EP0311554B1 - Apparatus for testing coins - Google Patents

Apparatus for testing coins Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0311554B1
EP0311554B1 EP88730219A EP88730219A EP0311554B1 EP 0311554 B1 EP0311554 B1 EP 0311554B1 EP 88730219 A EP88730219 A EP 88730219A EP 88730219 A EP88730219 A EP 88730219A EP 0311554 B1 EP0311554 B1 EP 0311554B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
radiation
coins
coin
receiver
slit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP88730219A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0311554A2 (en
EP0311554A3 (en
Inventor
Siegfried Seiler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wh Muenzpruefer Dietmar Trenner GmbH
Original Assignee
Wh Muenzpruefer Dietmar Trenner GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wh Muenzpruefer Dietmar Trenner GmbH filed Critical Wh Muenzpruefer Dietmar Trenner GmbH
Priority to AT8888730219T priority Critical patent/ATE104781T1/en
Publication of EP0311554A2 publication Critical patent/EP0311554A2/en
Publication of EP0311554A3 publication Critical patent/EP0311554A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0311554B1 publication Critical patent/EP0311554B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07DHANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D5/00Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of coins, e.g. for segregating coins which are unacceptable or alien to a currency
    • G07D5/10Testing the rim, e.g. the milling of the rim

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for checking coins according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • a criterion for the authenticity or the admissibility of coins for machines is the edges of coins that are smooth, have corrugations or other impressions.
  • a large number of different ripple tests for coins are known in the prior art.
  • DE-OS 28 25 094 describes a method and an apparatus for knurling coins, in which the coin track has an oscillatable section or the coin track is assigned an oscillatable element which can be brought into engagement with the edge of a coin, the vibrations of the oscillatable element Element detected and converted into an electrical signal.
  • This embodiment has the disadvantage that the vibratable elements can be bent by mechanical intervention by means of wires or bands through the coin slot, so that they become completely ineffective or give a wrong result.
  • reflection measurements of the edge surface of the coin are known for testing the coin, the degree of reflection being reduced in the presence of ripples, so that the signal emitted by the receiver is reduced.
  • This type of test has the disadvantage that the general brightness of the edge of the coin, ie the entire reflected radiation of the coin, is detected, so that worn or polished ripples can be recognized as smooth coins and scratched smooth coins as corrugated coins. Darkened coins can also be interpreted as fluted coins.
  • a coin checking arrangement according to FR-A-2373104 in which the circumference of a coin is illuminated from above in the coin channel with a narrow beam of light, the radiation reflected on the circumference of the coin being received by a phototransistor at a narrow angle.
  • This arrangement is used to distinguish between smooth and knurled coins, assuming that a smooth coin has a reflection of high brightness and a short period of time, while a coin with a knurled edge gives a reflection of lower brightness over a longer period of time due to the diffuse reflection.
  • a device for optoelectronic testing of the knurling of coins in which the edge of the coin is illuminated and reflected from above with radiation from an LED passed through a multiple slit diaphragm.
  • the knurling appears as a pattern of alternating light and dark lines with a certain grid dimension, the line pattern moving over the column when the coin is rolled through, so that the photodiode behind it is periodically illuminated and darkened and the light changes are a measure of the knurling.
  • the multiple slit aperture is adapted to the knurling of the coin to be checked with the spacing of the column and the depth of field is also matched to a specific coin, so that the knurling of only one coin can be checked due to the respective adjustment.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device for checking coins with ripples of different types, which allows the presence of different ripples to be clearly identified, so that a flawless check of different permissible coins with ripples is ensured.
  • the individual corrugations of corrugated coins are recognized, since only narrow, maximum the width of the corrugations or areas of the coin edge corresponding to the spacing of the corrugations are irradiated or scanned.
  • the radiation receiver emits an alternating signal which is a measure of the number of corrugations per unit of travel detected.
