EP0657855A1 - Method and device for identifying coins - Google Patents

Abstract

To identify coins, these are individualised by an individualisation equipment designed as a rotatable perforated disc (12). An identification measurement is subsequently carried out as long as the coins are still located in the holes (28) of the perforated disc (12). To carry out the measurement, a light barrier (26), for example, or an inductive or capacitive scanning equipment can be used. By means of a positioning equipment, which acts in an accelerative or decelerative manner on the coins which are located in the holes (28), the coins are held in a specific, exactly defined position during the measurement. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for identifying coins according to the preamble of claim 1 and claim 16.

A method and a device of this kind are known from GB-A-2 128 795. In this solution, the side edges of the receiving compartments, which are open towards the circumference of the disk, converge towards the center of the disk. This measure keeps the coins in a precisely defined measuring position regardless of their size during the measurement. When passing through two fixed measuring stations, the coins are sized, i.e. their diameter, scanned out. For this purpose, a light barrier arrangement with a number of light barriers, which are arranged along a radially running line, is used at each measuring station. Depending on the size of the coins, more or fewer light barriers are interrupted as they pass the measuring stations. The coin sizes are determined in an evaluation unit from the signals obtained in this way. The disk is rotated step by step in the same cycle as the evaluation unit is operated.

In this known device, the measurement and evaluation electronics is relatively complex. In addition, the cyclical operation of this device means that very high working speeds are not possible.

It is also known to identify coins other than by measuring their dimensions. For example, GB-A-2 135 492 describes a method for recognizing coins, in which an eddy current induces in the respective coin, the decay of this eddy current is monitored, and the actual value obtained thereby is then compared with a setpoint, with agreement of the compared values the respective coin is recognized.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for identifying coins which is capable of reliably carrying out identification at high speed and with little effort.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 and of claim 16.

For example, the measurement can be carried out by directing the light beam from a light barrier consisting of a light transmitter and light receiver onto the disc in the area of the receiving compartments and by concluding from the signals of the light receiver that the individual coins contained in the receiving compartments of the disc are inferred .

In the case of hole-shaped receiving compartments, the light beam of the light barrier can be directed to a location that lies radially inside or outside the path that is described by the geometric centers of the holes in the perforated disk. Other scanning devices such as, for example an inductive and / or capacitive scanning device can be used in the device according to the invention.

Since the measurement takes place when the coins are sporadically present in the disk, there is no additional effort for attaching a measuring device after the disk.

The receiving compartments of the disc are preferably chosen to be larger than the diameter of the largest expected coin, but advantageously smaller than twice the diameter of the smallest expected coin, and the light beam is used to measure along a chord of the respective coins located in the receiving compartments. The individual coins in the respective receiving compartments thus influence the light beam of the light barrier with its front edge and with its rear edge. If the light barrier is implemented as a transmission light barrier, ie with the light transmitter on one side of the pane and with the light receiver on the other side of the pane, the light beam, which is initially defined by the free space between the edge of the receiving compartment and the front edge of the Coin stretches, interrupted by the front edge and then released again by the rear edge of the coin. The measure of the distance between the corresponding falling flank and the subsequently rising flank of the signal from the light barrier is a measure of a chord length of the coin and this chord length is characteristic of a specific type of coin which is located in the receiving compartment of the disc.

Instead of or in addition to the measurement just described, it is also possible to measure the free space between the respective edge of the receiving space and the front edge of the coin. Additionally or alternatively, there is also the possibility of measuring the size of the corresponding free space between the rear edge of the respective coin and the edge of the receiving space. Each of these three measurements or combinations thereof can be used to identify individual coins, since the measured values are characteristic of the respective coin sizes. Since it cannot be ruled out that, for example, a real coin and a foreign coin are the same size, further measurement results, for example measurement results generated by measuring the alloy, thickness, relief, image, grooves, can be used to differentiate between the individual coins and Foreign coins are used. These further measurement results can be generated in a conventional manner, and at least some of the aforementioned measurements can also be carried out while the coins are in the disc.

Unfortunately, it is the case that the coins no longer lie correctly in the receiving compartments as soon as the disc does not move uniformly, which can lead to measurement errors. A check can be carried out by carrying out the measurement of the second free space. As with the measurement of the first free space, there is also a characteristic value here. If both measured values point to the same diameter, it can be assumed in practice that the disc and thus the coins have moved largely uniformly in the measuring range. This is not necessarily the case, however, because the coins swing back and forth.

Measuring a free space and measuring the chord of the coin is also conceivable. Measuring both clearances and measuring the tendon can be called a perfect method. In this case, three values must indicate the same diameter in order to correctly identify a coin. However, this requires a greater electronic effort, since the computer is busy with the diameter determination over the entire measuring range.

