Patent Publication Number: US-6907976-B2

Title: Time increment selector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/825,697, filed on Apr. 3, 2001 now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/111,923, filed on Jul. 8, 1998, now abandoned. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to electron and coin selector apparatus for sorting coins such as currency. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coin selector apparatus suitable for attachment to a toll game machine, automatic vending machine and a service apparatus with a timer. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Up until the present, various coin selector apparatus have been developed. For example, an electronic coin selector apparatus is disclosed by the specification of applicant&#39;s patent application (unexamined Japanese patent application 8-255480). 
   A conventional coin selector apparatus is equipped only with functions which sort coins in the proper manner. The coin apparatus provided with other functions has not heretofore been considered. That is, a coin selecting apparatus has not been provided which can set the pre-determined amount of coins or tokens required to operate the machine or device, which displays the amount of deposited money and which, when the user is purchasing time, displays time corresponding to the deposited money. 
   SUMMARY 
   It is an objective of the present invention to provide a coin selector apparatus with the ability to set the functions of amounts to be received and to display the amounts received at the selector. In other words, the objective of the present invention offers a coin selecting apparatus which is provided with a function which sets the desired money required to operate the device and which displays the amount of deposited money. Accordingly, the coin selector according to the present invention can confirm the suitableness of the money deposited in the selector. 
   Accordingly, a selecting apparatus for a machine or device requiring a pre-determined quantity of coins or tokens to operate is set forth which includes a housing and means for receiving the coins into the housing. A detector is disposed in the housing adapted to detect, concerning the coins deposited, at least a plurality of the parameters selected from a group of parameters consisting of material composition, thickness and diameter. The detector is adapted to issue data signals corresponding to each detected parameter. A processor is provided including a data structure having, for each selected parameter, data corresponding to that selected parameter for an authentic coin. The processor receives the data signals from the detector(s) and compares it with the stored data for an authentic coin or token to determine the authenticity of the coin or token. If the coin or token is determined authentic, the processor issues a first data signal and in response to determining if the coin is not authentic issues a second data signal. 
   Means are provided for selecting the pre-determined quantity necessary to operate the machine or device, the processor adapted to sum the data corresponding to the first signals indicative of receipt of an authentic coin and to compare the summed value to the pre-determined quantity to determine if the amount has been received. In response to receipt of the pre-selected and pre-determined amount, the processor issues an operating signal to operate the machine or device. A display is in communication with the processor and is adapted to display the summed values as authentic coins are received. 
   According to another embodiment, a time value is assigned to each coin. As the coin is received and tested by the detector and determined to be authentic, a data signal is issued to add the corresponding increment of time, e.g. 13 minutes to the play or the operation of the device and to display the summed increments at the display. Means are provided to select the increment of time which can be assigned for each coin or denomination thereof and to select a pre-determined maximum amount of time which can be accumulated. In the event that the processor detects an authentic coin which would result in an accumulated value or sum of time exceeding the pre-determined maximum time, the coin would be rejected and returned back to the customer. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better appreciated as the same becomes better understood with reference to the specification, claims and drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a right side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the electronic components for the apparatus; 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing the operation of the apparatus; and 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing a further operation of the apparatus. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Turning to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the coin selector apparatus A. The apparatus A has a front panel  10  with an opening  11  adapted to receive a deposited coin or token. While the following description refers to coins of various denominations, it is to be understood that different coins or tokens could be used. As shown, the front panel  10  may be an elongated rectangle. The front panel  10  forms part of a housing H which is box-like. The bottom of the apparatus A has a passage  12  to pass an authenticated and received coin or token for collection thereof and a return opening  13  through which unauthenticated or rejected coins are rejected from the apparatus A. A lever  18  operates a coin return mechanism of known construction to discharge the retained but rejected coin to the return opening  13 . A side panel  17  is removably secured to define a portion of the housing H. A setting mechanism  37  which preferably is a coding switch on the side panel  17  is adapted to set the parameters of the money to be received and authenticated by the apparatus A as hereinafter described. As shown, the setting mechanism is disposed on the side panel  17 . 
