Patent ID: 6168001
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: G07D

Abstract:
Apparatus for coin discrimination comprising: a container for receiving a plurality of randomly oriented objects including one or more coins of at least one acceptable type, said container having at least one exit opening; a disk rotatable about a rotation axis and mounted adjacent said exit opening, said disk having at least a first recess formed therein, sized and shaped to accommodate the at least one acceptable type, to define a coin pocket in said disk; a sensor configured to output a first signal indicative of whether at least a first physical characteristic is representative of a coin being of a type included in the at least one acceptable type, said sensor positioned so that, during rotation of said disk, said pocket will move past said sensor; circuitry, coupled to said sensor, configured to discriminate, in response to said first signal: (a) coins being of a type included in the at least one acceptable type, from (b) other of the objects; a lever movable in response to said output, wherein said lever is capable of moving between (a) a first position for not contacting a contents of said pocket when said contents includes one of the other objects, and (b) a second position for contacting an edge of a coin being of a type included in the at least one acceptable type in said pocket, wherein in said second position said lever removes said coin from said pocket; and a plurality of protrusions on a surface of said pocket.