Device for storing coins or coin-like articles

The invention relates to a device for storing coins or coin-like objects, such as gaming tokens, tokens or the like. The coins or coin-like objects to be stored are arranged one above the other in at least one column, this device being a device for determining the number of coins or coin-like objects located in the device, which device comprises a plurality of detectors.

For example, in order to store coins in an orderly and clearly arranged manner, they are often stacked in columns. The disadvantage here, however, is that when coins are removed from the column, these can collapse if they are carelessly used.

This disadvantage is prevented when containers are used which have notches which in their width essentially correspond to the diameter and in their depth essentially correspond to the radius of the column of coins to be received. The column is well supported by such a notch and can optionally be stored vertically or almost horizontally. The use of such a container makes sense wherever there are a relatively large number of coins or coins. coin-like objects have to be handled, that is to say often new coins have to be stacked or removed from the column. The most important examples of this are train station counters, cash registers in general and casinos.

In the last-mentioned example in particular, a large number of tokens must be accepted by the croupier and stored as well as spent within a short period of time. The disadvantage of so-called chip trays previously used for this purpose is that the number of tokens in the chip tray was essentially unknown or could only be determined by estimation or laborious recounting.

Of course, the possibility is known to measure the height of a column of objects described above and to calculate the number of objects in the column by dividing this height by the thickness of an individual object of the column. A refinement of this method can be achieved in that a scale is attached next to the column, which is not labeled in units of length but directly with the number of objects.

The main disadvantages of this possibility are that this scale becomes illegible and thus unusable over time due to frequent handling of the container and that it can only be read by a person and thus cannot be further processed with the aid of a computer.

CH-A5-573 635 describes a coin box comprising several indentations for receiving coin columns and an automatically operating, electronic counting device.

This counting device comprises a first photodiode per column of coins, fixed on an endless belt, the photodiode being able to be moved along the column of coins by moving the belt. If it is within the shadow generated by the column of coins, it cannot receive any ambient light; after emerging from said shadow, light can be received. These circumstances are used to generate a signal that can be used to detect the height of the coin stack. Furthermore, a second photodiode is provided per column of coins, which interacts with a light source. The band runs between the diode and the light source and has transparent and opaque areas in the direction of movement. By appropriately dimensioning said band areas, the diode generates a (square) pulse when the band moves, in which the number of 0-1 transitions corresponds to the number of coins in the respective stack

In addition, the CH-A5-573 635 states in its description that it is possible to provide a large number, namely a number of sensors -contacts or photodiodes, which corresponds to the number of coins that can be inserted into the respective indentation, but which photodiodes are again shown above activated by ambient light as discussed.

However, the use of ambient light can have a negative effect on the correct functioning of the counter. Particularly in the upper end area of ​​the column of coins, some of the photodiodes located under the column are always sufficiently illuminated by light that is not exactly perpendicular to the column of coins, which leads to incorrect number results. In particular, when using the cash registers in casinos, where there is usually only inclined artificial light, said problems will arise.

Furthermore, it is possible that the coins of a column do not lie properly close to one another, but are fanned out, that is to say that the coin column has gaps on the underside. Ambient light can pass through these gaps and activate the photodiodes located below these gaps, which leads to an incorrect number of coins being determined.

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In addition, a counting device designed in accordance with the provisions cannot be used at all in poor lighting conditions, such as those prevailing in particular in the preferred area of ​​use in casinos. The light intensities achieved here are not sufficient to give the photodiodes sufficient conductivity, which means that the counting function is completely disabled.

The object of the invention is therefore to avoid these disadvantages and to specify a device of the type cited at the beginning which correctly determines the number of coins in a coin column even in poor ambient light conditions

In a device of the type mentioned at the outset, this is achieved according to the invention in that the plurality of detectors is arranged by transmitter-receiver pairs, such as ultrasonic transmitters, receivers or Light transmitter, receiver, is formed.

