United States Patent (19)
`Sugimoto et al.
`
`(54) COIN CHANGER FOR A VENDING
`MACHINE
`75 Inventors: Osamu Sugimoto; Masaki Akagawa;
`Yukichi Hayashi, all of Sakado,
`Japan
`73) Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Coinco,
`Tokyo, Japan
`21 Appl. No.: 206,690
`22 Filed:
`Nov. 14, 1980
`30
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Nov. 22, 1979 JP
`Japan .......................... 54/162251U
`51
`Int. Cl. ................................................ G07F 3/02
`52 U.S. C. ................................ 194/100 A; 133/3 R
`58) Field of Search.....
`... 133/2, 3 R; 194/100 A,
`194/10, 13, DIG. O.02, DIG. 0.03
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,228,811 10/1980 Tanaka et al. .................. 94/100 A
`Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Spensley, Horn, Jubas &
`Lubitz
`ABSTRACT
`57
`A coin changer comprises a coin changer main part and
`an electronic type coin discrimination device which can
`be readily mounted to and detached from the coin
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`(11)
`45)
`
`4,374,557
`Feb. 22, 1983
`
`changer main part. The electronic type coin discrimina
`tion device includes a detection coil for detecting char
`acteristics of a deposited coin, a discrimination circuit
`for judging whether the deposited coin is a true coin or
`a counterfeit one in response to the output of the detec
`tion coil and produces a sole kind of discrimination
`signal representative of trueness or falsity of the coin
`regardless of the denomination of the coin, a true coin
`passage and a counterfeit coin passage provided behind
`the detection coil and a mechanical coin sort-out device
`provided in the true coin passage for sorting out coins
`by denomination. The coin changer main part com
`prises coin switches for detecting coins of respective
`denominations having been sorted out by the sort-out
`device, a coin receiving device for receiving the coins
`which have passed through the coin switches, a control
`circuit for effecting control operations including a
`money amount counting control, a vend control and a
`change payout control, and an electromagnetic device
`for distributing the deposited coin to either the true coin
`passage or the counterfeit coin passage in the coin dis
`crimination device in response to the output of the dis
`crimination circuit. This electromagnetic device distrib
`utes the coins by projecting or withdrawing a reject pin
`into or from a bifurcation of the true coin passage and
`the counterfeit coin passage.
`
`4. Claims, 5 Drawing Figures
`
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`U.S. Patent Feb. 22, 1983
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`4,374,557
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`4.
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`-10
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`O 5
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`aN
`18,
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`4M 12a
`AA
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`23A 23B, 23C
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`U.S. Patent Feb. 22, 1983
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`4,374,557
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`FIG.2
`
`26
`
`------- 4
`DISCRIMINATION
`CIRCUIT
`
`OSCILLATION
`CRCUT
`
`COMPARISON AND
`DISCRIMINATION
`BY DENOMINATION
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5
`
`ELECTRONIC TYPE
`COIN DISCRIMINATIONDEVICE
`25
`N2
`
`.
`
`47
`4A -24B 24C
`
`O
`
`37
`
`-T-
`T
`
`35.
`
`t
`
`UP-DOWN
`COUNTER
`
`
`
`CON RETUR
`CONTROL
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`VEND
`CONTROL
`CRCUIT
`
`(38
`
`2
`
`33
`ELECTRO
`B)-MAGNEric
`DEVICE
`34
`
`O 4
`E-so
`CON CHANGER MAN PART
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`U.S. Patent Feb. 22, 1983
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`4,374,557
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`Feb. 22, 1983
`FG4
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`1.
`
`COIN CHANGER FOR A VENDING MACHINE
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`10
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to a coin changer for a vending
`machine and, more particularly, to a coin changer in
`cluding a readily detachable electronic type coin dis
`crimination device.