   Proximate the deposit opening  11  there is included a display  38 . When a coin is deposited in the apparatus A, the coin moves first through the deposit opening  11  and drops along an inside S-shaped path (not shown) formed on the inside of the apparatus A for purposes which will hereinafter become evident. 
   Turning to  FIG. 3 , the apparatus A includes detecting means preferably embodied by three pairs of first, second and third coils  21 - 23  disposed in the upper part of the apparatus A. As described below, when a coin is determined to be genuine a solenoid  24  operates to open a gate (not shown) in the path whereby the genuine coin drops through the passage  12  in the bottom of the housing H for collection and storage. The storage is disposed in the gaming machine or device. 
   Preferably first coils  21  are adapted to detect the material composition of the coin or token and are connected to an oscillating circuit  26  which operates at a comparatively low frequency. Similarly, second coils  22  are adapted to detect the thickness of the coin or token and are connected to an oscillating circuit  27  of comparatively high frequency. Finally, the third coils  23  are adapted to detect the diameter of the coin or token. The third coils  23  are connected to an oscillating circuit  28  of comparatively high frequency. The signals from the first, second and third coils  21 - 23  are rectified by rectifying circuits  31 - 33 , respectively, containing detection means which issue signals corresponding to the detected parameter, i.e. material, thickness and diameter. These signals from the rectifying circuits  31 - 33  are issued to a converting circuit  34  which converts the analog signal to a digital signal. The analog signals from the rectifying circuits  31 - 33 , as converted by the converter  34  into digital signals, are input into a processor shown as CPU  35  in FIG.  3 . Each digital signal from the rectifying circuits  31 - 33  as converted by the converter  34  are processed by the CPU  35 . 
   With continuing reference to  FIG. 3 , a data structure or memory  36  is provided which stores parameter data  41  which corresponds to the parameters of material composition, thickness and diameter for genuine coins. An MS switch is adapted to select the memory mode of the data stored at coin data  41  or the mode of operation which operates the apparatus A. For example, the  500 S switch shown in  FIG. 3  establishes coin data in the memory  36  for a 500 yen coin, the  100 S switch sets up coin data  41  in the memory  36  of data corresponding to an authentic 100 yen coin, the  50 S switch sets up coin data  41  in the memory  36  corresponding to an authentic 50 yen coin and switch  10 S switch sets up coin data  41  in the memory  36  corresponding to the data for an authentic 10 yen coin. 
   With continuing reference to  FIG. 3 , the setting mechanism  37  consists of two coding switches (not shown) the first which sets up pre-determined amounts to be received of 900-0 yen per 100 yen unit coins and a second coding switch which sets up pre-determined amounts of 90-0 yen per 100 yen coin units. Accordingly, by using the setting mechanism  37 , the user, if the pre-determined sum is 130 yen, can set the apparatus A to receive 100 yen units and 30 yen units to arrive at the pre-determined amount. A pre-determined amount is sent from the setting mechanism  37  to the processor  35 . 
   The display  38  at the front panel  10  is also shown in  FIG. 3  as communicating with the processor  35  to display the deposited and received amounts and times as hereinafter described. 
   Also shown in  FIG. 3  is an RS switch which is reset which when closed, is provided for rewriting the coin data  41  stored in memory  36 . 
   Finally, and with continuing reference to  FIG. 3 , a sensor  25  is provided proximate the passage  12 . When the deposited coin is determined to be authentic, by comparison by processor  35  comparing the coin data  41  stored in the memory  36  with the data received from the first through third coils, the solenoid  24  opens the gate to pass the coin through the passage  12  for collection. The sensor  25  issues a signal S to the CPU  35  which confirms the passage of the coin through the passage  12  is adapted to place the passage  12 . If it is determined that the coin is unauthentic, no signal is sent to the solenoid  24  and the gate remains closed preventing the coin from moving through the passage  12 . The unauthentic coin may be removed by the lever  18  at the coin return  13 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 4 , the flow chart is shown for the operation of the apparatus A. At  51 , the apparatus A is started and at  52  initialized. At initialization, the initial settings are installed, solenoid  24  and sensor  25  are tested. At  53  the mode is selected to, for example, receive up to a 50 yen coin. In this case, the MS coding switch ( FIG. 3 ) is preset to introduce the coin data  41  from memory  36  into the CPU  35  corresponding to the data of material, thickness and diameter for an authentic 50 and 10 yen coins. In any event, the apparatus A has been set to accept up to a 50 yen coin. 