By appropriate selection of the wavelength of the transmitted signals, the counting device can be made completely independent of the ambient light - of its strength and its angle of incidence, a reliable function is therefore still given even in complete darkness. Furthermore, such transmitter-receiver pairings can be electronically controlled in a particularly simple manner, and the results of a measurement carried out by means of such elements can be further processed particularly well by EDP systems. Such further processing is particularly important in casino casinos, since it is desirable to monitor the various table games such as blackjack, poker, American roulette, etc. to record the performance of the croupiers, dealers or table teams, for example to identify performance irregularities to be able to go.

In a further embodiment of the invention, which is designed for the purpose of storing several parallel columns of coins or coin-like object columns with spaced apart parallel separators, it can be provided that the to determine the number of coins in the device or coin-like objects serving transmitter-receiver pairs are arranged within the separators.

With such an arrangement, the transmitters and receivers are well protected from mechanical damage; Furthermore, the handling of the device, ie the insertion and removal of coins or coin-like objects, is in no way adversely affected.

In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that only transmitters or only receivers are arranged within each separator and that separators containing transmitters and receivers are arranged alternately next to one another.

Such a design results in a particularly simple structure of each transmitter or receiver module, which subsequently enables an entire module to be exchanged easily.

In this context, it can be provided that both the individual transmitters and the individual receivers are aligned in rows at a constant distance from one another and that the receivers are offset from the transmitters by half a receiver-receiver distance.

With such a staggered arrangement, a transmitter can transmit to two receivers each, whereby a doubling of the measurement accuracy can be achieved in a simple manner.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention can consist in that the transmitter / receiver pairings are formed by optical, preferably infrared, transmitters and receivers.

These types of transmitters and receivers are mass-produced, are therefore relatively inexpensive and help to keep the production costs of the device low, but are nevertheless well suited for the formation of light barriers required in this application.

In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that each transmitter consists of a light beam transmitting component, such as a light or infrared diode, and each receiver consists of a light beam receiving component.

Such components can be controlled with particularly simply designed circuits.

It can be particularly advantageous for each light bundle transmitting component to emit two light bundles which are offset from one another by 180 ° and which run essentially transversely to the separators

AT 406 097 Β and each light bundle receiving component has two sensitivity lobes which are offset from one another by 180 ° and which run essentially transversely to the separators.

Thus, the function of two components can be fulfilled by each light bundle transmitting component or receiving component, whereby the number of components necessary for the formation of the measuring device is reduced, and the control electronics are also considerably simplified and thus overall a particularly simple, reliable and favorable structure is made possible.

In a further development of the invention, a control unit can be provided which, on the one hand, controls the device for determining the number of coins or coin-like objects in the device and, on the other hand, the number of coins or coin-like objects in the device from the signals received from the device calculated.

With the aid of such a control unit, the control signals necessary for activating the measuring device can be produced in a simple manner. Furthermore, in such a system, operating parameters can be changed particularly easily, so that the entire measuring device can be adapted to different thicknesses of the coins or coin-like objects stacked in it.

In this context, it can also be provided that the control unit comprises an EEPROM.

The operating parameters necessary for the proper functioning of the system can be stored in a non-volatile manner in such a storage medium, so that correct functioning with the last set parameters is ensured even after a failure of the supply voltage.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the control unit is connected to optical display elements arranged below the coin or coin-like column of objects.

The type of coins or coin-like objects contained in the respective columns or their current number can thus be displayed for orientation of the person entrusted with the handling of the device according to the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the control unit is connected to an input terminal.

The necessary operating parameters, such as the thickness of the coins or coin-like objects to be picked up, can thus be entered in a simple manner.

In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the control unit is connected to a central processing unit.

