Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a value medium processing device capable of distinguishing between a true and false status of a coin, including reading and/or writing specific electrical value information relative to a portable storage medium, and more specifically, a value medium processing device for inserting such a coin type electrical value information storage medium through a common monetary coin insertion slot, wherein the value medium processing device according to the present invention can be used in a coin-operated game machine, a vending machine, and the like. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-189986 describes a denomination distinguishing mechanism in which an elongated path of the same width as an insertion slot is arranged behind a vertical slit shaped insertion slot capable of inserting either a IC coin or a monetary coin. A coin passage has an inclined surface of a relatively high gradient and a width for passing only coins is formed at a central part in the width direction at a bottom surface of the elongated path. A slit-shaped coin receiving slot of a width to which only the coins will pass through is arranged in front thereof, and an inclined surface of a low gradient is formed adjacent at both edges of the coin passage. The IC coin receiving part is formed in front of the slit shaped coin receiving slot. 
     Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-293097 arranges a coin conveyance path to be inclined downward from an insertion slot, with a plurality of shutters in the coin conveyance path to distinguish the size of the inserted coin and for selectively opening the plurality of shutters, to allocate the IC coin and the coin to the appropriate corresponding processing units. 
     The Japanese Publication 2006-189986 has an advantage in that the monetary coin and the IC coin can be inserted into the same insertion slot, and the customer cannot mistake the insertion slot. However, the monetary coin is dropped to a coin passage by a shoulder of a downwardly inclined surface of a low gradient, and if the coin has developed sufficient inertia force by rolling, it may roll on the shoulder and not fall into the coin passage, and as a result, the desired coins cannot be selected. 
     The coin is identified after being allocated while rolling on the IC coin passage. Thus, a read and/or write device of the IC coin needs to be arranged downstream of the passage on which the coin rolls, and the device becomes correspondingly larger. The true and false status of a coin is also merely mechanically distinguished by thickness, and thus, a false coin of the same thickness cannot be distinguished. 
     In order to enhance the true and false distinguish accuracy, the diameter and the material need to be added to perform a more accurate true and false distinction, but such a distinguishing device would need to be arranged in continuation of the coin passage, and the device becomes even larger and thus cannot be formed of a size having compatibility with existing installed machines. 
     The Japanese Publication 2005-293097 would need to arrange an IC coin processing device and a coin true and false distinguishing unit at a downstream position with a shutter, and also cannot be formed to a small size having compatibility with the existing machines. 
     Therefore, there is still a need in this industry to provide a compact and economical combination coin and IC coin processing device that can be installed in new machines and retrofitted into existing machine configurations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first object of the present invention is to provide a value medium processing device for processing a small IC coin, a monetary coin and tokens of a compact configuration. 
     A second object of the present invention is to provide a value medium processing device for processing an IC coin and a monetary coin having compatibility with existing value medium processing device. 
     A third object of the present invention is to inexpensively provide a value medium processing device for processing small IC coins, monetary coins and tokens. 
     In order to achieve the above aims, a value medium processing device of the present invention has the following configuration. 
     The value medium processing device is a value medium processing device having a common insertion slot for a coin having a predetermined thickness, and also an IC coin thicker than the thickness of the coin. The value medium processing device includes an IC coin passage, formed as a continuation of the insertion slot, on which the IC coin rolls and a coin passage of a narrower width than the IC coin passage formed at a lower side of the IC coin passage as a continuation of the IC coin passage. A retaining unit for the IC coin is arranged in the IC coin passage, for selectively stopping and releasing the IC coin. A read and write unit is arranged in the vicinity of where the IC coin is stopped by the retaining member. An IC coin allocating unit, arranged at a position downstream of the retaining member in the IC coin passage can allocate the IC coin to an IC coin storage passage or a return passage. A distinguishing unit for a monetary coin is arranged on the second downward passage, and a coin allocating unit allocates a coin to a coin storage passage or a return passage based on a distinction signal from the distinguishing unit in the second downward passage. A common return slot is arranged as a continuation to the return passage. 
     A lower part of the IC coin passage and an upper part of the coin passage can be formed as a common passageway. The return passage can be arranged at a lower side of the coin passage for both the IC coin and the coin. 
     A deviating unit is capable of advancing and retreating into the IC coin passage at a downstream position of the common passage in the IC coin passage, and an IC coin detecting unit arranged in the IC coin passage between the insertion slot and the deviating unit wherein the deviating unit normally advances into the IC coin passage, and retreats from the IC coin passage when the IC coin detecting unit detects an IC coin. An insertion inhibiting unit capable of advancing to and retreating from the IC coin passage is arranged adjacent to the insertion slot, and advances to and retreats from the IC passage at a reverse phase with respect to the advancement and retreat of the above deviating unit to and from the IC coin passage. 
