DE10340963A1 - Method for releasing or locking insert channels in coin checking machines using a combination of switches to select channels to be opened or blocked - Google Patents

Abstract

The method opens or blocks coin channels in a coin checker, whereby the potential coin values which can be received are allocated to respective channels of an electric control device for the checker which, at the same time, predicts a given range for the coin value. All of the channels are divided into groups and each group and each channel of the group has an associated microswitch from the first switch of a switch block of the coin checker. A second switch is actuated to initiate a channel release or locking. After actuation of the second switch, the corresponding channel group is selected once one of the first switches has been actuated. A third switch is used as an actuator. This switch confirms the selection when a channel group has been selected. By actuating the first switch(es) again, the associated channel(s) are locked and the channels of the switches which are not actuated are released. Further actuation of the third switch confirms the channel selection. Resetting of the second switch terminates the process.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for enabling or disabling of acceptance channels in coin validators Claim 1 and 2.

electronic Coin validators are is known to be able to accept a variety of denominations. To This purpose is in the memory of the coin validator or its microprocessor acceptance bands which measured the upper and lower limits for the measured Define values between which a coin is considered genuine. It is also known for a coin value two or more acceptance bands provided. Narrow acceptance bands lead easily to a rejection of real coins, while wide acceptance bands the danger that, too fake coins be accepted.

It is common, every coin value or acceptance band to assign a so-called channel. Today's coin acceptors point significantly more channels on as for the acceptance of the coins a coinage required are. This is because at the production of the coin validator yet not known for which currency he is ultimately used. In case of high counterfeit money must be under Circumstances Channel switched with lower real money acceptance and higher counterfeit rejection or the acceptance of this type of coin for a certain time completely blocked become. In cash-in-progress machines, the acceptance of certain coins for a sales program be blocked, if after goods issue a correct repayment not possible is.

It is known, with the help of a computer in the software of the microprocessor for one Coin validator intervene and to control the corresponding channels, which as acceptance channels should serve and which are to be blocked. Such a possibility however, is not always at hand or is made by erectors of the machines considered too expensive.

It is also known in a coin validator Switch block of micro switches to arrange and with all or one Part of the switch to make a blocking of coin channels. Usually have such switch blocks six, eight or ten switches (DIL switch). Therefore, can be influence only a small number of channels with the help of such micro-switch.

It is also known by coin validators an interface for the machines a channel lock by a machine control via so-called Münzsperrleitungen make. The coin blocking lines are programmed in the coin validator channels permanently assigned.

There in today's Münzprüfern, like mentioned above, a variety of different coins programmed simultaneously (12, 24 or 36 coin types) is the assignment of individual blocking lines to the coin channels or the blocking with the help of micro switches consuming or not more realizable.

Out EP 0 560 827 A1 It is also known, via a manually operable switch or the like to put the coin validator in a so-called teach mode in which subsequently by the insertion of a coin an acceptance or blocking of the responsible channel for this coin is accomplished. However, this method requires that the service person has the corresponding coins at hand.

Of the Invention is based on the object, a method for release or blocking of acceptance channels to indicate in coin validators when working with a relatively small number of switches can be.

These The object is solved by the features of claims 1 or 2.

at the method according to the invention is the totality of the acceptance channels divided into groups and Each channel of the group becomes a microswitch of first switches assigned to a micro switch block in Münzprüfer. Such assignment occurs in the software of the coin validator microprocessor. A second switch of the switch block is used to initiate a Release or blocking actuated. His activity is required to have a release or a lock at all To set a course. After operation of the second switch, the first switch is now operated, too that owns the channel group, in which the channel to be blocked or released is located. When this is done, a third party switch acts as a confirmation switch used, its operation after selecting the channel group this choice is confirmed. By a renewed actuation of a or more of the first switches may have their associated channels Group is locked or unlocked and the channels are not actuated Switches are enabled or disabled. A renewed actuation of the third Switch ends the channel selection, and a reset of the second switch ends the process.

In other words, in a first step, with the help of the switches one or more Ka In the second step, the switches whose assigned channels are to be enabled or disabled are actuated from this group or in the channel groups. The programming process of coin single lock is terminated with the second switch.

