a coin-like token.
  • an accept gate 112 is opened so that the coin enters a main entrance path 114 of the separator 104.
  • the coin is then routed in the separator 104 in a manner to be described more fully below, and is then delivered to an appropriate one of several entrances of the coin storage assembly 106. If the validator 102 finds an inserted coin to an unacceptable, the accept gate 112 remains closed and the rejected coin delivered via a path 116 to a further entrance of the coin storage assembly 106.
  • the paths taken by the respective coins A to E and the rejected coins F are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the coin storage assembly 106 is illustrated more fully in Figures 3 and 4.
  • Coins which are intended to be stored in the assembly 106 are delivered thereto via respective supply passages 4 of the separator 104.
  • the assembly 106 of the present embodiment comprises a plurality of, and in this particularcase four, storage units 6.
  • Each unit 6 has a storage space 8 for storing a stack 10 of coins received from a supply passage 4, a secondary passage 12 which can also receive coins from the supply passage 4, and an additional passage 14.
  • the stacked coins in the storage space 8 can be dispensed one at a time by a dispensing mechanism generally indicated at 16. This mechanism forms the subject of EP-A-118233.
  • Coins from a supply passage 4 are normally delivered to the storage space 8, but if the storage space is full they are instead delivered to the secondary passage 12, which leads to a cashbox.
  • each secondary passage 12 leads to an individual cashbox. Instead, they could all lead to a common destination (e.g. a single cashbox), and indeed there could be a single large secondary passage 12 into which coins from all the passages 4 can be led, instead of separate, individual passages 12.
  • a gate 18 determines whether the coins from a respective supply passage 4 go to the storage space 8 or the secondary passage 12.
  • Some additional passages 14 receive coins from respective separator passages 20. These coins may be of a denomination which the apparatus is not required to dispense, and the coins may be routed by the additional passages 14 to individual cashboxes, or a common cash- box.
  • the additional passage 14 of one of the units 6 is used to route the coins F which have been rejected by the validator 102 to an exit slot for retrieval by the user of the apparatus; thus, the separator passage 20 for this unit corresponds to the passage 116 of Figure 1.
  • Each unit 6 is formed in two longitudinal halves.
  • Figure 4 shows the left-hand half of one of the units. Each half is formed by injection moulding.
  • the storage space 8 is cylindrical, and has a diameter which is slightly greater than that of the coins intended to be stacked in the space.
  • the coins from the supply passage 4 reach the storage space 8 via an entry 22.
  • the entry 22 comprises a narrow space 24 between a wall 26 of the separator 104 and a ledge 28 at the upper end of an inner wall 30 of the storage unit.
  • the shape and size of the space 24 are such that coins can pass through the space only if they are travelling edge-first.
  • the coin 50 is supported in a generally upright, but inclined orientation with its centre of gravity located over the stack 10.
  • An inwardly-inclined, flat upper edge 54 of an outer wall 56 of the storage unit assists in guiding the coin 50 to this orientation.
  • An inductive sensor 52 is mounted in the separator in such a position that it will be in proximity to the face of the coin 50. The sensor 52 is able to detect the presence of coin 50 which indicates that the storage space 8 is full, which detection is reliable because the position of the last coin to enter the storage space is predetermined by the configuration of the entry 22 in cooperation with the stack 10.
  • the upper edge of the coin 50 will no longer be supported by the ledge 28, and the coin will then fall directly facedown on the top of the stack.
  • the sensor 52 will thus indicate that the space 8 is no longer full.
  • the gates 18 of the four storage units 6 are all mechanically connected together, and indeed may be integrally formed.
  • the gates all have a common actuator, which is a solenoid 60.
  • the gates are all pivoted about a common axis 62 located near the upper ends of the gates.
  • the gates 18 adopt the positions shown in phantom in Figure 4. In this position, the gates do not obstruct the travel of the coins from the supply passages 4, which therefore all fall into the respective secondary passages 12.
  • the operation of the apparatus is such that there may be occasions upon which a coin originally intended to go to the storage space 8 arrives at the gate 18 while the gate is moving away from the position shown in solid lines in Figure 4.
