Coin discrimination apparatus and method

• US 5,988,348 A
• Filed: 06/27/1997
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Coinstar, LLC
• Original Assignee: Coinstar Incorporated (Outerwall Inc.)
• Inventors: Waechter, Mark, Blumberg, Robert, Cannon, Larry, Everhart, Daniel, Germany, Cheryl, Berho, Rodrigo, Gerrity, Dan, Phillips, Alan C., Neubarth, Stuart K., Leonard, Paul, Martin, Doug
• Primary Examiner(s): BARTUSKA, FRANCIS JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/883,780
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 194/317, 194/318, 194/334, 194/344, 194/345, 194/346, 194/347, 194/348, 453/3, 453/4, 453/5, 453/7, 453/9, 453/11, 453/32, 453/49, 453/56, 453/57, 193/DIG. 2
• US Class Current: 194/317
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 3/06 arranged along a circular path
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 3/123 the coins being deflected off rails
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 3/14 Apparatus driven under control of coin-sensing elements
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 5/00 Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of coins, e.g. for segregating coins which are unacceptable or alien to a currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 5/08 Testing the magnetic or electric properties
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 9/008 Feeding coins from bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/24 with change-giving

Abstract

A coin discrimination apparatus and method is provided. Coins, preferably after cleaning, e.g. using a trommel, are singulated by a coin pickup assembly configured to reduce jamming. A coin rail assists in providing separation between coins as they travel past a sensor. The sensor provides an oscillating electromagnetic field generated on a single sensing core. The oscillating electromagnetic field is composed of one or more frequency components. The electromagnetic field interacts with a coin, and these interactions are monitored and used to classify the coin according to its physical properties. All frequency components of the magnetic field are phase-locked to a common reference frequency. The phase relationships between the various frequencies are fixed, and the interaction of each frequency component with the coin can be accurately determined without the need for complicated electrical filters. In one embodiment, a sensor having a core, preferably ferrite, which is curved, such as in a U-shape or in the shape of a section of a torus, and defining a gap, is provided with a wire winding for excitation and/or detection. The sensor can be used for simultaneously obtaining data relating to two or more parameters of a coin or other object, such as size and conductivity of the object. Two or more frequencies can be used to sense core and/or cladding properties. Objects recognized as acceptable coins, using the sensor data, are diverted by a controllable deflecting door, to tubes for delivery to acceptable coin bins.

Claims

1. Apparatus, usable in a coin handling device, for coin pickup comprising:

a hopper for receiving a plurality of randomly oriented coins;

a disk assembly, adjacent a portion of said hopper, defining at least a portion of a coin pickup pathway lying in a substantially annular region, at a first angle with respect to vertical;

at least a first paddle movable along said coin pickup pathway to define a normal paddle path, wherein coins which have passed from said hopper into said coin pickup pathway, are urged along said coin pickup pathway by said at least first paddle from a coin pickup pathway pickup region to a coin pickup pathway exit region, defining a coin travel direction;

said coin pickup pathway having a width, said coin pickup pathway configured in the absence of reduction of said width along said coin pickup pathway in said coin travel direction, and wherein said width increases, in said coin travel direction, over at least a portion of said coin pickup pathway to define at least first, second and third pathway widths at first, second and third respectively successive positions along said coin pickup pathway said second width being greater than said first width and said third width being greater than said second width.

2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pathway has a depth, and wherein said depth increases, in said coin travel direction, over at least a portion of said coin pickup pathway.

3. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first angle is between about 0°

and about 15°

.

4. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, said first paddle being movable, with respect to said normal paddle path, along a paddle deflection path having a component along said path width.

5. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first paddle is mounted at a mounting position with respect to a disk assembly member which rotates about an axis which is substantially concentric with said annular region such that said normal paddle path defines a circle substantially concentric with said annular region.

6. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first paddle is coupled to an arm pivotally mounted at said mounting position, said arm being resiliently urged to an attitude which carries said paddle along said normal paddle path, wherein said paddle moves along said paddle deflection path, against said resilient urging, in response to an obstruction in said coin pickup pathway.

7. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first arm is resiliently urged by at least a first spring.

8. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a cover for said first spring, to avoid coin contact with said spring.

9. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a block having a recess for receiving at least a portion of said disk assembly, said recess having an edge which defines an outer perimeter of at least a first portion of said coin path.

10. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a door, movable with respect to said block from a first position defining an outer perimeter of at least a second portion of said coin path, to a second position permitting debris to exit said second portion of said coin path.

11. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, further comprising means for moving said door to said second position when all coin in said hopper have been moved through said exit region.

12. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said disk assembly comprises a disk-like member having a front surface, a rear surface and an outer edge which defines an inner perimeter of at least a portion of said coin path.

13. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 12, wherein said outer edge includes a first curved portion adjacent a first part of said coin path and a second portion, adjacent said exit region, wherein the coin path in said exit region has a radially outward component with respect to said annular region, whereby coins laterally exit said coin pickup pathway without the need for a coin knife.

14. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least said first paddle travels over said second portion of said disk-like member and outward of said front surface as said first paddle moves along said normal paddle path.

15. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said second portion includes at least one recess for receiving debris swept by said paddle.

16. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some surfaces of said disk assembly are tapered to avoid coin contact with sharp edges.

17. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said mounting position is provided with a tapered washer.

18. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 12, wherein said disk assembly further comprises a tension disk positioned outward of said disk-like member.

19. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a resilient member compressed, by the tightening of a first knob, against said tension disk for holding said tension disk and said disk-like member in place, wherein components of said disk assembly are removable upon loosening of said knob.

20. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the configuration of said hopper and the configuration of said paddle cooperate to urge coins to an attitude substantially parallel to said disk assembly.

21. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hopper is substantially flexible.

22. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hopper includes extension means for capturing stray coins that do not follow the pickup coin path.

23. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an activity sensor for detecting presence of coins in a least one location along said coin path.

24. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor for sensing presence of coins in at least one position in said hopper.

25. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electric motor for moving said paddle along said normal paddle path.

26. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 25, further comprising means for sensing a current peak in said electric motor.

27. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 25, further comprising means for sensing an abnormality.

28. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 27, further comprising means for reversing said electric motor in response to said means for sensing an abnormality.

29. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 25, further comprising means for reversing said electric motor when all coins in said hopper have been moved through said exit region.

30. Apparatus in a coin handling device for transporting coins and other objects received in said coin handling device along a coin transport path from an entrance region to at least a second downstream region, said coins and at least some of said other objects having edges and first and second faces, the apparatus comprising:

a ledge for rolling or sliding support of said edges while said coins and at least some of said other objects are in an attitude with said faces inclined at an angle of no more than about 20°

from vertical;

said transport path having a first shallow portion in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 0° and

about 15°

degrees;

said transport path having a second steep portion, closer to said downstream region than said first portion, in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 40°

degrees and about 50°

degrees such that substantially all of said coins and at least some of said other objects traverse both said first shallow portion of said transport path and a least a portion of said second steep portion of said transport path wherein the center-to-center distance between first and second successive coins which enter said first region will increase as said first and second coins successively enter said second region.

31. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 30 further comprising means for positioning a coin out of contact with said ledge during at least a portion of said transport path, located adjacent to a transition region between said shallow portion and said steep portion.

32. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 30 further comprising an activatable deflector which, upon activation, deflects coins from said transport path and a means for positioning a coin out of contact with said ledge during at least a portion of said transport path, located adjacent said activatable deflector.

33. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 30 further comprising an activatable deflector which, upon activation, deflects coins from said transport path and a means for positioning a coin out of contact with said ledge during at least a portion of said transport path, located downstream from said activatable deflector.

34. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 30, further comprising gravity-driven means for removing coins from said transport path which are positioned vertically above another coin.

35. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a recess adjacent a portion of said ledge such that the upper edge of a second coin which is positioned vertically above a first coin will tip so as to permit said second coin to fall in front of said first coin.

36. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 35, wherein said first coin has a first face adjacent said ledge and a second opposite face and wherein said second coin has a first face which is substantially parallel to said first face of said first coin when said second coin is positioned vertically above said first coin, and wherein, when said second coin falls in front of said first coin, said first face of said second coin is adjacent said second face of said first coin.

37. Apparatus, for use in a coin handling device which includes a rail for transporting coins along a coin path, in a coin transport direction, by the force of gravity, during normal coin handling, the apparatus comprising:

a pin movable from a first position retracted out of said coin path to a second position within said coin path; and

a motive device coupled to said pin to move said pin from said second position in said coin transport direction wherein said pin remains in said first retracted position during normal coin handling.

38. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 37, further comprising at least a first sensor which senses movement of coins along said coin path, and wherein said pin is moved to said second position only after said sensor senses no more coins moving along said coin path.

39. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 37, wherein said pin is moved to said second position in response to detection of a coin jam.

40. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 37, further comprising at least one sensor for sensing whether coins move with respect to said rail in response to said pin being moved in said coin transport direction.

41. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 40 further comprising means for continuing a coin counting process in response to detection of coin movement by said at least one sensor.

42. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 40 further comprising means for repeating moving said coin in said coin transport direction in response to detection of coin movement by said at least one sensor.

