Check-actuated control mechanisms – With additional – disparate means preventing fraudulent... – Means preventing use of tethered check
Patent
1997-12-15
2000-09-19
Bartuska, F. J.
Check-actuated control mechanisms
With additional, disparate means preventing fraudulent...
Means preventing use of tethered check
194317, G07D 508
Patent
active
061198447
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to coin validation apparatus and a method of validating coins.
BACKGROUND
Coin validators which can discriminate between coins of different denominations are well known and one example is described in our UK Patent No. 2 169 429. This coin validator includes a coin rundown path along which coin pass edgewise through a primary sensing station at which coils perform a series of primary inductive tests on the coin to develop coin parameter signals which are indicative of a material and metallic content of the coin under test. The coin parameter signals are compared by a microprocessor with stored data corresponding to the plurality of coins of different denominations. If the coin is found to be acceptable as a result of the primary validation testings, the microprocessor operates an accept gate so that the coin is directed to an accept path. Otherwise, the accept gate remains inoperative and causes the coin to pass to a reject path.
Whilst the primary validation testing can discriminate adequately between true coins of different denominations and fraudulent coins, further auxiliary validation testing is carried out in order to check whether an attempt is being made to defraud the validator by a non-standard fraudulent operation. In the past, frauds have been attempted by lowering a true coin attached to a length of string into the validator so as to trigger a successful outcome during primary validation testing, and then to insert a coin of lower value. The true coin on a string is then withdrawn from the validator for re-use.
In the past, to overcome this problem, an accept sensor has been provided in the accept path and the validator generates a credit code indicating the presence of a true coin, only if the true coin passes the accept sensor within a predetermined time range subsequent to successful primary validation testing. Another possible fraud involves lowering the coin on a string into the vicinity of the further sensor in the coin accept path. However, the timing at which the coin on the string arrives at the sensor usually differs from that for a true coin so that an analysis of the timing relationship of the signals from the primary testing and the auxiliary testing permits discrimination against fraudulent operation performed in this manner.
A problem associated with the auxiliary testing is that it limits the rate at which the primary validation can be carried out on successive coins fed into the validator. Thus, when coins are fed into the validator at a rate that exceeds a given threshold, the primary validation testing carried out on a first coin is followed by auxiliary validation tests thereon, and the auxiliary validation tests may not be completed by the time that the primary validation testing is carried out on the next coin. In order to avoid any risk of fraud, the validator is programmed to reject the second coin even though it may actually be a true coin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a solution to this problem. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a coin validation apparatus comprising means defining a passageway to receive coins under test, primary validation testing means for performing primary validation testing on coins passing along the passageway, auxiliary validation testing means for performing at least one auxiliary validation test on the coins additional to the testing carried out by the primary testing means, gate means for directing coins determined to be valid to an acceptance path and coins determined to be invalid to a reject path, control means for controlling operation of the gate means in dependence upon the outcome of the primary and auxiliary validation testing performed by the primary and auxiliary testing means, and means for rendering the control means unresponsive to the outcome of the auxiliary validation test when a succession of coins is fed into the passageway at a rate that exceeds a given threshold.
In accordance with the invention, it has been appreciat
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Bartuska F. J.
Coin Controls Ltd.
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