Patent Abstract:
A disk sorting device includes a housing defining a disk transport path for conveying disks from a disk transferring device. A disk identifying device is located adjacent the disk transport path for identifying the type of disk passing along the transport path. A disk diverting mechanism in the disk transport path downstream of the disk identifying device is operable to divert disks in accordance with the type of the disk determined by the disk identifying device into a selected one of at least a return path in which a disk returns to the disk transferring device and a dispense path in which a disk is directed towards a dispense outlet. The disk transport path is oriented with a vertical component whereby disks pass along the path and the diverting mechanism under gravity.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to disk sorting devices, particularly for sorting disks or tokens of value such as coins, and also to disk sorting assemblies and methods of handling disks. 
     In the following description, we will refer exclusively to the handling of coins but it should be appreciated that the invention is applicable to a wide variety of other types of disk such as medals, tokens or the like for game machines while sorting assemblies can be used in a wide variety of applications including money changers, vending machines, ticket vending machines, gaming machines, car park transaction machines, amusement machines, ‘self-service’ checkout machines, ‘back office’ coin sorting etc. 
     Coin dispensers typically dispense a single denomination of coin from a single coin specific store in response to a command signal. Individual hoppers can be used in conjunction to cover a wide range of denominations. The command signal might indicate a number of coins to dispense or a total value. In response to that request, the coins are fed from a storage hopper to a dispense outlet, typically via an escrow store which is first filled with coins of the required denomination and from which the coins are then released to the dispense outlet. If an error occurs, for example there are insufficient coins available, the escrow will be operated to dispense the coins to a dump store or back to the storage hopper. 
     There is an increasing need to improve the speed at which coins are dispensed and to allow more flexibility while providing a dispenser which is convenient to utilize and in accordance with local legal requirements. For example, in the United Kingdom, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires that coins are dispensed at a certain height range suitable for use by disabled people. 
     EP-A-2463217 describes a disk transferring device particularly suitable for coins which incorporates a vertical disk guide path to transfer disks from a storage hopper to an upper outlet opening. The advantage of this device is that it can be sold as a universal device to handle whichever type, in this case diameter, of disk or coin the buyer wishes to use it with. Furthermore, it operates at high speed, up to 5 coins per second, thus improving significantly upon prior art dispensers. However, it can only handle disks or coins of one type (diameter) at one time depending upon the single type of disk held within the supply hopper. 
     Other examples of coin sorting devices are described in WO-A-99/06969, U.S. Pat. No. 3,916,922, U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,046, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,212. 
     There is a continuing need to improve coin and disk dispensers so as to make them even more efficient. 
     In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, we provide a disk sorting device comprising a housing defining a disk transport path for conveying disks from a source; a disk identifying device located adjacent the disk transport path for identifying the type of disk passing along the transport path; and a disk diverting mechanism in the disk transport path downstream of the disk identifying device and operable to divert disks in accordance with the type of the disk determined by the disk identifying device into a selected one of at least a return path in which a disk returns to the source and a dispense path in which a disk is directed towards a dispense outlet, wherein the disk transport path is oriented with a vertical component whereby disks pass along the path and the diverting mechanism under gravity, wherein the disk diverting mechanism includes a single disk diverting surface movable orthogonally with respect to the disk transport path between a first position in which a disk passes to the return path, and a second position in which a disk passes to the dispense path, wherein in one of the first and second positions the surface is retracted away from the disk transport path so that a disk can fall undeflected past the disk diverting surface and in the other of the first and second positions the surface is inserted into the disk transport path. 
     We have realized that the fact that a disk transferring device exists (such as described in EP-A-2463217) which can handle disks of different types, such as diameters, means not only that the device can be used with a store holding disks of the same diameter (but in which the store could be replaced with another having disks of a different diameter) but it can also be used to dispense in sequence a mixture of disks of different diameters. This allows a variety of different combinations of disks to be dispensed. However, the problem with this approach is that there is no control over which disks enter the disk reception opening and in which order. We have therefore devised a disk sorting device which can be controlled in a very simple manner to sort between the disks output from the disk transferring device so as to generate a required combination of disks at the selected one of the outlets. 