It is possible to carry out the measurement as a time measurement, this type of measurement then requiring that the rotational speed of the perforated disk remains constant during the measurement. If necessary, this can be checked and only those measurements for which this criterion is met are used for further evaluation. Coins or coins which are not correctly recognized and in which the measurement is imperfect due to the changing speed of the disk, for example when the device is switched on, can be ejected from the disk and fed back to the new measurement.

However, the measurement can also be carried out as a distance measurement, using a measuring device, for example an incremental encoder, which is directly or indirectly coupled to the disk, so that a certain rotation of the disk also leads to a corresponding movement of the distance measuring device. The displacement signals of the displacement measuring device can then be used to evaluate the distance between the corresponding edges of the Light barrier signal are used, which makes this measurement independent of changes or fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the disc.

It is not absolutely necessary to determine the beginning or the end of the measurement by determining the front or rear edge of the compartments using the light beam, but this can be achieved by another signal, for example a signal that has this edge or a marked this neighboring starting point.

A corresponding signal can be generated by scanning markings on the disk or on the edge of the disk. However, these markings can also be read by the displacement measuring device, for example the resolution of the displacement measuring device can be such that every thousandth pulse marks the edge of a recording compartment at the point of intersection with the light beam or an adjacent point, which can also be used for the measurement.

It is also possible to define measurement time windows during which the receiving compartments of the pane move through the light beam, and to evaluate only those measurement signals which arise during these measurement time windows.

To stabilize the position of the coins in the receiving compartments of the disk, a hole shape deviating from the circular shape can also be used, for example a hole shape with two straight sides converging in the direction of rotation of the disk or opposite sides thereof.

In general, it applies to the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention that all measurements which do not lead to a correct identification of a respective coin are used to send the coins back into a collecting funnel feeding the disk by means of an appropriate ejection device, so that the coin is again taken up by the disk and measured.

Although the method and the device according to the invention enable a clear recognition of foreign coins, it is always conceivable that the measurement carried out takes place under irregular, possibly not correctly recognized, conditions, so that there should be doubt about the reliability of the measurement. For this reason, a foreign coin is not sent directly to a foreign currency compartment, but is returned to the funnel for the first time.

This leads to the fact that the concentration of foreign coins increases at the end of a series of measurements, so that several, for example two, three or more foreign coins are then immediately determined. This can be used as a measure for the fact that the measurements were reliably carried out under regular conditions and that the coins are actually foreign coins. These can then be sorted out into the foreign currency compartment or separated out for a closer inspection.

With this method or this device, therefore, one does not try to recognize the foreign coins better and more correctly by ever increasing effort, but instead leads them to a new diameter check, which overall represents a reduced effort.

After the individual coins have been identified in the perforated disc, they can be sent to a sorting route as described, for example, in EP-A-209 675, or the total value of the coins can be determined without sorting simply on the basis of the identification and the number of the respective coins.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Münzidentifizier- und Sortiereinrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Münzidentifizier- und Sortiereinrichtung der Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines Teils der Lochscheibe der Ausführung nach den Fig. 1 und 2,

Fig. 4A bis 4D

verschiedene Stadien bei der Ermittlung der Identität eines Ein-DM-Stückes,

Fig. 5

eine graphische Darstellung des Lichtschrankensignals bei der Durchführung der Messung nach den Fig. 4A bis 4D,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung von drei möglichen Lagen eines Zehnpfennigstückes bei der Durchführung einer Messung,

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung von drei verschiedenen Lagen eines Fünfmarkstückes bei der Durchführung einer Messung,

Fig. 8

eine abgewandelte Lochform zur Stabilisierung der Lage der gemessenen Münze.

Fig. 9

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform der Erkennungseinrichtung.

Fig. 10

eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung mit einer Positioniereinrichtung in Form einer stationär angeordneten Bürste,

Fig. 11

eine schematische Darstellung der Lochscheibe der Fig. 10 mit Bürste in Pfeilrichtung XI der Fig. 10 betrachtet,

Fig. 12

eine schematische Darstellung ähnlich der Fig. 11, jedoch von einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 13

eine schematische Darstellung ähnlich der Fig. 11, jedoch mit einer besonderen Lochform,

Fig. 14

eine Darstellung ähnlich der Fig. 11, jedoch mit einer Positioniereinrichtung in Form eines Blatteils,

Fig. 15

eine schematische Darstellung der Einrichtung der Fig. 14 entsprechend den Pfeilen XV-XV,

Fig. 16

eine schematische Darstellung ähnlich der Fig. 14, jedoch von einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform mit einer anderen Positioniereinrichtung,

