GB2351174A

GB2351174A - Coin sensing amusement machine

Info

Publication number: GB2351174A
Application number: GB9911301A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harold John Levy; Paul John Ridges
Original assignee: HARRY LEVY AMUSEMENT CONTRACTO
Current assignee: HARRY LEVY AMUSEMENT CONTRACTO
Priority date: 1999-05-14
Filing date: 1999-05-14
Publication date: 2000-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-14
Also published as: GB9911301D0; GB2351174B

Abstract

A coin-receiving amusement machine comprising a plurality of coin-receiving paths (4) for receiving coins (6), a plurality of sensors (8) for sensing the coins (6), and electronic processor means (10) for receiving and processing data from the sensors (8), characterised in that the coin-receiving paths (4) are each defined by front and rear sheet members (12, 14), there is one of the sensors (8) for each one of the coin-receiving paths (4), each sensor (8) is an electro-magnetic sensor (16), each sensor (8) is mounted adjacent the rear sheet member (14) such that it does not extend into the rear sheet member (14), each sensor (8) generates an electro-magnetic field (16) which extends through the rear sheet member (14) and into the coin-receiving path (4), each sensor (8) generates an input for the electronic processor means (10) consequent upon the sensor's electro-magnetic field (16) being interrupted by a coin (6) passing through the electro-magnetic field (16), and the sensors (8) being so connected to the electronic processor means (10) that the electronic processor means (10) is able to receive all inputs from the sensors (8) irrespective of whether the inputs are generated one at a time or simultaneously.

Description

2351174 A COIN-RECEIVING AMUSEMENT MACHINE This invention relates to a

coin-receiving amusement machine.

Coin-receiving amusement machines are well known. Many of these coinreceiving amusement machines are such that they need to detect the presence of coins inserted into the amusement machines. There are various known sensors for doing this including sophisticated electronic coin sensors which are able to validate authenticity of the coins and also provide an electronic signal to initiate the playing of a game, optical beam sensing devices, inductive and capacitive proximity switches, and physically actuated switches.. These known sensors are often of such a complex construction that they are expensive to manufacture, especially in relation to the overall cost of the coinreceiving amusement machines.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a coin-receiving amusement machine comprising a plurality of coin-receiving paths for receiving coins, a plurality of senso3:s-----zor sensing the coins, and electronic processor m6.aiis.. for receiving and processing data from the sensors, characterised in that the coin-receiving paths are each defined by front and rear sheet members, there is one 2 the sensors for each one of the coin-receiving paths, each sensor is an electro-magnetic sensor, each sensor is mounted adjacent the rear sheet member such that it does not extend into the rear sheet member, each sensor generates an electro -magnetic field which extends through the rear sheet member and into the coin-receiving path, each sensor generates an input for the electronic processor means consequent upon the sensor's elect ro -magnetic field being interrupted by a coin passing through the electromagnetic field, and the sensors being so connected to the electronic processor means that the electronic processor means is able to receive all inputs from the sensors irrespective of whether the inputs are generated one at a time or simultaneously.

The coin-receiving amusement machine of the present invention is advantageous in a number of aspects. The sensors are able to be cheaply produced and easily installed, thereby minimising on manufacturing costs. Known sensors in known coin-receiving amusement machines are often such that they project into the coin-receiving paths for the coins. This means that front and/or rear sheet members defining the coin-receiving paths need to be provided with apertures to accommodate the sensors. This increases manufacturing costs, in addition to degrading visual appeal. These problems are thus obviated with the coin-receiving amusement machine of the present invention. Still further, the electronic processor means is able to 3 receive all inputs from the sensor irrespective of whether the inputs are generated one at a time or simultaneously. Thus, if two coins are fed simultaneously by two players, the electronic processor means will be able to detect this. Also, the ability to sense simultaneous inputs stops a player trying to circumvent the sensors by feeding two or more coins simultaneously with a view to obtaining some fraudulent advantage.

Preferably, the coin-receiving amusement machine is one in which each one of the sensors is connected by its own independent circuit to the electronic processor means in order to ensure that the electronic processor means is able to receive all inputs from the sensors irrespective of whether the inputs are generated one at a time or simultaneously.

The inputs from the sensors will -usually be in the form of electrical pulses. The inputs may be in other forms if desired.

The sensors will usually each comprise a coil positioned around a core made of a magnetizable material. The magnetizable material will usually be of a graphite composition. Other types of elect ro -magnetic sensors may be employed.

