Automatic Coin Disposing System

Abstract

The system comprises a discriminator, operable to check coins as to their relative dimensions or diameters, and to reject coins not having the proper relative dimensions or diameters, a discrimination path extending from the discriminator, and a true coin receiver at the end of the path. A true or false discriminator checks coins, passing along the path, as to whether they are genuine or counterfeit, and rejects and discharges counterfeit coins. This is followed by a damaged coin detector which detects damaged coins and discharges the same, after which the coins pass to a genuine coin discharge coupled to a genuine coin replenisher. The replenisher operates to supply, to the true or genuine coin receiver, a number of coins equal to the number of coins rejected and discharged by the true or false detector and the damaged coin detector. Interrelated control circuits, signal lamps and counters are provided. The dispensing operation is terminated when a predetermined number of coins have been dispensed, the termination of the dispensing operation requiring agreement between two successive detectors positioned along a discrimination path immediately in advance of the genuine coin receiver.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heretofore, coin dispensing operations, involving checking the coins as to size, as to whether they are genuine or counterfeit and as to the degree of damage, have had to rely upon visual inspection of the coins by operators. Thus, the operations have been subject to individual differences in the precision and efficiency of the operators, due to differences in the manual dexterity and degree of fatigue of individual operators, as well as to various other factors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to this aspect of a coin dispensing operation, and provides an automatic coin dispensing system including a coin diameter discriminating or checking means coupled to a discrimination or checking path to guide coins, passing successfully through the diameter checking means, and also coupled to a reject coin discharging mechanism. A false or counterfeit coin discriminating or checking means is provided on the discrimination or checking path, and discriminates coins on the basis of whether they are genuine or counterfeit in accordance with their physical properties, this counterfeit coin checking means being connected to a counterfeit coin discharging means. A damage degree discriminating means is also provided on the discrimination path to detect the degree of damage to coins, and is connected to a damaged coin discharging means, a. Next there is a means to count and discharge the coins passed successfully through the coin diameter discriminating means, the true-or-false discrimination means and the damage degree discriminating means, and connected to a genuine coin replenishing means to supply genuine coins to the discrimination passage in co-operation with said counting and discharging means. A control means for controlling the number of genuine coins to be supplied in accordance with the number of discharged counterfeit and damaged coins is also included.

According to the invention, the coins passed successfully through the coin diameter discriminating means are led through the discrimination path for discrimination according to whether they are genuine or counterfeit coins on the basis of their particular physical properties, and for checking their degree of damage. The counterfeit coins and damaged coins are discharged through their respective discharge means, and only the accepted coins are counted by a counter means. Meanwhile, genuine coins are supplied from the genuine coin replenishing means to the discrimination passage in correspondence to the number of rejected coins already discharged. The counter then indicates the sum of the accepted and replenished coins.

According to the invention, since a series of coin dispensing operations, such as sorting of coins, genuine or counterfeit discrimination thereof, detection of damage to the coins and the counting of acceptable coins can be accomplished entirely automatically, it is possible to greatly reduce the man-hours required for the dispensing operation and to eliminate inconveniences such as lowered precision and efficiency of the dispensing operation that would otherwise have resulted from the differences in the dexterity and degree of fatigue of individual operators.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will be made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a combined block diagram and schematic wiring diagram corresponding to the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, reference numeral 1 designates a coin diameter discriminating or checking means having a rotary disc means 1a, a coin diameter discriminating path 1b and a warped coin discharge mechanism 1c. Although not shown in the Figures, the coin diameter discriminating path is trifurcated into branch paths, one being a regular diameter coin discharge checking path connected to a discrimination path C1 and the other two being non-regular (both larger and smaller) diameter coin discharge paths connected to a non-regular diameter coin discharge path C5.

The warped coin discharge mechanism 1c is connected to a warped coin discharge path C6.

Also, the coin diameter discriminating means 1 is provided with accessory mechanisms (not shown) such as a coin hopper and a coin feed means to feed coins to the rotary disc 1a.

Numeral 2 designates a genuine or counterfeit discrimination means 2 consisting of various detecting parts mounted on the discrimination path C1, through which those coins having successfully passed through the coin diameter discriminating means 1 are led, so as not to interrupt the flow of coins. It discriminates whether these coins are genuine or counterfeit coins from their detected physical properties. For example, it may be one of the usual mechanisms that are used in the coin discriminating mechanism of automatic selling machines. It is presumed that there may be various physical properties of coins that are to be detected depending upon the shape and material of the coins, and a single detecting means or a combination of a plurality of detecting means may be employed to meet the required degree of precision of the genuine or counterfeit discrimination.

