US3796295A - Electronic metal coin analyser - Google Patents

Electronic metal coin analyser Download PDF

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Publication number
US3796295A
US3796295A US00230382A US3796295DA US3796295A US 3796295 A US3796295 A US 3796295A US 00230382 A US00230382 A US 00230382A US 3796295D A US3796295D A US 3796295DA US 3796295 A US3796295 A US 3796295A
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United States
Prior art keywords
coin
oscillator
output
coins
coil
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00230382A
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English (en)
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S Montolivo
G Squartini
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FATME SpA
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FATME SpA
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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
    • G07D5/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of coins, e.g. for segregating coins which are unacceptable or alien to a currency
    • G07D5/08—Testing the magnetic or electric properties

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to the electronic circuitry arts, and particularly concerns an electronic apparatus particularly adapted for analyzing metal coins.
  • a plurality of circuits, machines, and apparatus exist in the art for analyzing and counting metal coins.
  • Such devices have their main field of utility in automatic vending machines, and in machines operative for the specific analysis and counting of coins.
  • the typical prior art mechanisms serve to discern the type and validity of the coin by means of various selectors of the mechanical or electromechanical type on the basis of geometric characteristics of the coins such as the coin diameter. coin thickness, nature of the rim, whether smooth or knurled, the presence or absence of central bores, or on the basis of other physical characteristics of the coin such as weight.
  • Such devices are generally not suitable to discard counterfeit coins when, for example, the geometric characteristics of the counterfeit coin are sufficiently close to those of a genuine coin.
  • This disadvantage of prior art mechanisms is particularly noted when the coins accepted by the machine are thereafter utilized for returning change to the user. Furthermore, such devices are subject to wear and therefore require frequent maintenance work.
  • a further, more specific, yet equally important objective of the instant invention concerns the provision of an electronic device for the recognition or discernment of various types of coins while they drop in a free fall,
  • the reading device essentially comprises a channel of plastic material around which a coil of copper wire is wound.
  • the coins to be discerned are introduced into the device and fall freely through the channel under the influence of gravity. As such coins fall through the zone of the channel around which the coil is wound, a variation of the electromagnetic characteristics of the medium surrounded by the coil is therefore obviously produced and, thereby, a variation of inductance in the coil is evident.
  • This inductance variation of the coil takes place in what is termed a dynamic fashion in that, as the coin freely falls, a plurality of instantaneous different inductance changes takes place. Specifically, and in the event that the coin dropped has ferromagnetic characteristics, an increase in instantaneous inductance of the coil is noted beginning from the initial inductance of the coil and gradually increasing so as to reach a maximum change of inductance at the instant wherein the coin is in the center of the coil. As the coin continues to fall, the inductance change of the coil decreases in like manner.
  • the inductance variations of the coin for both the ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic coin is dynamic in that it continuously changes as the coin drops therethrough. Further, it should be appreciated that for both basic types of coins, for any given type of coin material, the variations in the absolute magnitude of coil inductance obtained is further a function of the geometric dimensions of the coins themselves.
  • the instant invention is characterized by the fact that it comprises but a single channel for the introduction of coins of the various types and the utilization therewith of but a single reading device which is capable of identifying a given coin which is freely falling therethrough on the basis of inductance variations, as to the absolute value and design, of the reading coil.
  • the selector is characterized by the fact that the reading coil forms part of a resonant circuit of an oscillator having a rest frequency on the order of magnitude of kHz. In this fashion, an instantaneous variation of the output frequency of the oscillator will occur due to each instantaneous change in inductance of the reading coil. Thus, for the instantaneous inductance variation of the coil associated with each point of the reading channel as the coin passes therethrough, there corresponds an instantaneous frequency variation of the oscillator.
