WO1998014910A1 - Procede et dispositif de differenciation pour pieces de monnaie - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif de differenciation pour pieces de monnaie Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998014910A1
WO1998014910A1 PCT/US1997/017724 US9717724W WO9814910A1 WO 1998014910 A1 WO1998014910 A1 WO 1998014910A1 US 9717724 W US9717724 W US 9717724W WO 9814910 A1 WO9814910 A1 WO 9814910A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
coin
free falling
coins
test coin
signature
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/017724
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kirk D. Hoffman
Robert Huizenger
Joe Ferrantelli
Original Assignee
Coin Mechanisms, Inc.
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 Coin Mechanisms, Inc. filed Critical Coin Mechanisms, Inc.
Priority to AU47420/97A priority Critical patent/AU4742097A/en
Publication of WO1998014910A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998014910A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F1/00—Coin inlet arrangements; Coins specially adapted to operate coin-freed mechanisms
    • G07F1/04—Coin chutes
    • G07F1/041—Coin chutes with means, other than for testing currency, for dealing with inserted foreign matter, e.g. "stuffing", "stringing" or "salting"
    • G07F1/042—Coin chutes with means, other than for testing currency, for dealing with inserted foreign matter, e.g. "stuffing", "stringing" or "salting" the foreign matter being a long flexible member attached to a coin
    • G07F1/044—Automatic detection of the flexible member
    • 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
    • G07D5/02—Testing the dimensions, e.g. thickness, diameter; Testing the deformation
    • 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 relates generally to a coin discriminating apparatus, and more particularly to a coin discriminating apparatus which is capable of verifying the validity of coins having a plurality of denominations while they are in free fall.
  • Coin discriminating apparatus capable of validating coins are known in the art.
  • test coins are typically directed down a defined path such as a ramp where they pass a number of spaced sensor coils at least one of which is energized to generate magnetic fields.
  • the interaction between the tested coin and the magnetic field generated by the coils enable these apparatus to identify the coin.
  • coins having different material compositions and/or sizes will effect the generated magnetic fields differently.
  • a sensing circuit associated with a sensor coil in proximity to the coil generating the field monitors these effects and collects data reflecting changes in the sensed magnetic field. This data can be compared to information stored in memory to determine the denomination and authenticity of the tested coin.
  • Patent 4,437,558 which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, describe a coin discrimination apparatus that utilizes a three coil stack to identify coins in a manner similar to that described above.
  • the two outer coils of the stack are supplied with identical currents such that magnetic fields are created in the two gaps defined by the three coils.
  • the two outer coils are aligned with the center coil in opposing relation and are similarly energized.
  • the magnetic fields generated by the two outer coils generally cancel in the region of the center coil, leaving a net electric field of zero (a null) within the center coil.
  • a sample coin the type of coin that the discrimination system is intended to accept, is positioned in one of the two gaps between the three coils.
  • the magnetic field across the sample coin gap is attenuated, thereby preventing a null in the center coil.
  • a test coin When a test coin is placed into the discrimination system, it passes through the second gap of the three coil stack. When the test coin is in the second gap, it attenuates the magnetic field across that gap. If the test coin is identical to the sample coin in the first gap, the attenuation in the opposed magnetic fields will likewise be the same and a null will occur in the center coil.
  • Electronic circuitry is provided to sense the quality of this null to determine whether the test coin matches the sample coin.
  • the comparison point 5 of the sample coin would be a relatively specific circular area preferably at the center of that coin
  • the comparison band 8 on the test coin would be a much larger area spanning the entire length of the coin as it passes through one of the gaps of the sensor coils (represented by the area between the diagonal lines in that same figure) .
  • test coin it is possible for the test coin to have a point somewhere along the comparison band 8 that, while not corresponding to the comparison point 5 in location, is nonetheless substantially identical to the material composition of the sample coin at the comparison point 5.
  • This similarity can cause a null that misidentifies the test coin as identical to the sample coin.
  • the test coin appears identical to the comparison point of the sample coin, and if that point of identity is located at a position that does not correspond to the comparison point, a misidentification of the test coin can occur.
  • Prior art coin discriminators are also limited in the type of coins they can validate. For example, three coil stack discriminators of the above type are only capable of identifying and accepting one coin denomination at any given time. If the user wishes the coin discriminator to accept other coin denominations, the user must physically open the device and replace the current sample coin with a new sample coin of a different denomination .
  • some prior art apparatus have employed multiple stacks of coils positioned along the test coin travel path wherein each stack of coils includes a sample coin of a different denomination.
