Coin receiving and validation apparatus

Apparatus for use primarily in toll road systems for receiving and validating coins including a coin acceptor which comprises a rotating disc provided with recesses in its periphery for receiving coins and a coin validator adjacent the path of movement of the coins for sensing coin validity. A coin ejection mechanism is provided to reject coins if invalid as sensed by the coin validator. The apparatus also includes a compartmented coin receiving assembly for receiving coins from the acceptor and transferring them to a vault chamber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a coin receiving an validation apparatus which in 
one particular aspect is applicable to the collection and validating coins 
in toll systems for roads or the like. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
It is becoming increasingly popular in communities to provide toll roads 
where users of a road system pay a certain toll for travelling on such a 
road system. In most cases, a toll collection station is provided at one 
or more positions on the road system and the motorist is required either 
to manually pay the toll to operators at the toll station or deposit toll 
monies into a collection chute so that a boom gate will open to permit 
passage of the vehicle onto a certain section of the road system. In such 
arrangements, it is obviously important that toll stations operate 
efficiently so that minimum disruption to traffic is provided. 
The current automatic toll systems which are in use have a number of 
disadvantages. For example, for validation of coins deposited into the 
collection chute, the deposited coins are moved onto a ramp where they 
roll pass a validation coil and if the coin is accepted, a gate solenoid 
is operated to let the coin pass. The coin then moves past a second coil 
(gone coil) which activates coin identification pulses and it is only 
after this is achieved that coin validation is complete. In the above 
arrangement, coins can become stuck and block the coin machine. 
Furthermore, as the rate of roll time of each coin varies depending upon 
its rim diameter or configuration and weight, large time variations can 
occur in the rolling movement of the coins past the respective sensing 
coils. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention aims to overcome or alleviate one or more of the 
above disadvantages by providing a coin receiving apparatus which permits 
increased speed, accuracy and uniformity of operation both in sensing 
defect or foreign coins and in sensing the correct or incorrect amount 
deposited into the mechanism. The coin apparatus of the invention whilst 
particularly suited to use in toll systems, may be employed in many other 
situations where coin detection and/or validation is required. Other 
objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the 
following description. 
With the above and other objects in view, the present invention provides in 
a preferred aspect coin receiving apparatus including a coin acceptor 
mechanism comprising a coin receiving body, said body being provided with 
at least one recess adapted to receive a coin therein, sensing means for 
sensing whether a said coin comprises a valid coin, means for moving said 
body relative to said sensing means whereby to cause a said coin to be 
moved passed said sensing means and means for rejecting an invalid said 
coin as sensed by said sensing means. 
Preferably said coin receiving body comprises a generally planar body and 
said at least one recess comprises a recess opening to the periphery of 
said body. Most suitably, said body comprises a disc-shaped body and there 
are provided means for causing rotation of said disc-shaped body and 
thereby movement of a said coin in a said recess past said sensing means. 
Preferably, said coin receiving body is supported for movement relative to 
a base, said base including a rebate adapted to receive a said coin from 
said recess in said coin receiving body, said body being adapted to convey 
said coin along said rebate and past said sensing means. Suitably, said 
coin receiving body includes an abutment member on the trailing side of 
said recess and adapted to engage a said coin to cause movement thereof 
along said recess. Preferably the leading end of said abutment member is 
shaped so as to engage the periphery of a coin above the centre thereof. 
Suitably, said base includes a groove for receiving said abutment member 
for passage therealong. Preferably, said base includes a discharge opening 
for receiving valid coins and directing valid coins for collection. 
Preferably, said base includes a wall member movable between a first 
operative position adjacent said coin receiving body for guiding coins 
into said recess and a second position wherein said wall member is moved 
away from said coin receiving body to permit dumping from said coin 
acceptor mechanism. Hopper means are preferably associated with said wall 
member for receiving and guiding coins towards said recesses, said hopper 
means being adjustably mounted relative to said wall member. 
The apparatus also suitably includes an escrow assembly for receiving coins 
from said coin acceptor mechanism, said escrow assembly including a 
housing having a movable barrier therein, said barrier defining in said 
housing at least one compartment for receiving said coins, said housing 
having an outlet through which coins may pass upon rotation of said 
barrier. Preferably said barrier includes a first ramped portion upon 
which coins may locate and a second abutment portion for moving coins into 
said outlet. 
Suitably, the coin detection means comprises coin contact electromagnetic 
sensing means which may be in the form of one or more sensing coils 
located in or adjacent said base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings and firstly to FIG. 1 there is illustrated an 
automatic coin receiving apparatus 10 according to the present invention 
having a planar base 11 mounted on a vault chamber 12 which may 
incorporate vaults for the collection of coins deposited into the 
apparatus 10. Mounted on the base 11 is a coin acceptor mechanism 13 which 
is adapted to receive coins and either deposit same into an escrow 
assembly 14 and/or reject coins. 
