Coin counter dejamming method and apparatus

In a coin handling apparatus, a dejamming method comprising:

• detecting a jam in said coin handling apparatus;
• evaluating the type of jam by selecting between at least first and second different types of jams;
• automatically initiating a first dejamming measure when said type of jam is said first type;
• automatically initiating a second dejamming measure, different from said first dejamming measure, when said type of jam is said second type.

Apparatus for use with a coin handler for handling coins, comprising:

• a coin rail, said coin rail providing normal coin flow along a coin path toward a coin discriminator;
• a first transducer;
• a transducer controller, wherein said transducer controller, during at least a first period of normal coin flow, controls said first transducer to permit said normal coin flow to occur in the absence of repeatedly activating said first transducer, wherein said first transducer does not vibrate as a result of repeated activation during said first period of normal coin flow;
• a coin jam detector, which outputs at least a first signal in response to detection of a coin jam;
• said transducer controller initiating a dejamming measure in response to said first signal, said dejamming measure including repeatedly activating at least said first transducer to cause said first transducer to vibrate to provide vibratory mechanical energy to said coin handler at least along said coin path;
• and
• said transducer controller terminating said activating of said first transducer so as to terminate vibration of said transducer;
• wherein said normal coin flow along said coin path is resumed during a second period of normal coin flow following said transducer controller terminating said activating, and wherein said first transducer does not vibrate as a result of repeated activation during said second period of normal coin flow.

Apparatus for use with a coin handler for handling coins, comprising:

• means for providing normal coin flow along a coin path toward a coin discriminator
• means for controlling at least a first transducer during at least a first period of normal coin flow to permit said normal coin flow to occur in the absence of repeatedly activating said first transducer, wherein said first transducer does not vibrate as a result of repeated activation during said first period of normal coin flow;
• means for detecting a jam in said coin handling apparatus;
• means for automatically initiating a dejamming measure in response to said means for detecting a jam, said dejamming measure including repeatedly activating at least said first transducer to cause said transducer to vibrate to provide vibratory mechanical energy to said coin handling apparatus at least along said coin path;
• and
• means for terminating said activating of said first transducer so as to terminate vibration of said transducer;
• wherein said normal coin flow along said coin path is resumed during a second period of normal coin flow following use of said means for terminating said activating, and wherein said first transducer does not vibrate as a result of repeated activation during said second period of normal coin flow.

In a coin handler, apparatus comprising:

• means for detecting a jam in said coin handler;
• means for evaluating the type of jam by selecting between at least first and second different types of jams;
• means for automatically initiating a first dejamming measure when said type of jam is said first type;
• and
• means for automatically initiating a second dejamming measure, different from said first dejamming measure, when said type of jam is said second type.