Coin handling – Supply level detector – Electric
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-12
2001-07-31
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 3652)
Coin handling
Supply level detector
Electric
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267662
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to measuring a stack of coins in a coin handling device.
In the field of coin handling devices, the presence of coins in the device are sensed for a variety of purposes. For example, the number of coins in a coin storage tube can be monitored. Such monitoring allows determinations of the change-making capability of the coin handling device to be made and can be used to determine whether a coin received by the device should be routed to a storage tube or to a cashbox. Thus, when the number of coins in a coin tube becomes too few for change-making purposes, an exact change light can be turned on. When a coin tube becomes full, jamming of the coin path can be reduced by diverting coins directly to the cashbox rather than allowing them to pass to the coin tube.
For some purposes, it is sufficient to provide the coin handling device with the capability of detecting whether the level of coins in each coin tube is below a first low level or above a second high level. The low level can serve to indicate whether the coin tube is substantially empty, whereas the high level can serve to indicate whether the coin tube is substantially full. Various sensors have been devised to detect whether the height of a coin stack in a tube is higher or lower than some discrete level. Such sensors include electromechanical switches, as well as optical or inductive devices. Thus, for example, one sensor can be placed near the top of a coin tube and another sensor can be placed near the bottom of the coin tube.
Although such coin tube sensors can provide an indication of whether the height of a coin stack in a tube has reached one or more discrete levels, they generally are less useful for providing a continuous indication of the actual height of the coin stack or the number of coins. In some applications, however, it is desirable to have a more precise and accurate count of the number of coins in each tube to allow improved auditing and to provide greater flexibility in change-making algorithms.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect, a method of determining the number of coins in a coin storage container associated with a coin handling apparatus includes providing output signals to excite a transmission line at multiple frequencies, wherein the transmission line includes conductive electrodes disposed along sides of the storage container storing one or more coins. A resonant frequency of the transmission line is determined based on levels of reflected power resulting from the output signals. A processor associated with the coin handling apparatus estimates the number of coins in the coin storage container based on the resonant frequency.
In various implementations, one or more of the following features may be present. For example, the transmission line can be excited at a series of frequencies. The difference between each frequency in the series and the next frequency in the series can differ by the same frequency. In some embodiments, at least one frequency in the series can correspond to a situation in which the storage container contains a single coin. At least one other frequency can correspond, for example, to a situation in which the storage container is substantially filled with coins. If the storage container is partially filled with coins, then the resonant frequency can fall between maximum and minimum frequencies in the series.
The method can include determining a shift in the resonant frequency, and estimating the number of coins in the coin storage container can be based on the shift in resonant frequency. In some implementations, estimating the number of coins in the coin storage container can include looking up a value stored in memory based on the shift in resonant frequency. In other implementations, estimating the number of coins in the coin storage container can include using a polynomial function to calculate the number of coins as a function of the resonant frequency.
According to another aspect, a coin handling apparatus includes a coin storage container having conductive electrodes disposed along sides of the coin storage container. The coin handling apparatus includes a voltage generator. A processor controls the voltage generator to provide output signals to excite a transmission line that includes the electrodes at multiple frequencies. The processor is configured to determine a resonant frequency based on levels of reflected power resulting from the output signals and to estimate a number of coins in the container based on the resonant frequency.
In some implementations, the electrodes extend along substantially the entire length of the sides of the coin storage container. The conductive electrodes can be buried within the sides of the coin storage container or they can be attached to an outer surface of the coin storage container.
In various implementations, the voltage generator can be arranged to drive the electrodes directly. Alternatively, the voltage generator can be arranged to drive the electrodes through coils. In yet other situations, the voltage generator can be arranged to be coupled directly or capacitively to a coin in the coin storage container.
The processor can be configured to perform various functions described above. For example, the processor can be configured to determine a shift in the resonant frequency and to estimate the number of coins in the coin storage container based on the shift in resonant frequency.
In a further aspect, a coin handling apparatus includes an opening for receiving coins inserted into the coin mechanism, a coin validator including one or more sensors for determining the authenticity and denomination of an inserted coin, and storage containers for storing coins accepted by the coin mechanism. Each storage container can include conductive electrodes disposed along sides of the container. The coin handling apparatus includes a voltage generator and a processor for controlling the voltage generator to provide output signals to excite a transmission line that includes the electrodes at multiple frequencies. The processor is configured to determine a resonant frequency based on levels of reflected power resulting from the output signals and to estimate a number of coins in a particular one of the coin storage containers based on the resonant frequency.
In some implementations, the techniques described here can facilitate determining a more precise and accurate count of the number of coins in the coin storage containers to allow improved auditing and to provide greater flexibility in change-making algorithms.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the claims.
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Jard Philippe S.
Reger Philip R.
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Jaketic Bryan
Mars Incorporated
Olszewski Robert P.
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