System for identifying a coin, of the type which can be installed on a coin counting machine and related counting machine

Abstract

Coin identification system, of the type installable on a coin counting machine and comprising a capacitive sensor comprising a closed-loop resonant circuit configured to detect identifying parameters of said coin, said system being capable of associating a specific type of coin with said identifying parameters.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin identification system of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a coin counting machine.

[0003] A coin counting machine is a type of machine configured to receive coins, identify them and count them in such a way as to allow a user to know the total value even of large quantities of coins.

[0004] In the present discussion, a solution for the identification of a coin is presented, but this does not detract from the fact that the solution can be applied to any type of object (whether metal or plastic) presenting a similar geometric shape, such as tokens or chips of the type used, for example, in casinos.

[0005] As is known, counting coins can often be complicated, especially in sectors and areas where the number of coins in circulation is very high.

[0006] Just think of supermarkets or structures where there are various vending machines, or casinos and other commercial activities.

[0007] In such circumstances, coin counting machines make it possible to speed up the counting of large volumes of coins, and to ensure greater accuracy and reliability of the counting itself.

[0008] To date, various coin counting machines are known.

[0009] Known coin counting machines comprise a main body and an inlet opening into which coins are fed in bulk, that is, in groups of multiple coins.

[0010] Such known coin counting machines also comprise a transfer channel and a sensorized identification system, arranged in the vicinity to such channel and configured to identify the coins that pass through the channel itself.

[0011] Such known identification systems inside coin counting machines comprise a light source arranged inside the transfer channel and configured to project the shadow of a coin onto a sensor comprising an array of phototransistors specifically positioned so as to detect the diameter of the cast shadow.

[0012] Such known identification systems make it possible to provide a good solution but certainly not free from drawbacks.

[0013] A major drawback of known systems is that they are not always accurate and reliable.

[0014] In fact, discriminating and distinguishing coins by their diameter is not always reliable and could confuse any object of similar geometric shape and size with the coin itself, thus distorting the count.

[0015] In some cases, to overcome this problem, known sensors are designed to minimize tolerance.

[0016] This solution avoids the introduction of counterfeit coins into the circuit, but still presents an important drawback.

[0017] In fact, minimizing the tolerance runs the risk that numerous coins that would actually be considered suitable would also be discarded from the count (due to minute differences in size due to, for example, wear and tear or various defects).

[0018] Some known solutions therefore also involve combining other sensors to increase the reliability of identification.

[0019] Such solutions also include, for example, a second proximity sensor and a third magnetic field sensor.

[0020] The second proximity sensor is configured to create induced currents on a metal object such as a coin.

[0021] Each type of coin reacts differently, thus providing additional identification parameters.

[0022] The third sensor essentially allows to detect how the magnetic field is disturbed following the passage of a coin from the transfer channel, in order to provide further identification parameters.

[0023] Known systems comprising three sensors in sequence allow to provide a good solution but certainly not free from drawbacks.

[0024] An important drawback of these known solutions is given by the fact that they require an often excessive bulk, thus creating difficulties in the design phase and increasing the risk of jamming coins in use.

[0025] Another drawback of these known solutions is given by the fact that they are not always simple and economical to implement.

[0026] Another drawback of such known solutions is that they do not always ensure optimal efficiency or accurate results.

[0027] Another drawback of known solutions is that they do not always allow to discriminate a coin regardless of the material it is made of.

[0028] In fact, known systems allow to discriminate only between metal coins.

[0029] Some examples of coin identification systems of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and related coin counting machines are given by documents EP1646015, US5439039 and US4705154.

[0030] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and a related coin counting machine, capable of solving the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art. Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and a related coin counting machine, capable of minimizing the margin of error for the identification of a coin.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to make available a coin identification system of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and related coin counting machine that are capable of detecting and identifying coins regardless of the material they are made of, that is, being also capable of discriminating coins made of non-metallic material.

[0032] Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and a related coin counting machine, capable of ensuring accurate and fast counting.

[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and a related coin counting machine, capable of ensuring a simple-to-use and economically implementable solution.

