Coin sorter unit

Abstract

A coin sorter unit for sorting coins being transported along a transport path is provided. The coin sorter unit comprises: a sensor for detecting a position of one or more coins on the transport path, one or more exit channels for receiving the one or more coins from the transport path, a pre-sorting flap pivotably mounted at a pre-sorting pivot axis and configured to pivot towards a receive portion of a channel between the transport path and the one or more exit channels in a closed configuration, and away from the receive portion in an open configuration and a closed configuration to selectively open and close the channel between the transport path and the one or more exit channels, and a controller for operating the pre-sorting flap. The controller is configured to operate the pre-sorting flap to selectively divert the one or more coins from the transport path towards the one or more exit channels based on a classification of each coin and the sensed position of the coin. The pre-sorting flap is configured to move into the closed configuration under a closing force, wherein the closing force is configured to permit a coin in contact with the pre-sorting flap and the receive portion to fall towards the one or more exit channels.

Description

[0001] Coin Sorter Unit

[0002] This application claims priority from EP 23216409.5 filed 13 December 2023 the contents and elements of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a coin sorter unit, a coin receive unit comprising a coin sorter unit, and an automatic transaction system comprising a coin receive unit.

[0005] Background

[0006] Traditionally, coin receive units for paying in coins to a transaction system (e.g., a vending machine, self- service check-out machine, slot machine, etc.) are configured to receive and validate coins. However, after validation, the coins are typically mixed up and / or accumulated before being provided to the rest of the system. Therefore, multiple coins and coins of various denominations may circulate the system causing disagreements between subsequent sensors and reducing the reliability of the transaction system.

[0007] Some coin receive units may split the coins into separate coin hoppers for storage (typically up to eight coin hoppers). However, a problem with this approach in known systems, is that it leads to large and expensive units which are slow and costly to configure for any given currency of coins.

[0008] Moreover, traditional coin receive units are typically configured to reject coins which are not successfully validated in an initial validation attempt. Users must then re-input the rejected coins for a subsequent validation attempt. Therefore, traditional coin receive units can be slow and are not suited to receiving large quantities of coins in one operation.

[0009] Most traditional receive units comprise a thin, rotating disk pickup wheel for sorting coins. Alternatively, some units may include a moving track, similar to a tank tread or caterpillar track, wherein coins are transported on an inward face of the track. Further examples comprise a horizontal plate for sorting coins centrifugally.

[0010] However, these coin receive units, and coin sorter units inside such receive unit, can be slow and complex to configure. They are also prone to being jammed and entering failure states if metal debris (e.g., paperclips, unrecognised coins) are inserted.

[0011] Accordingly there is a desire for a coin sorter unit for a coin receive unit which is more reliable, and which can sort coins faster than traditional units.

[0012] The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.

[0013] Summary of the Invention

[0014] Broadly, the present invention relates to a coin sorter unit, optionally for a coin receive unit, which comprises a weakly-sprung pre-sorting flap for selectively diverting coins towards an exit channel. The sorting flap is able to close onto a coin without trapping the coin owing to the weak spring. Accordingly, the sorting flap can be opened and closed more quickly to sort coins. Additionally, a receive unit comprising said coin sorter unit is described.

[0015] The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

[0016] Accordingly, in a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide: a coin sorter unit for sorting coins being transported along a transport path, wherein the coin sorter unit comprises: a sensor for detecting a position of one or more coins on the transport path, one or more exit channels for receiving the one or more coins from the transport path, a pre-sorting flap pivotably mounted at a pre-sorting pivot axis and configured to pivot towards a receive portion of a channel between the transport path and the one or more exit channels in a closed configuration, and away from the receive portion in an open configuration to selectively open and close the channel between the transport path and the one or more exit channels, and a controller for operating the pre-sorting flap; wherein the controller is configured to operate the pre-sorting flap to selectively divert the one or more coins from the transport path towards the one or more exit channels based on a classification of each coin and the sensed position of the coin.

[0017] Accordingly, the pre-sorting flap may be pivotable between the open and closed configurations for selectively diverting coins.

[0018] The pre-sorting flap may be configured to move into the closed configuration under a closing force. The closing force may be configured to permit a coin in contact with the pre-sorting flap and the receive portion to fall towards the one or more exit channels (under gravity).

[0019] Advantageously, the pre-sorting flap may be closed on top of a coin, which is falling behind the presorting flap (between the pre-sorting flap and the receive portion), without trapping that coin (i.e., between the pre-sorting flap and the receive portion of the channel). Thus, the coin sorter may be operated more quickly than traditional units by purposefully closing the pre-sorting flap over currently transitioning coins which have not yet cleared the pre-sorting flap. As a result an overall throughput of the coin sorter unit is improved. Additionally, a likelihood of mis-sorting coins may be reduced since a time to close the presorting flap between coins may be reduced.

[0020] As discussed below, the coin sorter unit of the first aspect may be for use in a coin receiver unit. Therefore, the transport path may be formed by a track (e.g., an inclined track) of a receive unit as described below. However, the coin sorter unit may also be used in other types of receive unit. For example, the transport path may be understood to be a transport route followed by coins in a rotating disk pickup wheel or by coins being transported on a moving track, similar to a tank tread or caterpillar track.

[0021] The receive portion of the channel between the transport path and the one or more exit channels may be a surface of a track, or a recess, or lip located on and / or below the transport path which the sorting flap is configured to move towards and / or rest against in the closed configuration. Accordingly, the receive portion may be referred to herein as a channel surface, an interfacing portion, or a flap receive element etc. The receive portion may also be understood to be a lower portion of the transport path or track (which a coin may fall past and slide against as the coin falls towards the one or more exit channels).

[0022] The closing force (observed between the pre-sorting flap and the receive portion of the channel) may be no more than 0.5N, more preferably no more than 0.2N, more preferably no more than 0.1 N. The present inventors have found that by providing a weak closing force in this way helps to prevent coins from being trapped by the pre-sorting flap. For example, if a coin weighs e.g., 2 grams, using an example coefficient of friction of 0.4, a force pushing on the coins which is equal to less equivalent to 5 grams (e.g., ~0.5N) is insufficient to trap the coin, thereby preventing jamming of the pre-sorting flap. Thus, the pre-sorting flap may be closed more quickly, and deliberately on top of a coin, before waiting for that coin to fall all the way past the pre-sorting flap. Once a first coin has fallen beyond the receive portion, the pre-sorting flap may contact the receive portion in the closed configuration this preventing any subsequent coins falling from the transport path.

[0023] The pre-sorting flap may be resiliency biased towards the closed configuration by a biasing member. For example, the pre-sorting flap may be resiliency biased towards the receive portion (e.g., a channel surface or a track surface of the transport path) when in the closed configuration. The biasing member may be a lightly-sprung biasing member which is configured to enable a coin to fall (under gravity) between the pre-sorting flap and the receive portion when the pre-sorting flap is in the closed- configuration. For example, the pre-sorting flap may be resiliently biased by a biasing member having a spring constant of no more than 0.01 N / m.

[0024] The biasing member may include a spring connected to the pre-sorting pivot axis. For example, the spring may be a torsion spring. For example, a spring constant (k) of the biasing member may be no more than 0.01 N / m, or no more than 0.005 N / m, more preferably no more than 0.002 N / m. For example, the spring constant (k) may be between 0.1 mN / m to 10 mN / m, more preferably between 0.5 mN / m to 5 mN / m. Weakly biasing the pre-sorting flap in this way can ensure that a transiting coin, which has already been sorted, cannot be trapped by the pre-sorting flap in the closed configuration. Accordingly, the controller may be configured to purposefully close the pre-sorting flap onto a transiting coin thus enabling the pre-sorting flap to be adjusted more quickly between coins and thus shorted a between-coins operating speed of the coin sorter unit.

[0025] The pre-sorting flap may be configured to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration in the presence of an active opening force (the active opening force being configured to overcome the biasing of the biasing member). For example, the coin sorter unit may further comprise a solenoid connected to the pre-sorting flap, wherein the pre-sorting flap is configured to move from the closed to the open configuration when an opening force is provided by the solenoid to the pre-sorting flap.

[0026] The solenoid may be connected to the pre-sorting flap via a directional coupler. The directional coupler may be configured to: couple a plunger of solenoid to the pre-sorting flap when the pre-sorting flap is moving towards the closed configuration, and decouple the plunger of the solenoid from the pre-sorting flap when the pre-sorting flap is moving towards the closed configuration. Advantageously, by mechanically decoupling the solenoid from the pre-sorting flap when the pre-sorting flap is moving towards, or is in, the closed configuration, a return spring of the solenoid can be prevented from contributing to the closing force. Therefore, the desired weak closing force (for permitting coins trapped behind the pre-sorting flap to fall) can be preserved, even if a force provided by the return spring of the solenoid is greater than the desired closing force of the pre-sorting flap.

[0027] The controller may be configured to determine, from the sensed position of the one or more coins, an activation time for operating the pre-sorting flap which coincides with the one or more coins moving adjacent to the pre-sorting flap along the transport path. The controller may then operate the pre-sorting flap to be in the open or closed configuration at the activation time.

[0028] The sensor for detecting a position of one or more coins may be configured to detect when a plurality of coins are being transported along the transport path. For example, when a first and second coin are being transported along the transport path e.g., by respective transport elements. The controller may then be configured to operate the pre-sorting flap to: accept a first coin of the plurality of coins by opening the presorting flap when the first coin is moving adjacent to the pre-sorting flap, and reject a second coin of the plurality of coins by closing the pre-sorting flap over the first coin before the second coin reaches the presorting flap. Therefore, the controller may purposefully close the pre-sorting flap onto the first coin as it is moving past the pre-sorting flap such that the first coin contacts the receive portion and the pre-sorting flap before falling towards the one or more exit channels. The weak biasing of the pre-sorting may then enable the first coin to continue moving past the pre-sorting flap to one of the exit channels. As a result, the pre-sorting flap can be closed more quickly, before the second coin can fall past the pre-sorting flap, thus preventing the second coin from being sorted with the first coin.

[0029] This may be particularly useful when a second coin is detected by the sensor in an undesired position on the transport path. For example, when a second coin is closer to a first coin than predetermined (expected) distance.

[0030] For example, this may happen when a coin isolation mechanism (e.g., as described below) experiences a failure event thus allowing a plurality of coins to be transported along the transport path by a single transport element. A second coin may then be pushed ahead of another coin by the single transport element, thus causing the second coin to be closer to a first coin of a preceding transport element than desired. In other examples, a second coin may bounce, forwards, off of a transport element towards first coin of a preceding transport element thus causing the first and second coins to be closer to each other than desired. When the sensor detects such an event, the pre-sorting flap may be closed quickly over the first coin, thus enabling the first coin to be sorted without risking the coin sorter unit jamming or the second coin being sorted with the first. Accordingly, a coin to coin closing time of the pre-sorting flap may be improved compared to traditional units.

[0031] The pre-sorting flap may comprise a planar member extending from the pre-sorting pivot axis towards and upper edge. A ledge may extend from the planar member towards the receive portion of the channel. The ledge may extend orthogonally from the planar member thereby forming an L-shaped cross-section of the pre-sorting flap. The ledge may extend parallel to a transport direction of the transport path. Accordingly, when the pre-sorting flap is in the closed configuration coins may rest on and be transported along the ledge of the pre-sorting flap.

[0032] The transport path may be a sorting portion of a track. The pre-sorting pivot axis may then be located below the sorting portion of the track. Accordingly, when the pre-sorting flap is in the closed configuration, a ledge extending from the pre-sorting flap (as mentioned above) may contact the receive portion and extend along a lower edge of the sorting portion of the track for supporting a coin being transported along the sorting portion of the track. When the pre-sorting flap is in the open configuration, the ledge of the presorting flap may be separated from the receive portion thereby allowing the coin to pass between the receive portion and the pre-sorting flap towards the one or more exit channels. In this example, the receive portion may be a lower surface of the track or a lip or recess below the track for receiving the ledge of the pre-sorting flap.