Numeral 6 designates a false or counterfeit coin discharge means coupled to the counterfeit discrimination means 2. It is actuated by a counterfeit coin discharge signal fS1 delivered from the discrimination means 2 so as to discharge the corresponding counterfeit coin coming along the discrimination path C1 at a coin discharge branching point B1 to a coin discharge source C3.

Numeral 3 designates a damaged coin discriminating means which consists of a photo-electric damage detector, mounted on the discrimination path C1 so as not to interfare with the flow of coins, and an associated electronic circuit.

Numeral 7 designates a damaged coin discharge means coupled to the damaged coin discriminating means 3. It is actuated by a damaged coin discharge signal daS1 delivered from the damaged coin discriminating means 3 so as to discharge the corresponding damaged coin, coming along the discrimination path C1, at a damaged coin discharge branching point B2 leading to a damaged coin discharge path C4.

Numeral 4 designates a true or genuine coin discharge means provided at the end of discrimination path C1. Leading from the coin discharge means 4 is a genuine coin discharge path C2, on which two detectors P7 and P8 are provided to effect a two-fold check of the number of discharged coins. As will be described hereinafter, every time a predetermined number of coins that have successfully passed through all the discriminating stations are discharged, the system is automatically stopped and a corresponding lamp is turned on.

Numeral 5 designates a genuine coin replenishing means which is coupled through a replenishment genuine coin discharge path C7 to the genuine coin discharge means 4. A replenishing coin detector P6 is provided on the discharge path C7.

A true coin detector P1 provided on the discrimination path C1 counts the true coins, inclusive of damaged coins, running through the discrimination path C1. A coincidence signal produced with a count signal from the detector P1 and a corresponding count signal from the replenishing coin detector P6 is fed as one count to a total coin counter A, shown in FIG. 2, to cause advancement thereof by one step. In this manner, the number of total coins is indicated.

A counterfeit coin detector P4 provided on the counterfeit coin discharge path C3, counts the number of counterfeit coins rejected by the genuine or counterfeit discriminating means 2 and discharged through the discharge path C3. A coincidence signal, produced with a counterfeit coin count signal fS2 from the detector P4 and a corresponding counterfeit coin discharge signal fS2 from the discriminating means 2, is fed as one count to a rejection coin counter B for the indication of the number of rejected coins.

A non-regular diameter coin detector P2 provided on the non-regular diameter discharge path C5 detects coins which have diameters larger or smaller than the regular diamater. The count signal dS is also fed to the rejection coil counter B.

A damaged coin detector P5 detects damaged coins rejected by the damaged coin discriminating means 3 and discharged through the damaged coin discharge path C4. A coincidence signal produced with a count signal daS2 from the detector P5 and a corresponding damaged coin discharge signal daS1 from the damaged coin discriminating means 3 is fed as one count to a damaged coin counter D for the indication of the number of discharged damaged coins.

Because the damaged coins are genuine coins, there are cases where the number of the damaged coin discharge signals and the number of actually discharged damaged coins need not coincide. In such cases, the count input to the damaged coin counter D need not be the afore-mentioned coincidence signal, but it may be constituted by the output of the damaged coin detector P5 alone.

When counterfeit coins and damaged coins are discharged, it is necessary to replenish the genuine coin discharge means 4 with genuine coins corresponding in number to the number of the discharged coins. The replenishment may be done automatically every time a counterfeit or damaged coin is discharged. Alternatively, it may be done automatically when a predetermined quantity of genuine coins has passed or has been accumulated. In the instant embodiment of the invention, the replenishment for the counterfeit coins is manually accomplished when the genuine or counterfeit discrimination of a predetermined number of coins is completed, while the replenishment for the damaged coins is done automatically and for from the genuine coin replenishing means 5 to the genuine coin discharge means upon attainment of predetermined numbers of dispensed coins, which will be described hereinafter in detail. In the manual replenishment, the count signal RS from a replenishment coin detector P6 is fed to a manual replenishment counter C for the indication of the number of manually replenished coins.

The sum of the number indicated by the manual replenishment counter C and the number indicated by the damaged coin counter D is indicated by a total replenishment coin counter E.

For the counting of the total number of charged non-dispensed coins, a detector P3 is provided on the warped coin discharge path C6. The sum of the number of count signals from this detector P3 and the numbers of signals from the detectors P1, P2 and P4 can be indicated by a total non-dispensed coin counter (not shown). Alternatively, a detector PO may be provided on the initial end of the discrimination path C1, and the sum of the number of count signals from this detector and the numbers of signals from the detectors P2 and P3 may be indicated by the afore-said total non-dispensed coin counter.

Reference character S1 designates a saucer for collecting irregular or counterfeit coins, reference character S2 a saucer for collecting damaged coins, and reference character S3 a dispensed genuine coin container.

Counters F and G co-operate with the respective detectors P7 and P8 for indicating the number of genuine coins discharged into the container S3. The counter F is of photo-electric type, while the counter G is of mechanical type.

Characters A', B', C', F' and G' designate counter resetters for the respective counters A, B, C, F and G. They may be operated to reset the respective counters after each predetermined disposal cycle or for repeating the previous cycle.

Counter resetters D' and E' are provided for the respective counters D and E for independently resetting these counters.

The operation of the above embodiment of the invention will now be described. A certain quantity of coins of the same kind, for example 4,000 100-yen coins, that are to be dispensed are charged into the coin hopper of the coin diameter discriminating means 1. When the coin dispensing system is started, the coins from the hopper are automatically supplied through a suitable draw-out means to the rotary disc means 1a, and thence they are supplied by their centrifugal force to the coin diameter discriminating path 1b.

The coins that are accepted as having regular diameter are fed to the discrimination path C1. On the other hand, the coins that have diameters smaller or larger than the regular diameter are discharged through the non-regular diameter coin discharge path C5 to the saucer S1. As each rejected coin passes through the coin discharge path, the non-regular diameter coin detector P2 sends out a detection signal for counter and indication of the number of discharged rejected coins by the rejection coin counter B.

Warped coins remaining in the rotary disc means 1a are discharged through the warped coin discharge path C6 to the saucer S1 by operating a warped coin discharge switch not shown. When the switch is turned on, a solenoid is activated to lower the rotary disc.

The regular diameter coins sent forth one by one to the discrimination path C1 are moved on at a constant speed and at a constant pitch. In this course, discrimination of genuine or counterfeit coins and detection of damaged coins are done momentarily. As the coins successively transferred along the discrimination path at a constant speed reach the genuine or counterfeit discrimination means 2, they are momentarily appraised as to whether they are genuine or counterfeit coins according to whether they have particular physical properties.

The coins having the afore-said particular physical properties and discriminated to be genuine coins in the discrimination means 2 are permitted to proceed straight along the path C1. On the other hand, if a coin not having the afore-said particular physical properties passes through the discrimination means and is detected therein as a counterfeit coin, a false coin discharge signal fS1 is delivered to the counterfeit coin discharge means 6 to actuate the same, so that the counterfeit coin is discharged at the counterfeit coin discharge branching point B1 through the counterfeit coin discharge course C3.

The false coin discharged through the counterfeit coin discharge path C3 passes through the counterfeit coin detector P4 and is collected in the saucer S1.

In order to check whether the number of detections of counterfeit coins coincides with the number of actually discharged counterfeit coins, a delayed signal fS1 (D) produced a predetermined time after each false coin discharge signal fS1 enters delay circuit D1 and a corresponding counterfeit coin count signal fS2 from the counterfeit coin detector P4 are coupled to coincidence AND gate AND1, whose coincidence signal is delivered to the rejected coin counter B for the indication of the number of rejected coins.

The counterfeit coin count signal fS2 is produced after the corresponding counterfeit coin discharge signal fS1, so that it will be readily understood that the delay circuit D1 is necessary to match the timing of one signal to that of another.

Each of the coins discriminated as genuine coin in the discrimination means 2 continues to proceed along the discrimination path C1 and passes through the genuine coin detector P1. As each coin passes through the detector P1, the latter delivers a detection signal Ss constituting one count to the total genuine coin counter a.

The genuine coins having passed through the detector P1 reach the damaged coin discriminating means 3 for momentary discrimination of their degree of surface damage.

If a coin whose degree of damage is above a certain datum of discrimination passes through the discriminating means, a damaged coin discharge signal daS1 is delivered to the damaged coin discharge means 7 to actuate the same, so that the damaged coin is momentarily discharged at the damaged coin discharge branching point B2 through the damaged coin discharge course C4.

The damaged coin discharged through the damaged coin discharge path C4 passes through the damaged coin detector P5 and is collected in the saucer S2.

The damaged coin count signal daS2 from the damaged coin detector P5 is delivered as one count to the damaged coin counter D. It is also coupled as a starting signal to the genuine coin replenishing means 5 to start the same. When the replenishing means 5 is started, it automatically supplies the a number of genuine coins, corresponding to the number of its input signals, to the genuine coin counting and discharging means 4.

The number of replenished coin count signals RS from the replenishment coin detector P6 and the number of the corresponding damaged coin count signal daS2 are compared by the comparator COM1. When both the compared numbers become equal, that is, E = J, a stop signal is delivered to the true coin replenishing means 5 to stop the replenishment. The built-in counter J of the comparator is capable of memorizing the number of count signals from the damaged coin detector P5.

The replenished coin count signal RS from the replenished coin detector P6 is also coupled as one count to the total replenishment coin counter E.

If the relation E = J in the replenishment of genuine coins is upset and goes to J < E without the replenishing means being automatically stopped, the genuine coin replenishment non-coincidence lamp L5 is turned on to indicate the overrun of the replenishing means 5, whereby the replenishing means is automatically stopped through an excess replenishment interlock mechanism with a minimum of excessive replenishment.

The coins successfully passed through the genuine or counterfeit discrimination and damage degree discrimination and led through the discrimination path C1 to the genuine coin discharge means 4, and the true coins supplied from the replenishing means 5 undergo the final dispensing step of counting and discharging into the container S3.

The detectors P7 and P8 provided on the discharge path C2 leading from the genuine coin discharge means 4 deliver respective count signals fS and gS to the respective counters F and G for the confirmation of the number of discharged true coins.

The counts of both counters F and G are compared by the comparator COM2, and every time they simultaneously reach 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 the system is automatically stopped and indicating lamps L21, L22, L23 and L24, corresponding to the respective counts, are successively turned on.

After the automatic stoppage of the system the next subcycle operation thereof can be started by operating the true coin counter switch PB2.

If the relation F = G is upset, the indicating lamps L21 to L24 will not be turned on.

If no rejected coin is detected, the final indication of both the counters F and G is 4,000. In this case, the dispensing termination lamp L1 is turned on to indicate the termination of one cycle of dispensing.

If rejected coin or coins are detected, the indication of the total coin counter A is less than 4,000. In this case, the lack-and-excess lamp L3 is turned on. Then, the operator may operate the replenishment switch PB1 to operate the replenishing means 5, thereby supplying the required number of genuine coins to the genuine coin discharge means 4.

The replenishment coin count signal RS produced from the replenishment coin detector P6 when each replenishment coin passes therethrough is coupled to the replenishment coin number counter E to cause advancement thereof by one step, while it is also coupled through a coincidence AND gate AND2, which also receives a hold signal from the reprenishment switch PB1, to the manual replenishment counter C to cause advancement thereof by one step. The output signal of the counter C constitutes one input to an OR gate OR3 whose output signal is fed to the total coin counter A to cause advancement thereof by one step.

When the indication of the total coin counter A reaches 4,000, the genuine coin replenishing means 5 is automatically stopped, whereupon the dispensing operation termination lamp L1 is turned on.

Also, when the indication of the counters F and G reaches 4,000, the genuine coin discharge means 4 is automatically stopped.

At this time, the manual replenishment counter C indicates the number of manually replenished coins, and the total replenishment coin counter E indicates the number of total replenishment coins (E = C + D).

If more than 4,000 coins (in excess of possible rejected coins) are initially charged, the final indication of the total coin counter A is greater than 4,000. In this case, the lack-and-excess lamp L3 is also turned on. While at this time all the indicating lamps L21 to L21 become "on", the dispensing operation termination lamp L1 is not turned on, indicating that excess genuine coins are present in the genuine coin discharge means 4. The excess genuine coins remaining in the genuine coin discharge means 4 may be taken out and collected in other collecting means than the container S3 by operating the discharge means 4 through the genuine coin counter switch.

As has been described in the foregoing, according to the above embodiment of the invention the coin dispensing operation, unlike the conventional coin dispensing operation based on the eye of the operator, requires the operator only to load coins through the coin inlet and render the system operative, whereby the subsequent operation is done totally automatically.

Thus, the individual differences in the precision and efficiency of the conventional manual coin dispensing operation, due to differences in the individual dexterity, fatugue and various other factors, can be eliminated. Any one, once taught how to operate the system, can easily complete a predetermined coin dispensing operation in conformity to predetermined standards. This permits not only improving the standards of the entire coin dispensing operation but also greatly reducing the man-hours required for the coin dispensing operation, which is an extreme economical advantage.

Further, the automatic coin dispensing system according to the invention may be used in combination with automatic peripheral units such as an automatic non-dispensed coin supplier, automatic recorder, automatic coin packing machine and so forth. When combined with these peripheral units, the dispensing capacity may be further increased and the required man-hours may be further reduced.

FIG. 3 shows a different embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a total non-dispensed coin number detector PT provided on coin path CO leading from a coin alignment unit O delivers its count signal to a total non-dispensed coin counter to indicate the total number of supplied non-dispensed coins. In the other part of its construction, as well as in its operation and effects, this embodiment is entirely the same as the previous embodiment, so parts corresponding to those in the previous embodiment are designated by like reference characters in FIG. 3 and are not described.

While in the preceding embodiments the counterfeit coin discharge means 6 and damaged coin discharge means 7 are separately provided and operated by separate signals, they can be combined into a single discharge means by suitably producing disposal signals.

Also, while in the first embodiment the replenishment of genuine coins is accomplished in correspondence to the number of counterfeit and damaged coins discharged in each subcycle, it is also possible to effect the replenish-ment every time a counterfeit or damaged coin is discharged.

Further, while in the first embodiment the resetting of the counters A, B, C and G are effected simultaneously and the counters D and E are individually reset, all the counters may be simultaneously reset, if necessary. Of course, it is possible to arrange that only a particular counter or counters may be reset independently.

Furthermore, while in the first embodiment a predetermined number of coins, for instance 4,000, are initially loaded, it is possible to provide a floating loading system so that the replenishment is zero.

Still further, the damage degree discrimination may be dispensed with. For example, if the coin disposing system according to the invention is to be used for separating new and old 100-yen coins, both of which are genuine coins, the new coins may be discharged through the true coin discharge means while counting and discharging the old coins through the false coin discharge means to a separate container (or vice versa). In this case, the genuine coin replenishing means may be adapted to be stopped eather automatically or manually. Also, the genuine coin replenishing means may be dispensed with or locked in the inoperative state. In such a case, the coin disposing system has the single function of separating new and old coins.

Further, where all the non-dispensed coins are genuine coins, the genuine or counterfeit discrimination means may be held inoperative, so as to carry out the damage degree discrimination alone. In this case, the genuine coin replenishing means may either be dispensed with or held inoperative.

While some preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, they are by no means limitative but various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. An automatic coin dispensing system comprising, in combination, means forming a coin discrimination and checking passage extending to a coin dispensing outlet; means supplying coins to said passage; a genuine or counterfeit discrimination means positioned along said passage; a counterfeit coin discharge means associated with said discrimination means and communicating with said passage; a damaged coin detecting means positioned along said passage; a damaged coin discharge means controlled by said detecting means and communicating with said passage; a genuine coin replenishing means connected to said passage; counter means operable to count the number of coins passing through said respective means; and control means interconnecting said respective means for coordinated operation thereof in delivering coins to said coin dispensing outlet.

2. The automatic coin dispensing system according to claim 1, including respective counting means operable to count separately the individual number of coins passing through said genuine or counterfeit discrimination means, said counterfeit coin discharge means, said damaged coin detecting means and said damaged coin discharge means; said genuine coin replenishing means supplying genuine coins to said passage independently of said genuine or counterfeit discrimination means and of each of said discharge means until a preset number of genuine coins has been dispensed.

3. The automatic coin dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the number of replenishment coins supplied from said coin replenishing means is controlled in correspondence to the number of counterfeit coins discharged through said counterfeit coin discharge means and damaged coins discharged through said damaged coin discharge means.

4. The automatic coin dispensing system according to claim 3, wherein said genuine or counterfeit discrimination means determines whether coins passing through it are genuine or counterfeit coins on the basis of physical properties of said coins.

5. The automatic coin dispensing system, according to claim 4, in which said means supplying coins to said passage comprises a coin diameter discriminating means operable to supply, to said passage, only coins having a predetermined diameter.