The coin acceptor mechanism 13 also illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 8 includes an 
outer circular base 15 upon which is mounted a base insert 16 and a coin 
pick-up wheel 17, the latter being of disc-like form and including a 
plurality of coin accepting recesses or slots 18 in its periphery for 
receiving and conveying coins. The base 15 includes a fixed part-annular 
rim 19 and a movable part-annular wall member 20 which is pivotally 
mounted at opposite sides to the remainder of the base 15 and which 
supports a hopper 21 which is preferably constructed of a transparent 
material and which is arranged to receive coins and guide coins downwardly 
to the lower portion of the coin acceptor mechanism 13. The hopper 21 is 
pivotally mounted at 22 to one side of the wall member 20 by means of an 
aperture in the hopper locating over a pin fixed to the wall member 20 and 
a pair of adjustment screw devices 23 and 24 are provided on the hopper 21 
for engagement with the member 20 at different circumferential positions 
to permit the hopper 21 to be positioned at a required spacing from the 
coin pick-up wheel 17 for a purpose which will hereinafter become 
apparent. The hopper 21 includes a part annular flange 25 which lies 
within and adjacent to the wall member 20 and a base wall 26 which lies in 
a plane substantially parallel to the wheel 17, the hopper 21 extending 
outwardly from the wall 26 to define a coin guiding chute 27. 
The member 20 is arranged to be pivotable away from the remainder of the 
base 15 under the control of a motor driven crank 28 which is connected to 
the wall 20 via a link 29 which comprises two parts 30 and 31 
telescopically engaged and biased towards each other via a spring 32 (see 
FIG. 4A). In the normal position of the member 20 the crank 28 is moved to 
a position such that the spring force exerted by the spring 32 biases the 
annular wall 20 to the position of FIG. 4, however, rotation of the crank 
28 will cause the wall 20 to move to the position shown in dotted outline. 
The crank 28 is connected to any suitable driving source such as a motor 
28' which may be actuated manually or automatically as described below. 
The base insert 16 of the coin acceptor mechanism 13 as shown more clearly 
in FIG. 7 is of annular form and includes a cut-out discharge slot 33 in 
its outer periphery adapted for alignment with a similar slot in its base 
15 and an annular groove 34 terminating at opposite ends at the discharge 
slot 33. The base insert 16 further includes an elongated coin receiving 
rebate 35 which is adapted to receive coins at the position 36 from the 
pick-up wheel 17. The rebate 35 terminates in the slot 33 so that coins in 
the rebate 35 may be deposited therethrough. 
The coin pick-up wheel 17 includes on its underside a plurality of arcuate 
ribs 37 which extend rearwardly from the trailing sides of the coin 
recesses 18 and which locate in use within the annular groove 34 of the 
base insert 16 for movement therearound upon rotation of the wheel 17. 
The coin acceptor mechanism 13 is supported at an inclination by a support 
member 38 so that coins deposited into the hopper 21 fall under the 
influence of gravity to the lower portion of the acceptor mechanism 13 and 
are held in an inclined plane as they are conveyed by the pick-up wheel 
17. The wheel 17 is arranged to be driven by a toothed belt 39 (see FIG. 
4) connected between a pulley 40 on the shaft of a DC drive motor 41 and a 
pulley 42 on the end of a shaft 43 connected to the wheel 17 for 
rotational movement therewith. Preferably, the pulley 40 and/or drive 
motor 41 includes a clutch. 
The base insert 16 also incorporates a coin detection device mounted in the 
region 44 for detection of coins as they are moved therepast. The 
detection device may comprise an non-contact electromagnetic sampling unit 
associated with a microprocessor which classifies the coins in accordance 
with their diameter, thickness, resistivity and/or composition. 
Alternatively, other forms of coin detection devices may be employed such 
as photo-electric or mechanical devices for detecting coin diameter. The 
base insert 16 also incorporates a coin rejection mechanism 45 which 
preferable comprises a solenoid 46, the plunger 47 of which is normally 
located at or adjacent the surface of the base insert 16 but which when 
actuated extends outwardly of the base insert 16 to reject coins or other 
foreign objects as described below. 
The escrow assembly 14 includes a cylindrical housing 48 provided with a 
rotatable paddle 49 which is adapted to be driven in a stepwise manner via 
a further DC motor 50. The paddle 49 comprises two or more radially 
extending arms 51, each of which includes a ramped portion 52 terminating 
in a radially extending abutment wall 53. The base 54 of the housing 48 is 
provided with an outlet aperture 55 (shown in dotted outline) towards the 
upper end of the housing for deposit of coins via a guide 56 into the 
vault chamber 12 and the arms 51 separate the housing into respective 
compartments 57. 