     One of the advantages of the disk transferring device described in EP-A-2463217 is the speed at which it can operate, as mentioned above. However, in order to operate efficiently, the disk sorting device must also be able to operate at a similar or greater speed. Conventional diverting devices using flaps and the like suffer from problems of inertia thus providing limitations on the speed of operation. 
     We therefore provide a novel disk diverting mechanism as described above. The diverting mechanism is very simple and just requires movement of the diverting surface orthogonally to the disk transfer path and avoids any need for a rotational or other movement subject to relatively high inertial forces. In this way, the speed of operation of the disk diverting mechanism can be matched to the rate at which disks are supplied to the disk sorting device. 
     In some cases, the disk diverting mechanism could be operable to place the single disk diverting surface into the disk transport path to divert disks to the return path, however preferably, when the disk diverting surface is in the first position, the surface is retracted away from the disk transport path, and when the disk diverting surface is in the second position, the surface is inserted into the disk transport path. This maximizes the speed of the return operation. 
     Preferably, the disk diverting surface is biased towards the retracted position so that the default configuration results in disks passing into the return path and not being inadvertently dispensed. 
     This approach should be contrasted with that described, for example, in WO 99/06969 in which normally coins pass to a dispense outlet and a diverter has to be switched to a different mode to cause coins to pass to the return path. 
     The position of the diverting surface can be controlled by means of a solenoid or pneumatic/hydraulic control although other electric/electronic motor controllers could be used such as a stepper motor. 
     The disk identifying device can take a variety of forms which are known conventionally and can determine different types of disk including one or more of the size, for example diameter, thickness, weight, metal content and surface appearance of the disks. Thus, the disk identifying device could be electrical and identify the different disks by the individual “electronic fingerprint” associated with a particular denomination, providing the disks disrupt an electrical field. However, if the disks have no metallic content, for example some types of gaming tokens or “chips” are 100% plastic, then the identification could be performed physically or mechanically using a roller or pairs of rollers to check diameter/thickness. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     As mentioned above, the disk sorting device according to the first aspect of the invention finds particular use in a disk sorting assembly comprising a disk transferring device for transferring disks of more than one type, delivered one by one, from a disk reception opening toward a disk ejection opening, the disk transferring device including: 
     a disk guide path having first and second guide surfaces that guide a peripheral surface of each of the disks and third and fourth guide surfaces that guide a front surface and a back surface of a disk, the disk guide path extending from the disk reception opening toward the disk ejection opening, and 
     a plurality of disk pushers protruding into the disk guide path and pushing the disks by making a rotational movement about a plurality of rotational axis lines approximately at a right angle with respect to the third and fourth guide surfaces, the disk sorting device being mounted to the disk transferring device so as to receive disks from the disk ejection opening, and 
     a plurality of disk pushers protruding into the disk guide path and pushing the disks by making a rotational movement about a plurality of rotational axis lines approximately at a right angle with respect to the third and fourth guide surfaces, characterized in that: 
     the assembly further comprises a disk sorting device according to the first aspect of the invention mounted to the disk transferring device so as to receive disks from the disk ejection opening. 
     In the most preferred example, the disk sorting device is detachable as a unit from the disk transferring device. This means that the disk sorting device can be fitted to a pre-existing disk transferring device, for example as an upgrade feature, very easily. Of course, in other cases, the disk sorting and transferring devices could be made as a more integrated unit, for example sharing the same housing. 
     Preferably, the disk transport path of the disk sorting device is arranged to maintain substantially the same orientation of the disks as they have in the disk guide path. This helps to avoid any problems as disks transfer from the transferring device to the sorting device. Typically, the disk transport path and the disk guide path are arranged to maintain the faces of the disks vertically oriented. This orientation reduces the footprint of the device. 
     In some cases, disks are conveyed along the disk transport path of the disk sorting device by a positive feeder such as a belt or rollers but in the preferred example, the disk guide path and the disk transport path both extend generally vertically, whereby disks pass along the disk transport path under gravity. This avoids the need for any additional control mechanisms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An example of a disk sorting assembly and disk sorting device according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic side elevation of the disk sorting assembly (with some parts omitted for clarity); 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the disk sorting assembly shown in  FIG. 1  but omitting the disk sorting device; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the main parts of the disk transferring device shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the disk transferring device of  FIG. 3  viewed from a front side; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the disk transferring device of  FIG. 3  viewed from a back side; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the rear of the upper part of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged, perspective view of the disk diverting mechanism shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 8A-8E  are views similar to  FIG. 6  but with part of the disk sorting device housing removed and part of the disk diverting mechanism shown as transparent and illustrating operation of the disk sorting device; and, 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic, block diagram illustrating the control components of the assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The disk sorting assembly shown in the drawings is designed to feed and sort coins of a variety of denominations and hence diameter and includes a disk transferring device  1003  having a disk reception opening  1102  and disk ejection opening  1104  ( FIG. 3 ), and a disk sorting device  10  detachably mounted to the disk transferring device  1003  into which disks are fed through the disk ejection opening  1104 . 
     The construction of the disk transferring device  1003  is described in much more detail in EP-A-2463217 and so will only be described relatively briefly in this specification. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the disk transferring device  1003  comprises a disk delivering device  1002  including a hopper  900 . 
     For example, the disk delivering device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-216553 can be used. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the disk transferring device  1003  includes a disk guide part  1100  having a disk guide path  1110  extending from the disk reception opening  1102  toward the disk ejection opening  1104 , a disk pushing mechanism  1400  having first to eighth rotary disks  1401  to  1408  provided with first disk pushers  1411   a  to  1418   a  and second disk pushers  1411   b  to  1418   b , respectively, and a rotational driving device  1500  for rotationally driving the disk pushing mechanism  1400 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the disk guide part  1100  is configured of a base part  1200  and a top plate  1300  provided on the base part  1200 . 
     The base part  1200  is formed of a structure in which a flat-shaped first member  1206  has a second member  1208  placed thereon, and a through hole  1215  is formed in the second member  1208 . The through hole  1215  has a flat shape with eight circular apertures connected in a zigzag manner, and has a recessed part  1216  that can accommodate the disk pushing mechanism  1400  on a front surface  1202  side of the base part  1200 . 
     On a bottom surface  1218  of the recessed part  1216 , first to eighth rotating shafts  1231  to  1238  are provided having first to eighth rotational axis lines  1221  to  1228  approximately at a right angle with respect to the front surface of the base part  1200 . The first to eighth rotating shafts  1231  to  1238  are fixed to fixing screws inserted in screw holes from the back surface  1204  side of the base part  1200  via the first member  1206 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the top plate  1300  has a front surface  1302  and a back surface  1304  parallel to each other, and is fixed to the base part  1200  with the back surface  1304  being placed on the front surface  1202  of the base part  1200 . The front surface  1302  and the back surface  1304  of the top plate  1300  is approximately at a right angle with respect to the first to eighth rotational axis lines  1221  to  1228 . 
     On the back surface  1304  side of the top plate  1300 , a disk guide groove  1306  extending from the disk reception opening  1102  to the disk ejection opening  1104  is formed. The disk guide groove  1306  has a bottom surface  1310  and first and second side surfaces  1312  and  1314 , and the bottom surface  1310  is approximately at a right angle with respect to the first to eighth rotational axis lines  1221  to  1228 . 
     The disk guide groove  1306  has a width wg and a depth dg that are set so as to be slightly larger than the width and depth of a disk to be transferred. In other words, the width wg and the depth dg of the disk guide groove  1306  are set so that the disk to be transferred can pass through the inside the disk guide groove  1306  as being guided with the bottom surface  1310  and the first and second side surfaces  1312  and  1314 . Note that when a plurality of denominations of disks with different diameters and thickness are transferred, the width wg and the depth dg of the disk guide groove  1306  are set according to a maximum diameter and a maximum thickness of the disks. 
     The first side surface  1312  is formed along a curve  1318  with a plurality of segments of circles centering on the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth rotational axis lines  1222 ,  1224 ,  1226 , and  1228  connected together. The second side surface  1314  is formed along a curve  1316  with a plurality of segments of circles centering on the first, third, fifth, and seventh rotational axis lines  1221 ,  1223 ,  1225 , and  1227  connected together. 
     Furthermore, on the back surface  1304  of the top plate  1300 , an annular groove  1322  preventing a contact of first disk pushers  1411   a  to  1418   a  and second disk pushers  1411   b  to  1418   b , which will be described further below, with the top plate  1300  when these disk pushers make a rotational movement is provided, correspondingly to the respective first to eighth rotational axis lines  1221  to  1228 . 
     The disk guide path  1110  is configured of the front surface  1202  of the base part  1200 , the bottom surface  1310  of the disk guide groove  1306  of the top plate  1300 , and the first and second side surfaces  1312  and  1314 . In other words, the front surface  1202  of the base unit  1200  functions as a back guide surface  1118  of the disk guide path  1110 , the bottom surface  1310  of the disk guide groove  1306  of the top plate  1300  functions as a front guide surface  1116  of the disk guide path  1110 , and the first and second side surfaces  1312  and  1314  of the disk guide groove  1306  of the top plate  1300  function as left and right guide surfaces  1112  and  1114  of the disk guide path  1110 . In the disk guide path  1110 , the peripheral surface of a disk introduced from the disk reception opening  1102  is guided with the left and right guide surfaces  1112  and  1114  of the disk guide path  1110  (that is, the first and second side surfaces  1312  and  1314  of the disk guide groove  1306 ). Also, on an front surface and a back surface of a disk are guided with the front and back guide surfaces  1116  and  1118  of the disk guide path  1110  (that is, the bottom surface  1310  of the disk guide groove  1306  and the front surface  1202  of the base part  1200 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the disk pushing mechanism  1400  has the first to eighth rotary disks  1401  to  1408  having the first to eighth rotating shafts  1231  to  1238 , respectively, inserted therein. The first to eighth rotary disks  1401  to  1408  each have an approximately circular outer shape in a planar view, and are each rotatably supported in the corresponding first to eighth rotating shafts  1231  to  1238  in both forward and reverse directions. In other words, the first to eighth rotary disks  1401  to  1408  can rotate about the corresponding first to eighth rotational axis lines  1221  to  1228 , respectively. 
     The first to eighth rotary disks  1401  to  1408  are provided with the first disk pushers  1411   a  to  1418   a  and the second disk pushers  1411   b  to  1418   b , respectively, as a pair, each disk pusher having a columnar outer shape. That is, in a peripheral part  1424  of the first rotary disk  1401 , the first and second disk pushers  1411   a  and  1411   b  protruding from the front surface  1422  of the rotary disk  1401  are provided. The first and second disk pushers  1411   a  and  1411   b  are arranged so as to interpose the first rotating shaft  1231 . In other words, the first and second disk pushers  1411   a  and  1411   b  are arranged on a straight line passing through the first rotational axis line  1221  on the first rotary disk  1401 . 
     Also for the second to eighth rotary disks  1402  to  1408 , as with the first rotary disk  1401 , in the peripheral parts  1424  of the second to eighth rotary disks  1402  to  1408 , the first and second disk pushers  1412   a  and  1418   a  and  1412   a  to  1418   b  protruding from the front surfaces  1422  of the second to eighth rotary disks  1402  to  1408 , respectively, are provided. The first and second disk pushers  1412   a  to  1418   a  and  1412   b  to  1418   b  are arranged so as to interpose the rotating shafts  1232  to  1238 , respectively. In other words, the first and second disk pushers  1412   a  to  1418   a  and  1412   b  to  1418   b  are arranged on straight lines passing through the second to eighth rotational axis lines  1222  to  1228  on the second to eighth rotary disks  1402  to  1408 , respectively. 
     When the first to eighth rotary disks  1401  to  1408  are rotated, the first and second pushers  1411   a  to  1418   a  and  1411   b  to  1418   b  make a rotational movement about the first to eighth rotational axis lines  1221  to  1228 , respectively. 
     The rotational driving device  1500  has an electric motor  1502  and a decelerating mechanism  1504  having connected thereto a driving shaft (not shown) of the electric motor  1502 . An output shaft (not shown) of the decelerating mechanism  1504  is connected to the first rotating shaft  1231 . The first rotary disk  1401  and the first gear wheel  1431  are connected to the output shaft of the decelerating mechanism  1504  via the first rotating shaft  1231 . 
     For the first gear wheel  1431  to be caused to function as a driving gear wheel, the first rotary disk  1401  and the first gear wheel  1431  are fixed to the first rotating shaft  1231 . Therefore, when the electric motor  1502  is activated, the rotation of the driving shaft of the electric motor  152  is transmitted via the decelerating mechanism  1504  to the first rotating shaft  1231 , thereby rotating the first rotary disk  1401  and the first gear wheel  1431 . Since adjacent ones of the first to eighth gear wheels  1431  to  1438  engage with each other, the rotation of the first gear wheel  1431  is transmitted to the second to eighth gear wheels  1432  to  1438  sequentially. That is, the second to eighth gear wheels  1432  to  1438  function as driven gear wheels. As such, the disk pushing mechanism  1400  is driven, thereby causing the first to eighth rotary disks  1401  to  1408  to rotate and causing the first and second disk pushers  1411   a  to  1418   a  and  1411   b  to  1418   b  to make a rotational movement. 
     As explained in more detail in EP-A-2463217, rotation of the disks  1401 - 1408  causes disks or coins to be fed from a hopper  900  up through the disk transferring device to the disk ejection opening  1104 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the disk ejection opening  1104  opens into a disk transport path  20  formed within a housing  22  of the disk sorting device  10 . The disk sorting device is detachably secured to the housing of the disk transferring device  1003  by brackets  40  ( FIG. 6 ) and bolts (not shown). 
     At the entrance to the disk transport path  20  is provided a coin sensing coil  24  which is wound around the housing  22  and through which each coin or disk will pass as it enters the disk transport path  20 . This coil forms the inductive element of a Colpitts oscillator circuit (not shown). As a coin passes through the coil, the inductance increases and this increase causes a change in the oscillator&#39;s frequency and amplitude. The amount and type of change allows the coin to be identified by a control PCB (not shown) in a conventional manner. 
     In a modification (not shown) a second coin sensing coil similar to the coil  24  is provided in a substantially horizontal orientation around a vertically extending part of the transport path  20  upstream of a coin entry sensor  26  (to be described). This helps to improve the coin identification performance. 
     The coin then falls under gravity through the disk transport path  20  and passes the coin entry sensor  26  located upstream of a disk diverting mechanism  28 . 
     The disk diverting mechanism  28  comprises a solenoid  30  having an axially movable actuator  32 . The solenoid is typically a push/pull, 24V DC solenoid, type 341C manufactured by Densitron/Geeplus and can move the actuator  32  between its two positions in about 22 milliseconds. This is much faster than the shortest time between successive coins fed by the disk transferring device (⅕ seconds or 200 milliseconds). 
     The disk diverting mechanism further includes a diverter member or gate  34  non-rotatably attached to the actuator  32  so that it can be moved orthogonally with respect to the disk transport path  20  between a first position in which coins can pass undiverted to a first, return outlet  36 , and a second position in which it diverts coins to a second dispenser coin outlet  38 . 
     As mentioned above, as alternatives to the solenoid  30 , it is possible to use a pneumatically controlled actuator, a stepper motor or the like. 
     The advantage of diverters according to the invention over conventional flap operated diverters is that there is less inertia involved as compared with a flap based diverter and thus they can be operated more quickly and efficiently and thus match the feed speed of the disk transferring device  1103 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the coin outlet  36  cooperates with a guide plate  70  so that coins ejected through the outlet  36  will slide down the guide plate  70  back into the hopper  900 . On the other hand, coins passing out of the dispense outlet  38  will pass to a dispense position (not shown) where they can be retrieved by an operator. 
     The actuator  32  is biased by a compression spring or the like (not shown) towards its first position so that as a default, coins will fall towards the coin outlet  36  for return to the hopper  900  and this avoids inadvertent dispense. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an upper part of the disk sorting device  10  and in particular the way in which the disk diverting mechanism  28  is mounted. Thus, this mechanism  28  includes a mounting bracket  42  to which is attached the solenoid  30 . The bracket  42  is secured to the housing  22  as shown. The actuator  32  has the diverter member  34  attached to its end which is thus supported by the solenoid  30  for movement to and fro orthogonal to the housing  22  and bracket  42 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , the diverting member  34  is formed by two side plates  46 A and  46 C secured together in a spaced apart configuration with a dividing bar  46 B between them to define a pair of guide slots  48 A and  48 B respectively. The guide slot  48 A is fully open at its lower end along the length of the member  34  while the guide slot  48 B has a web  50  located along part of its base to define a coin diverting surface  52 . 
       FIG. 8A-8E  are similar to  FIG. 6  but with the housing plate facing the viewer removed and hence the solenoid  30  is not visible. 
     In  FIG. 8A , the actuator  32  is in its rest or first position, spring biased to bring the slot  48 A into alignment with the disk transport path  20 . In this position, a coin  60  arriving at the diverting member  34  passes through the slot  48 A undiverted towards the outlet  36  and hence back to the hopper  900  via the guide plate  70 . This process can be seen further in  FIG. 8B  which also shows the arrival of a second coin  62  which also is to pass to the hopper  900 . 
       FIGS. 8C-8E  illustrate the operation of the disk sorting device when a disk is to be diverted to the dispense outlet  38 . In this case, the solenoid  30  is activated to move the actuator  32  against the spring bias which causes the diverting member  34  to be moved so as to bring the web  50  into alignment with the path  20 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 8D , a coin  64  arriving at the diverting member  34  passes into the slot  48 B and engages the diverting surface  52 . This causes the coin  64  to roll to the right (as seen in  FIG. 8D ) and to then drop down into the outlet  38 . This can be seen again in  FIG. 8E  which also shows the arrival of the next coin  66  which also has to be diverted into the outlet  38 . 
     Associated with each outlet  36 ,  38  is a respective coin sensor  70 ,  72  which detects the passage of coins into the respective outlets and thus can determine the presence of a jam if that should occur. 
     The coin entry sensor  26  is used to time operation of the solenoid  30  if required although depending upon the length of the path  20 , the sensor  26  could be omitted and timing controlled from detection of coins by the coil  24 . Indeed, in some embodiments, the sensors  70 ,  72  could also be omitted. 
     The outlet  38  is connected to a dispense opening or alternatively could be connected to an escrow store which itself then dispenses coins either to a dispense outlet or back to the hopper  900  via ducts (not shown). 
     It is also envisaged that more than two outlets could be provided together with a suitable diverting device. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating the control components of the device shown in  FIGS. 1 to 8 . As can be seen, each of the coin entry sensors  26 , coin exit sensors  70 ,  72  and solenoid  30  are connected to a disk sorting device CPU  50  which is also connected to the coin sensor  52  of which the coil  24  forms a part. The CPU  50  responds to control signals from the main controller  54  of the overall assembly so that the correct combination of coins is dispensed from the outlet  38 . 
     The assembly can be operated in a variety of ways. In the preferred approach, the main controller  54  specifies which coins to use to make up the correct total value which is to be dispensed. Typically, the main controller  54  will monitor the quantity of each coin type held in the hopper  900  and can therefore determine which combination of coin types are available although this is not essential, particularly if the outlet  38  feeds to an escrow store. In any event, in a typical case, the main controller  54  will indicate to the CPU  50  that say two coins of a first type and three coins of a second type should be dispensed. (In this case “type” means “diameter” although many other means may be used to determine the value of a coin as mentioned above.) The disk transferring device  1003  is then activated and the coins are fed to the disk ejection opening  1104  and into the disk sorting device  10 . The coin sensor  52  detects the coin type, typically by determining its diameter and hence its value, and this information is fed to the CPU  50 . If the coin is to form part of the dispense then the CPU  50  will monitor for the arrival of the coin at the coin entry sensor  26  and either immediately or after a predetermined time interval, will activate the solenoid  30  to insert the diverter gate  34  into the guide path  20  so that the coin is diverted into the outlet  36 . The passage of the coin into the outlet  36  is detected by the coin exit sensor  70  and providing that passage is confirmed, the solenoid  30  will then be deactivated and the diverter gate  34  will return under spring action to its retracted position. 
     If the coin sensor  52  identifies a coin which is not to be dispensed, for example it is of a type not required or sufficient coins of that type have been dispensed, then the CPU  50  will not activate the solenoid  30  and the coin will fall under gravity through the guide path  20  to the outlet  38  and back to the hopper  900 . 
     In an alternative mode of operation, the main controller  54  will simply indicate the value which is to be dispensed and the appropriate combination of coins will be determined by the CPU  50 . For example, if a value of £1 is to be dispensed, the CPU  50  will decide as each coin is identified by the coin sensor  52  how much value remains to be dispensed and will therefore vary the coins which form that dispense combination depending upon the coins that have been dispensed to date. This may, however, mean a less efficient operation due to the random nature in which coins are dispensed from the hopper.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6