Abstract:
A receiving and dispensing device for coins comprises a coin receiving device to receive the entry of coins of various denominations. The coins are segregated and verified as to authenticity. The coins are then transported along an upper and lower selecting section which are connected by appropriate guiding passageways to sets of upper and lower coin hoppers aligned in both a horizontal and vertical configuration to form a compact configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to a coin receiving and dispensing machine that can segregate and store a number of types of different coins and more particularly to a device that can store the respective segregated coins in a compact arrangement of coin hoppers that are capable of selectively dispensing the coins as needed. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   The ability to segregate and store coins such as monetary coins, tokens, medallions, metals, etc., and particularly coins of a cycloid type is known such as disclosed in the Japanese laid-open Patent Applications No. 6-274,740 and No. 9-319,912. The first coin receiving and dispensing device provides, for example, a plurality of coin hoppers that can store coins in bulk with the hoppers being arranged in two sets of horizontal rows. While the height of such a device is lowered, the width must be increased to accommodate a large number of coin hoppers. The second prior art device also discloses a plurality of coin hoppers where the hoppers are positioned vertically in a parallel arrangement. While this permits the width of the device to be relatively narrower, its height is larger. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,118 discloses a coin receiving and dispensing machine that can move coins about the perimeter of the housing to both sort and authenticate the coins and deposits the coins in temporary storage sections. 
   There is still a need in the prior art to provide an improved compact and efficient coin segregating and dispensing devices 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a receiving and dispensing device where coins can be introduced within a housing to enable the coins to initially be authenticated and separated for subsequent transporting to segregate the coins in accordance with a criterion such as the monetary value of the coins. A transporting passageway permits coins of various widths to be moved along an upper and lower selecting section and released from the transporting passageway. An endless belt is capable of moving the coins along guiding rails and gauge rails having openings of a particular width to accommodate specific coin denominations. Two sets, each of a plurality of hoppers, are provided with one set aligned on a lower horizontal section and operatively positioned to be connected through guiding passageways with a lower selecting section. The coins that pass the first selecting section can be elevated to pass through an upper second selecting section which can communicate through guiding passageways with another set of upper coin hoppers. The arrangement of the two sets of coin hoppers in a stacked vertical configuration facilitates both a compact and relatively inexpensive design. 
   Thus, the positioning of the coin hoppers in a horizontal and vertical alignment while accommodating also a stacked alignment of selecting sections corresponding to the coin hoppers enables an improved compact design of the present invention. The guiding passageway connections between the respective sets of coin hoppers provides a relatively direct and short movement of the coins into the coin hoppers, thereby lowering any opportunity for jamming. The transporting passageways can cause the coins to slant so that the coins will interface with the selecting sections and thereby fall by gravity through the guiding passageways to the appropriate coin hopper. The use of guiding rail and gauge rails in parallel configurations for the selecting sections facilitates the determination of releasing specific diameter coins to the appropriate coin hoppers. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a coin receiving and dispensing device of first embodiment of the present invention which is shown from the front and above; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment with the cover removed; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the coin transporting device of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross section view taken along the X—X line of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the Y section of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view with the coin receiving device and upper guiding cover removed; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view which has deleted the upper coin hoppers and guiding board from  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a coin receiving and dispensing device of a second embodiment of the present invention which is shown from the front and above; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment with the cover removed; 
       FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment with the cover removed; 
       FIG. 12  is a left side elevational view of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 13  is a cross section view taken along the X—X line at  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment with the diverting transporting device removed; 
       FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of a gauge section of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the upper and lower diverting device of the second embodiment; and 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the upper and lower diverting device of the second embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
   The term Coins is used generically and can be monetary coins, medals, tokens or other cylindrical discs of value. A first embodiment is explained by referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 8 . Coin receiving and dispensing device  100  is a rectangular in shape and has an upper cover  102  with a receiving slot  106  in receiving device  104  and a dispensing slot  110  below a front cover  108 . Upper cover  102  can pivot upwards at a supporting point which is located at one side of upper cover  102  (at the right in the  FIG. 1 ) to enable maintaining and/or servicing of transporting devices  120 ,  126  and/or selector  122 . 
   Upper cover  102  is locked to body  112  by an upper cover locking device  110 . A part of the left side cover  114  can be opened by movement of rectangle side cover  116 . Side cover  116  is further locked to body  112  by side cover locking device  118 . When side cover  116  is opened, a plural number of coin hoppers can be easily maintained or be supplied or have the coins removed from a coin hopper. 
   Coin receiving and dispensing device  100  includes a receiving device  104 , a first transporting device  120  and a coin selector  122 , a diverting device  124 , a second transporting device  126 , a temporally storing section  128 , a selecting transporting device  130 , a coin storing section  132 , a coin dispensing device  134  and a dispensing slot  110  which are respectively aligned in a compact configuration. Coin receiving device  104  has a turned up funnel shape and has a receiving slot  106  which is also a turned up rectangle opening  106 . 
   The lower end of receiving device  104  has a sideways opening which is located over the first transporting device  120 . First transporting device  120  has a function that coins  136 , which are entered into receiving device  104 , are transported to a diverting device  124  through a coin selector  122 . First transporting device  120  is a plane endless belt  138  which is made from rubber. Coins  136  fall down on belt  138 , afterwards they are leveled by a coin leveling device (not shown) and are spaced a predetermined distance. 