The escrow assembly 14 is also supported in an inclined attitude on a 
support frame 58 and a cover 59 preferably formed of transparent material 
is releasable engaged with the housing 48 by means of clips 60 and 
incorporates an entry chute 61 which is adapted to communicate with the 
discharge slot 33 in the base insert 16 and guide coins onto the ramped 
portions 52 of the arms 51. 
In use the pick-up wheel 17 is constantly driven by its motor 41 and the 
hopper 21 communicated with any suitable intake chute, say on a toll road 
system. When coins are received by the hopper 21 they fall to the lower 
portion of the acceptor mechanism 13 being guided between the converging 
hopper and wheel 17 so as adopt a position parallel to the plane of the 
wheel and to locate in respective recesses 18. The position of the hopper 
21 is adjusted by means of the screw devices 23 and 24 so that at the 
lower portion of the acceptor mechanism 13 the distance between the base 
wall 26 of the hopper 21 and the pick-up wheel 17 is normally such as to 
only allow one coin to be located therebetween. If a pair of coins become 
arranged one on top of the other the base wall 26 of the hopper 21 will be 
engaged by the upper coin and lift against gravity away from the wheel and 
the frictional force exerted on the upper coin by the hopper wall 26 will 
cause it to be moved relatively into another recess 18 of the pick-up 
wheel 17. At the adjustment screw device 24 the spacing is increased such 
that a pair of coins will not be held in a single recess by the hopper 
wall 26 so that one coin located on top of another will fall from the 
lower coin under the influence of gravity to the lower portion of the 
acceptor mechanism to locate in a further recess 18. Coins in the recesses 
18 are conveyed by rotation of the wheel 17 towards the upper end of the 
acceptor mechanism 13 until they reach the portion 36 of the rebate 35 in 
the base insert 16 and will thence fall under the influence of gravity 
into the rebate 35. The coins will then be conveyed along the rebate 35 by 
the leading end of a rib 37 in the manner shown in FIG. 8. The leading end 
62 of each rib 37 is cut back to be tapered to suit all coins so that 
irrespective of the size of the coins, a portion of the leading end 62 of 
the ribs 37 will always engage the coins indicated as X and Y at a 
position above their centre. This will ensure that the coins are stably 
held as they roll or are pushed along the rebate 35 for coin validation 
and detection at the position 44. 
If valid coins are detected by the coin validator in the position 44 they 
are deposited via the entry chute 61 into the escrow assembly 14 so that 
they position on the ramped portion 52 of the arms 51. Each coin deposited 
can thus be readily viewed through the transparent cover 59. When the 
correct number of coins, as detected by the validator have been received 
the motor 50 is actuated so as to cause stepwise rotation of the paddle 
49. As the paddle 49 rotates the coins will fall from the ramped portion 
52 into one of the compartments 57 to be swept by the trailing wall 53 
into the outlet aperture 55 and thence into the collection chamber 12. If 
an invalid coin is detected by the validator, the solenoid 46 will be 
triggered to cause rapid advancement of the plunger 47 in the manner shown 
in FIG. 10 so as to eject the invalid coin. The invalid coin may be 
directed by a further chute 63 into a dump tray 64 for return to the 
customer. Alternatively, the invalid coin may by directed via a chute (not 
shown) to a further compartment of the escrow assembly 14 so as to be 
viewable by the operator and customer. 
In the event that coins become jammed in the coin acceptor mechanism 13 the 
hopper 21 will simply rise up against its gravitational bias until the jam 
has passed. Should any rubbish be deposited into the hopper 21 the crank 
28 can be actuated to cause the annular wall 20 to pivot to the position 
shown in dotted outline in FIG. 4 so that that material is dumped from the 
acceptor mechanism 13. 
FIG. 11 illustrates further details of the acceptor mechanism 13 adjacent 
the coin discharge opening 33 with portion of the pickup wheel 17 
disengaged from the base insert 16 and incorporating an alternative coin 
eject system. In this arrangement a gate 65 shown in dotted outline is 
located in the opening 33 and normally permits coins to pass from the 
rebate 35 into the discharge opening 33 for collection in the escrow 
assembly 14. If, however, an invalid coin is sensed, the gate 65 is moved 
to the position shown as 65' to intercept the invalid coins and direct 
them either into the dump tray 64 or into one of the compartments 58 of 
the escrow assembly 14. The gate 65 is actuated by any suitable motive 
means such as via a linkage connected to a solenoid or by an angular 
actuator and responds to the coin validator as previously. 