  • employing multiple sensors in this manner increases the time needed for the microprocessor to identify a test coin, thereby increasing the delay time needed before the next test coin can be considered.
  • some prior art discriminators are susceptible to electromagnetic interference from outside sources. If such discriminators are exposed to outside sources of electromagnetic energy, then a satisfactory null may not exist in the center coil despite the fact that the test coin and sample coin are identical .
  • a coin sensor which employs a substantially horizontal magnetic field to obtain a signature of a free falling test coin. That signature is compared to signatures of sample coins in memory. If a match is found the coin is permitted to free fall down an accept path.
  • the free falling coins are identified, accepted coins are sorted between alternative accept paths, and the travel direction of the accepted coins are verified for fraud protection, all as the coin free falls a short vertical distance .
  • FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the respective positions of an exemplary comparison point and an exemplary comparison band relative to a coin as sampled by prior art coin discriminators .
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the identification stage of a coin discriminator constructed in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention.
  • FIG. 3A is a schematic view of the coin discriminator apparatus of FIG. 2 taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 and showing the diverter mechanism in a first accept position.
  • FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3A but showing the diverter mechanism in a second accept position.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the control circuitry employed in the apparatus of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 5 is a right, front perspective view of the coil support structure used in the coin identification sensor.
  • FIG. 6 is a right, front perspective view of the molded ferrite cores used in the coin identification sensor.
  • FIG. 7 is one schematic representation of the sensor coil assembly of the inventive coin discriminating apparatus .
  • FIGS. 8A-8C are block diagram representations of the programmed steps performed by the microprocessor employed in the inventive coin discriminating apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • coin shall include both currency issued by any government (for example, nickels, quarters and the like issued by the U.S. government), and tokens manufactured for use in casinos, arcades and the like.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates generally a coin discrimination apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention.
  • the apparatus 10 is preferably constructed to be approximately 3]4 inches wide and 4 inches tall, and to have a depth of approximately 2 inches . These dimensions make the illustrated apparatus 10 ideal for use as a coin discriminator in gaming apparatus such as slot machines and the like.
  • the inventive coin discriminator 10 is able to: identify free falling coins 15 of different denominations and sizes; accept or reject deposited coins 15 as appropriate; divert accepted coins 15 between two separate accept paths; and perform fraud testing, all within the envelope described above.
  • the disclosed embodiment of the inventive coin discriminating apparatus 10 is provided with a unique coin identification sensor 20, an acceptance gate 50, a diverter ramp 54, a guide plate 56, a fiber optic array of sensors 60, 61 and a control circuit 70.
  • the structure and operation of the control circuit 70 will be discussed in detail below.
  • the control circuit 70 monitors the output signals of the coin identification sensor 20, and based on those signals, selectively energizes the acceptance gate 50, the diverter ramp 54 and the guide plate 56 to control the travel path and, thus, the ultimate destination of the test coin.
  • the control circuit 70 also monitors the output signals of the fiber optic array sensors 60, 61 to detect fraud and to prevent jamming of the test coin in the diverter mechanism as explained in further detail below.
  • the coin discrimination apparatus 10 employs a focused, linear, horizontal reference magnetic field to identify test coins 15 by sensing the characteristics of those coins as they free fall.
  • the coin discriminator 10 is provided with an inventive coin identification sensor 20 which includes a coil support structure 28.
  • the coil support structure 28 preferably comprises molded plastic which defines a central coin slot 30 for receiving coins or tokens.
  • the coin slot 30 forms the entry port for submitting coins 15 into the coin discriminator 10.
  • two identical outer driver coils 22, 24 are equally spaced on either side of the coil slot 30, two identical inner sensing coils 21, 23 are placed between the driver coils 22, 24 and adjacent to the coin slot 30, and two ferrite cores 34 are provided for shielding coils 21-24.
  • the two driver coils 22, 24 are wound in the same direction in an exaggerated elliptical form about respective bobbins 25, 26 formed on the coil support structure 28.
  • the major axis of the ellipse formed by the inductive coils 22, 24 are parallel to the length of the coin slot 30 formed in the coil support structure 28.
  • the bobbins 25, 26 are positioned on opposite sides of coin slot 30.
  • the coil support structure 28 may be provided with an end projection (not shown) which is employed as a support for connecting lead wires to inductive coils 21- 24.
  • the lead wires are used to provide a controlled oscillating current in a conventional manner to the two outer drive coils 22, 24 thereby generating a magnetic field, and to monitor the current induced in the sensor coils 21, 23 by the generation of that magnetic field. Since the coils 22, 24 are positioned on opposite sides of coin slot 30, the magnetic field generated by the energization of coil 22 must pass through coin slot 30 and sensor coils 21, 23 to reach coil 24 and vice versa.