  • the preferred embodiment of the instant invention comprises an analyzer or selector which is furthermore characterized by the act that the output of the oscillating circuit is applied to a certain number N of parallel circuits, equal to the number N of the coins of different types or denominations which the device is intended to discern.
  • Each of these subsequent circuits are essentially formed by a band pass filter and by a suitable detector device.
  • Each band pass filter has a pass band which corresponds to the band of frequencies caused to be generated by a different type of denomination of coin.
  • the output of the final signal detector device of the overall circuit serves to provide a signal identifying the type of coin, i.e., a signal which is present when and only when a coin associated to the specific circuit is falling through the coil. Accordingly, if a coin of a particular type or denomination associated with circuit number 2 is introduced into the coin slot and falls through the coil, the instantaneous frequencies of the oscillator will shift and be such that the plurality of frequencies generated by the oscillator due to the passage of this single coin merely involves or comprises the frequency band of the filter relating to circuit number 2. Consequently, there will be present an identifying signal at the output of the circuit, while none will be present at the output of the other parallel circuits.
  • the identification signals issuing from each single channel contain the necessary information for operation of the coin selection device, and for the operation of the device which accepts the coins which are considered genuine and which refuses those coins which are considered counterfeit.
  • the output from the OR circuit is adapted to control an exchange device for cashing the coins which are considered genuine and for refusing those coins which are considered counterfeit.
  • the duration of the signal which presents itself at the output of the filter belonging to the general circuit is proportional to the time interval during which the instantaneous frequencies generated by the oscillator due to a single falling coin lies within the pass band of the filter.
  • the subsequent detector circuit is designed to provide an output signal of well defined amplitude and duration only when the time interval of the input signal thereto exceeds a suitable limit value.
  • the output of an individual filter will have a signal which is sufficiently long to be considered valid by the following detecting device only when the instantaneous frequency generated by the oscillator falls within and near the center of the pass band of one of the pass band filters at the moment wherein the falling coin is in the center of the reading coil.
  • This manner of operation is assured through suitable selection of the time interval detection circuitry in association with the width and absolute value of the pass band filters as will appear hereinbelow.
  • the analyzer forming. the subject matter of the instant inventon can readily be pre-set for any type of coin since it is merely necessary to adapt a filter having a suitable pass band relating to the type of coin to enable the selector to recognize and count the coin.
  • the instant invention is capable of assessing the coins without need for stopping the travel of the coins in the reading coil.
  • the coins are neither touched nor hindered during their free fall through the coil and the selector is sufficiently quick in its response to ascertain the passage of two or more coins introduced in succession and evenin contact with each other in said selector.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view according to line 1-1 of FIG. 2 schematically representing the selector layout
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view according to line II-II of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view according to line I III-III of FIG. 1, and
  • FIG. 4 is a complete block diagram of the selector.
  • FIGS. 1-3 and particularly to FIG. 1 wherein it should be noted that the coins are introduced through a calibrated slot 10 or'through other known pre-selection means which prevent the introduction of coins which are bent, twisted, or having sizes exceeding those of the maximum coin size admitted, which could remain blocked within the device.
  • the coins pass first through an entrance passage 12 having a rectangular cross-section, which can also be made from metallic material.
  • the reading device generally indicated at 14, which comprises a conduit 16, made of electrically insulating and non-magnetic material, having also a rectangular cross-section.
  • the conduit 16 is provided with a housing 18 for a reading coil 20, which is connected by means of a flexible wire (not shown) to the resonant circuit of an oscillator whose frequency it determines. Beneath the reading device 14 there extends a third conduit 22, which can also be made from metallic material.
  • Conduit 22 has a housing 24 for a deflector t cated at 30 in FIG. 1, conveys the good coins towards a cash box, while the second, indicated at32, forms an inclined branch. which directs the rejected coins towards the coin returning door of the vending machine.
  • FIG. 3 shows how in the preferred embodiment the deflector 26, in its rest or inoperative position, is positioned so as to convey the coins introduced through the slot towards the coin restoring channel 32. This ensures that, in the case of failure of the device or in the absence of a feed voltage, any coin, whether good or counterfeit, isdirectly restored without the need of any additional moves.