   Belt  138  slants upwards from receiving device  104  to diverting device  124 . The belt  138  moves the coins so that a gravity chute with corresponding space is not used. Coin selector  122  is located over the middle of belt  138 . Coin selector  122  has a function to distinguish genuine or false denominations of coins. 
   The structure of coin selector  122  is to secure data concerning diameter, thickness and material, and it uses a plurality of sensor units such as coils. The data is then compared to standard values of authenticate coins to distinguish between genuine or false denominations. 
   When a coin is false, it will fall into a returning passageway  140  at diverting device  124 . Afterwards it is transported to a dispensing slot  110  by dispensing device  134 . When a coin is genuine, the coin is transported by a second transporting device  126  to a temporary storing device  128 . 
   Diverting device  124  is a sliding board  142  which is slanted downward from first transporting device  120  to the second transporting device  126 . Sliding board  142  can pivot at the lower end of slanting board  142  over the second transporting device  126  by a solenoid (not shown). When sliding board  142  pivots, a falling opening is made up between the upper end of sliding board  142  and the end of first transporting device  120 . The returning passageway  140  is located below the falling opening and extends vertically, and the lower opening is located over transporting device  134 . 
   Second transporting device  126  is also a plane endless belt  144  and it is positioned horizontal. Temporary storing device  128  has a function that it receives coins  136  which are transported by the second transporting device  126  to be stored temporary, before they are dispensed either by a selecting transporting device  130  or a dispensing device  134 . Temporary storing device of this embodiment can be a box which has gates which are selectively opened at the bottom to either selecting transporting device  130  or dispensing device  134 . 
   Next, selecting transporting device  130  is explained by referring to  FIG. 4 . Selecting transporting device  130  has a function which separates the received coins from the temporary storing device  128  in a one by one manner and transports the coins to the coin selecting section  146 . The selecting transporting device  130  includes separating section  150  and transporting section  152 . 
   Separating section  150  separates the coins which are provided in hopper bowl  148  one by one. Transporting section  152  transports the separated coins  136  to coin selecting section  146 . 
   Separating section  150  includes a rotating disc  158 , supporting tier  160  and knife  162 . The rotating disc  158  includes a circular disc  154  which is slanted, and pins  156  which are fixed on the circular disc  154  at a predetermined distance to support coins. The supporting tier  160  includes a smaller second circular structure than the circular disc  154  that is concentric but in a plane parallel and at a distance away from the surface of disc  154  to support coins  136 . The knife  162  receives coins  136  which are transported by the supporting tier  160  and the pins  156 . 
   Coins  136  are received by knife  162 , and transported to the coin selecting section  146  at transporting section  152 . The transporting section  152  includes an endless belt  166  which has pins  164  which are fixed on the endless belt  166  at a predetermined distance. Endless belt  166  can be a plane belt, a timing belt or a chain, etc. The endless belt  166  is connected to a pair of wheels  168  and  170  which are slanted horizontally and the belt  166  is flat and looped. 
   The endless belt  166  has a lower straight section  172  and an upper straight section  174 , which are parallel and horizontal. Lower straight section  172  and upper straight section  174  are out of alignment relative to upper and lower, and left and right arrangement (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The coin selecting section  146  is located along the lower straight section  172  and upper straight section  174 . The coin selecting section  146  includes a lower selecting section  176  which corresponds to the lower straight section  172  and an upper selecting section  178  which corresponds to the upper straight section  174 . 
   Lower selecting section  176  includes lower guiding rail  180 , lower reclining board  182  and lower gauge rail  184 . Coins  136  roll on the lower guiding rail  180  and the position of the lower edges is controlled by the guiding rail  180 . Lower reclining board  182  has close contact with lower guiding rail  180  on the under side and is located over the lower guiding rail  180 . Lower gauge rail  184  is positioned away from lower guiding rail  180  at a predetermined distance and is parallel. 
   Lower guiding rail  180  and upper guiding rail  182  are located in a plane which slants the same as endless belt  166  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Lower gauge rail  184  and upper gauge rail  206  are located in a plane which slants the same as endless belt  166 . 
   Lower transporting passageway  185  is a space where it is enclosed by lower guiding rail  180 , an upper side surface  187  of lower reclining board  182  and an upper side surface  189  of lower gauge rail  184 . Guiding board  284  is located beside the upper portion of lower transporting passageway  185 , the upper side of coins  136  are guided by the guiding board  284 . Coins  136  roll on lower transporting passageway  185 . In this process, the lower surfaces of coins  136  have contact with lower guiding rail  180  at lower transporting passageway  185  by gravity and the lower side surfaces are supported by upper side surface  187  of lower reclining board  182  and the upper side surfaces are supported by upper side surface  189 . Gauge sections are arranged in order of diameter from the knife  162  side at lower gauge rail  184 . 
   When the coins are Euro coins, the dimensions are as follows: 1 cent gauge  186 , 2 cent gauge  188 , 10 cent gauge  190  and 5 cent gauge  192  which are arranged in the lateral direction as shown in  FIG. 4 . The distance between lower guiding rail  180  and 1 cent gauge  186  is made to be slightly larger than the diameter of 1 cent coin. Accordingly, selected 1 cent coins which roll on lower guiding rail  180  are guided by upper side surface  189  of lower gauge rail  184  and upper side surface  187  of lower reclining board  182  and as a result the coins don&#39;t fall down. 