[0033] The one or more exit channels may be a plurality of exit channels. In these examples, the coin sorter unit may additionally comprise one or more secondary sorting flaps, separating each of the exit channels, for selectively opening and closing the exit channels. The secondary sorting flaps are discussed in more detail below in relation to further aspects of the present disclosure.

[0034] In an additional aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin receive unit comprising a coin sorter unit according to any other aspect discussed herein.

[0035] For example, in an additional aspect of the present disclosure there is provided: coin receive unit for collecting and sorting coins, the coin receive unit comprising: a coin transport path; an input zone configured to feed coins to a coin collection location along the transport path; a coin processing unit for analysing and sorting the coins, the coin processing unit being located along the transport path; and a transport unit configured to transport coins received from the coin collection location around a portion of the coin transport path towards the coin processing unit; wherein the coin processing unit comprises: a validator configured to classify the coins being transported around the transport path; and a coin sorter unit according to any other aspect discussed herein, wherein the coin sorter unit is configured to selectively divert coins being transported by the transport unit into a selected one of the exit channels based on the classifications determined by the validator.

[0036] The transport unit may be understood to be any transport system suitable for moving coins around the receive unit such as a rotating disk pickup wheel, a moving tank tread, or one or more transport element configured to move around a track. For example, the coin transport path may be formed by an inclined track. The transport unit may comprise one or more transport arm extending across the inclined track. Each transport arm may be configured to move around the track to transport coins along the transport path. The plurality of exit channels may then be positioned below the sorting portion of the inclined track such that, in use, coins being transported through a sorting portion of the inclined track fall through the selected exit channel under gravity when the pre-sorting flap is in the open configuration.

[0037] Further aspects of the present disclosure provide a coin sorter unit having at least two exit channels positioned at a same location along the track. The at least two exit channels are separated by a sorting flap which is able to pivot between a first configuration wherein an opening to a first of the exit channels is exposed to the track for receiving coins and a second of the exit channels is blocked by the flap, and a second configuration wherein the second exit channel is exposed, and the first exit channel is blocked by the flap. The coin sorter unit is therefore able to sort coins quickly, enabling an overall higher throughput of coins through the receive unit.

[0038] In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin sorter unit for sorting coins being transported along a track. The coin sorter unit comprises a plurality of exit channels, wherein the coin sorter unit is configured to selectively divert coins being transported along the track into a selected one of the exit channels based on the classifications determined by a validator and one or more sorting flaps, wherein each sorting flap is pivotably mounted at a respective pivot axis, wherein the plurality of exit channels are located at a common position along the transport path and are separated from each other by a respective one of the sorting flaps, such that the one or more sorting flaps are selectively pivotable to open a selected exit channel and close the remaining exit channel(s).

[0039] The coin sorter unit of the present aspect may be for use in a coin receive unit of any of the other aspects discussed herein.

[0040] Thus, the coin sorter unit is configured to selectively divert the coins by controlling the one or more sorting flaps to open the selected exit channel. Advantageously, by positioning the exit channels at a same location along the transport path with a flap between each exit channel, the coin sorter unit is able to divert and sort coins at a much faster rate than traditional units, for example, wherein exit channels may be positioned side by side along the transport path and have respective closing flaps. As a result an overall throughput of the receive unit is improved.

[0041] In addition, by arranging the exit channels and sorting flaps in this way, the coin sorter unit can be implemented in a more compact form than traditional units making the receive unit smaller, lighter, and easier to transport and install in transactions machines that traditional units.

[0042] The one or more sorting flaps may be combined with a pre-sorting flap, as discussed above in relation to the first aspect. Accordingly, the one or more sorting flaps may be referred to herein as secondary sorting flaps.

[0043] In an additional aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide: a coin receive unit for collecting and sorting coins comprising: an inclined track forming a coin transport path; an input zone configured to feed coins to a coin collection location along the transport path, a coin processing unit for analysing and sorting the coins, the coin processing unit being located along the transport path; and one or more transport arms configured to move around the track to transport coins received from the coin collection location around a portion of the coin transport path towards the coin processing unit. The coin processing unit comprises: a validator configured to classify the coins being transported around the track; and a coin sorter unit comprising a plurality of exit channels, wherein the coin sorter unit is configured to selectively divert coins being transported along a sorting portion of the inclined track into a selected one of the exit channels based on the classifications determined by the validator; wherein the coin sorter unit comprises one or more sorting flaps, wherein each sorting flap is pivotably mounted at a respective pivot axis, wherein the plurality of exit channels are located at a common position along the transport path and are separated from each other by a respective one of the sorting flaps, such that the one or more sorting flaps are selectively pivotable to open a selected exit channel and close the remaining exit channels.

[0044] The following features may be present in any of the aspects described herein except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

[0045] The inclined track may be an elongate track including an elongate upper portion and an elongate lower portion connected by first and second curved portions to form a continuous coin transport path along the track. The sorting portion of the inclined track may be included in the elongate upper portion of the track.

[0046] Each transport arm may be positioned orthogonally across the inclined track and configured to move around the track. Further, the transport arms may be configured to: divert excess coins being transported by each transport arm away from the transport path and towards the coin collection location, such that each transport arm is configured to provide no more than one coin to the coin processing unit during each circulation of the inclined track.

[0047] The inclined track may be ovular or, more preferably, stadium-shaped (i.e., racetrack shaped). Accordingly, (when the inclined track is stadium-shaped) the elongate portions may be straight portions of track connecting the first and second curved portions. Alternatively, (when the inclined track is oval shaped) the elongate portions may be curved.

[0048] A distance between the first and second curved portions may be larger than a distance between the lower and upper portion portions. The inclined track may be stationary, and the transport arms may be configured to move relative to the track around the continuous transport path. The transport arms may be configured to more in a transport direction around the track. Accordingly, the transport arms may move along the continuous transport path.

[0049] The transport path formed by the track may be a route which is followed by coins being transported around the track. Accordingly, the transport path may correspond to a surface of the inclined track upon which coins being pushed by the transport arms may slide.

[0050] The validator may comprise one or more sensors configured to classify and / or identify the coins being transported around the track along the transport path. For example, the validator may be configured to determine a denomination or size, thickness, diameter, or magnetism of each coin passing through the validator.

[0051] Each exit channel may be an opening or conduit configured to divert the sorted coins to a chute or storage container for receiving coins of a specific category. Each exit channel may be covered by a respective sorter flap or gate. When there is a plurality of sorting flaps, the sorting flaps may be located at a common position along the transport path. The flaps may be configured to selectively open or close an exit channel when the validator unit detects a coin of a specific category. For example, a plurality of sorter flaps may be provided adjacent to each other along the upper (or lower) elongate portion of the transport path. Accordingly, selectively opening the selected exit channel may comprise exposing the selected exit channel to the sorting portion of the inclined track whereas selectively closing an exit channel may comprise blocking said channel with one of the sorting flaps to prevent passage of a coin therethrough.

[0052] The coin processing unit may comprise a controller configured to receive the classification of a coin from the validator and operate the one or more sorting flaps according to the classification to sort the coin.

[0053] The one or more sorting flaps and the plurality of exit channels may be positioned below the sorting portion of the inclined track. Therefore, in use, coins being transported through the sorting portion may fall through the selected exit channel under gravity when the selected exit channel is open.

[0054] The coin processing unit may be located along the elongate upper portion of the inclined track. The exit channels of the coin sorter may therefore be located directly below the elongate upper portion of the inclined track. The one of more sorter flaps (e.g., diverter flaps) may be located below the elongate upper portion of the track. In other examples, the coin processing unit may be positioned elsewhere on the track e.g., along the bottom portion of the track. Positioning the coin processing unit along the upper portion, in particular, enables the coin receive unit to be more compact because the sorting flaps and exit channels (e.g., leading to coin storage units) may be located between the lower and upper portions of the track.

[0055] Each of the one or more sorting flaps may be arranged so that an axis of rotation of the sorting flap, extending through the respective pivot axis (which may also be referred to as a pivot point or a hinge), extends parallel to a transport direction of the sorting portion of the inclined track. For example, the axis of rotation of each sorting flap may be parallel to the elongate upper portion of the track. Accordingly, the one of more sorting flaps may be configured to pivot (between closed and open configurations) towards and away from a plane defined by the inclined track. In this way, coins moving from the track towards the selected exit channel can slide along one of the flaps towards the exit channel even if the coin has sideways momentum in the transport direction. The sorting is therefore more reliable than if, for example, the flaps pivoted about an axis orthogonal to the transport direction.

[0056] Each of the one or more sorting flaps may be a substantially planar element extending from its respective pivot axis to an edge of the sorting flap (which may be referred to as an opposite edge, a front edge, moving edge, or interfacing edge). The edge may therefore move from one exit channel to another when the sorting flap pivots, thereby opening and closing each of those exit channels depending on which side the edge is on.

[0057] Each of the one or more sorting flaps may have a tapered shape. For example, a cross-section of each sorting flap may be tapered from its respective pivot axis towards an opposite edge of the sorting flap (e.g., the edge proximal to the sorting portion of the track). Accordingly, each sorting flap may be thicker at its respective pivot axis than at the opposite edge. The cross-section of each sorting flap may taper towards a point at the opposite edge. Therefore, the sorting flaps may be viewed as being formed of two opposite ramp faces, wherein each ramp face is present a sliding surface to coins being diverted from the inclined track. For example, a first thickness of each sorting flap at its respective pivot axis may be at least 5mm thick, thickness being measured orthogonally to a plane of the incline track. A second thickness of a front edge of each sorting flap, which is proximal to the sorting portion of the inclined track, may be no more than 2.5mm wide. Opposite faces of each flap may then be tapered from the first thickness at the pivot axis to the second thickness at the opposite edge.

[0058] Each of the one or more sorting flaps may extend (upwards) from its respective pivot axis, which is distal to the sorting portion of the inclined track, to the edge of the sorting flap which is proximal to the sorting portion of the inclined track. Therefore, when the exit channels and the one or more sorting flaps are located below the inclined track, the pivot axis may be located at a lower most portion of the flap such that the flap extends upwards towards the sorting portion of the track. Orientating the one or more sorting flaps in this way, wherein the distal, moving edges of the flaps are proximal to the track, enables the selected sorting channel to be changed quicker as additional coins are transported in to the processing unit. For example, the configuration of the sorting flaps may be changed after a first coin has fallen past the front edge of a sorting flap, even if the first coin is still falling past the remainder of the sorting flap during the change in configuration, whilst still ensuring that the first coin is diverted to the correct exit channel. Therefore, the configuration of the one or more sorting flaps may be updated quickly in preparation for a second coin arriving at the sorting portion of the track.

[0059] The coin sorter unit may comprise N exit channels separated by N-1 sorting flaps. N may be at least two, more preferably at least three. The one or more sorting flaps may be a plurality of sorting flaps. For example, the coin sorter unit may comprise at least three sorting flaps separating at least four exit channels. For example, the coin sorter unit may comprise three sorting flaps configurated to separate (and choose between) four exit channels.

[0060] The respective pivot axes of the sorting flaps may be independent pivot axes which are separated from each other by a separation distance. Each separation distance may be at least sufficient for a coin to pass therethrough. For example, each separation distance may be at least 5mm wide, more preferably at least 8mm wide. Therefore, a coin may travel to the selected exit channel by passing between the pivot axes.

[0061] The one or more sorting flaps may be located in a container chute, whereby a first and / or second side walls of the container chute define a first and / or second of the exit channels, the exit channels being separate from each other by the one or more sorting flaps. The first and / or second side walls of the container chute may be separated from the respective pivot axes of first and / or second sorting flaps of the one or more sorting flaps by a respective separation distance. As above, each separation distance between a side wall and a pivot axis of a sorting flap may be at least sufficient for a coin to pass therethrough. For example, each separation distance may be at least 5mm wide, more preferably at least 8mm wide. Accordingly, a coin may pass into one of the exit channels between a pivot axis and a side wall of the container chute.

