EP1903510A1 - Suivi indirect du versement de pièces - Google Patents

Suivi indirect du versement de pièces Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1903510A1
EP1903510A1 EP06121224A EP06121224A EP1903510A1 EP 1903510 A1 EP1903510 A1 EP 1903510A1 EP 06121224 A EP06121224 A EP 06121224A EP 06121224 A EP06121224 A EP 06121224A EP 1903510 A1 EP1903510 A1 EP 1903510A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coin
column
canister
transfer mechanism
sensing
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06121224A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Serkan Köse
Hakan Köse
Ugur Sevilmis
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.)
Teknoloji Yatirim AS
Original Assignee
Teknoloji Yatirim AS
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 Teknoloji Yatirim AS filed Critical Teknoloji Yatirim AS
Priority to EP06121224A priority Critical patent/EP1903510A1/fr
Publication of EP1903510A1 publication Critical patent/EP1903510A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • G07D1/00—Coin dispensers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a coin delivery apparatus used along with point of sale systems in order for effecting coin delivery subsequent to a sale, the apparatus also monitoring the correctness of the delivery operation and storing relevant information.
  • a coin delivery apparatus normally comprises a coin canister the columns of which are suitable for receiving stacks of coins, each column being assigned to receive a coin stack of different denomination and a central body provided in connection with said canister and a receptacle from which users receive a relevant amount of coin in respect of the transaction.
  • Said central body typically incorporates a plurality of sensing means for monitoring movement of a coin along its exit trajectory, a microprocessor for processing information received from said sensing means and a memory medium on which an algorithm runs in order for said microprocessor executing coin delivery and processing said monitoring information.
  • the most prominent prior art document in relation to the present invention appears to be the international application WO03015038 . It is disclosed therein a device for dispensing coins, constructed with a sensor for generating a signal when a coin is dislodged from the coin canister.
  • the monitoring mechanism features a set of sensors positioned to primarily sense the very first movement of a coin, that is to say, to sense coin output from the canister by means of a flexible piezoelectric material providing the microprocessor with the relevant information concerning both the position, i.e. the relevant column, and the triggering status of the coin.
  • the flexible piezoelectric material designed in the form to be extending along the canister lower surface in the manner to be suitably located on the dispensing way for making contact with any coin being dispensed from any column provides primary data input for the microprocessor. Accordingly, the monitoring operation disclosed in the document referred to is primarily dependant to the data input by said flexible piezoelectric material. This is especially unadvantageous in that the sensing device described therein may prove to become non-functional in time due to sensitivity and calibration problems under mechanical strain.
  • the present invention proposes a substantially simpler approach utilizing cheaper and more reliable electronics to enable monitoring.
  • Coin travel is tracked by means of separate data providers each of which providing indirect data which becomes meaningful only when combined by the microprocessor.
  • a series of data groups from different providers are combined to obtain final data which is otherwise non-meaningful.
  • the coin transfer mechanism according to the present invention is also equipped with a set of coin limit value sensing means in order for the microprocessor to conduct an approximation relative to the consumption of a coin of particular denomination in the manner to run an algorithm keeping the coin transfer mechanism operable as long as possible by way of using remaining available coins without resupplying the canister. Therefore, in the event that a particular coin denomination run low or totally runs out, the mechanism will keep on operating with available resources until next time the canister is replenished.
  • the present invention brings a distinctive approach to provide simple coin tracking.
  • a coin tracking mechanism designed to be located within the canister so as to sense coin activity and therefore coin output from the canister is especially advantageous in that it is capable of providing coin output verification data in association with the canister, therefore providing a canister capable of producing tracking data itself.
  • Such a canister that provides coin activity tracking information by itself is advantageous in that it eliminates costly and time consuming maintenance operations as well as decreases system downtime period during which an operator or a maintenance person has to dismantle various parts and mechanism since separate parts are not located within a single body.
  • Primary object of the present invention is to provide a simple coin transfer mechanism utilizing cheaper and more reliable electronics to enable coin tracking.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin transfer mechanism in which coin travel is tracked by means of separate data providers each of which providing indirect data which only becomes meaningful when combined by the microprocessor.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin transfer mechanism that requires less maintenance and that fails lesser.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin transfer mechanism in which the functioning of the system provides by itself verification of sound operation.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin transfer mechanism which is capable of operating although a coin or coins of particular denominations run low or totally run out.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin transfer mechanism having a canister capable of producing tracking data itself.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin transfer mechanism which is noise free.
  • the present invention features a coin transfer mechanism used in connection with a POS terminal in the manner to provide costumers with a relevant amount of small change at the end of a transaction.
  • the mechanism is comprised of a set of sensors in order for providing coin tracking.
  • a coin passing from the lowermost level of a canister to a central body leading to a receptacle is sensed without specific column information.
  • Each column being assigned to a specific coin denomination is equipped with a solenoid mechanism at the lowermost level thereof.
  • the column information obtained from a specific solenoid mechanism is then associated with the information received from an infrared transmitter-receiver couple. When combined, the data obtained indicates specific column information along with triggering status information.
  • Another aspect of the present invention concerns a system for monitoring amount of coins in each column of the canister.
  • each column is equipped with a switch unit in order to sense amount of coin that falls below a certain value. An insufficient amount of coin in a specific column will open the related switch circuit, upon which the microprocessor will execute a session of code in result of which system operator is warned.
  • the present invention also features a canister equipped with sensing means to track coin activity and to produce output verification information. This is achieved by means of transmitter-receiver couples in the manner to communicate through a reflector element in the canister.
  • the coin transfer mechanism (11) comprises a central body (12) onto which a coin canister (13) with a plurality of columns (14) suitable for receiving coin stacks of different denominations is secured.
  • the canister (13) is designed in the form of a base body (15) and a cover unit (16) secured thereto and having longitudinal openings (17) in order for putting coin stacks in order when required.
  • the canister base (15) and the cover unit (16) are suitably shaped and joined to form a set of appropriate profile columns (14) for receiving different diameter coin stacks.
  • cover unit (16) is properly placed, only the lowermost level coins in each column (14) are allowed to exit therefrom. It is fixedly secured to the base body (15) by means of any suitable mechanical arrangement.