   A 1 cent coin falls down into a 1 cent falling hole  194  when it isn&#39;t supported by the lower gauge rail  184 . The other gauge sections are made in the same manner. Therefore a 2 cent coin falls down into a 2 cent falling hole  196  at a 2 cent gauge section  188 . A 10 cent coin falls down into a 10 cent falling hole  198  at a 10 cent gauge section  190 . A 5 cent coin falls down into a 5 cent falling hole  200  at a 5 cent gauge section  192 . 
   Upper selecting section  178  includes upper guiding rail  182 , upper reclining board  204  and upper gauge rail  206 . Coins  136  roll on upper guiding rail  182  and the position of the lower edges are controlled by the guiding rail  182 . Upper gauge rail  206  is positioned away from upper guiding rail  182  at a predetermined distance and is parallel. 
   Upper reclining board  204  is located parallel to upper guiding rail  182 . Upper reclining board  204  has close contact with upper guiding rail  202  on the under side and is located over upper guiding rail  182 . Accordingly, upper reclining board  204  and lower reclining board  182  are located in the same plane which is slanted. 
   Lower reclining board  182  and upper reclining board  204  can be unified if desired. 
   Upper transporting passageway  205  is a space which is enclosed by upper guiding rail  182 , the upper side surface  207  of upper reclining board  204  and upper side surface  209  of upper gauge rail  206 . Guiding board  284  is located beside the upper side of upper transporting passageway  205  the same as lower transporting passageway  185 . Coins  136  roll on upper transporting passageway  205 . In this process, the lower surfaces of coins  136  have contact with upper guiding rail  182  at an upper transporting passageway  205  by gravity and the lower side surfaces are supported by upper side surface  207  of upper supporting board  204  and the upper side surfaces are supported by upper side surface  209 . 
   Gauge sections are arranged in order of diameter from the lower selecting section  176  side at upper gauge rail  206 . When they are Euro coins, such 20 cent gauge  208 , 1 Euro gauge  210 , 50 cent gauge  212  and 2 Euro gauge  224  are arranged to lateral direction. The distance between upper guiding rail  182 , and each gauge sections is made up in the same manner as the case of a 1 cent coin. 
   Accordingly, a 20 cent coin which rolls on upper guiding rail  202  isn&#39;t guided by upper side surface  209  of upper gauge rail  206 , and as a result it falls down into 20 cent falling hole  216 . A 1 Euro coin falls down into a 1 Euro falling hole  218  at a 1 Euro gauge section  210 . A 50 cent coin falls down into a 50 cent falling hole  220  at a 50 cent gauge section  212 . A 2 Euro coin falls down into a 2 Euro falling hole  222  at a 2 Euro gauge section  214 . Therefore the coin selecting sections are arranged in order of the diameter size from the smallest to largest at the coin selecting section  146 . The selecting sections are located corresponding to the outward and inward of selecting transporting device  130 . Accordingly, the depth of the coin receiving and dispensing device is smaller and compact. 
   Lower transporting passageway  185  and upper transporting passageway  205  of selecting transporting device  130  slant towards the face of coins  136 . Lower selecting section  176  and upper selecting section  178  are arranged vertically. Therefore the necessary location space of the guiding passageway is decreased in size, and as a result, the width of the coin receiving and dispensing device  100  is smaller. 
   The slant between the lower transporting passageway  185  and upper transporting passageway  205  is arranged to be suitable, and the range can be from 20 degrees to 40 degrees slanted vertically. When the slanting angle is larger, the width is larger, and as a result, the device becomes larger. When the slanting angle is smaller, the coins fall down too easily from the lower guiding rail  180  and the upper guiding rail  182 . 
   Lower gauge rail  180  and upper gauge rail  182  can be separated; however, they are shown integrated in this embodiment. When they are integrated, it is less expensive, because the number of parts are decreased. 
   Next, coin storing device  132  is explained by referring to  FIG. 3 . Coin storing device  132  is located under the first transporting device  120  and second transporting device  126 . Coin hoppers corresponding to the coin falling holes are located in the coin storing device  132 . First coin hopper  230 , second coin hopper  232 , third coin hopper  243  and fourth coin hopper are located on the base  228  of frame  226  and are arranged parallel to the lower straight section  172  and are aligned in a row. These coin hoppers are the lower coin hopper line  237 . 
   Middle base  246  is located over the base  228 . Fifth coin hopper  238 , sixth coin hopper  240 , seventh coin hopper  242  and eighth coin hopper  244  are located on middle base  246  and are arranged parallel to upper straight section  174  and are lined up in a row. These coin hoppers are the upper coin hopper line  245 . Accordingly, the lower coin hopper line  237  and the upper coin hopper line  245  are located above and below, and are located adjacent to each other, and are each parallel in alignment. 
   Eighth coin hopper  244  is located over first coin hopper  230 , seventh coin hopper  242  is located over second coin hopper  232 , sixth coin hopper  240  is located over third coin hopper  234  and fifth coin hopper  238  is located over fourth coin hopper  236 . In other words, the coin hoppers which are located above and below are also arranged vertically. 