`For discriminating a true coin from a counterfeit one
`among deposited coins and further sorting out true
`coins by denomination, there are two types of devices,
`that is, a mechanical type device which conducts dis
`crimination of a true coin from a counterfeit one me
`chanically and an electronic type device which con
`ducts such discrimination electronically. The electronic
`type coin discrimination device is capable of discrimi
`nating a true coin from a counterfeit one more accu
`rately than the mechanical type device but is more
`expensive than the latter. The mechanical type device
`and the electronic type device have both merits and
`disadvantages in accuracy and costs. For this reason,
`which of the mechanical type device and the electronic
`type one should be adopted for a coin changer of a
`vending machine cannot be determined uncondition
`ally. Accordingly, it is desirable to use either of these
`25
`two types of devices at will when it is required. In
`conventional vending machines it is not possible to
`mount a desired one of the mechanical type device and
`the electronic type device at will to a main part of a coin.
`changer, even if a coin discrimination device can be
`30
`detached from the main part of the coin changer. In
`other words, the mechanical type coin discrimination
`device and the electronic type coin discrimination de
`vice are not interchangeable with each other in the
`conventional vending machine. If, accordingly, there
`arises an occasion in which the mechanical type coin
`discrimination device needs to be replaced by the elec
`tronic type device, or vice versa, an entire coin chang
`ers must be replaced which apparently incurs an extra
`COSt.
`It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
`provide a coin changer in which whichever of the elec
`tronic type coin discrimination device and the mechani
`cal type one can be mounted at will to a coin changer
`main part. On the basis of a finding that a cause for the
`45
`uninterchangeability between the electronic type coin
`discrimination device and the mechanical type device is
`attributable to the construction of the prior art elec
`tronic type coin discrimination devices, the present
`invention is intended to achieve the above described
`object by improving relations between the electronic
`type coin discrimination device and other component
`parts of the coin changer.
`The electronic type coin discrimination device gener
`ally has detection coils along a coin passage and dis
`criminates a true coin from a counterfeit one as well as
`denominations of coins in accordance with coin detec
`tion signals produced by these detection coils. In the
`prior art electronic type coin discrimination devices, a
`discrimination circuit in which an ac signal is supplied
`to a primary side of the detection coils and trueness or
`falsity as well as denomination of a deposited coin is
`judged in accordance with a detection signal provided
`from a secondary side of the detection coil is provided
`not in the coin discrimination device itself but in the
`main part of the coin changer. The electronic type coin
`discrimination device is electrically connected to the
`discrimination circuit provided in the main part of the
`
`4,374,557
`2
`coin changer by a large number of wires and is detach
`able from the main part of the coin changer by means of
`a connector provided for these wires. Since, however,
`the size of the connector is limited on account of space
`available in the changer and a large number of wires
`must be connected by the connector of the limited size,
`the number of pins provided on the connector is exces
`sively large and each of these pins has to be of an ex
`tremely small diameter. The prior art electronic type
`coin discrimination device, therefore, cannot be readily
`detached from the main part of the coin changer not
`withstanding the provision of the connector. If the
`device was detached too frequently, deformation of the
`pins would occur resulting in the damage of the connec
`tor. It is, therefore, another object of the invention to
`facilitate detaching and mounting of the connector of
`the electronic type coin discrimination device.
`In the prior art coin changer including the electronic
`type coin discrimination device, denomination of a de
`posited coin is judged by the discrimination circuit
`provided in the main part of the coin changer as de
`scribed above and counting of deposited coins is con
`ducted in accordance with results of judging the de
`nomination of the coins. The construction of an electri
`cal control circuit provided in the main part of the coin
`changer differs greatly from a case where the mechani
`cal type coin discrimination device is employed. Ac
`cordingly, the electronic type coin discrimination de
`vice is not interchangeable with the mechanical type
`coin discrimination device in respect of processing of
`coins by denominations in the electronic control circuit
`in the coin changer main part aside from the question of
`whether or not the electronic type coin discrimination
`device and the mechanical type one are physically inter
`changeable with each other. It is, therefore, another
`object of the invention to improve the electrical control
`circuit provided in the coin changer main part so that it
`can be used commonly for both the electronic type coin
`discrimination device and the mechanical type one.