Fig. 17

eine schematische Ansicht der Ausführungsform der Fig. 16 entsprechend der Schnittebene XVII-XVII gesehen, und

Fig. 18

bis 23 Darstellungen ähnlich der Fig. 16 zur Erläuterung der Wirkungsweise der Vorrichtung der Fig. 16 bei Umdrehung der Lochscheibe.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1

a coin identification and sorting device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

2 shows a side view of the coin identification and sorting device of FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

2 shows a schematic illustration of part of the perforated disk of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2,

4A to 4D

different stages in determining the identity of a one-DM piece,

Fig. 5

4A to 4D, a graphical representation of the light barrier signal when performing the measurement according to FIGS.

Fig. 6

1 shows a schematic representation of three possible positions of a ten pfennig piece when carrying out a measurement,

Fig. 7

1 shows a schematic representation of three different layers of a five-mark piece when carrying out a measurement,

Fig. 8

a modified hole shape to stabilize the position of the measured coin.

Fig. 9

a modified embodiment of the detection device.

Fig. 10

a device according to the invention with a positioning device in the form of a stationary brush,

Fig. 11

10 shows a schematic illustration of the perforated disk of FIG. 10 with a brush in the direction of arrow XI of FIG. 10,

Fig. 12

11 shows a schematic illustration similar to FIG. 11, but of a modified embodiment,

Fig. 13

11 shows a schematic illustration similar to FIG. 11, but with a special hole shape,

Fig. 14

11 shows a representation similar to FIG. 11, but with a positioning device in the form of a sheet part,

Fig. 15

14 shows a schematic representation of the device of FIG. 14 according to the arrows XV-XV,

Fig. 16

14 shows a schematic illustration similar to FIG. 14, but of a modified embodiment with a different positioning device,

Fig. 17

is a schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 16 seen along the section plane XVII-XVII, and

Fig. 18

to 23 representations similar to FIG. 16 to explain the mode of operation of the device of FIG. 16 when the perforated disk is rotated.

The same reference numerals are used in all figures for the same components or components with the same function.

The coin identification and sorting device according to the invention of FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of a collecting funnel 10 for receiving the coins to be identified, a rotatable perforated disk 12 which has an inclined position according to FIG. 2 and about an axis of rotation 14 by a motor 16 Gear 18 and a shaft 20 can be driven to rotate in the direction of arrow 22. The part of the perforated disk 12 located below the shaft 20 is immersed in the collecting funnel 10, so that individual coins (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are lifted upwards by means of the holes in the perforated disk 12 and by means of a and sorting device fixedly attached light barrier arrangement 26 are transported through. In a manner known per se, it is ensured that two coins do not occupy a hole in the perforated disk at the same time.

In order to prevent the coins from falling out of the holes 28 of the perforated disk 12, there is a part-circular ring 30 on the back of the perforated disk 12, which is arranged behind the perforated disk 12 and has a recess only in the area of the light barrier 26 and the end edge thereof reference number 31 is identified in FIG. 1. In the end area of the ring 30 after the light barrier 26 there is an electromagnetically actuated ejection device 32, which serves to eject coins that cannot be identified correctly from the perforated disk 12, so that they fall back into the collecting funnel 10. The ejection device 32 can, however, also be designed differently, and can for example eject the coins by means of an air blast.

Due to the inclined position of the perforated disk 12, coins that have not been ejected are automatically placed on an obliquely downward rail 34 of the sorting device and roll down along this rail. The reference symbol 36 indicates a further electromagnetic ejection device, which sends correctly recognized foreign coins into a foreign coin compartment 38, namely in that the ejection device 36 pushes the corresponding foreign coins off the rail 34. This ejection device can also be designed differently. The ejection device 36 is actuated at the correct time by synchronization with the perforated disk or is controlled for fine tuning with a sensor when a foreign coin arrives. The ring 30 starts again directly below the obliquely downwardly directed rail 34.

The sorting device has a series of deflectors 40 which are at different distances d1 to d7 from the Rail 34 are arranged and convey the coins into the respective compartments 42 according to their diameters. The reference numeral 45 indicates an operating keyboard, which is designed depending on the actual intended use of the coin identification device and is connected to an evaluation computer 44, which is only indicated schematically and to which the light barrier arrangement 26 and the ejection devices 32 and 36 and possibly other coin identification devices or other computers are connected. for example, when used in banks (control lines not shown), while the reference numeral 46 represents a display, which is also connected to the evaluation computer 44, shows the total value of the counted real coins.

