GB2054929A - Coin-operated apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin-accepting arrangement uses infra-red light and a pair of sensors responsive thereto. The sensors are positioned at A & B so as to discriminate between coins of predetermined different sizes rolling along a chute, and produce a pulse output representing the value of coins inserted. The pulse output is counted and an enable signal is generated on reaching a predetermined count. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Coin-operated apparatus This invention relates to coin operated apparatus, for example coin-operated photocopying machines.

Coin-operated apparatuses are known in which one or more coins are inserted by the user to enable the apparatus to operate. The coin accepting mechanism is commonly electromechanical, and is thus bulky and expensive to manufacture and mantain.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved coin-accepting arrangement for coinoperated apparatus.

Another object is to provide such an arrangement in which moving parts, e.g. coindetecting microswitches, are reduced or eliminated.

The invention accordingly provides a coin accepting device including a coin pathway, photoelectric means arranged on the coin pathway to detect coins passing therethrough and to discriminate between coins of different sizes, and counter means connected to receive signals frorn the photoelectric means and to provide and enable signal on reaching a predetermined count.

Preferably, the counter means includes means such as a multi-position switch enabling said predetermined count to be chosen by an operator.

In one embodiment of the invention the device also controls a change dispenser, and for this purpose the photoelectric means is arranged to enable the change dispenser on receipt of an overvalue coin, the operation of the change dispenser acting to count up the counter.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 ia a circuit diagram of a coin acceptor embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a similar diagram of a modified circuit which has facilities for controlling a change dispenser; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a coin chute for use with either of the foregoing embodiments.

Reffering to Figure 1, the circuit shown is intended for use with a known photocopying machine (not shown) and to be operated by coins of two values, say 1 p and 2p. The circuit receives a d.c. input at 10 of 1 2-24V from the photocopying machine. A voltage regulator 1 2 of known type provides a regulated 1 2V supply on lines 14, 1 6. A current limiting resistor 18 and smoothing capacitor 20 are associated with the regulator 12.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 22 and 24 are connected in parallel across the lines 14, 16 via a current-limiting resistor 26. Each LED is spatially associated with a respective light-sensitive transistor 28, 30 as will be described in more detail below. The transistors 28, 30 are connected in series with each other and with a biasing resistor 32 across the supply lines 14, 16.

Referring to Figure 3, a coin chute 34 receives coins and passes them, rolling in an upright condition, to separate exits according to size. The LED 22 and transistor 28 are aligned at opposite sides of the chute 34 at a position A, and the LED 24 and transistor 30 likewise at position B. The locations of A and B are chosen such that the light beam at A is occluded by coins of both sizes while that at B is occluded only by the larger coins.

It will be appreciated that the mechanism for receiving coins is shown only schematically, and that in practice other, known, features may be included, for example for rejecting bent coins and coins outside preselected size and weight limits.

The chute 34 is suitably preceded by a known acceptor/selector. A rocker arm 35 permits small coins to exit at 37, but deflects large coins to exit at 39.

In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention, the LEDs 22 and 24 emit infra-red light, and the transistors 28 and 30 are sensitive to infra-red only. This reduces problems of stray ambient light or unauthorised use.

Returning to Figure 1 , the insertion of a 2p coin produces two logic high pulses at the collector of transistor 28, wheras a 1 p coin (which activates one LED) produces a single pulse only. These signals are fed by [ead 40 to a monostable circuit 42, in this embodiment a type 4047 integrated circuit. The i.c. 42 is provided with a external RC circuit 44 to set a desired time constant. The function of the i.c. 42 is to provide consistent, fixed amplitude pulse outputs on line 46 to a counter circuit 48, in this embodiment a type 4017 integrated circuit. The i.c. 42 may for instance give one pulse for a 1 p coin and two pulses for a 2p coin.

The counter 48 thus counts up in dependence on the nurnber and value of coins inserted and produces a corresponding coded output on outputs 1 to 7. These are connected by leads 50 to a set of pricing pins 52. A lead 54 may be connected selectively to one on the pins 52 (by a plug not shown), the pin chosen determining the price setting of the photocopier or other associated machine. Thus when sufficient coinage has been inserted a signal is available at the appropriate output of the counter 48 and is coupled via lead 50, pin 52 and lead 54 to fire a transistor 56 which in turn operates a reed relay 58 to give an enable signal to the machine.