  • coins 15 of different sizes and material compositions will effect the coupling of the magnetic field generated by coil 22 to coil 24 differently.
  • each coin 15 passing through slot 30 will attenuate the current induced in sensor coils 21, 23 in a manner dependent upon the size and material composition of that particular coin.
  • Coins 15 of the same type have the same effect on the current sensed in inductive coils 21, 23, whereas coins 15 of different sizes, different material compositions, or both, will have different effects on that current.
  • the effect a given coin 15 has on the current sensed in the sensor coils 21, 23 is referred to in this application as the "signature" of that coin 15.
  • the two outer drive coils 22, 24 oscillate such that one coil is generating the field in one direction, while the other coil is generating a field in the same direction so as to optimize the magnetic circuit across the coin slot 30.
  • the ferrite cores 34 serve multiple functions. First, since they are substantially impenetrable to external magnetic fields, they protect the coils 21-24 from electromagnetic interference from external sources of electromagnetic energy. Second, and perhaps more significantly, they contain the magnetic field generated by the two driver coils 22, 24.
  • the magnetic field generated by inductive coils 22, 24 forms a horizontal field across slot 30 which induces a current in inductive coils 22, 24.
  • the field present in coils 21, 23 is attenuated by a coin 15 passing through coin slot 30.
  • the discriminating apparatus 10 can sense the characteristics of the coin 15 in slot 30.
  • the magnetic field of FIG. 8 will not extend in 3 dimensions around the sensor 20 since the ferrite cores 34 substantially prevent the magnetic field from escaping the sensor 20, except in the vicinity of coin slot 30.
  • the coin discriminator 10 includes two primary travel paths for test coins 15, namely, an accept path 75 and a reject path 76.
  • accept path 75 is designed to receive valid coins 15.
  • coins 15 which are determined to be unacceptable are diverted down the reject path 76.
  • the reject path 76 can be constructed to return the test coins 15 to the depositor, or it can be constructed to retain invalid coins 15. The former alternative is preferred in most instances.
  • the coin discriminator 10 is provided with an acceptance gate 50 which is preferably pivotably mounted above the accept path 75.
  • the acceptance gate 50 preferably includes an associated actuator (not shown) and is electromagnetically actuable such that the control circuit 70 can cause the gate 50 to pivot by generating an appropriate electrical signal.
  • pivoting acceptance gate 50 in this manner will permit a test coin 15 to enter the accept path 75. If a pivot signal is not received from the control circuit 70 the acceptance gate 50 will not move, but will instead divert the unacceptable test coin 15 down the reject path 76.
  • the structure and operation of acceptance gate 50 is conventional, and will not be further discussed here.
  • the acceptance gate 50 could be arranged such that it permits test coins to enter the acceptance path 75 unless the control circuitry 70 pivots the gate 50 closed without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Such an approach is, however, not preferred because, in the event of power failure, any submitted test coins 15 will be accepted (although preferably not credited) rather than being automatically rejected and returned to the depositor as would occur in the preferred approach shown in FIG. 2.
  • accept and reject paths 75, 76 could be reversed in FIG. 2 such that acceptance gate 50 is located above reject path 76 without departing from the scope of the invention. Such an approach is not, however, preferred since interfering with the free fall of accepted coins 15 would necessarily introduce time delays in accepting coins as compared to the preferred approach shown in FIG. 2.
  • the preferred embodiment of the coin discriminator 10 is provided with a diverter ramp 54 and a guide plate 56 which together function as a diverter mechanism to divert accepted coins 15 down one of two possible accept paths 78, 79.
  • a diverter ramp 54 and a guide plate 56 which together function as a diverter mechanism to divert accepted coins 15 down one of two possible accept paths 78, 79.
  • the diverter ramp 54 and guide plate 56 are pivotably disposed downstream from the acceptance gate 50.
  • the coin discrimination apparatus 10 is provided with two fiber optic array sensors 60, 61. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, the optical sensors 60, 61 are preferably positioned one below the magnetic sensor assembly, and one just above the coin exit. These sensors 60, 61 are coupled to the control circuit 70 to provide that circuit 70 with information about the movement of coins 15 through the alternate accept paths 78, 79. For example, sensors 60, 61 provide the control circuit 70 with information as to whether an accepted test coin 15 has cleared that diverter mechanism. Until the accepted test coin has cleared the area, the control circuit 70 will not pivot either diverter ramp 54 or guide plate 56.
  • the diverter mechanism is moved to select an alternative accept path when appropriate before the time in which the accepted coin enters the diverter mechanism. Once that pivoting movement has occurred, the microprocessor 80 monitors sensors 60, 61 for clearance before permitting additional movements of the diverter mechanism.
  • the optical sensors 60, 61 also provide the control circuit 70 with information concerning the travel direction of the accepted coin 15 to prevent coins on strings and other techniques from being used to defraud the apparatus 10.
