Coin detecting device for a coin sorting machine

• US 4,432,447 A
• Filed: 07/25/1978
• Issued: 02/21/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fuji Electric Company Limited (Fuji Electric Systems Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Electric Company Limited (Fuji Electric Systems Company Limited)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Akio
• Primary Examiner(s): Bartuska, F. J.
• Application Number:
  US05/928,023
• Time in Patent Office: 2,037 Days
• Field of Search: 194/97 R, 194/99, 194/100 R, 194/100 A, 194/107, 194/102, 194/1 K, 73/163, 133/3 R, 133/3 H
• US Class Current: 194/318
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 5/02 Testing the dimensions, e.g. thickness, diameter; Testing the deformation
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 5/08 Testing the magnetic or electric properties

Abstract

A coin sorting device is provided for discriminating between a true coin of a desired denomination and a particular coin similar in configuration to the desired coin. The sorting device includes a coil adjacent the coin passage for detecting the passage of a coin and a detecting circuit which is finely tuned enough to discriminate between the two similar coins.

Claims

1. A coin detecting device for a coin sorting machine in which a sorting coil for detecting the characteristics of a coin and coin detectors for detecting the passage of a coin are arranged in a coin rolling passageway, successive coin insertion or a coin sorting period is determined by a detection signal provided by said coin detectors, and the variation in impedance of said sorting coil which is caused when a coin passes through said sorting coil is detected to determine whether said coin is a true coin or a false coin, the improvement characterized in that said device further comprises:

discriminating means for discriminating between a true coin and a particular coin by detecting the diameter of the particular coin, said particular coin causing the impedance of said sorting coil to vary in a manner similar to that caused by the true coin, such that the sorting coil erroneously determines that the particular coin is a true coin by generating a sorting signal;

signal transmitting and receiving coils disposed on opposite sides of said coin passageway; and

receiving coil detection circuit means for subjecting the signal induced in said receiving coil by a passing coin to first and second level detections, said detection circuit means providing a first output signal indicative of the passage of said particular coin when the level of the signal in said receiving coil is between said first and second levels for a predetermined minimum period of time;

and wherein said detection circuit means subjects said receiving coil signal to a third level detection and outputs a second output signal indicative of the passage of a coin other than said particular coin when said receiving coil signal traverses said third level but is not between said first and second levels for at least said predetermined minimum period of time;

and wherein said first output signal consists of two pulses within said predetermined period, and said second output signal consists of only one pulse within said predetermined period;

and wherein said machine further includes gate means operable for directing true coins along a true coin path and false coins along a reject path;

said device further comprising;

up/down counter means responsive to said first and second output signals for producing a count signal only in response to said second output signal; and

logic circuit means responsive to a sorting signal and to the absence of said count signal for producing, at the end of said sorting period, a control signal for operating said gate means to direct said particular coin along said reject path.