  • the recorded numbers are compared with stored numbers of ripples of different coins, and if the numbers match, the respective coin is recognized as permissible.
  • Fig. 1 denotes the coin slot, which merges into the obliquely arranged coin channel 2.
  • an illumination window 3 is provided over at least part of the width of the coin channel 2, which can be covered with a transparent material, a radiation source 4, for example a light-emitting diode emitting in the infrared radiation region, being arranged under the illumination window 3.
  • a scanning slot 5 is provided in the floor transversely to the coin channel 2 at least over part of its width, behind which a receiver 6 is provided, which can be designed as a photodiode or phototransistor.
  • the scanning slot 5 can be designed differently, for example it can be realized by a narrow glass fiber line that leads to the receiver 6. On the other hand, narrow screens can be provided which end in the bottom of the coin channel 2 and direct the radiation onto the receiver 6. Radiation source 4 and receiver 6 can also be mounted in a plastic body, wherein the scanning slot 5 can be cut into the body. In another embodiment, the receiver 6 is pointed in a wedge shape, so that there is a slot-shaped receiver surface.
  • the radiation source 4 has a larger illumination window 3, while the receiver 6 is arranged behind the narrow slot 5.
  • the invention can also be implemented in such a way that the radiation source 4 irradiates the passing coin 7 through a narrow slit and the radiation receiver 6 receives the radiation caused by the strip-shaped radiation reflected on the coin 7 over a wider window.
  • a narrow slit can be provided for both radiation source 4 and radiation receiver 6.
  • the radiation receiver 6 designed as a phototransistor or photodiode is connected to a two-stage low-pass counter-coupled amplifier 7, the individual amplifier stages 8, 9 being connected to one another via a high-pass filter 10.
  • a Schmitt trigger 11 for pulse shaping is connected to the output of the amplifier 7 and is connected to a programmable counter 12 or a microprocessor.
  • the coin 13 After insertion into the coin slot, the coin 13 rolls in the coin channel 2 past the radiation source 4 and the radiation receiver or the scanning slot 5, the edge of the coin being irradiated from a certain position relative to the illumination window 3.
  • the radiation reflected at the edge of the coin 13 reaches the receiver 6 via the scanning slot 5, only a narrow strip-shaped area in each case is detected transversely to the direction of movement of the coin 13.
  • the coin 13 If the coin 13 is provided with ripples at the edge, the reflectance changes depending on the respective ripple, so that a signal with an AC voltage component is present at the output of the receiver 6.
  • the amplifier 7 amplifies the high voltage AC voltage, while the low frequencies are fed back via the respective resistor.
  • the Schmitt trigger 11 converts the AC signal into digital signals, with each pulse corresponding to a ripple.
  • the digital signal supplied by the Schmitt trigger 11 is fed to the programmable counter 12, which increases the counter reading with each pulse.
  • Characteristics assigned to the different coins which correspond to a certain number of corrugations per path and / or time unit, are defined as predefined, permanently programmed counter readings. It is therefore determined via the radiation source 4 and the receiver 6 and the evaluation circuit, the number of corrugations and compared with a predetermined number, so that it can be determined whether the coin to be checked is an approved coin or not.
  • a programmable counter 12 is used.
  • the signals supplied by the Schmitt trigger 11 can also be evaluated by a microprocessor.
  • the end the test must be specified.
  • the expected time that a coin travels in the coin channel is predetermined and this time is a measure of the end of the test.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Testing Of Coins (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Noodles (AREA)

Abstract

There are proposed a method and an apparatus for testing coins, in which each coin is guided into a coin channel, the edge of the coin is irradiated and the reflected radiation is detected. The edge of the coin is irradiated and sensed in strip form transversely relative to the coin channel via a slit or the like, in such a way that differences in reflection occurring in the presence of grooves on the edge of the coin and caused by the grooves are obtained in the form of a change signal. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zur Prüfung von Münzen nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to a device for checking coins according to the preamble of claim 1.