A possibility it is also after the first step, i. Selection of the coin group, to lock them completely. Instead of the associated switches all to actuate, can also be provided to operate the third switch again, thereby a complete blocking of this channel group takes place.

The Method according to claim 2 is also operable Switches out as a switch block (DIL switch) on Münzprüfer usually are provided. In this procedure, a group of first Microswitches of the microswitch block binary weights assigned by which can be expressed any number of a total number of acceptance channels. With The numbers 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 can be, for example, all numbers between Express 1 and 31. This assignment is programmed in the microprocessor of the coin validator. By a corresponding actuation the microswitch can be therefore, form any number between, for example, 1 and 31. As a result, the microprocessor recognizes which coin channel it is releasing or blocking should. Before this process is carried out, an actuation of a second switch, which initiates the process described first. As soon as the process is completed, a third switch is actuated the programming confirmed. A final one reset in the initial state by re-actuation of the second switch.

For the service person is it a relief if, according to one embodiment of the invention, the activity the third switch (confirmation switch) is coupled with an acoustic signal. Alternatively, you can also a visual signaling done.

It is not required for the third switch to a microswitch from the microswitch block to take. Alternatively, according to one embodiment of the invention of return switch therefor used in each coin machine is provided. For acoustic signaling, a response serve the acceptance switch. This response can be provided by the service person be readily perceived.

Based of two embodiments the invention should be closer explained become.

1 schematically shows a switch block of eight micro-switches (DIL switches) in different operating positions of the switches for carrying out the method according to the invention.

2 shows a similar switch block in a schematic representation for carrying out the method according to the invention.

2a indicates a modification 2 ,

In 1 is a switch block 10 to recognize, which is assigned to a coin validator, not shown. The coin validator of known construction and known function has a microprocessor in which the program of Münzprüers is stored in the form of software. This also includes the programming of a plurality of acceptance channels, each coin to be tested at least one acceptance channel is assigned. Frequently, two or more acceptance channels are assigned to a coin type in order to optionally provide different width acceptance bands. In actual operation, only a limited number of acceptance channels are needed, as a coin validator is usually only used for one currency and this currency has a limited number of coins.

The switch block 10 has in the present case eight microswitches (DIL switches), which are in 1 with the numbers 1 to 8th are designated. Such switches usually have two switching positions (on-off). Actuation of the switch is referred to as a blackened circle, while non-actuation is represented by a blackened circle.

It is assumed by way of example that the coin validator not shown has a total of thirty six acceptance channels, all of which can be programmed by the manufacturer or the manufacturer. The software also distributes the thirty six acceptance channels into groups; for example in six groups. The first group includes, for example, the channels 1 to 6, the second, the channels 7 to 12, etc. Furthermore, in the software, an assignment of these channel groups to the micro-switches 1 to 6 performed. The microswitch 1 belongs to group 1, the microswitch 2 to group 2, etc. Moreover, the channels of each group are in turn also associated with microswitches. The first channel of group 1 is about the switch 1 assigned. For example, the first channel of the second group is also the first switch 1 assigned, etc. The assignment described measure in the machine for the service person to be recognizable if he should perform a blocking or release of individual acceptance channels. It is assumed that the acceptance channels 9, 10, 11 and 12 should be locked.

For this purpose, the switch no. 8 is actuated according to phase 1, whereby the blocking operation is initiated. The operation of this switch is similar to the setting of the software of the microprocessor in a learning mode. Channel 7 is in group 2. Therefore, the service person becomes the switch 2 Press to select the group (channels 7 to 12). After selecting the group, a third switch No. 7 is actuated (confirmation switch). With the operation of the switch 7 For example, a signaling (acoustically or optically) can take place, for example by tightening the acceptance switch, which the service person can acoustically perceive. This is in Phase 3 in 1 shown. After confirming the confirmation switch, it must be reset (phase 4). Now a choice has to be made regarding the channels, ie locked channels should be # 9, 10, 11 and 12. According to the selected group, the switches Nos. 1 to 6 correspond to the channels 7 to 12. Therefore, the switches Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are to be operated so that the channels 9, 10, 11 and 12 are disabled. The channels 7 and 8th are free.