[0062] Advantageously, by providing a space between each of the pivot axes and / or the side walls, coins may pass into a selected exit-channel through said space. Therefore, when the sorting flaps extend upwards from the pivot axis, coins may fall past the pivot axes straight into an exit channel. Additionally, the provision of a space means that the sorting flaps may be pivoted between different configurations when a coin is still falling adjacent to the sorting flaps without pinching or trapping the coin between the sorting flaps. Accordingly, the configuration of the sorting flaps may be changed more frequently thus increasing the sorting speed and throughput of the coin sorter unit.

[0063] As mentioned above, the coin transport path may be a continuous coin transport path (e.g., a ring, circular, cyclic, loop, endless etc). Accordingly, a portion of the inclined track may connect the sorting portion to the coin collection location of the track. The coin processing unit may be configured to reject coins depending on the classification from the validator. The one or more transport arms may then be configured to circulate rejected coins from the coin processing unit back to the coin collection location.

[0064] The coin sorter unit may be configured to control the one or more sorting flaps to close each of the exit channels when a coin traveling along the sorting portion of the inclined track is rejected. Accordingly, the rejected coin may be circulated back to the coin collection location.

[0065] The coin sorter unit may comprise a pre-sorting flap configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration to selectively open and close a connection between the coin transport path (e.g., the sorting portion of the inclined track) and the one or more sorting flaps (and the plurality of exit channels). For example, the pre-sorting flap may be located between the one or more sorting flaps and the sorting portion of the inclined track. In other words, the pre-sorting flap may be located between the plurality of exit channels and the coin transport path. The coin sorter unit may be configured to move the pre-sorting flap to the closed configuration when a coin is rejected such that the rejected coin continues to be transported around the coin transport path (and circulated back to the coin collection location). Therefore, the pre-sorting flap may be used to accept and reject coins irrespective of the configuration of the one or more sorting flaps. For example, the pre-sorting flap may be configured to close the connection to the one or more sorting flaps when the validator fails to identify a coin or classifies the coin as undesired.

[0066] Accordingly, the coin sorter unit may be considered to be a two-stage coin sorter unit when it comprises a pre-sorting flap.

[0067] The pre-sorting flap may be configured to pivot between the open and closed configurations about a presorting pivot axis (e.g., a hinge). The pre-sorting flap may be a planar element extending between the pre-sorting pivot axis and a moving edge which is opposite to the pre-sorting pivot axis. As mentioned above, the pre-sorting flap may comprise a ledge extending from the planar element. The pre-sorting pivot axis may be located below the sorting portion of the inclined track, such that: when the pre-sorting flap is in the closed configuration, the ledge of the pre-sorting flap, may form a lower support ledge extending along a lower edge of the sorting portion for supporting a coin being transported along the sorting portion of the inclined track, and when the pre-sorting flap is in the open configuration, the ledge of the pre-sorting flap may be separated from the sorting portion of the inclined track thereby allowing the coin to pass therethrough. Accordingly, an axis of rotation of the pre-sorting flap (extending through the pre-sorting pivot axis) and the moving edge may be parallel to the sorting portion of the inclined track. As discussed above in the first aspect, the pre-sorting flap may be resiliently biased towards the closed configuration by a spring. The spring may provide a providing a weak spring force. For example, a spring constant of a spring biasing the pre-sorting flap may be no more than 100N / m, or no more than 50N / m. For example, the spring constant may be between 15N / m to 50N / m, more preferably between 20N / m to 40N / m.

[0068] By weakly biasing the pre-sorting flap (i.e., with the weak spring force) the spring can be easily overcome, thereby enabling the pre-sorting flap to be opened and closed quickly and preventing transiting coins from being trapped between the pre-sorting flap and the track. This is particularly, useful if the validator detects more than one coin being transported by a transport arm (e.g., if the singulation means discussed below experiences a fault event) then the pre-sorting flap can change configurations fast enough to sort one of the two coins whilst rejecting the other.

[0069] The pre-sorting flap may be configured to move from the closed to the open configuration when an opening force is provided by a solenoid connected to the pre-sorting flap. The solenoid may be configured to move the pre-sorting flap when an activation signal is provided by the controller of the coin sorter unit.

[0070] The coin sorter unit may comprise a sensor array configured to detect when a coin has travelled past the pre-sorting flap (when the pre-sorting flap is in the open configuration). The coin sorter unit may be configured to move the pre-sorting flap to the closed configuration when the sensor array has detected that the coin has travelled behind the pre-sorting flap. Therefore, more accurate timing control of the sorting flaps may be implemented.

[0071] Each of the one or more sorting flaps and, optionally, the pre-sorting flap comprise a plurality of apertures. The shape and / or size of each aperture may be configured to prevent the passage of a coin therethrough. Providing apertures in the sorting flaps reduces a weight of each flap thereby enabling quicker switching of each flap and increased throughput of the sorter unit.

[0072] Each of the one or more sorting flaps may be connected to a respective solenoid. The coin sorter unit may be configured to operate each solenoid to move the one or more sorting flaps to open the selected exit channel and / or close the unselected exit channel(s).

[0073] The coin processing unit may further comprise a transport arm sensor configured to sense a position of a transport arm of the one or more transport arms, for example, when the transport arm is in the sorting portion of the inclined track. Therefore, the controlling of the one or more sorting flaps to open the selected exit channel may comprise: determining, from the sensed position of the transport arm, an activation time for opening the selected exit channel which coincides with the transport arm moving adjacent to the selected exit channel. The sorting unit may be configured to move the one or more sorting flaps into a configuration for opening the selected exit channel at or before the determined activation time. Additionally, the controlling of the one or more sorting flaps to open the selected exit channel may include moving the pre-sorting flap to the open configuration at or before the determined activation time.

[0074] The coin receive unit may further comprising one or more anti-bounce members (which may be referred to herein as a diverting mechanism, spring member, or a coin securing element). Each anti-bounce member may be a sprung (metal) member extending across the inclined track and configured to exert a securing force on a coin to push the coin towards a respective transport arm. At least one of the antibounce members may extend across the sorting portion of the track to act on a coin as the coin is transported through the sorting portion by the respective transport arm. In this way, the anti-bounce member can ensure that each coin is in contract with its respective driving arm as it approaches the coin sorter unit. This facilitates the timing and reliability of the coin sorter unit by ensuring that the one or more sorter flaps open or close when the coin is in the correct position to fall through the flaps.

[0075] Additionally, each of the ant-bounce members are configured to bias a coin towards the inclined track. Therefore, the coins are able to more reliably fall towards the exit channels. By biasing the coins towards the track in this way, the pre-sorting flap need only a sufficient amount to allow a coin, flush with the track, to pass therethrough. Accordingly, the pre-sorting flap can switch between the open and closed configurations by pivoting only a small distance, compared to if an anti-bounce member was not present, thus enabling the pre-sorting flap to operate faster.

[0076] The receive unit may comprise at least two anti-bounce members positioned in subsequent positions along the transport path (i.e., one after the other, adjacent to each other along a transport direction). A second of the anti-bounce members may extend across a portion of the inclined track between the validator and the sorting portion of the inclined track, e.g., prior to the sorter unit in the transport direction.

[0077] The coin sorter unit may be configured to reject coins. For example, if the validator fails to identify or classify a coin, the diverter flaps may remain closed so that the coin continues to travel around the track on its respective transport arm. The receive unit may be configured to circulate rejected coins back to the feed bowl.

[0078] The transport arms (also referred to as sweep arms, blades, or lugs) may be elongate members configured to lie across a surface of the inclined track for pushing coins along that surface of the track, along the transport path. Accordingly, a longitudinal axis of each transport arms may be substantially orthogonal to the transport path (and / or a transport direction) defined by the track. Each transport arm may extend from an outer circumference of the track towards an inner circumference of the track.

[0079] The first curved portion (or section) of the inclined track may be referred to as a feed curve or an upward curve. Accordingly, the feed curve may connect the lower portion of the track to the upper portion such that coins being transported in the transport direction (along the transport path) may be delivered from the lower portion around the feed curve to the upper portion. Accordingly, the first curved portion may be located after the feed unit and prior to the upper portion in the transport direction.

[0080] The second curved portion of the inclined track may be referred to as an exit curve or a downward curve. Accordingly, the exit curve may connect the upper portion to the lower portion of the inclined track such that coins being transported in the transport direction may be delivered from the upper portion around the second curved portion to the lower portion of the track. Accordingly, the second curved portion may be located after the upper portion in the transport direction. The excess coins may be one or more coins which are additional to a first coin being transported by each transport arm. For example, one or more excess coins may be stacked on top of the first coin (this may be referred to herein as z-axis stacking). In other examples, one or more excess coins may be located adjacent to the first coin. Specifically, the adjacent excess coins may be located in front of or behind the first coin in the transport direction (this may be referred to herein as y-axis stacking), and / or the adjacent excess coins may be located beside the first coin in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (this may be referred to herein as x-axis stacking).

[0081] The coin receive unit may be considered to comprise a singulation means for diverting the excess coins away from the track. The singulation means may be configured to reject one or more excess coins being transported by each transport arm before the one or more excess coins are transported to the coin processing unit. Accordingly, the singulation means (which may be referred to as a coin isolator, an isolation means or a singulation mechanism) may be configured to isolate coins being transported around the inclined track between the feed unit and the coin processing unit so that each transport arm is configured to deliver an individual coin to the coin processing unit during each circulation of the track.

[0082] The singulation means may include one or more of the mechanisms or components for diverting excess coins away from the inclined track which are described herein. Each of the one or more singulation means may be particularly suited for diverting excess coins which are stacked on top of, or next to, a first coin in one of the three stacking configurations described above. For example, the singulation means may comprise one or more of: the transport arms moving around the track at a particular velocity; and / or the transport arms having a particular shape and / or separation distance; and / or an upper ledge and a coin rejection channel for receiving excess coins; and / or a coin rejection ramp for diverting excess coins.

[0083] These singulation means are discussed in more detail below. Each of the above singulations means may be included alone, or provided in combination, with one or more of the other singulation means.

[0084] For example, the singulation means may be implemented by driving the transport arms at a particular velocity according to (a), wherein the particular velocity is within a range that that facilitates excess coins to fall away from the track. In a further example, the transport arms may be driven at the particular velocity according to (a), which, in combination with the shape of the transport arms according to (b), may cause excess coins to be rejected more reliably. In a further example, a coin rejection channel according to singulation means (c), which is described in detail below, may be provided in combination with (or alternatively) to the particular transport arm shape according to (b) so that some excess coins may fall from the track through the coin rejection channel thereby further improving the coin isolation ability of the receive unit. The input zone may be input aperture or path through which coins may be fed towards the lower portion and / or the first curved portion of the inclined track. The coin collection location may be located along the lower portion and / or the first curved portion of the inclined track.

[0085] The input zone may include a feed unit comprising an input path, channel, or coin chute configured to feed coins towards the coin collection location. In some examples, the input zone may simply comprise an aperture through which coins may be fed towards the coin collection location. In some examples, the feed unit may comprise an open-topped container or feed bowl which is configured to slope towards the lower portion and / or the first curved portion of the inclined track. Accordingly, coins fed into the feed bowl may slide towards and rest against the inclined track until they are picked up by one or more of the transport arms moving through the coin collection location. The feed bowl may have an upper opening through which excess coins may fall back into the feed bowl. Coins may be received by the receive unit, through the upper opening of the feed bowl. In some examples, the input zone may comprise a coin chute and a feed bowl wherein the upper opening of the feed bowl may be accessible via the coin chute, wherein coins inserted into the coin chute may fall into the feed bowl via the coin chute and the upper opening.

[0086] The coin receive unit may comprise a ledge extending along a lower edge of the elongate upper portion for supporting coins being transported along the upper portion of the inclined track. Accordingly, coins being transported along the upper portion may rest upon (and slide along) the ledge. The ledge may extend from an upstream end of the ledge (proximal to the first curved portion of the track) to a downstream end of the ledge (distal to the first curved portion of the track) in the transport direction (i.e., along the transport path).