Ein Kriterium für die Echtheit bzw. die Zulässigkeit von Münzen für Automaten sind die Ränder von Münzen, die glatt sind, Riffel oder andere Einprägungen aufweisen. Im Stand der Technik ist eine Vielzahl von unterschiedlichen Riffelprüfungen bei Münzen bekannt. In der DE-OS 28 25 094 ist ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zur Rändelprüfung von Münzen beschrieben, bei denen die Münzlaufbahn einen schwingungsfähigen Abschnitt aufweist oder der Münzlaufbahn ein mit dem Rand einer Münze in Eingriff bringbares schwingungsfähiges Element zugeordnet ist, wobei die Schwingungen des schwingungsfähigen Elementes erfaßt und in ein elektrisches Signal umgewandelt werden.A criterion for the authenticity or the admissibility of coins for machines is the edges of coins that are smooth, have corrugations or other impressions. A large number of different ripple tests for coins are known in the prior art. DE-OS 28 25 094 describes a method and an apparatus for knurling coins, in which the coin track has an oscillatable section or the coin track is assigned an oscillatable element which can be brought into engagement with the edge of a coin, the vibrations of the oscillatable element Element detected and converted into an electrical signal.

Diese Ausführungsform hat den Nachteil, daß durch mechanischen Eingriff mittels Drähten oder Bändern durch den Münzeinwurfschlitz die schwingungsfähigen Elemente verbogen werden können, so daß sie völlig unwirksam werden oder ein falsches Ergebnis liefern.This embodiment has the disadvantage that the vibratable elements can be bent by mechanical intervention by means of wires or bands through the coin slot, so that they become completely ineffective or give a wrong result.

Weiterhin sind für eine Prüfung der Münze Reflexionsmessungen der Randoberfläche der Münze bekannt, wobei sich bei Vorhandensein von Riffeln der Reflexionsgrad verringert, so daß sich das vom Empfänger abgegebene Signal verkleinert. Bei dieser Art der Prüfung ist der Nachteil vorhanden, daß die allgemeine Helligkeit des Randes dar Münze, d.h. die gesamte reflektierte Strahlung der Münze erfaßt wird, so daß abgenutzte oder polierte Riffel als glatte Münzen und zerkratzte glatte Münzen als geriffelte Münze erkannt werden können. Nachgedunkelte Münzen können ebenfalls als geriffelte Münzen interpretiert werden. Dies gilt auch bei einer Münzprüfanordnung nach der FR-A-2373104, bei der im Münzkanal von oben her der Umfang einer Münze mit einem schmalen Lichtstrahl beleuchtet wird, dessen an dem Umfang der Münze reflektierte Strahlung von einem Phototransistor unter einem schmalen Winkel empfangen wird. Diese Anordnung dient zur Unterscheidung von glatten und gerändelten Münzen, wobei angenommen wird, daß eine glatte Münze eine Reflexion von großer Helligkeit und kurzer Zeitperiode aufweist, während eine Münze mit gerändelter Kante eine Reflexion geringerer Helligkeit während einer längeren Zeitperiode aufgrund der diffusen Reflexion ergibt.Furthermore, reflection measurements of the edge surface of the coin are known for testing the coin, the degree of reflection being reduced in the presence of ripples, so that the signal emitted by the receiver is reduced. This type of test has the disadvantage that the general brightness of the edge of the coin, ie the entire reflected radiation of the coin, is detected, so that worn or polished ripples can be recognized as smooth coins and scratched smooth coins as corrugated coins. Darkened coins can also be interpreted as fluted coins. This also applies to a coin checking arrangement according to FR-A-2373104, in which the circumference of a coin is illuminated from above in the coin channel with a narrow beam of light, the radiation reflected on the circumference of the coin being received by a phototransistor at a narrow angle. This arrangement is used to distinguish between smooth and knurled coins, assuming that a smooth coin has a reflection of high brightness and a short period of time, while a coin with a knurled edge gives a reflection of lower brightness over a longer period of time due to the diffuse reflection.