     The IC coin inserted from the common insertion slot is rolled onto the IC coin passage, rolls on the coin passage, and is stopped at a predetermined position by the rolling retaining unit. The IC coin stopped by the retaining unit has any predetermined stored information read and/or written thereto by the read and write unit arranged in the same vicinity. The IC coin, when a predetermined process thereon is terminated, is released from being stopped by the retaining member and is again rolled on the IC coin passage and allocated to the return passage or the storage passage by the IC coin allocating unit. An IC coin, allocated to the return passage, is rolled on the return passage to the return slot and returned to the customer, where as an IC coin allocated to the storage passage is stored in the storage unit. 
     A coin inserted through the common insertion slot can fall off the IC coin passage to the coin passage and rolls on the coin passage. In the middle of rolling, the coin&#39;s properties such as diameter, material, and thickness are detected by the distinguishing unit, and a true and false distinction and/or denomination are performed based on the detected information. The coin is allocated to the storage passage or the return passage by the coin allocating unit based on the distinguished result by the distinguishing unit. 
     A coin allocated to the return passage is rolled on the return passage to the common return slot and returned to the customer, where as the coin allocated to the storage passage is stored in the storage unit. Therefore, the IC coin passage and the coin passage are aligned in an up and down direction, respectively and arranged with the read and write unit and the distinguishing unit, sharing a common insertion slot and return slot for the IC coin and the coin, and thus the device can be miniaturized. 
     Furthermore, the lower part of the IC coin passage on which the IC coin rolls and the upper part of the coin passage on which the coin rolls are overlapping. Therefore, the device can be miniaturized by an overlapping amount of the passages of the IC coin and the coin. 
     The IC coin passage on which the IC coin rolls, the coin passage on which the coin C rolls, and the return passage for the IC coin and the coin are arranged so as to be shifted in the vertical direction, and thus the device can be further miniaturized. A true and false determination and the coin denomination are determined by the distinguishing unit in the middle of rolling along the coin passage. 
     When the IC coin is inserted through the common insertion slot, the IC coin is detected by the IC coin detecting unit during a course of the IC coin passage. According to the detection of the IC coin detecting unit, the deviating unit retreats from the IC coin passage, and thus the IC coin is rolled onto the IC coin passage without being inhibited by the deviating unit, and is stopped at a predetermined position by the retaining unit. In the retaining device, the stored information of the IC coin is read out and written by the read and write unit. Thus, the coin is reliably dropped onto the coin passage by the deviating unit, whereby miniaturization of the device can be achieved. 
     The insertion inhibiting unit advances to and retreats from the IC coin passage in a reverse phase with the deviating unit of the coin. In other words, if a IC coin exists in the IC coin passage, the insertion slot is substantially closed by the insertion inhibiting unit, and the IC coin and the coin cannot be inserted from the insertion slot. 
     Thus, an IC coin cannot be additionally inserted while reading or writing the IC coin, whereby a reading or writing error does not occur. Since the insertion inhibiting unit advances to and retreats from the IC coin passage at a reverse phase with the deviating unit of the coin, the drive source of the deviating unit and the insertion inhibiting unit may be common, whereby the device can be further inexpensively manufactured. 
     It is desirable for the present invention to be stored in the size of a conventional coin distinguishing machine from the standpoint of ensuring compatibility with the standard coin distinguishing device already used in game machines. The value medium processing device needs to be stored in a space having a width of 50 mm, a height of 130 mm, and a depth of 120 mm. 
    
    
     
       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 value medium processing device; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the value medium processing device; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the value medium processing device; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view of the value medium processing device; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the value medium processing device; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along A-A in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken along B-B in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken along C-C in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken along D-D in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view taken along F-F in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged explanatory view of an insertion inhibiting unit; and 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view taken along G-G in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention which set forth the best modes contemplated to carry out 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 invention 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. 
     In the present specification, the term “coin” is a collective term for not only monetary coins but also coins serving as circulating medium, medals and tokens of a game machine, and the like, and “IC coin” is a collective term for a coin type electrical value storage medium. 
     In the present embodiment, coin C, such as but not limited to a monetary coin, has a circular disc shape made of metal, and can roll down a downward inclined passage by its own weight. 
     The IC coin is also of a circular disc shape that rolls down the downward inclined passage by its own weight, but further incorporates an IC chip TP with an antenna and an electronic storage capacity to hold a value capable of reading and writing in a non-contacting manner, and is thicker and with a larger diameter than the average coin C. 
     Also a coin electrical value information storage medium is an IC coin. The IC coin does not have necessarily a larger diameter than the coin C, but is preferably thicker with a larger diameter than the coin C so that the customer perceives it as having a higher value than a maximum price coin. 
     In the present embodiment, the IC coin is thicker than the coin C and the diameter is larger than, for example, a 500-yen coin. Therefore, the IC coin may have a smaller diameter than the coin C as long as it is thicker than the coin C. 
     The value medium processing device  100  includes an insertion slot  102 , an IC coin passage  104 , a coin passage  106 , an IC coin retaining unit  108 , a read and write unit  112 , an IC coin allocating unit  114 , a distinguishing unit  116 , a coin allocating unit  118 , a return passage  120 , a return slot  124 , a cancel unit  126 , an IC coin detecting unit  128 , and an insertion inhibit unit  132 . 