Further control of the apparatus 11 of the invention is achieved by means 
of a timing wheel 66 (see FIG. 4) which is mounted to the shaft 43 so as 
to be rotatable with the pickup wheel 17. The timing wheel 66 may be of 
similar form to the pickup wheel and includes recesses 67 corresponding in 
number and spacing to the recesses 18. Alternatively, the wheel 66 may 
include a plurality of spaced apertures of corresponding number and 
spacing. An optoelectric sensor 68 associated with a timing circuit is 
mounted adjacent to the wheel 43 to sense the presence of the recesses 67 
in the wheel 66 as it rotates and thus the timing of rotation of the 
pickup wheel 17. Should for some reason an obstruction be encountered 
causing the wheel 17 to slow down or stop, this will be sensed by the 
sensor 68 which will send a signal to its associated circuitry and control 
circuit for the wheel drive motor 41. The control circuit will thus react 
to stop the drive motor 41 and cause it to reverse so as to free the 
obstruction. The motor 41 is reversed to move through a certain preset 
angle and forward and reversing increments of movement may occur as preset 
in the control circuitry so as to provide the opportunity for the 
obstruction to clear. The control circuit will then reset to cause normal 
operation of the wheel 17. If an obstruction is still sensed by the sensor 
68, the crank 28 will be actuated to lift the member 20 to cause dumping 
from the coin acceptor mechanism 13 whilst the motor 41 is cycling in its 
forward and reverse movements. 
The apparatus 10 may further include a coin diameter or size sensing device 
which may be associated with the electromagnetic coin validator as 
described further below. Preferably, the size sensing device includes an 
arm 69 (see FIG. 8) pivotally mounted to the base 11 and extending into 
the rebate 35. The arm 69 includes a boss 70 at its inner end adapted to 
be contacted by the periphery of a coin so as to cause the arm 69 to pivot 
upwardly. A stop 71 prevents the arm 69 contacting the ribs 37. The extent 
of pivotal movement of the arm 69 corresponds to the diameter of the coin 
being contacted and movement sensing means 72 are provided to sense the 
amount of movement. Alternatively, angular movement sensing means may be 
provided for this purpose. The signal provided by the movement sensing 
means may be used in combination with the signal provided by the coin 
detection coil/s to provide an accurate determination of the coins 
received. Thus although the movement sensing means 72 may provide a signal 
which corresponds to a coin of a certain diameter, that signal may also be 
representative of a counterfeit device. The detection provided by the 
detection coils however will determine whether in fact the apparent coin 
sensed by the movement sensing means is a true coin. If not, the coin will 
be ejected. 
The rebate or groove 35 is preferably provided adjacent the position 36 
with a ramp 73 which leads into the rebate 35. Thus if a coin becomes 
jammed in the rebate 35 causing the pickup wheel 17 to stop, reversal of 
the motor 41 as described above will permit the jammed coin to be moved 
with the aid of the ramp 73 out of the rebate 35. 
The use of the rebate 35 in the base insert 16 is primarily for the 
stabilisation of small coins as they are moved past the coin validator to 
ensure accurate detection. In some situations however, the rebate 35 may 
be eliminated so that the coins are simply conveyed past the coin 
validator whilst remaining in the recesses 18. Of course in this 
arrangement, the ribs 37 on the pickup wheel 17 as well as the groove 34 
may be eliminated. 
Preferably the coin pick-up wheel 17 and base insert 16 are formed of a 
hard wearing material, such as a polymer material. Preferably also a hard 
wearing lining is used on the inside of the annular member 20 and annular 
wall 19 of the base 11. 
Preferably speed and position sensing means are associated with the escrow 
paddle 51 to control its operation and timing. Such means may comprise one 
or more circumferentially spaced magnets in the rim of the paddle 51 whose 
presence is sensed by a Hall effect transistor mounted adjacent the disc 
rim. The signal generated in the transistor is used as a timing signal to 
control the motor 50 to ensure that the paddle 51 is indexed to the 
correct position for receipt of coins from the chute 61 or for deposit of 
coins into the aperture 55 when coin validity is sensed. 
Clutch assemblies are preferably associated with each drive motor for the 
pickup wheel 17 and escrow paddle 51 so that damage in the event of 
jamming caused say by deformed coins does not occur. The pickup wheel 17 
may incorporate any number of coin recesses 18 and the valid or invalid 
coins may be directed to any position as desired. 
The coin sensing means suitably comprises one or more sensing coils 
embedded in the base insert 16 with connecting wires 74 extending 
therefrom (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for connection to control apparatus. As 
stated above however alternative coin sensing means may be employed. 
Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the 
invention, all such modifications and variations thereto as would be 
apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad 
scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined in the appended claims.