Abstract: A money handling method and device capable of automatically stopping the acceptance of old moneys depending on a circulating amount of old and new moneys. In a state that new and old moneys are judged as authentic and accepted by a coin type judgment unit, a switching condition decision unit compares an insertion state of new moneys with a condition stored in a condition value storage unit, and when the insertion state agrees with the stored condition, the coin type judgment unit returns the old moneys as counterfeit.

Abstract: A coin sensor is provided for more accurately assessing the authenticity of a coin passing through a vertical channel where the channel is sized to accommodate different diameter coins. In the present invention, magnetic coils are deployed on the side of the channel to measure magnetic flux, which is converted to digital signals and compared to stored values to assess the diameter, thickness, and material of the coin. To reduce the tolerances associated with the varying path of the coin, the sensors have been provided with cores having generally straight and parallel upper and lower surfaces aligned perpendicular to the path of the coin to remove the variances in the overlapping coin area as the coin.

Abstract: A bill acceptor module may receive configuration data from at least one of an interface board, a programming tool, a plug-in memory, a memory on a currency cassette, and a host machine, store the configuration data in a memory, and process signals according to the configuration data to enable operation of the bill acceptor module with a host machine. The operation of the bill acceptor module may include communication with a currency cassette.

Abstract: A bank note processing apparatus comprises an insert port into which plural sheets of rectangular shaped bank notes having front/back and top/bottom extending in a longitudinal direction, a take-out portion for taking out the bank notes from the insert port with the top or bottom laid ahead one by one, a conveying path which then conveys the bank notes, a detector which detects information relative to the front/back and top/bottom of the bank notes being conveyed, a front/back reversing portion which selectively reverses the front/back of the bank notes based on the result of detection, first and second stackers which stack the selectively reversed bank notes, a sorter which sorts the bank notes being conveyed to the first or second stacker, and first and second banding portions which band the stacked bank notes for every prescribed number of sheets at the same position of one side of the longitudinal direction of the notes.

Abstract: A coin receiving and dispensing machine includes a coin receiving and dispensing opening, a sensor unit provided in a coin passage and adapted for discriminating and counting coins of each denomination, a single coin storing box for storing acceptable coins, a coin storing cylinder for storing coins to be dispensed and a controller for controlling overall operation of the coin receiving and dispensing machine, and the controller is constituted so as to, prior to dispensation of coins, take out coins stored in the coin storing box, cause the sensor unit to discriminate and counts coins for each denomination taken out from the coin storing box, and store a predetermined number of coins in the coin storing cylinder for each denomination, the controller being further constituted so as to, when coins are to be dispensed, take out coins stored in the coin storing cylinder, cause the sensor unit to discriminate and count coins taken out from the coin storing cylinder for each denomination, and feed the coins to the

Abstract: A coin handling machine (10) has a coin sorting member (12) with a plurality of sorting openings (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) by which respective denominations of coins (14) are sorted, having a coin driving member (21) with webs (22) for moving the coins to the coin sorting openings (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20), having a motor (60) coupled to the coin driving member (21), and having a brake (65) for stopping the motor (60), the coin handling machine (10). A coin imaging sensor (40) optically images at least a portion of a coin (14) and for transmitting dimensional data for identifying coins by denomination. A main controller (120) receives said dimensional data and counts each coin for bag stopping purposes separate from the counts maintained for totalizing the sorted coins. The controller (120) transmits signals to at least reduce the speed of the motor (60) when a bag count limit is reached for a respective denomination.

Abstract: A receiving and dispensing device for coins comprises a coin receiving device to receive the entry of coins of various denominations. The coins are segregated and verified as to authenticity. The coins are then transported along an upper and lower selecting section which are connected by appropriate guiding passageways to sets of upper and lower coin hoppers aligned in both a horizontal and vertical configuration to form a compact configuration.

Abstract: Processing data derived from currency items includes measuring samples of currency items of classes to produce feature vectors in a first space and mapping the feature vectors to a second space in which there is a clearer separation of the classes.

Abstract: The device for the processing of bank notes has a modular design. It has at least one inlet (311) and at least one outlet (361.1, 361.2). The device contains a fixed part (1) and interchangeable mobile modules (31-36) each for performing a complete processing function upon the bank note-like objects to be processed. The modules (31-36) are insertable into the fixed part (1) in such a manner, that a desired work sequence for processing the bank notes is performable. To such an extent as is possible, electric lines, components and motors (41) are mounted on the fixed part (1); the forces and/or torques required by the modules (31-36) are transmitted to the modules by means of transmission (51.1, 52.1). The modules (31-36) are pluggable into pins (2.1, 2.2, . . .) attached to the fixed part (1), so that they are easily insertable, removable or interchangeable.