  • the fiber optic array sensors 60, 61 may be comprised of two bundles of optical fibers each gathered at one end into a generally circular bundle and spread into a substantially uniform linear ribbon on the other end. The two ribbon ends are placed generally perpendicular to the coin path on either side thereof and are positioned directly across and in line with one another.
  • the circular bundle of one fiber optic array is attached to an infrared generating light source (not shown)
  • the circular bundle of the other array is connected to an infrared sensing receptor (not shown) .
  • This configuration allows for accurate sensing of passing coins 15 by monitoring the amount of light transmitted from the emitter side to the receiving side.
  • the amount of transmitted light decreases until the center of the coin is blocking a maximum amount of transmitted light.
  • the amount of transmitted light then increases until the coin 15 is clear.
  • This method of coin tracking allows for accurate counting of coins 15 even if the coins are falling edge to edge.
  • the microprocessor 80 can insure against stringing of coins by tracking a coin's path from entry to exit.
  • the fiber optic array is are not limited to the embodiment described above, but may also be used to measure the diameter of coins 15. Maximum blockage of transmitted light occurs when the diameter of any given coin passes the array. Therefore, each coin diameter will generate a specific value of blocked transmitted light which may correspond to its unique signature obtained inductively.
  • control circuit 70 preferably comprises a microprocessor 80 with an associated memory 82, and signal conditioning electronics 84 to facilitate communication between the microprocessor 80 and the various sensors and actuators of the coin discrimination apparatus 10.
  • Microprocessor 80 is the heart of the control circuit 70. It performs all of the calculations required to interpret the signals received from the sensors 20, 60, 61 and generates appropriate control signals to drive the actuators 51, 55 associated with acceptance gate 50, diverter ramp 54 and guide plate 56, respectively.
  • the memory 82 is preferably an addressable, nonvolatile memory which is used to store programmed instructions governing the operation of the microprocessor 80.
  • the memory 82 is also used to store the electronic signatures of sample coins 15 the apparatus 10 is intended to accept. These sample coin signatures are generated by passing sample coins 15 of a known type through the apparatus. Once such signatures are developed, they can be stored in a suitable recording means such as a floppy disk and transferred into the memory 82 during assembly of the apparatus 10.
  • the conditioning electronics 84 preferably comprises analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters for respectively converting the outputs of the sensors 20, 60, 61 into a format suitable for use by the microprocessor 80 and for converting the outputs of the microprocessor 80 into a format suitable for use by the actuators 51, 55.
  • the conditioning electronics 84 can also include other signal conditioning circuitry such as filters and level shifters.
  • the microprocessor 80 begins its routine by reading the output of inductive sensor coil 24 of the coin identification sensor 20 (Block 150) . Armed with this information, the microprocessor 80 then determines whether the center of a coin 15 has entered the horizontal magnetic field generated by the driver coils 22, 24 of the coin identification sensor 20. Specifically, as mentioned above, the current through sensor coils 21, 23 in the coin identification sensor 20 will be attenuated by the presence of a coin in the horizontal magnetic field. Since the center of a coin 15 is coincident with its diameter regardless of the orientation at which that diameter is measured, when the center of the coin 15 passes through the horizontal magnetic field, the horizontal diameter of the coin 15 will likewise be in that magnetic field.
  • the largest area of a round coin 15 will generally enter the horizontal magnetic field simultaneously with the center of that coin.
  • the attenuation of the magnetic field sensed in inductive coils 21, 23 will be maximized when the center of the test coin 15 is in the horizontal magnetic field existing in the coin slot 30.
  • the inventive apparatus takes advantage of this characteristic by monitoring the output of sensor coils 21, 23 for maximum attenuation.
  • This attenuation can be identified in numerous ways.
  • the preferred embodiment identifies the maximum attenuation state by noting an increase in the magnetic field sensed in coils 21, 23 after a period of attenuation. In other words, when a coin 15 enters the horizontal magnetic field, the field sensed in coils 21, 23 will decrease in a substantially monotonic manner until the center of the coin enters that field. As mentioned above, when the center of the coin 15 enters the horizontal magnetic field, the attenuation of the field sensed in coils 21, 23 will be maximized.
  • the magnetic field sensed in coils 21, 23 will increase as a smaller and smaller portion of the test coin will be present in the horizontal magnetic field at any given time.
  • the second half of the coin 15 will cause a substantially monotonic decrease in the attenuation of the magnetic field sensed by coils 21, 23.
  • the microprocessor 80 of the coin discriminator 10 recognizes that maximum attenuation has occurred. The microprocessor 80 will then exit step 152 and enter step 154.
  • step 152 the microprocessor 80 will return to step 150 and again read the output of the sensor coils 21, 23.
  • the microprocessor 80 will remain in the loop defined by steps 150 and 152 until the maximum attenuation of the magnetic field in coils 21, 23 has been noted.