Aus der DE-A-3335347 ist eine Vorrichtung zur optoelektronischen Prüfung der Rändelung von Münzen bekannt, bei der die Kante der Münze von oben mit einer über eine Mehrfach-Spaltblende geleitete Strahlung einer LED beleuchtet und reflektiert wird. Die Rändelung erscheint als Muster von abwechselnd hellen und dunklen Linien mit einem bestimmten Rastermaß, wobei beim Durchrollen der Münze sich das Linienmuster über die Spalte bewegt, so daß die dahinterliegende Photodiode periodisch beleuchtet und abgedunkelt wird und die Lichtwechsel sind ein Maß für die Rändelung. Die Mehrfach-Spaltblende ist mit dem Abstand der Spalte auf die Rändelung der zu prüfenden Münze angepaßt und auch der Schärfentiefebereich ist auf eine bestimmte Münze abgestimmt, so daß aufgrund der jeweiligen Anpassung die Rändelung nur einer Münze geprüft werden kann.From DE-A-3335347 a device for optoelectronic testing of the knurling of coins is known, in which the edge of the coin is illuminated and reflected from above with radiation from an LED passed through a multiple slit diaphragm. The knurling appears as a pattern of alternating light and dark lines with a certain grid dimension, the line pattern moving over the column when the coin is rolled through, so that the photodiode behind it is periodically illuminated and darkened and the light changes are a measure of the knurling. The multiple slit aperture is adapted to the knurling of the coin to be checked with the spacing of the column and the depth of field is also matched to a specific coin, so that the knurling of only one coin can be checked due to the respective adjustment.

Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Vorrichtung zur Prüfung von Münzen mit Riffeln unterschiedlicher Art zu schaffen, das das Vorhandensein von unterschiedlichen Riffeln eindeutig erkennen läßt, so daß eine einwandfreie Prüfung von unterschiedlichen zulässigen Münzen mit Riffeln gewährleistet ist.The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device for checking coins with ripples of different types, which allows the presence of different ripples to be clearly identified, so that a flawless check of different permissible coins with ripples is ensured.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch die kennzeichnenden Merkmale des Hauptanspruchs in Verbindung mit den Merkmalen des Oberbegriffs gelöst.This object is achieved by the characterizing features of the main claim in conjunction with the features of the preamble.

Durch Vorsehen eines schmalen Schlitzes am Boden des Münzkanals, über den die vorbeilaufende Münze bestrahlt wird und/oder durch die die von der Münze reflektierte Strahlung abgetastet wird, werden die einzelnen Riffel von geriffelten Münzen erkannt, da jeweils nur schmale, maximal der Breite der Riffel oder dem Abstand der Riffel entsprechende Bereiche des Münzenrandes bestrahlt bzw. abgetastet werden. Auf diese Weise gibt der Strahlungsempfänger ein Wechselsignal ab, das ein Maß für die Anzahl der Riffel pro erfaßte Wegeinheit ist. Die erfaßten Anzahlen werden mit gespeicherten Anzahlen von Riffeln unterschiedlicher Münzen verglichen, und bei Übereinstimmung der Anzahlen die jeweilige Münze als zulässig erkannt. Da eine Wegabtastung vorgenommen wird, d.h. eine Abtastung der Anzahl der Riffel pro Wegeinheit, ist keine Zeitabhängigkeit gegeben, so daß das Verfahren ganz langsam oder ganz schnell ablaufen kann. Da der Erfassungsbereich im Boden des Münzkanals liegt, können Münzen unterschiedlicher Größe mit gleicher Genauigkeit bewertet werden.By providing a narrow slit at the bottom of the coin channel, through which the passing coin is irradiated and / or through which the radiation reflected by the coin is scanned, the individual corrugations of corrugated coins are recognized, since only narrow, maximum the width of the corrugations or areas of the coin edge corresponding to the spacing of the corrugations are irradiated or scanned. In this way, the radiation receiver emits an alternating signal which is a measure of the number of corrugations per unit of travel detected. The recorded numbers are compared with stored numbers of ripples of different coins, and if the numbers match, the respective coin is recognized as permissible. Since a path scan is carried out, ie a scan of the number of corrugations per path unit, there is no time dependency, so that the method can run very slowly or very quickly. Since the detection area is in the bottom of the coin channel, coins of different sizes can be evaluated with the same accuracy.