The sorting can also be carried out according to other principles. E.g. the inclined rail can be equipped with autonomously working deflectors instead of fixed deflectors. A forced guidance sorter, e.g. a belt or chain sorter with fixed, autonomously working or controlled deflectors are used.

2, the light barrier 26 consists of a light transmitter 48 and a light receiver 50, both of which are connected to the evaluation computer 44.

2 also shows an incremental encoder 52, the disk of which is attached to the end of the motor shaft 54 of the motor 16. As is customary with such incremental encoders, the detection part 53 generates a finely resolved pulse sequence due to the rotation of the disk, which is also applied to the computer 44. The procedure for identifying the coins is described below using the others Figures explained in more detail. 3 shows a section of the perforated disk 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2 with three circular successive holes 28, the center points 56 of which describe a circular path 58 when the perforated disk 12 is rotated about the axis of rotation 14, which is shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 3 is. 60 shows a cross section through the light beam from the light barrier 26, where this light beam crosses the plane of the perforated disk 12. It can be seen that the light beam 60 lies radially within the path 56, so that this light beam also detects the smallest and largest expected real coins. The light beam 60 could, however, also lie radially outside the path 58, provided that it is ensured that even the smallest coins are captured by it. The light beam 60 describes a circular path 80 on the surface of the perforated disk 12.

FIG. 3 also shows two markings 62 which, in one embodiment variant, cooperate with a corresponding sensor (not shown) which, when the markings are scanned, generates signals which can be used to create a measurement time window or represent a time measurement window. In a preferred embodiment, the markings 62 are in the form of holes which are filled with a transparent or dark (light-reflecting) plastic and which are scanned by a sensor in the form of a light barrier (not shown). By filling the holes 62 with plastic, clogging of these holes with dirt is effectively avoided. If a measurement time window is generated, this can be used to ensure that a measurement is only possible within the measurement time window between two successive holes 62. The "holes" 62 can also be purely electronic certain pulses from the pulse train of the incremental encoder 52 are marked and serve the same purpose, ie no actual holes 62 have to be present.

4A to 4D now show the measuring principle during the rotation of the perforated disk 12 in the presence of a DM piece 64 in the hole 28.

In the stage of FIG. 4A, the perforated edge 66 crosses the light beam 60, so that the light beam previously interrupted by the material of the perforated disk 12 is released and the rising edge A of the light barrier output signal 68 of FIG. 5 arises. It is understood that it is This is a manipulated edge, which is generated, for example, by differentiating the actual output signal in order to achieve a steep switching edge.

In the first free space 70 between the hole edge 66 and the front edge 72 of the coin 64, the light beam 60 remains uninterrupted, so that the corresponding output signal of the light barrier has its maximum amplitude H in FIG. 5.

4B, the front edge 72 of the coin 64 reaches and crosses the light beam 60 and the falling edge B of the light barrier signal is produced. The output signal of the light barrier goes back to the value 0.

In the further stage up to FIG. 4C, the light beam 60 then remains interrupted, namely by the coin 24 in the region between its front edge 72 and its rear edge 74. When the rear edge 74 is the light beam 60 5 and the rising signal C then reaches its maximum height H. When the perforated disk 12 continues to rotate, the signal level remains at the value H when the light beam is in the further free space 76 . If the hole edge 66 crosses the light beam in the stage of FIG. 4D, the light beam is interrupted once again and the signal drops again to the value 0. The measurement in hole 28 with the coin 64 has now ended and a further measurement then follows for the next hole 28, the corresponding rising edge of the light barrier signal being shown in FIG. 5 only by a dashed line.

The distance between the two vertical flanks A and B in FIG. 5 thus corresponds to the dimension of the free space 70 measured along the circular path 80. The distance between the flanks B and C in FIG. 5 corresponds to the dimension of the coin 64 along that through the circular path 80 described chord 79. The distance between the flanks C and D of FIG. 5 again corresponds to the dimension of the free space 76, also measured here along the circular path 80.

Assuming that the coin 64 is exactly in the position shown in the hole, both the dimension of the free space 70 and the dimension of the free space 76 and also the length of the chord 79 correspond perfectly to the respective characteristic lengths for a DM Coin, so that this coin can be identified by determining the distances between the flanks A and B, B and C or C and D.

If the respective coin cannot be identified correctly on the basis of the measurements carried out and evaluated, it is thrown back into the collecting container 10 by means of the ejection device 32 and checked again. This method allows tighter tolerances, because in case of doubt "no" can be said. Since the tolerances can be tightened, the reliability of the identification is better.

As a basic measurement, only the bow-shaped chord 79, which is covered by the coin during the rotation of the perforated disk, can be measured. So the hole geometry is not included.