In particular, when several devices according to the invention are in operation at the same time, they can be monitored in a simple manner with the aid of such a central processing unit and their function can be influenced.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings. Show:

1 shows a device according to the invention in plan;

2 shows the device according to the invention in section in elevation;

3 shows a transmitter element in elevation in section;

4 shows the arrangement of the transmitter and receiver in plan;

5 schematically shows the device according to the invention when used on a gaming table;

6 shows a microcontroller controlling the device as a block diagram;

FIG. 7 shows a detailed block diagram of the microcontroller according to FIG. 6;

8 shows the control of the transmitters in detail as a block diagram;

9 shows the control of the receivers in detail as a block diagram and

10 shows the control of the display elements in detail.

The most important field of application of the invention, which is only given for the purpose of better clarity, but in no way as a restriction to this field of application, is a computer-aided data acquisition system for gaming tables in a casino.

Such a data acquisition system is used to record the performance of the croupiers, the dealer and the table teams and to be able to observe the development of the results of the gaming tables.

Known devices for storing coins or coin-like objects (such as, for example, tokens, chips, or the like) 5, provided they are used for storing several

AT 406 097 Β object columns running parallel to one another are provided, formed with separators 6 running parallel to one another at a distance from one another. The entire arrangement is usually designed to be slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal, so that the independent sizing of the columns or the close-to-close abutment of the individual coins or coin-like objects 5 is guaranteed.

A device 102 according to the invention, also referred to as a chip tray, is, like the similar devices known up to now, made from a tub 202, for example from sheet steel, and has separators 6 pushed into it. It differs from previously known devices in that a device for determining the number of coins or coins in the chip tray 102 is provided. Coin-like objects 5 is provided, which are arranged essentially parallel to the lateral surfaces of the coin or coin-like object columns by a plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs 641, 623, such as

Ultrasonic transmitters, receivers; Light transmitter, receiver; Od. Like. Is formed.

As can best be seen in FIG. A prerequisite for the proper functioning of this measuring device is, of course, that the separators 6 consist of a material which is permeable to the wavelength emitted by the transmitters 623.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, it is provided that within each separator 6 only transmitters 623 or only receivers 641 are arranged and that transmitter and receiver-containing separators 6 are arranged alternately next to one another.

This is implemented in such a way that the transmitters 623 and the receivers 641 are arranged on plate-shaped modules 502, 503 and these modules 502, 503 are fixed on the underside of the tub bottom 202 by means of fastening bolts 204 and cylinder screws 203.

To explain the determination of the coins or coin-like objects 5 located in a column of the chip tray, it is assumed below that the transmitter-receiver pairs 641, 623 are formed by optical, namely by infrared transmitters and receivers. With the aid of this transmitter-receiver arrangement, a light curtain is formed which scans the column between the separators 6 transversely to the column direction.

The light curtain is interrupted wherever there are coins or coin-like objects 5, ie the corresponding receivers 641 cannot receive any light from their assigned transmitter 623. In detail, this means that wherever a receiver 641 cannot receive the light emitted by the transmitter 623 assigned to it, there is a coin or a coin-like object

As a result of this scanning of the columns, columns that are not neatly close together cannot be detected: gaps in the columns by fanning out, as well as transverse coins or coin-like objects 5 are recognized by the gaps that occur in the otherwise closed column. A related detection signal can activate a display and / or a vibrator so that care can be taken to produce the close-together construction of the columns.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the transmitters used in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings are designed in such a way that they emit two light bundles which are offset from one another by 180 ° and which run essentially transversely to the separators 6. Accordingly, the receivers also have two sensitivity lobes which are offset from one another by 180 ° and run essentially transversely to the separators 6. This ensures that a transmitter 623, which is arranged between two columns, can be used simultaneously for scanning both columns, all in all, the two transmitters normally required for this purpose are replaced by a single element.

The aforementioned division of the emitted light bundle into two light bundles at the transmitter element or the formation of the two-sided sensitivity lobe at the receiver is implemented by the shape of the plastic housing 301. This housing 301 is designed in such a way that the beam splitting mentioned occurs due to the total reflection at the boundary layer between plastic and ambient air.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, both the individual transmitters and the individual receivers are arranged in alignment in rows at a constant distance from one another.

