FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to coin processing devices and, more particularly,
to a coin processing device having a improved coin discrimination system for discriminating
between valid and invalid coins and removing the invalid coins, and to a coin discrimination
sensor that discriminates among coins of different compositions, thickness, and diameters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, disc-type coin sorters sort coins according to the diameter of each coin.
Typically, in a given coin set such as the United States coin set, each coin denomination
has a different diameter. Thus, sorting coins by diameter effectively sorts the coins
according to denomination.
[0003] Disc-type coin sorters typically include a resilient pad (disposed on a rotating
disc) that rotates beneath a stationary sorting head having a lower surface positioned
parallel to the upper surface of the resilient pad and spaced slightly therefrom.
The rotating, resilient pad presses coins upward against the sorting head as the pad
rotates. The lower surface of sorting head includes a plurality shaped regions including
exit channels for manipulating and controlling the movement of the coins. Each of
the exit channels is dimensioned to accommodate coins of a different diameter for
sorting the coins based on diameter size. As coins are discharged from the sorting
head via the exit channels, the sorted coins follow respective coin paths to sorted
coin receptacles where the sorted coins are stored.
[0004] It is desirable in the sorting of coins to discriminate between valid coins and invalid
coins. Use of the term "valid coin" refers to coins of the type to be sorted. Use
of the term "invalid coin" refers to items being circulated on the rotating disc that
are not one of the coins to be sorted. For example, it is common that foreign or counterfeit
coins (
e.g., slugs) enter the coin sorting system. So that such items are not sorted and counted
as valid coins, it is helpful to detect and discard these "invalid coins" from the
coin processing system. In another application wherein it is desired to process (
e.g., count and/or sort) only U.S. quarters, nickels and dimes, all other U.S. coins
including dollar coins, half-dollar coins and pennies are considered "invalid." Additionally,
coins from all other coins sets including Canadian coins and Euro coins, for example,
would be considered "invalid " when processing U.S. coins. Finally, any truly counterfeit
coins (
i.e., a slug) are always considered "invalid" in any application. In another application
it may be desirable to separate Canadian coins from U.S. coins for example. Therefore,
in that application all authentic U.S. and Canadian coins are considered invalid,
and all non-authentic U.S. and Canadian coins and all coins from other coin sets (
e.g., Euro coins) are considered invalid.
[0005] Typically, prior-art disc-type coin sorters include a discrimination sensor disposed
within each exit channel for discriminating between valid and invalid coins as coins
enter the exit channels. In such systems, therefore, coins entered the exit channel
and are then discriminated. An invalid coin having a diameter that enables it to pass
into an exit channel moves past the discrimination sensor. The discrimination sensor
detects the invalid coin and a braking mechanism is triggered to stop the rotating
disc before the invalid coin is moved out of the exit channel. A diverter, disposed
within the coin path external, or internal, to the sorting head, moves such that a
coin entering the coin path is diverted to an invalid coin receptacle. The sorting
head is then jogged (electronically pulsed) causing the disc to incrementally rotate
until the invalid coin is discharged from the exit channel to the coin path where
it is diverted to a invalid coin receptacle. The diverter is moved back to its home
position such that coins now entering the coin path are directed to the coin receptacles
for valid coins. The coin sorter is then restarted and the disc begins to rotate at
the normal sorting rate of speed.
[0006] One drawback associated with this type prior art discrimination technique is the
downtime consumed by the aforementioned stopping, jogging and restarting of the rotatable
disc to remove the invalid coin. This process often takes approximately five seconds
per invalid coin. Initially, this may appear to be a relatively insignificant amount
of time; however, this time can add up to a significant amount of time in the processing
of bulk coins.
[0007] Furthermore, because the rotatable disc rapidity breaks and stops so that an invalid
coin is not ejected from a coin exit channel before the diverter is moved to route
invalid coins to a reject receptacle, the overall speed (
i.e., the number of rotations of the rotatable disc per minute) is limited. Additionally,
this type prior art discrimination technique results in more "wear and tear" on the
breaking system and motor. Accordingly, a need exists for a coin processing machine
that can discriminate invalid coins at a high-rate of speed.
[0008] Coin discrimination sensors have been employed to discriminate among various coins.
A typical coin discrimination sensor includes at least one primary coil for inducing
eddy currents in the coin to be analyzed. The primary coil receives an alternating
voltage which correspondingly produces an alternating current in the coil. The alternating
current flowing in the primary coil produces an alternating magnetic field through
and around the coil as is well known in the art.
[0009] Characteristics of the alternating magnetic field depend upon a variety of factors
including the frequency and amplitude of the voltage applied to the primary coil.
The primary coil, also known as the excitation coil, inductively couples with a coin
brought into proximity with the coil, thereby producing eddy currents in the coin
being analyzed. Because the magnetic field from the primary coil is alternating, the
corresponding eddy currents are alternating as well. The induced eddy currents are
influenced by the characteristics of the coin being analyzed.
[0010] The magnitude of the eddy currents produced is influenced by the frequency of the
alternating magnetic fields applied. High frequencies tend to create magnetic fields
that penetrate near the surface of the coin, giving a better indication of a coin's
surface area. Low frequencies tend to penetrate further into the coin, giving a better
indication of a coin's volume. Coin discrimination sensors which employ eddy currents
to discriminate among different coins typically use an excitation signal that is oscillating
at a single frequency. Thus, coin discrimination sensors having a high-frequency excitation
signal distinguish better among coins of different diameter. Conversely, coin discrimination
sensors having a low-frequency excitation signal distinguish better among coins of
different thickness. What is needed, therefore, is a coin discrimination sensor that
uses a composite excitation signal so as to distinguish among coins having different
compositions, thicknesses, and diameters.
[0011] US 4 731 043 A discloses a coin sorter of the type wherein coins are sorted by the combination of
a sorting head and a rotated disc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Aspects of the invention are disclosed in independent claim 1.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a coin processing system for
processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations comprises a rotatable disc
for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, a sensor for differentiating between
valid and invalid coins, a stationary sorting head, a diverter and a controller. The
stationary sorting head has a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly
away from the rotatable disc. The lower surface forms a queuing channel and a plurality
of exit channels for sorting and discharging coins of particular denominations. The
queuing channel has a first segment for receiving coins and a second segment for moving
the coins past the sensor and is configured to move coins at a faster rate along the
second segment for increasing the spacing between adjacent coins. The diverter is
disposed along the second segment beyond the sensor and is moveable between a first
position for permitting coins to proceed to the plurality of exit channels and a second
position for diverting coins to a reject region. The controller moves the diverter
from the first position to the second position when the sensor detects an invalid
coin.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a discrimination sensor
includes a transmission coil and two reception coils. The transmission coil produces
a magnetic field over a section of a coin path along which coins pass. The reception
coils are configured to detect signals that are indicative of characteristics of each
coin passing along the coin path. The characteristics include at least a coin composition,
such as metal content, a coin thickness, and a coin diameter.
[0015] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a discrimination sensor
includes a first coil coupled to a second coil. The first coil and the second coil
produce a magnetic field over a coin path along which coins pass. The magnetic field
couples to the coins to induce eddy currents within a passing coin. The first coil
and the second coil also detect signals corresponding to the eddy currents, which
signals are indicative of at least a coin composition, a coin thickness, and a coin
diameter.
[0016] A method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention includes moving
a coin along a coin path, inducing eddy currents in the coin by subjecting the coin
to a magnetic field of a high frequency and a low frequency, detecting signals corresponding
to the eddy currents that are indicative of a coin composition, a coin thickness,
and a coin diameter, and processing the signals to determine an identity of the coin.
[0017] The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment,
or every aspect, of the present invention. Additional features and benefits of the
present invention are apparent from the detailed description, figures, and claims
set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin processing system, according to one embodiment
of the present invention, with portions thereof broken away to show the internal structure.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom view of a sorting head for use with the system of FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sorting head shown in FIG. 2 taken along line
3-3.
FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of the sorting head shown in FIG. 2 taken along
4-4.
FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of that which is shown
in FIG. 4a.
FIG. 5 is an oversize view of a queuing channel of the sorting head shown in FIG.
2.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the control system for the a coin processing
system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7a is a perspective view of an external diverter according to one alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7b is a front end view of the external diverter shown in FIG. 7a taken along
line 7b-7b.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged bottom view of a programmable sorting head that can be used
with the coin processing system of FIG. 1 instead of the sorting head shown in FIG.
2.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged bottom view of a sorting head and an external optical sensor
that can be used with the coin processing system of FIG. 1 instead of the sorting
head shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 10 is a top view of a programmable power rail coin processing system according
to one alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rail and an endless belt for use with the programmable
power rail coin processing system of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the programmable power rail coin processing system
of FIG. 10 disposed within a cabinet according to one an alternative embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a enlarged bottom view of a sorting head having a single coin exit station
that can be used with the coin processing system of FIG. 1 instead of the sorting
head shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a coin discrimination system according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of a coin discrimination system according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16a is a top view of a bobbin which is employed in a coin discrimination sensor
according to the present invention.
FIG. 16b is a side view of the bobbin shown in FIG. 16a.
FIG. 16c is an end view of the bobbin shown in FIG. 16b.
FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a coin discrimination sensor according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a schematic circuit diagram of the coin discrimination sensor of FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the coils in the coin discrimination
sensor of FIG. 17.
FIG. 20 is a graphical illustration of a waveform of an excitation signal which is
provided to the coin discrimination sensor of FIG. 14.
FIG. 21 is a graphical illustration of a waveform of a detection signal from the coin
discrimination sensor of FIG. 14 when no coin is present.
FIG. 22 is a graphical illustration of a waveform of a detection signal from the coin
discrimination sensor of FIG. 14 when a 5 cent coin is present.
FIG. 23 is a graphical illustration of the two waveforms shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.
FIG. 24 is a scatter chart of the 30 KHz sine and cosine amplitude values for a coin
set associated with the coin discrimination sensor of FIG. 14.
FIG. 25 is a scatter chart of the 480 KHz sine and cosine amplitude values for the
coin set of FIG. 24.
FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram of a coin discrimination system according to
yet another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the coin discrimination sensor shown
in FIG. 26.
[0019] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be desired
in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended
to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover
all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Turning now to the drawings and referring first to FIG. 1, a disc-type coin processing
system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The coin
processing system 100 includes a hopper 110 for receiving coins of mixed denominations
that feeds the coins through a central opening in an annular sorting head 112. As
the coins pass through this opening, they are deposited on the top surface of a rotatable
disc 114. This rotatable disc 114 is mounted for rotation on a shaft (not shown) and
driven by an electric motor 116. The disc 114 typically comprises a resilient pad
118, preferably made of a resilient rubber or polymeric material, bonded to the top
surface of a solid disc 120. While the solid disc 120 is often made of metal, it can
also be made of a rigid polymeric material.
[0021] According to one embodiment, coins are initially deposited by a user in a coin tray
(not shown) disposed above the coin processing system 100 shown in FIG. 1. The user
lifts the coin tray which funnels the coins into the hopper 110. A coin tray suitable
for use in connection with the coin processing system 100 is described in detail in
U.S. Patent No. 4,964,495 entitled "Pivoting Tray For Coin Sorter," which is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
[0022] As the disc 114 is rotated, the coins deposited on the resilient pad 118 tend to
slide outwardly over the surface of the pad 118 due to centrifugal force. As the coins
move outwardly, those coins which are lying flat on the pad 118 enter the gap between
the surface of the pad 118 and the sorting head 112 because the underside of the inner
periphery of the sorting head 112 is spaced above the pad 118 by a distance which
is about the same as the thickness of the thickest coin. As is further described below,
the coins are processed and sent to exit stations where they are discharged. The coin
exit stations may sort the coins into their respective denominations and discharge
the coins from exit channels in the sorting head 112 corresponding to their denominations.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, the underside of the sorting head 112 is shown. The coin
sets for any given country are sorted by the sorting head 112 due to variations in
the diameter size. The coins circulate between the sorting head 112 and the pad 118
(FIG. 1) on the rotatable disc 114 (FIG. 1). The coins are deposited on the pad 118
via a central opening 130 and initially enter the entry channel 132 formed in the
underside of the sorting head 112. It should be keep in mind that the circulation
of the coins in FIG. 2 appears counterclockwise as FIG. 2 is a view of the underside
of the sorting head 112.
[0024] An outer wall 136 of the entry channel 132 divides the entry channel 132 from the
lowermost surface 140 of the sorting head 112. The lowermost surface 140 is preferably
spaced from the pad 118 by a distance that is slightly less than the thickness of
the thinnest coins. Consequently, the initial outward radial movement of all the coins
is terminated when the coin engage the outer wall 136, although the coins continue
to move more circumferentially along the wall 136 (in the counterclockwise directed
as viewed in FIG. 2) by the rotational movement imparted to the coins by the pad 118
of the rotatable disc 114.
[0025] In some cases, coins may be stacked on top of each other - commonly referred to as
"stacked" coins or "shingled" coins. Some of these coins, particularly thicker coins,
will be under pad pressure and cannot move radially outward toward wall 136 under
the centrifugal force. Stacked coins which are not against wall 136 must be recirculated
and stacked coins in contact against wall 136 must be unstacked. To unstack the coins,
the stacked coins encounter a stripping notch 144 whereby the upper coin of the stacked
coins engages the stripping notch 144 and is channeled along the stripping notch 144
back to an area of the pad 118 disposed below the central opening 130 where the coins
are then recirculated. The vertical dimension of the stripping notch 144 is slightly
less the thickness of the thinnest coins so that only the upper coin is contacted
and stripped. While the stripping notch 144 prohibits the further circumferential
movement of the upper coin, the lower coin continues moving circumferentially across
stripping notch 144 into the queuing channel 166.
[0026] Stacked coins that may have bypassed the stripping notch 144 by entering the entry
channel 132 downstream of the stripping notch 144 are unstacked after the coins enter
the queuing channel 166 and are turned into an inner queuing wall 170 of the queuing
channel 166. The upper coin contacts the inner queuing wall 170 and is channeled along
the inner queuing wall 170 while the lower coin is move by the pad 118 across the
inner queuing wall 170 into the region defined by surface 172 wherein the lower coin
engages a wall 173 and is recirculated. Other coins that are not properly aligned
along the inner queuing wall 170, but that are not recirculated by wall 173, are recirculated
by recirculating channel 173.
[0027] As the pad 118 continues to rotates, those coins that were initially aligned along
the wall 136 (and the lower coins of stacked coins moving beneath the stripping notch
144) move across the ramp 162 leading to the queuing channel 166 for aligning the
innermost edge of each coin along an inner queuing wall. In addition to the inner
queuing wall 170, the queuing channel 166 includes a first rail 174 and a second rail
178 that form the outer edges of stepped surfaces 182 and 186, respectively. The stepped
surfaces 182, 186 are acutely angled with respect to the horizontal. The surfaces
182 and 186 are sized such that the width of surface 182 is less than that of the
smallest (in terms of the diameter) coins and the width of surface 184 is less than
that of the largest coin.
[0028] Referring for a moment to FIG. 3, a small diameter coin (
e.g., a dime or a 1¢ Euro coin) is shown pressed into pad 118 by the first rail 174 of
the sorting head 112. The rails 174, 178 are dimensioned to be spaced away from the
top of the pad 118 by a distance less than the thickness of the thinnest coin so that
the coins are gripped between the rail 174, 178 and the pad 118 as the coins move
through the queuing channel 166. The coins are actually slightly tilted with respect
to the sorting head 112 such that their outermost edges are digging into the pad 118.
Consequently, due to this positive pressure on the outermost edges, the innermost
edges of the coins tend to rise slightly away from the pad 118.
[0029] Referring back to FIG. 2, the coins are gripped between one of the two rails 174,
178 and the pad 118 as the coins are rotated through the queuing channel 166. The
coins, which were initially aligned with the outer wall 136 of the entry channel 130
as the coins moved across the ramp 162 and into the queuing channel 166, are rotated
into engagement with inner queuing wall 170. Because the queuing channel 166 applies
a greater amount of pressure on the outside edges of the coins, the coin are less
likely to bounce off the inner queuing wall 170 as the radial position of the coin
is increased along the inner queuing wall 170.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 4a, the entry region 132 of the embodiment of the sorting head
112 shown in FIG. 2 includes two stepped surfaces 187a, 187b forming a rail 188 therebetween.
According to an alternative embodiment of the sorting head 112, the entry channel
132 consists of one surface 189 as shown in FIG. 4b.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an oversized view of the queuing channel
166 of FIG. 2. It can be seen that the queuing channel 166 is generally "L-shaped."
The L-shaped shaped queuing channel 166 is considered in two segments - a first upstream
segment 190 and a second downstream segment 192. The upstream segment 190 receives
the coins as the coins move across the ramp 162 and into the queuing channel 166.
The coins enter the downstream segment 192 as the coins turn a corner 194 of the L-shaped
queuing channel 166. As the pad 118 continues to rotate, the coins move along the
second segment 192 and are still engaged on the inner queuing wall 170. The coins
move across a ramp 196 as the coins enter a discrimination region 202 and a reject
region having a reject channel 212 for off-sorting invalid coins, which are both located
towards the downstream end of the second segment 192. The discrimination region includes
a discrimination sensor 204 for discriminating between valid and invalid coins and/or
identifying the denomination of coins.
[0032] The queuing channel 166 is designed such that a line tangent to the inner queuing
wall 170 of the L-shaped queuing channel 166 at about the point where coins move past
the ramp 196 into the discrimination region 202 (shown as point A in FIG. 5) forms
an angle alpha (α) with a line tangent to the inner queuing wall 170 at about the
point where coins move over ramp 162 into the queuing channel 166 (shown as point
B in FIG. 5). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the angle alpha
(α) is about 100°. According to alternative embodiments of the coin processing system
100, the angle alpha (α) is about 100° ranges between about 90° and about 110°.
[0033] As the pad 118 continues to rotates, the L-shaped of the queuing channel 166 imparts
spacing to the coins which are initially closely spaced, and perhaps abutting one
another, as the coins move across the ramp 162 into the queuing channel 166. As the
coins move along the first upstream segment 190 of the queuing channel 166, the coins
are pushed against inner queuing wall 170 and travel along the inner queuing wall
170 in a direction that is transverse to (
i.e., generally unparallel) the direction in which the pad 118 is rotating. This action
aligns the coins against the inner queuing wall 170. However, as the coins round the
corner 194 into the second downstream segment 192 of the queuing channel 166, the
coins are turned in a direction wherein they are moving with the pad (
i.e., in a direction more parallel to the direction of movement of the pad). A coin rounding
the corner 194 is accelerated as the coin moves in a direction with the pad; thus,
the coin is spaced from the next coin upstream. Put another way, the first segment
190 receives coins from the entry channel 132 and the second segment 192 is disposed
in a position that is substantially more in direction of movement of said rotatable
disc 114 for creating an increased spacing between adjacent coins. Accordingly, the
coins moving through the second segment 192 are spaced apart. According to one embodiment
of the present invention, the coins are spaced apart by a time of approximately five
milliseconds when the sorting head 112 has an eleven inch diameter and the pad 118
rotates at a speed of approximately three hundred revolutions per minute (300 r.p.m.).
According to an alternative embodiment, the coins are spaced apart by a distance of
less than about two inches when the sorting head 112 has an eleven inch diameter and
the pad 118 rotates at a speed of about 350 r.p.m.
[0034] Referring back to FIG. 2, as the coins move into the discrimination region 202 of
the second segment 194, the coins move across ramp 196 and transition to a flat surface
of the discrimination region 202 as the pad 118 continues to rotate. Put another way,
the two stepped surfaces 182, 186 of the queuing channel 166 transition into the flat
surface of the discrimination region 202 towards the downstream second segment 194.
The pad 118 holds each coin flat against the flat surface of the discrimination region
202 as the coins are moved past the discriminator sensor 204 in the downstream second
segment 194.
[0035] The sorting head 112 includes a cutout for the discrimination sensor 204. The discrimination
sensor 204 is disposed just below the flat surface of the discrimination region 202.
Likewise, a coin trigger sensor 206 is disposed just upstream of the discrimination
sensor 204 for detecting the presence of a coin. Coins first move over the coin trigger
sensor 206 (
e.g., a photo detector or a metal proximity detector) which sends a signal to a controller
indicating that a coin is approaching the coin discrimination sensor 204.
[0036] According to one embodiment, the coin discrimination sensor 204 is adapted to discriminate
between valid and invalid coins. As discussed in the Background Section, use of the
term "valid coin" refers to coins of the type to be sorted. Use of the term "invalid
coin" refers to items being circulated on the rotating disc that are not one of the
coins to be sorted. Any truly counterfeit coins (
i.e., a slug) are always considered "invalid." According to another alternative embodiment
of the present invention, the coin discriminator sensor 204 is adapted to identify
the denomination of the coins and discriminate between valid and invalid coins.
[0037] Coin discrimination sensors suitable for use with the disc-type coin sorter shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2 are describe in detail in
U.S. Patent Nos. 5,630,494 and
5,743,373, both of which are entitled "Coin Discrimination Sensor And Coin Handling System"
and are incorporated herein by reference in their entries. Another coin discrimination
sensor suitable for use with the present invention is described in detail herein in
connection with FIGS. 14-27.
[0038] As discussed above according to one alternative embodiment of the present invention,
the discrimination sensor 204 discriminates between valid and invalid coins. Downstream
of the discrimination sensor 204 is a diverting pin 210 disposed adjacent inner queuing
wall 170 that is movable to a diverting position (out of the page as viewed in FIG.
2) and a home position (into the page as viewed in FIG. 2). In the diverting position,
the diverting pin 210 directs coins off of inner queuing wall 170 and into a reject
channel 212. The reject channel 212 includes a reject wall 214 that rejected coins
abut against as they are off-sorted to the periphery of the sorting head 112. Off-sorted
coins are directed to a reject area (not shown). Coin that are not rejected (
i.e., valid coins) eventually engage an outer wall 252 of a gauging channel 250 where
coins are aligned on a common radius for entry into the coin exit station area as
is described in greater detail below.
[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the diverting pin 210 is coupled
to a voice coil (not shown) for moving the diverting pin between the diverting position
and the home position. Using a voice coil in this application is a nontraditional
use for voice coils, which are commonplace in acoustical applications as well as in
servo-type applications. Typically, a discrete amount of voltage is applied to the
voice coil for moving the windings of the voice coil a discrete amount within the
voice coil's stroke length - the greater the voltage, the greater the movement. However,
the Applicants have discovered that the when the voice coil is "flooded" with a positive
voltage, for example, the voice coil rapidly moves the diverting pin 210 coupled thereto
to the diverting position (
i.e., the end of the voice coil's stroke length) within a very short time period that
is less than the time it takes for the coins to move from the discrimination sensor
204 to the diverter pin 210 when increased spacing is encountered due to the queuing
channel. The voice coil is then flooded with a negative voltage for rapidly moving
the diverting pin 210 windings back to its home position.
[0040] A voice coil suitable for use with the present invention is described in
U.S. Patent No. 5,345,206, entitled "Moving Coil Actuator Utilizing Flux-Focused Interleaved Magnetic Circuit,"
which is incorporated herein by references in its entirety. As an example, a voice
coil manufactured by BEI, Technologies, Inc. of San Francisco, California, model number
LA15-16-024A, can move an eighth-inch (1/8 in) stroke (
e.g., from the home position to the diverting position) in approximately 1.3 milliseconds,
which is a speed of about 0.1 inch per millisecond, and can provide approximately
twenty pounds of force in either direction. Other voice coils are suitable for use
with the coin sorting system of FIG. 2.
[0041] Other types of actuation devices can be used in alternative embodiments of the present
invention. For example, a linear solenoid or a rotary solenoid may be used to move
a pin such as diverting pin 210 between a diverting position and a home position.
[0042] As the pad 118 continues to rotate, those coins not diverted into the reject channel
212 continue along inner queuing wall 170 to the gauging region 250. The inner queuing
wall 170 terminates just downstream of the reject channel 212; thus, the coins no
longer abut the inner queuing wall 170 at this point and the queuing channel 166 terminates.
The radial position of the coins is maintained, because the coins remain under pad
pressure, until the coins contact an outer wall 252 of the gauging region 252. According
to one embodiment of the present invention, the sorting head 112 includes a gauging
block 254 which extends the outer wall 252 beyond the outer periphery of the sorting
head 112. The gauging block 254 is useful when processing larger diameter coins such
as casino tokens, $1 coins, 50¢ pieces,
etc. that extend beyond he outer periphery of the sorting head 112. According to the
embodiment of the sorting head 112 shown in FIG. 2, the gauging channel 250 includes
two stepped surfaces to form rails similar to that described above in connection with
the queuing channel 166. In alternative embodiments, the gauging channel 250 does
not include two stepped surfaces.
[0043] The gauging wall 252 aligns the coins along a common radius as the coins approach
a series of coin exit channels 261-268 which discharge coins of different denominations.
The first exit channel 261 is dedicated to the smallest coin to be sorted (
e.g., the dime in the U.S. coin set). Beyond the first exit channel 261, the sorting
head 112 shown in FIG. 2 forms seven more exit channels 261-268 which discharge coins
of different denominations at different circumferential locations around the periphery
of the sorting head 112. Thus, the exit channels 261-268 are spaced circumferentially
around the outer periphery of the sorting head 112 with the innermost edges of successive
channels located progressively closer to the center of the sorting head 112 so that
coins are discharged in the order of decreasing diameter. The number of exit channels
can vary according to alternative embodiments of the present invention.
[0044] The innermost edges of the exit channels 261-268 are positioned so that the inner
edge of a coin of only one particular denomination can enter each channel 261-268.
The coins of all other denominations reaching a given exit channel extend inwardly
beyond the innermost edge of that particular exit channel so that those coins cannot
enter the channel and, therefore, continue on to the next exit channel under the circumferential
movement imparted on them by the pad 118. To maintain a constant radial position of
the coins, the pad 118 continues to exert pressure on the coins as they move between
successive exit channels 261-268.
[0045] According to one embodiment of the sorting head 112, each of the exit channels 261-268
includes a coin counting sensor 271-278 for counting the coins as coins pass though
and are discharged from the coin exit channels 261-268. In an embodiment of the coin
processing system utilizing a discrimination sensor capable of determining the denomination
of each of the coins, it is not necessary to use the coin counting sensors 271-278
because the discrimination sensor 204 provides a signal that allows the controller
to determine the denomination of each of the coins. Through the use of the system
controller (FIG. 6), a count is maintained of the number of coins discharged by each
exit channel 261-268.
[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates a system controller 280 and its relationship to the other components
in the coin processing system 100. The operator communicates with the coin processing
system 100 via an operator interface 282 for receiving information from an operator
and displaying information to the operator about the functions and operation of the
coin processing system 100. The controller 280 monitors the angular position of the
disc 114 via an encoder 284 which sends an encoder count to the controller 280 upon
each incremental movement of the disc 114. Based on input from the encoder 284, the
controller 280 determines the angular velocity at which the disc 114 is rotating as
well as the change in angular velocity, that is the acceleration and deceleration,
of the disc 114. The encoder 284 allows the controller 280 to track the position of
coins on the sorting head 112 after being sensed. According to one embodiment of the
coin processing system 100, the encoder has a resolution of 2000 pulses per revolution
of the disc 114.
[0047] Furthermore, the encoder 284 can be of a type commonly known as a dual channel encoder
that utilizes two encoder sensors (not shown). The signals that are produced by the
two encoder sensors and detected by the controller 280 are generally out of phase.
The direction of movement of the disc 114 can be monitored by utilizing the dual channel
encoder.
[0048] The controller 280 also controls the power supplied to the motor 116 which drives
the rotatable disc 114. When the motor 116 is a DC motor, the controller 280 can reverse
the current to the motor 116 to cause the rotatable disc 114 to decelerate. Thus,
the controller 270 can control the speed of the rotatable disc 114 without the need
for a braking mechanism.
[0049] If a braking mechanism 280 is used, the controller 280 also controls the braking
mechanism 286. Because the amount of power applied is proportional to the braking
force, the controller 280 has the ability to alter the deceleration of the disc 114
by varying the power applied to the braking mechanism 286.
[0050] According to one embodiment of the coin processing 100, the controller 280 also monitors
the coin counting sensors 271-278 which are disposed in each of the coin exit channels
261-268 of the sorting head 112 (or just outside the periphery of the sorting head
112). As coins move past one of these counting sensors 271-278, the controller 280
receives a signal from the counting sensor 271-278 for the particular denomination
of the passing coin and adds one to the counter for that particular denomination within
the controller 280. The controller 280 maintains a counter for each denomination of
coin that is to be sorted. In this way, each denomination of coin being sorted by
the coin processing system 100 has a count continuously tallied and updated by the
controller 280. The controller 280 is able to cause the rotatable disc 114 to quickly
terminate rotation after a "n" number (
i.e., a predetermined number) of coins have been discharged from an output receptacle,
but before the "n+1" coin has been discharged. For example, it may be necessary to
stop the discharging of coins after a predetermined number of coins have been delivered
to a coin receptacle, such as a coin bag, so that each bag contains a known amount
of coins, or to prevent a coin receptacle from becoming overfilled. Alternatively,
the controller 280 can cause the system to switch between bags in embodiments having
more than one coin bag corresponding to each output receptacle.
[0051] According to one embodiment, the controller 280 also monitors the output of coin
discrimination sensor 204 and compares information received from the discrimination
sensor 204 to master information stored in a memory 288 of the coin processing system
100 including information obtained from known genuine coins. If the received information
does not favorably compare to master information stored in the memory 288, the controller
280 sends a signal to the voice coil 290 causing the diverting pin 210 to move to
the diverting position.
[0052] According to one embodiment of the coin processing system 100, after a coin moves
past the trigger sensor 206, the coin discrimination sensor 204 begins sampling the
coin. The discrimination sensor 204 begins sampling the coins within about 30 microseconds
("µs") of a coin clearing the trigger sensor 206. The sampling ends after the coin
clears a portion or all of the discrimination sensor 204. A coin's signature, which
consists of the samples of the coin obtained by the discrimination sensor 204, is
sent to the controller 280 after the coin clears the trigger sensor 206 or, alternatively,
after the coin clears the discrimination sensor 204. As an example, when the coin
processing system 100 operates as a speed of 350 r.p.m. and the sorting head 112 has
a diameter of eleven inches, it takes approximately 3900 µs for a 1¢ Euro coin (having
a diameter of about 0.640 inch) to clear the trigger sensor 206. A larger coin would
take more time.
[0053] The controller 280 then compares the coin's signature to a library of "master" signatures
obtained from known genuine coins stored in the memory 288. The time required for
the controller 280 to determine whether a coin is invalid is dependant on the number
of master signatures stored in the memory 288 of the coin processing system 100. According
to one embodiment of the present invention, there are thirty-two master signatures
stored in the memory 288, while other embodiments may include any practical number
of master signatures. Generally, regardless of the number of stored signatures, the
controller 280 determines whether to reject a coin in less than 250 µs.
[0054] After determining that a coin is invalid, the controller 280 sends a signal to activate
the voice coil 290 for moving the diverting pin 210 to the diverting position. As
shown in FIG. 2, the diverting pin 210 is located about 1.8 inches downstream from
the trigger sensor 206 on the eleven inch sorting head. Assuming an operating speed
of 3 50 r.p.m., for example, the controller 280 activates the voice coil 290 within
about 7300 µs from the time that the coin crosses the trigger sensor 206. As discussed
above, the voice coil 290 is capable of moving the diverting pin 210 approximately
an 1/8 inch in about 1300 µs.
[0055] Therefore, assuming an eleven inch sorting disk, an operational speed of 350 r.p.m.
and a trigger sensor 206, discrimination sensor 204 and a diverting pin 210 arrangement
as shown in FIG. 2, about 11000 µs (11 milliseconds) elapses from the time a coin
crosses the trigger sensor 206 until the diverting pin 210 is lowered to the diverting
position. Thus, the diverting pin 210 is located less than about two inches downstream
of the trigger sensor 206. Accordingly, the spacing between coins crossing the trigger
sensor 206 is less than about two inches.
[0056] Once the diverting pin 210 is moved to the diverting position, the diverting pin
210 remains in the diverting position until a valid coin is encountered by the discrimination
sensor 204 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This reduces wear
and tear on the voice coil 190. For example, the diverting pin 210 will only be moved
to the diverting position one time when three invalid coins in a row are detected,
for example, in applications involving a heavy mix of valid and invalid coins. If
the fourth coin is determined to be a valid coin, the diverting pin 210 is moved to
its home position. Further, according to some embodiments of the coin processing system
100, the diverting pin 210 is moved to the home position if the trigger sensor 206
sensor does not detect a coin within about two seconds of the last coin that was detected
by the trigger sensor 206, which can occur when a batch of coins being processed in
nearing the end of the batch. This reduces wear and tear on the pad 118, which is
rotating beneath the diverting pin 210 b, because the diverting pin 210 and the rotating
pad 118 are in contact when the diverting pin 210 is in the diverting position.
[0057] Because of the spacing imparted to the coins via the L-shaped queuing channel 166,
it is not necessary to slow or stop the machine to off-sort the invalid coins. Rather,
the combination of the increased spacing and fast-activating voice coil 290 contribute
to the ability of the coin sorter system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to be able to
discriminate coins on the fly.
[0058] The superior performance of coin processing systems according to one embodiment of
the present invention is illustrated by the following example. Prior art coin sorters,
such as those discussed in the Background Section where is was necessary to stop and
then jog the disc to remove an invalid coin, that utilized an eleven inch sorting
disc were capable of sorting a retail mix of coins at a rate of about 3000 coins per
minute when operating at a speed for about 250 r.p.m. (A common retail mix of coins
is about 30% dimes, 28% pennies, 16% nickels, 15% quarters, 7% half-dollar coins,
and 4% dollar coins.) The ability to further increase the operating speed of these
prior art devices is limited by the need to be able to quickly stop the rotation of
the disc before the invalid coin is discharged as is discussed in the Background Section.
According to one embodiment of the coin processing system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the
system 100 is cable of sorting a retail mix of coins at a rate of about 3300 coins
per minute when the sorting head 112 has a diameter of eleven inches and the disc
is rotated at about 300 r.p.m. According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the coin processing system 100 is capable of sorting a "Euro financial mix" of coins
at rate of about 3400 coins per minute, wherein the sorting head 112 has a diameter
of eleven inches and the disc is rotated at about 350 r.p.m.. (A common Euro financial
mix of coins made up of about 41.1% 2 Euro coins, about 16.7% 1 Euro coins, about
14.3 % 50¢ Euro coins, about 13.0% 20¢ Euro coins, about 11.0% 10¢ Euro coins, about
12.1% 5¢ coins and about 8.5% 1¢ Euro coins.)
[0059] In one embodiment of the coin processing system 100, the coin discrimination sensor
210 determines the denomination of each of the coins as well as discriminates between
valid and invalid coins, and does not include coin counting sensors 271-278. In this
embodiment, as coins move past the discrimination sensor 204, the controller 280 receives
a signal from discrimination sensor 204. When the received information favorably compares
to the master information, a one is added to a counter for that particular determined
denomination within the controller 280. The controller 280 has a counter for each
denomination of coin that is to be sorted. As each coin is moved past the discrimination
sensor 204, the controller 280 is now aware of the location of the coin and is able
to track the angular movement of that coin as the controller receives encoder counts
from the encoder 284. Therefore, referring back to the previous coin bag example,
the controller 280 is able to determined at the precise moment at which to stop the
rotating disc 114 such that the "nth" coin is discharged from a particular output
channel 261-286, but the "n + 1" coin is not. For example, in an application requiring
one thousand dimes per coin bag, the controller counts number of dimes sensed by the
discrimination sensor 204 and the precise number of encoder counts at which it should
halt the rotation of the disc 114 - when the 1000th dime is discharged from the coin
exit channel, but not the 1001 st dime.
[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 7a and 7b, an external diverter 300 for use with an alternative
embodiment of coin processing system 100 is shown. A plurality of external diverters
300 are arranged circumferentially around the sorting head 112 such that an inlet
302 of each external diverter 300 is disposed adjacent to each exit channel 261-268
for receiving coins discharged therefrom. The external diverters are used for separating
valid and invalid coins according to one alternative embodiment of the coin processing
system 100 in place of the voice coil 290 and pin 210. In another alternative embodiment,
the diverter 300 works in connection with the voice coil 290 and pin 210 and functions
to separate valid coins into two batches, rather then to separate invalid from valid
coins.
[0061] The external diverter 300 includes an internal partition 304 that pivots about a
base 306 between a first position 308a and a second position 308b wherein coins are
directed down a first coin path 310a and a second coin path 310b, respectively. The
internal partition 304 is coupled to a voice coil 310 for rapidly moving the internal
partition 304 between the first and second positions 308a,b. In an alternative embodiment,
the external diverter 300 is constructed such that the internal partition 304 moves
from side-to-side (not up and down) to route coins between the two coin paths 310a,b.
[0062] According to one alternative embodiment of the coin processing system 100, the external
diverters 300 are used in place of the diverting pin 210 (FIG. 2) for discriminating
between valid and invalid coins. When an invalid coin is sensed by discrimination
sensor 204 (FIG. 2), the controller 280 (FIG. 6) activates the voice coil 310 of the
external diverters so that the invalid coin is directed down a second coin path 310b.
The controller 280, with input from the encoder 284, is able to track the angular
position of the invalid coin around the sorting head 112 as the pad 118 rotates. For
each exit channel 261-268 and each corresponding external diverter 300, the controller
280 activates the voice coil 310 after a coin preceding the identified invalid coin
has moved passed the exit channel 261-268, but before the identified invalid coin
has reached the exit channel 261-268. For example, if the invalid coin has a diameter
appropriate for the first exit channel 261, the invalid coin will be discharged from
the first exit channel 261 into the second coin path 310b of the external diverter
300. The controller 280 sends a signal to the voice coil 310 to return internal partition
304 of the external diverter to the first position 308a before the coin immediately
following the invalid coin reaches the first exit channel. The controller 280 repeats
this sequence for each external diverter disposed around the sorting head. According
to another alternative embodiment of the coin processing system 100, the controller
is able to determine the diameter of each of the invalid coins using one or more sensors
in the discrimination region 202 including the discrimination sensor 204; therefore,
the controller 204 only activates the external diverter 300 of the exit channel 261-268
that is appropriate for the determined diameter of the invalid coin.
[0063] According to one alternative embodiment of the coin processing system 100, the external
diverters 300 are used in connection with the sorting head of FIG. 2 which includes
the diverting pin 210 (FIG. 2). The diverting pin 210 is used to off-sort invalid
coins as described in connection with FIG. 2. The external diverters are used to separate
the valid coins into two different batches. For example, in some applications the
coin processing system 100 uses dual bag holders for each denomination and a predetermined
number of coins discharged to each coin bag. The controller 280 maintains of a count
of the coins discharged from each output receptacle and activates the external diverter
300 for routing coins to a second bag before the next coin is discharged from the
corresponding exit channel 261-286. Again, because the controller 280 is tracking
the angular movement of the disc 114 via the encoder 284, the controller 280 knows
the precise moment that an identified valid coin is going to reach and be discharged
from an exit channel.
[0064] Again, the generally L-shaped queuing channel 166 imparts a spacing to the coins
allowing the coin processing system 100 to utilize the external diverters 300, which
are rapidly actuated by the voice coils, on the fly. Accordingly, it is not necessary
to slow or stop the rotating disc 144 when off-sorting invalid coins or routing coins
down an alternate coin path.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 8, a programmable sorting head 350 is shown for use in an alternative
embodiment of the coin processing system 100 of FIG. 1. Very generally, the exit channels
351-360 of the programmable sorting head 350 are substantially the same size so that
coins of any denomination can be discharged out of any exit channel 351-360. Thus,
the programmable sorting head 350 does not sort coins on the basis of diameter size;
rather, coins are discriminated on the basis of information obtained from a discrimination
sensor and are selectively distributed from the sorting head 350. Each of the exit
channels 351-360 function similar to that of the reject channel 212 of FIG. 2. A diverting
pin 362 is disposed adjacent each exit channel 351-360 and move downward (out of the
page in FIG. 8) to a diverting position for ejecting coins off of an inner queuing
wall 364 into the corresponding exit channel 351-360.
[0066] The programmable sorting head 350 operates in a manner similar to the sorting head
112 described in connection with FIG. 2. Coins that are deposited on the rotating
pad 118 via a central opening 366 in the programmable sorting head 350 initially enter
an entry channel 368. As the pad 118 continues to rotate, coins are moved past a stripping
notch for stripping stacked coins and then across a ramp, for increasing the pad pressure,
into a queuing channel 374 having an inner queuing wall 364. In the embodiment of
the programmable sorting head 350 depicted in FIG. 8, the queuing channel 374 includes
three stepped surfaces and three rails (as opposed to two stepped surfaces and two
rails for the sorting head 112 in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the queuing channel 374
consists of one surface.
[0067] The queuing channel 374 of the programmable sorting head 350 is L-shaped for imparting
a spacing to the coins as the coins are moved past the corner 376 of the L-shaped
queuing channel 374. The L-shaped queuing channel 374 of FIG. 8 imparts spacing to
adjacent coins in the same manner as does the L-shaped queuing channel 166 described
in connection with FIG. 2. Coins turning the corner 376 of the queuing channel 374
are accelerated and spaced-apart and engage the inner queuing channel wall 364. As
the pad 118 continues to rotate, the coins aligned along wall 364 are move across
a ramp 378 which transitions the coins to a flat surface for moving the coins past
a coin trigger sensor 380 and a coin discrimination sensor 382.
[0068] The coin discrimination sensor 382 is adapted to discriminate between valid and invalid
coins and to determine the denomination of each of the coins passing under the sensor
382. The function of the trigger sensor 380 and the discrimination sensor 382 is similar
to that described in connection with FIG. 2. By processing input from the sensors
380, 382 and the encoder 284, the controller 280 tracks the angular position of each
coin and is able to calculate the precise time to active a voice coil coupled to a
pin 362 disposed adjacent to an exit channel 362. For example, if the coin discrimination
sensor 382 determines that a coin is a dime and the coin sorting system is operating
pursuant to a mode wherein dimes are to be off-sorted at the first exit channel 351,
the pin 362 is lowered to the diverting position after the coin preceding the dime
is moved past the first exit channel 351, but before the dime reaches the first exit
channel. As the pad continues to rotates, the dime contacts the pin 362 and is knocked
off the inner wall 365 into the first exit channel 351. The controller 280 raises
the pin 362 before the next coin reaches the first exit channel 351. Put another way,
the time to retract the pin 362 is less tan the time for the next coin to pass the
pin 362 due to the increased spacing imparted to the coins by the L-shaped queuing
channel 374.
[0069] In various alternative embodiments of the coin processing system 100 utilizing the
programmable sorting head 350 ("the programmable processing system"), the programmable
processing system operates pursuant to many predefined modes of operation and user-defined
modes of operation. For example, the first exit channel 351 can operate as a reject
chute for off sorting invalid coins. In another embodiment, none of the exit channels
351-360 serve as reject chutes; rather, invalid coins are moved along wall 364 around
the sorting head 350 and follow wall 364 off the sorting head at a point "C" where
the coins are discharged to another off-sort area. In another application such as
in the processing of coins obtained from vending machines, the first three exit channel
351-353 are used to sort nickels, dimes and quarters, respectively, until a predetermined
number of coins of a denomination are delivered to the respective exit channel 351-353.
Then the controller causes nickels, dimes and quarters to be off-sorted at the fourth,
fifth and sixth exit channels 354-356, respectively, and so on. Accordingly, after
a predetermined number of nickels have been discharged by the first exit channel 351,
nickels are then off-sorted at the fourth exit channel 354, and then the by the seventh
exit channel 357. No more than the predetermined number of coins are discharged from
the exit channels 351-359 and the subsequent exit channel assigned to nickels, for
example, is not utilized until the previous exit channel assigned to nickels has discharged
a predetermined number of coins.
[0070] In another embodiment of the present invention, the programmable coin processing
system operates pursuant to a mode of operation wherein the first ten coin denominations
detected by the coin discrimination sensor 382 are the coin denominations assigned
to the ten exit channels 351-360, respectively, and all other coins are off-sorted
by following wall 364 off the sorting head 350 at point "C." As is readily apparent,
the programmable sorting system can be utilized in pursuant to a myriad of modes of
operation in alternative embodiments of the system.
[0071] In another embodiment of the present invention, the programmable coin processing
system is utilized to separate coins from a plurality of coin sets - British pound
coins, French Franc coins, German Deutschmark coins, U.S. coins, Italian Lira coins,
Canadian coins and Euro coins, for example. The programmable coin processing system
causes coins of each coin set to be distributed to one of the ten exit channels 351-360,
while off-sorting other "invalid" coins. The programmable coins sorter can be linked
to an external network which provides currency exchange rates so that the system can
calculate the real-time value of all the coins processed from the different coin sets
from different countries.
[0072] In FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of a sorting head 400 is shown for use with
the coin processing system 100 of the present invention. While it will be recognized
that the sorting head 400 is similar to the sorting head 112 shown in FIG. 2, the
alternative embodiment to be discussed in connection with FIG. 9 is also applicable
to a programmable coin sorting system such as that described in connection with FIG.
8.
[0073] The sorting head 400 is similar to that of FIG. 2 in that it is designed to impart
spacing to adjacent coins; however, the queuing channel 402 is designed to move coins
so that the outside edge of each of the coins extends beyond an outer periphery 404
of the sorting head 400 as the coins move past an optical sensor 406 for discriminating
the coins. According to one embodiment, the optical sensor 406 is adapted to discriminate
between valid and invalid coins. In another alternative embodiment, the optical sensor
406 is adapted to discriminate between valid and invalid coins and to identify the
denomination of coins. The optical sensor 406 can comprise a photodetector, a charge-coupled
device (CCD) detector, a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) array, a line array, a camera,
a scanning laser or other type of optical sensor according to various alternative
embodiments.
[0074] The radial position of the queuing channel 402 is moved outward a distance such that
the diameter of the smallest coin to be processed (
e.g., the dime in the U.S. coin set) is moved beyond the outer periphery 404 of the sorting
head 400 to obtain optical information from the coin. According to one embodiment,
the coins must extend beyond the outer periphery 404 of the sorting head 400 at least
about 0.010 inch (approximately 0.25 mm) for obtaining the optical information from
the coin. A controller of the coin processing system 100 then processes the optical
information obtained from each coin by the optical sensor 404. As the pad continues
to rotate, the coin is brought back within the outer periphery 404 of the sorting
head 400 as the coin moves past a diverting pin 408 and reject channel 410 similar
to that described in connection with FIG. 2. Invalid coins are rejected via the reject
channel 410 while valid coins are moved into engagement with an outer wall 412 of
a gauging channel 414 for aligning the coin along a common radius as the coins approach
the exit channels 416a-h.
[0075] Turning now to FIG. 10, a programmable power rail coin processing system 500 ("rail
system 500") is shown according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
The rail system 500 includes a guide plate 502 similar to the sorting head 350 shown
and described in connection with FIG. 8. The guide plate 502 functions in substantially
the same manner as the sorting head 350 in FIG. 8 by aligning coins, that are moved
by a rotating disc, along an inner queuing channel wall 504 of a queuing channel 506;
however, the guide plate 502 does not sort the coins. Rather, the coins are sorted
along a rail 510 as is described in greater detail below.
[0076] It should be noted that the while underside of the guide plate 502 is shown in FIG.
10, the surface of the guide plate 502 shown in FIG. 10 faces downward while the rail
510 would face upward as shown in actual operation of the rail sorter 500. As with
the sorting head in FIGS. 2 and 8, the queuing channel 506 of the guide plate 502
is generally L-shaped for imparting a spacing between adjacent coins. As the rotatable
disc (similar to disc 114 of FIG. 1) continues to rotate, the coins are moved over
a ramp 512 on to a flat surface 514 and along a wall 504. The guide plate 502 does
not include any exit channels. Further, the guide plate 502 does not include a coin
discrimination sensor as it can be disposed on the rail 510. Rather, the coins continue
along inner queuing wall 504 and are moved onto the rail 510 and into engagement with
a wall 520 of the rail 510 while the underside of each coin contacts a flat surface
521 of the rail 510.
[0077] Referring also to FIG. 11, an endless belt 522 that is looped around two pulleys
524, 526 is disposed along the longitudinal axis of the rail 510 and is disposed above
the rail 510 a distance less than the thickness of the thinnest coin. (Note that the
endless belt 522 is depicted with a dashed-line in FIG. 10.) The first pulley 524
rotates around a shaft 528 and the second pulley is driven by a motor 530 via another
shaft 532. The belt 522, which is made out of a resilient material such as rubber,
grips the coins as the upper surfaces of the coins come into contact with the belt
522 as the coins move from the guide plate 502 along queuing wall 504 to the rail
510 and into engagement with wall 520. The belt 522, which is in pressed engagement
with the coins, moves the coins along the rail 510 while an underside of each coin
slides along the flat surface 521 of the rail 510. The transition between the guide
plate 502 and the rail 510 should appear substantially seamless to the coins so as
not to decrease the spacing between the coins. The endless belt 522 moves at a speed
sufficient to maintain the spacing between adjacent coins as the coins move onto the
rail 510 and come under control of the belt 522. According to an alternative embodiment
of the rail sorter 500, the belt 522 moves at speed sufficient to increase the spacing
between adjacent coins and no L-shaped queuing channel would be needed to increase
spacing between adjacent coins in such an embodiment.
[0078] As the belt 522 continues to rotate, coins are moved past a coin discrimination sensor
540 for discriminating between invalid and valid coins and for determining the denomination
of the coins. A plurality of coin exit channels 551-555 are disposed in the rail 520
downstream of the coin discrimination sensor 540. While five exit channels 551-555
are shown in the embodiment of the rail system 500 shown in FIG. 10, the length of
the rail 510 and the endless belt 522 can be extended (or reduced) to accommodate
any reasonable number of exit channels. Also included along the rail 510 are a plurality
of diverting pins 560 disposed adjacent each coin exit channel 551-526 for obstructing
a coin moving along the wall 520 and forcing the coin into the corresponding exit
channel. The diverting pins 560 each move from a home position, wherein the pins disposed
slightly below the surface 521 of the rail, to a diverting position extending beyond
the surface 521 of the rail 510 for engagement with coins. Each of the diverting pins
560 are moved from the home position to the diverting position and back to the home
position by a voice coil, which provides the advantage of rapid actuation.
[0079] An encoder (not shown) is coupled to one of the two pulleys 524, 526 and is interface
with a controller of the rail system 500 for tracking the linear movement of the coins
along the rail 510. As discussed above in connection with FIG. 8, the controller of
the rail system 500 is interfaced with the coin discrimination sensor 540, the diverter
pins 560 and the encoder for selectively diverting coins into the plurality of exit
channel 551-555. Coins that are not selectively diverted into one of the plurality
of exit channels 551-555 are moved off a downstream end 562 and fall into an invalid
coin chute 564 (FIG. 12 ). Alternatively, invalid coins are off-sorted via one of
the coin exit channels 551-555.
[0080] Similar to the sorting head depicted in FIG. 8, the rail system 500 is programmable.
Each exit channel 551-555 is sized to accommodate coins of most any diameter. Accordingly,
the rail sorter can be programmed to selectively discharge coins of any denomination
out of any of the exit channels 551-555. For example, in one application, U.S. coins
are sorted in order of increasing value - pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half
dollar coins and dollar coins - rather than in order of increasing diameter.
[0081] Referring also to FIG. 12 , the rail system 500 is disposed within a cabinet 570
for housing the rail sorter 500. (Note that the endless belt 522 and pulleys 524,
526 are not shown FIG. 12 .) A plurality of coin tubes 571-575 are disposed along
the rail 510 adjacent the exit channels 551-555 for receiving coins discharged from
each of the exit channels 551-555 and routing the coins to coin receptacles such as
coin bags 580 contained within the cabinet 570. A sixth coin tube 576 routs coins
from the invalid coin chute 564 to a coin receptacle disposed with the cabinet 570.
[0082] The rail system 500 provides the advantage of presenting the coin bags 580 in a substantially
liner fashion. Put another way, the exit channels 551-555 output coins in the same
direction which facilities a substantially linear bag presentation. Therefore, an
operator of the rail system 500 can easily access the coins bags 580 from the same
side of the cabinet. In alternative embodiment of the rail sorter 500, dual coin bag
holders for holding two coins bags can be attached to the end of each coin tube. Dual
bag holders allow the rail system 500 to route coins of a single denomination to two
different bags; thus, once a predetermined number of coins have been routed to a first
bag the coins of that denomination are routed to a second bag.
[0083] In an alternative embodiment of the rail system 500, the guide plate 502 includes
a discrimination region having a discrimination sensor and a reject channel as does
the sorting head 112 of FIG. 2. Accordingly, the discrimination sensor on the guide
plate 502 discriminates between valid and invalid coins and/or determines the denomination
of the coins and invalid coins are off-sorted via the reject channel. Thus, no discrimination
sensor is needed on the rail in such an embodiment.
[0084] In yet another alternative embodiment of the rail system, the rail and guide plate
are formed from the same piece of material such that they are integral components.
The rotating pad and endless belt are disposed on the same side of the integral rail
and pad - either the top-side or the bottom-side. Alternatively still, a large rotating
pad can impart movement to the coins along the integral guide plate and pad.
[0085] Turning to FIG. 13, a sorting head 600 having a single exit station 602 is shown
for use in an alternative embodiment of the coin processing system 100. The sorting
head 600 operates in a similar manner as does the sorting heads described previously
up until the point where the coins enter a queuing region 604 of the sorting head
600. In the queuing channel 604, the coins are aligned against an inner queuing wall
606, which extends around a substantial portion of the sorting head 600. At the downstream
end, the queuing channel 604 includes a substantially "dog-leg-shaped" portion 610,
which includes an first upstream segment 612 and a second downstream segment 614.
[0086] Similar to the generally L-shaped queuing regions described above in connection with
FIGS. 2 and 8, the dog-leg-shaped portion 610 imparts a spacing to adjacent coins
moving from the first segment 612 to the second downstream segment 614. As a pad (such
as pad 118 of FIG. 1) rotates, the coins are pushed against inner wall 606 and travel
along the inner wall 606 in a direction that is transverse to the direction in which
the pad is rotating. This action aligns the coin against the wall 606. As the coins
move from the first upstream segment 612 to the second downstream segment 614 of the
queuing channel 166, the coins are turned in a direction wherein they are moving with
the pad, which imparts spacing between adjacent coins.
[0087] As the pad continues to rotate, the coins are moved past a discrimination sensor
620 disposed along the queuing channel 604 for discriminating between valid and invalid
coins and/or identifying the denomination of coins. The coins continue along the inner
queuing channel wall 606 until the pad rotation causes the coins to be discharged
from the single exit station 602. Note that that all coins entering the coin processing
system described in connection with FIG. 13 thus far are discharged out of the single
output channel 602.
[0088] An external diverter 300 actuated by a voice coil 310, such as described in connection
with FIGS. 7a,b, receives coins discharged from the single output receptacle 602.
A controller (not shown) monitors the output of the discrimination sensor 620 for
selectively moving the internal partition 304 (FIGS. 7a,b) between the first and second
positions 308a,b for routing coins to the first and second coins paths 310a,b. Alternatively,
the external diverter is actuated by a solenoid.
[0089] The coin processing system described in connection with FIG. 13 can be used in applications
wherein it is desirable to separate coins into two batches. For example, it may be
desired to process U.S. dimes into batches of 1000 dimes each. In another application,
it may be desired to separate valid coins from invalid coins. In another application,
it may be desired to separate a mixed batch of coins such as a mix of U.S. coins and
Euro coins into their respective coin sets. According to an alternative embodiment
of the coin processing system described in connection with FIG. 13, the sorting head
600 includes a diverting pin and reject channel for off-sorting invalid coins prior
to discharging valid coins from the single exit station 602. Such an embodiment can
be used in an application wherein it is desired to separate Euro coins from U.S. coins,
but to also remove invalid coins (
e.g., coins from other coin sets and/or counterfeit coins).
[0090] FIG. 14 is functional block diagrams illustrative of a coin discrimination system
298 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system generally includes
the coin discrimination sensor 204, a programmable logic device (PLD) 1300, and a
microprocessor 1302. In alternate embodiments, the controller 280 (FIG. 6) of the
coin processing system may include the PLD 1300 and/or the microprocessor 1302. The
coin discrimination sensor 204 generally includes an excitation coil 1304 and detector
coils 1306. The excitation coil 1304 is excited with a 480 KHz source wave that is
added to a 30 KHz source wave. The 30 KHz source wave is generated by a 30 KHz Direct
Digital Synthesis (DDS) sine wave generator 1308, and the 480 KHz source wave is generated
by a 480 KHz DDS sine wave generator 1310. In a specific embodiment, the DDS sine
wave generators are Analog Devices AD9850 devices, though it is understood that any
suitable waveform generators may be employed.
[0091] A DDS programming logic and clock generator 1312 in the PLD 1300 allows the 30 KHz
and 480 KHz sine waves to stay synchronized with the PLD 1300, and allows the PLD
to track the position of each waveform as it rolls from 0 to 360 degrees. The 30 KHz
and 480 KHz sine waves are combined in a combiner 1314, which may also buffer and
amplify the resulting signal. The resulting signal is driven by a high frequency driver
1316 into the excitation coil 1304 of the coil discrimination sensor 204 as an excitation
signal. In one embodiment, the high frequency driver 1316 is a 1 Amp high current,
high frequency driver and the excitation signal is 10 volts peak-to-peak (plus or
minus 5 volts).
[0092] Although the DDS sine wave generators 1308, 1310 output a 30 KHz and 480 KHz signal,
respectively, other combinations of frequencies may be employed. As is known, low
frequencies tend to penetrate further into a coin, whereas high frequencies penetrate
only the surface of the coin. The particular selection of frequencies may be influenced
by the metal contents and thicknesses of the set of coins to be analyzed, for example.
Whether the coins have claddings may be another factor that influences the selection
of frequencies. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the
frequencies of 30 KHz and 480 KHz, but rather is intended to encompass any combination
of frequencies suitable for discriminating coins of a particular set. For example,
one set may include U.S. coins, another set may include tokens, another set may include
a combination of U.S. and Euro coins, and so forth.
[0093] When a coin 1320 approaches the coin discrimination sensor 204, its presence will
be first detected by the coin trigger sensor 206 (FIG. 6), which signals the system
298 to begin monitoring the coin discrimination sensor 204 for the coin 1320. The
PLD 1300 is also instructed to capture the current location of the coin with reference
to the encoder 284. The PLD 1300 calculates how many pulses of the encoder 284 to
wait until the coin 1320 will approach the voice coil 290. The projected position
of the encoder 284 is stored in a FIFO memory (not shown) within the PLD 1300, until
the coin 1320 can be processed and a decision whether to accept or reject the coin
1320 has been made by the microprocessor 1302.
[0094] As explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 17-19, the detector coils 1306
should be balanced to receive the same level of induced voltage from the excitation
coil 1304 so as to cancel out the currents from the locally generated magnetic field,
resulting in 0 VDC difference between the induced voltages in each of the detector
coils 1306. As a coin 1320 passes by the coin discrimination sensor 1306, eddy currents
in the coin 1320 induce different voltages in each of the detector coils 1306. The
difference between these voltages results in a detection signal which is indicative
of the amplitude and phase differences with respect to the excitation signal. In one
embodiment, the detection signal is 1 volt peak-to-peak.
[0095] The detection signal is buffered and amplified in a buffer 1322 and is scaled to,
for example, 5 volts peak-to-peak (0 to 5 volts), and is then processed in a high-speed
analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1324. In a specific embodiment, the ADC 1324 is
clocked at 7.68 MHz and generates a 12-bit number with each rising clock edge. The
ADC 1324 thus produces 256 samples of the detection signal for each full cycle of
the 30 KHz source wave. Next, the output of the ADC 1324 is presented to the PLD 1300,
which includes a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Logic 1326, System Diagnostics and Mode
Control Logic 1328, Peak Detector Logic 1330, Quadrature Decoder and Coin Position
Tracking Logic 1332, and Voice Coil Control Logic 1334. The FFT Logic 1326 of the
PLD 1300 separates the 480 KHz and 30 KHz components of the detection signal, and
provides the instantaneous amplitudes of the 30 KHz component of the detection signal
at the 0 degree (sine) and 90 degree (cosine) positions of the 30 KHz component of
the source wave, and the instantaneous amplitudes of the 480 KHz component of the
detection signal at the sine and cosine positions of the 480 KHz component of the
source wave.
[0096] It will be appreciated that the phase angles 0 degrees and 90 degrees are merely
illustrative of numerous possible combinations of phase angles. For example, in one
embodiment, the phase angles could be 45 degrees and 135 degrees. Preferably, the
phase angles are selected to be about 90 degrees apart, however other phase angle
differences may be employed.
[0097] The source wave is used as a phase reference for the calculations, so therefore,
the difference, or phase shift, can be represented as coin signature values. Because
the FFT Logic 1326 completes its calculations with each set of the 256 samples of
the ADC 1324, the FFT Logic 1326 can generate 30,000 coin signatures per second. Each
coin signature is comprised of the Sine 30 KHz Amplitude, the Cosine 30 KHz Amplitude,
the Sine 480 KHz Amplitude, and the Cosine 480 KHz Amplitude.
[0098] The PLD 1300 monitors the 30,000 signatures per second, and the Peak Detector Logic
1330 component of the PLD 1300 stores the one signature that represents the largest
amplitude of the 480 KHz component of the detection signal. This is the point in which
the greatest amount of surface area of the coin is proximate the coin discrimination
sensor 204, i.e., the coin is generally centered relative to the discrimination sensor
204. For a particular coin set, each coin should present a unique coin signature so
long as each coin in the coin set has unique combinations of metal content, thickness,
and diameter. For example, even if two coins have the same metal content and diameter,
their difference in thickness may be sufficient to present uniquely discernible coin
signatures.
[0099] The coin signature stored by the Peak Detector Logic 1330 in the PLD 1300 is processed
by the microprocessor 1302. In a specific embodiment, the microprocessor 1302 generally
includes the following components: a Signature Calibration Control 1336, a Coin Signature
Training System 1338, a Coin Data Table 1340, and a Coin Identification System 1342.
Instructions and/or logic that comprise the Signature Calibration Control 1336 may
adjust the coin signature to compensate for calibration offsets and/or temperature
drifts. The adjusted coin signature is compared against the Coin Data Table 1340,
which, according to one embodiment, contains a window of acceptable coin signature
values for a given coin. If the adjusted coin signature falls within that window,
the Coin Identification System 1342 instructs the PLD 1300 to allow the coin to pass
by the voice coil 290. If the microprocessor 1302 cannot find a window into which
the current coin falls, then the microprocessor 1302 instructs the PLD 1300 to cause
the voice coil 290 to reject the coin. A more detailed description of the coin signature
values is provided below.
[0100] In another embodiment, the Coin Data Table 1340 includes a plurality of mathematical
formula, where each formula corresponds to a curve. For example, if the voltages generated
by the eddy currents in a coin passing by the coin discrimination sensor 204 are plotted
against the position of the coin, the plot will resemble a curve which can be represented
mathematically. This mathematical formula can be stored in the Coin Data Table 1340,
and when a passing coin's position and voltage data can be supplied to the formula
to determine if this particular coin falls on the curve (within a certain tolerance,
if desired).
[0101] As mentioned above, the PLD 1300 monitors the position of the coin via the encoder
284. When the position of the coin from the encoder 284 matches the projected location
stored in the FIFO memory of the PLD 1300, the PLD 1300 commands the Voice Code Control
Logic 1334 to move the pin of the voice coil 290 in a direction which depends on whether
a valid coin was detected. For example, if a valid coin is detected, the voice coil
290 may be retracted to allow the coin to pass by the voice coil 290. If an invalid
coin is detected, it may be flagged by the microprocessor 1302, and the voice coil
290 may be extended to divert the coin out of the sorting head 112 (FIG. 2) and into
a reject bin. Note that as a coin is moved toward the voice coil 290, the system 298
can process one or more additional coins, and the FIFO memory of the PLD 1300 can
keep track of each coin, where it is located relative to the sorting head 112, and
flag a particular coin according to a desired characteristic, such a whether the coin
is a valid or invalid coin. In this manner, the voice coil 290 can be located a distance
away from the coin discrimination sensor 204.
[0102] The Coin Signature Training System 1338 aspect of the microprocessor 1302 may be
used to place the system 298 into a learning mode to develop signature windows for
coins and/or to expand the library of recognized coins stored in the Coin Data Table
1340. For example, a new coin set may be desired to be sorted, such as the British
coin set. In the learning mode, several to hundreds of British coins are processed
by the system 298, and the microprocessor 1302 develops signature windows for each
denomination of coin and stores each window in the Coin Data Table 1340. If a new
token (which, as used herein, is a type of coin) is added to an existing token set,
the new tokens can be processed by the system 298 in the learning mode, and a new
signature window is developed and stored in the Coin Data Table 1340.
[0103] It will be appreciated that the blocks shown in the PLD 1300 and the microprocessor
1302 shown in FIG. 14 are functional and are not intended to represent all of the
functional aspects to the PLD 1300 or the microprocessor 1302. In addition, various
of the blocks may be eliminated, such as, for example, the Coin Signature Training
System 1338 in the microprocessor 1302, without departing from the present invention.
Moreover, some blocks which are shown as a functional aspect of the PLD 1300 may instead
be a functional aspect of the microprocessor 1302. For example, the Voice Coil Control
Logic 1334 in the PLD 1300 may instead be a functional aspect of the microprocessor
1302. Similarly, one or both of the encoder 284 and the voice coil 290 may be coupled
to the microprocessor 1302 in alternate embodiments. Finally, as mentioned above,
the controller 280 shown in FIG. 6 is a general functional representation of the processing
and logic circuitry of the system 298 and may include one or both of the PLD 1300
and the microprocessor 1302.
[0104] FIG. 15 shows a functional block diagram of a coin discrimination system 1400 according
to an embodiment of the present invention that lacks the PLD 1300 shown in FIG. 14.
The system 1400 generally includes a coin discrimination sensor 1402 which is coupled
to a controller 1404. A 30 KHz sine wave generator 1406 and a 1480 KHz sine wave generator
1408 produce a 30 KHz source wave and a 480 KHz source wave, respectively, which are
added together in a combiner 1410, amplified and buffered in a buffer 1412, and driven
into an excitation coil 1414 of the coin discrimination sensor 1402. The coin discrimination
sensor 1402 also includes detector coils 1416 which detect the eddy currents in a
coin 1440 passing proximate the coin discrimination sensor 1402. The detection signal
is buffered and amplified in a buffer 1418. The resulting detection signal is presented
to a high bandpass filter 1420 and a low bandpass filter 1422, which isolate the 1480
KHz and 30 KHz frequency components, respectively, of the detection signal. Thus,
the signal from the high bandpass filter 1420 includes amplitude and phase information
of the 1480 KHz component of the detection signal, and the signal from the low bandpass
filter 1422 includes amplitude and phase information of the 30 KHz component of the
detection signal.
[0105] The signal from the high bandpass filter 1420 is presented to a 0° sample and hold
circuit 1424 and a 90° sample and hold circuit 1426, which provide the amplitudes
of the 480 KHz component of the detection signal at two phase points that are 90°
apart. Similarly, the signal from the low bandpass filter 1422 is presented to a 0°
sample and hold circuit 1428 and a 90° sample and hold circuit 1430, which provide
the amplitudes of the 30 KHz component of the detection signal at two phase points
that are 90° apart. The voltage outputs of the sample and hold circuits 1424, 1426,
1428, 1430 are presented to an ADC 1432, which samples the outputs to provide digital
values of the amplitudes to the controller 1404. As mentioned before, the controller
1404 uses the data from an encoder 1436 to communicate instructions to a voice coil
1434 based on the values from the ADC 1432 and the coin signature tables stored in
memory.
[0106] FIGS. 16a-16c illustrate top, side, and end views, respectively, of a coil bobbin
1500 for use in a coin discrimination sensor according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The coil bobbin 1500 includes a top retaining layer 1502, a bottom retaining
layer 1504, a projection 1506, a first wire recess 1508, and a second wire recess
1510. An aperture 1512 is formed in the top retaining layer 1502 to accept therethrough
wire ends from wires wound around the bobbin 1500. In a specific embodiment, the bobbin
1500 is made of Delrin, however in other embodiments the bobbin 1500 may be made of
any other suitable material such as Nylon, ceramic, alumina, or any other non-metallic
material.
[0107] In a specific embodiment, the top retaining layer 1502 has approximate dimensions
of 1.5 inches x 0.22 inches x 0.04 inches (length x width x height). The first wire
recess 1508 and the second wire recess 1510 have approximate dimensions of 1.34 inches
x 0.06 inches x 0.08 inches (length x width x height). The projection 1506 has approximate
dimensions of 1.42 inches x 0.14 inches x 0.12 inches (length x width x height). The
aperture 1512 is approximately 0.01 inches wide. The overall dimensions of the bobbin
1500 are approximately 1.5 inches x 0.22 inches x 0.36 inches (length x width x height).
The bobbin 1500 is positioned a distance away from a passing coin such that the thickest
coin to be processed can move past the bobbin 1500 without causing undesired frictional
contact with the surface of the bobbin 1500 proximate to the passing coin.
[0108] Turning to FIGS. 17-19, one embodiment of the present invention employs a coin discrimination
sensor 1610, which may be employed in the embodiments described with reference to
FIGS. 14 and 15. The coin discrimination sensor 1610 includes an excitation coil 1612
for generating alternating magnetic fields that induce eddy currents in a coin 1614.
The excitation coil 1612 has a start end 1616 and a finish end 1618. In one embodiment,
an excitation coil voltage, e.g., a signal having 30 KHz and 480 KHz frequency components
and 10 volts peak-to-peak, is applied across the start end 1616 and the finish end
1618 of the excitation coil 1612. The excitation voltage produces a corresponding
current in the excitation coil 1612 which in turn produces corresponding alternating
magnetic fields. The alternating magnetic fields exist within and around the excitation
coil 1612 and extend outwardly to the coin 1614. The magnetic fields penetrate the
coin 614 as the coin 614 is moved proximate to the excitation coil 1612, and eddy
currents are induced in the coin 1614 as it moves through the alternating magnetic
fields. The strength of the eddy currents flowing in the coin 1614 is dependent on
the material composition of the coin, and particularly the electrical resistance of
that material. Resistance affects how much current will flow in the coin 1614 according
to Ohm's Law. Another characteristic by which the material composition of a coin is
measured is conductivity according to the IACS scale, for example, which defines copper
has having a conductivity of 100%.
[0109] The eddy currents themselves also produce corresponding magnetic fields. A proximal
detector coil 1622 and a distal detector coil 1624 are disposed relative to the coin
1614 so that the eddy current-generated magnetic fields induce voltages upon the coils
1622, 1624. The distal detector coil 1624 is positioned above the coin 1614, and the
proximal detector coil 1622 is positioned between the distal detector coil 1624 and
the passing coin 1614.
[0110] In one embodiment, the excitation coil 1612, the proximal detector coil 1622 and
the distal detector coil 1624 are all wound in the same direction (either clockwise
or counterclockwise). The proximal detector coil 1622 and the distal detector coil
1624 are wound in the same direction so that the voltages induced on these coils by
the eddy currents are properly oriented. As shown in FIG. 17, the proximal detector
coil 1622 is wound around the second wire recess 1510 of the bobbin 1500 and is bounded
by the bottom retaining layer 1504 and the projection 1506. The distal detector coil
1624 is wound around the first wire recess 1508 of the bobbin 1500 and is bounded
by the top retaining layer 1502 and the projection 1506. Finally, the excitation coil
1612 is wound around the proximal detector coil 1622, the distal detector coil 1624,
and the projection 1506, and is bounded by the top retaining layer 1502 and the bottom
retaining layer 1504.
[0111] The length dimension of the proximal detector coil 1622 once wound around the bobbin
1500 is substantially equal to the length dimension of the distal detector coil 1624
once wound around the bobbin 1500, which dimensions substantially correspond to the
length of the projection 1506 of the bobbin 1500. In one embodiment, the length dimensions
of the proximal and distal detector coils 1622, 1624 are longer than the diameter
of the largest coin to be processed. Because the magnetic fields radiate slightly
beyond the length dimensions of the coils 1622, 1624, in another embodiment, the length
dimensions of the coils 1622, 1624 are about the same as the diameter of the largest
coin to be processed. In both embodiments, passing coins of varying diameters create
unique disruptions in the magnetic fields so as to induce distinctive eddy currents
in each coin depending on its diameter.
[0112] An exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the coils 1612, 1622, 1624 of the coil
discrimination sensor 1610 is shown in FIG. 19. Note that the number of windings and
the shape of the coils 1612, 1622, 1624 are not shown to scale for ease of illustration.
[0113] The proximal detector coil 1622 has a starting end 1626 and a finish end 1628. Similarly,
the distal detector coil 1624 has a starting end 1630 and a finish end 1632. In order
of increasing distance from the coin 1614, the detector coils 1622, 1624 are positioned
as follows: finish end 1628 of the proximal detector coil 1622, start end 1626 of
the proximal detector coil 1622, finish end 1632 of the distal detector coil 1624
and start end 1630 of the distal detector coil 1624. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19,
the finish end 1628 of the proximal detector coil 1622 is connected to the finish
end 1632 of the distal detector coil 1624 via a conductive wire 1634. It will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art that other detector coil 1622, 1624 combinations are possible.
For example, in an alternative embodiment the proximal detector coil 1622 is wound
in the opposite direction of the distal detector coil 624. In such an embodiment,
the start end 1626 of the proximal coil 1622 would be connected to the finish end
1632 of the distal coil 1624.
[0114] Eddy currents in the coin 1614 induce voltages V
prox and V
dist respectively on the detector coils 1622, 1624. Likewise, the excitation coil 1612
also induces a common-mode voltage on each of the detector coils 1622, 1624. The common-mode
voltage is effectively the same on each detector coil due to the symmetry of the detector
coils' physical arrangement within the excitation coil 1612. Because the detector
coils 1622, 1624 are wound and physically oriented in the same direction and connected
at their finish ends 1628, 1632, the common-mode voltage induced by the excitation
coil 1612 is subtracted out, leaving only a difference voltage V
diff corresponding to the eddy currents in the coin 1614. Thus, the need for additional
circuitry to subtract out the common-mode voltage is eliminated. The common-mode voltage
is effectively subtracted out because both the distal detector coil 1624 and the proximal
detector coil 1622 receive the same level of induced voltage from the excitation coil
1612.
[0115] Unlike the common-mode voltage, the voltages induced by the eddy current in the detector
coils 1622, 1624 are not effectively the same because the proximal detector coil 1622
is positioned closer to the passing coin than the distal detector coil 1624. Thus,
the voltage induced in the proximal detector coil 1622 is significantly stronger,
i.e. has greater amplitude, than the voltage induced in the distal detector coil 1624.
Although the present invention subtracts the eddy current-induced voltage on the distal
coil 1624 from the eddy current-induced voltage on the proximal coil 1622, the voltage
amplitude difference is sufficiently great to permit detailed resolution of the eddy
current response.
[0116] As shown in FIG. 17, the excitation coil 1612 is surrounded by a magnetic shield
1644. The magnetic shield 1644 has a high level of magnetic permeability in order
to help contain the magnetic fields surrounding the excitation coil 1612. The magnetic
shield 1644 advantageously prevents stray magnetic fields from interfering with other
nearby eddy current sensors. The magnetic shield 1644 is not a closed cylinder and
has a small longitudinal air gap so that it does not act as a shorter turn of conducting
material that absorbs the electrical energy and prevents it from forming a useful
magnetic field. The magnetic shield 1644 is itself optionally surrounded by an outer
case 1646 made of, for example, steel. Optionally, the magnetic shield 1644 and/or
the outer case 1646 may be extended to surround the bottom retaining layer 1504 and/or
the top retaining layer 1502 of the bobbin 1500.
[0117] To form the coin discrimination sensor 1610, the detector coils 1622, 1624 are wound
on the bobbin 1500. Both the proximal detector coil 1622 and the distal detector coil
1624 have 350 turns of #44 AWG enamel-covered magnet wire wound to generally uniformly
fill the available spaces as described above. Each of the detector coils 1622, 1624
are wound in the same direction with the finish ends 1628, 1632 and are connected
together by the conductive wire 1634. The start ends 1626, 1630 of the detector coils
1622, 1624 are connected to separately identified wires in a connecting cable. The
excitation coil 1612 is wound with 135 turns of #42 AWG enamel-covered magnet wire
in the same direction as the detector coils 1622, 1624. An excitation coil voltage
1620 is applied across the start end 1616 and the finish end 1618.
[0118] In one embodiment, the coin discrimination sensor 1610 is calibrated such that common-mode
voltage is subtracted out when no coin is present (hereafter referred to as the "nominal"
condition). The coin discrimination sensor 1610 is connected to a test oscillator
(not shown) which applies the excitation voltage to the excitation coil 1612. The
position of the excitation coil 1612 is adjusted along the axis of the coil to give
a null response from the detector coils 1622, 1624 on an a-c. voltmeter with no metal
near the coil windings. Optionally, the magnetic shield 1644 is positioned over the
excitation coil 1612 and the position of the excitation coil 1612 is again adjusted
to give a null response from the detector coils 1622, 1624.
[0119] The magnetic shield 1644 and coils 1612, 1622, 1624 within the magnetic shield 1644
are optionally placed in the outer case 1646 and encapsulated with a polymer resin
(not shown) to "freeze" the position of the magnetic shield 1644 and coils 1612, 1622,
1624.
[0120] After curing the resin, an end of the coin discrimination sensor 1610 nearest the
proximal detector coil 1622 is sanded and lapped to produce a flat and smooth surface
with the coils 1612, 1622 slightly recessed within the resin.
[0121] The voltage 1620 applied to the excitation coil 1612 causes current to flow in the
coil 1612 which lags behind the voltage 1620. For example, the current may lag the
voltage 1620 by about 90 degrees. In effect, the eddy currents of the coin 614 impose
a resistive loss on the current in the excitation coil 1612. Because the voltage 1620
has two frequency components, e.g., a 30 KHz component and a 480 KHz component in
one embodiment, each frequency component will have a phase and amplitude characteristic
associated therewith, resulting in four parameters associated with a detection signal
from the detector coils 1622, 1624, i.e., the phase and amplitude of the 30 KHz component
and the phase and amplitude of the 480 KHz component. These four parameters can be
varied based upon three characteristics of a coin - composition, thickness, and diameter.
The parameters for each coin are unique, and each coin signature is characterized
by the values of these four parameters, such as graphically illustrated in FIGS. 24
and 25, discussed below.
[0122] FIGS. 20-23 graphically illustrate various waveforms which are generated according
to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is waveform of an excitation signal,
such as the one outputted in FIG. 14 by the high frequency driver 1316. The waveform
is 10 volts peak-to-peak with a -5 volt minimum and +5 volt maximum. The waveform
is a composite waveform comprised of a 30 KHz frequency component and a 480 KHz frequency
component. Each of the 30 KHz and 480 KHz frequency components have a phase of 0 degrees
and an amplitude of 2.0.
[0123] FIG. 21 illustrates a waveform of a detection signal when no coin is present (nominal
condition). The 30 KHz frequency component has a phase of about 74 degrees and an
amplitude of about 0.687, and the 480 KHz frequency component has a phase of about
38 degrees and an amplitude of about 0.482.
[0124] FIG. 22 is a waveform of a detection signal when a 5 cent coin is present. The 5
cent is comprised of a copper alloy, and therefore has a relatively high conductivity.
The 30 KHz frequency component has a phase of about 78 degrees and an amplitude of
about 0.787, and the 480 KHz frequency component has a phase of about 44 degrees and
an amplitude of about 0.433.
[0125] FIG. 23 illustrates the waveforms shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 superimposed one over
the other. Waveform 700 corresponds to a detection signal when no coin is present,
and waveform 702 corresponds to a detection signal when a 5 cent coin is present.
[0126] Turning now to FIGS. 24 and 25, the amplitude values corresponding to each coin in
a coin set are plotted on a chart. As is shown, each coin in the coin set generates
a unique set of four values corresponding to each coin. Note that, for example, although
the 480 KHz sine and cosine amplitudes for the 5 cent coin and the 2 Euro coin are
relatively close in value (FIG. 25), the 30 KHz sine and cosine amplitude values for
the same coins are significantly disparate (FIG. 24). By detecting coins according
to three variables--composition, thickness, and diameter - the present invention reduces
the probability that two different coins will generate the same coin signatures (i.e.,
have the same four values within a predetermined tolerance). Thus, the present invention
offers a significant advantage over discrimination sensors that process coins based
on an excitation signal oscillating at a single frequency, because such sensors are
more likely to generate identical coin signatures for different coins.
[0127] It is understood that the coin set has been selected for illustrative purposes, and
it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to processing the
selected coins only. Rather, the discrimination sensor of the present invention may
be employed to process any coin set, which may include any combination of coins and/or
tokens.
[0128] FIG. 26 illustrates yet another embodiment of a coin discrimination system 800 having
a coin discrimination sensor 1802 with only two coils L1 and L2 in a configuration
commonly referred to as a Wheatstone bridge. A dual-frequency driver 1804 drives the
inputs to the coils L1 and L2. In one embodiment, the dual-frequency driver 1804 may
include the 30 KHz DDS sine wave generator 1308, the 480 KHz DDS sine wave generator,
the combiner 1314, and the high frequency driver 1316 shown in FIG. 14. In another
embodiment, the dual-frequency driver 1804 may include the 30 KHz sine wave generator
406, the 480 KHz sine wave generator 1408, the combiner 1410, and the buffer 1412
shown in FIG. 15. In a specific embodiment, the coils L1 and L2 have an impedance
of 150 µH. For maximum sensitivity, the values of R1 and R2 should be 28.3 ohms at
30 KHz to have the same impedance as 150 µH. Similarly, the values of R1 and R2 should
be 452 ohms at 480 KHz to have the same impedance as 150 µH. Therefore, for maximum
sensitivity, the values of R1 and R2 shown in FIG. 26 are 113 ohms, which represents
the geometric mean of 28.3 ohms and 452 ohms. As is known, maximum sensitivity is
achieved when the impedance levels of the resistors R1 and R2 match the inductive
reactance of the coils L1 and L2.
[0129] The outputs of the coils L1 and L2 are provided to a differential amplifier 1806.
Preferably, the differential amplifier 1806 has a high common-mode rejection ratio
(CMRR). As is known, a high CMRR differential amplifier results in a small or negligible
output signal when a zero differential voltage is applied across its input. In a specific
embodiment, the differential amplifier 1806 is an LT-1630 manufactured by Linear Technology.
In a specific embodiment, the values of R3, R4, R5, and R6 are 1000 ohms accurate
to within a +/- 0.1% tolerance.
[0130] The output of the differential amplifier 1806 is provided to a controller 1808. In
alternate embodiments, the output of the differential amplifier 1806 may be provided
to the ADC 1324 shown in FIG. 14 or to the high bandpass filter 1420 and low bandpass
filter 1422 shown in FIG. 15, and processed in accordance with the associated circuitry
shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.
[0131] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a coin discrimination sensor 1920 according
to the embodiment shown in FIG. 26. The coin discrimination sensor 1920 of FIG. 27
lacks the excitation coil 1612 of the coin discrimination sensor 1610 shown in FIG.
24. The coin discrimination sensor 1920 includes a bobbin 1900, a magnetic shield
1944, and optionally an outer case 1946. The bobbin 1900 includes a top retaining
layer 1902, a bottom retaining layer 1904, a projection 1906, a first wire recess
1908, and a second wire recess 1910. A proximal detector coil 1922 is wound around
the second wire recess 1910, and a distal detector coil 1924 is wound around the first
wire recess 1908. The proximal detector coil 1922 and the distal detector coil 1924
correspond to the coils L1 and L2 shown in FIG. 26.
[0132] When a coin 1914 passes by the coin discrimination sensor 1920, the magnetic fields
associated with the proximal detector coil 1922 and the distal detector coil 1924
will be disturbed differently, resulting in a voltage differential across the differential
amplifier 1806 shown in FIG. 26. The frequency components of the signal from the differential
amplifier 1806 are then analyzed separately and compared against known coin signature
values and/or formulae in a lookup table as described above.
[0133] Although the above-described coin discrimination sensor of the present invention
can be used in a variety of devices, it is particularly useful in high-speed coin
sorters of the disc type. Thus, the coin sensor of the present invention has been
described with specific reference to the use of disc-type coin sorters as an exemplary
device in which the coin discrimination sensor is utilized. However, it is expressly
understood that the coin discrimination sensor of the present invention may be used
in any device which requires that coins be discriminated.
[0134] In addition to embodiments described above and in the accompanying claims, several
embodiments of the present inventions will now be described.
Alternative Embodiment A1
[0135] A1. A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface forming a queuing channel
and at least two exit channels for sorting and discharging coins, the queuing channel
having an interior wall against which coins abut when moving toward the exit channels,
the queuing channel having a first segment for receiving coins from an input coin
region and a second segment disposed in a position that is substantially more in direction
of movement of the rotatable disc positioned thereunder than the first segment to
create an increased spacing between adjacent coins, the discriminator being located
in the queuing region, the lower surface having a reject region between the first
segment of the queuing region and the plurality of exit channels;
a sensor for differentiating between valid and invalid coins;
a diverter disposed toward an end of the second segment, the diverter being moveable
between a first position wherein coins remain abutted against the wall for proceeding
toward the at least two exit channels and a second position for diverting coins away
from the interior wall to the reject region; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the controller moving the diverter
from the first position to the second position in response to the sensor detecting
an invalid coin.
Alternative Embodiment A2
[0136] A2. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, further including a gauging
channel for aligning outer edges of the coins along a gauging wall immediately prior
to the at least two exit channels.
Alternative Embodiment A3
[0137] A3. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A2, further including a transition
area between the gauging channel and the queuing channel to allow coins to move from
an interior wall within the queuing channel to the gauging wall within the gauging
channel.
Alternative Embodiment A4
[0138] A4. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A3, wherein the coins are
under pressure between the rotatable disc and the sorting head when moving through
the transition area.
Alternative Embodiment A5
[0139] A5. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A3, wherein the coins are
under no pressure when moving through the transition area.
Alternative Embodiment A6
[0140] A6. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the reject region
includes a reject slot into which coins are diverted by the diverter.
Alternative Embodiment A7
[0141] A7. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A6, wherein the reject slot
leads coins to a periphery of the sorting head.
Alternative Embodiment A8
[0142] A8. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A7, wherein the reject slot
has a length of no more than about three times the diameter of the smallest authentic
coin to be processed.
Alternative Embodiment A9
[0143] A9. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the rotatable
disc includes a pad, the coins being under pad pressure when moving through the queuing
region.
Alternative Embodiment A10
[0144] A10. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the queuing region
includes an inner wall against which the coins abut and has, in a cross-sectional
view, a stepped profile that defines a first edge and a second edge, the first edge
being closer to the inner wall than the second edge.
Alternative Embodiment A11
[0145] A11. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A10, wherein inner edges
of the coins engage the inner wall, coins of a smaller diameter engaging the first
edge, coins of a larger diameter engaging the second edge.
Alternative Embodiment A12
[0146] A12. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A11, wherein the coins remain
under pressure between the rotatable disc and the sorting head while moving along
the first edge and the second edge.
Alternative Embodiment A13
[0147] A13. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the queuing region
terminates at a location adjacent to a periphery of the rotatable disc.
Alternative Embodiment A14
[0148] A14. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the sensor determines
the denomination of each valid coin, the controller determining the value of the coins
being processed based on input from the sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A15
[0149] A15. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the at least
two exit channels includes in exit channel for each available denomination to be sorted.
Alternative Embodiment A16
[0150] A16. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A15, further including a
counting sensor in each of the exit channels, the counting sensors being coupled to
the controller, the controller determining the value of the coins being processed
based on inputs received from the counting sensors.
Alternative Embodiment A17
[0151] A17. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, further including a trigger
sensor positioned immediately upstream from the sensor, the sensor being activated
to determine characteristics of a particular coin in response to the expiration of
a certain time period occurring after the trigger sensor detects the particular coin.
Alternative Embodiment A18
[0152] A18. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the diverter
includes a voice coil for high speed activation.
Alternative Embodiment A19
[0153] A19. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the coins are
aligned along an inner wall of the second segment of the queuing region, the diverter
being immediately adjacent to the inner wall for causing coins to be diverted away
from the inner wall and toward the reject region.
Alternative Embodiment A20
[0154] A20. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A19, wherein the second segment
of the queuing channel includes a coin engaging surface immediately adjacent to the
inner wall, the reject region including a reject slot that is immediately adjacent
to the coin engaging surface.
Alternative Embodiment A21
[0155] A21. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A20, wherein the coin engaging
surface has a width measured in a radial direction that is approximately the width
of the diverter when the diverter is in the second position.
Alternative Embodiment A22
[0156] A22. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A21, wherein the diverter
is a diverting pin that protrudes downwardly from the coin engaging surface.
Alternative Embodiment A23
[0157] A23. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the discriminator
determines a metal content and a dimension of the coins.
Alternative Embodiment A24
[0158] A24. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the diverter
is actuated by a solenoid.
Alternative Embodiment A25
[0159] A25. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the queuing channel
is generally L-shaped.
Alternative Embodiment A26
[0160] A26. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A1, wherein the first segment
is disposed at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees relative to the second
segment.
Alternative Embodiment A27
[0161] A27. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A26, wherein the angle is
about 100 degrees.
Alternative Embodiment A28
[0162] A28. A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a sensor for differentiating between valid and invalid coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface forming a queuing channel
and a plurality of exit channels for sorting and discharging coins of particular denominations,
the queuing channel having a first segment for receiving coins and a second segment
for moving the coins past the sensor, the queuing channel being configured to move
coins at a faster rate along the second segment for increasing the spacing between
adjacent coins;
a diverter disposed along the second segment beyond the sensor, the diverter being
moveable between a first position permitting coins to proceed to the plurality of
exit channels and a second position for diverting coins to a reject region; and
a controller for moving the diverter from the first position to the second position
when the sensor detects an invalid coin.
Alternative Embodiment A29
[0163] A29. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A28, wherein the reject region
includes a reject slot into which coins are diverted by the diverter.
Alternative Embodiment A30
[0164] A30. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A26, wherein the reject slot
leads coins to a periphery of the sorting head.
Alternative Embodiment A31
[0165] A31. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A28, wherein the coins are
aligned along an inner wall of the second segment of the queuing region, the diverter
being disposed immediately adjacent to the inner wall for causing coins to be diverted
away from the inner wall and toward the reject region.
Alternative Embodiment A32
[0166] A32. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A28, wherein the diverter
includes a voice coil for high speed activation.
Alternative Embodiment A33
[0167] A33. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A28, wherein the queuing
region includes an inner wall against which the coins abut and has, in a cross-sectional
view, a stepped profile that defines a first edge and a second edge, the first edge
being closer to the inner wall than the second edge.
Alternative Embodiment A34
[0168] A34. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A33, wherein inner edges
of the coins engage the inner wall, coins of a smaller diameter engaging the first
edge, coins of a larger diameter engaging the second edge.
Alternative Embodiment A35
[0169] A35. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A34, wherein the coins remain
under pressure between the rotatable disc and the sorting head while moving along
the first edge and the second edge.
Alternative Embodiment A36
[0170] A36. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A33, wherein the stepped
profile of the queuing region transitions to a substantially flat profile.
Alternative Embodiment A37
[0171] A37. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A28, wherein the diverter
is actuated by a solenoid.
Alternative Embodiment A38
[0172] A38. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A28, wherein the queuing
channel is generally L-shaped.
Alternative Embodiment A39
[0173] A39. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A28, wherein the first segment
is disposed at an angle of 90 degrees to about 110 degrees relative to the second
segment.
Alternative Embodiment A40
[0174] A40. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A39, wherein the angle is
about 100 degrees.
Alternative Embodiment A41
[0175] A41. A method for processing coins, comprising:
receiving coins in a coin receiving area;
moving coins along a queuing region after the coin receiving area, the queuing region
including a first segment and a second segment of the queuing region;
creating additional spacing between adjacent coins as the coins transition from the
first segment to the second segment;
determining the authenticity of each of the coins passing through the second segment;
and
diverting non-authentic coins away from a coin path leading to a discharge region
for authentic coins at a point upstream from the discharge region.
Alternative Embodiment A42
[0176] A42. The method of Alternate Embodiment A41, wherein the diverting includes activating
a voice coil in response to the step of determining.
Alternative Embodiment A43
[0177] A43. The method of Alternate Embodiment A41, wherein the creating additional spacing
includes moving coins along the second segment at a higher rate to speed.
Alternative Embodiment A44
[0178] A44. The method of Alternate Embodiment A41, wherein the discharge region includes
a plurality of coin exit channels, the method further including the step of sorting
coins of each denomination into a corresponding one of the plurality of coin exit
channels.
Alternative Embodiment A45
[0179] A45. The method of Alternate Embodiment A44, wherein the plurality of coin exit channels
are of different dimensions.
Alternative Embodiment A46
[0180] A46. The method of Alternate Embodiment A41, wherein the steps of moving, creating,
determining and diverting are performed while the coins are located between a rotatable
disc and a stationary sorting head.
Alternative Embodiment A47
[0181] A47. The method of Alternate Embodiment A41, wherein the step of diverting occurs
along the second segment.
Alternative Embodiment A48
[0182] A48. The method of Alternate Embodiment A41, wherein the coins being processed move
at a constant operational speed during the steps of determining and diverting.
Alternative Embodiment A49
[0183] A49. A method for processing coins, comprising;
receiving coins in a coin receiving region;
imparting motion to the coins with a rotatable disc;
engaging the coins with a stationary sorting head during the step of imparting motion;
increasing the spacing between adjacent coins in a queuing region of the sorting head;
determining the authenticity of each of the coins after the step of increasing the
spacing;
diverting non-authentic ones of the coins to a coin reject region; and
moving authentic ones of the coins to a coin discharge region at a location that is
beyond the coin reject region.
Alternative Embodiment A50
[0184] A50. The method of Alternate Embodiment A49, wherein the queuing region includes
a first segment and a second segment, the second segment being arranged in a position
on the sorting head that is more in alignment with the direction of movement of the
rotatable disc than the first segment, the second segment providing the step of increasing
the spacing between adjacent coins.
Alternative Embodiment A51
[0185] A51. The method of Alternate Embodiment A49, wherein the first segment is disposed
at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees relative to the second segment.
Alternative Embodiment A52
[0186] A52. The method of Alternate Embodiment A51 wherein the angle is about 100 degrees.
Alternative Embodiment A53
[0187] A53. The method of Alternate Embodiment A49, wherein the diverting includes activating
a voice coil in response to the step of determining.
Alternative Embodiment A54
[0188] A54. The method of Alternate Embodiment A49, wherein the diverting includes activating
a solenoid in response to the step of determining.
Alternative Embodiment A55
[0189] A55. The method of Alternate Embodiment A49, wherein the step of moving authentic
ones of the coins occurs while the coins are under pressure between the rotatable
disc and the sorting head.
Alternative Embodiment A56
[0190] A56. The method of Alternate Embodiment A49, wherein the step of determining occurs
within the queuing region.
Alternative Embodiment A57
[0191] A57. A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface of the sorting head forming
a queuing channel and at least one coin exit channel for discharging coins, the queuing
channel having a first segment for receiving coins from an input coin region and a
second segment disposed in a position that is substantially more in direction of movement
of the rotatable disc positioned immediately thereunder than the first segment to
create an increased spacing between adjacent coins as the coins move toward the at
least one exit channel;
a sensor disposed along the at least one coin exit channel for differentiating between
valid and invalid coins as each of the coins passing through the at least one coin
exit channel;
at least one diverter disposed outside the periphery of the sorting head for receiving
coins discharged from the at least one coin exit channel, the diverter being movable
between a first position for directing coins into a first area and a second position
for directing coins into a second area; and
a controller for controlling the movement of the at least one diverter and the movement
of the rotatable disc, the controller causing the diverter to move to the first position
when a coin is determined to be valid, the controller causing the diverter to move
to the second position when a coin is determined to be invalid, wherein the increased
spacing between adjacent coins permits the controller to maintain the rotatable disc
at a substantially constant operating speed when causing the diverter to move between
the first position and the second position.
Alternative Embodiment A58
[0192] A58. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A57, wherein the diverter
includes a voice coil providing high-speed switching between the first position and
the second position, the voice coil providing a force in both directions of movement
toward the first and second positions.
Alternative Embodiment A59
[0193] A59. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A58, wherein the voice coil
provides at least about 20 pounds of force in both directions.
Alternative Embodiment A60
[0194] A60. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A58, wherein the voice coil
undergoes a displacement of at least about 1/8 inch in about 1.3 millisecond.
Alternative Embodiment A61
[0195] A61. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A58, wherein the voice coil
provides high-speed switching at a speed of at about 0.1 inch per millisecond.
Alternative Embodiment A62
[0196] A62. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A58, wherein the voice coil
maintains a diverting structure at the first position until activation to the second
position is necessary and maintains the diverting structure at the second position
until activation to the first position is necessary.
Alternative Embodiment A63
[0197] A63. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A57, wherein the at least
one exit channel is exactly one exit channel.
Alternative Embodiment A64
[0198] A64. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A57, wherein the first segment
is disposed at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees relative to the second
segment.
Alternative Embodiment A65
[0199] A65. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A64, wherein the angle is
about 100 degrees.
Alternative Embodiment A66
[0200] A66. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A57, wherein the queuing
channel is generally L-shaped.
Alternative Embodiment A67
[0201] A67. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A57, wherein the diverter
includes a solenoid for switching between the first position and the second position.
Alternative Embodiment A68
[0202] A68. A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface of the sorting head forming
a queuing channel and two coin exit stations for receiving coins having different
characteristics, the queuing channel having a first segment for receiving coins from
an input coin region and a second segment disposed in a position that is substantially
more in direction of movement of the rotatable disc positioned immediately thereunder
than the first segment to create an increased spacing between adjacent coins;
a sensor disposed along the queuing channel for obtaining information from each of
the coins for differentiating between valid and invalid coins as the coins move through
the queuing channel;
a diverter disposed at an end of the second segment for directing coins between the
two exit stations based on information obtained by the sensor, the diverter moving
at a rate that allows the rotatable disc to maintain a substantially constant operational
speed while the diverter directs coins between the two exit stations channels.
Alternative Embodiment A69
[0203] A69. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A68, wherein the sensor is
located at a beginning portion of the second segment.
Alternative Embodiment A70
[0204] A70. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A68, wherein the first and
second exit stations are first and second exit channels, respectively, the first exit
channel being in general alignment with the second segment of the queuing channel,
the diverter directing coins away from the first exit channel and into the second
exit channel.
Alternative Embodiment A71
[0205] A71. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A68, wherein the first and
second exit stations are located at an end portion of an exit channel, the diverter
being at the end portion of an exit channel and deflecting coins toward one of the
first and second exit stations.
Alternative Embodiment A72
[0206] A72. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A68, wherein the diverter
includes a voice coil providing high-speed switching between the first position and
the second position, the voice coil providing a force in both directions of movement
toward the first and second positions.
Alternative Embodiment A73
[0207] A73. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A72, wherein the force is
at least about 20 pounds of force in both directions.
Alternative Embodiment A74
[0208] A74. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A73, wherein the voice coil
undergoes a displacement of at least about 1/8 inch in about 1.3 milliseconds.
Alternative Embodiment A75
[0209] A75. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A68, wherein the characteristics
include metal content, thickness and diameter.
Alternative Embodiment A76
[0210] A76. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A75, wherein the coin processing
system discriminates between two coin sets, each coin set being distributed to a corresponding
one of the two exit stations.
Alternative Embodiment A77
[0211] A77. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A76, further including a
controller for determining a value of each coin set that is distributed to the two
exit stations.
Alternative Embodiment A78
[0212] A78. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A68, wherein the first segment
is disposed at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees relative to the second
segment.
Alternative Embodiment A79
[0213] A79. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A78, wherein the angle is
about 100 degrees.
Alternative Embodiment A80
[0214] A80. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A68, wherein the queuing
channel is generally L-shaped.
Alternative Embodiment A81
[0215] A81. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A68, wherein the diverter
includes a solenoid for switching between the first position and the second position.
Alternative Embodiment A82
[0216] A82. A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface of the sorting head forming
a queuing channel and an exit channel for receiving the coins, the queuing channel
having a first segment for receiving coins from an input coin region and a second
segment disposed in a position that is substantially more in direction of movement
of the rotatable disc positioned immediately thereunder than the first segment to
create an increased spacing between adjacent coins;
a discrimination sensor disposed along the queuing channel for detecting characteristics
of the coins moving through the queuing channel;
a diverter disposed outside the periphery of the sorting head in a path of the coin
exit channel for receiving coins discharged from the corresponding exit channel, each
of the diverters being movable between a first position for receiving the coins having
a certain characteristic detected by the discrimination sensor and a second position
for receiving all other coins, the diverter moveable between the first and the second
position in a time that is less than the time required for a coin to move a distance
corresponding to the increased spacing.
Alternative Embodiment A83
[0217] A83. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A82, wherein the diverter
includes a voice coil providing high-speed switching between the first position and
the second position, the voice coil providing a force in both directions of movement
toward the first and second positions.
Alternative Embodiment A84
[0218] A84. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A83, wherein the force is
at least about 20 pounds of force in both directions.
Alternative Embodiment A85
[0219] A85. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A83, wherein the voice coil
undergoes a displacement of at least about 1/8 inch in about 1.3 milliseconds.
Alternative Embodiment A86
[0220] A86. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A83, wherein the voice coil
maintains a diverting structure at the first position until activation to the second
position is necessary and maintains the diverting structure at the second position
until activation to the first position is necessary.
Alternative Embodiment A87
[0221] A87. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A82, wherein the diverter
includes a solenoid for moving the diverting between the first position and the second
position.
Alternative Embodiment A88
[0222] A88. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A83, wherein the rotatable
disc includes a pad and the coins are under pad pressure while moving past the discrimination
sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A89
[0223] A89. The method of Alternate Embodiment A82, wherein the first segment is disposed
at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees relative to the second segment.
Alternative Embodiment A90
[0224] A90. The method of Alternate Embodiment A89 wherein the angle is about 100 degrees.
Alternative Embodiment A91
[0225] A91. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A82, wherein the queuing
channel is generally L-shaped.
Alternative Embodiment A92
[0226] A92. A coin processing machine for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface forming a queuing channel
and a coin exit station, the queuing channel having an interior wall against which
the coins abut, the queuing channel having a first segment for receiving coins and
aligning the coins along the interior wall and a second segment for moving the coins
to an outer periphery of the sorting head such that a portion of each coin extends
beyond the outer periphery;
an optical sensor disposed outside the periphery of the sorting head for obtaining
optical information from the portion of each coin extending beyond the periphery of
the sorting head;
a diverter disposed toward an end of the second segment, the diverter being moveable
between a first position wherein coins remain along a coin path toward the coin exit
station and a second position for diverting coins to a reject station; and
a controller for moving the diverter from the first position to the second position
in response to the optical information obtained by the optical sensor indicating a
coin should not proceed to the coin exit station.
Alternative Embodiment A93
[0227] A93. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A92, wherein the second
segment creates an increased spacing between adjacent coins.
Alternative Embodiment A94
[0228] A94. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A92, wherein the information
from the optical sensor determines the authenticity of each coin.
Alternative Embodiment A95
[0229] A95. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A94, wherein the optical
information from the optical sensor determines the denomination of each coin.
Alternative Embodiment A96
[0230] A96. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A92, wherein the information
from the optical sensor determines that denomination of each coin.
Alternative Embodiment A97
[0231] A97. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A92, wherein the exit station
includes a plurality of exit channels for sorting coins into particular denominations.
Alternative Embodiment A98
[0232] A98. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A97, wherein the sorting
head includes a gauging channel for aligning coins along a common radius prior to
the plurality of exit channels.
Alternative Embodiment A99
[0233] A99. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A92, wherein the diverter
includes a voice coil.
Alternative Embodiment A100
[0234] A100. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A92, wherein the diverter
includes a solenoid.
Alternative Embodiment A101
[0235] A101. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A92, wherein the reject
station includes a reject slot leading from the diverter to a periphery of the sorting
head.
Alternative Embodiment A102
[0236] A102. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A92, wherein the first
segment is disposed at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees relative
to the second segment.
Alternative Embodiment A103
[0237] A103. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A102 wherein the angle
is about 100 degrees.
Alternative Embodiment A104
[0238] A104. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A92, wherein the queuing
channel is generally L-shaped.
Alternative Embodiment A105
[0239] A105. A coin processing machine for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface forming a coin path leading
to a coin exit station at which coins are discharged, the coin path moving the coins
toward an outer periphery such that a portion of each coin extends beyond the outer
periphery;
an optical sensor for obtaining optical information from the portion of each coin
extending beyond the outer periphery;
a diverter disposed downstream of the optical sensor, the diverter being moveable
between a first position allowing coins to remain on the coin path and a second position
for diverting coins toward a reject station; and
a controller for moving the diverter from the first position to the second position
in response to the optical information obtained by the optical sensor indicates a
certain coin should not proceed to the coin exit station.
Alternative Embodiment A106
[0240] A106. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A105, wherein the exit
station includes a plurality of exit channels for sorting coins into particular denominations.
Alternative Embodiment A107
[0241] A107. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A106, wherein the sorting
head includes a gauging channel for aligning coins along a common radius prior to
the plurality of exit channels.
Alternative Embodiment A108
[0242] A108. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A105, wherein the optical
information from the optical sensor determines the authenticity of each coin.
Alternative Embodiment A109
[0243] A109. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A108, wherein the information
from the optical sensor determines that denomination of each coin.
Alternative Embodiment A110
[0244] A110. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A105, wherein the information
from the optical sensor determines that denomination of each coin.
Alternative Embodiment A111
[0245] A111. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A105, wherein the reject
station includes a reject slot leading from the diverter to a periphery of the sorting
head.
Alternative Embodiment A112
[0246] A112. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A105, wherein the diverter
includes a voice coil.
Alternative Embodiment A113
[0247] A113. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A105, wherein the diverter
includes a solenoid.
Alternative Embodiment A114
[0248] A114. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A105, wherein the sorting
head provides for an increased spacing between adjacent coins before the coins encountered
the sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A115
[0249] A115. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A114, wherein the coin
path includes a queuing region having a first and second segment, the second segment
being positioned in a direction that is more in alignment with a direction of movement
of the rotatable disc, the transition between the first segment and the second segment
providing the increased spacing.
Alternative Embodiment A116
[0250] A116. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A115, wherein the first
segment is disposed at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees relative
to the second segment.
Alternative Embodiment A117
[0251] A117. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A116, wherein the angle
is about 100 degrees.
Alternative Embodiment A118
[0252] A118. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A115, wherein the queuing
channel is generally L-shaped.
Alternative Embodiment A119
[0253] A119. A method of processing coins, comprising:
receiving the coins in a coin receiving region;
imparting motion to the coins with a rotatable disc;
engaging the coins with a stationary sorting head during the step of imparting motion;
moving coins along a coin path within the stationary sorting head, a portion of the
coin path being adjacent to a periphery of the sorting head causing a portion of each
coin to be exposed outside of the sorting head;
optically sensing the portion of each coin while exposed outside of the sorting head;
and
moving at least some of the coins to a coin exit station after optical sensing.
Alternative Embodiment A120
[0254] A120. The method of Alternate Embodiment A119, wherein the sensing includes determining
the authenticity of each of the coins.
Alternative Embodiment A121
[0255] A121. The method of Alternate Embodiment A119, further including diverting non-authentic
ones of the coins to a coin reject region after the step of sensing.
Alternative Embodiment A122
[0256] A122. The method of Alternate Embodiment A119, further including sorting authentic
ones of the coins in a plurality of coin exit channels located within the coin exit
station.
Alternative Embodiment A123
[0257] A123. The method of Alternate Embodiment A119, further including increasing the spacing
between adjacent coins prior to the step of sensing.
Alternative Embodiment A124
[0258] A124. The method of Alternate Embodiment A119, wherein the step of sensing includes
determining the denomination of each coin.
Alternative Embodiment A125
[0259] A125. The method of Alternate Embodiment A119, wherein less than half a diameter
of each of the coins is exposed.
Alternative Embodiment A126
[0260] A126. A coin processing machine for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface of the sorting head having
formed therein a gauging channel for aligning the coins along a common radius and
a plurality of exit channels for discharging coins, the gauging region having an interior
wall against which the coins abut, each of the exit channels having substantially
the same width;
a sensor for obtaining information indicative of the denomination of each of the coins
from each of the coins;
a plurality of diverters disposed along the interior wall of the gauging channel,
each of the plurality of diverters corresponding to one of the plurality of exit channels,
each of the plurality of diverters being movable between a first position wherein
coins remain abutted again the interior and a second position wherein coins are diverted
to the corresponding exit channel; and
a controller for selectively controlling the movement of each of the diverters between
the first and second positions in response to input from the sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A127
[0261] A127. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A126, wherein the sorting
head includes a coin reject station with an associated diverter, the coin reject station
being adjacent to the sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A128
[0262] A128. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A127, wherein the sensor
determines the authenticity of each of the coins, non-authentic ones of the coins
being diverted to the coin reject station.
Alternative Embodiment A129
[0263] A129. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A126, wherein each of the
plurality of diverters includes a voice coil for providing high-speed diverting.
Alternative Embodiment A130
[0264] A130. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A126, wherein each of the
coins remains entirely sandwiched between the sorting head and the rotatable disc
prior to being diverted by one of the diverters.
Alternative Embodiment A131
[0265] A131. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A126, wherein the sorting
head includes a queuing region for increasing the spacing between adjacent the coins.
Alternative Embodiment A132
[0266] A132. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A131, wherein the sensor
is located within the queuing region at a point after the spacing between adjacent
coins has been increased.
Alternative Embodiment A133
[0267] A133. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A126, wherein the coins
remain under pressure between the rotatable disc and the stationary sorting head while
within the gauging region.
Alternative Embodiment A134
[0268] A134. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A126, wherein each of the
plurality of diverters is a peg-like structure extending downwardly from openings
within the sorting head.
Alternative Embodiment A135
[0269] A135. A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface of the sorting head having
formed therein a gauging channel for aligning the coins in a certain formation and
a plurality of exit channels for discharging coins at spaced circumferential locations
along the sorting head, each of the coin exit channels capable of receiving each coin
in a coin set;
a sensor for determining the denomination of each of the coins; and
a plurality of diverters disposed along the gauging channel, each of the plurality
of diverters corresponding to one of the plurality of coin exit channels, each of
the plurality of diverters being movable between a first position wherein coins remain
in movement along the gauging channel and a second position wherein coins are diverted
into the corresponding exit channel.
Alternative Embodiment A136
[0270] A136. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A135, wherein the sorting
head includes a coin reject station with an associated diverter, the coin reject station
being adjacent to the sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A137
[0271] A137. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A136, wherein the sensor
determines the authenticity of each of the coins, non-authentic ones of the coins
being diverted to the coin reject station.
Alternative Embodiment A138
[0272] A138. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A135, wherein each of the
exit channels is dimensionally same.
Alternative Embodiment A139
[0273] A139. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A135, wherein the gauging
region all lines the coins along a common radius.
Alternative Embodiment A140
[0274] A140. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A135, wherein each of the
plurality of diverters includes a voice coil for providing high-speed diverting.
Alternative Embodiment A141
[0275] A141. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A135, wherein each of the
coins remains entirely sandwiched between the sorting head and the rotatable disc
prior to being diverted by one of the diverters.
Alternative Embodiment A142
[0276] A142. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A135, wherein the sorting
head includes a queuing region for increasing the spacing between adjacent the coins.
Alternative Embodiment A143
[0277] A143. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A135, further including
an encoder coupled to the controller for tracking the position of each coin sensed
by the sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A144
[0278] A144. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A135, wherein a portion
of the queuing channel is generally L-shaped for imparting spacing between each coin.
Alternative Embodiment A145
[0279] A145. A method of processing coins, comprising:
receiving the coins in a coin receiving region;
imparting motion to the coins with a rotatable disc;
engaging the coins with a stationary sorting head during the step of imparting motion;
moving coins along a coin path within the stationary sorting head;
actuating a single sensor that determines the authenticity of each coin and the denomination
of each coin;
tracking the position of each coin that has been sensed by the single sensor; and
selectively actuating a plurality of diverters to discharge certain denominations
of the coins into corresponding exit stations.
Alternative Embodiment A146
[0280] A146. The method of Alternate Embodiment A145, further including diverting not authentic
ones of the coins to a reject station.
Alternative Embodiment A147
[0281] A147. The method of Alternate Embodiment A145, further including increasing the spacing
between adjacent coins prior to actuating the single sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A148
[0282] A148. The method of Alternate Embodiment A145, further including determining a value
of authentic ones of the coins that have been sensed.
Alternative Embodiment A149
[0283] A149. The method of Alternate Embodiment A145, wherein the step of selectively actuating
the plurality of diverters includes the step of selectively actuating a series of
voice coils.
Alternative Embodiment A150
[0284] A150. A method of processing coins, comprising:
moving coins along a coin path within a stationary sorting head;
actuating a single sensor that determines the denomination of each coin;
tracking the position of each coin that has been sensed by the single sensor; and
selectively actuating a plurality of diverters to discharge certain denominations
of the coins into corresponding exit stations.
Alternative Embodiment A151
[0285] A151. A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a coin driving member for imparting motion to the plurality of coins so that the coins
move along a certain coin path;
at least one coin exit station along the coin path;
a diverting structure for diverting the coin from the coin path to the coin exit station;
and
a voice coil mechanically coupled to the diverting structure for providing movement
to the diverting structure.
Alternative Embodiment A152
[0286] A152. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A151, further including
a plurality of diverters disposed along the coin path, each of the plurality of diverters
having a corresponding voice coil mechanically coupled thereto.
Alternative Embodiment A153
[0287] A153. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A151, wherein the coin path
is curved.
Alternative Embodiment A154
[0288] A154. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A151, wherein the coin path
is straight.
Alternative Embodiment A155
[0289] A155. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A151, wherein the coin driving
member is a rotatable disc.
Alternative Embodiment A156
[0290] A156. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A155, further including
a stationary sorting head for defining the coin path.
Alternative Embodiment A157
[0291] A157. A programmable rail coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins
of mixed denominations, comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a stationary guide plate head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface forming a queuing channel
and a exit station, the queuing channel having an interior wall against which coins
abut when moving toward the exit station, the queuing channel having a first segment
for receiving coins from an input coin region and a second segment disposed in a position
that is substantially more in direction of movement of the rotatable disc positioned
thereunder than the first segment to create an increased spacing between adjacent
coins;
a rail for receiving coins from the exit station, the rail having a wall against which
coins abut when moving toward a plurality of exit channel for discharging coins;
a driven endless belt disposed above and spaced slightly from the rail for imparting
movement to the coin received by the rail
a diverter corresponding to each of the plurality each exit channels of the rail for
diverting coins from the wall into the plurality of exit channels; and
a sensor disposed upstream of the plurality of exit channels obtain information from
each of the coins for differentiating between valid and invalid coins; and
a controller for selectively activating each of the diverting structures.
Alternative Embodiment A158
[0292] A158. The system of Alternate Embodiment A157, wherein each of the diverters have
a corresponding voice coil mechanically coupled thereto for actuating the diverter.
Alternative Embodiment A159
[0293] A159. The system of Alternate Embodiment A157, wherein each of the diverters have
a corresponding solenoid mechanically coupled thereto for actuating the diverter.
Alternative Embodiment A160
[0294] A160. The system of Alternate Embodiment A157, wherein the first segment is disposed
at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees relative to the second segment.
Alternative Embodiment A161
[0295] A161. The system of Alternate Embodiment A160, wherein the angle is about 100 degrees.
Alternative Embodiment A162
[0296] A162. The system of Alternate Embodiment A157, wherein the queuing channel is generally
L-shaped.
Alternative Embodiment A163
[0297] A163. The system of Alternate Embodiment A157, wherein the plurality of exit channels
are linearly aligned along the rail.
Alternative Embodiment A164
[0298] A164. The system of Alternate Embodiment A157, wherein the plurality of exit channels
discharge coins from a common side of the rail.
Alternative Embodiment A165
[0299] A165. The system of Alternate Embodiment A157, further comprising at least one coin
bag per exit channel for receiving coins from each of the exit channels, the bags
being arranged in a substantially linear presentation.
Alternative Embodiment A166
[0300] A166. A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations,
comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, the lower surface forming a queuing channel
and a plurality of exit channels for sorting and discharging coins, the queuing channel
having an interior wall against which coins abut when moving toward the exit channels,
the queuing channel having a first segment for receiving coins from an input coin
region and a second segment disposed in a position that is substantially more in direction
of movement of the rotatable disc positioned thereunder than the first segment to
create an increased spacing between adjacent coins, the discriminator being located
in the queuing region, the lower surface having a reject region between the first
segment of the queuing region and the plurality of exit channels;
a sensor for obtaining characteristic information from each of the coins, the sensor
producing a signal indicative of the obtained information;
a diverting pin disposed toward an end of the second segment, the diverter being moveable
between a first position wherein coins remain abutted against the wall for proceeding
toward the plurality of exit channels and a second position for diverting coins away
from the interior wall to the reject region;
a voice coin mechanically coupled to the diverting pin for rapidly moving the diverting
pin from the first position to the second position and from the second position to
the first position;
a memory for sorting master characteristic information obtained for known genuine
coins; and
a controller electrically coupled to the sensor and the voice coils, the controller
adapted to compare the denominating characteristic information obtained from each
of the coins to the master denomination characteristic information stored in memory,
the controller actuating the voice coil when the obtained information does not favorably
compare to master information corresponding to a group of valid coins.
Alternative Embodiment A167
[0301] A167. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A166, further including
a gauging channel for aligning outer edges of the coins along a gauging wall immediately
prior to the at least two exit channels.
Alternative Embodiment A168
[0302] A168. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A167, further including
a transition area between the gauging channel and the queuing channel to allow coins
to move from an interior wall within the queuing channel to the gauging wall within
the gauging channel.
Alternative Embodiment A169
[0303] A169. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A168, wherein the coins
are under pressure between the rotatable disc and the sorting head when moving through
the transition area.
Alternative Embodiment A170
[0304] A170. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A168, wherein the coins
are under no pressure when moving through the transition area.
Alternative Embodiment A171
[0305] A171. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A166, wherein the reject
region includes a reject slot into which coins are diverted by the diverter.
Alternative Embodiment A172
[0306] A172. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A171, wherein the reject
slot leads coins to a periphery of the sorting head.
Alternative Embodiment A173
[0307] A173. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A171, wherein the reject
slot has a length of no more than about three times the diameter of the smallest authentic
coin to be processed.
Alternative Embodiment A174
[0308] A174. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A166, wherein the rotatable
disc includes a pad, the coins being under pad pressure when moving through the queuing
region.
Alternative Embodiment A175
[0309] A175. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A166, wherein the queuing
region includes an inner wall against which the coins abut and has, in a cross-sectional
view, a stepped profile that defines a first edge and a second edge, the first edge
being closer to the inner wall than the second edge.
Alternative Embodiment A176
[0310] A176. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A171, wherein inner edges
of the coins engage the inner wall, coins of a smaller diameter engaging the first
edge, coins of a larger diameter engaging the second edge.
Alternative Embodiment A177
[0311] A177. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A176, wherein the coins
remain under pressure between the rotatable disc and the sorting head while moving
along the first edge and the second edge.
Alternative Embodiment A178
[0312] A178. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A166, wherein the queuing
region terminates at a location adjacent to a periphery of the rotatable disc.
Alternative Embodiment A179
[0313] A179. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A166, wherein the controller
determines the denomination of each authentic coin, the controller determining the
value of the coins being processed based on input from the sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A180
[0314] A180. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A179, wherein the controller
maintains a count of the number of coins discharged from each exit channel.
Alternative Embodiment A181
[0315] A181. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A179, further including
a counting sensor in each of the exit channels, the counting sensor is being coupled
to the controller, the controller determining the value of the coins being processed
based on inputs received from the counting sensors.
Alternative Embodiment A182
[0316] A182. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A166, further including
a trigger sensor positioned immediately upstream from the sensor, the sensor being
activated to determine characteristics of a particular coin in response to the expiration
of a certain time period occurring after the trigger sensor detects the particular
coin.
Alternative Embodiment A183
[0317] A183. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A166, wherein the coins
are aligned along an inner wall of the second segment of the queuing region, the diverting
pin being immediately adjacent to the inner wall for causing coins to be diverted
away from the inner wall and toward the reject region.
Alternative Embodiment A184
[0318] A184. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A183, wherein the second
segment of the queuing channel includes a coin engaging surface immediately adjacent
to the inner wall, the reject region including a reject slot that is immediately adjacent
to the coin engaging surface.
Alternative Embodiment A185
[0319] A185. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A184, wherein the coin engaging
surface has a width measured in a radial direction that is approximately the width
of the diverter when the diverter is in the second position.
Alternative Embodiment A186
[0320] A186. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A184, wherein the diverting
pin is a diverting pin that protrudes downwardly from the coin engaging surface.
Alternative Embodiment A187
[0321] A187. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A166, wherein the discriminator
determines a metal content and a dimension of the coins.
Alternative Embodiment A188
[0322] A188. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A166, wherein the first
segment is disposed at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees relative
to the second segment.
Alternative Embodiment A189
[0323] A189. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A188, wherein the angle
is about 100 degrees.
Alternative Embodiment A190
[0324] A190. The coin processing system of Alternate Embodiment A166, wherein the queuing
channel is generally L-shaped.
Alternative Embodiment A191
[0325] A191. A coin processing machine for sorting a plurality of coins having different
characteristics, comprising:
a rotatable disc for imparting motion to said plurality of coins;
a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced
slightly away from the rotatable disc, said lower surface forming a coin path leading
to an exit station at which said coins are discharged;
a discrimination sensor for discriminating among said plurality of coins based on
said characteristics of said coins, said sensor being located over said coin path
and within said stationary sorting head, said sensor having a transmission coil and
two reception coils, said transmission coil for producing a magnetic field over a
section of said coin path, said two reception coils being configured to detect signals
that are indicative of said characteristics of each coin passing along said coin path,
said characteristics including at least a coin composition, a coin thickness, and
a coin diameter; and
a processor coupled to said discrimination sensor for selectively processing said
coins in response to said signals received from said discrimination sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A192
[0326] A192. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A191, further including
a diverter coupled to said processor, said processor selectively actuating said diverter
in response to said signals received from said discrimination sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A193
[0327] A193. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A192, further including
a reject region along said coin path, said diverter diverting invalid coins from said
coin path to said reject region.
Alternative Embodiment A194
[0328] A194. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A193, wherein said reject
region is adjacent to said discrimination sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A195
[0329] A195. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A194, wherein said reject
region is positioned along said coin path substantially closer to said discrimination
sensor than to said coin exit station.
Alternative Embodiment A196
[0330] A196. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A195, wherein said coin
exit station includes a plurality of coin exit channels.
Alternative Embodiment A197
[0331] A197. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A196, wherein each of said
plurality of coin exit channels is dedicated to a specific denomination.
Alternative Embodiment A198
[0332] A198. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A196, wherein each of said
plurality of coin exit channels is capable of receiving each denomination in a coin
set, each of said plurality of coin exit channels having an associated diverter that
is coupled to said processor and selectively actuatable by said processor.
Alternative Embodiment A199
[0333] A199. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A191, wherein said coins
are under pressure between said rotatable disc and said sorting head when moving along
said coin path past said discrimination sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A200
[0334] A200. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A191, further including
a trigger sensor coupled to said processor and positioned immediately upstream along
said coin path from said discrimination sensor, said discrimination sensor being activated
by said processor in response to the expiration of a certain time period occurring
after said processor receives a signal from said trigger sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A201
[0335] A201. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A191, wherein said sorting
head is configured to create an increased spacing between adjacent coins that are
to pass by said discrimination sensor.
Alternative Embodiment A202
[0336] A202. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A191, wherein said two
reception coils are symmetrically arranged and connected in series to cause a cancellation
of the individual signals received by each of said two reception coils when no coin
is sensed.
Alternative Embodiment A203
[0337] A203. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A191, wherein said discrimination
sensor has a generally rectangular shape, a longest dimension of said generally rectangular
shape being greater than a diameter of the largest one of said coins to be processed.
Alternative Embodiment A204
[0338] A204. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A203, wherein said transmission
coil encloses said two reception coils.
Alternative Embodiment A205
[0339] A205. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A204, wherein said transmission
coil produces a high frequency magnetic field and a low frequency magnetic field,
said low frequency magnetic field penetrating more into a thickness dimension of said
coin than said high frequency magnetic field thereby causing said high frequency magnetic
field to be more influenced by a surface area of said coin and said low frequency
magnetic field to be more influenced by a volume of said coin.
Alternative Embodiment A206
[0340] A206. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A205, wherein said reception
coils detect a phase shift and amplitude shift associated with both said high frequency
magnetic field and said low frequency magnetic field, said processor determining a
type of coin being sensed based on said phase shifts in said amplitude shifts associated
with said high frequency magnetic field and said low frequency magnetic field.
Alternative Embodiment A207
[0341] A207. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A206, wherein said high
frequency signal oscillates at approximately 480 KHz and said low frequency signal
oscillates at about 30 KHz.
Alternative Embodiment A208
[0342] A208. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A191, wherein said transmission
coil produces a magnetic field at two frequencies.
Alternative Embodiment A209
[0343] A209. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A208, wherein said reception
coils detect a phase shift and amplitude shift for each of said two frequencies.
Alternative Embodiment A210
[0344] A210. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A209, wherein said reception
coils are configured to have a dimension that is larger than a diameter of the largest
coins to be processed for a certain coin set.
Alternative Embodiment A211
[0345] A211. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A210, wherein said discrimination
sensor has a generally rectangular shape.
Alternative Embodiment A212
[0346] A212. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A210, wherein said transmission
coil is configured to have a dimension that is larger than a diameter of the largest
coins to be processed for a certain coin set.
Alternative Embodiment A213
[0347] A213. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A210, wherein said high
frequency signal oscillates at a frequency at least eight times greater than the frequency
at which said low frequency signal oscillates.
Alternative Embodiment A214
[0348] A214. The coin processing machine of Alternate Embodiment A210, wherein said high
frequency signal oscillates at a frequency at least twelve times greater than the
frequency at which said low frequency signal oscillates.
Alternative Embodiment A215
[0349] A215. A discrimination sensor for determining an authenticity of coins in a coin
processing machine, comprising:
a transmission coil for producing a magnetic field over a coin path in said coin processing
machine, said magnetic field coupling to said coins to induce eddy currents within
said coin; and
two reception coils configured to detect signals corresponding to said eddy currents,
said signals being indicative of a metal content, a coin thickness, and a coin diameter
for each coin passing along said coin path.
Alternative Embodiment A216
[0350] A216. The discrimination sensor of Alternate Embodiment A215, wherein said transmission
coil receives a composite signal including a high frequency component and a low frequency
component.
Alternative Embodiment A217
[0351] A217. The discrimination sensor of Alternate Embodiment A216, wherein said low frequency
component is indicative of information about a thickness of said coin and said high
frequency is indicative of information about a diameter of said coin.
Alternative Embodiment A218
[0352] A218. The discrimination sensor of Alternate Embodiment A217, wherein said reception
coils detect a phase shift and amplitude shift associated with both said high frequency
component and said low frequency component.
Alternative Embodiment A219
[0353] A219. The discrimination sensor of Alternate Embodiment A215, wherein said transmission
coil and said reception coils are located on the same side of said coin path.
Alternative Embodiment A220
[0354] A220. The discrimination sensor of Alternate Embodiment A219, wherein said transmission
coil produces a magnetic field at a high frequency and a low frequency.
Alternative Embodiment A221
[0355] A221. The discrimination sensor of Alternate Embodiment A220, wherein said low frequency
provides information about a thickness of said coin and said high frequency provides
information about a diameter of said coin.
Alternative Embodiment A222
[0356] A222. The discrimination sensor of Alternate Embodiment A221, wherein said reception
coils detect a phase shift and amplitude shift for both said high frequency and said
low frequency.
Alternative Embodiment A223
[0357] A223. The discrimination sensor of Alternate Embodiment A221, wherein a first of
said two reception coils is positioned proximal to said coin path and a second of
said two reception coils is positioned in a distal relationship relative to said first
of said two reception coils.
Alternative Embodiment A224
[0358] A224. The discrimination sensor of Alternate Embodiment A221, wherein said transmission
coil substantially surrounds said two reception coils.
Alternative Embodiment A225
[0359] A225. The method of determining characteristics of a coin and a coin processing machine,
comprising:
moving said coin along a coin path within said coin processing machine;
inducing eddy currents in said coin by subjecting said coin to a magnetic field of
a high frequency and a low frequency;
detecting signals corresponding to said eddy currents that are indicative of a coin
diameter, a coin thickness, and a composition of said coin; and
processing said signals to determine an identity of said coin.
Alternative Embodiment A226
[0360] A226. The method of Alternate Embodiment A225, wherein said identity of said coin
includes an invalid coin for a particular operating session of said coin operating
machine.
Alternative Embodiment A227
[0361] A227. The method of Alternate Embodiment A226, further including diverting said invalid
coin away from said coin path to a reject station.
Alternative Embodiment A228
[0362] A228. The method of Alternate Embodiment A227, wherein said invalid coin is a non-authentic
coin.
Alternative Embodiment A229
[0363] A229. The method of Alternate Embodiment A227, wherein said invalid coin is an authentic
coin of a particular denomination.
Alternative Embodiment A230
[0364] A230. The method of Alternate Embodiment A225, wherein said inducing said eddy currents
and detecting said signals is accomplished through coils positioned along said coin
path on one side of said coin.
Alternative Embodiment A231
[0365] A231. A discrimination sensor for determining an authenticity of coins in a coin
processing machine, comprising a first coil coupled to a second coil, said first coil
and said second coil producing a magnetic field over a coin path in said coin processing
machine, said magnetic field coupling to said coins to induce eddy currents within
said coin, said first coil and said second coil detecting signals corresponding to
said eddy currents, said signals being indicative of a coin composition, a coin thickness,
and a coin diameter for each coin passing along said coin path.
[0366] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and described
in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended
to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover
all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.