   As a result of this design arrangement of the hoppers, the depth of the coin receiving and dispensing device  100  is smaller. Also, lower coin hopper line  237  and upper coin hopper line  245  are not completely lined up with the left and the right as shown in  FIG. 5 , because the after-mentioned guiding passageways are located there. Therefore the width of coin receiving and dispensing device  100  is also smaller, because the lower coin hopper line  237  and the upper coin hopper line  245  are substantively lined up. 
   Next, the structure of the coin hopper is explained. Second coin hopper  230  is explained because each of the first coin hopper  230  through to the eighth coin hopper  244  have the same structure. Second coin hopper  230  includes coin bowl  250 , rotating disk  254  with through hole  252 , a electrical motor (not shown) and a counter which counts the coins which are let off by rotating disk  254  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   Coin bowl  250  is fixed at hopper base  256 . The upper section of coin bowl  250  is rectangle and the lower section is cylindrical. Rotating disk  254  is located in the lower cylindrical section of coin bowl  250 . Coin exit  258  is located at the side of rotating disk  254 . 
   Coin hopper  230  can be moved to side cover  116  side along guiding rail (not shown) which is located on base  228 . In other words, coin hopper  232  can be drawn to the right in  FIG. 5 . Therefore the replacement of the coins and/or the maintenance of the coin hoppers become convenient. 
   When coin hopper  230  is moved in the body, connector  260  of the hopper is automatically inserted into connector  262  of the body; as a result, the electric connection and the signal connection are automatically connected. 1 cent coins are stored in first coin hopper  230 , 2 cent coins are stored in second coin hopper  232 , 10 cent coins are stored in third coin hopper  234 , 5 cent coins are stored in fourth coin hopper  236 , 20 cent coins are stored in fifth coin hopper, 1 Euro coins are stored in sixth coin hopper, 50 cent coins are stored in seventh coin hopper  242  and 2 Euro coins are stored in eighth coin hopper  244 . The coin hopper can be alternatively changed to other coin dispensing devices which have the same function. 
   Next, the guiding passageways which are connected between coin selecting section  146  and coin storing device  132  are explained by referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  8 . 1 cent guiding passageway  260  is located below falling hole  194 , 2 cent guiding passageway  262  is located below falling hole  196 , 10 cent guiding passageway  264  is located below falling hole  198  and 5 cent guiding passageway  266  is located below falling hole  200 . 
   These guiding passageways are structured by a plane cover  268 , a separating board  270  and a side wall  272 , and form tunnels which extend vertically. The lower ends of the guiding passageways are located over the corresponding coin bowls. The upper section of side walls  272  are bent toward and correspond to the gauge section and the widening of the passageway. 
   A 20 cent guiding passageway  274  is located below falling hole  216 , a 1 Euro guiding passageway  276  is located below falling hole  218 , a 50 cent guiding passageway  278  is located below falling hole  220  and a 2 Euro guiding passageway  280  is located below falling hole  220  as shown in  FIG. 7 . These guiding passageways are also structured by upper cover  282 , back board  284  and side wall  286 , and to form slanted tunnels. 
   The lower ends of guiding passageways are located over the corresponding coin bowls. Coins which fall down from the falling holes are guided into a corresponding coin bowl by the guiding passageways. Sensor  288  is located on the way to the coin bowl at the guiding passageway, and detects the falling coins. 
   Next, coin dispensing device  134  is explained. Coin dispensing device  134  includes transporting device  290 , chute  292 , shutter  294  which is located at the entrance of chute  292 . Transporting device  290  is located below the exit  258  of coin hoppers. Transporting device  290  includes plane belt  296 , and it is moved towards the normal direction or the opposite direction as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   Belt  296  is located below the upper surface of base  228 . When the belt moves in a normal direction, coins  136  are transported towards the dispensing slot&#39;s  110  side and fall into chute  292 . Afterwards they are dispensed into dispensing slot  110 . Cover  116  is a plate and is located opposite to belt  296  on the dispensing slot  258  side. 
   The dispensed coins from dispensing slot  258  are guided by cover  298  and the wall of the coin hoppers, and they fall down onto belt  296 . A safe box (not shown) can be located under belt  296  opposite chute  292 . When the coin hoppers dispense the coin, shutter  294  closes the entrance of chute  292 , because the coins are prevented from coming out of dispensing slot  110 . 
   When the coin is dispensed, shutter  294  is opened and belt  296  moves towards the dispensing slot  110  side, and they are dispensed into dispensing slot  110  through chute  292 . The transporting device  290  can be alternatively changed to other types which have same the function to dispense the dispensed coins to dispensing slot  110 . When a coin hopper has reached its capacity, the new received coins are diverted into returning passageway  140  by diverting device  124 , and they are transported into a safe box (not shown) by belt  296 . 
   Next, the operation of present embodiment is explained. Firstly, in the case where the received coins  136  are stored in corresponding coin hoppers is explained. Coins  136  which are received into receiving slot  106  are transported by first transporting device  120  and are arranged to line up at a predetermined spaced distance. Afterwards the coins are distinguished by coin selector  122  and when they are genuine, the denomination is distinguished. 
   When the coins are false, they are guided into returning passageway  140  by diverting device  124  and fall down on dispensing device  134  and are returned to dispensing slot  110 . When the coins are genuine, the coins slide on sliding board  142  and go on second transporting device  126  and are transported into temporary storing device  128  by second transporting device  126 . Coins  136  fall into temporary storing device  128  and are stored. When customers choose to return their money, storing coins  136  fall down onto dispensing device  134  and are returned to dispensing slot  110  by dispensing device  134 . 
   When no signal is given for the return of the coins, storing coins  136  are provided into hopper bowl  148 . Coins  136  in hopper bowl  148  are hooked by pins  156  and are supported by tier  160  and are separated one by one and go to knife  162 . 
   Coin  136  which is received by knife  162  is moved to transporting section  152  by pin  156 . In this process, the coin  136  is pushed by pin  164  of endless belt  166  which synchronizes its movement to rotating disc  158 . Therefore coin  136  moves from knife  162  to lower guiding rail  180 . 
   Coin  136  is guided by lower guiding rail  180 , lower reclining board  182  and lower gauge rail  184 , and it moves towards dispensing slot  110  in lower transporting passageway  185 . When the coin is a 1 cent coin, the coin isn&#39;t supported by the upper side surface at gauge section  186 ; as a result, it falls down into falling hole  194 , and it is guided to coin bowl  250  of first coin hopper  230  by 1 cent guiding passageway  260 . When the coin is a 2 cent coin, it isn&#39;t supported at gauge section  188 ; as a result, it falls down into 2 cent falling hole  196 , and it is guided to coin bowl  250  of second coin hopper  232  by 2 cent guiding passageway  262 . 
   When the coin is a 10 cent coin, it isn&#39;t supported at gauge section  190 ; as a result, it falls down into 10 cent falling hole  198 , and it is guided to coin bowl  250  of third coin hopper  234  by 10 cent guiding passageway  264 . When the coin is a 5 cent coin, it isn&#39;t supported at gauge section  192 ; as a result, it falls down into 5 cent falling hole  200 , and it is guided to coin bowl  250  of fourth coin hopper  236  by 5 cent guiding passageway  266 . 
   A 20 cent, a 1 Euro, a 50 cent and a 2 Euro coins don&#39;t fall down at lower selecting section  176 . Accordingly, the coins are turned at wheel  170  section and go to upper selecting section  178 . The coins are guided by upper guiding rail  202 , upper reclining board  204  an upper gauge rail  206  and are transported to selecting section  150  side in upper transporting passageway  205 . 
   When the coin is a 20 cent coin, it isn&#39;t supported at gauge section  208 . As a result, it falls down into 20 cent falling hole  216 , and it is guided to coin bowl  250  of fifth coin hopper  238  by 20 cent guiding passageway  274 . When the coin is a 1 Euro coin, it isn&#39;t supported at gauge section  210 ; as a result, it falls down into the 1 Euro falling hole  218 , and it is guided to coin bowl  250  of sixth coin hopper  240  by 1 Euro guiding passageway  276 . 
   When the coin is a 50 cent coin, it isn&#39;t supported at gauge section  212 ; as a result, it falls down into 50 cent falling hole  220 , and it is guided to coin bowl  250  of seventh coin hopper  242  by the 50 cent guiding passageway  278 . When the coin is a 2 Euro coin, it isn&#39;t supported at gauge section  214 ; as a result, it falls down into the 2 Euro falling hole  222 , and it is guided to coin bowl  250  of sixth coin hopper  244  by the 2 Euro guiding passageway  280 . 
   Next, the case where the denomination coins are dispensed one by one is explained. First coin hopper  230 , eighth coin hopper  244 , second coin hopper  232 , seventh coin hopper  242 , third coin hopper  234 , sixth coin hopper  240 , fourth coin hopper  236  and fifth coin hopper  238  are positioned in order to start; however, they do not all engage at the same time to prevent coins from jamming. Rotating discs  254  rotate at each coin hopper, and one coin is dispensed from dispensing slot  258 . 
   The dispensed coins are guided by each coin hopper and cover  116 , and they fall down on belt  296 . When the coin dispensing is finished, belt  296  moves towards chute&#39;s  292  side. Accordingly, coins  136  fall down on chute  292 , and they slide down into dispensing slot  110 . 
   All coins fall down to chute  292 , finally belt  296  stops. When the coins in each coin hopper are recycled, belt  296  is moved in the reverse direction, and the coins are dispensed by each coin hopper. The dispensed coins can fall down from belt  296  and be recycled. 
   Next, a second embodiment is explained by referring to  FIG. 9  through to  FIG. 17 . Coin receiving and dispensing device  1  has an upper cover  2  with a receiving slot  3  of receiving device  10  and has dispensing slot  5  below front cover  4 . Left cover  6  can pivot upwards at a supporting point which is located at the upper end of cover  6 . Left cover  6  is locked to the body by locking device  7 . 
   Coin receiving and dispensing device  1  includes a receiving device  10 , coin selector  20 , diverting device  30 , storing section  70 , coin dispensing device  85  and dispensing slot  5  which are all aligned. Coin receiving device  10  is shaped like a turned up funnel shape and has a turned up rectangle opening  3 . The lower end of receiving device  10  is the circular opening and is located over selector transporting device  21  of coin selector  20 . 
   Coin selecting device  20  includes a selector transporting device  21  and selector  23 . Selector transporting device  21  is transporting belt  22 . Selector  23  distinguishes between authentic and false dominations of coins which are then lined up on transporting belt  22  and then selector  23  then sends a signal to a main control device [not shown]. 
   Diverting device  30  includes a false diverting device  31  and a genuine diverting device  32 . When the coin is false, the false coin which is let off from selector  20  is then guided into dispensing slot  5 . When the coin is genuine, the coin is guided into the genuine diverting device  33 . Genuine diverting device  33  guides either a first diverting device  33   a  at predetermined dominations or a second diverting device  33   b  also at predetermined dominations. 
   First diverting device  33   a  includes first genuine transporting device  36   a  and first gauge device  37   a . First gauge device  37   a  includes first gauge hole line  38   a  and first guiding rail  39   a . Second diverting device  33   b  includes second genuine transporting device  36   b  and second gauge  37   b . Second gauge device  37   b  include second gauge hole line  38   b  and second guiding rail  39   b . First gauge holes line  38   a  and second gauge hole line  38   b  are located along a slanting plane at gauge board  40 . 
   Next, layout of a gauge hole is explained by referring to Euro coins. First gauge hole line  38   a  has four gauge rectangular holes which are located on the upper section as shown in  FIG. 6 . First gauge hole  45   a  is for a 1 cent coin, second gauge hole  45   b  is for a 10 cent coin, third gauge hole  45   c  is for a 20 cent coin and fourth gauge hole  45   d  is for a 50 cent coin and are located in order from diverting device  30  side. 
   The lower edges of gauge holes  45   a ,  45   b  and  45   c  are located on the same straight line and the lower edge of fourth gauge hole  45   d  is located slightly below this line. The lower edge of fourth gauge hole  45   d  corresponds to the upper surface of first guiding rail  39   a  and is horizontal. In other words, a first falling preventing wall  41   a  is located between the lower edges of gauge holes  45   a ,  45   b ,  45   c  and the upper surface of first guiding rail  39   a  (as shown in  FIG. 15 ). First guiding rail  39   a  and gauge board  40  make up the structure of a first genuine diverting passageway  35   a.    
   The upper edges of gauge holes  45   a ,  45   b ,  45   c ,  45   d  are located parallel with the upper surface of first guiding rail  39   a  and are positioned away from the rail  39   a  at a predetermined distance. The upper edges of the coins don&#39;t have contact with the edges of the gauge holes. In other words, the heights of gauges  45   a ,  45   b ,  45   c ,  45   d  are in order from smallest to largest along the diverting device  30  side. Second gauge hole line  38   b  has four rectangle gauge holes. 
   A fifth gauge hole  45   e  is for a 2 cent coin, sixth gauge hole  45   f  is for a 5 cent coin, seventh gauge hole  45   g  is for a 1 Euro and eighth gauge hole  45   h  is for a 2 Euro and are located in order from the diverting device  30  side. The lower edges of gauge holes  45   e ,  45   f  and  45   g  are located on the same straight line and the lower edge of eighth gauge hole  45   h  is located slightly below the line. The lower edge of eighth gauge hole  45   h  corresponds to the upper surface of second guiding rail  39   b  and is horizontal. 
   A second falling preventing wall  41   b  is located between the lower edges of gauge holes  45   e ,  45   f ,  45   g  and the upper surface of second guiding rail  39   b . The upper edges of gauge holes  45   e ,  45   f ,  45   g ,  45   h  are located parallel with the upper surface of second guiding rail  39   b  and are located away at a predetermined distance. The upper edges of coins don&#39;t have contact. In other words, the heights of gauges  45   e ,  45   f ,  45   g ,  45   h  are in order from smallest to largest from the diverting device  30  side. Second genuine diverting passageway  35   b  is structured by a second guiding rail  39   b  and gauge board  40 . 
   First genuine transporting device  36   a  is located along first gauge holes line  38   a  and includes guiding pulleys  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c ,  46   d , first belt  47   a  and first driving pulley  49   a . Guiding pulleys  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c ,  46   d  are located opposite gauge holes  46   a ,  45   b ,  45   c ,  45   d . First belt  47   a  belts first driving pulley  49   a  and guiding pulley  46   d , and it is guided by guiding pulleys  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c . The coins are supported on first guiding rail  39   a  and are transported away from the diverting device  30  by a first belt  47   a.    
   The upper edges of fifth gauge hole  45   e , sixth gauge hole  45   f , seventh gauge hole  45   g  and eighth gauge hole  45   h  are away from the second guiding rail  39   b  at a predetermined distance because corresponding coins don&#39;t have contact with the upper edges. In other words, the heights of gauge holes  45   e ,  45   f ,  45   g ,  45   h  are in order from the smallest to largest from the diverting device  30  side. Second genuine transporting device  36   b  is located along second gauge holes line  38   b . Second genuine transporting device  36   b  includes guiding rollers  46   e ,  46   f ,  46   g ,  46   h , second belt  47   b  and second driving pulley  49   b.    
   Guiding rollers  46   e ,  46   f ,  46   g ,  46   h  are located opposite gauge holes  45   e ,  45   f ,  45   g ,  45   h . Second belt  47   b  belts second driving pulley  49   b  and guiding pulley  46   h  and are guided by guiding pulleys  46   e ,  46   f ,  46   g . The coins are supported on second guiding rail  39   b  and are transported away from diverting device  30  by second belt  47   b.    
