Coin discrimination apparatus and method

Coin-handling apparatus comprising:

• an input tray for receiving a plurality of coins of a plurality of denominations in random orientations;
• at least a first chute, having at least a first coin support surface, configured to transport coins from said input tray to a coin pickup device;
• said coin pickup device having a hopper for receiving coins in a random orientation and at least a first rail for delivering coins at an exit region of said first rail, with said coins in a substantially coplanar attitude and in single file;
• at least a first sensor, spaced from said exit region, for providing at least a first signal indicative of at least a first coin characteristic;
• circuitry coupled to said first sensor for receiving at least said first signal and outputting at least a second signal indicative of whether a sensed object is an acceptable coin;
• a deflector configured to provide movement from a first configuration to a second configuration after a coin has moved into alignment with said deflector for contacting a single coin at a time and wherein said movement of said deflector causes deflection of said single coin at a time off said rail to a surface defining a first path having at least a second coin contact surface, and wherein items not deflected by said deflector move to a surface defining a second path, having at least a third coin contact surface;
• and
• a second rail for gravitational transport of coins from said exit region, past said sensor, to said deflector.

Apparatus for sorting objects which are acceptable coins from non-acceptable objects comprising:

• means for sensing at least a first characteristic of said objects;
• means for moving objects past said means for sensing;
• and
• deflector means, configured to provide movement from a first configuration to a second configuration, for striking objects wherein said striking by the deflector causes selectively moving said objects to divert a single object at a time from a default path ending in a reject location to an acceptable coin path, ending in an acceptable coin location wherein said deflector means returns to a relaxed configuration after said contacting of said single object;
• and means for controlling said deflector means to strike an object which is determined to be an acceptable coin, wherein said deflector moves from said first configuration to said second configuration to strike said object after said object is moved into alignment with said deflector.

Apparatus for sensing coins moving along a coin path comprising:

• magnetic core means adjacent said coin path;
• winding means coupled to said magnetic core means;
• means for providing at least a first signal with a first frequency to said winding means;
• and
• varactor means for tuning said means for providing using said winding means,
• said varactor means being coupled to said means for providing in a manner such that said varactor means maintains said first frequency at a substantially constant level by compensating for inductance changes due to coins passing by said magnetic core means.

Apparatus in a coin handling device for transporting substantially all coins received in said coin handling device along a coin transport path from an entrance region to at least a second downstream region, said coins having edges and first and second faces, the apparatus comprising:

• a ledge for rolling or sliding support of said edges while said coins are in an attitude with said faces inclined at an angle of no more than about 20.degree. from vertical;
• said transport path having a first shallow portion in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 0.degree. and about 15.degree. degrees;
• said transport path having a second steep portion, closer to said downstream region than said first portion, in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 40.degree. degrees and about 50.degree. degrees such that the center-to-center distance between first and second successive coins which enter said first region will increase as said first and second coins successively enter said second region;
• and,
• means for positioning a coin out of contact with said ledge during at least a portion of said transport path, located adjacent to a transition region between said shallow portion and said steep portion.

Apparatus in a coin handling device for transporting substantially all coins received in said coin handling device along a coin transport path from an entrance region to at least a second downstream region, said coins having edges and first and second faces, the apparatus comprising:

• a ledge for rolling or sliding support of said edges while said coins are in an attitude with said faces inclined at an angle of no more than about 20.degree. from vertical;
• said transport path having a first shallow portion in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 0.degree. and about 15.degree. degrees;
• said transport path having a second steep portion, closer to said downstream region than said first portion, in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 40.degree. degrees and about 50.degree. degrees such that the center-to-center distance between first and second successive coins which enter said first region will increase as said first and second coins successively enter said second region;
• and,
• an activatable deflector which, upon activation, deflects coins from said transport path and a means for positioning a coin out of contact with said ledge during at least a portion of said transport path, located adjacent said activatable deflector.

Apparatus in a coin handling device for transporting substantially all coins received in said coin handling device along a coin transport path from an entrance region to at least a second downstream region, said coins having edges and first and second faces, the apparatus comprising:

• a ledge for rolling or sliding support of said edges while said coins are in an attitude with said faces inclined at an angle of no more than about 20.degree. from vertical;
• said transport path having a first shallow portion in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 0.degree. and about 15.degree. degrees;
• said transport path having a second steep portion, closer to said downstream region than said first portion, in which said ledge is inclined to horizontal between about 40.degree. degrees and about 50.degree. degrees such that the center-to-center distance between first and second successive coins which enter said first region will increase as said first and second coins successively enter said second region;
• and,
• an activatable deflector which, upon activation, deflects coins from said transport path and a means for positioning a coin out of contact with said ledge during at least a portion of said transport path, located downstream from said activatable deflector.

Coin-handling apparatus comprising:

• an input tray for receiving a plurality of coins of a plurality of denominations in random orientations;
• at least a first chute, having at least a first coin support surface, configured to transport coins from said input tray to a coin pickup device;
• said coin pickup device having a hopper for receiving coins in a random orientation and at least a first rail for delivering coin at an exit region of said first rail, with said coins in a substantially coplanar attitude and in single file;
• at least a first sensor, spaced from said exit region, for providing at least a first signal indicative of at least a first coin characteristic;
• circuitry coupled to said first sensor for receiving at least said first signal and outputting at least a second signal indicative of whether a sensed object is an acceptable coin;
• a deflector configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration for contacting and deflecting a single coin at a time off said rail to a surface defining a first path having at least a second coin contact surface, and wherein items not deflected by said deflector move to a surface defining a second path, having at least a third coin contact surface;
• a second rail for gravitational transport of coins from said exit region, past said sensor, to said deflector;
• and,
• a bypass chute for delivering, to said second path, coins which stray from said second rail prior to reaching said deflector.

Coin-handling apparatus comprising:

• an input tray for receiving a plurality of coins of a plurality of denominations in random orientations;
• at least a first chute, having at least a first coin support surface, configured to transport coins from said input tray to a coin pickup device;
• said coin pickup device having a hopper for receiving coins in a random orientation and at least a first rail for delivering coin at an exit region of said first rail, with said coins in a substantially coplanar attitude and in single file;
• at least a first sensor, spaced from said exit region, for providing at least a first signal indicative of at least a first coin characteristic;
• circuitry coupled to said first sensor for receiving at least said first signal and outputting at least a second signal indicative of whether a sensed object is an acceptable coin;
• a deflector configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration for contacting and deflecting a single coin at a time off said rail to a surface defining a first path having at least a second coin contact surface, and wherein items not deflected by said deflector move to a surface defining a second path, having at least a third coin contact surface;
• and,
• a second rail for gravitational transport of coins from said exit region, past said sensor, to said deflector,
• wherein said second path includes a first chute surface having an edge which is spaced from a second chute surface wherein coins exiting off said edge free fall before reaching said second chute surface.