  • FIG. 4 shows a preferred form of circuit for the selector.
  • the reading coil is connected to the resonant circuit which determines the oscillating frequency of the oscillator 34, whose output is connected either directly, or, as it will be illustrated,
  • each filter is connected to a detector device DR essentially consisting,'as far as the electrical functions are concerned, of an amplifyer 36 for the filter signals, of a rectifying circuit 38 for the amplified signals, and of a relay 40.
  • the detector device further functions as a time discriminator in that no output will be produced unless the time duration of the'input was sufficiently long. This may be structurally achieved in various known manners, such as by the provision of a capacitor charging element and a discharge or breakdown device coupled to the rectifier output.
  • the outputs of the various detecting devices control, through the connections 42, the successive counting circuit for the good coins and furthermore control in parallel a logical OR circuit, indicated at 44 in FIG. 4, whose output supplied a pulse when a pulse is present on one of the inputs. This latter pulse control through a monostable circuit 46, the relay 28 which actuates the deflector 26.
  • this signal will actuate the coin counting device by means of connections 42.
  • the same signal will also actuate relay 28 so as to switch the deflector 26 about its pivot so as to close the entrance to the coin restoring channel 32, and so as to open the entrance of the channel 30 for a time which is sufficiently long to ensure the passage of the computed coin.
  • the relay 28 will revert to its inoperative position and the deflector 26 will again close the access to channel 30.
  • a block 52 can be inserted, comprising a modulator which is piloted by a fixed frequency oscillator.
  • a signal can be obtained, whose frequency is smaller than the input frequency, and is equal to the difference between the frequency of the fixed oscillator and the frequency of the variable oscillator.
  • the instant invention as described operates in an entirely different manner than the operation associated with the prior art, in that a true dynamic operation is effected.
  • a coin passesby the sensinginductance coil 20, a plurality of different variations of inductance of the coil takes place which causes the Controllable oscillator means 34, which oscillator normally generates a given or rest output frequency, to vary its operating or output frequency from the given frequency-to a plurality of selectively different frequencies-, i.e., an entire band of frequencies for each coin.
  • This band of frequencies is characterized and corresponds to a coin of one denomination or type.
  • a differeent type of coin passes by the inductance 'coil 20, the output from the oscillator 34 would exhibit a different band of frequency components, A plurality of detecting circuits coupled in parallel comprising band passfilters are connected to the output of the oscillator and each of thesefilters have a different pass band which corresponds to the bands of selectively different oscillator frequencies originated by each respective different type of acceptable coin. If any one of the filters exhibits an output then this indicates that proper instantaneous frequencies were generated by the oscillator. If the output occurs over a sufficient time duration, this fact, in addition to the proper frequency characteristics, is indicative of the presence of an acceptable coin and the coin deflection means is likewise actuated.
  • controllable oscillator means coupled to said inductance coil for normally generating a given output frequency, the output frequency'of said oscillator means being varied from said given frequency to a 1 oscillator, each of said filter means having a pass b'andiwhich'corresponds to the, band of selectively different instantaneous oscillator frequencies originated by a respective type of acceptable coin, the
  • pass bands of each filter being different to correspond to each 'respective different type of acceptable-coin; and 1 i means coupled to each pass band filter and responsive to the output thereof for processing signals transmitted therethrough and for actuating s'aid 'coin deflector, said meansbeing responsive to the time duration of each such output.
  • each pass band filter comprise, for each filter, a detector unit interposed between said filter and said deflector, each detector unit comprising a rectifying circuit, an. amplifying circuit, and a relay connected in series to each other.
  • said means processing said signals additionally comprise an OR signal connected to all relays of the detector unit, a monostable circuit series connected to said OR circuit, and a deflector actuating relay series connected to said monostable circuit.
  • a device wherein the output of each detector unit is series connected to a coin counting device.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Magnetic Means (AREA)
  • Testing Of Coins (AREA)
US00230382A 1969-03-31 1972-02-29 Electronic metal coin analyser Expired - Lifetime US3796295A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT3609369 1969-03-31

