Coin Cassette Supply Control With Selective Confirmation Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coin handling systems are inefficient in transferring coins to cassettes, requiring excessive time due to unnecessary confirmation operations and potential errors.

Innovation Solution

A coin handling apparatus with a cassette attachment unit, coin supply unit, and control unit that performs selective confirmation operations based on predetermined conditions to quickly transfer coins to cassettes, using conveyors and sensors for efficient coin detection and handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cassette performs a confirmation operation to check if a coin remains, then the reliability of coin detection is improved, but the time required for coin transfer increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoin detection reliabilityVSAvoidcoin transfer time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by checking the inventory amount stored in the cassette's memory before initiating the confirmation operation. When the inventory amount is 0, the system skips the confirmation operation entirely, avoiding unnecessary time consumption while maintaining reliability through the memory data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the inventory amount. When inventory is 0, it skips confirmation and directly supplies coins. When inventory is not 0, it performs confirmation operation. This dynamic decision-making optimizes the balance between reliability and time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the system always performs confirmation operation, then the reliability of coin detection is improved, but the productivity of coin transfer decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoin detection reliabilityVSAvoidcoin transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the inventory amount stored in memory as a preliminary indicator to decide whether to perform confirmation operation. This preliminary check allows the system to skip unnecessary confirmation steps when inventory is 0, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes its operational parameters based on the inventory amount. When inventory is 0, it changes the confirmation operation parameter to 'skip'. When inventory is not 0, it changes to 'perform'. This parameter change strategy optimizes the balance between reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If the system skips confirmation operation, then the coin transfer time is reduced, but the reliability of detecting remaining coins deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoin transfer timeVSAvoidcoin detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the inventory amount stored in the cassette's memory to determine whether to perform confirmation operation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to make informed decisions about skipping confirmation while maintaining acceptable reliability levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The inventory amount in memory serves as a preliminary indicator that guides the decision to skip or perform confirmation. This preliminary action based on memory data reduces unnecessary time consumption while maintaining reliability through the pre-stored inventory information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If the system performs second confirmation operation after error, then the reliability of coin supply is improved, but the complexity of error handling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoin supply reliabilityVSAvoiderror handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from error detection during coin supply to determine when to perform second confirmation operation. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable coin supply by verifying coin presence after errors occur, while the structured approach keeps complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for potential errors by implementing a second confirmation operation that can be triggered when errors are detected during supply. This beforehand cushioning ensures reliability by having a backup verification mechanism in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enables rapid transfer of coins to cassettes by minimizing unnecessary checks and reducing errors, thereby shortening the overall transfer time and enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor for detecting a coin in the cassette

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic sensing: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The cassette may comprise a conveyor for transporting coins in the cassette

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical transport: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4246472B1Coin handling apparatus and coin handling method
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 GLORY LTD
  • EP4246472B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4246472B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4246472B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A coin handling apparatus includes the following: a cassette attachment unit where a cassette is detachably attached; a coin supply unit that supplies a coin to the cassette; and a control unit that causes the cassette attached to the cassette attachment unit to perform a first confirmation operation for confirming that a coin remains in the cassette when the cassette does not satisfy a predetermined condition, and operates the coin supply unit to supply a coin to the cassette attached to the cassette attachment unit without causing the cassette to perform the first confirmation operation when the cassette satisfies the predetermined condition.