     The insertion slot  102  will be first described. The insertion slot  102  has a function of receiving the coin C and the IC coin serving as the electrical value information storage medium. The insertion slot  102  also functions as the insertion slot for the coin C and the IC coin. 
     In the present embodiment, the insertion slot  102  is rectangular, and the width thereof is slightly larger than the thickness of the IC coin, and the height is slightly larger than the diameter of the 500-yen coin. Therefore, the IC coin, 5-yen to 500-yen coins, and game tokens can be inserted into the insertion slot  102 . 
     The insertion slot installing range can be reduced since the insertion slot of the coin C and the IC coin is common, and there is an advantage in that the device can be miniaturized. In the present embodiment, the insertion slot  102  is formed in a front cover  134 . The front cover  134  is fixed so as to cover the front face of the front panel  136  with a plate shape made of metal. 
     The IC coin passage  104  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6-8 . The IC coin inserted into the insertion slot  102  rolls on the IC coin passage  104  by its own weight as a function of the inclination of the IC coin passage  104 . The IC coin passage  104  is a downwardly inclined passage formed in continuation with the insertion slot  102 , and is positioned to extend downward, the more the distant from the insertion slot  102 , and further has an elongated slope shaped passage having a bottom and a left and right surrounded by the IC coin guide rail  162 , the base  144 , and the cancel cover  146 . 
     In other words, the IC coin passage  104  is a passage linearly extending to the lower left in  FIG. 6  defined by the side surface  152  of the base  144 , the side surface  160  of the cancel cover  146 , and the IC guide rail  162 . The IC coin guide rail  162  is a linear elongate projection formed to the lower front (lower left in  FIG. 6 ) at a predetermined angle in continuation to the lower edge of the insertion slot  102 , and includes a right guide rail  162 R linearly formed integrally with the base  144 , and the left guide rail  162 L formed in a projecting manner symmetric to the right guide rail  162 R integrally with the cancel cover  146 . See  FIG. 8 . 
     The upper surfaces of the right guide rail  162 R and the left guide rail  162 L are formed downward to an inclined surface as they approach each other. The upper surfaces of the right guide rail  162 R and the left guide rail  162 L are formed symmetric to each other. The IC coin rolls so as to be guided to be positioned at the center of the IC coin passage  104  from the left and right guide rails. 
     The base  144  is a substantially rectangular plate body made of non-magnetic body vertically fixed perpendicular to the front panel  136 . The side surface  152  of the base  144  is positioned in the same plane as the side surface  140  of the insertion slot  102  to guide the inserted coin C and the IC coin. The base  144  is preferably integrally molded by resin. 
     The cancel cover  146  is a substantially rectangular plate body made of a non-magnetic body, which has its upper end supported in a freely oscillating manner by a shaft  156  attached to the bearings  154 A,  154 B of the base  144 . The cancel cover  146  is subjected to a rotation force so as to approach the base  144  by a bias spring  158 , and the projection  159  at the lower end is pressed against the base  144  so that a predetermined spacing is set between the side surfaces  152  and  160 . The cancel cover  146  is preferably integrally molded by resin. The left guide rail  162 L is projected from the IC coin guide side surface  160  on the base  144  side of the cancel cover  146 . 
     The coin passage  106  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . The coin passage  106  has a function for guiding the coin C inserted through the insertion slot  102 . The coin passage  106  continues to the IC coin passage  104 , and linearly extends in parallel to the IC coin passage  104  at the lower side adjacent thereto. 
     The width of the coin passage  106  is thinner than the thickness of the IC coin, and has a width slightly wider than the thickness of a 500-yen coin, which is the thickest of all the 5-yen to 500-yen coins. 
     In other words, a coin C can fall to the coin passage  106 , but the IC coin does not fall and continues to roll on the IC coin guide rail  162 . The coin passage  106  is an elongated linear passage of a rectangular cross section surrounded by the coin guide rail  150 , the base  144 , and the cancel cover  146 . In other words, the coin passage  106  inclines downward away from the insertion slot  102  and the upper end thereof communicates with the IC coin passage  104 . 
     When a large diameter 500-yen coin rolls on the coin passage  106 , the upper end thereof moves on the IC coin passage  104 . In other words, the lower part of the IC coin passage  104  and the upper part of the coin passage  106  function as common passageway. 
     After inserted from the insertion slot  102 , the coin C moves by substantially its diameter on the IC coin passage  104 , and then falls onto the coin passage  106 . The IC coin passage  104  continuing from the insertion slot  102  is a coin C common passage  170  with the IC coin passage  104 . The coin guide rail  166  projects from the lower end of the side surface  160  of the cancel guide  146 , and the upper face of the coin guide rail  166  inclines downward towards the base  144  side. 
     The coin C rolls while bearing on the base  144  by such an inclination, and thus there is an effect that the rolling position helps stabilize the coin C. The spacing between the side surface  152  of the base  144  and the coin guide side surface  164  is set slightly larger than the maximum thickness of the coin C to be selected. 