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To increase the scanning resolution, the receivers 641 are offset from the transmitters 623 by half a receiver-receiver distance. Each receiver 641 therefore forms light barriers with two transmitters 623 each in each of its sensitivity directions Lines 351 indicated channel a resolution of half a receiver-receiver distance.

Because of this alternating arrangement of transmitters 623 and receivers 641 in the chip tray 102, each receiver 641 is surrounded by two transmitters 623. In order to enable correct scanning, therefore, only one adjacent transmitter 623 may ever be activated for each receiver 641.

The scanning of two columns with the aid of the transmitters 623 and receivers 641 arranged according to FIG. 4 functions in the manner described below. For a better understanding of the explanation, the transmitters 623 are divided into two groups, here called group 1 and group 2.

The receiver 641 at the lowest point of the pillars is activated, after which the light bundles 352, 353, 354, 355 are emitted in the following order:

1. ) from the transmitter 623 of group 1 the light beam 352

2. ) from the transmitter 624 of group 1 the light bundle 353

3rd ) from the transmitter 625 of group 2 the light bundle 354

4th ) from the transmitter 626 of group 2 the light bundle 355

Then the receiver 641 is deactivated, the receiver 642 located above it is activated and the above steps are repeated analogously. In this way, the entire length of the column is scanned and the received data (light bundles received or not received) are further processed by the control electronics, ie converted into the number of coins or coin-like objects 5 in the columns.

The above assumption, namely to use infrared transmitters and receivers, represents a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, but the invention is in no way restricted to this; ultraviolet, normal light, ultrasonic, laser, radar waves or the like could also be used. can be used to build up the measuring curtain.

The device according to the invention is operated by a control unit 501. coin-like items.

Such control units 501 are well known prior art, but should preferably have an EEPROM 604 for this purpose, be connected to an input terminal 100 and a central processing unit 104 and to an optical display element 504, so-called denomination displays, arranged below the column Denomination displays e.g. the number of coins or coins contained in the respective column. coin-like objects 5 or the type of coins or coin-like objects 5 located in the column can be displayed.

The electronics of the device according to the invention, shown in overview in FIG. 6, thus consist of the following assemblies:

The control unit 501 provides the supply voltages and control signals for the subordinate assemblies (infrared transmitter and receiver, denomination display) and evaluates the signals returned by the receivers and transmitters.

The control unit 501 can be connected to a superordinate system, for example a personal computer, via a serial interface 508. The recorded data and the status and error information of the chip tray 102 can be transmitted via this serial interface 508, the denomination displays 504 can be set or various configuration data can be transferred to the control unit 501.

As already described, the transmitter modules 502 and receiver modules 503 serve to scan the columns of objects. The transmitter 623 and receiver 641 are - alternately each - mounted under the separators 6 between the columns. The transmitter and receiver are each connected to the control unit 501 via a common bus cable 505 and 506.

The denomination displays 504 arranged under each column of the chip tray 102 are designed, for example, in the form of several light-emitting diodes or a numerical display, which is used to display the token value or type and the status of the column. Several display units can be located on one display module.

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The exact structure of the control unit 501 is shown in FIG. 7 in the form of a block diagram.

The microcontroller 602 is connected to a monitoring module 603 with a reset generator, a so-called watchdog circuit, which monitors the correct execution of the microcontroller software. The serial interface 508 of the control unit 501 can be adapted to different standards (eg RS485 or RS232) by means of a plug-in interface module 605. Important configuration and calibration data are stored in a non-volatile memory, the EEPROM 604. Large component tolerances occur especially with optical semiconductor elements. In order to compensate for this, the sensitivities of all resulting light barriers are measured in a calibration process, stored in EEPROM 604 and used as reference values ​​when evaluating the light barrier measurement values ​​in scanning mode.