`More specifically, the object of the invention can be
`achieved in the following manner: A discrimination
`circuit which judges whether a deposited coin is true or
`false in response to the output of the detection coil
`provided in the electronic type coin discrimination
`device is provided in the electronic type coin discrimi
`nation device. Besides, the descrimination circuit is so
`constructed that it will produce only one kind of dis
`crimination signal representing trueness or falsity of
`deposited coins regardless of denomination of the coin
`and not a discrimination signal representing trueness or
`falsity of the deposited coins denomination by denomi
`nation. This arrangement enables the number of wires
`between the electronic type coin discrimination device
`and the coin changer main part to be reduced to only
`two, i.e., a power supply line and a control line corre
`sponding to the single kind of discrimination output of
`the discrimination circuit with a resulting reduction in
`the number of pins to be provided on the connector.
`Consequently, detaching and mounting of the connec
`tor is greatly facilitated and the connector can be made
`rigid enough to withstand frequent detaching and
`mounting. Thus, the electronic type coin discrimination
`circuit can be readily detached and remounted. Aside
`from the coin discrimination device, coin switches for
`detecting passing coins are provided in suitable places in
`coin passages of the coin changer main part through
`which coins of respective denominations having been
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`sorted out by the coin discrimination device pass and
`directed to the true coin passage 16. An aperture 20
`through which a reject pin 21 can project and withdraw
`the numbers of coins of the respective denominations
`are counted in accordance with the output of these coin
`is formed at an entrance of the true coin passage 16 in
`the frame 12a. The reject pin 21 is provided on the coin
`switches. Since these coin switches are not attached to
`changer main part 11 in such a manner that it will recip
`the coin discrimination device, they are left on the side
`of the coin changer main part after detaching of the coin
`rocably project through the aperture 20 into the true
`discrimination device so that they can be used for either
`coin passage 16 from behind the coin discrimination
`device 12. When the reject pin 21 is in its projecting
`one of the electronic type coin discrimination device
`and the mechanical type one. Alternatively stated, the
`position, a coin is led to the counterfeit coin passage 17.
`output of the detection coil of the electronic type coin
`The counterfeit coin passage 17 communicates with a
`10
`discrimination device is utilized not for counting of
`coin return passage 22 when the coin discrimination
`deposited coins by denominations but only for discrimi
`device 12 is accurately mounted in the main part 11.
`nating a true coin from a counterfeit one and a signal for
`When the pin 21 is in its withdrawn position behind
`counting the number of coins is produced by the coin
`the coin discrimination device 12, the coin having been
`directed to the true coin passage 16 by the projection 19
`switches whereby the electrical control circuit (includ
`ing the counting function) of the coin changer main part
`passes through the true coin passage 16 into the sort-out
`device 18 where the coin is mechanically sorted out by
`can be used for both the electronic type coin discrimina
`tion device and the mechanical type coin discrimination
`denomination. The sort-out device consists of a known
`mechanism which sorts out coins by denomination on
`device.
`the basis of either configuration or other factors and
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`detailed description thereof is omitted. When the coin
`In the accompanying drawings:
`discrimination device 12 is accurately mounted in the
`FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing an em
`main part 11, coins which have been sorted out by de
`bodiment of the coin changer made according to the
`nomination by the sort-out device 18 are received in the
`coin receiving device 13 denomination by denomination
`invention;
`25
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an essential por
`through passages 23A, 23B and 23C formed in the main
`tion of an electrical construction of the embodiment;
`part 11 for the respective denominations. Coin switches
`FIG. 3 is a perspective outside view schematically
`24A, 24B and 24C are provided in these passages 23A,
`showing an electronic type coin discrimination device
`23B and 23C. Each of the coin switches 24A, 24B and
`24C is actuated in response to passing of each coin and
`in the embodiment in a state in which the coin discrimi
`produces a coin detection pulse corresponding to
`nation device is detached from the coin changer main
`part and is partly cut away;
`weight of the coin of each denomination (i.e., amount of
`FIG. 4 is a side view, partly in section, showing the
`the coin).