     The coin passage  106  is configured by the base  144 , the cancel cover  146 , and the coin guide rail  147 . The coin guide rail  166  is configured by a rolling start guide rail  148  and a guide rail  150 . The guide rail  150  is formed in parallel to the IC coin guide rail  162 . The rolling start guide rail  148  is a trapezoid metal plate fixed to the cancel cover  146  adjacent to the front panel  136 , and the falling rolling surface  168  continuing to the guide rail  150  is formed in a curved manner. The falling rolling surface  168  does not wear by the fall of the coin C, and the rolling speed of the coin C can be enhanced, see  FIG. 6 . 
     The IC coin passage  104  is a passage linearly extending towards the lower right in  FIG. 6  and is defined by the side surface  152  of the base  144 , the coin guide side surface  164  of the cancel cover  146  and the coin guide rail  147 . The coin C can roll on the coin guide rail  166  in a standing or erect manner while having the side surface guided by the side surface  160  and the coin guide side surface  164 . 
     The cancel unit  126  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . The cancel unit  126  has a function of cancelling any coin C jammed in the IC coin passage  104  or the coin passage  106 , or the inserted coin C, and returning the coin to the return slot  124 . In the present embodiment, the cancel unit  126  includes a cancel cover  146 , the cancel lever  174 , and the first link mechanism  176 . 
     The cancel lever  174  will be first described. The cancel lever  174  is a lever operated by the customer to cancel the coin C, and has a middle portion rotatably attached to the fixed shaft  178  projecting in the lateral direction from the base  144 . An operation lever  180  is projected towards the front side of the front cover  134  from the opening  182  formed at the lower right side with respect to the insertion slot  102  of the front cover  134 , and is arranged so as to be pushed by the customer. 
     The lower lever  184  extends downward in parallel to the front panel  136 , and is stopped and held by a stopper (not shown) at a standby position substantially in an upstanding position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     First link mechanism  176  will now be described. The first link mechanism  176  has a function of moving the lower end of the cancel cover  146  in a direction of moving away from the base  144  when the lower lever  184  is turned in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 4 . The first link mechanism  176  includes an L-shaped first swinging lever  190  attached rotatably to the shaft  188  projecting upward from a stay  185  extending in the lateral direction from the base  144 . The first lever  190 A of the swinging lever  190  is pushed by the lower lever  184 , and turned in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 9 . 
     The second lever  190 B of the swinging lever  190  can come in contact with and be pushed to the lower end of the cancel cover  146  through the opening of the base  144 . When the cancel cover  174  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 4 , the lower lever  184  pushes the first lever  190 A, and the second lever  190 B pushes the lower end of the cancel cover  146  to be away from the base  144 . 
     The cancel cover  146  rotates with the shaft  156  as the supporting point, is inclined with respect to the base  144 , and a gap between the side end face of the coin guide rail  166  and the side surface  152  is greater than or equal to the thickness of the coin C. An upper surface of the guide rail  150  is inclined downward with respect to the lateral direction, and the coin C thereon falls by its own weight. 
     The dropped coin C falls on the coin returning guide rail  192  formed in the base  144  at the lower side of the coin passage  106 , inclined downward towards the front panel  136  side, and configuring the return passage  120 , and thereby after rolls to the right direction in  FIG. 6  by its own weight and falls to the return slot  124 . The return slot  124  is formed in a groove shape surrounding both sides and the front side of the coin C, and thus the coin C is held in a standing state in the return slot  124 . 
     The detecting unit  128  of both the IC coin and the coin C will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . The detecting unit  128  is arranged on the common passageway  170  and has a function of distinguishing whether the value medium inserted through the insertion slot  102  is the coin C or not. The detecting unit  128  can be changed to other devices having similar functions as known in the art. 
     In the present embodiment, the detecting unit  128  includes a first sensor  196  and a second sensor  198  arranged on the side surface  152  of the base  144 . In the present embodiment, the first sensor  196  and the second sensor  198  are a transmissive photoelectric sensor positioned for detection by transversing the common passage  170 , but may be changed to a reflection photoelectric sensor, a contacting sensor, and the like. 
     The first sensor  196  is arranged in the vicinity of the deviating unit  122  and the IC coin guide rail  162 , where the projection light can be shielded by a passing coin C and the IC coin, and a detection signal is output at time of such shielding. The second smaller sensor  198  is arranged at a position not shielded by the coin C passing through the common passage  170  but is shielded by a large diameter IC coin. 
     Thus, when the projection light of the first sensor  196  and the second sensor  198  are simultaneously shielded, a distinction can be made that the IC coin has been inserted, and the deviating unit  122  is retrieved from the IC coin passage  104 . 
     The cancel non-operating unit  220  will be described with reference to drawings such as  FIG. 10 . The cancel non-operating unit  220  has a function of causing a non-operating of the cancel unit  126 , specifically, a function which places the cancel lever  174 , when the IC coin is inserted into the insertion slot  102  into a non-operating mode. The cancel non-operating unit  220  can be changed to other known devices having a similar function. 
