EP0470587B1 - Elektronischer Münzprüfer - Google Patents

Elektronischer Münzprüfer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0470587B1
EP0470587B1 EP91113239A EP91113239A EP0470587B1 EP 0470587 B1 EP0470587 B1 EP 0470587B1 EP 91113239 A EP91113239 A EP 91113239A EP 91113239 A EP91113239 A EP 91113239A EP 0470587 B1 EP0470587 B1 EP 0470587B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coin
testing device
switch
control means
sensor
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP91113239A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0470587A3 (en
EP0470587A2 (de
Inventor
Klaus Dipl.-Ing. Meyer-Steffens
Gerhard Dipl.-Ing. Schlichting
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.)
Crane Payment Innovations GmbH
Original Assignee
National Rejectors Inc GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by National Rejectors Inc GmbH filed Critical National Rejectors Inc GmbH
Publication of EP0470587A2 publication Critical patent/EP0470587A2/de
Publication of EP0470587A3 publication Critical patent/EP0470587A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0470587B1 publication Critical patent/EP0470587B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an electronic coin validator according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Electronic coin validators which usually carry out digital processing and control of the data and functions, have at least one sensor on a test track, which checks the passing coins with regard to their nature, such as material, thickness, diameter, mint pattern, etc., as a rule Several sensors assigned to a test track so that a number of different coin values can be checked for authenticity with great certainty.
  • the test section is followed by a so-called coin switch, which is closed in the rest position and directs a coin coming from the test track into a return channel. In the open position, the coin goes into an acceptance channel.
  • the mostly electromagnetically operated acceptance gate is reset after switching to the acceptance channel when the accepted coin has passed the gate.
  • a time delay circuit is provided which moves the acceptance gate back to the closed position when a predetermined time has elapsed.
  • Another possibility is to provide a presence sensor behind the acceptance gate which responds when it is passed by a coin. This ensures that the acceptance gate is not reset until the coin has actually passed through the acceptance gate.
  • a coin acceptor accepting several coins is often designed as a money changer at the same time. Coins of different values are sorted according to the authenticity check and can be issued specifically for the purpose of returning change. The coins are usually stored according to the coin value in tubes or tubes into which the coins enter.
  • a sorting switch is connected between the sorting device, which directs the coins into the tubes, for example, and the acceptance switch. which directs the coins to the sorting device in the closed position and to the cash register in the open position. If a coin tube is filled, the accepted coin is expediently directed directly into the cash register.
  • electronic coin validators work with electronic data processing. Coins that come into the authenticity area as a result of the authenticity check are recorded, classified and processed by value and quantity, so that a proper settlement of the overpaid sum and the output of the desired goods or the like takes place.
  • the course of the coins within the authenticity range is usually not completely monitored for reasons of effort.
  • the incoming real coins are usually sorted into tubes. The data acquisition therefore assumes that real coins reach the tubes. If a coin tube is filled, a full sensor can indicate that additional coins may no longer be stored, so that the coins automatically go to the checkout. This can also be determined and taken into account in a data acquisition. If, on the other hand, bent or soiled coins are sent to the cash register because their duration is too long, this cannot be determined. The accounting system is therefore faulty.
  • the term assigned to the coins to be sorted must not be too short in the known coin validator, since otherwise too few coins will get into the tubes. Rather, the term is to be chosen so that the longest term of a real unimpaired coin leads to storage in the coin tube. For security reasons, each term is appropriately a surcharge granted. However, this makes the total processing time relatively long, since it is applied to every coin regardless of how quickly it actually reaches the sorting device. In the known coin validator, the follow-up rate with which coins can be checked and processed one after the other is therefore relatively small.
  • the invention has for its object to provide an electronic coin validator with a sorting device with which a high level of security is achieved.
  • a speed measuring device is assigned to the test track, which measures the speed of the coins in the test track.
  • the speed measuring device can be implemented, for example, by two sensors which are arranged at a distance from one another on the test track. The time that the coin takes from the first to the second coin sensor is a measure of the speed. Since several test sensors are usually arranged on the measuring section, these can be used for the speed measurement.
  • the sorting switch is controlled by the control device as a function of the measured speed.
  • the control is such that an incoming real coin is directed into the sorting device in any case depending on its speed.
  • soiled or sticky coins may take a longer time to run, but sorting these coins into the sorting device and dispensing them for the purpose of returning change are not difficult. Only heavily soiled or significantly deformed coins can cause problems. However, they can be mechanically prevented from continuing to run into the sorting device.
  • the control device keeps the acceptance gate closed when the speed of a real coin falls below a lower limit. Such coins are therefore - although genuine - not accepted, but directed into the return channel. Accordingly, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the control device keeps the acceptance gate closed when the speed of a real coin exceeds an upper limit.
  • the sorting time is therefore directly adapted to the speed of the respective coin and is therefore optimal.
  • the throw-in rate is therefore optimal.
  • the invention enables a high sorting security for the data acquisition. Real coins usually go to the sorting area and only to the checkout immediately if a coin store is full.
  • the full sensor can therefore assume three different states, namely an inactive one in which a coin does not pass the sensor.
  • the other state is the delivery of a short impulse when passing a coin.
  • the sensor When the storage tube is full, the sensor remains active as long as there is a coin in the detection range. However, it can happen that the fill level of a storage tube is very close to the response level and the fill level sensor is temporarily activated by movements in the coin column. A corresponding output signal from the level sensor can be incorrectly interpreted by the control device as an indication that a coin has been sorted into the storage tube. If a coin is controlled in the sorting but does not arrive or the level sensor gives a continuous signal, it is not clearly recognized whether the coin has arrived in the tube.
  • a further presence sensor can be provided behind the sorting gate, which gives an impulse to the control device when it registers a coin.