[0034] According to the invention, these and other objects are achieved by a coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and a related coin counting machine having the technical characteristics described in the attached claims.

[0035] The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the above objects, are clearly described in the attached claims and its advantages are evident from the detailed description that follows.

[0036] The coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine, which is the object of the present invention, will be referred to in the following discussion also simply as "system".

[0037] As anticipated in the introductory part of the discussion, the object of the invention is not to be limited to the sole counting of coins.

[0038] In fact, the term coin refers to any "disc" of metal or plastic material with a symbolic financial value, such as a means of payment (euro coins), tokens, or chips of the type used in casinos.

[0039] The system, being object of the present invention, includes a coin transfer channel.

[0040] This channel can be obtained on a coin counting machine.

[0041] By coin counting machine, as will be better detailed later in the discussion, we mean an instrument capable of receiving a more or less large number of coins as input, in order to identify them in a short time and to provide, as output, to a user, an accurate overall count of the value of such coins.

[0042] The system being object of the present invention comprises a capacitive sensor, arranged in the vicinity to the transfer channel.

[0043] Such capacitive sensor comprises a closed-loop resonant circuit, configured to detect first identification parameters of the coin when such coin passes through the transfer channel.

[0044] The capacitive sensor allows to detect these first identifying parameters by working on the variation of the equivalent capacity.

[0045] This allows to obtain a feedback even when a coin made of non-metallic material, such as a plastic material, passes through.

[0046] This feature allows a significant flexibility of the system, as it can be used not only to identify metal coins, but also coins made of plastic material, such as tokens or chips.

[0047] This flexibility of use is not satisfied, for example, for known systems that use inductive sensors, presenting relative inductors (or windings of conductive wire) and configured to detect a variation of reluctance or inductance.

[0048] The system is capable of associating a certain type of coin with such first identification parameters.

[0049] This allows for accurate and rapid recognition of the coin itself.

[0050] Advantageously, the capacitive sensor comprises a closed-loop resonant circuit of the PLL type, i.e. Phase-Locked Loop.

[0051] The closed-loop resonant circuit of the PLL type has a certain oscillation frequency.

[0052] Advantageously, such certain oscillation frequency of the closed-loop resonant circuit of the PLL type is approximately 8MHz.

[0053] Advantageously, the capacitive sensor comprises a portion exposed to the passage of a coin.

[0054] Specifically, the exposed portion includes a plane electrically connected to the resonant circuit and configured so that the passage of the coin disrupts the total equivalent capacitance of the circuit itself. This implies an alteration of the oscillation frequency of the resonant circuit and the generation of a signal phase shift.

[0055] The plane electrically connected to the resonant circuit is suitably sized in length to adapt to coins of various sizes, and in width so that it is narrow enough to discriminate even very closely spaced coins. Advantageously, this plane has a length between 17 mm and 19 mm, and a width between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. Preferably, this plane has a length of approximately 18 mm and a width of approximately 1 mm.

[0056] The possibility of integrating a capacitive sensor, using the plane electrically connected to the resonant circuit, allows to optimize the internal spaces of the system, in addition to being simple to build and assemble, as well as practical to install.

[0057] The resonant circuit advantageously includes a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to generate a variation of its own frequency following the perturbation of the total equivalent capacity of the resonant circuit itself.

[0058] Advantageously, the closed-loop PLL resonant circuit also includes a phase comparator configured to detect the aforementioned variation of its own frequency, defining a relative signal phase shift, and generate an error signal proportional to the detected signal phase shift.

[0059] Basically, the phase comparator receives two different input signals and generates an output signal identified by the phase difference of the two input signals.

[0060] This difference signal essentially defines the error signal.

[0061] Advantageously, the PLL closed-loop resonant circuit includes a Hartley oscillator.

[0062] In other words, the voltage-controlled oscillator is defined by a Hartley oscillator.

[0063] A Hartley oscillator is an LC oscillator, where the feedback is of the inductive type.

[0064] This type of oscillator is configured to work optimally with a capacitive sensor.

