EP0766209B1 - Collecting and dispensing device for round data carriers, e.g. coin shaped transponders, to free a blocking device for persons or vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispensing device has a main shaft (4) for transporting the tokens under their own weight between a supply container (2) and a delivery point (6), with a side shaft for returned tokens communicating with the mnain shaft at a point above the delivery point. An ejection device allows tokens from either shaft to be diverted to a collection container (16), with a controlled blocking element (10) allowing the token in the main shaft to be held while variable data is recorded on it via a data recording device. The side shaft communicates with the main shaft at a point below the blocking element.

Description

The invention relates to an input and output device for round data carriers, for example coin-shaped transponders, for releasing a locking device for people or vehicles,
with a main shaft for transporting the data carriers under the influence of gravity from a storage container for data carriers down to a removal point,
a side shaft, which extends from an insertion opening arranged above the removal point down to the main shaft,
an ejector for transferring the data carriers from the main or side shaft into a collecting container,
a controlled lock that can be moved into the cross-section of the main shaft,
and a writing unit for transferring data to the data carrier in each case at the lock, the transferred data including at least one characteristic variable which differs from data carrier to data carrier and a time variable, the side shaft opening into the main shaft below the lock.

An intake and dispensing device with this combination of features is out DE 44 00 744 A1 in connection with the use for actuating a Parking barrier of a parking garage or a parking lot known. The Main shaft is provided with a controlled lock around the main shaft continuous, coin-shaped data carriers at times at one measuring point hold. At the measuring point is a stored on the data carrier Read the identification code and the run-in time, the date and the station number transfer the data carrier for this purpose via a built-in storage element features. The disk itself is arranged from an above Storage containers are transferred to the main shaft as soon as a vehicle the parking barrier is approaching. As soon as the one carried out at the measuring point Data exchange with the data carrier is completed, the lock is released, and the disk comes under the influence of gravity Withdrawal point, where it can be removed by the user by hand.

The known device can also be used as a return station for the person concerned Data carriers are used. A side shaft is provided for this purpose from a drop opening arranged above the removal point down to extends to the main shaft. If the user enters a disk in the Inserted, the disk moves into the main shaft, where he in turn by means of the controlled lock in the area of the measuring point is temporarily stopped. Returned media are included checks whether the user has previously made a fee payment, such as long ago this fee was paid, etc. If all criteria are met, the lock is released, causing the disk to be in an extension of the Main shaft arranged collecting container falls.

Furthermore, DE 94 07 260 U1 discloses an embodiment in which a main shaft and a secondary shaft merged below a barrier are. However, data media inserted in the secondary shaft will not be attached to the Lock held open and checked, but removed to the stock.

A disadvantage of the intake and dispensing device according to one of the two mentioned publications is that data carriers only then the storage container can be removed and transferred to the main shaft if within the system, it is certain that the next machining operation will be issue a new coin-shaped disk. Because before this step first, it must be clear that the next processing step is neither a Disk to be withdrawn, for example, a Long-term users of the system one only to be checked and then disc to be reissued. This can lead to a relatively long time Processing times between successive blocking or Release processes are coming.

The invention is therefore based on the object of shortening the time periods between successive blocking or release processes.

To solve this problem , an intake and dispensing device with the features of claim 1 is proposed.

In this way it is possible in the area of one located in front of the lock Always have a data carrier ready, and possibly already to describe with different characteristics. Is part of the subsequent processing of these data carriers is not retrieved, but a data carrier intended for permanent use in the opening given, the new data carrier that is available remains for the time being in its waiting position in front of the lock, while parallel to that over the Inserted data carrier inserted processed and, if necessary, to the Permanent user is returned. The release of the lock and thus the release of the prepared data carrier only takes place if it is replaced by a suitable one Signal of the user is certain that this is the output of a new disk wishes to enter the cordoned off area, e.g. in a parking lot or in a Parking garage.

Because always in the area of the writing unit and the controlled lock a data carrier is kept ready, there are very short periods between successive blocking or release processes. In particular it is possible while the new data carrier is ready in the area the writing unit can already program it with some key data. As soon as the data medium is then called up, it only takes place the programming of the missing time and, if necessary, the Date, so that particularly fast processing times between successive blocking or release processes can be achieved.

The intake and dispensing device has means to Check for the existence of a data carrier within the main shaft, and in the case of an empty main shaft a new data carrier from the Transfer the storage container to the main shaft.

With a configuration of the device, a second controlled lock proposed that can be moved into the cross section of the side shaft, and a reading unit or reading and writing unit for at the second lock attached data carrier. In this way, data carriers can be read and If necessary, also overwrite that via the opening in the Side shaft. This makes a review returned Data carriers possible, and furthermore a check of such data carriers on repeated use by permanent users.

Furthermore, a control device for the presence of a data carrier proposed at the point of withdrawal. Via an internal system timer it is determined whether a newly issued data carrier has a certain Period was not removed. If this is the case, the disk can be removed Transfer to the collection container using the ejector.

A further control device for the presence is also proposed of a data carrier in the area of the opening. This control device signals the input and output device that a data carrier reaches the device via the opening, and therefore in the frame no new data medium can be output during this processing operation should. Furthermore, the control device allows the second one, in the side shaft Switch on the arranged lock.

To eject both one in the main shaft and one in the side shaft to allow the existing data carrier, the boundary walls main and side chutes formed on two parallel plates that briefly separate from each other to operate the ejector and create an ejection chute between them. separate Ejectors for the main shaft and side shaft are not in this way required, so that a particularly simple structure with a low Number of moving and therefore maintenance-intensive parts results.

The lower boundary walls can be used to simplify the ejection of the data carriers of the main and side chute bevelled transversely to the running direction his.

Finally, in a preferred embodiment of the device, it is proposed that that the writing unit has two successive transmission stages has, of which the first transmission stage that of data carriers to data carrier different characteristic, and the second transfer stage the time size on the disk writes that the first transfer stage is activated as soon as a new data carrier at the first lock is present, and that the second transmission stage is activated as soon as a person / a Vehicle in the detection area of a with the input and output device connected signal device arrives.

Fig. 1

in einer vereinfachten Ansicht eine Einnahme- und Ausgabevorrichtung für münzförmige Datenträger und

Fig. 2

eine geschnittene Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1.

Further details and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. In it show:

Fig. 1

in a simplified view an input and output device for coin-shaped data carriers and

Fig. 2

2 shows a sectional side view of the device according to FIG. 1.

The intake and dispensing device shown in the drawing can can be used in various ways within the framework of access authorization controls. Recreational facilities and swimming pools, public, should be considered Buildings, security areas etc. The most economically significant application exists in the area of access control of Parking lots and parking garages. The other technical steps are carried out accordingly Explanations regarding the use of the intake and dispensing device in a paid parking garage with one entrance and exit controlling barrier system.

It is already known, instead of the rectangular parking cards used earlier Use round disc media. These coins are with an electronic component and in particular a storable chip provided, for which the term "transponder" is also common.

Such data carriers in the form of coins 1 are within the revenue and dispenser in a storage container 2 kept in stock.

In the exemplary embodiment, the coins 1 are with their flat sides in the storage container 2 stacked. Other options also exist, e.g. the Separation of the coins in a rotating drum. The one at the bottom Coin 1 gets into an inclined shaft by means of a slide 3 forms the main shaft 4 of the device. When the coin was introduced 1 in the main shaft 4 ensures that the coin 1 is in an upright position arrives in which it along the lower boundary wall 5 of the main shaft 4 can roll.

In order to enable a low-friction and at the same time stable guidance of the coin 1, are the dimensions of the main shaft 4 to the dimensions of the Coin 1 adjusted, i.e. this slides with little play between two sides Boundary walls of the main shaft 4. The main shaft 4 extends down at an angle to an extraction point 6 with one for the user manually accessible removal opening. One in the form of a stationary Arranged trained trained stop 7 ensures that the coin 1st Stable in the area of the tapping point 6 without completely out of the device falling out. The coin 1 can rest against the oblique stop 7 can be easily gripped by hand, as they are about 2/3 from the main shaft 4 protrudes, and is easy to grasp in this way.

In the main shaft 4 opens a side shaft 8, which extends from one above the removal point 6 arranged drop opening 9 down to the Main shaft 4 extends. Here, the side shaft 8 opens from above in the main shaft 4. Also inside the side shaft 8 is a the insertion opening 9 added coin 1 rolling and under the influence of Gravity transports.

The cross section of the main shaft 4 can be by means of a first lock 10, and the cross section of the side shaft 8 by means of a second lock Lock off 11 so that a coin can no longer pass through and on the Lock 10 or 11 adjacent, in a defined reading or writing position arrives. In Fig. 1 it is shown how both at the first lock 10 of the Main shaft 4, as well as at the second lock 11 of the side shaft 8 one coin 1 is applied. The coin is in this waiting position in the effective area of a side of the respective shaft 4.8 arranged Writing or reading unit 12. Each of the two waiting positions before the first Lock 10 and the second lock 11 are each a write or read unit 12 assigned. The write or read units are designed as antennas, and enable data exchange with those in the chip Coin 1 stored data. These can be queried, deleted or overwritten become.

The locks 10, 11 can each be actuated separately via electromagnets 13. The arrangement and shape of the locks 10, 11 is such that they each can only block their own shaft 4.8, but the passage of the Do not obstruct coin 1 through the other shaft 8.4. This is the second lock 11 arranged as far up in the side shaft 8 that a unimpeded passage of coins 1 through the main shaft 4 is possible. Conversely, the first lock 10 is arranged so far above in the main shaft 4, that a coin 1 freely from the side shaft 8 in the Enter main shaft 4, and can continue to roll in this. This is achieved by the side shaft 8, seen in the transport direction of the main shaft 4, opens into the main shaft 4 below the first lock 10.

The side shaft 8 is designed S-shaped to prevent the Throw-in opening 9 through the second lock 11 or an adjoining one Coin 1 can be manipulated.

A first sensor 14 is located in the area of the removal point 6 the insertion opening 9 a second sensor 15. By means of these sensors 14, 15, e.g. can be designed as light barriers, it can be determined whether there is a coin 1 in the area of the withdrawal point 6 or the insertion opening 9 is located.

Finally, the device is provided with a collecting container 16 which is located below the main shaft 4. Get into the collecting container 16 such coins 1 ejected from the main shaft 4 or side shaft 8 become. This is the main shaft for the realization of the ejector 4 and the side shaft 8 housing two parts with a first Plate 17 and a second plate 18 parallel thereto. Of the four boundary walls each of main shaft 4 and side shaft 8 three boundary walls are formed as channels in the first plate 17, while the fourth boundary wall through the flat and on the first plate 17 adjacent second plate 18 is formed. The lower boundary wall 5, on which the coins 1 roll, is shown in FIG. 2 lets, in the form of a transverse to the direction of incline 19 is formed.

To eject a coin, you can usually touch one another Separate plates 17, 18 by means of an electromagnet 20, the Separation gap slightly exceeds the thickness of the coin 1. By separating the second plate 18 from the first plate 17 lose main shaft 4 as well Side shaft 8 its a side boundary wall, so that one located therein Coin 1 slips over the slope 19 and through the separating gap 21 falls into the collecting container 16. This applies in the same way to one the first lock 10 adjacent coin 1, as well as for one on the second Lock 11 adjacent coin 1. Furthermore, one also arrives at the withdrawal point 6 located coin 1, as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1, by Rolling along the inclined stop 7 into the collecting container 16, as soon as the ejector is actuated by separating the two plates 17, 18.

The method by which the infeed and dispenser operates runs as follows:

The lowest coin 1 from the storage container 2 reaches the main shaft 4 and is held there by the first lock 10. Using the writing unit 12 becomes a characteristic of the parking garage in the data memory of coin 1 Characteristic variable and at least one further characteristic variable, by Coin to coin is different, registered. The further parameter can e.g. be a consecutive numbering. Time quantities, i.e. the date and the current time are not yet programmed. This readiness coin 1 continues until the coin is used by a parking garage user, who wants to drive into the parking garage with his motor vehicle, is retrieved. The parking garage user actuates a and output device arranged button, whereby first a control command is triggered, and the writing unit 12 the missing time variables, i.e. the date and the current time in the data memory of the ready coin 1. After programming the Coin is completed, the electromagnet 13 attracts so that the first Lock 10 releases the main shaft 4, and the coin 1 to the point of withdrawal 6 rolls. There it is removed by the parking garage user, whereupon the barrier opens. The coin 1 can be removed by means of the first Determine sensor 14. The barrier also opens depending from the signal of this first sensor 14. Immediately after removal of the The coin becomes a new coin from the storage container 2 in the main shaft 4 transferred, this new coin in the manner already described in the readiness for the first lock 10 arrives, and there through the Writing unit 12 is described with the parameters.

It sometimes happens that a coin is requested, but then from is not removed from the parking garage user. In this case it will expire a time interval of 20 seconds, for example, the electromagnet 20 is activated, and actuated the ejector. The coin 1 then rolls under Gravity along the stop 7 in the collecting container arranged below 16th

Before leaving the car park, coin 1 is used by the car park user return after paying the parking fee due in advance has been. For this purpose, the coin is inserted into the opening by the parking garage user 9 inserted from where the coin 1 along the side shaft 8 to in front the second lock 11 rolls. The second sensor 15 is used in the system found that a coin was returned. Waiting in front the second lock 11 is by means of the read or write unit arranged there the record of the coin is read out. Within a processing unit the data read out in this way are stored centrally compared and in particular checked whether an identifier about the payment the parking fee is included. It is also checked whether a predetermined one Waiting time between a payment process carried out at a pay machine and the exit time has been observed. It is also possible in this waiting position all those stored in the coin 1 data memory Delete data. If the tests mentioned are positive, they are carried out actuation of the electromagnet for the second lock, so that this releases the side shaft 8. The ejector is actuated almost simultaneously, so that the coin falls into the collecting container 16. The barrier is opened so that the motor vehicle can leave the parking garage.

It turns out when reading out the record of coin 1 that the parking fee was not paid, was not paid in full or was paid too long ago, the second lock 11 is also released, but without simultaneous Operation of the ejector. In this case, the coin 1 passes through the Side shaft 8 and the main shaft 4 to the removal point 6. At the same time the parking garage user is shown on a display why the exit not possible.

The intake and dispensing device is also suitable for processing of coins as used by long-term parkers. The data store this coin is provided with an additional record that the special Character of these coins shows. Need coins for long-term parking not to be reprogrammed every time you park, rather, it is only necessary to identify such a coin query to check their validity. For this, the long-term parker pushes without pressing the request button, put his coin in the Insertion opening 9, so that this along the side shaft 8 in front of the second Lock 11 arrives, and is queried there by the reading unit. runs this query is positive, the second lock 11 is released, whereby the Coin along the side shaft 8 and the main shaft 4 to the Tapping point 6 arrives. It is taken there by the long-term parker, whereupon the barrier, activated by the sensor 14, opens.

If it turns out that the permanent parker's coin does not accept a corresponding message to the appears on the display User. In this case, the barrier remains closed.

A particular advantage of this method is that the processing of the Coin of a long-term parker can take place while a coin 1 is in the standby position before the first lock 10. Using the device described in front of the access barrier of the parking garage must Therefore, you do not have to wait within the system first to determine whether the next processing step in issuing a new coin or checking the A long-term parker coin exists. Rather, after each emptying of the Main shaft 4 immediately removed a new coin from the storage container 2, and brought into readiness before the first lock 10, so that the first characteristic data is immediately stored in the data memory of coin 1 can be. The periods between successive blocking or approval processes can be minimized in this way.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Disk, coin

2

reservoir

3

pusher

4

main shaft

5

boundary wall

6

sampling point

7

attack

8th

side shaft

9

deposit slot

10

first lock

11

second lock

12

Writing or reading unit

13

electromagnet

14

first sensor

15

second sensor

16

Clippings

17

first plate

18

second plate

19

slope

20

electromagnet

21

separating gap

Claims (9)

1. Collecting and dispensing device for round data carriers, e.g. coin-shaped transponders, to free a blocking device for persons or vehicles,
   with a main compartment (4) for transporting the data carriers (1) under the influence of gravity from a storage container (2) for data carriers down to a removal point (6),
   a side compartment (8), which extends from an insertion opening (9), arranged above the removal point (6), down to the main compartment (4),
   an ejector (17, 18, 20) for transferring the data carriers (1) from the main compartment (4) or side compartment (8) into a collecting container (16),
   a controlled barrier (10), which can be moved into the cross section of the main compartment (4),
   and a writing unit (12) for transferring data onto the data carrier (1) respectively lying against the barrier (10), the transferred data comprising at least an identifying variable, which differs from data carrier to data carrier, and a time variable, the side compartment (8) opening out below the barrier (10) into the main compartment (4),
   characterized by
   means (12, 14) for checking the presence of a data carrier (1) within the main compartment (4) and for transferring a new data carrier (1) from the storage container (2) into the main compartment (4) in the case of an empty main compartment (4).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized by a second controlled barrier (11), which can be moved into the cross section of the side compartment (8), and also a reading unit or reading and writing unit for data carriers (1) lying against the second barrier (11).
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the first barrier (10) exclusively blocks the main compartment (4) and the second barrier (11) exclusively blocks the side compartment (8).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a monitoring device for the presence of a data carrier (1) at the removal point (6).
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that, by actuation of the ejector (17, 18, 20), a data carrier (1) located at the removal point (6) passes into the collecting container (16).
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a further monitoring device for the presence of a data carrier (1) in the region of the insertion opening (9).
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bounding walls of the main compartment (4) and side compartment (8) are formed on two parallel plates (17, 18), which can be briefly separated from each other by the actuation of the ejector and thereby form between them an ejection compartment (21).
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the lower bounding walls (5) of the main compartment (4) and side compartment (8) are bevelled transversely to the running direction.
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the writing unit (12) has two transfer stages following each other in time, of which the first transfer stage writes the identifying variable, which differs from data carrier to data carrier, and the second transfer stage writes the time variable onto the data carrier (1), in that the first transfer stage is activated as soon as a new data carrier (1) lies against the first barrier (10), and in that the second transfer stage is activated as soon as a person/a vehicle enters the sensing area of a signal device connected to the collecting and dispensing device.

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