Abstract: A coin discrimination sensor having an excitation coil and two detector coils arranged to detect eddy currents in a passing coin. The excitation coil is provided a composite waveform formed by adding a low frequency signal (30 KHz) with a high frequency signal (480 KHz). The two detector coils are arranged at different distances from the passing coin, and are calibrated to eliminate the common-mode voltage when no coin is present. As a coin passes by the sensor, eddy currents are induced in the coin which result in phase and amplitude shifts in the low and high frequency components of the detector signal. The low and high frequency components are separated from the detector signal, and their respective phases and amplitudes are ascertained and compared against values stored in a lookup table. These values represent the composition, thickness, and diameter characteristics of known coins, and if the signature of the processed coin does not appear in the lookup table, it can be flagged as an invalid coin.

Abstract: A coin processing system for processing a plurality of coins of mixed denominations comprises a rotatable disc for imparting motion to the plurality of coins, a sensor for differentiating between valid and invalid coins, a stationary sorting head, a diverter and a controller. The stationary sorting head has a lower surface generally parallel to and spaced slightly away from the rotatable disc. The lower surface forms a queuing channel and a plurality of exit channels for sorting and discharging coins of particular denominations. The queuing channel has a first segment for receiving coins and a second segment for moving the coins past the sensor and is configured to move coins at a faster rate along the second segment for increasing the spacing between adjacent coins. The diverter is disposed along the second segment beyond the sensor and is moveable between a first position for permitting coins to proceed to the plurality of exit channels and a second position for diverting coins to a reject region.

Abstract: A system for processing mixed coins including coins from a first coin set and coins from a second coin set is set forth. The coin processing system includes a coin set discrimination device including a coin input region in which the mixed coins are placed. The discrimination device includes means for discriminating between coins of the first coin set and coins of the second coin set and means for transporting coins to a first exit region and a second exit region. Coins from the first coin set are transported to the first exit region. Coins from the second coin set are transported to the second exit region. The processing system also includes first and second coin sorters that receive coins from the first exit region and the second exit region, respectively. The first and second coin sorters sort and count coins of the first and second coin sets, respectively.

Abstract: Articles of currency, for example coins, are validated by calculating a Mahalanobis distance associated with a plurality of properties in successive stages, the results at each stage being used to reduce a number of target classes, and hence the number of calculations required, in the successive stage or stages. Preliminary stages may represent Mahalanobis distance calculations for a sub-set of the measurements represented by the final Mahalanobis distance calculation. Thus, the Mahalanobis distance calculation can be started before some of the measurement parameters required for the later stages are available.

Abstract: The banknote processing apparatus has a receiving portion into which banknotes are inserted, a take-out roller for taking out banknotes from the receiving portion, a detector for discriminating “regular and defective” and “front and back” of taken-out banknotes, and first to fourth stacking and banding devices for classifying and stacking banknotes on the basis of discrimination results and banding each 100 banknotes. When the first stacking and banding device fails in a mode that the first and second stacking and banding devices stack front bills and the third and fourth stacking and banding devices stack back bills, in expectation of 100 front bills being stacked in the second stacking and banding device, in the timing that the 97th front bill passes the detector, the take-out roller is stopped. When the number of front bills is less than 100, the take-out roller rotates and takes out one banknote.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a vending machine with the ability to accept both coins and paper currency. The system includes a housing that is mounted to the side of a vending machine. The housing defines an enclosed interior area that is adjacent the vending machine. A door is provided on the housing for selectively accessing the enclosed interior area. At least two access openings are present in the door. A paper currency validation mechanism is mounted in one of the access openings in the door. A coin currency validation mechanism is mounted in a second access opening in the door. Since both the paper currency validation mechanism and the coin currency validation mechanism are mounted to the door of the housing, both mechanisms are removed from the housing when the door of the housing is opened or removed.

Abstract: The magnetic powder for validity determining ink is composed of magnetic oxide powder having a Curie temperature between −50° C. and 150° C. and a mean powder particle diameter of 10 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A method of deriving a classification for classifying items of currency into two or more classes comprises measuring known samples for each class, selecting a function corresponding to a non-linear mapping of the feature vector space to a second higher-dimensional space, mapping feature vectors to image vectors, and deriving coefficients representing N−1 axes, where N is the number of classes, in the second space, obtaining values representing the projections of the image vectors for the measured samples onto the N−1 axes, and using those values to derive a separating function for separating the classes equivalent to a function in the second space.

Abstract: Articles belonging to known calibration classes are fed, in any sequence, to a currency acceptor in order to derive measurements which are used for calibration purposes. The calibration articles are classified, preferably by normalising a number of the measurements using a further measurement as a normalisation factor, and then calculating a Mahalanobis distance using the normalised measurements. The measurements are prevented from being used for calibration purposes if an integrity check suggests that they are unreliable.

Abstract: A currency validator processes sensor measurements by transforming them using a linear function so that, following calibration, the measurements of an article resemble standard measurements. The acceptance criteria are gradually modified by a self-tuning operation. The validator can be re-configured to permit it to recognise a new class of articles by (a) deriving a standard set of acceptance criteria for the new class, and (b) altering the acceptance criteria to an extent determined by the extent to which acceptance criteria for a further class differ from standard acceptance criteria for that class, due to self-tuning.