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical
`electronic type coin discrimination device of FIG. 3 in
`a state in which it is being mounted to or detached from
`construction of the coin changer 10 according to the
`35
`the coin changer main part; and
`invention. In FIG. 2, the circuit provided in the elec
`FIG. 5 is a side view, partly in section, showing the
`tronic type coin discrimination device 12 is separated
`from the circuit provided in the coin changer main part
`electronic type coin discrimination device of FIG. 3 in
`a state in which it has been completely mounted in the
`11 by a chain-and-dot line 25. The circuit provided in
`coin changer main part.
`the coin discrimination device 12 includes the detection
`coil 15 and the discrimination circuit 26. A base 26B on
`DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`which the discrimination circuit 26 is provided is
`EMBODIMENT
`mounted on the back of the coin discrimination device
`Referring first to FIG. 1, an electronic type coin
`12 as shown in FIG. 3.
`discrimination device 12 is detachably mounted in the
`In the discrimination circuit 26, an oscillation circuit
`upper portion of a coin changer main part 11 of a coin
`27 supplies an ac signal of a frequency suitable for de
`changer 10 and a coin receiving device 13 is mounted in
`tecting characters of coins such as materials and config
`the lower portion of the main part 11 below the coin
`urations of the coins to a primary coil 15A of the detec
`tion coil 15. A detected-level-comparison-and-discrimi
`discrimination device 12. The coin receiving device 13
`which receives deposited coins denomination by de
`nation-by-denomination circuit 28 discriminates a true
`50
`nomination may be fixedly provided in the main part 11
`coin from a counterfeit one in accordance with the
`or may be detachably mounted therein in the form of a
`output of a secondary coil 15B of the detection coil 15
`and produces a signal P representing that a coin has
`cassette. The electronic type coin discrimination device
`12 comprises a coin inlet 14, a detection coil 15 for
`passed and, if that coin has been found to be a true coin,
`detecting characters of a coin thrown in through the
`one of true coin signals RA, RB and Rccorresponding to
`coin inlet 14, a true coin passage 16 and a counterfeit
`respective denominations in accordance with the de
`coin (or a coin to be returned) passage 17 which bifur
`nomination of that coin. The true coin signals RA, RB
`and RC for the respective denominations are applied to
`cate at a post stage of the detection coil 15 and a sort-out
`an OR gate 29 and then are applied to a NAND gate 31
`device 18 which sorts out coins led to the true coin
`passage 16 by denomination. The electronic type coin
`after being inverted by an inverter 30. The NAND gate
`discrimination device 12 further comprises a discrimina
`31 receives at another input thereof the signal Pindicat
`ing the passage of the coin. Accordingly, the output of
`tion circuit which discriminates a true coin from a coun
`terfeit one in accordance with the output of the detec
`the NAND gate 31 normally is "1" and is turned to "0"
`tion coil 15. At the bifurcation of the true coin passage
`(i.e., a counterfeit coin signal) when the coin passes the
`16 and the counterfeit coin passage 17 is provided a
`detection coil 15 if the coin is a counterfeit one whereas
`65
`projection 19 secured to a frame 12a of the coin discrim
`the output of NAND gate 31 remains to be "1" if the
`ination device 12 against which a coin which has passed
`coin is a true one. The output of the NAND gate 31 is
`through the detection coil 15 collide and thereby is
`applied to a timer 32 from which a bifurcation control
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`signal is provided. The timer 32 produces a signal '0'
`side of the main part 11. Accordingly, the coin discrimi
`with a time width T when the input thereto (i.e., the
`nation device 12 and the main part 11 are connected
`with each other by two kinds of wirings, namely a
`output of the NAND gate 31) falls to "0".