Durch die in den Unteransprüchen angegebenen Maßnahmen sind vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen oder Verbesserungen möglich. Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist in der Zeichnung dargestellt und wird in der nachfolgenden Beschreibung näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine Ansicht auf den Münzkanal einer Münzprüfeinrichtung mit der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, und
Fig. 2
eine Auswerteschaltung, die mit dem Empfänger nach der Erfindung verbunden ist.
Advantageous further developments or improvements are possible through the measures specified in the subclaims. An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:
Fig. 1
a view of the coin channel of a coin testing device with the device according to the invention, and
Fig. 2
an evaluation circuit which is connected to the receiver according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 ist mit 1 der Münzeinwurfschlitz bezeichnet, der in den schräg angeordneten Münzkanal 2 übergeht. Am Boden des Münzkanals 2 ist über zumindest einen Teil der Breite des Münzkanals 2 ein Ausleuchtungsfenster 3 vorgesehen, das mit einem durchsichtigen Material abgedeckt sein kann, wobei unter dem Ausleuchtungsfenster 3 eine Strahlungsquelle 4 beispielsweise eine im infraroten Strahlungsbereich abstrahlende Leuchtdiode angeordnet ist. Benachbart zum Ausleuchtungsfenster ist im Boden quer zum Münzkanal 2 zumindest über einen Teil seiner Breite ein Abtastschlitz 5 vorgesehen, hinter dem ein Empfänger 6 vorgesehen ist, der als Fotodiode oder Fototransistor ausgebildet sein kann.In Fig. 1, 1 denotes the coin slot, which merges into the obliquely arranged coin channel 2. At the bottom of the coin channel 2, an illumination window 3 is provided over at least part of the width of the coin channel 2, which can be covered with a transparent material, a radiation source 4, for example a light-emitting diode emitting in the infrared radiation region, being arranged under the illumination window 3. Adjacent to the illumination window, a scanning slot 5 is provided in the floor transversely to the coin channel 2 at least over part of its width, behind which a receiver 6 is provided, which can be designed as a photodiode or phototransistor.

Der Abtastschlitz 5 kann unterschiedlich ausgebildet sein, beispielsweise kann er durch eine schmale Glasfaserleitung realisiert werden, die auf den Empfänger 6 führt. Andererseits können schmale Blenden vorgesehen sein, die im Boden des Münzkanals 2 enden und die Strahlung auf den Empfänger 6 leiten. Strahlungsquelle 4 und Empfänger 6 können auch in einem Kunststoffkörper gelagert sein, wobei der Abtastschlitz 5 in den Körper eingeschnitten sein kann. In einem anderen Ausführungsbeispiel ist der Empfänger 6 keilförmig angespitzt, so daß sich eine schlitzförmige Empfängerfläche ergibt.The scanning slot 5 can be designed differently, for example it can be realized by a narrow glass fiber line that leads to the receiver 6. On the other hand, narrow screens can be provided which end in the bottom of the coin channel 2 and direct the radiation onto the receiver 6. Radiation source 4 and receiver 6 can also be mounted in a plastic body, wherein the scanning slot 5 can be cut into the body. In another embodiment, the receiver 6 is pointed in a wedge shape, so that there is a slot-shaped receiver surface.

In dem dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel weist die Strahlungsquelle 4 ein größeres Ausleuchtungsfenster 3 auf, während der Empfänger 6 hinter dem schmalen Schlitz 5 angeordnet ist.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the radiation source 4 has a larger illumination window 3, while the receiver 6 is arranged behind the narrow slot 5.

Die Erfindung kann auch in der Weise realisiert sein, daß die Strahlungsquelle 4 die vorbeilaufende Münze 7 durch einen schmalen Schlitz streifenförmig bestrahlt und der Strahlungsempfänger 6 die durch die streifenförmige Bestrahlung hervorgerufene an der Münze 7 reflektierte Strahlung über ein breiteres Fenster empfängt. Selbstverständlich können sowohl für Strahlungsquelle 4 als auch für Strahlungsempfänger 6 jeweils ein schmaler Schlitz vorgesehen sein.The invention can also be implemented in such a way that the radiation source 4 irradiates the passing coin 7 through a narrow slit and the radiation receiver 6 receives the radiation caused by the strip-shaped radiation reflected on the coin 7 over a wider window. Of course, a narrow slit can be provided for both radiation source 4 and radiation receiver 6.