The coin-receiving amusement machine may include separator members which are positioned between the front and the rear sheet members and which separate the coinreceiving paths from each other.

4 Usually, the sensors and the electronic processor means will all be mounted on a board which is secured to the rear sheet member. Other arrangements may however be employed.

Preferably, the electronic processor means is an embedded microcontroller.

If desired, the rear sheet member may be back printed with art work. In the coin-receiving amusement machine of the present invention, there is no need for this artwork to be interrupted by apertures as is often the case with known coin-receiving amusement machines where the apertures are required in order to receive sensors.

The coin-receiving amusement machine is preferably a pusher amusement machine. The coin-receiving amusement machine may however be other types of amusement machine if desired.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of part of a coin-receiving amusement machine in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front of part of the amusement machine shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view from the rear of the part of the amusement machine shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows the electrical circuit for the part of the amusement machine shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows in more detail part of the electronic circuit shown in Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a coinreceiving amusement machine 2 comprising a plurality of coin-receiving paths 4 for receiving coins 6. The amusement machine 2 also comprises a plurality of sensors 8 for sensing the coins 6. The amusement machine 2 further comprises electronic processor means 10 for receiving and processing data from the sensors 8.

The amusement machine 2 is such that the coinreceiving paths 4 are each defined by a front sheet member 12 and a rear sheet member 14. As can be seen from Figure 3, there is one of the sensors 8 for each one of the coin receiving paths 4.

As can best be seen from Figures 1 and 2, each sensor 8 is an electromagnetic sensor 8. Each sensor 8 is mounted adjacent the rear sheet member 14 such that it does not extend into the rear sheet member 14 nor into its coinreceiving path 4. Each sensor 6 generates an electromagnetic field 16 which extends through the rear sheet member 14 and into the coinreceiving path 4.

Each sensor 8 generates an input for the electronic processor means 10 consequent upon the sensor's electromagnetic field 16 being interrupted by a coin 6 passing through the electro -magnetic field 16. The coins 6 are inserted as indicated by the arrows 18. The sensors 8 are so connected to the electronic processor means 10 that the

6 electronic processor means 10 is able to receive all inputs f rom the sensors 8 irrespective of whether the inputs are generated one at a time or simultaneously. More specifically, each one of the sensors 8 is connected by its own independent circuit 20, 22, 24 to the electronic processor means 10. The inputs from the sensors 8 are in the form of electrical pulses.

As best seen from Figure 2, each sensor 8 comprises a coil 26 positioned around a core 28 made of a magnetizable material such for example as a ferrous or graphite composite material. Leads 30 connect the sensors 8 to the individual sense circuits 20, 22, 24 and thus to the electronic processor means 10.

As shown in Figure 3, the amusement machine 2 includes separator members 32 which are positioned between the front and the rear sheet members 12, 14 and which separate the poin-receiving paths 4 from each other.

As can be seen f rom Figure 1, the sensors 8 and the electronic processor means 10 are all mounted on a board 34 which is secured to the rear sheet member 14 by any suitable fixing means such as the illustrated screws 36, or plastic mounts etc. The screws 36 or other fixing means may pass as shown through spacer tubes 38 which ensure that the board 36 is spaced at an appropriate distance from the rear sheet member 14 in order to accommodate the sensors 8 and the electronic process means 10.

7 The rear sheet member 14 may be back printed on its face adjacent the circuit board 34 with art work. This art work can then be seen through the front sheet member 12 and the rear sheet 14 which will normally be transparent.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be seen that the independent circuits 20, 22, 24 from each sensor 8 connect to the electronic processor means 10 which is in the form of a microcontroller for effecting appropriate data collection and processing. Power for the sensors 8 and the electronic processor means 10 is via a dc power supply 40 as shown. The electronic processor means 10 is able to provide an output on line 42 to one or more desired locations, such for example as to a location for causing operation of the amusement machine 2 during playing periods, and also to another location for causing a data record of the number of coins received, in order that playing patterns may be discerned.

