Coinstar, Inc.

Doug Martin

Alan C Phillips

Scott J Scherer

Stuart K Neubarth

Dan Gerrity

Mark Louis Waechter

Larry D Cannon

Rodrigo Berho

Paul Leonard

Russell Borgmann

Robert Blumberg

Daniel Everhart

Cheryl Germany

A bin for use in a coin handling device for receiving coins through an opening in the bin is provided with a cover movable from an open position to a closed position. The cover is configured to couple with a key mounted in the coin handling device such that when the bin is inserted into the coin handling device, the key automatically unlocks and opens the cover. When the bin is withdrawn from the coin handling device, the opening is automatically covered and the cover is automatically locked in the closed position.

Coin bin with locking lid

A coin discrimination apparatus and method is provided. Coins, preferably after cleaning, e.g. using a trommel, are singulated by a coin pickup assembly configured to reduce jamming. A coin rail assists in providing separation between coins as they travel past a sensor. The sensor provides an oscillating electromagnetic field generated on a single sensing core. The oscillating electromagnetic field is composed of one or more frequency components. The electromagnetic field interacts with a coin, and these interactions are monitored and used to classify the coin according to its physical properties. All frequency components of the magnetic field are phase-locked to a common reference frequency. The phase relationships between the various frequencies are fixed, and the interaction of each frequency component with the coin can be accurately determined without the need for complicated electrical filters. In one embodiment, a sensor having a core, preferably ferrite, which is curved, such as in a U-shape or in the shape of a section of a torus, and defining a gap, is provided with a wire winding for excitation and/or detection. The sensor can be used for simultaneously obtaining data relating to two or more parameters of a coin or other object, such as size and conductivity of the object. Two or more frequencies can be used to sense core and/or cladding properties. Objects recognized as acceptable coins, using the sensor data, are diverted by a controllable deflecting door, to tubes for delivery to acceptable coin bins.

Coin discrimination apparatus and method

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Woodinville, WA, United States of America

Doug Martin