  • the coin may be deflected into the entrance 22 of the storage space 8, or be allowed to enter the secondary passage 12. It is possible also that the cain could come to rest on top of the edge 28 of the wall 30. In this case, however, the next time the solenoid 60 is energized, the gate 18 will knock the coin toward the storage space 8 (which is the originally-intended destination of the coin). Accordingly, the arrangement ensures that no jamming or overfilling of the coin storage space 8 will occur.
  • the various paths taken by the respective coins A to E and the rejected coins F are illustrated.
  • the coins A to E pass the accept gate 112 in order to reach the main entrance path 114 of the separator 104.
  • the coins pass a detector 120, known as a "post-gate strobe", the output of which is used for timing purposes as will be described more fully below.
  • the separator 104 has a routine gate 122 which remains closed when the incoming coins are of type A or B. These coins thus roll down an upper ramp 124 of the separator 104.
  • the ramp 124 has a slot which permits only coins B to pass therethrough, so that the coins A and B are separated and sent to respective storage units 6.
  • Each of the coins A and B can pass into a respective storage space 8 or secondary passage 12 depending on the position of a respective gate 18.
  • the gate 122 is opened so that the coins drop onto a lower separator ramp 126.
  • a window at the side of the ramp and a slot in the bottom of the ramp separate the coins C, D and E.
  • the coins D and E which are not required for dispensing, are led to additional passages 14of respective units 6, which deliverthe coins to one or more cashboxes.
  • the coins C are led to a gate 18 over one of the storage units 6 so that the coins C can be directed either to a storage space 8 or a secondary passage 12.
  • the rejected coins F are directed to an additional passage 14 in an otherwise-unused coin storage unit 6.
  • FIG. 5 shows in schematic form the circuit of the coin handling apparatus.
  • the circuit comprises a control unit 200 and a coin validator circuit 202.
  • the control unit 200 includes a microprocessor 204, e.g. a mask-programmed Intel type 8048. This is connected via an input/output bus 206 to an interface unit 212.
  • the interface 212 receives from the validator 202 on lines 214 an accept signal Acc which indicates that a valid coin has been received, and signals indicating which of the types A to E the valid coin belongs to.
  • the interface 212 delivers to the validator 202 on line 216 a master inhibit signal MI which terminates the accept signal Acc if the latter is presently being generated, and prevents the validator from generating a further accept signal Acc while the signal MI is present.
  • MI master inhibit signal
  • the interface 212 receives a signal from the post-gate strobe detector 120, and signals from pay-out sensors 218.
  • Each of the pay-out sensors is mounted beneath the respective dispensing mechanism 16 of a coin storage unit 6 to detect when a coin has been paid out by the dispensing mechanism.
  • the interface 212 sends strobe signal on lines 220 to actuate respective ones of the sensors 52 shown collectively at 222, and receives on line 224 an output signal indicating the state of the respective sensor which has been actuated by a strobe signal.
  • the interface 212 also sends signals on lines 226 to the solenoid 60 of the gates 18 and the solenoid used to actuate the routing gate 122. These solenoids are shown collectively at 228.
  • the interface 212 also serves the function of actuating the solenoid 230 of the accept gate 112 in response to the accept signal Acc.
  • the coin handling apparatus is installed in a host machine, in this particular case a gaming machine, to which the circuit is connected via output lines 232 and input lines 234.
  • the output lines 232 deliver to the host machine various information, including information indicative of the types of coins which the apparatus as a whole has accepted so that this information can be used for accumulating a user's credit count.
  • the information also includes "diagnostic" information which will be described more fully below.
  • the input lines 234 carry signals which can be used to inhibit the acceptance of any one of the five coins A to E.
  • This inhibiting operation by the host machine may be desirable in certain circumstances; for example the machine may be arranged to inhibit acceptance of high-value coins if there are insufficient low-value coins to pay out the correct change.
  • Figures 6 and 7 respectively show a main program loop and a timing chart for the microprocessor 204.