The counter 48 is reset by a pulse from the machine on line 60 via diode 62 and resistor 64. A capacitor 66 and resistor 68 set a time delay (suitably 1.3 sec) to prevent premature reset.ing, and a Zener diode 70 protects the i.c. from overvoltage. In the case of a photocopying machine, a suitable reset signal is available as an "end of copy" signal.

The circuit of Figure 1 also includes LEDs 72 and 74 indicating "Sold Out" and "Ready". The former are connected to signals available in the photocopying machine to indicate lack of paper, machine faults and the like, and the latter to a machine ready signal.

Turning to the embodiment of Figure 2, the coin accepting circuit 100 is similar to the circuit of Figure 1 and like parts are denoted by like references.

In this embodiment, coins fed into the machine are separated by value in known manner and coins of a basic unit value (say 1 p) are held in a change dispenser of known type (not shown). The change dispenser is solenoid operated, and requires an enable signal and solenoid pulses to dispense change.

The circuit 100 differs from that of Figure 1 in the following respects. A reset delay unit 102 is interposed between the line 60 and the counter 48. This unit 102 is based on a type 4011 i.c. and gives a delay selectable between 1 and 5 sec. The pricing pins 52 are replaced by a rotary switch 53 which operates in a similar manner.

The change control circuitry includes a bistable circuit (4001 i.c.) 104 which is set by a signal on line 105 to a high condition by the insertion of an over-value coin to give an enable signal on line 106 for the change dispenser. The bistable 104 is reset on line 108 by the counter 48, as will be described. The circuitry further includes a pair of astable multivibrators formed by type 556 i.c. 110 and associated components, the values of the latter being chosen so that one astable runs at a multiple of the other's frequency. The slower astable gives an output on line 112 which is ANDed with the enable signal to control a reed relay 114 activating the change dispenser solenoid.

Assume for example the apparatus operates on a base of 5 cents and the coin acceptor can distinguish 5 cent, 10 cent and 25 cent coins by suitable positioning of photodetectors. Assume further that the price per copy is 10 cents. Then insertion of 2 x 5 cent or 1 x 10 cent will give a copy as before. However, a 25 cent coin results in a signal on line 105 to enable change giving. In this example, the above multiple is 3, and thus for each 5 cent coin dispensed as change the faster astable gives three pulses which are ANDed with the enable signal and passed on line 11 6 to the counter 48. After the correct change of 3 x 5 cents has been given, the counter 48 holds a count of 9. The rotary switch 53 is wired to trigger the transistor 56 on a count, in this example, of 9 or 2. Thus the machine operation is not enabled until after the change has been given.

The apparatus may deal with coins of more than two denominations by the provision of more than two sensors suitably positioned.

Positioning schemes other than that described above may be used. For example, for two denominations, two sensors may be spaced apart in the direction of coin movement by a distance which is greater than the diameter of the smaller coin but less than that of the larger coin. Thus the smaller coin produces two spaced pulses while the larger coin produces a single long pulse. These can then be processed into, e.g., two and four uniform shaped pulses by means such as an astable circuit.

Modifications may be made to the above embodiments within the scope of the invention. In particular, modifications may be made to account for different currencies and values. For example, the counter may be fed pulses generated by an astable circuit in response to coin detection, rather than directly from coin detection; for example a 50p coin could enable the astable for a 50 pulse period. Also, the various circuit elements could be made as a single purpose-built chip. Even without this, the embodiments described are sufficiently compact to be made as a cupboard door, including the coin box.

Claims (6)

1. A coin accepting device including a coin pathway, photoelectric means arranged on the coin pathway to detect coins passing therethrough and to discriminate between coins of different sizes, and counter means connected to receive signals from the photoelectric means and to provide an enable signal on reaching a predetermined count.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which the photoelectric means includes a light source and a pair of elements sensitive to said light, said elements being positioned differently with regard to the coin pathway so as to coact differently with 'coins of two different sizes.

3. A device according to claim 2, in which the coin pathway comprises a chute along which coin roll in an upright condition, one of said lightsensitive elements is positioned relatively close to the foot of the chute to be occluded by coins of both sizes as they pass, and the other lightsensitive element is positioned relatively far from the foot of the chute to be occluded only by the larger coins as they pass.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, for use with a change dispenser, including means for producing pulses on operation of the change dispenser and supplying said pulses to the counting means.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, including manually operable means for setting the predetermined count at which an enable signal is passed.

6. A coin accepting device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.