  • the microprocessor 80 Upon entering step 154, the microprocessor 80 will set a "count" variable equal to 1. This variable is used to monitor the number of samples the apparatus 10 has recorded of the signature current appearing in coils 21, 23 as a given test coin 15 passes through the coin identification sensor 20. More specifically, after setting the count variable equal to 1, the microprocessor 80 will enter the sample loop defined by steps 156, 158, 159 and 160 where it will remain until the count variable indicates a predetermined number of samples have been taken.
  • the microprocessor 80 will first read the output of the inductive coils 21, 23 in the coin identification sensor 20 (step 156) . The microprocessor 80 will then enter step 158 where it will save the reading taken in step 156 in memory 82. Subsequently, the microprocessor 80 will update the count variable by 1 (step 159) and then determine whether the updated count is equal to 40 (step 160) . As shown in FIG. 8A, the microprocessor 80 will repeat steps 156-160 until the count variable equals 40 at which point it will advance to step 164 in FIG. 8B . Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor 80 will record 40 samples of the field sensed by coils 21, 23 as a single coin 15 passes through sensor 20. The samples will begin when the center of the coin 15 is detected as indicated by the maximum attenuation state discussed above.
  • the microprocessor 80 will have stored a digital signature representative of the test coin 15 in memory 82.
  • This signature will comprise digital representations of 40 readings of sensor coils 21, 23 beginning at the time the center of the test coin 15 is detected in the sensor 20.
  • the microprocessor 80 Upon completing the sampling loop (steps 156-160) , the microprocessor 80 begins to compare the signature of the test coin 15 stored in memory 82 to the signatures of various sample coins 15 that are likewise stored in memory 82. Thus, at step 164, the microprocessor 80 retrieves the signature of a first coin type A from memory 82.
  • Coin type A can represent any desired denomination or size of coin 15. As explained above, the signature of coin type A is preferably loaded into the memory 82 of the apparatus 10 at the time of manufacture along with the signatures of the other coin types.
  • the microprocessor 80 subtracts the digital values constituting the signature of the test coin from the digital values constituting the signature of coin type A (step 166) . If the absolute value of that difference is less than a predetermined value (X) , then the test coin is identified as being the same as coin type A, and the microprocessor 80 opens the acceptance ⁇ gate 50 (steps 168 and 184) . If, however, the absolute value of the difference computed at step 166 is greater than X, the test coin is not the same as sample coin type A, and the microprocessor 80 proceeds to step 170.
  • X predetermined value
  • step 182 The process of retrieving the digital signature of different coin types, computing the absolute value of the difference between the digital signatures of the test coin and the sample coin, and determining whether the test coin and the sample coin type are identical, is repeated in steps 170-178 until either a match is found and acceptance gate 50 is opened (step 184) , or until the microprocessor 80 reaches step 182 without finding a match. If step 182 is reached, the test coin is invalid. Therefore, the acceptance gate 50 is left in the position shown in FIG. 2 and the test coin is diverted down the reject path 76
  • the predetermined value "X" mentioned above determines how close of a match between the signatures of a test coin and a sample coin is required for an acceptance to occur. By reducing X to a lower positive value, the required closeness of the match is increased. In contrast, by increasing the value of X to a higher positive value, a wider range of coins will be identified as the compared sample coin in question. In the preferred embodiment, the same value X is used for each type of sample coin stored in memory. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different values of X can be set for different coin types if desired without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
  • X is assigned a value that is determined by the quality of the coin to be discriminated .
  • sample coin type "A” and sample coin type “B” may represent coins of the same size and denomination that, due to the manner in which they were manufactured, fall into two different signature groups.
  • a test coin when a test coin is sampled for identification, it can be compared against signatures of sample coins for each of the signature groups of a particular denomination as well as against signatures of sample coins of different denominations.
  • the microprocessor 80 will open the acceptance gate 50 (step 184) . It will then enter step 186.
  • the microprocessor 80 will then determine whether the alternative path 78 should be used for the test coin currently being accepted. This determination can be made in any manner without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, the microprocessor 80 can be programmed to send one out of every five accepted coins to a hopper down alternative accept path 78. In any event, if at step 186 it is determined that the coin being processed should be passed down the alternative accept path, the microprocessor 80 will energize the actuators 55, 57 associated with the diverter ramp 54, and the guide plate 56 to pivot those structures to the position shown in FIG. 3B (step 188) .
  • the microprocessor 80 will then poll the direction sensors 60, 61 to determine whether the coin being processed has exited the diverter mechanism area (step 192) . If the test coin has cleared the area, the microprocessor 80 returns the diverter ramp 54 and the guide plate 56 to the positions shown in FIG. 3A (step 194) . If the coin has not cleared, the microprocessor 80 continues to poll the direction sensors 60, 61 (step 192) until the coin clears and it is safe to release the ramp 54 and guide plate 56 without jamming.