  • Figure 7 illustrates the overall operation of the circuit on receipt of a valid coin. It should be noted that this chart applies when a single coin passes through the coin handling apparatus, and when the coin requires operation of both the routing gate 122 and the diverter gate 18.
  • the validator circuit 202 is similar to that described in GB-A-2093620, and generates a power-up signal Pu in response to the arrival of a coin in the validator.
  • the power-up signal terminates as the coin leaves the testing station 110 of the validator.
  • the validator generates the accept signal Acc, assuming that the coin has been tested and found to be valid.
  • the accept signal results in the solenoid 230 operating the accept gate 112, so that the coin falls past the post-gate strobe detector 120, which thus generates a strobe signal STB.
  • the microprocessor 204 is operable, after the power has been turned on, to execute an initialisation routine 250 and then repeatedly to circulate through a main program loop indicated generally at 252.
  • the program successively checks "status 1", "status 2" and “status 3" flags at steps 254, 258 and 262, and if any is set a respective program routine 256, 260 or 264 is executed. The program then executes a routine indicated at 266 before re-entering the program loop 252.
  • an interrupt routine responds to the signal Acc by causing an 'accept' timer to be started, setting various registers in accordance with the desired routing of the coin, and setting the status 1 flag. The latter operation will cause the program routine 256 to be executed each time the program executes the main loop 252.
  • the microprocessor checks the strobe signalSTB from the detector 120, and if it is determined that a coin is adjacent the detector 120, the status 1 flag is reset and the status 2 flag is set. The program section 256 will thus no longer be entered during the next execution of the main program loop.
  • the program section 256 determines that the "accept" timer has timed out before the signal STB indicates the presence of a coin, it is assumed that a fault has occurred and a reject routine is executed. This routine involves clearing the status 1 flag and issuing the master inhibit signal MI which prevents the validator from accepting further coins for the present. Also, the microprocessor 204 delivers to the host machine on lines 232 a code indicating that rejection has occurred because of a timeout of the accept timer.
  • the program section 260 will be entered each time the main loop is executed. This section causes the generation of the master inhibit signal MI so that the accept signal Acc is terminated and no further coin can be accepted for the present.
  • the program section 260 also monitors the strobe signal STB. If during the execution of this program section the strobe signal STB indicates that there is no longer a coin adjacent the detector 120, the status 2 flag is cleared and the status 3 flag set.
  • the subsequent repeated execution of the main program loop then causes the status 3 program section 264 to be executed.
  • timers are checked in order to control the routing gate 122 and the diverter gates 18.
  • the status 3 program section 264 also causes a coin output signal to be delivered to the host machine for a predetermined duration, this signal indicating the type of the accepted coin, and further causes a "block signal" to be generated for a predetermined block period.
  • the status 3 program section is operable also to clear the status 3 flag after a predetermined time. Subsequent execution of the main program loop will then result in all three status flags being found clear, and the program will then proceed to step 266 before recirculating.
  • the step 266 is executed in orderto check certain timers, including one which, when it times out after a period T1, terminates the master inhibit signal MI, and another which, if an incoming coin is of an appropriate type, times out after a period P1, at which point the routing gate 122 is operated.
  • the step 266 is also executed to perform various "housekeeping" tasks, such as communicating with the host machine, etc.
  • the operation of the microprocessor is periodically interrupted at regular intervals, so that the program flow is temporarily switched to an interrupt routine shown in Figure 8 before returning to the main program loop.
  • This interrupt is generated by a timer internal to the microprocessor 204.
  • the main purpose of the interrupt routine is to update various memory locations used as timers within the microprocessor 204, to check the sensors 218 and to execute a coin acceptance program routine if an accept signal Acc has been received from the validator 202.
  • the various timers are updated, and one of the sensors 52 is checked, at step 300.
  • the sensors 52 are checked in succession, one each time the interrupt routine is executed.
  • step 301 the program checks whether the Acc signal is present. If not, the interrupt routine terminates. Otherwise, the program proceeds to step 302, where the status 1 flag is checked. If this is not set, the program proceeds to the coin acceptance routine, which starts at step 303.