`power supply line and a control line for the electromag
`The output of the timer 32 is applied as the output of
`the discrimination circuit 26 to a coin reject electromag
`netic device 34. The number of the lines required for the
`netic device 34 through an AND gate 33 provided in
`two kinds of wirings is only two at the minimum and
`the main part 11. The electromagnetic device 34 is pro
`four at the maximum (i.e., two power supply lines, a
`vided for causing the reject pin 21 to project or with
`signal line and ground conductor for the control line).
`In the case of employing the minimum number of two
`draw to sort out true coins and counterfeit ones. When
`the electromagnetic device 34 is energized, the reject
`lines, the power supply lines (two lines) are concur
`rently utilized for the purpose of the control line in such
`pin 21 is attracted thereto and is withdrawn from the
`true coin passage 16 (FIG. 1), whereas when the elec
`a manner that the counterfeit coin signal is formed by
`tromagnetic device 34 is deenergized, the reject pin 21
`difference in the voltage level. In the embodiment
`is caused to project into the true coin passage 16.
`shown in FIG. 2, there are two power supply lines 47
`The output of the AND gate 33 normally is "1" so
`and one control line 35. In this embodiment, the power
`that the reject pin 21 normally is in its withdrawn state.
`supply lines 47 serve also for the ground conductor for
`If the passing coin has been found to be a counterfeit
`the control line.
`one by the discrimination circuit 26, the bifurcation
`FIG. 3. shows the electronic type coin discrimination
`control signal on a line 35 is turned to "O' during the
`device 12 in a state in which it is detached from the main
`part 11. A connector plug 42 is provided in the lower
`time period T. This causes the output of the AND gate
`33 to turn to "0" thereby to deemergize the electromag
`portion of the rear surface of the frame 12a of the coin
`netic device 34 and enable the reject pin to project into
`discrimination device 12. The connector plug 42 has
`the true coin passage 16 during the time period T. The
`three pins to which the two power supply lines 47 and
`the single control line 35 are respectively connected. A
`counterfeit coin therefore is guided to the counterfeit
`connector socket 43 is provided at a position opposite to
`coin passage 17. If the passing coin has been found to be
`the plug 42 on the main part 11. The number of pins is
`ature coin by the discrimination circuit 26, the signal on
`the line 35 remains to be "1" and the electromagnetic
`three in the present embodiment in correspondence to
`device 34 is not deemergized so that the reject pin 21
`the three lines. Including the cases where the number of
`remains in its withdrawn position and the coin is guided
`the pins is two or four, the number of the pins used in
`the plug of the device according to the invention is so
`to the true coin passage 16.
`small that these pins may be provided with a sufficiently
`Principal functions of the control circuit provided on
`the side of the coin changer main part 11 are known
`large diameter and therefore are made very solid and
`control functions such as cumulatively counting depos
`strong. Disengagement of the connector plug 42 from
`the socket 43 apparently is easy and the coin discrimina
`ited coins for judging whether a selected article is vend
`ible or not and paying out change. For example, the
`tion device 12 can be readily detached from the main
`35
`part 11. The plug 42 projects from the rear surface of
`coin detection pulses provided by the coin switches
`24A, 24B and 24C (FIG. 1) are applied to an up-down
`the coin discrimination device 12. A frame 11a of the
`counter 37 in which an amount of deposited coins is
`main part 11 which defines coin discrimination device
`receiving space 49 has a recessed portion 11b in the
`counted by cumulatively adding amounts of the depos
`lower portion thereof. This recessed portion 11b is lo
`ited coins. A vend control circuit 38 compares contents
`40
`cated opposite to the projecting plug 42 and the socket
`of the counter 37 (the amount of the deposited coins)
`43 is provided in the recessed portion 11b. The socket
`with a preset vend price of the article to be bended and
`thereupon supplies a vend possible signal to a vender
`43 is disposed in such a manner that the front end por
`tion 43a thereof will not project forwardly from a verti
`unit (not shown) and also subtracts the price of the
`cal plane of the frame 11a as shown in FIG. 4 so as not
`vended article from the contents of the counter 37. The
`45
`vender unit dispenses the selected article in response to
`to become an obstacle when the mechanical type coin
`this vend possible signal. A coin return control circuit
`discrimination device (not shown) is received in the
`receiving space 49 instead of the electronic type coin
`39 controls payout of change or returning of the amount
`of deposited coins upon completion of vending of the
`selection device 12.
`The coin discrimination device 12 is mounted to the
`selected article or the customer's demand for return of
`50
`main part 11 in the following manner. The coin discrim
`the deposited money and causes the amount to be re
`ination device 12 is located obliquely with pins 44 pro
`turned from the contents of the up-down counter 37. In
`case the coins are returned to the customer, a payout
`vided on the lower side surface of the coin discrimina
`tion device 12 engaged in recesses 45 formed in the
`mechanism (not shown) provided in the lwoer portion
`of the coin receiving device 13 is actuated to pay out
`lower side walls of the main part 11 (FIG. 4). The coin
`discrimination device 12 is then pushed toward the main
`coins. In addition, a signal representing a vend mode or
`part 11 and it moves in a pivotal motion about the pins
`a money return mode is supplied from the circuits 38
`44 in a direction of arrow A causing the connector plug
`and 39 to an OR gate 40 and is applied to the AND gate
`33 through an inverter 41. Accordingly, the output of
`42 to fit in the socket 43 (FIG. 5). In the meanwhile, a
`pin 48 provided on the upper portion of one side surface
`the inverter 41 is "O' and the output of the AND gate 33
`60
`of the coin discrimination device 12 is brought into
`is also “0” during the vend mode or the money return
`mode. The electromagnetic device 34 therefore is deen
`abutment with an inclined surface 46b of a pivotable
`ergized to cause the reject pin 21 to project into the true
`member 46 and, as the pin 48 moves rearwardly, it
`pushes the member 46 upwardly in the direction of an
`coin passage 16 and coins thrown in the slot 14 are all
`arrow R. The member 46 is pivotably mounted on one
`returned no matter whether they are true coins or coun
`65
`side of the main part 11 by means of a pivot pin 46C.
`terfeit ones.
`An electric power is supplied to the discrimination
`When the coin discrimination device 12 has been com
`pletely mounted in the main part 11, the pin 48 enters a
`circuit 26 of the coin discrimination device 12 from the
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`of money and an electromagnetic device controlled
`recess 46a of the member 46 and the member 46 falls
`upon the pin 48 to engage with it. The coin discrimina
`by a discrimination signal representative of true
`tion device 12 thereby is locked. When the coin discrim
`ness or falsity of the deposited coin provided from
`ination device 12 is to be detached from the main part
`said discrimination means and also by said control
`11, the member 46 is pivoted in the direction of the
`means to cause a reject member to project into or
`arrow R to disengage the pin 48 from the recess 46a.
`to be withdrawn from a predetermined point im
`The coin discrimination device 12 is then pulled for
`mediately before entrances to said true coin pas
`wardly in a pivotal motion in the direction of an arrow
`Sage and said counterfeit coin passage for guiding
`A' in FIG. 4 to pull the plug 42 out of the socket 43 and
`the deposited coin to either one of said passages
`subsequently the device 12 is completely detached from
`characterized in that said coin changer main part
`the main part 11 by disengaging the pins 44 from the
`further comprises coin detection means for gener
`recess 45.
`ating signals for counting the amount of the depos
`As described above, connection and disconnection of
`ited coins for respective denominations in response
`the plug 42 and the socket 43 are effected simulta
`to passing of the coins having been sorted out by
`neously with mounting and detaching of the coin dis
`said sort out means, said signals being supplied to
`crimination device 12 to and from the main part 11 so
`said control means and that
`that replacement of the coin discrimination device 12
`the output of said discrimination means in said elec
`can be made very easily.