After selecting the channels to be blocked, the confirmation switch will become 7 pressed again and reset again (phases 4 and 5). By resetting the second switch no. 8 (phase 8) the process is finished. Will all switches 1 to 6 pressed, the complete group No. 2 is blocked. Instead, it can also be provided to repeat this after confirming the selection made by the switch No. 7. This can be "understood" by the software as blocking the entire group.

The Release of previously blocked channels takes place in the same way as described above, but in the second step the associated switches not activated become.

In 2 is again a switch block 10a to recognize, comparable to the switch block 10 to 1 , Further versions of this switch block are therefore unnecessary. The off and on positions of the switches Nos. 1 to 8 are indicated by a 0. The switches 1 to 5 should be used to select the channels that are to be released or blocked. The switches no. 6 to 8 serve further functions. Phase # 1 is the starting point in which all the switches 1 to 8th are turned off. Pressing switch no. 8 initiates the channel selection process (learning mode). The operation of the switch 7 means: Switched on, the previously selected channel is enabled. Switched off means that the previously selected channel is disabled. This should be indicated by phase 3.

The switches 1 to 5 the binary weights 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 are assigned, as can be seen from phase 4. These weights are already stored in the microprocessor. With them, all numbers from 1 to 31 can be generated. Also in this case it is assumed that a total of thirty two acceptance channels are present.

It is assumed that the acceptance channel 13 should be disabled. For this purpose, the switches 1 . 3 and 4 which corresponds to a sum of the binary weights of 13 (= 1 + 4 + 8). As a result, the software knows that channel 13 must be disabled. The selection made in this way is made by switches 6 confirmed (phase 5a). After operation, the switch 6 reset again, which is communicated to the service person with an acoustic or visual signaling, for example, putting on the acceptance turn (phase 5b). After completion of the selection process and its confirmation, all switches are set to "Off" again, also the switch No. 8, which completes the process.

alternative to the microswitch No. 6 can also be another switching element for activity be used, for example, a return switch, which is always available is.

For coin validators greater than 31, increase the number of channel selection switches, as in 2a shown. Another switch 6 With binary value 32, it is possible to select a maximum of 31 + 32 = 63 channels. The use of a 10-pin DIL switch is then useful.

It is understood that for the implementation of this method for the service person must be recognizable, which binary numbers the switches of the switch block 10a assigned.

Claims (5)

A method for enabling or disabling acceptance channels in coin validators, the potentially acceptable coin values being respectively associated with an acceptance channel of an electronic control device for the coin validator, which also provides a predetermined acceptance band for the denomination, with the following features: the entirety of the acceptance channels is subdivided into groups and each group and each channel of the group is assigned a microswitch of first switches of a microswitch block on Münzprüfer a second switch is actuated to initiate a release or blocking, wherein after actuation of the second switch is by Actuation of one of the first switches selects the associated channel group A third switch is used as a confirmation switch whose operation confirms the selection of the group of channels by re-pressing one or more of the first switches, the associated channels are disabled and the channels of the non-actuated switches released and a re-actuation of the third switch confirms the channel selection and a reset of the second switch terminates the process. Method for enabling or blocking acceptance channels in coin validators, wherein the potentially acceptable coin values each an acceptance channel of an electrical control device assigned to the coin validator who at the same time prescribes an acceptance band for the coin validator, with the following ones features a group of first microswitches of a microswitch block of the coin validator binary Assigned valences by which each number of a total number of acceptance channels lets express and in stored in a memory of an electronic control device for coin validators, wherein a predetermined number by actuation of first micro-switches is generated by which the control device, the blocking of Coin channels belonging to this number causes before operation the first switch becomes a second microswitch for initiation a release or the locking operation is actuated a third switch is pressed for confirmation the completion of the operation the first switch and a reset of the first and the second microswitch ends the process. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that the activity the third switch is coupled to a signaling. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3; characterized, that the third switch from a return switch is formed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized that at activity the third switch responds to the acceptance of the coin validator.