In der Fig. 2 ist eine Auswerteschaltung der von dem Strahlungsempfänger 6 gelieferten Signale dargestellt. Der als Fototransistor oder Fotodiode ausgebildete Strahlungsempfänger 6 ist an einen zweistufigen tiefpaßgegengekoppelten Verstärker 7 angeschlossen, wobei die einzelnen Verstärkerstufen 8, 9 über einen Hochpaß 10 miteinander verbunden sind. An den Ausgang des Verstärkers 7 ist ein Schmitt-Trigger 11 zur Impulsformung angeschlossen, der mit einem programmierbaren Zähler 12 oder einem Mikroprozessor verbunden ist.2 shows an evaluation circuit of the signals supplied by the radiation receiver 6. The radiation receiver 6 designed as a phototransistor or photodiode is connected to a two-stage low-pass counter-coupled amplifier 7, the individual amplifier stages 8, 9 being connected to one another via a high-pass filter 10. A Schmitt trigger 11 for pulse shaping is connected to the output of the amplifier 7 and is connected to a programmable counter 12 or a microprocessor.

Nach Einwurf in den Münzschlitz rollt die Münze 13 im Münzkanal 2 an der Strahlungsquelle 4 und dem Strahlungsempfänger bzw. dem Abtastschlitz 5 vorbei, wobei ab einer bestimmten Stellung zum Ausleuchtungsfenster 3 der Rand der Münze bestrahlt wird. Über den Abtastschlitz 5 gelangt die an dem Rand der Münze 13 reflektierte Strahlung auf den Empfänger 6, wobei jeweils nur ein schmaler streifenförmiger Bereich quer zur Bewegungsrichtung der Münze 13 erfaßt wird. Wenn die Münze 13 am Rand mit Riffeln versehen ist, ändert sich abhängig von dem jeweiligen Riffel der Reflexionsgrad, so daß am Ausgang des Empfängers 6 ein Signal mit einer Wechselspannungskomponente anliegt. Der Verstärker 7 verstärkt die Wechselspannung hoher Frequenz, während die tiefen Frequenzen über den jeweiligen Widerstand gegengekoppelt werden. Der Schmitt-Trigger 11 wandelt das Wechselspannungssignal in digitale Signale um, wobei jeder Impuls einem Riffel entspricht. Mit dieser Anordnung ist somit der Reflexionsgradunterschied auf der Oberfläche des Randes der Münze quantifizierbar. Das vom Schmitt-Trigger 11 gelieferte Digitalsignal wird dem programmierbaren Zähler 12 zugeführt, der bei jedem Impuls den Zählerstand erhöht. Den verschiedenen Münzen zugeordnete Kenngrößen, die einer bestimmten Riffelanzahl pro Weg- und/oder Zeiteinheit entsprechen, sind als vorgegebene, fest einprogrammierte Zählerstände festgelegt. Es wird daher über die Strahlungsquelle 4 und den Empfänger 6 und die Auswerteschaltung die Riffelanzahl festgestellt und mit einer vorgegebenen Anzahl verglichen, so daß bestimmt werden kann, ob die zu prüfende Münze eine zugelassene Münze ist oder nicht. Im dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel wird ein programmierbarer Zähler 12 verwendet. selbstverständlich kann die Auswertung der vom Schmitt-Trigger 11 gelieferten Signale auch von einem Mikroprozessor vorgenommen werden.After insertion into the coin slot, the coin 13 rolls in the coin channel 2 past the radiation source 4 and the radiation receiver or the scanning slot 5, the edge of the coin being irradiated from a certain position relative to the illumination window 3. The radiation reflected at the edge of the coin 13 reaches the receiver 6 via the scanning slot 5, only a narrow strip-shaped area in each case is detected transversely to the direction of movement of the coin 13. If the coin 13 is provided with ripples at the edge, the reflectance changes depending on the respective ripple, so that a signal with an AC voltage component is present at the output of the receiver 6. The amplifier 7 amplifies the high voltage AC voltage, while the low frequencies are fed back via the respective resistor. The Schmitt trigger 11 converts the AC signal into digital signals, with each pulse corresponding to a ripple. With this arrangement, the difference in reflectance on the surface of the edge of the coin can thus be quantified. The digital signal supplied by the Schmitt trigger 11 is fed to the programmable counter 12, which increases the counter reading with each pulse. Characteristics assigned to the different coins, which correspond to a certain number of corrugations per path and / or time unit, are defined as predefined, permanently programmed counter readings. It is therefore determined via the radiation source 4 and the receiver 6 and the evaluation circuit, the number of corrugations and compared with a predetermined number, so that it can be determined whether the coin to be checked is an approved coin or not. In the illustrated embodiment, a programmable counter 12 is used. Of course, the signals supplied by the Schmitt trigger 11 can also be evaluated by a microprocessor.