     In the present embodiment, the cancel non-operating unit  220  mechanically causes the cancel lever  174  not to operate. A structure in which the cancel unit  126  is mechanically non-operated has an advantage of being inexpensively configured. 
     The cancel non-operating unit  220  shares one part with the deviating unit  122  hereinafter described, and thus the description of the main part will be made in the description of the deviating unit  122 . When the deviating unit  122  is at a non-deviating position, the integrally moving second stopper  224  projects into the rotating path of the engagement part  226 , which is integrally formed with the cancel lever  174 , and inhibits any rotation of the cancel lever  174 . 
     The distinguishing unit  116  has a function of distinguishing between a true and false condition and also the denomination of a coin rolling through the coin passage  106 , that is the status of the coins. See  FIGS. 3 and 6 . The distinguishing unit  116  includes coil bodies  232 ,  234 ,  236  wound with a coil on a core relatively fixed to the base  144  and the cancel cover  146  along the coin passage  106 . The coil body  232  is used to detect the diameter of the coin C. The coil body  234  is used to detect the thickness of the coin C. The coil body  236  is used to detect the material of the coin C. 
     The respective output from the coil bodies  232 ,  234 ,  236  are input into a distinguishing circuit (not shown) to distinguish the true and false condition and also the denomination of coin C in comparison to predetermined reference values that are stored. If a false coin is found, the distinguishing unit  116  outputs a cancel signal CS to the coin allocating unit  118 . 
     The coin allocating unit  118  has a function of allocating a coin C rolling on the coin passage  106  to either the coin return passage  191  or the coin storing passage  244 C to a retaining safe (not shown). The coin allocating unit  118  includes a coin allocating body  246 , an electromagnetic actuator  248 , and a second link mechanism  252 . 
     The coin allocating body  246  can be positioned in a cancel position CP on the extension of the coin passage  106  or on the storing position SP to guide to the storage passage  244 C. (See  FIG. 6 ) The coin allocating body  246  is a rod body extending to the coin passage  106  towards a lateral direction from the distal end of the second swinging lever  254  which is attached rotatably to a fixed shaft  258  projecting in the lateral direction from the base  144 . 
     The other end of the second swinging lever  254  is link coupled to the iron core  260  of the first electromagnetic actuator  248  by the link mechanism  252 . The iron core  260  is biased in the left direction in  FIG. 4  by a spring (not shown), and is normally held at a cancel position CP. 
     When the distinguishing unit  116  distinguish a true coin, the first electromagnetic actuator  248  is excited, the iron core  260  is moved to the right direction in  FIG. 4 , the second swinging lever  254  is turned in a counterclockwise direction, and the coin allocating body  246  is moved to and held at the storage position SP. When the coin allocating body  246  is held at the storage position SP, the coin C rolling on the coin passage  106  falls on the coin allocating body  246  from the coin guide rail  150 , and is guided to the coin storage passage  244 C. 
     If the coin allocating body  246  is positioned at the cancel position CP, the coin C dropped from the coin passage  106  comes into contact with the coin allocating body  246 , and is guided to the right direction in  FIG. 6 , and thus rolls on the coin cancel guide rail  182  of the coin return passage  191 , and is returned to the return port  124 . 
     The deviating unit  122  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The deviating unit  122  has a function of guiding the coin C inserted into the insertion slot  102  to the coin passage. The deviating unit  122  includes a deviating body  262 , a third link mechanism  264 , and a second electromagnetic actuator  266 . 
     The deviating body  262  has a plate configuration and is formed in an L-shape, as shown in  FIG. 6 , and is positioned perpendicular to one end of the third swinging lever  270  which, in turn, is rotatably attached to a fixed shaft  268  that is fixed in parallel to the base  144 . 
     The deviating body  262  has a perpendicular part  272  and a downward inclined part  274 , where the inserted coin C will hit the perpendicular part  272  so that any rolling inertia force is eliminated, and after falling downward by its own weight, it is guided to the upper end opening of the coin passage  106  by an inclination of the guide rails  162 L,  162 R, to fall on the rolling surface  168  of the rolling start guide rail  148 . 
     The end of the link  278  is rotatably attached to the shaft  276  projecting upward from the position distant from the base  144  than the fixed shaft  268  of the third swinging lever  270 . The other end of the link  278  is rotatably attached to an iron core  280  of the second electromagnetic actuator  266 . The iron core  280  is biased in the projecting direction by a spring (not shown). 
     Thus, the second electromagnetic actuator  266  when excited causes the iron core  280  to be attracted, and when moved upward in  FIG. 7 , the third swinging lever  270  is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. The deviating body  262  is then advanced to the common passage  170  of the IC coin passage  104 , and is positioned so as to substantially transverse the common passage  170 . When the second electromagnetic actuator  266  is demagnetized, the iron core  280  is moved towards the left in  FIG. 4  by a spring (not shown). 
     The third swinging lever  270  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and the deviating body  262  retreats from the common passage  170  (IC coin passage  104 ) (position of  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  7 ). In this case, the insertion inhibiting member  306  advances to and retreats from the IC coin passage  104  adjacent to the insertion slot  102 , and thus the coin C cannot be inserted. 