  • the microprocessor 80 After releasing the ramp 54 and guide 56 (step 192), or after deciding that the alternate accept path 78 should not be used with the current coin (step 186) , the microprocessor 80 enters step 190.
  • the microprocessor 80 analyzes the outputs of direction sensors 60, 61. If the coin is traveling in the correct direction, the microprocessor 80 credits the machine for the accepted coin in accordance with the identification made in steps 164-178 (step 196) . For example, if the inventive coin discriminator 10 is being used in a vending machine, and it has identified an accepted coin as a U.S. quarter, the microprocessor 80 will credit the machine $0.25 in U.S dollars. After making the credit (step 196) or if a fraud is detected, the microprocessor 80 will return to step 150 (FIG. 8A) via steps 198 and 200. The identification process will then begin anew with the next free falling coin.
  • a coin discriminating apparatus for discriminating between coins in free fall, the apparatus comprising: a coin identification sensor employing a substantially linear, substantially horizontal magnetic field to obtain a signature of a free falling test coin; and control circuitry having an associated memory where signatures of free falling sample coins are stored, the control circuitry comparing the signature of the free falling test coin with the signatures of the free falling sample coins to determine whether the test coin matches any of the sample coins.
  • the coin identification sensor includes: a support structure having a coin slot formed therein and a pair of opposed, elongated bobbins disposed on either side of the coin slot; and inner and outer pairs of inductive coils wound around respective bobbins of the support structure and at least partially enclosed by respective ferrite core structures, the outer pair of inductive coils generating a magnetic field when energized by an electric input current and the inner pair of inductive coils having an electric output current induced therein by the magnetic field, the ferrite core structures acting as shields for the magnetic field.
  • the test coin and the sample coins attenuate the electric output current when dropped through the coin slot.
  • the diverter mechanism comprises a diverter ramp and a guide plate with associated respective actuators, the actuators moving the diverter ramp and the guide plate with respect to said at least one accept path so as to guide the free falling test coin therethrough upon receiving the appropriate control signal from the control circuitry.
  • control circuitry comprises a microprocessor.
  • a coin discriminating apparatus for discriminating between coins in free fall, the apparatus comprising: a coin identification sensor having inner and outer pairs of inductive coils wound around respective bobbins and at least partially enclosed by respective ferrite core structures, the outer pair of inductive coils generating a magnetic field when energized by an electric input signal and the inner pair of inductive coils having an electric output signal induced therein by the magnetic field, the ferrite core structures focusing the magnetic field in a substantially linear and horizontal manner between the inner and outer pairs of inductive coils, the electric output signal being attenuated by a free falling test coin dropped between the first and second inductive coils, the attenuated electric output signal defining, at least in part, a signature of the free falling test coin; and control circuitry adapted to monitor the attenuated electric output signal from the coin identification sensor, the control circuitry having an associated memory where signatures of free falling sample coins are stored, the control circuitry comparing the signature of the free falling test coin with the signatures of the free falling sample coins to determine whether the test
  • the apparatus set forth in claim 14, further comprising: an acceptance gate disposed downstream of the inner and outer pairs of inductive coils for controlling where the free falling test coin is allowed to fall; and an actuator operatively connected to the acceptance gate for moving the acceptance gate in response to an appropriate control signal from the control circuitry.
  • the apparatus set forth in claim 16 further comprising: a diverter mechanism disposed downstream of the acceptance gate for selectively diverting the free falling test coin down said at least one accept path.
  • the diverter mechanism comprises a diverter ramp and a guide plate with associated respective actuators, the actuators moving the diverter ramp and the guide plate with respect to said at least one accept path so as to guide the free falling test coin therethrough upon receiving the appropriate control signal from the control circuitry.
  • a method of discriminating between coins in free fall comprising the steps of: employing inductive coils to generate a magnetic field and an induced electric output current, the inductive coils being at least partially enclosed by respective ferrite core structures to shield the magnetic field; obtaining signatures of free falling sample coins as defined, at least in part, by the manner in which the induced electric output current is attenuated while the free falling sample coins are dropped between the inductive coils; storing the signatures of the free falling sample coins in memory; obtaining a signature of a free falling test coin as defined, at least in part, by the manner in which the induced electric output current is attenuated while the free falling test coin is dropped between the inductive coils; and identifying the test coin by comparing the signature of the free falling test coin to the signatures of the free falling sample coins.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Testing Of Coins (AREA)