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US00230382A Expired - Lifetime US3796295A (en) 1969-03-31 1972-02-29 Electronic metal coin analyser

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US (1) US3796295A (en。)
BE (1) BE748076A (en。)
DE (1) DE2015131B2 (en。)
FR (1) FR2037295A1 (en。)
LU (1) LU60617A1 (en。)
NL (1) NL7004538A (en。)

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3901368A (en) * 1974-03-11 1975-08-26 Lance T Klinger Coin acceptor/rejector
US3918565A (en) * 1972-10-12 1975-11-11 Mars Inc Method and apparatus for coin selection utilizing a programmable memory
US4128158A (en) * 1976-07-22 1978-12-05 Coin Cop Co. Precision coin analyzer for numismatic application
US4326621A (en) * 1979-03-15 1982-04-27 Gaea Trade And Development Company Limited Coin detecting apparatus for distinguishing genuine coins from slugs, spurious coins and the like
US4353452A (en) * 1980-04-04 1982-10-12 U.M.C. Industries, Inc. Coin-handling device
US4371073A (en) * 1979-08-08 1983-02-01 Autelca Ag Coin checker for coins of varying diameter
WO1983000762A1 (en) * 1981-08-21 1983-03-03 Mars Inc Coin presence sensing apparatus
WO1984000073A1 (en) * 1982-06-14 1984-01-05 Raymond Nicholson Coin detecting apparatus
US4469213A (en) * 1982-06-14 1984-09-04 Raymond Nicholson Coin detector system
US4538719A (en) * 1983-07-01 1985-09-03 Hilgraeve, Incorporated Electronic coin acceptor
US4884672A (en) * 1988-08-12 1989-12-05 Parker Engineering & Manufacturing Co. Coin analyzer system and apparatus
US4936435A (en) * 1988-10-11 1990-06-26 Unidynamics Corporation Coin validating apparatus and method
US5056644A (en) * 1988-08-12 1991-10-15 Parker Donald O Coin analyzer system and apparatus
US5226520A (en) * 1991-05-02 1993-07-13 Parker Donald O Coin detector system
US5244070A (en) * 1992-03-04 1993-09-14 Duncan Industries Parking Control Systems Corp. Dual coil coin sensing apparatus
US5273151A (en) * 1992-03-23 1993-12-28 Duncan Industries Parking Control Systems Corp. Resonant coil coin detection apparatus
US5293980A (en) * 1992-03-05 1994-03-15 Parker Donald O Coin analyzer sensor configuration and system
US5420507A (en) * 1992-09-28 1995-05-30 Edward L. Laskowski Method and apparatus for sensing a target characteristic by measuring both impedance and resonant frequency of a tank circuit
US5526918A (en) * 1995-06-15 1996-06-18 Greenwald Industries Inc. Coin validating apparatus and method
US5566808A (en) * 1994-09-09 1996-10-22 Parker Engineering & Manufacturing Co. Low profile coin analyzer apparatus
EP1035519A1 (de) * 1999-03-08 2000-09-13 F. Zimmermann GmbH & Co. KG Vorrichtung zur Münzerkennung
US6223877B1 (en) 1996-07-29 2001-05-01 Qvex, Inc. Coin validation apparatus
US6227343B1 (en) 1999-03-30 2001-05-08 Millenium Enterprises Ltd. Dual coil coin identifier
US20040129526A1 (en) * 1997-07-08 2004-07-08 Hiroshi Abe Time increment selector
US7635059B1 (en) 2000-02-02 2009-12-22 Imonex Services, Inc. Apparatus and method for rejecting jammed coins

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1397083A (en) * 1971-05-24 1975-06-11 Mars Inc Coin selector utilizing inductive sensors
GB1452740A (en) * 1972-10-12 1976-10-13 Mars Inc Digital memory coin selector method and apparatus