[0087] As discussed above, the receive unit may comprise a coin rejection channel between the ledge and the first curved portion. More specifically, the coin rejection channel (or an inlet to the coin rejection channel) may be between the upstream end of the ledge and the first curved portion of the track. The coin rejection channel may be a coin chute or a void for receiving falling coins. More specifically, the coin rejection channel may correspond to a section of the upper portion of the inclined track, proximal to the first curved portion, in which the ledge does not extend. Therefore, coins being transported around the first curved portion to the upper portion may cross the coin rejection channel to the ledge or they may fall through the channel towards the coin collection location.

[0088] The coin rejection channel may be configured to receive falling coins from the transport path. Therefore, excess coins being transported around the first curved portion of the track towards the elongate upper portion may fall through the coin rejection channel towards the coin collection location. In particular, the coin rejection channel may be configured to direct excess coins towards the coin rejection channel (and the feed bowl). That is, excess coins which are being transported around the first curved portion towards the elongate upper portion may fall through the coin rejection channel to the coin collection location.

[0089] In use, the transport arms (130, 230) may be configured to transport coins around the track at a predetermined velocity such that, such that excess coins being transported around the first curved portion through the coin rejection channel. The predetermined velocity may be selected to ensure that single coins are provided sufficient moment to be transported from the first curved portion to the elongate upper portion, whilst enabling excess coins to fall from the track under gravity. For example, (as discussed below) the transport arms may be configured to move around the track at a velocity between 250 to 750 mm / s, more preferably between 450 to 650 mm / s, more preferably 550 mm / s. In this way, the transport arms may separate individual coins by imparting enough velocity to only a single coin per arm to make the “jump” to the ledge. Further, the same transport arm that isolates the coin then further transports the coin through the validation and sorting areas, or possibly returns the coin to the coin collection area for another attempt. The transport arm geometry, deadening pad and coin rejection ramp (discussed below) may be considered as vehicles by which the above is achieved more effectively.

[0090] The coin rejection channel, more specifically a width of the coin rejection channel, may be configured to divert one or more side-by-side (x-axis) stacked excess coins being transported the transport arms. A side-by-side stacked excess coin may be an excess coin positioned next to a first coin orthogonally to the transport direction. Accordingly, excess coins rejected by the coin rejection channel may be adjacent to a first coin such that the excess coins and the first coin rest against the respective transport arm.

[0091] For example, an upstream end of the upper ledge may be separated from an inner edge of the track by a distance (measured along an axis which extends parallel to and level with the upper ledge e.g., a horizontal width) of between 20mm to 70mm, more preferably between 30mm to 60mm, more preferably between 40mm to 50mm, more preferably 45mm. This distance may be referred to as a width of the coin rejection channel. The present inventors have found that this distance is particularly suitable for singulating coins of different currencies and valuations at improved speeds compared to existing coin receive units.

[0092] Accordingly, the combination of the ledge and the rejection channel may be considered as forming a “leap of faith” for the coins being transported, the leap of faith thereby forming one of the singulation means. In this way, the excess coins can be diverted from the track more reliable than if the upper ledge extended all of the way towards the first curved portion of the track.

[0093] In some examples, the ledge may comprise an upper pad (i.e., a deadening pad) for softening the landing of coins received on the ledge. Accordingly, the upper pad may be configured to absorb the kinetic energy of coins falling onto the ledge and prevent the coins from bouncing. For example, the upper pad may be a rubber inlay of the ledge. However, the upper pad may comprise any other material suitable for absorbing or dampening kinetic energy.

[0094] The transport arms may be configured to move around the track at a velocity of at least 250 mm / s, more preferably at least 450 mm / s, more preferably at least 550 mm / s. The transport arms may be configured to move around the track at a velocity between 250 to 750 mm / s, more preferably between 450 to 650 mm / s, more preferably 550 mm / s. The present inventors have found that these velocities are particularly suited to ensuring that coins being transported around the track rest consistent against the driving arm while facilitating excess coins to be diverted from the track (e.g., by falling from the track as discussed above). Further, traditional coin receive units, for example which do not include orthogonally extending transport arms which extend across a track, are not suited for operating at these velocities without losing coins to unintended locations.

[0095] The coin receive unit may comprise a coin rejection ramp. The rejection ramp may be for deflecting the excess coins away from the inclined track such that the deflected coins fall towards the coin collection location. The coin rejection ramp may be configured to facilitate deflection of excess coins down the coin rejection channel before they reach the ledge on the upper portion of the track.

[0096] The coin rejection ramp may be located at an outer circumference of the inclined track. In use, one or more excess coins being transported by a transport arm may slide towards the outer circumference of the track under a centripetal force such that the one or more excess coins slide up the ramp thereby diverting the excess coins away from the inclined track until they fall away from the transport path (i.e., the surface of the track).

[0097] The coin rejection map may be configured to divert excess coins back to the coin collection location (or into the feed bowl). The coin rejection ramp may be configured to divert one or more excess coins, being transported by one of the transport arms, in which the one or more excess coins are positioned in-front of a first coin along the transport path, the first coin being pushed by a leading edge of the transport arm (i.e., the coin rejection ramp may be configured to reject y-axis stacked coins wherein one or more excess coins are positions next to a first coin in the transport direction).

[0098] The coin rejection ramp may be located between the coin collection location and the coin processing unit along the transport path. More specifically, the coin rejection ramp may be proximal to a meeting point of the first curved portion and the elongated upper portion of the inclined track. The coin rejection ramp may be located on an interface between the first curved portion and the elongate upper portion.

[0099] The coin rejection ramp may be a sloped face of a projection or ridge protruding from the outer circumference of the inclined track. The sloped face may extend from an outer periphery of the inclined track towards a distal edge of the ridge or projection such that one or more excess coins on the inclined track may slide up the sloped face away from the inclined track until they fall away from the transport path.

[0100] Each transport arm may comprise a sloped driving face extending away from a leading edge of the transport arm for diverting excess coins which are stacked onto a first coin, away from the transport path. Accordingly, each transport arm may be a blade comprising a narrowed or sloped leading face configured to deflect the excess coins away from the inclined track. In other words, each transport arm may have a chamfered leading edge thereby providing a sloped face on a leading side of the respective transport arm. The sloped face may be inclined away from a surface of the track towards a thicker portion of the transport arm. Accordingly, the excess coins which are stacked on top of a first coin (i.e., z-axis stacked coins) may slide up the sloped face of the transport arm and fall away from the transport path. Accordingly, the receive unit may isolate the coins being received more reliably than traditional receive units. The sloped leading edges of the transport arms may be considered as a singulation means. Each transport arm may comprise a leading edge having a first (outer) portion which is proximal to an outer circumference of the track, and a second (inner) portion which is distal to the outer circumference of the track (i.e., the “tip” of the transport arm). The leading edge of each transport arm may comprise a narrowing portion so that the first portion of each leading edge precedes the second portion of the leading edge when the transport arm is moving along the transport path. The first portion of each leading edge may therefore be tangentially displaced along the transport path in the transport direction relative to the second portion of the leading edge. Accordingly, a width of the transport arm may be wider at the first portion compared to the second portion owing to the narrowing portion.

[0101] The narrowing portion may be a slanted (angled) section or a curved section of the leading edge. In some examples, the entire leading edge may be angled so that the entire leading edge is angled from the outer edge of the track towards the inner edge. Accordingly, an outer width of each transport arm proximal to the outer circumference of the inclined track, may be wider than an inner width of the transport arm proximal to the inner circumference of the inclined track.

[0102] The transport arm may therefore be considered to have a tapered profile. This tapered profile may facilitate the isolation of the coins by making excess coins more likely to fall away from the track (i.e., down the coin rejection channel). For example, if two coins are resting side by side against the leading edge of a transport arm (i.e., an outer coin and an inner coin) then the outer coin may be lifted around the first curved portion curve and transported to the coin processing unit. However, the inner coin may be encouraged, by the narrowing portion of the transport arm, to fall away from the track as it reaches the upper section of the first curved portion. Increasing the angle of the narrowing portion to the tip of the transport arm can increase the biasing exerted on the inner coin to fall away.

[0103] In some examples, the first portion (where the transport arm is widest) may be a middle portion of the transport arm. The first portion may be connected to an outermost portion of the leading edge of the transport arm by a second narrowing portion. Accordingly, in this example, the transport arm may have a width which is wider in a middle of the transport arm, and which narrows towards the innermost and outmost portions of the transport arm. The second narrowing portion of the leading edge may facilitate an outer coin being transported by the transport arm to slide towards the outer circumference of the track, thereby providing more reliable transport of the coin and assisting the coin in making the “leap of faith” across the coin rejection channel. Accordingly, the portion of the transport arm which is contactable with an “inner” coin may be angled to encourage the “inner” coin to fall away from the inclined track, and the portion of the transport arm which is contactable with an “outer” coin may be angled in an opposite direction to assist the “outer” coin in making the “leap of faith”.

[0104] The transport arms may comprise a plurality of ribs protruding from an underside of each transport arm. The ribs may be configured to engage with and move along grooves provided in the inclined track thereby securing the transport arms to the track.

[0105] In use, the inclined track may be inclined at an angle between 30 degrees to 50 degrees, more preferably 45 degrees relative to a horizontal plane. For example, when the coin receive unit is installed in a host machine the inclined track may be inclined at these angles. By inclining the track in this way, individual coins can be reliably transported around the track while enabling excess coins to fall away from the track towards the coin collection location.

[0106] The inclined track may comprise a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves. The circumferentially extending grooves may be configured to receive respective ribs located on the underside of the transport arms thereby securing the transport arms to the inclined track and preventing coins from passing underneath the transport arms.

[0107] The transport arms may be connected to a drive system along an outer circumference of the inclined track, the drive system being configured to move the transport arms around the inclined track. The drive system may comprise a plurality of connected links (or linked elements) circulating the outer circumference of the track, wherein each of the one or more transport arms is connected to a respective link. Advantageously, the present inventors have found that the use of an external drive system (i.e., wherein the transport arms are driven from the outer circumference of the track) the transport arms exhibit more reliable pick-up of coins from the coin collection location than internally transport arms. In particular, the external drive system may cause the blades to move more slowly around the first curved portion resulting in more reliable coin pick-up. Additionally, the drive arms being driven externally may facilitate the provision of a clear channel between the upper portion of the track and the coin collection area thereby enabling excess coins to fall back into the feed bowl from the first curved portion and / or the upper portion of the track thereby reducing the likelihood of a blockage or jam.

[0108] The coin receive unit may comprise at least 4 transport arms, for example between 4 and 15 transport arms, for example 8 to 12 transport arms, for example 11 transport arms. A separation distance between a trailing edge of each transport arm and the leading edge of the next transport arm may be at least 35mm, more preferably at least 40mm. For example, the separation distance may be between 40mm and 80mm, more preferably between 50mm and 70 mm, more preferably between 60mm and 68 mm, more preferably 64mm. A corresponding pitch of the transport arms (i.e., a distance between a same reference point on each of the transport arms) may be between 60mm and 100mm, more preferably between 70mm and 90mm, more preferably between 78mm and 86mm, more preferably 82mm.

[0109] Providing a separation distance of this size can ensure that typical large coins (e.g., a 33mm coin being a typical largest coin) can fit between the transport arms. In particular, the present inventors have found that a separation distance between 60mm and 68 mm can accommodate such coins between the transport arms as they become angled towards each other around the curved portions of the track, while usefully rejecting excess smaller coins. For example, if a pair of 20mm coins are positioned between a driving arm and a second arm (in-front of the driving arm), the furthest forward coin will collide with the second arm as it moves around the first curved portion, and fall away, back into the input zone.

[0110] The upper and lower elongate portions of the inclined track may be at least 100mm, more preferably at least 200mm long, more preferably at least 400mm long. For example, the inclined track may be between 200mm and 600mm long, more preferably between 400 and 500 mm long. Therefore, the coins may be picked up, isolated, and sorted all in the same unit. The number of transport arms and / or the distances between the transport arms may be adjustable. For example, the connected links of the drive system may be replaceable. Accordingly, links comprising transport arms may be interchangeable with links without transport arms enabling the distance between the transport arms to be adjusted.