The determination of these lengths can either be carried out as a time measurement, assuming that the rotational speed of the perforated disk is constant during the measurement period, or can be carried out as a distance measurement. The angle that the perforated disk travels is preferably measured for the path. Although this angle can be measured on the perforated disk itself, this is relatively imprecise and the angle is preferably measured with the incremental disk 52 on the motor shaft, which rotates, for example, at 2700 revolutions per minute. This type of angle detection assumes that there are rigid transmission ratios between the incremental disk on the motor shaft and the perforated disk, which is often the case when there is a transmission in between, which is preferably to be designed without play. Technically, many solutions are conceivable.

In the case of a time measurement, the clock signal present in the evaluation computer 44 is used for the time measurement.

Based on the signals from the incremental encoder, the computer 44 also finds out whether the rotational speed of the perforated disk 12 is constant during the measurement. If this is not the case, for example when the perforated disk 12 starts up, the coins can be conveyed back into the collecting container 10 via the ejection device 32 until the rotational speed of the perforated disk 12 is constant. In general, the start and stop of the perforated disc are not ideal for taking the measurements. Because measurements in these phases are not taken into account or the coins are returned to the collecting container in these phases, an additional stop motor is unnecessary.

In the event of fluctuations in operation, which can occur, for example, due to the resistance of the coin mixture, the coins measured in this way are also conveyed back into the container 10, since the security of the corresponding measurements is not guaranteed.

In the case of a path measurement, the signals from the incremental encoder 52 are used by the evaluation computer 44 to determine the path lengths between the edges A and B or B and C and / or C and D.

As a result of this displacement measurement, changing rotational speeds of the perforated disk 12 do not in themselves lead to a falsification of the measured value. Nevertheless, fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the perforated disk 12 can lead to undesirable reciprocating movements of the coins, so that, for example, a ten pfennig piece could assume the three different positions according to FIG. 6 during the measurement. Through it a falsification of all three measurements, that is, the dimensions of the two free spaces and the chord length of the coin are to be expected, so that in the event of fluctuations in the rotational speed of the perforated disk 12, the coins should also be conveyed back into the container 10 under the influence of the ejection device 32 as a precaution .

A movement of the coins within the holes of the perforated disk 12 according to FIG. 6 is not only to be expected when the rotational speed of the perforated disk 12 fluctuates, but can also have other reasons. Fig. 6 also shows how different values of the dimensions of the two free spaces 70 and 76 can provide information that the coin is not in a stable position within the hole. In this case, the coin is ejected back into the collecting container 10.

Fig. 7 shows in principle the same situation, but with a five mark piece, which in this example has the largest diameter of the coins to be sorted. Here, too, the two free spaces 70, 76 differ from one another, but because of the size of the coin these are much smaller than is the case with the example in FIG. 6. Nevertheless, such changes in the position of the coin can be recognized on the basis of the signals from the light barrier 26.

8 shows a modified form of the hole 28, which serves to stabilize the position of the coins. This modified form is circular in the upper area, but has two inwardly converging straight sides 90 and 92 in the lower area, which largely prevent the coins from moving back and forth.

FIG. 9 shows a modified device in which, in addition to the measurement of the chord length of the coin or the length of the corresponding free spaces by means of the light barrier beam 60, a probe 84 is provided in order to determine another property of the coins, for example the alloy. The result of this measurement can also be applied to the evaluation computer 44 and taken into account when identifying the coin. The probe 84 can be, for example, an inductive probe or scanning device, as is known for example from GB-A-2 135 492, and / or a capacitive probe.

Fig. 9 also shows the possibility of positioning the ejector 32 so that it can just push the respective coin out of the hole. This is advantageous in that a delay in the control signal for the ejection device 32 is no longer necessary here.

The locations marked by the markings 62 or the corresponding electronic signals from the incremental encoder can be used instead of the edges A and D of the light barrier signal of FIG. 5 for measuring the dimensions of the free spaces 70 and 76 of the coin 64. In the same way, they can open and close a time measurement window, so that only those measured values that arise within this time measurement window are taken into account by the evaluation computer 44. This means that the measurement can also be triggered before the hole edge 66 releases the light barrier 26 and thus the space between the hole edge and the coin is measured. For geometric reasons, this measurement determines the size of the round coin 64, provided that it is correctly located in the hole 28. As a result of the dynamics results in more uniform Movement of the perforated disc for each coin diameter is a characteristic measured value. This measured value can be learned in the machine.

By delaying these signals, for example, the location of the perforated edge 66 of the perforated disk 12 at which it intersects the curved path 80 can be simulated.

It should also be pointed out that the light barrier does not necessarily have to be a transmission light barrier, as shown here, but can also be a reflection light barrier in which the light receiver is arranged on the same side of the perforated disc as the light transmitter.