  • the coin data from the validator which indicates the type of coin received is checked and the coin type noted.
  • the microprocessor checks whether the detector 120 detects the presence of a coin. This should not occur under normal operation of the machine, and therefore if a coin is detected it is assumed that a faulty operation has occurred and the program proceeds to the reject path 310 to prevent further coins from being accepted.
  • the program checks whether an external inhibit signal from the host machine or an internally-generated inhibit signal is present, and in either case if a signal is present the program proceeds to the reject path 310.
  • the program compares the data representing the type of the coin with a previously- stored block code. This is done by logically combining a code representing the coin type with a block code. Depending upon the result of the logical comparison, the program either enters the reject path 310 or proceeds to block 312. A more detailed explanation of the step 308 is given below.
  • the program starts the accept timer, which was referred to above.
  • step 314 is executed to determine whether the incoming coin is of type D or E. These are the coins which are sent to additional passages 14 in the coin storage units 6. If the coin is either of these types, the program proceeds to step 316. At the latter step, the program stores a signal representing that the normally-open routing gate 122 and the diverter gates 18 need not be operated. The program also stores a coin data code representing the coin type, and looks up in a table a "block code" associated with the coin, and stores that block code for use during a subsequent execution of step 308, i.e. when a further coin has been accepted by the validator 202. These codes will eventually be cleared at the end of the block period shown in Figure 7.
  • step 314 the program determines whether the appropriate storage space 8 for that coin (which would be of type A, B or C) is full. If so, the program proceeds to step 320. This is similar to step 316, except that in this case the operation of the routing gate 122 will be dependent upon whether or not the coin is of type C. If it is not, the operation of the routing gate 122 is required, and the program starts the timer which times the period P1 shown in Figure 7.
  • step 318 If the appropriate tube is not full, as indicated by the output of the respective sensor 52, the program proceeds from step 318 to step 322.
  • the coin data code for the previously-accepted coin is used in step 322 for determining whether a coin of type A, B or C is currently being routed to the cash-box. As mentioned above, this code is automatically cleared after a certain time, so that a positive answer will be obtained only if the succeeding coin arrives within a predetermined interval of the preceding coin being directed to the cashbox.
  • step 324 This is similar to step 320, except that in this case it is desired that the incoming coin be directed to the appropriate one of the coin storage spaces 8, so that the program stores an indication that the diverter gates 18 are to be operated.
  • step 322 If, on the other hand, it is determined that a coin of type A, B or C is currently being routed to the cashbox, the program proceeds from step 322 to step 326. At this point it is determined whether the preceding coin is of the same type as the coin which has just arrived.
  • step 326 will be reached in either of the following two conditions:
  • step 330 in which the status 1 flag is cleared and the status 2 flag is set.
  • the clearing of the status 1 flag means that the coin acceptance routine starting at step 303 will not be entered until a further coin causes a new accept signal Acc to be generated.
  • the reject path 310 proceeds to a step 334, and as a consequence of reaching this step the microprocessor issues the master inhibit signal for a predetermined time to prevent any more coins from being accepted during this interval, and clears any registers which are used to determine the operation of the gates and to store the coin and block codes.
  • the microprocessor is caused to output on lines 232 a code indicative of the reason for rejection. For this purpose, an appropriate code is stored in a register before the main reject path 310 is reached, the storing operation occurring at one of steps R1 to R5 depending upon the reason for rejection.
  • the validator circuit 202 is so arranged that, having determined that an incoming coin is acceptable, it will not accept any further coin until the leading edge of the strobe signal STB. It will then be prevented by the control unit 200 from validating further coins for the period of the master inhibit signal MI.
  • the microprocessor 204 After a coin has been accepted and up until the end of the block period, the microprocessor 204 stores the block code and the coin data code for that particular coin.
  • the coin data code may be a five bit code having only one bit set, that bit corresponding to the coin type.
  • coin type A may be represented by coin data 00001, B by coin data 00010, etc.
  • the block code also has five bits, each bit representing a particular coin type.
  • the block code is determined for a particular coin in accordance with the structure of the separator. After receiving the coin in question, there will be certain coins which the separator can thereafter handle very quickly and the bit in the block code corresponding to each of these coins is reset. The remaining bits are set.
  • the coin data code for the coin type C is 00100. If a coin of type C has been handled by the separator 104, a coin of type D or E can be thereafter handled very quickly, because neither of these requires operation of the gate 122 or any of the gates 18. Accordingly, the block code for the coin C is 00011, which indicates that any coin except those of types A and B can be handled very quickly after a coin of type C.
  • step 308 of the status 1 routine block code of the previously-accepted coin is ANDed with the coin code of the newly-arrived coin. If the result of this is zero (as would be the case if a coin of type C were followed by a coin of type C, D or E), the program proceeds to step 312. If the result is not equal to zero, this indicates that the subsequent coin is not of a type which can be handled very rapidly after the preceding coin, and therefore the program proceeds to the main reject path 310.
  • the block period shown in Figure 7 is restarted if a coin is sent to the separator during the period B1. Accordingly, if coins are repeatedly sent to the separator in quick succession, the block period will be continuous.
  • the period B1 is sufficiently long in relation to the preceding period in which coins are prevented from being sent to the separator, there is a possibility that a third coin will be sent to the separator during the period B1 established by the first coin.
  • the period B1 could be so long that there is sufficient time within that period for a second coin to arrive, for the period B1 established by the second coin to be established, and for a third coin to arrive and be directed to the separator before the time at which the period B1 established by the first coin would have expired.
  • the problem is avoided by arranging, each time a block code is stored, for that block code to be ORed with the presently stored block code.
  • the block codes for the first and second coins would be ORed, and the resultant code compared in step 308 with the coin data code for the third coin.
  • the third coin would therefore only be sent to the separator if its routing would not interfere with either the first or the second coin.
  • the program step 266 shown in Figure 6 is repeatedly executed during and after the status 1, status 2 and status 3 periods, any decision-taking made during those program sections can be altered during subsequent execution of the main program loop. This is particularly important in that it allows a change in the routing of a coin in response to changes in the present conditions of the apparatus.
  • the program step 266 includes a routine for checking the statuses of the sensors 52. If a storage space 8 receives a coin of a particular type which causes the storage space to be full, and a coin of the same type has just been received, an initial decision to direct the coin to the storage space can be altered so that the coin is instead directed to the cashbox.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Claims (20)

1. Appareil pour la manipulation de pièces de monnaie, comportant une pluralité de passages d'amenée (4) servant chacun à amener des pièces de monnaie dans un premier passage (24) ou dans un second passage (12), chaque passage d'amenée (4) comportant une porte (18) de sorte que des pièces de monnaie arrivant du passage d'amenée (4) pénètrent dans le premier ou le second passage (24 ou 12) en fonction du fait que la porte (18) se trouve dans une première ou une seconde position, un actionneur commun (60) pour lesdites portes, l'actionneur commun (60) comportant un premier état, dans lequel l'ensemble desdites portes (18) sont dans leurs premières positions respectives, et un second état, dans lequel l'ensemble desdites portes sont dans leurs secondes positions, et des moyens de commande (200) sensibles à la réception, par l'appareil, d'une pièce de monnaie pour déterminer, en conformité avec au moins le type de la pièce de monnaie, l'état devant être adopté par l'actionneur (60), et pour commander ledit actionneur (60) de manière que cet actionneur soit dans cet état pendant au moins une période prédéterminée suffisante pour garantir que la pièce de monnaie pénètre dans le passage approprié faisant partie des premier et second passages (24, 12), caractérisé en ce que l'appareil est agencé de telle sorte que l'intervalle séparant l'arrivée des première et seconde pièces de monnaie au niveau des portes (18) peut être inférieur à ladite période prédéterminée, et en ce que les moyens de commande (200) sont agencés de manière à garantir que dans les conditions où l'une ou l'autre de la première ou de la seconde pièce de monnaie est d'un type entraînant une détermination du fait que le second état de l'actionneur doit être adopté, alors cet état est adopté pendant au moins ladite période prédéterminée, indépendamment du type de l'autre pièce de monnaie.
2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens de commande (200) sont agencés de telle sorte que si ladite première pièce de monnaie est d'un type entraînant une détermination du fait que ledit second état de l'actionneur (60) doit être adopté, ledit second état est maintenu pendant une période suffisante pour garantir que chacune desdites première et seconde pièces de monnaie pénètre dans un second passage (12).
3. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les moyens de commande (200) sont agencés de telle sorte que, si les première et seconde pièces de monnaie appartiennent à des types entraînant la détermination du fait que les premier et second états respectifs de l'actionneur (60) doivent être adoptés, alors l'actionneur (60) est commuté sur le second état avant que le premier état ait été adopté pendant ladite période prédéterminée.
4. Appareil selon la revendication 3, dans lequel chacune desdites portes (18) possède une surface de déviation des pièces de monnaie, qui est agencée de manière à permettre à la première pièce de monnaie de franchir la porte (18) sans se coincer si cette porte (18) se déplace dans sa seconde position lors de l'arrivée de la première pièce de monnaie.
5. Appareil selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la surface de déviation des pièces de monnaie est agencée, lorsque la porte (18) est dans sa première position, de manière à diriger des pièces de monnaie en direction de la première voie (14) et se situe hors de la voie de déplacement des pièces de monnaie lorsque la porte (18) se trouve dans la seconde position.
6. Appareil selon la revendication 4 ou 5, dans lequel chacune desdites portes (18) est pivotée de manière à se déplacer entre ses positions autour d'un axe (62), qui est situé en amont par rapport à la surface de déviation des pièces de monnaie de ·la porte (18).
7. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant une pluralité de moyens (8) de stockage des pièces de monnaie, qui sont agencés chacun de manière à recevoir des pièces de monnaie en provenance d'un premier passage respectif (24).
8. Appareil selon la revendication 7, qui est agencé de telle sorte que chaque passage d'alimentation (4) reçoit des pièces de monnaie d'une valeur particulière, les moyens de commande (200) étant avencés de manière à commander l'actionneur (60) de telle sorte que, une fois que les moyens respectifs de stockage (8) contiennent plus qu'une quantité prédéterminée respective de pièces de monnaie de cette valeur, d'autres pièces de monnaie de cette valeur sont dirigées par l'intermédiaire de la porte respective (18) en direction du second passage (12).
9. Appareil selon la revendication 8, dans lequel chacun des moyens de stockage (8) comporte un détecteur respectif (52) servant à délivrer un signal indiquant si les pièces de monnaie situées dans les moyens de stockage (8) dépassent ou non la quantité prédéterminée respective.
10. Appareil selon la revendication 9, dans lequel les moyens de commande (200) sont utilisables pour déterminer, lors de la réception de pièces de monnaie successives par l'appareil, les états successifs devant être adoptés par l'actionneur (60) conformément au type de pièces de monnaie et aux signaux délivrés par lesdits capteurs (52).
11. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédents, dans lequel les moyens de commande (200) sont utilisables pour amener l'actionneur (60) à prendre son second état en réponse à l'apparition d'une condition prédéterminée, et sont utilisables pour réduire de façon temporaire la vitesse maximale à laquelle les pièces de monnaie peuvent être manipulées par l'appareil, en réponse à la disparition de ladite condition prédéterminée, de manière à laisser un temps suffisant aux portes (18) pour être amenées dans leurs premières positions avant qu'une pièce de monnaie suivante n'arrive au niveau des portes (18).
12. Appareil selon la revendication 11, dans lequel les moyens de commande (200) sont utilisables pour ramener une pièce de monnaie devant être délivrée à une autre voie (116) au lieu d'être délivrée à l'une desdites portes (18), afin de réduire temporairement la vitesse maximale de manipulation des pièces de monnaie.
13. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant des moyens de séparation (104) servant à diriger des pièces de monnaie vers des passages d'amenée respectifs (4) conformément aux types de pièces de monnaie, et dans lequel les moyens de commande (200) sont agencés de manière à empêcher qu'une pièce de monnaie suivante ne soit envoyée aux moyens de séparation (104) ayant qu'un intervalle prédéterminé soit écoulé, à partir du moment où les moyens de séparation (104) ont reçu une pièce de monnaie précédente, et dans lequel cet intervalle dépend du type de la pièce de monnaie précédente et/ou du type de la pièce de monnaie suivante.
14. Appareil selon la revendication 13, dans lequel les moyens de commande (200) sont utilisables, pendant un premier intervalle d'inhibition intervenant à la suite de l'envoi de la pièce de monnaie précédente aux moyens de séparation (104), pour empêcher l'envoi d'autres pièces de monnaie aux moyens de séparation (104), et sont utilisables, pendant un second intervalle d'inhibi- tion qui succède audit premier intervalle d'inhibi- tion, de manière à envoyer uniquement une pièce de monnaie d'un ou de plusieurs types sélectionnés, aux moyens de séparation (104).
15. Appareil selon la revendication 14, dans lequel les moyens de commande (200) sont utilisables pour réaliser une comparaison logique d'un code en forme de blocs, associé au type de la pièce de monnaie précédente à un code représentatif du type de la pièce de monnaie suivante afin de déterminer si ladite pièce de monnaie suivante doit être ou non envoyée auxdits moyens de séparation (104) pendant ledit second intervalle d'inhibition.
16. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant une voie de rejet (116), dans laquelle des pièces de monnaie sont dirigées en réponse à l'existence d'une condition faisant partie d'une pluralité de conditions prédéterminées, et dans lequel lesdits moyens de commande (200) peuvent agir de manière à produire, chaque fois qu'une pièce de monnaie est envoyée à ladite voie de rejet (116), un signal de donnée, dont le contenu indique celle desdites conditions prédéterminées, qui est présente.
17. Appareil selon la revendication 16, comprenant des moyens pour mémoriser ledit signal de données.
18. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les portes (18) sont agencées de manière à se déplacer sous la forme d'une unité, sans aucun déplacement relatif entre elles.
19. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les portes (18) pivotent de manière à se déplacer autour d'un axe commun de pivotement (62).
20. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les portes (18) sont réalisées d'un seul tenant.
EP19840300811 1983-02-08 1984-02-08 Dispositif pour le traitement de pièces de monnaie Expired EP0119006B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT84300811T ATE27070T1 (de) 1983-02-08 1984-02-08 Handhabungsvorrichtung fuer muenzen.

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8303370 1983-02-08
GB08303370A GB2135096B (en) 1983-02-08 1983-02-08 Coin storage assembly
GB8333857 1983-12-20
GB08333857A GB2137793B (en) 1983-02-08 1983-12-20 Coin handling apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0119006A1 EP0119006A1 (fr) 1984-09-19
EP0119006B1 true EP0119006B1 (fr) 1987-05-06

Family

ID=26285160

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19840300811 Expired EP0119006B1 (fr) 1983-02-08 1984-02-08 Dispositif pour le traitement de pièces de monnaie

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0119006B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH0772917B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE3463581D1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2137793B (fr)
HK (1) HK42992A (fr)

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EP1956107A1 (fr) * 2007-01-31 2008-08-13 Nippon Light Metal, Co., Ltd. Matériau composite d'alliage de poudre d'aluminium pour absorber les neutrons, processus de production correspondant et panier réalisé correspondant

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GB2348730B (en) 1999-04-07 2003-02-19 Mars Inc Currency handling apparatus
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0119006A1 (fr) 1984-09-19
HK42992A (en) 1992-06-19
DE3463581D1 (en) 1987-06-11
JPH0772917B2 (ja) 1995-08-02
GB2137793A (en) 1984-10-10
GB2137793B (en) 1986-06-04
GB8333857D0 (en) 1984-02-01
JPS59183483A (ja) 1984-10-18

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