[0065] In the prior art, coin identification systems use, as mentioned, inductive sensors, configured to work with Colpitts oscillators, implying the problems listed in the introductory part of this discussion. Advantageously, the resonant circuit also includes a varicap diode configured to stabilize the total equivalent capacitance of the resonant circuit, previously destabilized by the passage of the coin. Advantageously, the system being object of the present invention comprises measuring means for detecting a measurement of the voltage error signal generated by the voltage-controlled oscillator.

[0066] Advantageously, such measuring means comprise, for example, a probe.

[0067] The measurement of the detected voltage error signal substantially defines first identification parameters of the coin.

[0068] In particular, the aforementioned identification parameters are defined by respective curves of values obtained instant by instant, during the passage of the coin.

[0069] Advantageously, the system which being object of the present invention comprises a control and storage unit capable of storing the parameters (both the first identification parameters introduced above and the second and third identification parameters introduced later in the discussion) detected and associating them with a specific type of coin.

[0070] Advantageously, furthermore, the system being object of the present invention comprises a counter configured to update the count of the total value of the coins each time one is identified.

[0071] Advantageously, the system being object of the present invention comprises an inductive eddy current sensor. This inductive sensor is arranged in the vicinity to the transfer channel.

[0072] The inductive sensor is configured to generate eddy currents on the coin surface.

[0073] The eddy currents generated on the coin surface, are detected and measured in order to define second identifying parameters.

[0074] Basically, each type of coin reacts differently, implying the generation of different eddy currents and thus ensuring another important parameter for coin recognition and identification.

[0075] Advantageously, the eddy current inductive sensor comprises an inductance traversed by current and defining a radiating antenna.

[0076] Advantageously, this radiating antenna works at a frequency of approximately 5 MHz.

[0077] Advantageously, the system being object of the present invention comprises a magnetic sensor capable of generating a magnetic field flow on the coin.

[0078] The magnetic sensor comprises a coil that is at least partially open and capable of generating the magnetic field flow on the coin.

[0079] As is known, the various types of coins (for example, the various euro coins) have an internal layer in the vicinity to the core that varies in terms of material and thickness from coin to coin.

[0080] These structural and material differences mean that each coin, and in particular each internal layer of the respective coins, reacts differently to the magnetic field flow generated on it.

[0081] Therefore, the values of the current and the voltage measured on the coil, provide third-party identification parameters of the coin itself. Advantageously, the magnetic sensor is excited by a reference signal at a frequency of approximately 2 kHz. Another object of the present invention is a coin counting machine.

[0082] The coin counting machine comprises a containment body and an inlet opening, obtained on said containment body, suitable for allowing the insertion of a plurality of coins.

[0083] The coin counting machine which is the object of the present invention comprises at least one outlet opening, intended for a specific type of coin. According to a first embodiment, the coin counting machine comprises a single outlet opening used for the emission of all types of coins inserted inside the containment body.

[0084] According to a further embodiment, the coin counting machine comprises an outlet opening for each type of coin, since, in addition to the counting function, it also comprises the dividing function.

[0085] The coin counting machine which is the object of the present invention comprises a transfer channel suitable for connecting the inlet opening to each of the aforementioned one or more outlet openings.

[0086] The coin counting machine being object of the present invention also comprises a coin identification system, configured to distinguish a specific type of coin in order to count the value of that coin and direct it towards the at least one outlet opening.

[0087] The identification system comprises a capacitive sensor located in the vicinity to the transfer channel and comprising a closed-loop resonant circuit.

[0088] The presence of such a capacitive sensor allows for accurate and fast identification of a coin. Advantageously, the capacitive sensor comprises a PLL type closed-loop resonant circuit.

[0089] Advantageously, the PLL closed-loop resonant circuit comprises a phase comparator, a voltage-controlled oscillator and a varicap diode.

[0090] The identification system is essentially of the type described in the discussion as a further object of the present invention.

[0091] Advantageously, the voltage-controlled oscillator comprises a Hartley oscillator.

[0092] Advantageously, the coin counting machine of the present invention also comprises an inductive eddy current sensor and a magnetic sensor.

[0093] The coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and a related coin counting machine according to the present invention, allow the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art to be solved and important advantages to be achieved.

[0094] A first advantage is given by the fact that the coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and a related coin counting machine, object of the present invention, allow accurate and reliable counting to be ensured. Another advantage of the coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and a related coin counting machine, is given by the fact that they allow safe and fast use, and a construction structure that ensures operation free from the risk of blocking or jamming.

[0095] Another advantage of the coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and a related coin counting machine according to the present invention, is that they are easy to use and economical to manufacture.

[0096] Another advantage of a coin identification system of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and related coin counting machine is that it provides high flexibility of use, as it can also be used to identify coins made of non-metallic material. This is ensured by the presence of a capacitive sensor, which allows to detect a change in capacity equivalent also to the passage of a coin made of plastic material, for example.

[0097] Another advantage of the coin identification system, of the type that can be installed on a coin counting machine and a related coin counting machine is that they are easy to manufacture and install, as well as ensuring small footprints.

[0098] This is due to the fact that the capacitive sensor defined in this discussion is basically identified by a small and easily constructed plane.

Claims

1. A system for identifying a coin, of the type which can be installed on a coin counting machine and comprising: - a channel for transferring said coin, said channel being able to be formed on a coin counting machine; - a capacitive sensor positioned in the vicinity to said transfer channel, said capacitive sensor comprising a resonant circuit with a closed loop configured for detecting identification parameters of said coin when said coin passes through said transfer channel, said system being designed to associate a predetermined type of coin to said identification parameters, said capacitive sensor being capable of detecting a change in a total equivalent capacitance of said resonant circuit.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that said capacitive sensor comprises a resonant circuit in a closed loop of the PLL type and a portion exposed to the passage of said coin, said exposed portion comprising a plane electrically connected to said resonant circuit and configured in such a way that said passage of said coin generates a perturbation of a total equivalent capacity of said resonant circuit.

3. The system according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said resonant circuit with a closed loop of the PLL type comprises: - a voltage controlled oscillator configured to generate a change in its own frequency upon said perturbation of said total equivalent capacitance of said resonant circuit; - a phase comparator configured to detect said change in its own frequency, defining a relative signal phase shift, and generate an error signal proportional to said detected signal phase shift;. - a varicap diode configured to stabilise said total equivalent capacity of said resonant circuit, previously destabilised by said passage of said coin.

4. The system according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises measuring means for detecting a measurement of said voltage error signal generated by said voltage-controlled oscillator, said measurement defining first identification parameters.

5. The system according to any of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterised in that said voltage controlled oscillator is a Hartley oscillator.

6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an inductive sensor using eddy currents, configured to generate said eddy currents on a surface of said coin, said eddy currents defining second identification parameters to be measured.

7. The system according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said inductive sensor using eddy currents comprises an inductance flowed through by current and defining a radiant antenna.

8. The system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a magnetic sensor designed to generate a flow of magnetic field on said coin in such a way as to generate a current inside said coin.

9. A system according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said magnetic sensor comprises a coil which is at least partly open and designed to generate said flow of magnetic field on said coin.

10. A coin counting machine comprising: - a containment body; - an inlet opening, made on said containment body, designed to allow the insertion of a plurality of coins inside said containment body; - at least one outlet opening, designed for a predetermined type of coin; - a transfer channel designed to connect the inlet opening to each of the said least one outlet opening; - a system for identifying a coin configured to distinguish a predetermined type of coin in such a way as to count a value of said coin and direct said coin towards said at least one outlet opening, said machine being characterised in that said identification system comprises a capacitive sensor positioned in the vicinity to said transfer channel and comprising a resonant circuit with a closed loop.

11. The machine according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises: - an inductive sensor with eddy currents; - a magnetic sensor.

12. The machine according to any of the preceding claims 10 or 11, characterised in that said closed-loop resonant circuit is of the PLL type and comprises, a phase comparator, a voltage-controlled oscillator, and a varicap diode.

13. The machine according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said voltage-controlled oscillator is a Hartley oscillator.

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