   First driving pulley  49   a  and second driving pulley  49   b  are fixed at rotating shaft  50 . Rotating shaft  50  rotates in conjunction with the selecting transporting device  21 . The speed of the first driving pulley  49   a  and the second driving pulley  49   b  is larger than transporting belt  22 . First genuine transporting device  36   a  and second genuine transporting device  36   b  can be alternatively changed to other devices which have the same transporting function. 
   Next diverting device  30  is explained. Diverting device  30  includes receiving passageway  60 , canceling passageway  61 , first passageway  62   a  and second passageway  62   b . Receiving passageway  60  extends vertically and receives coins which fall from selector  20 . Canceling passageway  61  connects to receiving passageway  60 , and it guides the coins into canceling pathway  64 . 
   Canceling pathway  64  connects with dispensing slot  5 . First passageway  62   a  guides coins into first genuine diverting passageway  35   a . Second passageway  62   b  guides coins into second genuine diverting passageway  35   b . False diverting board  65  is located below receiving passageway  60 . 
   False diverting board  65  pivots at a lower end. When false diverting board  65  is located at the canceling position based on a false determination, it can guide coins into the canceling passageway  61 . If the determination of the selector  23  is genuine, false diverting board  65  moves to the receiving position, and the coin is guided into genuine passageway  66 . 
   Genuine diverting board  67  is located at genuine passageway  66 . When genuine diverting board  67  is located at the position shown in  FIG. 16 , it guides the coin into a second passageway  62   b . When the upper section of genuine diverting board  67  moves in a downward direction towards the sheet, it guides the coin into first passageway  62   a . In other words, canceling passageway  61 , first passageway  62   a  and second passageway  62   b  are all lined up in the lateral direction. Genuine diverting device  33  can be changed to other devices which have the same function. 
   Next, coin storing device  70  is located behind genuine diverting device  33  and is located near coin hoppers which correspond to the gauge holes. First coin hopper  72   a , second coin hopper  72   b , third coin hopper  72   c  and fourth coin hopper  72   d  are located on upper base  71  and are arranged parallel to the coin transporting direction of genuine transporting device  34  and are lined up in the lateral direction. Fifth coin hopper  72   e , sixth coin hopper  72   f , seventh coin hopper  72   g  and eighth coin hopper  72   h  are located on lower base  73  which is located below upper base  71  and are arranged parallel to the coin transporting direction of genuine transporting device  34  and are lined up in the lateral direction. 
   Second coin hopper  72   b  is only explained because first coin hopper  72   a  through to eighth coin hopper  72   h  have the same structure. Second coin hopper  72   b  includes a coin bowl  74 , a rotating disk  76  with through hole  75 , a electrical motor (not shown) and a counter which counts the coins which is let off by rotating disk  76  as shown in  FIG. 13 . The upper section of coin bowl  74  is rectangular and the lower section is cylindrical. Coin bowl  74  is fixed at hopper base  77 . 
   Rotating disk  76  is located in the lower cylindrical section of coin bowl  74 . Coin exit slot  78  is located beside rotating disk  76 . Coin hopper  72   b  can be moved towards the left cover  6  side along guiding rail (not shown) which is located on upper base  71 . In other words, coin hopper  72   b  can be drawn to the left shown in  FIG. 10  (the right in  FIG. 13 ). Therefore the replacement of the coins and/or the maintenance of the coin hoppers becomes more convenient. 
   Fifth coin hopper  72   f  is located under second coin hopper  72   b  as shown in  FIG. 12 . In other words, second coin hopper  72   b  and fifth coin hopper  72   f  are arranged vertically. Second coin hopper  72   b  and sixth coin hopper  72   f  are slightly shifted at a right angle to the coin transporting direction of genuine transporting device  34  as shown  FIG. 13 . 
   In other words, second coin hopper  72   b  is located away from genuine transporting device  34  in the lateral direction. Accordingly, the dispensed coins from slot  78  do not enter into coin bowl  74  of coin hopper  72   f  because coin exit slot  78  is over sixth coin hopper  72   e . The dispensed coins from coin exit slot  78  are guided by each coin hopper and the left cover  6 , and they fall down on dispensing device  85 . Second coin hopper  72   b  is located below and beside second gauge hole  45   b.    
   Fifth coin hopper  72   e  is located under first coin hopper  72   a , seventh coin hopper  72   g  is located under third coin hopper  72   c , eighth coin hopper  72   h  is located over fourth coin hopper  72   d . The coin hopper design can be changed to other coin dispensing devices which have the same function. 
   First guiding tube  80  guides the coins from second gauge hole  45   b  to coin bowl  74  of second coin hopper  72   b  as shown in  FIG. 15 , and it slants downwards towards the right. Sixth coin hopper  72   f  is located below and beside sixth gauge hole  48   f . Sixth gauge hole  45   f  and coin bowl  74  of sixth coin hopper  72   f  are connected by second guiding tube  81  which extends vertically. 
   Accordingly, first guiding tube  80  and second guiding tube  81  are not arranged at a right angle to the coin transporting direction of genuine transporting device  34 . Therefore, the scale of the transporting direction of coin receiving and dispensing device is not large and can be compact. The other coin hoppers and the gauge holes are connected in the same manner as first guiding tube  80  and second guiding tube  81 . 