Since the transmitting diodes of the infrared transmitters are operated with high pulse currents and permanent hard switching on would damage the transmitter modules 502 due to a fault in the control unit 501, a protective circuit 606 is provided which deactivates the transmitter when a certain maximum on-time is exceeded.

The multiplexer 607 is used to select one of the infrared diode monitoring signals supplied by the transmitter modules 502. The multiplexer 608 in the receiver interface is used to select an (analog) receiver output signal. After a level adjustment 609, the selected signal is fed to the internal analog / digital converter of the microcontroller 602.

A possible embodiment of a transmitter module 502 is shown in detail in FIG. 8. The infrared diodes 623 of the transmitter module 502 are electrically arranged in a matrix 629. In addition to the address lines 627, the row and column drivers 621, 622 also have an enable line 628, 630 each. The transmission module 502 is switched on only when both drivers 621, 622 are activated.

With the aid of the enable line 630 of the row driver 621, the module is assigned to one of the two groups mentioned above, which assignment is made by setting the jumper accordingly

625 is achieved. The exact switch-on time or the switch-on duration is determined by a release pulse to the column driver 622.

In order to be able to detect defective infrared diodes 623, the transmitter current is controlled by a monitoring circuit 624. The output signal of the current monitoring circuit 624 is, depending on the mechanical position of the transmitter module 502, via a jumper

626 assigned to one of the corresponding input lines of the control unit 501

A receiver module 503 is shown in detail in FIG. The selected phototransistor 641 is connected to the measuring amplifier 644 via an analog multiplexer 642 which is controlled by the control unit 501 via a part 643 of the receiver bus 506. Before the actual measurement, an active compensation circuit 645 carries out a constant light adjustment, ie the measurement result is freed from the effects of ambient light.

With the activation pulse of the infrared transmitter, the sample & hold element 646 is opened at the same time, which temporarily stores the measured brightness value until it is queried and quantized by the control unit 501. The output of the receiver is assigned to a specific input of the control unit 501 by means of a jumper 647, corresponding to the mechanical position of the receiver module 503 in the chip tray.

The structure of the denomination display 504 is shown in FIG. This uses shift register 661 with an integrated buffer. The data are written into the shift register 661 by means of a clock pulse 663 and transferred to the display with an enable pulse 664.

A preferred field of application of the invention is the use in a monitoring system for casinos. Such a system, shown in block diagram form in FIG.

The electronic chip tray 102 located on the table is operated via the table keyboard 100, which is also installed on the gaming table. The data lines of the electronic chip tray 102 as well as the desk keyboard 100 are routed via the so-called table distribution boards 101 to a communication processor 103 and from there to the system computer 104.

The necessary configurations of the chip tray 102, such as chip value, chip thickness or the like, are either entered at the input terminal 100 or can be specified on the system computer 104 and transmitted to the control unit 501 of the chip tray 101.

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The aforementioned monitoring of the table games takes place in such a way that the performance of a croupier, ie the value of what he has played in, is recorded. For this, the so-called table inventory must be observed and recorded.

The table inventory of a gaming table is made up as follows:

The supply of game chips or chips, which in most types of games are in a chip tray within reach of the dealer, and the dropbox's cash desk in which the means of payment are deposited when buying chips.

It is the task of the device 102 according to the invention to automatically detect the supply of chips at the gaming table.

All chip inventory changes that are not related to the game, such as chip movements from the chip cash register to the table and back: fills and credits, markers for chip issuance to players against in-house checks, are manually transferred to the data processing system via input terminals 100. The cash balance of the Dropbox is determined by adding up the drops (the deposits made with every chip sale by the dealer).

Overall, the entire value of what is currently on the table can be recorded in this way.

In order to record the performance of each individual croupier, dealer or table team, the table inventory must be recorded every time the croupier, dealer or table team changes (dealer change). If such a change of dealer is made, the new dealer identifies himself at the table terminal, for example by means of his magnetic card, that is, notifies the data processing system of the change. Thus, the profit of each dealer can be calculated.