Although the embodiment just described comprises a sorting machine, it is readily possible to dispense with the sorting principle and to operate the device only as a cash counter or coin validator.

In practice it is very important to use a perforated disc arrangement with a positioning device for the coins in order to ensure that all coins are in the area of the light beam or another scanning device, e.g. of an image reader always assume a desired position and do not lead to an uncertain measurement result due to different positions or changing positions.

FIG. 10 shows a first example of such a positioning device 100, here in the form of a mechanical braking device formed by a brush 102, which from a fixed support arrangement 104 arranged on the other side of the perforated disk is carried, which support arrangement 104 can be, for example, a modified version of the ring 30 or the frame 24. Specifically, the brush 102 is carried by a holder 106 which is screwed to the support arrangement 104.

The length of the bristles can be longer or shorter than shown, it is only important that the bristles must touch all possible coins in order to have a braking effect on the coins.

This braking effect is illustrated schematically in FIG. 11, and it can also be seen from FIG. 11 that the long side of the rectangular brush viewed in the direction of arrow XI in FIG. 10 is selected to be slightly shorter in this example than the diameter of the holes 28 the perforated disk 12. From FIG. 11 it can also be seen that the brush 102 has a circular recess 108 so that the light beam 60 of the light barrier can pass through the brush. In this example, the light transmitter (not shown) is arranged, for example, in the holder 106, while the light receiver (also not shown) is mounted on the support arrangement 104.

From FIG. 11 it can be seen that a coin 64 brought up from the perforated disk 12 in the direction of arrow 22 lies in the lower region of the hole 28 before reaching the brush 102, but not at the radially innermost point 65 thereof. The exact position of the incoming coin 64 is unimportant in this embodiment. During the rotation of the Perforated disk, the bristles of the brush 102 come into contact with the coin 64 and exert a braking and positioning effect on this coin, so that the coin 64 in the area in which it is still under the action of the brush 102, on in Fig. 11 left edge of the hole 28 comes to rest so that the coin in the area 67 of the left edge of the hole touches it where the circular path 58 of the center of the hole intersects it. After the respective hole 28 has left the effective range of the brush, and for example has reached the position on the right side of FIG. 11, the coin 64 rolls away from the position defined by the brush into the position 69 shown there.

12 shows a modified embodiment in which an inductive and / or capacitive scanning device 84 is used instead of a light barrier. In this case, the circular recess 108 of the brush is made larger in diameter in order to create sufficient space for the inductive or capacitive probe 84. The mode of operation of this embodiment with regard to the positioning of the coins in the holes 28 is identical to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, for which reason it is not described further here.

FIG. 13 shows an arrangement similar to the embodiment according to FIGS. 10 and 11, but in which the holes 28 of the perforated disk 12 have a special shape so that the coins are positively guided after positioning by the brush 102 and assume an absolutely stable position. For this purpose, the holes 28 of the embodiment according to FIG. 13 have a shape similar to that of FIG. 8, but here the rectilinear regions 90 and 92 of the hole shape do not converge radially inwards, but in the circumferential direction of the perforated disk in the region of the web 58 of the hole centers, specifically in the rear region of the holes 28 seen in the direction of rotation 22 of the perforated disk.

The positioning device which exerts a mechanical braking effect can, however, also be designed differently than is shown in FIGS. 10 to 13. Another possibility of realizing a mechanical brake is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Here, the braking effect is brought about by a blade part 110, which is designed here as a movable flap and is pivotably articulated about a joint 112 on the holder 106. A schematically illustrated compression spring 114 presses the movable flap 110 in the direction of the perforated disk, so that the free end 116 of the flap 110 can come into contact with the coins to be identified when these are transported past the braking device 100 in a respective hole in the perforated disk. In this embodiment too, the brake has a recess 108 so that the light beam from the light barrier is not interrupted by the flap 110. The flap 110 or its side facing the perforated disc can be made of plastic, so that sufficient friction can be achieved without pronounced wear.

The braking device can also be designed differently. For example, it can be formed by an air nozzle (not shown) which presses the coins in the direction of the holes one behind the other by means of a directed air jet. Electromagnetic braking devices (also not shown) could also be used.

The positioning device does not have to be designed as a braking device, it can also be designed as an acceleration device, for example to press the coins in the direction of the leading edge of the hole. Finally, it would also be conceivable to use a positioning device to also press the coins onto the upper or lower edge of the hole or else at any point of the holes.

16 and 17 show a positioning device which is designed such that the coins are pressed against the leading edge of the holes.