   The first and second guiding tube can be changed to other devices which have the same function. Next, coin dispensing device  85  is explained. Coin dispensing device  85  includes transporting device  86  and chute  87 . Transporting device  86  is located below the exit  78 . Transporting device  86  includes belt  88 , and it moves toward the normal direction or the opposite direction by a motor (not shown). 
   Belt  88  is located below lower base  73 . When belt  88  moves in the normal direction, the coins are transported towards chute  87  and fall into chute  87 . The bottom of chute  87  slants and connects with dispensing slot  5 . Safe box  90  is located below belt  82  which is located opposite chute  87 . 
   Transporting device  86  can be changed to other devices which have the same function. Safe box  90  is opened at the upper wall and is located below seventh coin hopper  72   g  and eighth coin hopper  72   h  and can be moved towards the left cover  6  side along the base  91 . The coins fall into a falling opening  92  from the end of transporting device  86 . Falling opening  92  is connected with the upper opening of safe  90 . 
   Next, the operation of the second embodiment is explained. First, the case where the received coins are stored in corresponding coin hoppers is explained. The coins which are received into receiving slot  3  are transported by belt  22  and are arranged and lined up at a predetermined spaced distance. Afterwards the coins are distinguished by coin selector  23  and when they are genuine, the denomination is distinguished. 
   When the coins are false, they are guided into the canceling pathway  64  through canceling passageway  61  by the false diverting board  65  and are returned to dispensing slot  5 . When the coins are genuine, false diverting board  65  is changed to a genuine position, and receiving passageway  60  and genuine passageway  66  are connected. 
   When the coins are a 1 cent, a 10 cent, a 20 cent and a 50 cent coin, genuine diverting board  67  connects with genuine passageway  66  and first passageway  62   a . These denomination coins are guided into first genuine transporting device  36   a  and pass through genuine passageway  66  and first passageway  62   a  from receiving passageway  60 . The coins are supported on first guiding rail  39   a  at first genuine transporting device  36   a  and are transported by first belt  47   a . When the coin is a 1 cent, the upper edge is dislocated from the board at first gauge hole  45   a , and the coin slants into first gauge hole  45   a  and falls down into first guiding tube  80 , and it is guided to coin bowl  74  of first coin hopper  72   a.    
   When the coin is a 10 cent coin, it is supported at first gauge hole  45   a  and passes through, as a result, it falls down into first guiding tube  80  at second gauge hole  45   b  and is stored in coin bowl  74  of coin hopper  72   b . When the coin is a 20 cent coin, it is supported at first gauge hole  45   a  and second gauge hole  45   b  and passes through, as a result, it falls down into first guiding tube  80  at third gauge hole  45   c  and is stored in coin bowl  74  of coin hopper  72   c.    
   When the coin is a 50 cent coin, it is supported at first gauge hole  45   a , second gauge hole  45   b  and third gauge hole  45   c  and passes through, as a result, it falls down into first guiding tube  80  at fourth gauge hole  45   d  and is stored in coin bowl  74  of coin hopper  72   d . When the coin is a 2 cent, a 5 cent, a 1 Euro and a 2 Euro, genuine diverting board  67  changes position, and genuine passageway  66  and second passageway  62   b  are connected. Accordingly, the coins reach second genuine transporting device  36   b , afterwards they are supported by second guiding rail  39   b  and are transported by second belt  47   b . Therefore the coins are transported by second belt  47   b  in the same manner as first genuine transporting device  36   a.    
   When the coin is a 2 cent coin, it is not supported at fifth gauge hole  45   e  and, as a result, it falls down into second guiding tube  81  at fifth gauge hole  45   e  and is stored in coin hopper  72   e . When the coin is a 5 cent coin, it is supported at fifth gauge hole  45   e  and passes through, as a result, it falls down into second guiding tube  81  at sixth gauge hole  45   e  and is stored in sixth coin hopper  72   e . When the coin is a 1 Euro coin, it is supported at fifth gauge hole  45   e  and sixth gauge hole  45   f  and passes through, as a result, it falls down into second guiding tube  81  at seventh gauge hole  45   g  and is stored in seventh coin hopper  72   g.    
   When the coin is a 2 Euro coin, it is supported at fifth gauge hole  45   e , sixth gauge hole  45   f  and seventh gauge hole  45   g  and passes through, as a result, it falls down into second guiding tube  81  at eighth gauge hole  45   h  and is stored in eighth coin hopper  72   h . Next, the case where the denomination coins are dispensed one by one is explained. 
   Fourth coin hopper  72   d , eighth coin hopper  72   h , third coin hopper  72   c , seventh coin hopper  72   g , second coin hopper  72   b , sixth coin hopper  72   f , first coin hopper  72   a  and fifth coin hopper  75   e  do not start at the same time as explained in the first embodiment. Rotating discs  76  rotate at each coin hopper, and one coin is dispensed from exit slot  78 . 
   The dispensed coins are guided by each coin hopper and left cover  6 , and they fall down on belt  88 . Belt  88  moves towards chute  87  side based on the dispensing signal. Accordingly, the dispensed coins fall down onto belt  88  and fall down into chute  87 , and they slide down on chute  87  into dispensing slot  5 . 
   All coins fall down to chute  87 , finally belt  88  stops. When the coins in each coin hoppers are recycled, belt  88  is moved in the reverse direction, and the coins are transported to the falling opening  92  and are stored in safe  90 . 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the amended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.