Token image acquiring apparatus and token selecting apparatus for validating tokens

In a compact coin dispensing apparatus for validating individual coins of the same dimension, the improvement comprising:

• a rotary coin moving unit for receiving individual coins in a sequential manner and translating each coin to a predetermined station along a curved transporting path with a plurality of coin pressing members and a curved guiding path where a velocity of each coin, contacted on a peripheral side surface of the coin by rotation of one of the plurality of coin pressing members, forces the coin against the curved guiding path;
• a timing sensor unit for detecting the position of the respective coins in the coin moving unit and providing a timing signal;
• an image apparatus unit positioned at the predetermined station;
• a light emitting apparatus positioned at the predetermined station responsive to the timing signal for a direct open illumination of a face of the coin, the image apparatus unit subsequently capturing an illuminated image of the face of the coin without any intermediate cover contacting the coin;
• a storage unit for storing a reference image of an authenticated coin image;
• a comparator unit for comparing the captured image of the coin with the authenticated coin image and providing an authenticated output signal when the respective images match and a fake coin signal when the responding images do not match;
• and
• a separator unit which separates a fake coin from an authentic coin in response to the comparator unit output signal wherein the separator unit includes an inclined face formed to separate a coin along an exit transporting path and a plate having an upper guiding face surface and a lower deflecting face surface which is movable between a standby position, below a plane containing the exit transporting path and flush with the inclined face and a deflected position which is separated from the inclined face to project upward into an extension of a plane of the exit transporting path to impact the fake coin downward at a substantial angle from the exit transporting path.

A token selecting apparatus for processing tokens of the same dimension, comprising:

• a rotary disk having a plurality of through holes and having a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the token, the rotary disk separately removes bulk tokens from a storing bowl into respective individual tokens to be fed from the storing bowl;
• a rotary token moving unit for receiving individual tokens from the rotary disk in a sequential manner and translating each token to a predetermined station along a curved transporting path with a plurality of token pressing members, at a predetermined velocity for each token, the rotary coin moving unit includes a rotary member with a plurality of curved recessed portions positioned between three propeller-shaped pressing and moving blades to receive respective tokens, the pressing and moving blades are disposed so as not to be positioned above an upper face of the tokens;
• an image apparatus unit positioned at the predetermined station takes open air images of the tokens;
• a timing sensor unit for detecting the position of the respective tokens in the token moving unit and providing a timing signal;
• a light emitting apparatus, positioned at the predetermined station responds, to the timing signal to provide a direct open illumination of a face of the token whereby the image apparatus unit subsequently captures an illuminated image of the face of the token without any intermediate cover contacting the token or interposed between the token and the image apparatus unit;
• a discriminator unit includes a comparator unit which conducts a discrimination between a real and a fake token based upon information imaged by the image apparatus unit,
• the comparator unit compares the captured image of the token with an authenticated coin image and provides an authenticated output signal when the respective images match and a fake coin signal when the responding images do not match;
• and
• a separator unit has an inclined face formed to separate a token along an exit transporting path from the rotary token moving unit including a guiding member and a deflecting member which is movable between a standby position, below a plane containing the exit transporting path and flush with the inclined face and a deflecting position which is separated from the guiding member to project into an extension of a plane of the exit transporting path when the token is determined to be fake to impact the token downward at a substantial angle from the exit transporting path.