     A second stopper  224 , serving as a cancel non-operating unit  220  is formed in a projecting manner on the rear surface side of the inclined part  274 . When the deviating body  262  of the third swinging lever  270  retreats from the IC coin passage  104 , the second stopper  224  advances to the rotation path of the engagement part  226  integrally formed at the swinging lever  180 , and inhibits the rotation. When the deviating body  262  advances to the IC coin passage  104 , the second stopper  224  retreats from the rotation path of the engagement part  226 , and thus the swinging lever  180  is rotated for cancelling. 
     The IC coin retaining unit  108 ,  FIG. 7 , has a function of retaining the IC coin at the IC coin passage  104  when a IC coin is inserted. The IC coin retaining unit  108  includes a fourth link mechanism  283  of a stop strip  282  and the second electromagnetic actuator  266 . 
     The stop strip  282  is rotatably attached to a fixed shaft  284  projecting to the side from the base  144  at the upper side of the IC passage  104 , and is adjacent to the base  144 , to be rotated within a plane parallel to the base  144 . The fourth link mechanism  283  includes a slide strip  287  fixed to the iron core  280  and arranged for movement reciprocatably in the lateral direction while being guided by the base  144 . A pin  288  projects in a lateral direction from the slide strip  287 , and a long hole  290  is formed in the stop strip  282 , where the pin  288  is slidably inserted into the long hole  290 . 
     When the second electromagnetic actuator  266  is demagnetized, the slid strip  287  is positioned at the uppermost left side in  FIG. 4 , and thus the stop strip  282  is held at a holding position SP after being rotated in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 6 . When the stop strip  282  is positioned at the holding position SP, the IC coin rolling on the IC coin guide rail  162  comes into contact with the distal end of the stop strip  282  and is inhibited from rolling, and is held at the retaining position HP. 
     When the second electromagnetic actuator  266  is excited, the iron core  280  is moved towards the right direction in  FIG. 4 , and the stop strip  282  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6 . The distal end of the stop strip  282  is moved to a position not contacting the IC coin, and the IC coin can roll further to the left in  FIG. 6  on the IC coin passage  104 . The IC coin rolling on the IC coin passage  104  is guided to the storage passage  244 IC or the coin return passage  313  by the IC coin allocating unit  114 , see  FIG. 9 . 
     The insertion inhibiting unit  132  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 11 . When the IC coin is retained at the retaining position HP, the insertion inhibiting unit  132  has a function of preventing the insertion of the coin C and the IC coin into the insertion slot  102 . The insertion inhibiting unit  132  includes an L shaped lever  302  supported coaxially with a fixed shaft  268  which is the supporting shaft of the third swinging lever  270  and a spring  304  for elastically biasing the L shaped lever  302  in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 11  with respect to the fixed shaft  268 . 
     The distal end of the L shaped lever  302  is an inhibiting strip  306 . The inhibiting strip  306  can advance to and retreat from the common passage  170  at a position proximate to the front panel  136  on the back side of the insertion slot  102 . Thus, the deviating body  262  and the inhibiting strip  306  advance to and retreat from the common passage  170  at opposite phases by the oscillation of the third swinging lever  270 . 
     More specifically, if the deviating body  262  is positioned at the common passage  170 , the inhibiting strip  306  retreats from the common passage  170 . If the deviating body  262  is retreated from the common passage  170 , the inhibiting strip  306  is positioned at the common passage  170  facing the insertion slot  102 . Thus, when the inhibiting strip  306  is positioned in the common passage  170 , the coin C and the IC coin cannot be inserted into the insertion slot  102 . 
     The read and write unit  112  has a function of reading and writing the IC chip TP of an IC coin retained at the retaining position HP and the value information via communication. In the present embodiment, the read and write unit  112  is fixed to the base  144 , and is a communication substrate  311  mounted with the IC having a communication function and an antenna. 
     The IC coin allocating unit  114  has a function of allocating the IC coin released from being held by the stop strip  282  to the IC coin storage passage  244 IC or the IC coin return passage  313 . The IC coin allocating unit  114  includes an IC coin allocating body  314  and a third electromagnetic actuator  316 . The IC coin allocating body  314  is rotatably supported by bearings  318 A,  318 B in which a vertical shaft  318  is formed in the base  144 . 
     A driven lever  325  projecting to the side is fixed at the upper end of the vertical shaft  318 , the free end of the driven lever  325  is inserted into a hole  332  of the driving body  328  fixed at the distal end of the iron core  326  of the third electrical actuator  316 . If the third electrical actuator is demagnetized, the iron core  326  is held at the standby position shown in  FIG. 12  projected by a spring (not shown). 
     At the standby position, the IC coin allocating body  314  is held at the position of  FIG. 9 , and the return guide surface  334  which is one side surface is continued to the side surface  152  forming the IC coin passage  104 , and thereafter gradually curved so as to project to the lateral direction in the downward direction. The IC coin is guided to the IC coin return passage  313  by such curve. 