Abstract

Procédé et dispositif pour différencier des pièces de monnaie tombant en chute libre. Un capteur de pièces (20), à champ magnétique sensiblement linéaire et horizontal, est utilisé pour la production d'une signature numérique d'une pièce (15) tombant en chute libre. Cette signature est comparée aux signatures numériques de pièces-échantillons conservées en mémoire jusqu'à ce qu'une opération d'identification soit réalisée. On procède à l'identification et à la validation d'une pièce d'essai, les pièces acceptées sont triées entre différents trajets d'acceptation, et le sens de déplacement des pièces est vérifiée, pour détecter la fraude, durant une chute libre verticale de la pièce d'essai sur une dizaine de centimètres (4 pouces) environ.
PCT/US1997/017724 1996-09-30 1997-09-30 Procede et dispositif de differenciation pour pieces de monnaie WO1998014910A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU47420/97A AU4742097A (en) 1996-09-30 1997-09-30 Method and apparatus for discriminating different coins

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US2721496P 1996-09-30 1996-09-30
US60/027,214 1996-09-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998014910A1 true WO1998014910A1 (fr) 1998-04-09

Family

ID=21836383

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/017724 WO1998014910A1 (fr) 1996-09-30 1997-09-30 Procede et dispositif de differenciation pour pieces de monnaie