  • each column (16) is designed to fit into the diameter of a particular coin.
  • the column (14) diameter changes at a certain height due to presence of a set of profiles (30) in the manner to surround coins stacks from both sides.
  • the diameter being larger as from a certain level upwards allows sufficient clearance to enable alignment by finger.
  • the lowermost surface i.e. the base plane of each column (14) is given a form to enable easier coin exit in the manner to minimize friction.
  • the base plane is provided with circular openings with a diameter not smaller than the radius of said column (14) base. This arrangement serves to the purpose of letting a lowermost level coin cease contact faster with both the one level upper coin and the base below.
  • a solenoid mechanism (18) is a typical linear solenoid mechanism producing a linear force vector to strike a single coin at a time when coils thereof are energized by a microprocessor. It can be designed to provide a forward or backward striking as are respectively demonstrated in Figs. 3 and 4.
  • the switch mechanisms (19) are intended to sense amount of coin that falls below a certain value in each column.
  • a contact switch (19) in contact with a coin lateral surface portion at a predetermined level in the stack will keep a switch circuit coupled to said microprocessor closed.
  • said contact switch (19) circuit is opened and said microprocessor produces an alerting signal.
  • coin travel is tracked by means of separate data providers each of which providing indirect data which becomes meaningful only when combined by the microprocessor.
  • the first group of data provider is constituted by said solenoid mechanisms (18).
  • Those provide specific column (14) information, that is to say information with regard to the column (14) from which coin discharge occurs.
  • Coin discharge is verified by a couple of transmitter and receiver (20, 21; Fig. 6) being in communication in normal conditions.
  • a temporary communication interception occurring between said sensing means (20, 21) verifies that a coin from a given column (14) in which the solenoid mechanism (18) thereof is actuated, is dispensed.
  • triggering status information received from said couple of optical sensors (20, 21) and specific column information received from said solenoid mechanisms (18) are combined to verify transaction relevant information. Due to the indirect coin tracking mechanisms with separate units of simple electronics hereof, it is possible to reduce overall cost and providing a system requiring less maintenance and failing lesser. It is also worthy of noting that separate mechanism with simple, cheap and easily accessible electronics will let a service operator to quickly repair a coin transfer mechanism without necessarily dismantling all separate units.
  • the transmitter-receiver module (symbolically 20 and 21) located at both ends of a line at the immediate vicinity of said column (14) bases for sensing coin output thereof is a device with two parts in the form of an infrared LED and a sensor to detect its beam. When a coin passes between the transmitter and receiver, the beam is broken and the sensor produces a signal in reply. Due to the fact that a transmitter receiver module is well-known and being widely practiced in many different applications, it needs not be furthermore mentioned herein.
  • specific column information may be acquired through sensing means (22, 23) within the canister (13).
  • the canister (13) is therefore equipped with its self sensing means (22, 23) to track coin activity and to produce output verification information ready to be transferred to the microprocessor.
  • This is achieved by means of transmitter-receiver couples (22, 23) in each column, placed on two planes perpendicular to each other in the manner to communicate through a reflector element (24) at a point where said two planes intersect. Communication between the transmitter and the receiver in a full column is not possible due to presence of the uppermost level coin within the column.
  • the sensing means (22, 23) in association with the canister (14) can be of the type referred to above, i.e. a LED and a sensor to detect its beam.
  • the reflector (24) to be monitored by the photo beam sensor (23) reflects beams 90 degrees.
  • Number of remaining coins approaching to a predetermined limit value in a given column (14) is sensed by said switch mechanisms (19).
  • the data obtained enables the microprocessor to conduct an approximation relative to the consumption of a coin of particular denomination in the manner to run an algorithm keeping the coin transfer mechanism operable as long as possible by way of using remaining available coins without resupplying the canister (13). Therefore, in the event that a particular coin denomination run low or totally runs out, the mechanism will keep on operating with available resources until next time the canister is replenished.
  • Coin output is realized through a chute path (25) according to Fig. 8.
  • the chute path (25) is designed to reach a receptacle (26) from which users or costumers receive small change.
  • the coin transfer mechanism (11) may be equipped with a keypad (27) in order for accessing said microprocessor. Additionally, an LCD screen may be used to demonstrate transaction relevant information. Coin discharging operation routine may be set to require a final confirmation from system operator prior to effecting coin discharge.
  • the system may be set to dispense a coin of particular denomination instead of coins of higher denomination to use up coins of that particular denomination or simply to keep a certain amount of coin of that higher denomination available.
  • the columns (14) present in the canister (13) may vary in form and number to receive different coin sets.
  • the mechanism (11) may also incorporate a polymer based thin element (28) in a manner to be extending along the canister (13) lower surface with a plurality of movable flaps (29) in association with each column (14) on the dispensing way for making contact with any coin being dispensed.
  • the primary purpose of this latter is to absorb the noise generated by said coin discharge mechanisms (18).
  • Said polymer based thin element (28) will receive coins ejected from said discharge mechanisms (18) and absorb the noise otherwise generated by coins when hitting said central body (12) internal surface before falling toward said chute path (25).
  • the movable flaps (29) are fixed to said polymer based thin element (28) along one edge thereof.
  • the role of said polymer based thin element (28) is also critical in that it ensures interception of the communication between said sensing means (20, 21; 22, 23) by slowing the velocity of coins in the manner to make certain that coin output is sensed. Said polymer based thin element (28) further serves to the purpose of redirecting coins toward said chute path (25).
  • the microprocessor according to the present invention runs two different routines to oversee coin output.
  • the system discharge smaller denomination coins instead of a higher denomination coin. For instance two coins of 50 euro cents or four coins of 25 euro cents may be dispensed instead of one coin of 100 euro cents.
  • smart mode is enabled only when amount of coin of a particular denomination reached a predetermined level.
  • a coin transfer mechanism (11) intended to dispense an amount of small change with regard to a certain transaction in the manner to be connected to a POS machine comprising a canister (13) equipped with a plurality of columns (14) so as to receive coin stacks of different denominations, a central body (12) in which a set of sensing means (20, 21) for monitoring coin output and a set of solenoid mechanisms (18) for striking a lowermost level coin in each column, are accommodated.
  • Said mechanism (11) also comprises a microprocessor for receiving signals from said sensing means (20, 21) and for running a predetermined algorithm on a storage medium.
  • Said sensing means (20, 21) which are in the form of a LED and a sensor to detect its beam, are designed to be located at both ends of a line at the immediate vicinity of said column (14) bases whereby triggering status information received from said sensing means (20, 21) and specific column information received from said solenoid mechanisms (18) are combined to verify transaction relevant information.
EP06121224A 2006-09-25 2006-09-25 Suivi indirect du versement de pièces Withdrawn EP1903510A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06121224A EP1903510A1 (fr) 2006-09-25 2006-09-25 Suivi indirect du versement de pièces

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06121224A EP1903510A1 (fr) 2006-09-25 2006-09-25 Suivi indirect du versement de pièces

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1903510A1 true EP1903510A1 (fr) 2008-03-26

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EP06121224A Withdrawn EP1903510A1 (fr) 2006-09-25 2006-09-25 Suivi indirect du versement de pièces

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2823178A1 (de) * 1978-05-27 1979-11-29 Paul Gauselmann Schaltungsanordnung fuer einen geldspielautomaten zur steuerung der geldauszahlung
DE4101949A1 (de) * 1991-01-21 1992-07-23 Bally Wulff Automaten Gmbh Verfahren und anordnung zur auszahlung bei geldspielgeraeten
WO2003015038A2 (fr) * 2001-07-31 2003-02-20 Telequip Corporation Appareil pour controler des pieces distribuees par un distributeur de pieces
DE102004003441A1 (de) * 2004-01-22 2005-08-11 Adp Gauselmann Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Vermeidung von Münzverklemmungen in einem Münzausgabekanal eines münzbetätigten Automaten

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2823178A1 (de) * 1978-05-27 1979-11-29 Paul Gauselmann Schaltungsanordnung fuer einen geldspielautomaten zur steuerung der geldauszahlung
DE4101949A1 (de) * 1991-01-21 1992-07-23 Bally Wulff Automaten Gmbh Verfahren und anordnung zur auszahlung bei geldspielgeraeten
WO2003015038A2 (fr) * 2001-07-31 2003-02-20 Telequip Corporation Appareil pour controler des pieces distribuees par un distributeur de pieces
DE102004003441A1 (de) * 2004-01-22 2005-08-11 Adp Gauselmann Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Vermeidung von Münzverklemmungen in einem Münzausgabekanal eines münzbetätigten Automaten

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