     The IC coin return passage  313  is formed on the guide rail  150 , partitioned by a partition wall  335 , and arranged in parallel in the coin return passage  191 . The partition wall  335  is positioned on the extension of the cancel cover  146 . 
     When the third electric actuator  316  is excited, the IC coin allocating body  314  is rotated in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 9 , and the storage guide surface  336  on the back surface side of the return guide surface  334  is positioned on the extension of the side wall of the cancel cover  146 . The storage guide surface  336  is formed in curved shape to guide the IC coin to the storage passage  244 IC. The IC coin is guided to the IC coin storage passage  244 IC. 
     The IC coin storage passage  244 IC is partitioned with respect to the coin storage passage  244 IC by the base  144 , and is arranged in parallel. 
     An arm suspension preventing unit  320  is preferably arranged in the coin storage passage  244 C. The arm suspension preventing unit  320  of the present embodiment is a fan shaped inhibiting body  324  attached in a swinging manner with respect to the shaft  322 . Normally, one part of the inhibiting body  324  is suspended while projecting out of the storage passage  244  by gravity. When the true coin C passes, the inhibiting body  324  is moved by the coin C so that the coin C can pass. After the coin C has passed, the inhibiting body  324  restores by self-moment, see  FIG. 6 . 
     Thus, if the arm suspended coin C is pulled up, the inhibiting body  324  is subjected to force so that the inhibiting body  324  is pulled into the storage passage  244 C by the coin C, and thus even when the coin C attempts to move through, the movement is inhibited by the inhibiting body  324  and cannot be pulled up. 
     An indicator  330  for displaying value information stored or to be stored in the IC chip TP of the IC coin or the IC card CD is preferably attached to the front cover  132 . The indicator  330  is formed upward and is preferably arranged so as to be visible by the customer, see  FIG. 2 . 
     The front cover  134  may be manufactured with light transmissive resin, and a great number of LEDs may be arranged in the front panel  136  on the back surface side of the front cover  134  to emit light, thereby enhancing the decorative effect. Further, a speaker may be built in to play music or to make an announcement. 
     The operation of the present embodiment will now be described. 
     First, a case where a true coin C is inserted will be described. If the present value medium processing device  100  is not in a standby state, the second electromagnetic actuator  266  of the deviating unit  122  is demagnetized, the iron core  280  is moved downward by a spring (not shown), the third swinging lever  270  is rotated in the clockwise direction and is positioned at the most clockwise position (state of  FIG. 7 ). The deviating body  262  is then held at a position retreated from the common passage  170 . 
     On the other hand, the insertion inhibiting strip  306  is moved in a reverse phase advance to the common passage  170 . Thus, the coin C and the IC coin cannot be inserted into the insertion slot  102  during a non-standby state. 
     If the present value medium processing device  100  is placed into a standby state, the second electromagnetic actuator  266  is excited, the iron core  280  is pulled up in  FIG. 7 , and the third swinging lever  270  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction via the link  278 . Thus, the deviating body  262  advances to the common passage  170 , and the insertion inhibiting strip  306  retreats from the common passage  170 . The coin C or the IC coin then can be inserted to the insertion slot  102 . 
     The first electromagnetic actuator  248  of the coin allocating unit  118  is demagnetized, and the iron core  260  is moved to the right direction in  FIG. 4  by the spring (not shown), and thus the second swinging lever  254  is rotated in the most clockwise direction via the second link  252  (state of  FIG. 4 ). The coin allocating body  246  is thereby held at the cancel position CP (solid line position in  FIG. 6 ). 
     The third electromagnetic actuator  316  of the IC coin allocating unit  114  is also demagnetized, and held at a cancel position. In other words, the return guide surface  334  of the IC coin allocating body  314  is held at a position continuously continuing to the side wall  152  of the base  144  (state of  FIG. 9 ). 
     A coin C inserted into the insertion slot  102  falls to the second downward passage  106  or rolls on the left guide rail  162 L and/or the right guide rail  162 R, moves in a direction diagonally lower left in  FIG. 6  at the common passage  170  in the IC coin passage  104 , and hits the perpendicular part  272  of the deviating body  262 . Since the coin C has a small diameter, the optical axes of the first sensor  196  and the second sensor  198  are not simultaneously shielded, and thus the second electromagnetic actuator  266  remains excited. 
     The coin C hitting the perpendicular part  272  jumps back towards the insertion slot  102  side, annihilated with the movement inertia force to the lateral direction, and drops by gravity to be guided to the upper part of the coin passage  106  by the inclination of the left guide rail  162 L and the right guide rail  162 R, and thereafter is dropped on the rolling start guide rail  148 . 
     The coin C, dropped on the rolling surface  168  of the rolling start guide rail  148 , rolls while being accelerated by the arcuate surface and then rolls on the guide rail  150 . When rolling, if the coin C is a large diameter coin such as 500-yen coin, the upper part of the 500-yen coin moves on the IC coin passage  104 . 
     The coin C sequentially faces the sensor bodies  236 ,  234 ,  232  in the course of rolling on the guide rail  150 , and identification information related to material, thickness, and diameter of the coin C are detected. The distinguishing unit  116  distinguish a true or false state and also the denomination value of the coin C from the identification information which can be displayed to the user. 