Figure 4 shows in more detail the independent circuit 20. As can be seen, this circuit 20 comprises an inductor 44 which is coupled with a capacitor 46 and a resistor 48 to produce a tuned sensing part of the circuit 20. The tuned sensing part of the circuit 20 is connected to an integrated circuit chip 50. The chip 50 is connected to resistors 52, 54, 56 and capacitors 58, 60 as shown. The resistors 52, 54 control the sensitivity of the sensor 8, whilst the capacitors 58, 60 provide decoupling. The resistor 56 causes the output of the chip 50 to be pulled 8 high in the off state. The circuit 20 outputs via line 62 to an independent processing circuit 64. The processing circuit 64 comprises an integrated circuit chip 66 which acts as a microcontroller and which has its supply decoupled by a capacitor 68. The processing circuit 64 provides output pulses along line 70. The circuits 22 and 24 provide inputs to the chip 66 along lines 71, 72 respectively. Thus, the sensors 8 each have their own independent circuit 20, 22, 24 connected to the electronic processor means 10 such that the electronic processor means 10 is able to receive all inputs from the sensors 8 irrespective of whether the inputs are generated one at a time or simultaneously.

The amusement machine 2 is such that the sensors 8 and the electronic processor means 10 are able to be inexpensively manufactured and installed. The sensors 8 and the electronic processor means 10 do not attempt in any way to validate the coins 6. They are simply provided as an economical, convenient and reliable way of detecting the presence of the coin. The sensors 8 do not protrude into the rear sheet member 14 and into the coin-receiving paths 4. This avoids the need to make apertures in the rear sheet member 14 which will usually be made of perspex. This in turn helps to ensure that the sensors 8 are not seen, which would degrade on the visual appeal of the 9 amusement machine 2 unless additional means are taken to mask the sensors which in turn creates additional unwanted cost. Because the rear sheet member 14 does not have to be provided with apertures, it does not have to be machined and the perspex of the rear sheet member 14 may be back printed with an art work design in order to give maximum aesthetic appearance.

During operation of the amusement machine 2, when a coin 6 passes through an electro -magnetic field 16, then the electrical characteristics of the appropriate coil 26 on the appropriate sensor 18 alter. These characteristics are detected and processed by the appropriat.e independent circuit 20, 22, 24 mounted on the circuit board 34. All coins 6 passing through the electro-magnetic fields 16 are able to be registered, irrespective of which entry position is used, and irrespective of whether more than one entry position is used simultaneously. This ensures that a player gains the benefit of all coins 6 played. Any fraudulent attempt to confuse the sensors 8 with simultaneous playing of multiple coins 6 will not succeed. The actual number of coins 6 played is able to be registered and issued as individual pulses. The processing circuitry in the electronic processor means 10 is always able to register the individual pulses from each coin entry, and to issue the appropriate number of pulses to the amusement machine circuitry.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the illustrated part of the amusement machine 2 is part of a pusher amusement machine 2. It may however be another coin-operated amusement machine if desired. The board 34 may be secured in position by an adhesive or other means instead of using the screws 36 various types of electronic processor means may be employed.

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Claims

1. A coin-receiving amusement. machine comprising a plurality of coinreceiving paths for receiving coins, a plurality of sensors for sensing the coins, and electronic processor means for receiving and processing data from the sensors, characterised in that the coin-receiving paths are each defined by front and rear sheet members, there is one of the sensors for each one of the coin-receiving paths, each sensor is an electromagnetic sensor, each sensor is mounted adjacent the rear sheet member such that it does not extend into the rear sheet member, each sensor generates an el ectro -magnetic field which extends through the rear sheet member and into the coin-receiving path, each sensor generates an input for the electronic processor means consequent upon the sensor's el ectro -magnetic field being interrupted by a coin passing through the electromagnetic field, and the sensors being so connected to the electronic processor means that the electronic processor means is able to receive all inputs from the sensors irrespective of whether the inputs are generated one at a time or simultaneously.

2. A coin-receiving amusement machine according to claim 1 in which each one of the sensors is connected by its own independent circuit to the electronic processor means in order to ensure that the electronic processor means is able 12 to receive all inputs from the sensors irrespective of whether the inputs are generated one at a time or simultaneously.

3. A coin-receiving amusement machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the inputs from the sensors are in the form of electrical pulses.

4. A coin-receiving amusement machine according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sensors each comprise a coil positioned around a core made of a magnetizable material.

S. A coin-receiving amusement machine according to any one of the preceding claims and including separator members which are positioned between the front and the rear sheet members and which separate the coinreceiving paths from each other.

6. A coin-receiving amusement machine according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sensors and the electronic processor means are all mounted on a board which is secured to the rear sheet member.

7. A coin-receiving amusement machine in which the electronic processor means is a microprocessor.

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8. A coin-receiving amusement machine in which the front sheet member is back printed with art work.

9. A coin-receiving amusement machine and which is in the form of a pusher amusement machine.

10. A coin-receiving amusement machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.