[0111] The receive unit may comprise a metal detector configured to detect coins entering (or moving towards) the input zone and / or the coin collection location. The receive unit may be configured to begin transporting coins in response to detecting coins in the input zone and / or the coin collection location. Therefore, if non-metal debris is past into the receive unit the metal detector will not detect non-metal debris and the receive unit will not start, thereby reducing a likelihood of the debris jamming or damaging the unit.

[0112] The receive unit may comprise an input flap (also referred to as a debris door) for selectively enabling coins to pass into the input zone. The input flap may also be configured as an exit flap for expelling debris from the input zone. For example, the input flap may be movable (e.g., pivotable or hinged) between: a first position in which an access channel to the coin receive unit is uncovered and an exit channel is covered, and a second position in which the access channel to the coin receive unit is covered and an exit channel is uncovered. Therefore, when the input flap is in the first position objects inserted into receive unit may pass into the input zone via the access channel and when the input flap is in the second position, objects inserted into the receive unit may be diverted down the exit channel.

[0113] The input flap may be controllable by a control unit. The control unit may be configured to operate the input flap to enable the detected coins to enter the input zone. In some examples, the control unit may also be configured to operate the receive unit to begin transporting coins towards the coin processing unit upon detection of the coins by the metal detector.

[0114] For example, the input flap may be a solenoid activated flap for selectively enabling coins to pass into the input zone and / or debris to pass into the exit channel. The input flap may be located downstream of the metal detector in the input zone so that coins may be directed into the input zone of the receive unit upon receiving a signal from the metal detector when the coins are detected.

[0115] The metal detector may be a coil surrounding an opening to the input zone (upstream of the input flap) so that coins being provided to the receive unit must pass through the coil. The coil may be configured to sense changes in eddy currents and transmit the sensed changed to a control unit which is configured to operate the input flap via the solenoid. In this way, the receive unit may be protected from jamming and damage which may be caused by unsuitable objects (i.e., plastic debris) being fed into the input zone.

[0116] The input flap may comprise a plurality of apertures for debris to pass therethrough. The apertures may be configured to prevent coins from passing therethrough. For example, a diameter of the apertures may be smaller than a diameter of coins from all or most currencies. Therefore, when a metal object is detected by the metal detector thereby causing the input flap to move into the first position to uncover the access channel to the input zone. However, if the metal object is debris smaller than a coin, the debris may instead fall through one of the apertures in the input flap to the exit channel for expelling, thereby preventing the debris from jamming or damaging the receive unit. The plurality of apertures may each be connected to a respective shallow trough portion in the input flap leads to the aperture such that metal debris moving over the input flap first falls into the trough portion and is directed towards the aperture. Each shallow trough portion may have a profile which broadens from an end of the trough portion towards the aperture in a “cheese grater style”.

[0117] The receive unit may comprise a control unit for controlling the drive system and / or the coin processing unit. For example, a drive speed of the transport arms may be configurable by the control unit. By speeding up or slowing down the transport arms, the coin receive unit can be tuned to more reliably isolate and transport coins. For example, when the receive unit comprises a coin rejection channel as described above, the transport arms may be optionally sped up or slowed down so that specific coins are less likely or more likely to fall down the rejection channel. Accordingly, by adjusting the drive speed, the receive unit may be selectively configured to collect and sort coins of a chosen size.

[0118] The receive unit may be configurable to perform a refill operation wherein the transport arms and the coin sorter are operated continuously to transport a plurality of coins to a storage container. The refill operation may enable a large number of coins may be paid into the receive unit quickly.

[0119] The receive unit may comprise separable front and rear sections. The front section may comprise a cover and, optionally, a feed unit of the input zone. The rear section may comprise the inclined track. The front and rear sections may be connected to each other via one or more hinges. Accordingly, the front and rear sections may be separated thereby providing access to the interior of the receive unit including the track and the drive system.

[0120] In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic transaction system for administering monetary transactions, the automatic transaction machine comprising: a coin receive unit according to any aspect described herein for collecting and sorting coins, and one or more coin storage units; wherein one or more exit channels of the coin receive unit are connected to the one or more coin storage units such that the coin processing unit of the coin receive unit is configured to selectively divert each coin to a selected one of the coin storage units.

[0121] In further aspect, embodiments of the present invention provides: a coin receive unit for collecting and sorting coins comprising: an inclined track including an elongate upper portion and an elongate lower portion connected by first and second curved portions to form a continuous coin transport path along the track; one or more transport arms, each transport arm positioned orthogonally across the inclined track and configured to move around the track; an input zone configured to feed coins to a coin collection location along the transport path, and a coin processing unit for analysing and sorting the coins, the coin processing unit being located along the transport path; wherein the transport arms are configured to: transport coins received from the coin collection location around a portion of the coin transport path towards the coin processing unit; and divert excess coins being transported by each transport arm away from the transport path and towards the coin collection location, such that each transport arm is configured to provide no more than one coin to the coin processing unit during each circulation of the inclined track. The present aspect may include any of the optional features discussed above in respect of the first aspect.

[0122] Advantageously, the coin receive (acceptor) unit can isolate and sort coins in the same operation thereby preventing the mixing of coins, enabling the receive unit to interface with downstream sensors and systems more easily, and consume less space than traditional units. In particular, the elongate track and the transport arms enable coins to be continuously circulated around the track multiple times. Therefore, coins which are not successfully sorted may be recycled back to the feed unit and transported to the coin processing unit again for a second validation attempt without a user being required to re-input the rejected coins.

[0123] Moreover, the present inventors have found that the combination of the elongate track and transport arms enables coins to be received and sorted more quickly and reliably than traditional coin receive units. In particular, the present inventors have found that the transport arms can pick up coins of different sizes more reliably. Moreover, as the tip of each transport arm (nearest to an inner circumference of the inclined track) moves around the first curved portion to the elongated portion its velocity increase relative to a base of the arm moving around an outer circumference of the track (i.e., the racetrack effect). This increase in velocity helps to ensure coins rest consistently against the transport arm as it passes through the coin processing unit. This can improve the consistency and reliability of signals in the processing unit. Accordingly, the coin receive unit of the present invention is quicker and more efficient at receiving and sorting large quantities of coins than traditional units, while being easier to configure for receiving different currencies.

[0124] In an additional aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic transaction system for administering monetary transactions, the automatic transaction system comprising a coin receive unit according to the previous aspect for collecting and sorting coins, and one or more coin storage units; wherein the coin processing unit of the coin receive unit is configured to selectively divert each coin to a selected one of the coin storage units.

[0125] The automatic transaction system may comprise a plurality of coin storage units, wherein each storage unit is configured to receive a specific category of coins.

[0126] Summary of the Figures

[0127] Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0128] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a monetary transaction system for receiving and dispensing coins;

[0129] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a coin receive unit according to aspects of the present invention;

[0130] Fig. 3 shows another perspective view of the coin receive unit;

[0131] Fig. 4 shows a section view of the coin receive unit; Fig. 5 shows another perspective view of the coin receive unit;

[0132] Fig. 6 shows a transport arm of the coin receive unit;

[0133] Figs. 7A-C show an excess coin falling through a coin rejection channel;

[0134] Figs. 7D shows excess coins falling through a coin rejection channel at three different locations of the transport arms;

[0135] Figs. 8A-C show an excess coin being diverted by a coin rejection ramp;

[0136] Fig. 9 shows a section view of a second receive unit according to aspects of the present invention;

[0137] Figs. 10-11 show a transport arm of the second receive unit;

[0138] Fig. 12 illustrates the separation distance between the transport arms;

[0139] Fig. 13A-B shows coins of difference sizes positioned between the transport arms;

[0140] Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of the second receive unit with a feed unit;

[0141] Fig. 15 shows the feed unit from the receive unit of Fig. 14;

[0142] Fig. 16 shows a section view of a third receive unit according to aspects of the present invention;

[0143] Fig. 17 shows a section view of the coin sorter unit;

[0144] Fig. 18a-e show section views of the coin sorter unit in different configurations;

[0145] Fig. 19-22 show perspective views of the coin sorter unit;

[0146] Fig. 23a shows a perspective view of the third receive unit;

[0147] Fig. 23b shows a picture of the third receive unit;

[0148] Figs 24-25 show perspective views of the third receive unit; and

[0149] Figs. 26-28 show pictures of a coin receive unit in use.

[0150] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0151] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

[0152] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an example monetary transaction system 1 for receiving and dispensing coins. For example, the system may form part of a slot machine or a vending machine.

[0153] A coin input unit 2 is provided for receiving a coin e.g., from a user wishing to initiate a monetary transaction. The input unit 2 may be a slot, chute, or a bowl for receiving and feeding the coin towards a receive unit 4 which is configured to collect and sort coins received from the coin input unit 2. If the coin receive unit 4 does not recognise the coin, then the coin is rejected and eventually fed back out of the system 1 via the coin input chute 2 or via a coin output unit 8. However, if the receive unit 4 recognises the coin, then the receive unit 4 is configured to sort and feed the coin into one of a plurality of coin hoppers 10.

[0154] Each coin hopper 10 includes a coin storage unit for holding a plurality of coins of a specific denomination and a dispensing unit for dispensing the coins to the coin output unit 8. In this example, three coin hoppers 10 are shown. Therefore, if the inserted coin is recognised by the receive unit 4 then it is sorted into an appropriate one of the coin hoppers 10 according to the coin’s denomination.

[0155] A controller s is provided to control the coin receive unit 4 and the coin hoppers 10. When input coin(s) are inserted into the system 1 , then the controller 6 adds up the value of the input coins to determine how many output coins should be paid out of each coin hopper 10 as change.

[0156] A coin receive unit 4 according to aspects of the present invention is described in relation to the following figures.

[0157] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a coin receive unit 100 for receiving and sorting coins. The receive unit 1 may be installed in a host system for administering monetary transactions (e.g., a self-service check-out machine, a vending machine, a slot machine, etc). The receive unit 100 includes a front section and a rear section hinged together to form a clamshell assembly.

[0158] In Fig. 2, the perspective view is a front view of the receive unit 100 showing a front cover 105 and a feed bowl 102 for receiving coins. The feed bowl 102 has an upper opening for receiving coins being paid into the host system. The feed bowl 102 is sloped to feed coins towards the interior of the receive unit 100.

[0159] Hinges 104 are provided in a bottom portion of the front cover 105 to enable the front and rear sections of the receive unit 100 to pivot apart and enable access to the interior of the receive unit 100. Handoperated latches 107 are provided along the top edge of the unit 100 to hold the front and rear sections together. A debris flap 106 is provided in a lower portion of the feed bowl 102 for expelling objects (i.e., debris) which are not coins. The operation of the debris flap 106 is described in more detail below in relation to Fig. 15.

[0160] Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the receive unit 100 including the hinges 104 and a coin exit area 108. The rear section of the receive unit 100 assembly includes a coin transport system, and a coin processing unit, each of which are discussed in more detail below. The coin exit area 108 forms part of the coin processing unit and the coin sorter unit described in detail below.

[0161] Fig. 4 shows a section view of the coin receive unit 100 of Figs. 2 and 3, with the front cover 105 absent. The coin transport system includes an inclined track 120 which is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees. The track 120 is a stadium shaped path including an elongate lower portion 120a and an elongate upper portion 120b connected by first 120c and second 120d curved portions to form a continuous coin transport path. Transport arms 130 are positioned orthogonally across the inclined track 120 and configured to move around the track 120 in a transport direction indicated by arrows 121 . The feed bowl 102 is configured to receive and feed coins towards a pick-up zone (a coin collection location) in the lower portion 120a of the track 120. The transport arms 130 circulating the track 120 are configured to pick up coins in the pick-up zone and transport them around the track 120. The inclined track 120 is stationary and the transport arms 130 are configured to move relative to the track 120 so that the leading edge of each transport arm 120 pushes coins along the coin transport path on the track 130.

[0162] The transport arms 130 are connected to a drive system around an outer circumference of the inclined track 120. The drive system comprises a plurality of connected links 132 configured to circulate the outer circumference of the inclined track 120. Each of the transport arms 130 is connected to one of the links 132 of the drive system.