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3012649A (en) * 1960-10-17 1961-12-12 Electronic Coin Proc Corp Coin prover and sorter
US3317016A (en) * 1965-05-21 1967-05-02 Int Nickel Co Coin selecting device
US3481443A (en) * 1967-01-20 1969-12-02 Autelca Ag Coin checking device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3012649A (en) * 1960-10-17 1961-12-12 Electronic Coin Proc Corp Coin prover and sorter
US3317016A (en) * 1965-05-21 1967-05-02 Int Nickel Co Coin selecting device
US3481443A (en) * 1967-01-20 1969-12-02 Autelca Ag Coin checking device

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3918565A (en) * 1972-10-12 1975-11-11 Mars Inc Method and apparatus for coin selection utilizing a programmable memory
US3901368A (en) * 1974-03-11 1975-08-26 Lance T Klinger Coin acceptor/rejector
US4128158A (en) * 1976-07-22 1978-12-05 Coin Cop Co. Precision coin analyzer for numismatic application
US4326621A (en) * 1979-03-15 1982-04-27 Gaea Trade And Development Company Limited Coin detecting apparatus for distinguishing genuine coins from slugs, spurious coins and the like
US4371073A (en) * 1979-08-08 1983-02-01 Autelca Ag Coin checker for coins of varying diameter
US4353452A (en) * 1980-04-04 1982-10-12 U.M.C. Industries, Inc. Coin-handling device
WO1983000762A1 (en) * 1981-08-21 1983-03-03 Mars Inc Coin presence sensing apparatus
WO1984000073A1 (en) * 1982-06-14 1984-01-05 Raymond Nicholson Coin detecting apparatus
US4469213A (en) * 1982-06-14 1984-09-04 Raymond Nicholson Coin detector system
US4538719A (en) * 1983-07-01 1985-09-03 Hilgraeve, Incorporated Electronic coin acceptor
US5056644A (en) * 1988-08-12 1991-10-15 Parker Donald O Coin analyzer system and apparatus
US4884672A (en) * 1988-08-12 1989-12-05 Parker Engineering & Manufacturing Co. Coin analyzer system and apparatus
US4936435A (en) * 1988-10-11 1990-06-26 Unidynamics Corporation Coin validating apparatus and method
US5226520A (en) * 1991-05-02 1993-07-13 Parker Donald O Coin detector system
US5244070A (en) * 1992-03-04 1993-09-14 Duncan Industries Parking Control Systems Corp. Dual coil coin sensing apparatus
US5293980A (en) * 1992-03-05 1994-03-15 Parker Donald O Coin analyzer sensor configuration and system
US5439089A (en) * 1992-03-05 1995-08-08 Parker; Donald O. Coin analyzer sensor configuration and system
US5273151A (en) * 1992-03-23 1993-12-28 Duncan Industries Parking Control Systems Corp. Resonant coil coin detection apparatus
US5420507A (en) * 1992-09-28 1995-05-30 Edward L. Laskowski Method and apparatus for sensing a target characteristic by measuring both impedance and resonant frequency of a tank circuit
US5566808A (en) * 1994-09-09 1996-10-22 Parker Engineering & Manufacturing Co. Low profile coin analyzer apparatus
US5526918A (en) * 1995-06-15 1996-06-18 Greenwald Industries Inc. Coin validating apparatus and method
US6223877B1 (en) 1996-07-29 2001-05-01 Qvex, Inc. Coin validation apparatus
US20040129526A1 (en) * 1997-07-08 2004-07-08 Hiroshi Abe Time increment selector
US6907976B2 (en) 1997-07-08 2005-06-21 Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd. Time increment selector
EP1035519A1 (de) * 1999-03-08 2000-09-13 F. Zimmermann GmbH & Co. KG Vorrichtung zur Münzerkennung
US6227343B1 (en) 1999-03-30 2001-05-08 Millenium Enterprises Ltd. Dual coil coin identifier
US7635059B1 (en) 2000-02-02 2009-12-22 Imonex Services, Inc. Apparatus and method for rejecting jammed coins

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2015131A1 (de) 1970-10-08
DE2015131B2 (de) 1975-01-02
BE748076A (fr) 1970-09-28
FR2037295A1 (en。) 1970-12-31
LU60617A1 (en。) 1970-05-28
NL7004538A (en。) 1970-10-02

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