Wenn eine glatte Münze vom Empfänger erfaßt wird, ist kein Wechselsignal zu erwarten, so daß das Ende der Prüfung vorgegeben sein muß. Beispielsweise ist die zu erwartende Zeit, die eine Münze für ihren Weg im Münzkanal zurücklegt, vorbestimmt und diese Zeit ist ein Maß für das Ende der Prüfung.If a smooth coin is picked up by the receiver, no alternating signal is expected, so the end the test must be specified. For example, the expected time that a coin travels in the coin channel is predetermined and this time is a measure of the end of the test.

Claims (9)

  1. Device for testing coins with milled edges with a coin channel for accepting the coins, a radiation source for radiating the circumference of the coins and a radiation receiver for capturing the radiation reflected off the circumference of the coins, the radiation receiver (6) being located behind a scanning slit (5) in order to achieve capture in the form of stripes of the reflected radiation and an evaluation circuit being provided for evaluating the change in radiation as the coins pass through characterised in that radiation source (4) and radiation receiver (6) are arranged in the floor of the coin channel (2) and that the evaluation channel stores in respect of the various types of coin varying quantities of flutings per unit-distance travelled, the change in radiation being compared with the various quantities of flutings in order to determine those coins which are acceptable.
  2. Device according to claim 1 characterised in that the evaluation circuit (7, 11, 12) has a counter circuit (12) to capture the change in radiation produced by the flutings on the coins and a comparator circuit for comparing the signals captured with the specified values.
  3. Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the evaluation circuit is provided with at least one filter (8, 9) for filtering the fluctuating signal produced by the flutings from the total number of signals produced by the reflection off the coins.
  4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the filter is designed as a low-pass negative-feedback amplifier (8, 9) and the counter and comparator circuit as a programmable counter (12).
  5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the width of the slit (5) is smaller than or the same as the distance between the flutings of the coins to be tested.
  6. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 5 characterised in that radiation source (4) and radiation receiver (6) are located in a plastic housing provided with openings and that a scanning slit (5) is cut-in which ends on the one hand at the periphery of the coin channel (2) and on the other hand at the receiver (6).
  7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the slit is filled with glass fibre material.
  8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the radiation source (4) and/or the radiation receiver (6) have a slit-shaped transmitter or receiver surface.
  9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that deflectors for aligning the path of radiation are arranged between slit in the coin channel (2) and radiation source (4) and or radiation receiver (6).
EP88730219A 1987-10-06 1988-09-29 Apparatus for testing coins Expired - Lifetime EP0311554B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT8888730219T ATE104781T1 (en) 1987-10-06 1988-09-29 DEVICE FOR TESTING COINS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3734114 1987-10-06
DE19873734114 DE3734114A1 (en) 1987-10-06 1987-10-06 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CHECKING COINS

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0311554A2 EP0311554A2 (en) 1989-04-12
EP0311554A3 EP0311554A3 (en) 1990-03-28
EP0311554B1 true EP0311554B1 (en) 1994-04-20

Family

ID=6337926

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88730219A Expired - Lifetime EP0311554B1 (en) 1987-10-06 1988-09-29 Apparatus for testing coins