     When a coin is a distinguished as a true coin, the first electromagnetic actuator  248  is excited for a predetermined time. The iron core  260  is then pulled to the right direction in  FIG. 4  by such excitation, and thus the second swinging lever  254  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. The allocating body  246  is then moved to the retaining position SP shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The coin C, dropped from the guide rail  150  drops onto the coin allocating body  246 , at position  5 P, jumps to the left side in  FIG. 6 , and is guided to the coin storage passage  244 C. The coin C falling down the storage passage  244 C is passed by rotating the inhibiting body  324  in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 6 , and retained in a retaining safe (not shown). Even if attempting to pull up the retained coin C by the arm suspension, the coin cannot be pulled up since it is inhibited by the inhibiting strip  324  as described above. 
     A case of when a false coin is inserted to the insertion slot  102  will be described. The false coin, inserted into the insertion slot  102  similarly rolls on the guide rail  150  of the coin passage  106 . The distinguishing unit  116  outputs a false signal based on the identification information from the sensor bodies  236 ,  234 ,  232 , and thus the first electromagnetic actuator  248  is not excited. The coin allocating body  246  is thus maintained at the cancel position CP in  FIG. 6 , and the false coin hits the allocating body  242 , is guided to the coin return passage  191 , and maintained in the return slot  124  and canceled. 
     A case where the IC coin is inserted to the insertion slot  102  will now be described. The IC coin rolls on the IC coin guide rail  162 , and rolls on the IC coin passage  104  from the right to the left in  FIG. 6 . The IC coin blocks the projection light of the first sensor  196  and the second sensor  198  in the middle of rolling, and thus the detecting unit  128  detects the coin as an IC coin. 
     The second electromagnetic actuator  266  is then demagnetized, the iron core  280  is moved downward in  FIG. 5 , and thus the third swinging lever  270  is rotated in the clockwise direction, the deviating body  262  is retreated from the common passage  170 , and the IC coin insertion inhibiting strip  306  is advanced to the common passage  170 , so that a new coin C cannot be inserted (state shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  12 ). Thus, the value of the previously inserted coin C can be displayed to the user to show potential added value to the IC coin. 
     An engagement strip  282  is rotated to the position of  FIG. 6  via the slide strip  287  and the pin  288 , and held at the IC coin holding position HP. The second stopper  224  is projected to the rotating path of the engagement part  226 , and thus the cancel lever  174  will not rotate therewith. The IC coin rolls on the IC coin guide rail  162  and its upper end is stopped by the engagement strip  282  by the retreat of the deviating body  262  from the common passage  170 , and thus the IC coin is retained at the retaining position HP ( FIG. 6 ). 
     After being retained at the IC coin retaining position HP, communication is established with the IC chip TP embedded in the IC coin by the read and write unit  112 , and value information is read or written. When the IC coin is retained at the IC coin retaining position HP, the cancel lever  174  cannot be rotated, and thus the IC coin is held between the base  144  and the cancel cover  146 , so that the position is stabilized, whereby read and write error does not occur. 
     When the value information of the IC coin becomes zero, the third electromagnetic actuator  316  of the IC coin allocating device  132  is further activated by a control circuit (not shown) and response to a zero signal is excited, and the drive body  328  is moved upward in  FIG. 12 , and thus the distal end of the driven lever  325  is moved upward and the vertical shaft  318  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. The IC coin allocating body  314  is rotated in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 9  by such rotation, and the storage guide surface  336  is held at a storage positioning plane with the wall surface of the cancel cover  146 . 
     The second electromagnetic actuator  266  is then excited and moved upward in  FIG. 7 . The slide strip  287  is then moved in the same direction, the engagement strip  282  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 6  via the pin  288 , and moved to the non-holding position. 
     The IC coin whose engagement of the engagement strip  282  is released starts to roll by the inclination of the IC coin guide rail  162 , and reaches the IC coin allocating body  314 . Since the IC coin allocating body  314  is at the retaining position, the IC coin is guided to the storage guide surface  336  and guided to the IC coin storage passage  244 IC. 
     If any value information remains in the IC coin, the third electromagnetic actuator  316  is not excited and is held at the cancel position. In other words, the return guide surface  334  of the IC coin allocating body  314  is held at a position in plane with the side surface  152  of the base  144 . In this case, the IC coin is guided to the IC coin return passage  313  by the IC coin allocating body  314 , and returned to the return slot  124 . 
     As can be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in this field, the present invention can be the operative apparatus for receiving an IC coin and deducting value and/or adding value to an IC coin. As such, monetary coins can be inputted and their value added to represent a desired total value to a user, which can be displayed in a conventional manner on the front of the machine, for example a display array  330  of LED&#39;s. The IC coin can then be submitted through the common entrance slot and value can be added and stored in the IC coin and the IC coin returned to the user. These functions can be controlled by a microprocessor circuit (not shown). 
     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.

Technology Category: g