43. Apparatus for use in a device for separating acceptable coins from other objects, comprising:

a sensor system for sensing at least a first coin characteristic and outputting at least a first signal when a coin is recognized as an acceptable coin;

a rail for transporting coins from said sensor to a controllable deflector;

wherein said deflector is configured to provide movement of the deflector from a first relaxed configuration to a second configuration for contacting a single coin at a time, said movement of said deflector causing deflection of said single coin off said rail and onto a path for placement in an acceptable-coin location, in response to said first signal, wherein said deflector returns to said relaxed configuration after contacting said single coin, and wherein items not deflected by said deflector move along said rail to a path for placement in a reject location.

44. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 43 wherein said deflector, in said relaxed configuration, is spaced from a coin face support member of said rail such that as a coin moves into alignment with said deflector, the face of said coin is substantially unsupported.

45. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 43, wherein said deflector returns to relaxed configuration regardless of detection of coins downstream from the deflector.

46. Apparatus of claim 43 wherein prior to deflection of said coin, said coin is aligned with, but spaced from, said deflector.

47. Apparatus of claim 43 wherein the deflector is pliable.

48. Coin-handling apparatus comprising:

an input tray for receiving a plurality of coins of a plurality of denominations in random orientations;

at least a first chute, having at least a first coin support surface, configured to transport coins from said input tray to a coin pickup device;

said coin pickup device having a hopper for receiving coins in a random orientation and at least a first rail for delivering coins at an exit region of said first rail, with said coins in a substantially coplanar attitude and in single file;

at least a first sensor, spaced from said exit region, for providing at least a first signal indicative of at least a first coin characteristic;

circuitry coupled to said first sensor for receiving at least said first signal and outputting at least a second signal indicative of whether a sensed object is an acceptable coin;

a deflector configured to provide movement from a first configuration to a second configuration after a coin has moved into alignment with said deflector for contacting a single coin at a time and wherein said movement of said deflector causes deflection of said single coin at a time off said rail to a surface defining a first path having at least a second coin contact surface, and wherein items not deflected by said deflector move to a surface defining a second path, having at least a third coin contact surface; and

a second rail for gravitational transport of coins from said exit region, past said sensor, to said deflector.

49. Apparatus as claimed in claim 48 further comprising a bypass chute for delivering, to said second path, coins which stray from said second rail prior to reaching said deflector.

50. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 48 wherein said second path includes a first chute surface having an edge which is spaced from a second chute surface wherein coins exiting off said edge free fall before reaching said second chute surface.

51. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 48, wherein said movement from said first configuration to said second configuration has a component towards said coin.

52. A method for sorting objects which are acceptable coins from non-acceptable objects comprising:

moving objects past a sensor for sensing at least a first characteristic of said objects; and

controlling a deflector, which is configured to provide movement from a first configuration to a second configuration, to strike an object which is determined to be an acceptable coin, wherein the deflector moves from said first configuration to said second configuration to strike said object after said object is moved into alignment with said deflector, such that striking said object with said deflector causes diversion of a single acceptable coin at a time from a default path ending in a reject location to an acceptable coin path, ending in an acceptable coin location wherein said deflector returns to a relaxed configuration after said contacting of said single coin.

53. A method, as claimed in claim 52, further comprising controlling the degree of force applied to said deflector in striking an acceptable coin in response to a characteristic sensed by said sensor.

54. A method, as claimed in claim 52, further comprising adjusting the time at which said deflector strikes said acceptable coin, depending on a characteristic sensed by said sensor wherein said time at which said deflector strikes a first coin, following sensing of a characteristic of said first coin, is different from said time at which said deflector strikes a second coin following sensing of a characteristic of said second coin.

55. A method, as claimed in claim 52 wherein said sensor is coupled to circuitry for storing a first indication of a time when said object initially reaches said sensor and a second indication of a time when said object is centered with respect to said sensor, and wherein said circuitry provides an indication of a diameter of said object, further comprising calculating an acceleration using said first indication, said second indication and said diameter.

56. Method, as claimed in claim 52, wherein said movement from said first configuration to said second configuration has a component towards said coin.

57. Apparatus for sorting objects which are acceptable coins from non-acceptable objects comprising:

means for sensing at least a first characteristic of said objects;

means for moving objects past said means for sensing; and

deflector means, configured to provide movement from a first configuration to a second configuration, for striking objects wherein said striking by the deflector causes selectively moving said objects to divert a single object at a time from a default path ending in a reject location to an acceptable coin path, ending in an acceptable coin location wherein said deflector means returns to a relaxed configuration after said contacting of said single object;

and means for controlling said deflector means to strike an object which is determined to be an acceptable coin, wherein said deflector moves from said first configuration to said second configuration to strike said object after said object is moved into alignment with said deflector.

58. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 57, wherein said movement from said first configuration to said second configuration has a component towards said coin.