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0311554B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE104781T1 (en)
CA (1) CA1330229C (en)
DE (2) DE3734114A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2050719T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0344770U (en) * 1989-09-08 1991-04-25
NO168615C (en) * 1989-10-17 1992-03-11 Datalab Oy PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF A COIN
GB2266176B (en) * 1992-04-14 1996-06-19 Nsm Ag A device for the detection of a foreign body in a coin channel
SE0001861A0 (en) * 2000-05-19 2001-11-20 Scan Coin Ind Ab Mynträfflingssensor

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4089400A (en) * 1976-01-23 1978-05-16 Gregory Jr Lester Coin testing device
GB1582847A (en) * 1976-12-02 1981-01-14 Mars Inc Coin testing device
GB2071381B (en) * 1980-03-04 1984-01-18 Mars Inc Coin testing device
DE3335347A1 (en) * 1983-09-29 1985-04-11 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Method and device for testing the milling of coins opto-electronically

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3889190D1 (en) 1994-05-26
EP0311554A2 (en) 1989-04-12
ES2050719T3 (en) 1994-06-01
EP0311554A3 (en) 1990-03-28
ATE104781T1 (en) 1994-05-15
DE3734114A1 (en) 1989-04-20
CA1330229C (en) 1994-06-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0145838B1 (en) Device for representing and sensing the value of drum counters
EP0761585B1 (en) Yarn sensor
DE69910550T2 (en) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING ARTICLES
EP0811146B1 (en) Web or sheet edge position measurement process
DE2932962C2 (en) Method for checking the degree of soiling of recording media, in particular bank notes
EP1813961A2 (en) Device for optoelectronic monitoring of objects
EP0971204A2 (en) Method for contactless measurement of fibrous strand material
CH684656A5 (en) Method and apparatus for detecting and analyzing edges on objects.
WO2001061654A2 (en) Methods and devices for verifying the authenticity of printed objects
EP0716292A2 (en) Procedure and device to determine the position of a band or a webbing
DE4340918C2 (en) Method and device for generating a uniform amplitude signal in a product stream to be sorted
DE19503763C2 (en) Color measuring device
EP0311554B1 (en) Apparatus for testing coins
DE69421649T3 (en) Optical test device for the filling of cigarettes
WO2007036553A1 (en) Device and method for recording distance images
WO2006089438A1 (en) Device and method for the optical scanning of an elongated textile material
DE3401475C2 (en)
EP3502614B1 (en) Optical measuring device
DE3720388C2 (en)
DE2713396A1 (en) Identification system for bodies containing luminous material - uses intensity-wavelength distribution in emission spectrum for testing
EP1346191A1 (en) Device and method for measuring an object
EP1176092B1 (en) Method and apparatus for inspecting cigarette ends
DE19930651C2 (en) Method and device for reading sheet-like record carriers
EP0080069A2 (en) Device for controlling the filling degree of cigarette ends
DE10133854A1 (en) Checking or testing coins inserted into a coin-operated machine for validity using a sloping guide that feeds the coins past a linear scanning array that provides a quick and reliable validity check

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19900505

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19920409

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: DE DOMINICIS & MAYER S.R.L.

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 19940420

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19940420

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19940420

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 104781

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19940515

Kind code of ref document: T

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19940421

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3889190

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19940526

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2050719

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

ET Fr: translation filed
NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PUE

Owner name: WALTER HANKE MECHANISCHE WERKSTAETTEN GMBH & CO.

Free format text: WH MUENZPRUEFER DIETMAR TRENNER GMBH#TELTOWER DAMM 276#BERLIN 37 (DE) -TRANSFER TO- WALTER HANKE MECHANISCHE WERKSTAETTEN GMBH & CO. KG#TELTOWER DAMM 276#14167 BERLIN (DE)

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20030926

Year of fee payment: 16

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20040909

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20040928

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20040930

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20041014

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20041124

Year of fee payment: 17

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050401

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050929

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050929

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050929

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050930

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050930

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050930

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20050929

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20060531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20050930