  • the presence sensor shows the control that a coin has entered the cash register despite the sorting switch previously set. The presence sensor therefore improves monitoring and registers the entry of a coin into the cash register.
  • the coins After being deflected by the sorting switch into the sorting device, the coins require a certain time until they are completely stored in the assigned storage tube. During this time, a new coin can already be inserted and processed.
  • the preferred embodiment therefore provides a control option according to which the control device resets the sorting switch to the open position and generates a release signal for the coin validator when a predetermined time has passed after the registration of a coin by a presence sensor after the sorting switch.
  • the coin validator shown schematically in FIG. 1 has a mechanical part 10, the functional units of which are controlled by a microprocessor 12.
  • the mechanical part 10 contains a coin insertion slot 14, which is followed by a coin track 16.
  • An inserted coin 18 runs along the track 16 and passes two sensors Cp1 and Cp2, the outputs of which are connected to the microprocessor 12.
  • the sensors Cp1, Cp2 can be conventional authenticity sensors. They can also be purely presence sensors that generate a signal when a coin passes.
  • the authenticity check which is usually carried out in such coin validators, is not to be discussed in detail. This is state of the art.
  • the electromagnet 22 is controlled by the microprocessor 12.
  • the acceptance switch 20 is normally in the closed position, so that a coin striking it is deflected to the left into a return channel 24.
  • the switch 20 is open, the coin arrives at a first sorting switch 26, which is actuated by a magnet 28, which in turn is controlled by the microprocessor 12.
  • Coins passing through the sorting window 32 enter a central storage tube 34, while coins rolling past the window 32 enter a left storage tube 36.
  • a second sorting switch 38 which is actuated by a magnet 40 which is controlled by the microprocessor 12. In the closed position, the second sorting switch 38 directs a coin to a right coin tube 42. In the open position, the coin arrives in an acceptance channel 44, which is directed to the cash register (not shown).
  • a third coin sensor Cp3 is located between the acceptance gate 20 and the first sorting gate 26.
  • a fourth coin sensor Cp4 is assigned to the acceptance channel 44.
  • So-called full sensors Vm, Vr and Vl are assigned to the storage tubes 34, 36, 32. The sensors mentioned are all connected to the microprocessor 12. They generate a signal when a coin is in the detection area or moves through it.
  • An inserted coin 18 generates a pulse when passing the sensors Cp1 and Cp2, which in FIG Time diagram are reproduced.
  • the time tx is therefore the time that a coin needs between the sensors Cp1 and Cp2.
  • the size of the time is a measure of the running speed of the coin. If a coin is qualified as fake, the coin switch 20 remains closed and the coin is rejected. If the coin is classified as genuine, the acceptance gate 20 is opened and the coin can pass through the acceptance gate 20 and arrives at the sorting gate 26 switched to the closed position 26, which was previously in the open state.
  • the presence sensor Cp3 detects the entry of the coin in this area and generates a corresponding signal for the microprocessor 12, which then brings the acceptance gate 20 back into the closed position.
  • the sorting switch 26 remains closed for a time which is n times tx.
  • n is an empirically determined value and is, for example, 5.5.
  • n times tx is the time that a coin needs after leaving the test section until it is completely sorted into one of the coin tubes.
  • the time tx depends on the running speed of the coin. A coin can run at different speeds depending on the mechanical deformation and contamination. A coin that runs more slowly therefore requires a longer sorting time. This is taken into account in that the sorting gate 26 remains closed for a correspondingly longer time ensure that the coin actually runs to the storage tube.
  • the sorting switch 38 which sorts into the coin tube 42. In this case, when the coin is accepted, which is to be stored in the storage tube 42, the sorting gate 26 is opened.
  • the transit time tx between the sensors Cp1 and Cp2 can also be determined empirically, in particular a lower and an upper value can be specified, which are, for example, 90 and 170 ms, respectively. If the runtime is less than 90 ms, it can be assumed that there has been manipulation, for example by a blow to the coin validator, which accelerates the run of the coins. Since a correct coin check cannot be carried out in this case, the microprocessor 12 ensures that an acceptance is not made even if an authenticity signal is generated. The acceptance gate 20 therefore remains closed. It remains closed even if the maximum value of 170 ms is exceeded. This value indicates that the coins are extremely slow-moving, for example mechanically deformed. They are also rejected, even if they are found to be genuine by the test sensors.
  • the presence sensor Cp3 brings the acceptance switch 20 back in the closed state when the presence of a coin is determined.
  • the sorting switch 26 or 38 is switched back to the open state after the time n times tx.
  • the fill level or full sensors Vl, Vm and Vr generate a short pulse when they are sorted into the storage tubes 34, 36, 42 (see FIG. 2), which is given to the microprocessor 12.
  • the latter can thus register that a coin has actually been sorted into a storage tube.
  • the sensors V1, Vm and Vr serve to indicate when the tubes are filled.
  • the sorting switches 26, 38 remain open and incoming real coins enter the acceptance channel 44 and from there to the checkout.
  • the presence sensor Cp4 registers that a coin has actually been fed into the cash register.
  • the fill level in a storage tube is very close to the full level and temporarily excites the corresponding full sensor.
  • this can also be a signal that reflects the insertion of a coin into a tube.
  • the presence sensor Cp4 is used to make a clear distinction here and thus a sorting security. Registered If the coin enters the cash register at the same time, the signal from the associated full sensor is suppressed.
  • the sequence rate of the coins to be inserted one after the other is determined by the sorting time in the coin validator described.
  • the follow-up rate can be increased if a next real coin can be fed to the sorting area during the last section of the sorting. This can be done using the presence sensor Cp3. This not only registers the entry of a coin into the sorting area, but also determines when a coin has left the sensor. At this point he is on the way to the assigned coin tube. If a predetermined time is provided from this point in time, which is shorter than the final sorting time, the entry of a further coin into the sorting area can be permitted after this period, which means that the sorting switch 26 temporarily into the opening and then back into the Closed position has been adjusted.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Testing Of Coins (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
EP91113239A 1990-08-10 1991-08-07 Elektronischer Münzprüfer Expired - Lifetime EP0470587B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4025328 1990-08-10
DE4025328A DE4025328A1 (de) 1990-08-10 1990-08-10 Elektronischer muenzpruefer