[0163] A coin processing unit is provided along the upper portion 120b of the track 120 for detecting and sorting the coins being transported around the track 120. The coin processing unit includes a validator 140 located in a sense area followed by a coin sorter unit 150 (also referred to herein as a diverter unit) located in a sort area along a sorting portion of the inclined track 120. In use, the transport arms 130 pickup coins from the pick-up zone and transport them to the validator 140 which classifies the coins. An upper ledge 122 extends along the bottom of the upper portion 120b of the track 120, from an upstream end to a downstream end, so that coins being pushed along the upper portion 120b of the track are supported by the ledge 122.

[0164] The validator 140 is configured to identify coins being transported through the sense area. For example, the validator 140 may comprise any combination of: electromagnetic diameter coils (e.g., configured to sense the blocking of flux between two coils by a coin, multiple coils (e.g., including send and receive coil pairs using different frequencies to assess permeability), a coin thickness sensor (e.g., comprising an arm and a coil), and / or an acoustic sensor (e.g., comprising a ball bearing for exciting a ring and a microphone configured to sample the resulting ‘chime’). The identity of each coin is then communicated to a control unit (not shown) for controlling the subsequent diverter unit 150 in order to sort and divert the identified coins.

[0165] The diverter unit 150 in this example comprises a plurality of exit flaps covering a plurality of exit channels arranged adjacent to each other along the transport path. The exit channels lead to the coin exit area 108 shown in Fig. 2. When the receive unit 100 is installed in a host system, the exit channels are connectable, for example, to coin storage units or coin hoppers etc for further processing. The exit flaps are configured to open and close based on signals received from the control unit. Therefore, by selectively opening one of the exit flaps, coins being transported along the upper portion 120b of the track 120 can be sorted and diverted away from the receive unit 100 towards a selected location according to coin type. In this example, each exit channel comprises a respective exit flap for opening and closing that exit channel.

[0166] If the validator 140 does not recognise a coin being transported through the transport area, or there is no exit flap associated with a coin, then the coin is rejected and continues to circulate the track 120 until it is re-deposited in the feed bowl 102. After every operation, the debris flap (shown on Fig. 2) is cycled to remove any debris or unrecognised coins that are not picked up by the transport arms 130. The receive unit 100 comprises several different mechanisms for isolating the transported coins by rejecting excess coins being transported by each transport arm 130. The coin receive unit is configured to reject x, y, and z-stacked coins respectively by pushing excess coins away from the track 140 before they reach the validator 140. The excess coins which are diverted from the track 120 fall back into the feed bowl 102 for re-pick up by the transport arms 130.

[0167] Firstly, the transport arms 130 are driven around the track 120 at a speed which is configured to enable coins being transported to rest against a respective driving arm 130 while also enabling excess coins to fall from the track 120, or to flip over the driving arm 130 and fall into the feed bowl 102. The present inventors have found that a velocity of the transport arms 130 between 250-750mm / s is suitable for achieving this effect.

[0168] Moreover, as the tip of each transport arm 130 (nearest to an inner circumference of the inclined track 120) moves around the first curved portion (120c, 220c) 120c to the upper elongated portion 120b, the velocity of the tip increase relative to the base of the transport arm 130 which moves around the outer circumference of the track 120 (i.e., the racetrack effect). This increase in velocity of the tip helps to ensure that one coin rests consistently against the transport arm 120 and that excess coins fall off of the track as they reach the upper elongate portion 120b. This effect is supported by the particular shape of the transport arms 130 which is described in detail below.

[0169] Additionally, a coin rejection channel (124, 224) 124 is provided between the upper ledge 122 and the first curved portion (120c, 220c) 120c. This channel provides a “leap of faith” so that excess coins being transported between the first curve 120c and the upper portion 120b can fall through the channel 124 before they reach the upper ledge 122. This mechanism is described in more detail below in relation to Figs. 7A to 7C.

[0170] A further mechanism to help isolate the coins, is formed of a coin rejection ramp 126 located on the outer circumference of the inclined track 120. In use, excess coins which slide towards the ramp 127 under a centripetal force caused by the movement of the transport arms 130, slide up the ramp 126 and are flipped away from the track 120 so that they fall back into the feed bowl 102. This mechanism is described in more detail below in relation to Figs. 8A to 8C.

[0171] Finally, the shape of the transport arms 130 are configured to reject excess coins. This mechanism is described in more detail below in relation to Figs. 6 - 8.

[0172] Fig. 5 shows another perspective view of the receive unit 100 wherein the front and rear sections of the clamshell assembly are hinged apart to expose the interior of the receive unit 100.

[0173] Fig. 6 shows a close-up view of a transport arm 130 of the coin receive unit 100. Each transport arm 130 has a leading edge 134 which extends from the outer circumference of the track 120 to an inner circumference of the track. The leading edge comprises a narrowing portion 135 wherein the edge 134 is slanted towards a trailing edge 136 of the transport arm 130 thereby creating a narrower inner portion of the arm. Therefore, the outer part of the transport arm 130, proximal to the outer circumference of the track 120, is broader than an inner part of the transport arm 130, distal to the outer circumference of the inclined track 120.

[0174] The leading edge 134 of each transport arm 130 comprises ramp which slopes away from the surface of the track 120. Therefore excess coins which are stacked on top of one another (z-axis stacking) are encouraged to slide up the leading edge of the transport arm 130 away from the track 120, as the transport arm moves around the first curved portion (120c, 220c). This causes the excess coins to fall away from the track 120 and back into the feed bowl 102.

[0175] Figs. 7A to 7B shows an excess coin falling back into the collection bowl through the coin rejection channel 124. This combination of the coin isolation channel 124 and the upper ledge 122 is particularly effective at diverting x-axis stacked coins, as shown, where coins are resting side-by-side against a transport arm 130.

[0176] In Fig. 7A a transport arm 130 is transporting two coins, A and B, around the first curved portion 120c of the track 120 towards the upper portion 120b. The coins are resting side-by-side against the transport arm 130 (x-stacking).

[0177] In Fig. 7B the transport arm 130 is approaching the interface between the first curved portion 120c and the upper portion 120b where the coins begin to fall down under gravity. The lower coin, A, falls off of the transport arm 130 first and the feed bowl 102 via the coin rejection channel 124.

[0178] In Fig. 7C the transport arm 130 has reached the upper ledge 122 before the second coin B has fallen away. As shown in Fig. 7C, coin A instead falls onto the upper ledge 122 for validation by the validator 140 and sorting in the divertor unit 150.

[0179] Fig. 7D shows another example of excess coins falling through the coin rejection channel 124 as described above, wherein a single coin makes the “jump” to the upper ledge 122. As shown in Fig. 7D, by driving the transport arms 130 at a minimum predetermined velocity, a coin which is resting against one of the transport arms 130 at a high enough position is imparted enough momentum to cross the coin rejection channel 124 before falling into the channel 124. In contrast, excess coins which were positioned next to the first coin on the transport arm 130 fall back into the feed bowl 102 (labelled “coin pile in Fig. 7D) via the channel 124. An important feature of this singulation method is that the speed of the transport arms is reasonably fast (as previously described) to result in the dynamic coin sorting effect described.

[0180] In Fig. 7D, a transport arm 130 is shown in three different positions, A, B, and C which correspond to the transport arm positions of Figs. 7A to 7C above. In position A, the blade (i.e., the transport arm 130) picks up two coins A1 , A2 from the feed bowl 102. Next, at position B both coins B1 , B2 start to fall under gravity until the lower of the two coins B2 falls away from the leading face of the transport arm 130. The upper coin B1 continues to be pushed by the transport arm which is moving at a velocity sufficient to push the coin across the full width of the coin rejection channel 124 until it falls onto the upper ledge 122 when the transport arm 130 reaches position C. When the transport arm reaches position C, one of the coins C1 continues to be transported around the track, while the other coin C2 falls back into the feed bowl 102 to be picked up again by another transport arm 130. Figs. 8A to 8C shows an excess coin being flipped away from the inclined track 120 by a coin rejection ramp 126. This coin rejection ramp 126 is particularly effective at diverting y-axis stacked coins, as shown, where a plurality of coins are arranged along the track 120, one in front of the other, in the transport direction. For example, in Fig. 8A the transport arm is pushing a front coin, A, and a rear coin, B.

[0181] In Fig. 8B the transport arm 130 is approaching the interface between the first curved portion (120c, 220c) 120a and the upper portion 120b where the coin rejection ramp 126 is located on the outside of the track 120. The front coin A is sliding up the ramp 126 under a centripetal force acting on the coin due to the movement of the transport arms 130.

[0182] In Fig. 8C the front coin a has been pushed off of the track 120 up the ramp. From here the front coin A will flip backwards off of the ramp 126 and fall into the feed bowl 102 below. The remaining coin B continues to be transported around the track 120 on transport arm 130.

[0183] Fig. 9 shows a shows a section view of a second embodiment of a receive unit 200 according to aspects of the present invention. Features of the second receive unit 200 which are discussed above in relation to the receive unit 100 in Figs. 1 to 8 have corresponding reference numerals in Figs. 9-15 and operate in a same manner.

[0184] In the receive unit 200 of the second embodiment, the transport arms 230 have a different shape to the previous examples, a deadening pad (223) 223 is provided on the upper ledge 222, and an anti-bounce member 252 is provided across the upper portion of the track 220b. Additionally, an updated coin sorter unit 250 is provided comprises a single pre-sorting flap followed by a one or more sorting flaps separating a plurality of exit channels (not shown). For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person would understand that each of the features of the second embodiment of the receive unit may be applied individually or in combination with the features of the first receive unit discussed in Figs. 1 to 8 and vice versa.

[0185] The pre-sorting flap of the updated coin sorter unit 250 covers a single channel leading to a plurality of (typically four) subsequent coin sorting flaps. Therefore, by selectively opening the single pre-sorting flap, coins being transported along the upper portion 220b of the track 220 can be selectively diverted away from the receive unit 200 before being subject to further sorting. The updated coin sorter unit 250 is able to sort coins faster than the coin sorter unit of the first receive unit and is described in detail below in relation to Figs. 17 to 23.

[0186] The anti-bounce member 252 is a strip of spring metal extending across a portion of the track 220 between the processing unit 240 and the diverter unit 250. Coins being transported across the upper portion of the track 220b must, therefore, pass between the anti-bounce member 252 and the track 220b. The anti-bounce member 252 is sprung so that it exerts a securing force on each coin passing behind it so that the coin is pushed towards the track 220 and back towards its respective driving arm 230. In this way, the anti-bounce member 252 is configured to prevent the coins from rolling or bouncing away from their respective driving arms 230, therefore ensuring that the relative position and speed of each coin is consistent and the timing of the exit flap(s) opening and closing in the diverter unit 250 is correct. Further, by pushing the coins towards the track 220, they are able to fall through the pre-sorting flap of the coin sorter unit 250 more reliably.

[0187] The deadening pad (223) 223 is a rubber pad provided along the upper surface of the ledge 222. The deadening pad (223) 223 may be made of any energy absorbing material for preventing coins from bouncing. Therefore, coins which have successfully crossed the coin rejection channel (124, 224) 224 to land on the ledge 222 are prevented from bouncing by the deadening pad (223) 223 and come to rest securely on the ledge 222 for delivery to the coin processing unit 240.

[0188] Figs. 11-10 show a transport arm 230 of the second and third receive units 200, 300 which is integrally formed with a link 232 of the external drive chain. In this example, both the leading and trailing edges of the transport arm 230 are chamfered to create sloping faces 234, 236 which extend from the inclined track 220 towards an upper face of the transport arm 230. By chamfering both the leading and trailing edges of the transport arm 230 in this way, the arm 230 can help to divert excess coins which are pushed onto the arm 230 from in front or from behind the arm 230.

[0189] Additionally, the leading and trailing edges of the transport arm comprise lower narrowing (i.e., angled) portions 235 extending from a middle region of the arm 230 towards a distal tip 237 of the arm 235 (the distal tip 237 being the end of the transport arm 235 which moves along the inner circumference of the inclined track 220). As described above, the lower narrowing portions 235 facilitates the movement of excess coins towards the inner circumference of the track 220 until they fall off of the track 220 down the coin rejection channel (124, 224) 224.