59. Apparatus for sensing coins moving along a coin path comprising:

magnetic core means adjacent said coin path;

winding means coupled to said magnetic core means;

means for providing at least a first signal with a first frequency to said winding means; and

varactor means for tuning said means for providing using said winding means,

said varactor means being coupled to said means for providing in a manner such that said varactor means maintains said first frequency at a substantially constant level by compensating for inductance changes due to coins passing by said magnetic core means.

60. Apparatus in a coin handling device for transporting substantially all coins received in said coin handling device along a coin transport path from an entrance region to at least a second downstream region, said coins having edges and first and second faces, the apparatus comprising:

a ledge for rolling or sliding support of said edges while said coins are in an attitude with said faces inclined at an angle of no more than about 20°

from vertical;

said transport path having a first shallow portion in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 0° and

about 15°

degrees;

said transport path having a second steep portion, closer to said downstream region than said first portion, in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 40°

degrees and about 50°

degrees such that the center-to-center distance between first and second successive coins which enter said first region will increase as said first and second coins successively enter said second region; and

,

means for positioning a coin out of contact with said ledge during at least a portion of said transport path, located adjacent to a transition region between said shallow portion and said steep portion.

61. Apparatus in a coin handling device for transporting substantially all coins received in said coin handling device along a coin transport path from an entrance region to at least a second downstream region, said coins having edges and first and second faces, the apparatus comprising:

a ledge for rolling or sliding support of said edges while said coins are in an attitude with said faces inclined at an angle of no more than about 20°

from vertical;

said transport path having a first shallow portion in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 0° and

about 15°

degrees;

said transport path having a second steep portion, closer to said downstream region than said first portion, in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 40°

degrees and about 50°

degrees such that the center-to-center distance between first and second successive coins which enter said first region will increase as said first and second coins successively enter said second region; and

,

an activatable deflector which, upon activation, deflects coins from said transport path and a means for positioning a coin out of contact with said ledge during at least a portion of said transport path, located adjacent said activatable deflector.

62. Apparatus in a coin handling device for transporting substantially all coins received in said coin handling device along a coin transport path from an entrance region to at least a second downstream region, said coins having edges and first and second faces, the apparatus comprising:

a ledge for rolling or sliding support of said edges while said coins are in an attitude with said faces inclined at an angle of no more than about 20°

from vertical;

said transport path having a first shallow portion in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 0° and

about 15°

degrees;

said transport path having a second steep portion, closer to said downstream region than said first portion, in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 40°

degrees and about 50°

degrees such that the center-to-center distance between first and second successive coins which enter said first region will increase as said first and second coins successively enter said second region; and

,

an activatable deflector which, upon activation, deflects coins from said transport path and a means for positioning a coin out of contact with said ledge during at least a portion of said transport path, located downstream from said activatable deflector.

63. Coin-handling apparatus comprising:

an input tray for receiving a plurality of coins of a plurality of denominations in random orientations;

at least a first chute, having at least a first coin support surface, configured to transport coins from said input tray to a coin pickup device;

said coin pickup device having a hopper for receiving coins in a random orientation and at least a first rail for delivering coin at an exit region of said first rail, with said coins in a substantially coplanar attitude and in single file;

at least a first sensor, spaced from said exit region, for providing at least a first signal indicative of at least a first coin characteristic;

circuitry coupled to said first sensor for receiving at least said first signal and outputting at least a second signal indicative of whether a sensed object is an acceptable coin;

a deflector configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration for contacting and deflecting a single coin at a time off said rail to a surface defining a first path having at least a second coin contact surface, and wherein items not deflected by said deflector move to a surface defining a second path, having at least a third coin contact surface;

a second rail for gravitational transport of coins from said exit region, past said sensor, to said deflector; and

,

a bypass chute for delivering, to said second path, coins which stray from said second rail prior to reaching said deflector.

64. Coin-handling apparatus comprising:

an input tray for receiving a plurality of coins of a plurality of denominations in random orientations;

at least a first chute, having at least a first coin support surface, configured to transport coins from said input tray to a coin pickup device;

said coin pickup device having a hopper for receiving coins in a random orientation and at least a first rail for delivering coin at an exit region of said first rail, with said coins in a substantially coplanar attitude and in single file;

at least a first sensor, spaced from said exit region, for providing at least a first signal indicative of at least a first coin characteristic;

circuitry coupled to said first sensor for receiving at least said first signal and outputting at least a second signal indicative of whether a sensed object is an acceptable coin;

a deflector configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration for contacting and deflecting a single coin at a time off said rail to a surface defining a first path having at least a second coin contact surface, and wherein items not deflected by said deflector move to a surface defining a second path, having at least a third coin contact surface; and

,

a second rail for gravitational transport of coins from said exit region, past said sensor, to said deflector,

wherein said second path includes a first chute surface having an edge which is spaced from a second chute surface wherein coins exiting off said edge free fall before reaching said second chute surface.