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0470587A2 EP0470587A2 (de) 1992-02-12
EP0470587A3 EP0470587A3 (en) 1993-05-12
EP0470587B1 true EP0470587B1 (de) 1995-04-05

Family

ID=6411972

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91113239A Expired - Lifetime EP0470587B1 (de) 1990-08-10 1991-08-07 Elektronischer Münzprüfer

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0470587B1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
DE (2) DE4025328A1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
ES (1) ES2072493T3 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2275532A (en) * 1993-02-25 1994-08-31 Mars Inc Coin handling apparatus
DE19836468C2 (de) * 1998-08-12 2000-08-17 Nat Rejectors Gmbh Münzgerät mit durch Elektromagneten betätigter Annahmeweiche
DE19956412A1 (de) * 1999-11-24 2001-06-07 Harting Vending Gmbh & Co Kg Verfahren zur Rückgabe von in einen Warenverkaufsautomaten eingeworfener Münzen

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE787128A (fr) * 1971-08-16 1972-12-01 Mars Inc Discriminateur de pieces de monnaie
US3797628A (en) * 1972-03-17 1974-03-19 Little Inc A Device and method for testing coins employing velocity determining means
US4106610A (en) * 1976-06-07 1978-08-15 Mars, Incorporated Coin apparatus having multiple coin-diverting gates
GB2042783B (en) * 1979-02-19 1982-12-08 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co Sorting coin
CH647608A5 (de) * 1980-04-28 1985-01-31 Sodeco Compteurs De Geneve Verfahren und einrichtung zur echtheitspruefung von muenzen.
EP0146251B1 (en) * 1983-11-04 1992-08-12 Mars Incorporated Coin validators
JPH0534060Y2 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) * 1987-10-08 1993-08-30

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0470587A3 (en) 1993-05-12
DE4025328A1 (de) 1992-02-13
EP0470587A2 (de) 1992-02-12
DE4025328C2 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1993-04-22
ES2072493T3 (es) 1995-07-16
DE59105091D1 (de) 1995-05-11

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