[0190] Also provided are upper narrowing portions 239 which extend from the middle region of the arm 230 to a base of the transport arm 230 (where the link 232 of the drive system is located). In contrast to the lower narrowing portions 235, the upper narrowing portions 239 facilitate the movement of a coin towards the outer circumference of the track 220, thereby assisting the coin in making the “leap of faith” across the coin rejection channel (124, 224) 224. Therefore, by providing leading edges of the transport arms 230 that angle in two different directions, the shape of the transport arms 230 helps to ensure that one coin is isolated for transportation by each arm 230, and all other coins are pushed off of the track 220.

[0191] The transport arm 230 of Figs. 10-11 additionally, comprises a plurality of ribs 238 protruding from an underside of the transport arm 230. The ribs 238 are configured to fit into respective circumferentially extending grooves in the inclined track 220. The position of the ribs 238 in the grooves of the track 220 acts to secure the transport arm 230 to the inclined track 230 and prevent coins from passing underneath the transport arm 230.

[0192] Fig. 12 shows a measured distance between two transport arms 230 located along an elongate portion 220d of the track 220. In this example, a separation distance between the transport arms 230 is 63.82mm and a pitch between the arms 230 is 82.09mm

[0193] As shown in Fig. 13A this separation distance enables a large coin 301 (e.g., with a diameter of 33mm) to fit in-between the transport arms 230 when they are angled towards each other at the curved portions 220a, 220c of the track. However, as shown in Fig. 13B, two smaller coins, i.e., upper coin 301a and lower coin 301 b, (e.g., with a diameter of 20mm) cannot fit in-between the arms 230 when they are rounding the first curved portion (120c, 220c) 220a of the track 220. Therefore, as the arms 230 traverse the curved portion 220c, the upper coin 301a is pushed up the sloped trailing face 236 of the leading transport arm 230 and falls away into the coin rejection channel (124, 224) 224 leaving only the lower coin 301 b to be delivered to the processing unit 240.

[0194] Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of the second receive unit 200 comprising a feed unit 280 for feeding coins towards a feed bowl 202.

[0195] As in the receive unit of Fig.2, hinges 204 are provided in a bottom portion of the front cover 205 to enable the front and rear sections of the receive unit 200 to pivot apart and enable access to the interior of the receive unit 200. Hand-operated latches 207 are provided along the top edge of the receive unit 200 to hold the front and rear sections together.

[0196] Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of the feed unit 280 which is attachable to the main body of the coin receive unit 200, the main body comprising the inclined track 220 and front and rear sections of the receive unit 200.

[0197] A coin chute 288 is provided for feeding coins into the input zone. A metal detector 286 is provided around an upper opening of the coin chute 288 for detecting metal coins being fed into the chute 288 (e.g., by monitoring changes in eddy currents). An input flap 282 is provided to selectively enable objects passing through the chute 288 to pass into the input zone or be expelled down an exit channel 284.

[0198] Coins which are fed into the coin chute 288 along direction A are detected by the metal detector 286 which sends a signal to a control unit (not shown) which operates a solenoid to open the input flap 282 by moving the input flap 282 into the position shown in which the exit channel 284 is covered and the input zone of the receive unit is uncovered. Accordingly, the detected coins are then fed towards the feed bowl 202 along direction B for pick up by the transport arms 230.

[0199] However, if the metal detector 286 has not detected any objects being fed into the coin chute 288 the input flap 282 is held in a closed position in which the input zone is covered, and the exit channel is exposed. The objects are therefore diverted through the opening previously covered by the debris flap 282 down an exit chute 284 in direction C. In this way, the receive unit 200 is protected from damage by non-metal debris being picked up and jamming the unit 200.

[0200] Additionally, the input flap 282 comprises a plurality of apertures so that metal debris which may be detected by the metal detector can fall through the apertures 292 in the input flap 282 into the exit channel 284. Each aperture 292 is connected to a respective shallow trough portion 294 in the input flap 282 which broadens from an end of the trough portion 294 towards the aperture 292 in a “cheese grater style”. Therefore metal debris is sliding along the input flap 282 towards the input zone of the receive unit 200 may fall into the trough portion 294 and be directed towards the aperture 292.

[0201] Fig. 16 shows a third embodiment of a receive unit 300. Features of the third receive unit 300 which are discussed above in relation to the first and second receive units 100, 200 in Figs. 1 to 9 have corresponding reference numerals in Fig. 16 and operate in a same manner. As described above for the second receive unit 200, the receive unit 300 of Fig. 16 includes a coin sorter unit 350 including a pre-sorting flap followed by one or more subsequent sorting flaps (not shown). A feed unit 380 as described above in relation to the feed unit 280 of Fig. 15 is shown in Fig. 16.

[0202] In general, the receive unit 300 operated as discussed above in relation to the first and second receive units 100, 200 with the following additional features. Notably, each of these features may also be used in the first and second receive units 100, 200.

[0203] First, the third receive unit 300 includes first and second anti-bounce members extending across the inclined track. A first anti-bounce member is positioned between the validator and the sorting unit 350. A second anti-bounce member extends across a sorting portion of the inclined track, adjacent to the presorting flap. In fig. 16 a portion of each anti-bounce member is shown extending into the inclined track such that ridges of the inclined track are visible through the anti-bounce member. This is because the antibounce members are pre-sprung towards (i.e. biased towards) the track 320. In use, a portion of each anti-bounce member would rest against the track 320 until a coin is into engagement with and then past the anti-bounce member by a transport arm, between the anti-bounce member and the track 320. As a result, coins are held against their respective transport arm as they travel from the validator 240 to the coin sorter unit 350.

[0204] The third receive unit 300 additionally comprises a retaining cover 390 located between the first curved portion of the track 320 and the validator 340. The retaining cover 390 is a planar element arranged over a portion of the track 230 and configured to allow coins to pass through a space between the retaining cover 390 and the track 320. The retaining cover 390 is preferably positioned adjacent to the upper ledge and the deadening pad 323 of the receive unit 300 so that properly singulated coins which have made the “leap of faith” over the coin rejection channel 324 to land on the upper ledge 322 are less likely to fall away from the track 320. Additionally, the retaining cover 390 helps to ensure that a coin being transported to the validator 340 is orientated in an upright manner for the validator 340 to accurately classify that coin.

[0205] Further, an aim of the retaining cover 390 is to prevent excess coins, which have been diverted in the Z- direction (e.g., out of the page), from landing on the upper ledge 322 alongside a properly singulated coin. The retaining cover 390 comprises a slanted front edge which acts to force excess coins, which are not being driven by a front edge of a transport arm 330, downwards away from the track 320. The present inventors have found that the addition of the retaining cover 390 helps to significantly reduce a number of erroneous double feeds of coins to the validator 340.

[0206] Finally, the third receive unit 300 comprises an coin sorter unit 350 as discussed above for the second receive unit 200. The coin sorter unit 350 is discussed in detail in relation to the following figures.

[0207] Fig. 17 shows a cross-section of the coin sorter unit 350 comprising a plurality of exit channels 354a-d. The coin sorter unit 350 is configured to selectively divert coins being transported along a sorting portion of the inclined track 320 (above the exit channels 354a-d) into a selected one of the exit channels 354a-d based on the classifications determined by the validator 340. Although, the coin sorter unit 350 is described in the context of the receive unit 300, the skilled person would understand that the coin sorter unit 350 may be deployed in any suitable coin transport system wherein coins are provided to the coin sorter unit 350.

[0208] The coin sorter unit 350 comprises three sorting flaps 356a-c, each sorting flap 356n being configured to pivot about a respective pivot axis 357a-c to selectively open and close each of the exit channels 354 a-d. Accordingly, the coin sorter unit 350 is configured to selectively divert the coins by controlling the sorting flaps 356a-c to open the selected exit channel and close the remaining exit channel(s).

[0209] In contrast to the coin sorter unit 150 of the first receive unit 100, the sorting flaps 256a-c of the second and third receive units, and each of the exit channels 354a-d, are each located at a common position along the transport path 320. Additionally, the plurality of exit channels 354a-d are each separated from one another by a respective one of the sorting flaps 356a-c. The exit channels 354a-d may be connected to one or more coin hoppers (not shown) and / or a rejection chute for storing or expelling the sorted coins.

[0210] The sorting flaps 356n and the plurality of exit channels 354n are positioned below the sorting portion of the inclined track 320 such that, in use, coins being transported through the sorting portion of the track 320 fall through the selected exit channel 354n under gravity when the selected exit channel is open. Additionally, as shown in Fig. 17, each sorting flap extends upwards from the respective pivot axis towards an upper edge of the flap 356n which is proximal to the sorting portion of the track 320.

[0211] The pivot axes 357a-c of the sorting flaps 356a-c are each separated by a separation distance so that coins can pass between the pivot axes 357a-c straight into a subsequent chute or channel leading to e.g., a coin hopper. This separation means that the sorting flaps 356a-c may be pivoted into a new configuration even when a coin is still falling between them thus enabling faster operation of the sorter unit 350 than can be achieved with the coin sorter unit 150 of the first receive unit 100.

[0212] An axis of rotation of each sorting flap 356n, defined by the respective pivot axis 357, is parallel to a transport direction of the sorting portion of the track 320, i.e., into the page in Fig. 17. This means that the upper edge of each sorting flap 356n is configured to pivot towards and away from a plane defined by the sorting portion of the track 320.

[0213] In Fig. 17, three sorting flaps 356a-c separating four exit channels 354a-d are shown. However, any suitable number of flaps may be used. For example, a single sorting flap 356 could be used to separate and divert coins between two exit channels 354a-b.

[0214] Each sorting flap 356a-c has a tapered shape wherein each sorting flap 356n is tapered from the respective pivot axis 357a-c towards a narrow upper edge 353a-c of the respective sorting flap. As a result, a cross-section of each sorting flap 356a-c, as shown in Fig. 17, is tapered to a point, the point representing the upper edge of the sorting flap 356a-c. The narrowed upper edge 353a-c of each sorting flap 356a-c enables the sorting flaps to fit together under a lip on either side of an opening through which diverted coins fall from the track. This tapered profile of the sorting flap 356a-c therefore helps to prevent mis-sorting of diverted coins and blockages of the sorting unit 350. Additionally, the coin sorter unit 350 includes a pre-sorting flap 358 as mentioned above. The pre-sorting flap 358 is configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration (shown in Fig. 17) to selectively open and close a channel between the coin transport path and the one or more sorting flaps 356. The pre-sorting flap 358 comprises a planar member 358a and a ledge 358b extending orthogonally from the planar member 358. The ledge 358b extends parallel to the sorting portion of the track 320.

[0215] When the pre-sorting flap 358 is in the closed configuration, the ledge 358b of the pre-sorting flap 358 is configured to rest against a receive portion 349 of the channel between the coin transport path and the exit channels 354a-d thus blocking access to the sorting flaps 356 below. In this example, the receive portion 349 includes a recess located below the track 320 for receiving an edge of the ledge 358b of the pre-sorting flap 358. The coin sorter unit 350 is configured to move the pre-sorting flap to the closed configuration when a coin is rejected or unidentified such that the rejected coin continues to be transported around the coin transport path.

[0216] The pre-sorting flap 358 is configured to pivot between the open and closed configurations about a respective pivot axis 359 located below the sorting portion of the inclined track 320. When the pre-sorting flap 358 is in the closed configuration, the upper edge of the pre-sorting flap 358, which is distal to the respective pivot axis 359, forms a ledge extending along a lower edge of the sorting portion of the track 320 for supporting a coin being transported along inclined track so that the coin is cycled back to the coin collection location. When the pre-sorting flap 358 is in the open configuration, the upper edge of the presorting flap 358 is separated from the sorting portion of the inclined track 320, as shown in Fig. 17, thereby allowing the coin to pass therethrough.

[0217] Figs. 18A shows an example wherein the pre-sorting flap 358 is in the closed configuration. Figs. 18B-E show examples wherein the pre-sorting flap 358 is in the closed configuration and the three (second stage) sorting flaps 356a-c of Fig. 17 are in each of their possible configurations to show each of the exit channels 354 being selected. The exit channels 354 lead to a reject chute, multi hopper, single hopper 1 , and single hopper 2, respectively.