   At step  54 , a 50 yen coin is deposited through the deposit opening  11  and the number of 50 yen coins is counted at  55 . The data from the first through third coils  21  through  23  for each 50 yen coin is sampled at  56 . At  57  the number of coins counted is compared to a pre-determined number N of 50 yen coins (the number N representing the largest number of 50 yen coins that can be accepted to make-up the pre-determined and pre-selected amount necessary to activate the device). The coin data sampled at  56  is processed statistically at  58 . This processed data is temporarily stored at  59  as coin data  41  in memory  36 . 
   With continuing reference to  FIG. 4 , next, at  61 , 10 yen coins are inserted into the apparatus and more particularly its deposit opening  11 . The coin data is sampled at the first through third coils  21 - 23  and at  63  this data is compared at the CPU  35  with the coin data stored in memory at  36 . At  64  the CPU  35  determines whether the deposited coin sampling data corresponds to authentic coins. If the deposited coins or tokens are determined not to be genuine, they or it is not accepted and can be returned to the customer by using the lever  18 . If it is determined that the coins are authentic, the accepted money, e.g. the 50 yen coin and deposited money, e.g. the 10 yen coin, are summed at  65 . At  66  the summed value from  65  is compared to determine whether the sum is greater than the preselected setting value of, for example, 70 yen the amount necessary to activate the game or device. If the summed value exceeds the setting value such as by the customer inserting too many 50 yen coins, the second inserted coin is at  72  subtracted from the sum arrived at at step  65  and the coin resulting in the excess is not received and can be returned to the customer. If the sum at  65  does not exceed the setting value, at  67  a signal is sent by the CPU  35  to the solenoid to open the gate to pass the received coin(s) through the passage  12  for collection thereof. At  68  the sensor  25  senses whether the received coin(s) have passed the gate. If the sensor  25  senses the passing of the coin, at  69  the solenoid  24  if tuned off and the gate is closed. At  70  the summed value from  65  is compared to the setting value, e.g. 70 yen. If the summed value equals the setting value, at  71  the OPS signal ( FIG. 3 ) is sent to activate the machine or device. At  73  the displayed, deposited and summed amount is cleared from the display  38 . If the summed value from step  65  does not equal the setting value, at  74  the deposited and received amount is displayed at the display  38  and the apparatus A awaits deposit of additional coins. 
   As can be appreciated if, with continuing reference to item  66  in  FIG. 4 , if two 50 yen coins were deposited and authenticated, the total amount recognized would exceed the setting value of 70 yen, the second 50 yen coin is not accepted to add to the value sum of the amount deposited and the authenticated second 50 yen coin at  72  is returned. As shown at step  68 , if the coin is determined to be unauthentic at  69  the solenoid is turned off closing the gate to prevent the fake or unauthentic coin from being discharged from the passage  12 . The unauthentic coin is positioned for return through the return opening  13 . 
   In the present example, a deposited and authenticated 50 yen coin is tested at  70  against the required setting value of 70 yen. Inasmuch as the 50 yen coin does not amount to a sufficient deposit to equal 70 yen, the amount of deposit of 50 yen is displayed at  74  at the display  38 . 