For this purpose, the positioning device 100 in this example has two revolving belts 120, 122 which run around two deflecting rollers or rollers 124 and 126 and around a roller 130 driven by a motor 128. The axes of the deflection rollers 124 and 126 and the drive roller 130 lie parallel to one another and to the plane of the perforated disk. It is not necessary to provide two belts, but this embodiment could also be implemented using only one belt. Finally, more straps than two would be considered.

The deflecting rollers 124 and 126 are supported in this example on spring suspensions 132 and 134, so that the respective rollers 124 and 126 are always pressed in the direction of the perforated disc and thus are partially pressed into the hole when a hole 28 passes by and in this way reliably come into contact with the respective coins. This ensures that the positioning action of the belts 120, 122 is reliably exerted on the coins.

If the rotational speed of the belts 120, 122 is chosen so that it is higher than the surface speed of the perforated disk in the area of the belts, the coins arranged in the individual holes 28 of the perforated disk are accelerated relative to the perforated disk and pressed against the leading edge of the hole, so that they assume a stable position for the duration of the measurement. The device shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 could also serve as a braking device. In this case the speed of rotation of the belts would have to be chosen to be lower or to be directed in the opposite direction than the surface speed of the perforated disk in the area of the belts.

Assuming that the positioning device 100 of FIGS. 16 and 17 is designed to position the coins on the leading edge of the hole, its mode of operation will be briefly explained with reference to FIGS. 18 to 23.

18 shows a coin 64, which is brought up to the positioning device by the perforated disk 12 by rotating it in the direction of arrow 22. In this example, the measurement is carried out by the light beam 60 from a light barrier (not shown). If the perforated disc 12 moves from the position shown in FIG. 18 to the position shown in FIG. 19, the coin 24 comes into the effective range of the belts 120, 122 and is positioned at the front edge of the hole, as shown in FIG. 19. The measurement of the leading edge of the coin 64 is preferably triggered electronically in this exemplary embodiment, since little to none, depending on the specific design of the device There is free space between the leading edge of the hole 28 and the coin 64 in the region of the light beam 60.

When the disc 12 moves further into the position in FIG. 20, the light beam 60 is interrupted by the coin 64. Only when the position according to FIG. 21 is reached is the light beam 60 released from the coin again, namely until the rear edge of the hole 28 according to FIG. 22 has crossed the light beam 60.

In this example, therefore, either the chord of the coin is measured at the passage of the perforated disk between the layers of FIGS. 19 and 21 or the width of the free space along the circular path 80 during the rotation of the perforated disk between the layers of FIG. 21 and 22 or both measurements are carried out.

By positioning the coin, a maximum of two or possibly only one measurement is required to achieve a reliable measurement, which limits the work to be carried out by the computer, the programming of which is easier and the identification process can be carried out more quickly.

Finally, FIG. 23 shows that the coin 64 assumes a different position 69 in the hole 28 when it has left the effective range of the belts 120, 122.

It goes without saying that the positioning device of FIGS. 16 to 23 can also work with other scanning devices, for example with an inductive and / or capacitive scanning device, and that several differently designed scanning devices can also be used. for example, a light barrier and an inductive or capacitive measuring device can be used simultaneously.

It should be pointed out again here that the various positioning devices 100 shown in FIGS. 10-23 can be used together with a wide variety of scanning devices, i.e. e.g. also with an image reader.

Claims (32)