[0218] Each of the sorting flaps 356 and the pre-sorting flap 358 are configured to move into an open configuration when an opening force is provided by a respective solenoid. The states of each solenoid are denoted by S1-4 in Figs 18A-E wherein S1 is a solenoid for controlling the pre-sorting flap (e.g., first stage flap) and S2-4 are solenoids for controlling each of the (second stage) sorting flaps 356n.

[0219] Each sorting flap 356n and pre-sorting flap 358 are resiliently biased towards a respective closed configuration by a respective spring. Accordingly, when the respective solenoid is in an off state, the respective sorting flap is configured to return to the closed configuration as shown in Figs. 18A-E.

[0220] Fig. 19 shows another cross-section of the coin sorter unit 350 showing solenoids 362a and 362c for controlling the first 356a and third 356b sorting flaps, respectively.

[0221] Fig. 20 shows a perspective view of the coin sorter unit 350 with the first 362a and second 362b solenoids and the pre-sorting flap 358 being positioned in the open configuration. In this example, the track 320 is not shown and so the second stage sorting flaps 356a-c can be seen below the pre-sorting flap 258.

[0222] Fig. 21 shows a rear perspective view of the coin sorter unit 350 showing a pre-sorter solenoid 362 for controlling the pre-sorting flap and a second solenoid 362b for controlling the second sorting flap 256b. A sensor array 366 is provided to detect when a coin has fallen off of the track 320 and behind the presorting flap 358. This enables more accurate timing and operation of the coin sorter unit 350 to be achieved thus enabling a speed of the sorting to be increased.

[0223] Fig. 22 shows a front perspective view of the coin sorter unit 350 comprising a weak return spring 365 connected to the pivot axis 259 of the pre-sorting flap 358 and configured to return the pre-sorting flap 358 to the closed configuration in the absence of an opening force being provided by e.g., the pre-sorting solenoid 363.

[0224] The return spring 365 is configured to provide a weak closing force (e.g., no more than 0.5N). Therefore, when the pre-sorting flap 358 moves towards the closed configuration and a coin is between (and in contact with) the ledge 358b of the pre-sorting flap 358 and the receive portion 349, which the ledge 358b is configured to rest against in the closed configuration, the coin is able to continue falling towards the exit channels 354a-d. Accordingly, the coins is not trapped by the closing pre-sorting flap 358. However, subsequent coins are prevented from falling pas the pre-sorting flap 358.

[0225] When the pre-sorting flap 358 is required to closed quickly, for example, when a sensor or the validator detects two coins which are closed to each other, then the coin sorter unit 350 may operate to deliberately close the pre-sorting flap 358 when a first coin is between the ledge 358b and the receive portion 349. The first coin can therefore continue to fall past the pre-sorting flap 358 and be sorted, without becoming trapped (owing to the weak closing force), whilst ensuring that the pre-sorting flap 358 closes in time to prevent a second coin from falling past the pre-sorting flap 358.

[0226] Fig. 23A shows a perspective view of the third receive unit 300 with the cover removed and showing the coin sorter unit 350. In this example, the pre-sorting flap 358 is shown in the open configuration.

[0227] Fig. 23B shows a picture of a coin falling between the pre-sorting flap 358 and the receive portion 349 of the track 358. The coin is in contact with the track 358 and the pre-sorting flap 358 (as shown) before it is allowed to fall, under gravity, towards the exit channels (not shown) owing to the weak closing force of the pre-sorting flap 358.

[0228] Figs. 24-25 show perspective views of the third coin receive unit 300 including the front and rear covers. Fig. 24 shows coin exit area 308 from where coins which have been diverted by the coin sorter unit 350 can exit the receive unit 350 via the exit channels 354a-d. As discussed above in respect of Fig. 2, the receive unit is configured to be opened about hinges 304.

[0229] As shown in Fig. 25 a sensor 392 is provided behind the sorting portion of the track 350 for detecting the position of transport arms 330 moving through the sorting portion. The position of each transport arm 330 is used to determine an activation time for when the sorting flaps 356a-c and pre-sorting flap 358 should be moved for sorting or rejecting a coin being transported by that transport arm 330. In this way, more accurate and faster coin sorting can be achieved.

[0230] Figs. 26 to 28 shows stills from a video of the first coin receive unit 100 in operation. In particular, Figs. 16 to 18 show excess coins falling back into the feed bowl 102 so that only single coins are transported towards the validator 140 in the upper portion 120b of the track 120.

[0231] ***

[0232] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0233] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0234] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0235] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0236] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0237] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example + / - 10%.

Claims

Claims:1 . A coin sorter unit for sorting coins being transported along a transport path, wherein the coin sorter unit comprises: a sensor for detecting a position of one or more coins on the transport path, one or more exit channels for receiving the one or more coins falling from the transport path, a pre-sorting flap pivotably mounted at a pre-sorting pivot axis and configured to pivot towards a receive portion of a channel between the transport path and the one or more exit channels in a closed configuration, and away from the receive portion in an open configuration to selectively open and close the channel between the transport path and the one or more exit channels, and a controller for operating the pre-sorting flap; wherein the controller is configured to operate the pre-sorting flap to selectively divert the one or more coins from the transport path towards the one or more exit channels based on a classification of each coin and the sensed position of the coin; wherein the pre-sorting flap is configured to move into the closed configuration under a closing force, wherein the closing force is configured to permit a coin in contact with the presorting flap and the receive portion to fall towards the one or more exit channels.

2. The coin sorter unit of claim 1 wherein the closing force is no more than 0.5N.

3. The coin sorter unit according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the pre-sorting flap is resiliently biased towards the closed configuration by a biasing member for providing the closing force.

4. The coin sorter unit of claim 3 wherein the biasing member has a spring constant of no more than 0.01 N / m.

5. The coin sorter unit according to any one of claim 3 or 4 wherein the biasing member includes a torsion spring connected to the pre-sorting pivot axis.

6. The coin sorter unit according to any preceding claim further comprising a solenoid connected to the pre-sorting flap, wherein the pre-sorting flap is configured to move from the closed to the open configuration when an opening force is provided from the solenoid to the pre-sorting flap.

7. The coin sorter unit of claim 6, wherein the solenoid is connected to the pre-sorting flap via a directional coupler, wherein the directional coupler is configured to: couple a plunger of solenoid to the pre-sorting flap when the pre-sorting flap is moving towards the closed configuration, and decouple the plunger of the solenoid from the pre-sorting flap when the pre-sorting flap is moving towards the closed configuration.

8. The coin sorter unit according to any preceding claim wherein the controller is configured to determine, from the sensed position of the one or more coins, an activation time for opening the pre-sorting flap which coincides with the one or more coins moving adjacent to the pre-sorting flap along the transport path.

9. The coin sorter unit according to any preceding claim wherein the sensor is configured to detect when a first coin followed by a second coin are being transported along the transport path, wherein the controller is configured to operate the pre-sorting flap to: accept the first coin by opening the pre-sorting flap when the first coin is moving adjacent to the pre-sorting flap, and reject the second coin by closing the pre-sorting flap over the first coin, before the second coin reaches the pre-sorting flap, such that the first coin contacts the receive portion and the presorting flap before falling towards the one or more exit channels.

10. The coin sorter unit according to any preceding claim wherein the transport path is a sorting portion of a track, wherein the pre-sorting pivot axis is located below the sorting portion of the track, such that: when the pre-sorting flap is in the closed configuration, a ledge extending from the presorting flap contacts the receive portion and extends along a lower edge of the sorting portion of the track for supporting a coin being transported along the sorting portion of the track, and when the pre-sorting flap is in the open configuration, the ledge of the pre-sorting flap is separated from the receive portion thereby allowing the coin to pass between the receive portion and the pre-sorting flap towards the one or more exit channels.11 . The coin sorter unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more exit channels is a plurality of exit channels each located at a common position along the transport path wherein the coin sorter unit further comprises one or more secondary sorting flaps, wherein each secondary sorting flap is pivotably mounted at a respective pivot axis, wherein the plurality of exit channels are separated from each other by a respective one of the secondary sorting flaps, such that the secondary sorting flaps are selectively pivotable to open a selected exit channel and close the remaining exit channels to divert the one or more coins from the transport path through the selected exit channel.

12. The coin sorter unit of claim 11 wherein the coin sorting unit comprises N exit channels separated by N-1 secondary sorting flaps, wherein N is at least three.

13. The coin sorter unit according to any one of claims 11 to 12 wherein each of the one or more secondary sorting flaps is arranged so that an axis of rotation of the sorting flap, extending through the respective pivot axis, extends parallel to a transport direction of the transport path.

14. The coin sorter unit according to claim 13 wherein each of the one or more secondary sorting flaps extends from its respective pivot axis, which is distal to the transport path, to an edge of the sorting flap which is proximal to the transport path.

15. The coin sorter unit according to any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the one or more secondary sorting flaps is a plurality of secondary sorting flaps and the respective pivot axes of the plurality of sorting flaps are independent pivot axes separated from each other by a distance which is at least sufficient for a coin to pass therethrough.

16. The coin sorter unit according to any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein a cross-section of each secondary sorting flap is tapered from the respective pivot axis towards an opposite edge of the secondary sorting flap, such that each secondary sorting flap is thicker at its respective pivot axis than at the opposite edge.

17. The coin sorter unit according to any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein each of the one or more secondary sorting flaps are connected to a solenoid, and the controller is configured to operate each solenoid to move the one or more secondary sorting flaps to open the selected exit channel.

18. The coin sorter unit according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the one or more sorting flaps and the pre-sorting flap, comprise a plurality of apertures, each aperture being sized and or shaped to prevent the passage of a coin therethrough.

19. A coin receive unit for collecting and sorting coins comprising: a coin transport path; an input zone configured to feed coins to a coin collection location along the transport path; a coin processing unit for analysing and sorting the coins, the coin processing unit being located along the transport path; and a transport unit configured to transport coins received from the coin collection location around a portion of the coin transport path towards the coin processing unit; wherein the coin processing unit comprises: a validator configured to classify the coins being transported around the transport path; and a coin sorter unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the coin sorter unit is configured to selectively divert coins being transported by the transport unit into a selected one of the exit channels based on the classifications determined by the validator.

20. The coin receive unit of claim 19 wherein the coin transport path is formed by an inclined track, wherein the transport unit comprises one or more transport arms extending across the inclined track and configured to move around the track to transport coins along the transport path,wherein the plurality of exit channels are positioned below the sorting portion of the inclined track such that, in use, coins being transported through a sorting portion of the inclined track fall through the selected exit channel under gravity when the pre-sorting flap is in the open configuration.

21. The coin receive unit according to any one of claims 19 to 20 wherein the coin transport path is a continuous coin transport path, and the coin processing unit is configured to reject coins depending on the classification from the validator, wherein the one or more transport arms are configured to circulate rejected coins from the coin processing unit back to the coin collection location.

22. The coin receive unit according to claim 21 wherein the controller of the coin sorter unit is configured to move the pre-sorting flap to the closed configuration when a coin is rejected such that the rejected coin continues to be transported around the coin transport path.

23. The coin receive unit according to any one of claims 20 to 22 further comprising one or more antibounce members, each anti-bounce member being a sprung member extending across the inclined track and configured to exert a securing force on a coin to push the coin towards a respective transport arm and the inclined track as the coin is transported through the sorting portion by the respective transport arm.

24. The coin receive unit according to claim 23 wherein at least one of the anti-bounce members extends across the sorting portion of the inclined track.

25. The coin receive unit according to claim 24 wherein a second of the anti-bounce members extends across a portion of inclined track between the validator and the sorting portion of the inclined track.

26. An automatic transaction system for administering monetary transactions, the automatic transaction machine comprising: a coin receive unit according to any one of claims 19 to 25 for collecting and sorting coins, and one or more coin storage units; wherein one or more exit channels of the coin receive unit are connected to the one or more coin storage units such that the coin processing unit of the coin receive unit is configured to selectively divert each coin to a selected one of the coin storage units.

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