   When a 10 yen coin is deposited and returning to step  65 , the apparatus adjudges whether or not the coin is authentic by comparing the data obtained from the first through third coils, oscillating circuits  26  through  28 , rectifying circuits  31 - 33 , converter  34  to the CPU  35  compared with the coin data  41  stored in memory  36  to determine whether or not the 10 yen coin deposited is authentic. If it is determined to be unauthentic, it is positioned for return from the return opening  13 . If it is determined to be authentic, it is accepted and at  66  is compared with the setting value, e.g. 70 Yen, to determine whether or not this incremental added value by the deposit of the coin exceeds the pre-selected amount. If it does, it is at  72  disposed for return from the return opening  13 . If it is not, i.e. the summed value at  65  does not exceed 70 yen, the solenoid at  67  is activated for passage of the authenticated 10 yen coin from the passage  12  for receipt. If the coin is determined to be unauthentic, the solenoid at  69  is turned off and again the coin is positioned for return from the return opening  13 . At  70 , the value added by the deposit of this second coin is compared to the pre-selected amount. In that the 10 yen coin plus the 50 yen coin do not total the setting value of 70 yen, the sum of 60 yen is displayed at  74  at the display  38 . 
   Further, a second 10 yen coin is deposited. As before, the coin is authenticated, discharged if determined to be unauthentic, compared to the pre-selected amount required to operate the machine to determine whether its incremental added value exceeds the pre-selected amount and reserves that coin if indeed that is the case for return through the return opening  13 . If it does not, it is compared at  70  with the pre-selected setting value and inasmuch as, with the second 10 yen coin, the total amount deposited equals 70 yen, at  71 , the game or device is activated for player operation at  73  the amount displayed at the display  38  is erased at  73 . When the total amount deposited equals the pre-determined amount necessary to operate the machine, the OPS signal ( FIG. 3 ) is sent by the CPU  35  to operate the system. 
   Accordingly, the apparatus, and with reference to  FIG. 3 , is adapted in this example to receive either one 50 yen coin and two 10 yen coins or 7 10 yen coins to operate the game or device. 
   If additional monies are necessary to operate the device, the switches can be closed in the appropriate fashion. For example, if 770 yen were required to operate the device or system, the  500 S switch,  100 S switch,  50 S switch and  10 S switch would all be closed to provide the data for the operation of the apparatus A inasmuch as coins of these denominations can be deposited in combination to obtain the pre-selected amount. 
   Turning to  FIG. 5 , a flow chart is shown for another operation of the apparatus A. As to the setting mechanism, the first coding switch of  FIG. 4  ( 10 S) is replaced by a switch setting an order of magnitude of one and the second switch, e.g. the  50 S switch, is set at an order of magnitude of three. The setting of the switches in this manner results in setting the device or mechanism to co-relate receipt of a 10 yen coin into a device operation time of 13 minutes. When a coin at  61  is deposited the coin parameter data is measured by the first through third coils  21 - 23  at  62  and at  63  is compared by the CPU  35  with the coin data  41  stored in the memory  36 . For example, if a 50 yen coin is deposited the sampled data for the 50 yen coin will be compared at  63  and if at  66  the coin is determined to be authentic, at  91  the timer data is set by multiplying the setting value, e.g. 13 minutes for 10 yen, or 13×50/10. At  92 , the amount of time stored as a result of the deposit is compared to a pre-selected amount, for example, 91 minutes, to determine whether or not the timer data added by deposit of the coin exceeds the preselected value. If it does, the added timer data by deposit of this coin is subtracted at  1  and coin is reserved for return to the customer. If it does not, at  93  the CPU  35  sends a signal to the solenoid  24  to open the gate to receive the coin. The sensor  25  signals when the coin has passed the gate and moved through the passage  12 . When the received coin has passed the sensor  25  at  95  the CPU  35  controls the solenoid  24  to close the gate. At  96  the timer data is compared to zero. If the timer data is zero, the display  36  at  2  is turned off. If the timer data does not equal zero, the summed value of the timer data is at  97  displayed at the display  38  and the machine or device is activated. At  98  the CPU  35  determines whether one minute of elapsed operation time has passed. If it has, the at 99 one minute is subtracted from the timer data, i.e. deducted from the operation time. In this fashion a device can be operated on a time basis up to a maximum preselected setting time, based upon the coins received. When the timer data reaches zero the machine is de-activated and at  2  the display  38  is turned off.