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4742097A (fr)
WO (1) WO1998014910A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2368443A (en) * 2000-08-30 2002-05-01 Asahi Seiko Co Ltd Coin validator sensors Fig 6A
CN107615340A (zh) * 2015-04-01 2018-01-19 克兰佩门特创新股份有限公司 主动硬币控制装置
US10851120B2 (en) 2016-06-20 2020-12-01 Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd. Diphenylmethane protective agent

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3998309A (en) * 1976-01-23 1976-12-21 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Coin accepting device
US4108296A (en) * 1976-04-08 1978-08-22 Nippon Coinco Co., Ltd. Coin receiving apparatus for a vending machine
US4819780A (en) * 1985-07-26 1989-04-11 Autelca Ag. Device for verifying coins
US4905814A (en) * 1988-08-16 1990-03-06 Coin Mechanisms, Inc. Coil configuration for electronic coin tester and method of making
US4998610A (en) * 1988-09-19 1991-03-12 Said Adil S Coin detector and counter
US5078252A (en) * 1989-04-10 1992-01-07 Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Conlux Coin selector
US5564549A (en) * 1993-09-23 1996-10-15 Nsm Aktiengesellschaft Switch for the distribution of coins

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3998309A (en) * 1976-01-23 1976-12-21 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Coin accepting device
US4108296A (en) * 1976-04-08 1978-08-22 Nippon Coinco Co., Ltd. Coin receiving apparatus for a vending machine
US4819780A (en) * 1985-07-26 1989-04-11 Autelca Ag. Device for verifying coins
US4905814A (en) * 1988-08-16 1990-03-06 Coin Mechanisms, Inc. Coil configuration for electronic coin tester and method of making
US4998610A (en) * 1988-09-19 1991-03-12 Said Adil S Coin detector and counter
US5078252A (en) * 1989-04-10 1992-01-07 Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Conlux Coin selector
US5564549A (en) * 1993-09-23 1996-10-15 Nsm Aktiengesellschaft Switch for the distribution of coins

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2368443A (en) * 2000-08-30 2002-05-01 Asahi Seiko Co Ltd Coin validator sensors Fig 6A
GB2368443B (en) * 2000-08-30 2004-01-21 Asahi Seiko Co Ltd A coin sensor
CN107615340A (zh) * 2015-04-01 2018-01-19 克兰佩门特创新股份有限公司 主动硬币控制装置
US10851120B2 (en) 2016-06-20 2020-12-01 Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd. Diphenylmethane protective agent
US11485747B2 (en) 2016-06-20 2022-11-01 Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd. Diphenylmethane protective agent

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4742097A (en) 1998-04-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA1275475C (fr) Jetons, et mecanisme fonctionnant a l'aide de jetons ou de monnaies
EP0134686B1 (fr) Dispositif pour l'examen de pièces de monnaie
US4556140A (en) Method and apparatus for discriminating coins or bank notes
US5577589A (en) Document handler
US5379875A (en) Coin discriminator and acceptor arrangement
US6889849B2 (en) Dual cash box note and ticket validator
EP0509146B1 (fr) Appareil pour le traitement de pièces de monnaie
US6098777A (en) Method and apparatus for discriminating different coins in free fall
EP0738407B1 (fr) Discriminateur de pieces avec bobines nulles a decalage
EP2188788B1 (fr) Procédé et capteur pour détecter des pièces de monnaie pour évaluation
US4503961A (en) Coin handling device
JP5167470B2 (ja) コイン識別センサおよびコインセレクタのコイン識別装置
US6467604B1 (en) Apparatus and method for determining the validity of a coin
EP0528830A1 (fr) Appareil de differenciation entre des pieces.
JP2008009894A5 (fr)
JPH02133895A (ja) 硬貨選別方法
JP4528445B2 (ja) 貨幣類受入器
EP1012796B1 (fr) Procede et appareil de verification de la validite de pieces de monnaie
AU1450292A (en) Method and apparatus for validating money
WO1998014910A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif de differenciation pour pieces de monnaie
JPS62286192A (ja) 自動販売機等の硬貨分類機構
GB2319383A (en) Coin collection device
EP0500366B1 (fr) Méchanisme de validation d'un jeton
JP2523391B2 (ja) 硬貨判別計数装置
JP4453221B2 (ja) 貨幣処理機

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU BR CA JP MX NZ

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

Ref document number: 1998516848

Format of ref document f/p: F

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA