Abstract:
A troubleshooted coin output method used in a coin dispensing and outputting machine including a machine main unit formed of a coin dispensing unit, a coin hopper consisting of a driver circuit, motors, coin-pushing modules and sensors and a circuit module, and coin tubes for storing coins. When outputting coins, the circuit module counts the amount of coins to be outputted subject to the amount of money to be given, and then stops the coin output operation if the outputted amount of coins does not match the amount of money to be given due to failure or one motor or any other reasons, and then counts the rest amount to be given, and then drives the other motor to output coins till that the desired amount are outputted, thereby troubleshooting the problem.

Description:
This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan patent applications number 101140306 and 101149777, filed on Oct. 31, 2012 and Dec. 25, 2012. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to coin-dispensing technology and more particularly, to a troubleshooted coin output method used in a coin dispensing and outputting machine, which, when one coin-output motor fails to output coins from a first group coin tubes, drives the other coin-output motor to output coins from a second group coin tubes, enabling the amount of outputted coins meeting the amount of money desired to be given. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Following fast development of modern technology, convenience and rapidness have become important demands in our modern daily life. Nowadays, different automatic vending machines, card dispensers, ticket machines and bill exchange machines are used everywhere to sell different products and/or to provide different services without serviceman. These machines are highly appreciated for the advantage of saving much labor and bringing convenience to people. With the selling of more and more kinds of goods, advanced vending machines need added functions. 
     Further, commercial automatic vending machines and amusement machines commonly provide a coin acceptor for allowing people to insert coins, achieving unmanned operation and self-checkout. Further, a coin-operated automatic vending machine or amusement machine generally uses a coin validator module to validate the authenticity and value of each inserted coin or token. Different coins or tokens have different sizes. After validation of an inserted coin, the coin will be dispensed into one of a number of coin tubes inside the machine by means of a coin dispenser. Subject to the operation of the coin dispenser, coins of different values can be separately dispensed into different coin tubes for storage. Further, commercial automatic vending machines, game consoles and consumer systems are generally equipped with a coin hopper to provide coin-exchange, change-giving and coin-return functions 
     A coin hopper of an automatic vending machine, game console or consumer system generally comprises multiple coin-pushing modules, and multiple motors controllable to drive the respective coin-pushing modules to push coins from different coin tubes for output. However, when one motor fails, the coin hopper will be stopped, prohibiting coin output. In this case, an inserted coin cannot be returned, causing the consumer a degree of distress, inconvenience and financial loss. Further, each motor simply drives one coin-pushing module to output coins of one particular value. One motor will fail soon if it is frequently operated. When one motor fails, the coin hopper will be stopped, and the other motors cannot be operated to output coins. Further, when one motor of the coin hopper fails, the machine provider must send a maintenance technician to repair the failed motor soon. If the failed motor cannot be repaired quickly, the machine will be unable to work, leading to financial loss. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a measure that eliminates the aforesaid problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a troubleshooted coin output method used in a coin dispensing and outputting machine including a machine main unit formed of a coin dispensing unit, a coin hopper consisting of a driver circuit, motors, coin-pushing modules and sensors and a circuit module, and coin tubes for storing coins, wherein when outputting coins, the circuit module counts the amount of coins to be outputted subject to the amount of money to be given, and then stops the coin output operation if the outputted amount of coins does not match the amount of money to be given due to failure or one motor or any other reasons, and then counts the rest amount to be given, and then drives the other motor to output coins until that the desired amount are outputted, thereby troubleshooting the problem that the outputted amount of coins does not match the amount of money to be given and effectively prolonging the total lifespan of the coin dispensing and outputting machine. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a troubleshooted coin output method used in a coin dispensing and outputting machine including a machine main unit formed of a coin dispensing unit, a coin hopper consisting of a driver circuit, motors, coin-pushing modules and sensors and a circuit module, and coin tubes arranged in first and second groups for storing coins, wherein when the coin tubes of the first group are empty during operation of a first motor of the coin hopper to output coins from the coin tubes of the first group, the circuit module will drive a second motor of the coin hopper to output coins from the coin tubes of the second group until that the desired amount are outputted, enabling the frequency of use of each motor to be approximately equal and prolonging the lifespan of the motors. Thus, all the motors can be replaced at a time after a long period of use, saving the replacement time and labor cost. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a troubleshooted coin output method used in a coin dispensing and outputting machine including a machine main unit formed of a coin dispensing unit, a coin hopper consisting of a driver circuit, motors, coin-pushing modules and sensors and a circuit module, and coin tubes arranged in first and second groups for storing coins, wherein when sensors of the circuit module sensed the storage of coins in the coin tubes of the first group is in full-level and the flag to prohibit coins from entering the coin tubes of the first group is created, the setting of the coin inlet path of the coin dispensing module will be changed, enabling coins to be guided into the coin tubes of the second group, and therefore inputted coins can be equally distributed and stored in the coin tubes of the first group and the second group. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a coin dispensing and outputting machine in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the coin dispensing and outputting machine in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the coin hopper of the coin dispensing and outputting machine in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a troubleshooted coin output method in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a motor abnormality determination action of the troubleshooted coin output method in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a cross-allocation coin dispensing action of the troubleshooted coin output method in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart of a cross-allocation coin output action of the troubleshooted coin output method in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a coin dispensing and outputting machine in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a machine main unit  1 , and a set of coin tubes  2 . 
     The machine main unit  1  comprises a housing  11  defining therein an accommodation space  10 , a coin dispensing unit  12  mounted in a top side in the accommodation space  10  inside the housing  11 , a coin hopper  13  mounted in a bottom side in the accommodation space  10  inside the housing  11 , and a circuit module  14  mounted in a bottom side of the coin dispensing unit  12 . The set of coin tubes  2  is mounted in the coin hopper  13  at the bottom side of the coin dispensing unit  12 . The coin dispensing unit  12  comprises a coin inlet  120  disposed at a top side thereof for receiving coins  3 , a coin validator module  121  for validating the authenticity and values of coins  3  being put into the coin inlet  120 , a coin dispensing module  122  for dispensing validated coins  3  into the coin tubes  2  in a proper order, and a face panel  15  disposed at a front side relative to the coin dispensing unit  12 . 
     The coin hopper  13  comprises a driver circuit  130 , a plurality of motors  131 , a plurality of coin-pushing modules  132 , and a plurality of sensors  133  for sensing displacement of the coin-pushing module  132 . Each motor  131  has the output shaft thereof coupled to a gear train  1311  that is coupled to a gearwheel  1320  of one respective coin-pushing module  132 , and is controlled by the driver circuit  130  to rotate the gear train  1312  and the meshed gearwheel  1320  through a predetermined angle, causing a coin pusher  1321  at the gearwheel  1320  to push one coin  3  out of the bottom side of one coin tube  2  laterally for enabling the pushed coin  3  to fall out of the coin outlet  134  at the bottom side of the coin hopper  13 , and therefore the coin-exchange, change-giving or coin-return operation is done. 
     The circuit module  14  comprises multiple sets of sensors  141  respectively mounted around the outer perimeters of the coin tubes  2  to detect storage coins  3  in the coin tubes  2  at a low-level or full-level, a control circuit  140  made in the form of a circuit board and mounted at the bottom side of the coin dispensing unit  12  and electrically coupled with the multiple sets of sensors  141  to receive detection signals from the sensors  141  and to control on/off of the coin hopper  13  subject to the detection results of the sensors  141 , and a display unit  142  electrically coupled to the control circuit  140  and mounted in the face panel  15  for displaying fault conditions. Mounting the control circuit  140  at the bottom side of the coin dispensing unit  12  is simply an installation example of the present invention. In other embodiments of the present invention, the control circuit  140  can be mounted inside the coin dispensing unit  12 , or at any suitable location in the housing  11 . 
     The coin tubes  2  are cylindrical coin storage devices for receiving sorted coins  3 , each defining a cylindrical passage  20  that has a respective predetermined inner diameter for accommodating a predetermined amount of coins  3  having a specific value. 
     The troubleshooted coin output method is employed in the aforesaid coin dispensing and outputting machine and performed subject to the steps of:
     ( 101 ) Machine initialization.   ( 102 ) Count the amount of coins  3  to be outputted from the coin tubes  2  subject to the amount of money to be given.   ( 103 ) Execute a cross-allocation coin output action to output coins  3  from the coin tubes  2 .   ( 104 ) Determine whether or not the cross-allocation coin output action is done. Then proceed to step ( 105 ) if the action is not yet done, or step ( 109 ) if the action is done.   ( 105 ) Determine the normality of the function of the motors  131  to move the respective coin-pushing module  132 , and then return to step ( 104 ) if the function is normal, or proceed to step ( 106 ) if the function is abnormal.   ( 106 ) Check whether or not all the motors  131  are abnormal. Then proceed to step ( 107 ) if all the motors  131  are abnormal, or step ( 108 ) if the motors  131  are not all abnormal.   ( 107 ) Stop the operation of the machine.   ( 108 ) Stop executing the action of outputting coins  3  from the coin tubes  2 , and count the rest amount to be outputted, and then repeat step ( 102 ).   ( 109 ) End the coin output operation and return to the standby mode.   

     As stated above, the troubleshooted coin output method is used in the coin dispensing and outputting machine that can be used in an automatic game machine, a game console, or any consumer system that sells goods or services to consumers. During application, the machine main unit  1  of the coin dispensing and outputting machine is mounted in the housing of the automatic game machine, game console or consumer system and electrically connected to the internal main board of the automatic game machine, game console or consumer system, enabling the automatic game machine, game console or consumer system to provide coin-receiving, coin-dispensing and coin-recognition functions. 
     Before the operation of the coin hopper  13  of the machine main unit  1  to output coins, the coin dispensing and outputting machine is initialized to set all firmware default values and to run function tests, and then the machine enters the standby mode if test results are normal. When starting the coin hopper  13  to exchange coins, to give change or to return coins, the microprocessor (not shown) of the control circuit  140  of the circuit module  14  counts the amount of coins  3  to be outputted from the coin tubes  2  subject to the amount of money to be given, and then drives the coin hopper  13  to execute a cross-allocation coin output action to output coins  3  from the coin tubes  2 . During a cross-allocation coin output action subject to one application example of the present invention, one motor  131  is driven to rotate the associating coin-pushing module  132  and to further push coins  3  of different values (for example, NT$50 and NT$10) out of two coin tubes  2  of a first group, and the other motor  131  is driven to rotate the associating coin-pushing module  132  and to further push coins  3  of different values (for example, NT$10, NT$5 and NT$1) out of four coin tubes  2  of a second group. This application example is for the purpose of understanding how the coin dispensing and outputting machine works, but not limitations. Further, the number and sizes of the coin tubes  2  may be changed to fit different kinds and sizes of coins  3 . 
     However, if the control circuit  140  of the circuit module  14  detects that the coin hopper  13  cannot output coins  3  from the coin tubes  2  subject to the amount to be outputted, it will check the driver circuit  130  to see any abnormality of the function of the motors  131  in driving the respective coin-pushing modules  132 . If all the motors  131  are checked failed and coin output operation cannot be done, the control circuit  140  of the circuit module  14  will immediately stop the coin hopper  13  and drive the display unit  142  to indicate fault status by means of color lights, subtitles, text or symbols. When only one particular motor  131  is checked failed, the control circuit  140  of the circuit module  14  will control the coin hopper  13  not to drive the failed motor  131  in rotating the associating gearwheel  1320  of the coin-pushing module  132 , and will count the rest amount to be outputted from the coin tubes  2  and then execute a corresponding cross-allocation coin output action to output coins  3  from the coin tubes  2  until that the desired amount are outputted. After the coin output operation, the control circuit  140  of the circuit module  14  returns the machine to the standby mode. 
     Further, if one motor  131  is checked abnormal during the operation of the coin hopper  13  to move the coin-pushing module  132 , the control circuit  140  of the circuit module  14  runs subject to the steps of:
     ( 201 ) Drive the motor  131  in trouble to rotate the associating coin-pushing modules  132 , moving the associating coin pusher  1321  to the start-point sensor  133 .   ( 202 ) Determine whether or not the coin pusher  1321  is moved to the start-point sensor  133 . Then proceed to step ( 203 ) if negative, or step ( 205 ) if positive.   ( 203 ) Determine whether or not the coin pusher  1321  is moved to the start-point sensor  133  within the set length of time. Then proceed to step ( 204 ) if negative, or step ( 205 ) if positive.   ( 204 ) Feed back motor  131  fault signal.   ( 205 ) Drive the motor  131  to rotate the associating coin-pushing module  132 , moving the associating coin pusher  1321  to the end-point sensor  133 .   ( 206 ) Determine whether or not the coin pusher  1321  is moved to the end-point sensor  133  within the set length of time. Then return to step ( 204 ) if negative, or proceed to step ( 207 ) if positive.   ( 207 ) Drive the motor  131  to rotate the associating coin-pushing module  132 , moving the associating coin pusher  1321  to the start-point sensor  133 .   ( 208 ) Determine whether or not the coin pusher  1321  is moved to the start-point sensor  133  within the set length of time. Then return to step ( 204 ) if negative, or proceed to step ( 209 ) if positive.   ( 209 ) Execute another cross-allocation coin output action to output coins  3  from the other coin tubes  2 .   

     As stated above, if one motor  131  fails or the coin hopper  13  cannot output coins due to any other reasons, the control circuit  140  of the circuit module  14  checks the driver circuit  130  to see any abnormality of the function of the motors  131 . At this time, the sensors  133  are controlled to detect movement of each coin pusher  1321  from the start-point to the end-point. When one motor  131  drives the associating coin-pushing module  132  to move the associating coin pusher  1321  to the start-point, the sensor  133  at the start-point senses the presence of the respective coin pusher  1321 . If the respective coin pusher  1321  does not reach the start-point within the set length of time, a fault signal will be fed back from the motor  131  to the control circuit  140  of the circuit module  14 , enabling the control circuit  140  to display the fault signal through the display unit  142 . If the coin pusher  1321  is detected at the start-point or checked reached the start-point within the set length of time, the control circuit  140  will immediately drive the motor  131  to rotate the associating coin-pushing modules  132 , moving the associating coin pusher  1321  to the sensor  133  at the end-point. 
     After the motor  131  drives the associating coin-pushing module  132  to move the associating coin pusher  1321  to the sensor  133  at the end-point, the control circuit  140  checks whether or not the coin pusher  1321  reaches the sensor  133  at the end-point. If the coin pusher  1321  does not reach the sensor  133  at the end-point within the set length of time, a fault signal will be fed back to the control circuit  140 , enabling the control circuit  140  to display the fault signal through the display unit  140 . If the coin pusher  1321  reaches the sensor  133  at the end-point within the set length of time, the control circuit  140  can control other motors  131  to rotate the respective coin-pushing modules  132 , running another cross-allocation coin output action to output coins  3  from the other coin tubes  2  until the desired amount is outputted. This troubleshooted coin output method prevents user coin loss, effectively prolongs the lifespan of the coin hopper  13 , and enhances the competivity of the consumer system using this troubleshooted coin output method. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when coins  3  are fed into the coin inlet  120  of the coin dispensing unit  12 , the coin dispensing unit  12  runs a cross-allocation coin dispensing action to dispense coins  3  into the coin tubes  2  subject to the steps of:
     ( 301 ) Start.   ( 302 ) The coin dispensing unit  12  determines whether or not coins  3  enters the coin inlet  120 . Then the coin dispensing unit  12  proceeds to step ( 303 ) if coins  3  enters the coin inlet  120 , or returns to step ( 301 ) if no coin enters the coin inlet  120 .   ( 303 ) The coin validator module  121  of the coin dispensing unit  12  validates the authenticity and values of the coins  3 , and then the coin dispensing unit  12  proceeds to step ( 304 ) if the coins  3  are counterfeit coins, or step ( 305 ) if the coins  3  are real coins.   ( 304 ) The coin dispensing unit  12  returns the counterfeit coins  3 , and then the coin dispensing unit  12  returns to step ( 301 ).   ( 305 ) The coin dispensing unit  12  starts coin inlet path initialization.   ( 306 ) The sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  detect whether or not the storage of coins  3  in the coin tubes  2  of the first group reaches the full-level. Then, the coin dispensing unit  12  proceeds to step ( 307 ) if negative, or step ( 309 ) if positive.   ( 307 ) Determine whether or not the flag to prohibit entering of coins into the coin tubes  2  of the first group is created. Then the coin dispensing unit  12  proceeds to step ( 308 ) if the flag is not created, or step ( 309 ) if the flag is created.   ( 308 ) The coin dispensing unit  12  sets the coin inlet path of the coin dispensing module  122  to enter the coin tubes  2  of the first group.   ( 309 ) The sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  detect whether or not the storage of coins  3  in the coin tubes  2  of the second group reaches the full-level. Then, the coin dispensing unit  12  proceeds to step ( 310 ) if negative, or step ( 312 ) if positive.   ( 310 ) Determine whether or not the flag to prohibit entering of coins into the coin tubes  2  of the second group is created. Then the coin dispensing unit  12  proceeds to step ( 311 ) if the flag is not created, or step ( 312 ) if the flag is created.   ( 311 ) The coin dispensing unit  12  sets the coin inlet path of the coin dispensing module  122  to enter the coin tubes  2  of the second group.   ( 312 ) The coin dispensing unit  12  sets the coin inlet path of the coin dispensing module  122  to enter a predetermined coin box.   

     As stated above, when coins  3  are put into the coin inlet  120  of the coin dispensing unit  12 , the coin dispensing unit  12  judges that coins  3  enters, and then drives the coin validator module  121  to validate the authenticity and values of the coins  3 . If the coins  3  are counterfeit coins, the coin dispensing unit  12  returns the counterfeit coins  3 . If the coins  3  are real coins, the coin dispensing unit  12  starts coin inlet path initialization to set all firmware parameters. If the flag to prohibit coins from entering the coin tubes  2  of the first group is not created after the sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  detected that the storage of coins  3  in the coin tubes  2  of the first group is in the low level, the coin dispensing unit  12  sets the coin inlet path of the coin dispensing module  122  to guide the coins  3  into the coin tubes  2  of the first group. 
     If the sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  detected the storage of coins  3  in the coin tubes  2  of the first group is in the full-level or the flag to prohibit coins from entering the coin tubes  2  of the first group is created, the sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  will then detect whether or not the storage of coins  3  in the coin tubes  2  of the second group to be in the full-level. If the storage of coins  3  in the coin tubes  2  of the second group is in the full-level and the flag to prohibit coins from entering the coin tubes  2  of the first group is not created, the coin dispensing unit  12  sets the coin inlet path of the coin dispensing module  122  to guide the coins  3  into the predetermined coin box. 
     However, if the sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  detects the storage of coins  3  in the coin tubes  2  of the second group is in the low level or the flag to prohibit coins from entering the coin tubes  2  of the second group is not created, the coin dispensing unit  12  sets the coin inlet path of the coin dispensing module  122  to guide the coins  3  into the coin tubes  2  of the second group. This cross-allocation coin dispensing measure can change the setting of the coin inlet path of the coin dispensing module  122  if the storage of coins  3  in the coin tubes  2  of the first group is in the full-level, enabling the inputted coins  3  to be guided into the coin tubes  2  of the second group and then guided into the predetermined coin box or other coin tubes  2  when the storage of coins  3  in the coin tubes  2  of the second group reaches the full-level. Thus, inputted coins can be properly distributed into the coin tubes  2  of the first group and the coin tubes  2  of the second group. 