Method for identifying coins, in which the coins (64) are separated by a separating device designed as a rotatable disc (12) provided with receiving compartments (28) for the individual coins (64), and the separated coins by at least one measurement that is carried out , while the individual coins (64) are in the receiving compartments (28), are identified, characterized in that the coins (64) are brought to a specific position of the associated receiving compartment (28) by accelerating or decelerating, in which they are Contact the edge of this receiving compartment (28) and be held in this position during the measurement. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the measurement is carried out by means of a light barrier (26) having a light transmitter (48) and light receiver (50), the light beam (60) of which is directed onto the plane of the pane (12) in the region of the receiving compartments (28 ) is directed and that the size or identity of the individual coins (64) contained in the receiving compartments (28) of the disc (12) is inferred from the signals of the light receiver (50). Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the dimension of a chord (79) of the respective coins (64) positioned in the receiving compartments (28) is measured by means of the light barrier (26). A method according to claim 2, characterized in that by means of the light barrier (26) the dimension of the free space (70) between the respective edge (66) of a receiving compartment (28) and the front and / or rear edge (72, 74) one in this Receiving compartment (28) positioned coin (64) is determined. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the time during which the light beam (60) is interrupted or reflected by the coin (64) is used to identify the respective coins (64). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is checked whether the rotational speed of the disk (12) is substantially constant and has the correct value during the measurement and only those measurements are used for coin identification for which this criterion is met. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the measurement is carried out as a displacement measurement, a displacement measuring device (52) being used which is coupled directly or indirectly to the disk (12). Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that measurement time windows are defined during which the receiving compartments (28) of the pane (12) move through the light beam (60) and that only measurement signals which are generated during this measurement time window are evaluated. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the beginning and / or the end of the measurement is determined by a signal which is not generated by the light barrier (26) and which marks the edge of the hole (66) or a reference point adjacent to it. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that to stabilize the position of the coins in the receiving compartments (28) of the disc (12) a hole shape deviating from a circular shape, preferably a hole shape with two in the direction of rotation (22) of the disk (12) or against these converging straight sides (90, 92), is used. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that if a foreign coin is suspected and / or if the measurement result is doubtful, the corresponding coin (64) is returned to a coin funnel (10) feeding the disc (12). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the reliability of the determination is accepted and the foreign coins are sorted out only when several foreign coins are found in succession. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the coins (64) are fed to a coin sorting section (34 to 42) after identification and are sorted on the basis of the measurements. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the total value of the identified coins is determined on the basis of the measurements carried out. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that an inductive and / or capacitive scanning device (84) is used to identify the coins. Device for identifying coins, having a separating device designed as a rotatable disc (12) provided with receiving compartments (28), a scanning device (26, 84) provided for measuring a property of the respective coins (64), which is in the area of the Rotation of the perforated disc (12) resulting web (58) of the receiving compartments (28) is arranged, and an evaluation computer (44), which from the presence of a coin (64) in the respective receiving compartments (28) signals from the scanning device (26 , 84) determines the size or identity of the respective coins (64), characterized in that a positioning device (100) is provided which accelerates onto the respective coins (64) arranged in the receiving compartments (28) of the perforated disc (12) or acts with a delay and brings them into contact at least in the region of the scanning device on an edge (66) of the associated receiving compartment (28). Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the scanning device is a light barrier (26) consisting of a light transmitter (48) and a light receiver (50). Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the light beam (60) of the light barrier (26) is directed to a location which lies radially inside or outside the path (58) which is defined by the geometric centers of the receiving compartments (28) of the pane ( 12) is described. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the evaluation computer (44) and the light barrier (26) are designed for measurement along a chord (79) of a coin (64) positioned in the respective receiving compartment (28). Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the evaluation computer (44) and the light barrier (26) for measuring the free space (70) between the edge (66) of the respective receiving space (28) and the front or rear edge (72, 74 ) of a coin (64) located in the respective hole. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that a displacement measuring device (52) is provided which generates displacement measuring pulses in accordance with the rotation of the disc (12), and that the displacement measuring device is connected to the evaluation computer (44). Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that a device (62) is provided which defines a measurement time window within which the measurement signals received by the light barrier (26) are released for evaluation. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that a device connected to the evaluation computer (44) is provided for electronically marking the front and / or the rear edge (66) of each individual receiving compartment (28) or a location of the pane (12) adjacent to this is. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that to stabilize the position of the coins (64) in the receiving compartments (28) they have a hole shape deviating from the circular shape, preferably a hole shape with two in the direction of rotation (22) of the disc (12) or this oppositely converging straight sides (90, 92). Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that an ejection device (32) is provided which sends coins (64) which are not correctly recognized back into a funnel (10) feeding the disc (12). Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the scanning device is an inductive and / or capacitive scanning device (84). Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the positioning device (100) is a braking device (102; 110). Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the braking device has a stationary brush (102) which is arranged on the one side of the disc (12) in the region of the movement path of the receiving compartments (28). Apparatus according to Claim 27, characterized in that the braking device has a sheet part (110) which is arranged in the region of the path of movement of the receiving compartments (28) and is biased towards the disc (12) or the coins (64) located therein, the coins of which (64) facing surface preferably consists of plastic or is coated with plastic. Apparatus according to claim 29, characterized in that the blade part (110) is articulated and is biased against the disc (12) under the pressure of a spring (114). Device according to Claim 16, characterized in that the positioning device has at least one belt (120, 122) which is arranged in the region of the orbit of the receiving compartments (28, 122) and which is driven in rotation by a motor (128) and, depending on its rotational speed, in comparison to the rotational speed of the disc (12) in the area of the belt (120, 122) has a braking or accelerating effect on the coins (64) and thus positions them in the receiving compartments (28) in the desired position. Apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the circumferential belt (120, 122) is guided in the region of one side of the disc (12) around two deflection rollers (124, 126), at least one of which is resiliently suspended, in such a way that the belt (120, 122) always comes into contact with the coins (64), regardless of the thickness of the respective coin (64).

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