`tronic type coin discrimination device is utilized
`In the above described embodiment of the invention,
`not for controlling counting of the amount of the
`the reject pin 21 is normally withdrawn and is caused to
`deposited coins but only for controlling said elec
`project to guide a counterfeit coin to the counterfeit
`tromagnetic device, electric wirings connect said
`coin passage 17 only temporarily when the counterfeit
`coin changer main part with said coin discrimina
`coin has been detected. Since most of deposited coins
`tion device, said electric wirings being provided
`are true coins, this arrangement is preferable in that it
`with disengageable connector means, and said elec
`obviates necessity to frequently actuate the reject pin
`25
`tronic type coin discrimination device is detach
`21. Conversely, however, the reject pin 21 may nor
`ably mounted in said coin changer main part.
`mally be in its projecting position and be temporarily
`2. A coin changer for a vending machine as defined in
`withdrawn to guide a true coin to the true coin passage
`claim 1 wherein said connector means comprises a plug
`16 only when the true coin has been detected.
`secured on one of frame portions of said electronic type
`A mechanical type coin discrimination device (not
`coin discrimination device and said coin changer main
`shown) which is interchangeable with the electronic
`part and a socket secured on the other of said frame
`type coin discrimination device 12 according to the
`portions, which frame portions face each other when
`invention has only to be identical with the electronic
`said coin discrimination device is mounted in said coin
`type coin discrimination device 12 in its outside config
`changer main part, said connector means being engaged
`uration, that is, it will suffice if passage of coins having
`35
`with and disengaged from each other in accordance
`been sorted out by denomination by the mechanical
`with mounting and detaching of said electronic type
`type coin discrimination device are in register with the
`coin discrimination device to and from said coin
`coin passages 23A, 23B and 23C for the respective de
`changer main part.
`nomination of the main part 11, a counterfeit coin pas
`3. A coin changer for a vending machine as defined in
`sage is in register with the coin return passage 22 of the
`claim 2 wherein a place in said coin changer main part
`main part 11 and the mechanical type coin discrimina
`in which said socket (or said plug) is secured is a recess
`tion device is accommodated in the receiving space 49.
`of such a configuration that said socket (or said plug)
`Coins having been sorted out by denomination by the
`will not become an obstacle in a case where a mechani
`mechanical type coin discrimination device actuate the
`cal type coin discrimination device which requires no
`coin switches 24A, 24B and 24C provided in the coin
`45
`connector means is mounted in said coin changer main
`passages 23A, 23B and 23C of the main part 11 to pro
`part in lieu of said electronic type coin discrimination
`duce the coin detection pulses. Accordingly, the elec
`device.
`tric control circuit in the main part 11 shown schemati
`4. A coin changer for a vending machine as defined in
`cally in FIG. 2 may be utilized as efficiently for the
`claim 1 wherein
`mechanical type coin discrimination device as for the
`said discrimination means comprises a detection coil
`electronic type coin discrimination device 12.
`and a discrimination circuit which judges, in re
`What is claimed is:
`sponse to an output of said detection coil, whether
`1. A coin changer for a vending machine comprising:
`the deposited coin is a true coin or a counterfeit one
`an electronic type coin discrimination device includ
`said electric wirings consist of wires which perform
`ing a discrimination means for electronically dis
`55
`only functions of a power supply line for connect
`criminating a true coin from a counterfeit coin
`among deposited coins, a true coin passage and a
`ing said discrimination circuit to a power source
`counterfeit coin passage provided at a post stage of
`and a control line for supplying the discrimination
`signal from said discrimination means to said elec
`said discrimination means and sort out means for
`tromagnetic device, and
`sorting out coins guided to said true coin passage
`said connector means include pins corresponding to
`by denomination; and
`a coin changer main part including coin receiving
`said electric wirings, each of said pins being capa
`ble of having such size and rigidness as to suffi
`means for receiving coins having been sorted out
`ciently withstand frequent detaching and attaching
`by said sort out means, control means for control
`ling operations such as counting the amount of
`of said connector means.
`deposited coins, vending of an article and returning
`is
`
`30
`
`20
`
`50
`
`60
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`CSC ServiceWorks – Ex. 1005
`Page 9 of 9
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