     Further, when the coin hopper  13  executes the cross-allocation coin output action to output coins  3  from the coin tubes  2 , the coin dispensing and outputting machine runs subject to the steps of:
     ( 401 ) Start.   ( 402 ) The coin hopper  13  starts initialization.   ( 403 ) The sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  detect whether or not the coin tubes  2  of the first group have coins  3  stored therein. Then, the coin dispensing and outputting machine proceeds to step ( 404 ) if the coin tubes  2  have coins  3  stored therein, or step ( 405 ) if the coin tubes  2  are empty.   ( 404 ) The circuit module  14  determines whether or not the flag to prohibit entering of coins into the coin tubes  2  of the first group is created. Then, the coin dispensing and outputting machine proceeds to step ( 405 ) if the flag is created, or step ( 408 ) if the flag is not created.   ( 405 ) The sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  detect whether or not the coin tubes  2  of the second group have coins  3  stored therein. Then, the coin dispensing and outputting machine proceeds to step ( 406 ) if the coin tubes  2  have coins  3  stored therein, or step ( 407 ) if the coin tubes  2  are empty.   ( 406 ) The circuit module  14  determines whether or not the flag to prohibit entering of coins into the coin tubes  2  of the second group is created. Then, the coin dispensing and outputting machine proceeds to step ( 407 ) if the flag is created, or step ( 408 ) if the flag is not created.   ( 407 ) Allow outputting coins  3  of a different value from the coin tubes  2 .   ( 408 ) Execute coin output.   ( 409 ) End the coin output action.   

     As stated above, when executing the cross-allocation coin output action to output coins  3  from the coin tubes  2 , the coin hopper  13  initializes all the firmware parameters. After the sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  detects that the coin tubes  2  of the first group have coins  3  stored therein and the flag to prohibit entering of coins into the coin tubes  2  of the first group is not created, one motor  131  of the coin hopper  13  will be driven to move the associating coin-pushing module  132 , outputting coins  3  from the coin tubes  2  of the first group. When the coin output action is done, the coin dispensing and outputting machine immediately returns to the standby mode. If the sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  detected that the coin tubes  2  of the first group have coins  3  are empty or the flag to prohibit entering of coins into the coin tubes  2  of the first group is created, the sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  will detect coin storage status of the coin tubes  2  of the second group. If the coin tubes  2  of the second group have coins  3  stored therein and the flag to prohibit entering of coins into the coin tubes  2  of the second group is not created, the other motor  131  of the coin hopper  13  will be driven to move the associating coin-pushing module  132 , outputting coins  3  from the coin tubes  2  of the second group. 
     Further, if the sensors  141  of the circuit module  14  detects that the coin tubes  2  of the first group have coins  3  are empty or the flag to prohibit entering of coins  3  into the coin tubes  2  of the first group is created, the circuit module  14  will stop the coin hopper  13  from outputting coins, and will count the rest amount to be outputted, and will then drive the coin hopper  13  to output coins  3  of a different value from the coin tubes  2 . For example, change the way of outputting coins of one first value (for example, NT$10) from the coin tubes  2  of the first group and the coin tubes  2  of the second group to the way of outputting coins  3  of two different values (for example, NT$5 and NT$1) from the coin tubes  2  of the second group, and then return to the standby mode after the desired amount is outputted. Thus, after one motor  131  of the coin hopper  13  drove the associating coin-pushing module  132  to output all coins  3  from the coin tubes  2  of the first group, the other motor  131  of the coin hopper  13  will be driven to move the associating coin-pushing module  132  and to further output coins  3  from the coin tubes  2  of the second group. This method enables the frequency of use of each motor  131  to be approximately equal, prolonging the lifespan of the motors  131 . Thus, all the motors  131  can be replaced at a time after a long period of use, saving the replacement time and labor cost. 
     Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.