Abstract: A coin handling method and a device which can prevent functions from being degraded by adoption of an escrow mechanism in order to temporarily hold a plurality of inserted coins to provide convenience and to prevent counterfeit coins from being used and also to provide a normal operation even if any coins are temporarily held at the time when the power is turned on. The inserted coins are temporarily held in an escrow passage, the number of temporarily held coins can be determined arbitrarily, and the coins inserted not less than the determined number are returned by an operation of a authentic/counterfeit sorting lever in order to return the inserted coin. And, to collect coins, a return passage lever and a coin box passage lever are operated depending on the states of respective portions so to guide the coins temporarily held in the escrow passage to a coin tube, a return passage or a coin box passage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting coin fraud in coin-counting machines and other devices that count and/or sort coins and other objects. In one embodiment, the method includes discriminating multiple coins to determine a number of real coins and a number of faux coins. In one aspect of this embodiment, the faux coins can have one or more coin characteristics falling generally close to corresponding characteristics of the real coins. The method can further include determining a quotient based on the number of real coins and faux coins. If the determined quotient is greater than or equal to a selected threshold value, then the transaction can be identified as being possibly fraudulent. In the event of a possibly fraudulent transaction, the method can include controlling the transaction, for example, by returning any uncounted coins to a user, or by halting the transaction.

Abstract: The magnetic powder for validity determining ink is composed of magnetic oxide power having a Curie temperature between −50°C. and 150°C. and a mean powder particle diameter of 10 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A currency processing system comprises a first currency bill processing device having a plurality of output receptacles and a second currency bill processing device having at least one output receptacle. The second currency bill processing device is communicatively interfaced with the first currency bill processing device.

Abstract: A coin acceptor produces an output or operates a switch or vending mechanism when a coin acceptor slide reaches a certain point of advance relative to a housing. The slide receives coins or tokens tendered by a customer (“coins”) and carries the coins into a discriminator responsive to size, shape or the like. The discriminator can have feeler levers, a limited passage size or similar features that permit the slide to advance if all the correct coins are present, or obstruct movement of the slide if coins are missing or are the wrong type. The discriminator is breakable with sufficient force, which could break away the feeler levers or other test structures the obstruct movement unless the correct coins are in place, which would permit the slide to be operated repeatedly without the correct coins.

Abstract: A miniaturized coin hopper device is provided so as to have a lower height. The device has an electric motor which is arranged such that the projection end of a rotated axis thereof is located at a lower side. A first gear is fixed on this projection end of rotated axis. A disk for discharging coins one by one is provided at the bottom of a hopper which stores the coins. A second gear rotates this disk. A gear train connects this second gear and the first gear. The problem of a true coin being disbursed when a pseudo-coin was stored in a hopper device and the return button was pushed is also addressed. A distinguishing element checks the money kind of a deposited coin. A reserve temporarily holds the coin distinguished by this distinction element. A storage for coins of same money kind and a disbursing element is provided for the the coin in this storage to return the coin reserved in the temporary reservation.

Abstract: A coin processing device (1) comprises a first sorting component (35) disposed downstream from a coin detaining component (30), for sorting into a return passage (70) and a coin storage component (91) any coins A that have been temporarily detained by the coin detaining component (30), and a second sorting component (51) disposed downstream from the first sorting component (35), for sorting into the coin storage component (91) and a cashbox any coins A that have been sorted into the coin storage component (91) by the first sorting component (35).

Abstract: A coin assorter (1), wherein a particular coin route (32) having a coin retaining mechanism (100) disposed therein is formed, meanderingly generally in S-shape, on the upstream side of the coin retaining mechanism (100) to set longer the route length of the particular coin route (32) having the coin retaining mechanism (100) disposed therein in order to increase the number of coins (C) temporarily retained in the route length.

Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus (S) has a presorting unit (A) and two main sorting units (B1, B2). The presorting unit (A) sorts mixed coins into three groups (large coin group, medium coin group, small coin group). The main sorting units (B1, B2) sort by denomination coins of the two groups (medium coin group, small coin group) among the three groups of coins broadly sorted by the presorting unit (A). Thus, the number of denominations to be dealt with by a single sorting operation can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of deriving a classifying function for classifying items of currency comprises deriving a plurality of measurements from at least one currency sensor and a plurality of currency items, and forming a set of data from the measurements, the elements of the data set corresponding to points in a first space, and determining a set of values corresponding to the measured values, selecting a kernel function corresponding to a mapping of the first space to a second space, the method comprising deriving an expression representing the function of the measured values in terms of the kernel function and using it to derive a classifying function.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a bill receiving/dispensing machine in view of service of securing a quick response to a user in operator's operation when a failure such as a bill jam occurs during user's operation, and security of cash controlling, as well as usual supply and collection of a bill to and from a bill storing room. In order to achieve the object, the machine is constituted from an upper unit including a receiving/dispensing port, a bill identifying portion, a temporary storing room and an upper bill conveying passage, and a lower unit including a bill storing room and a lower bill conveying passage. The upper unit includes a slide mechanism which can be pulled out both forward and backward. There is also provided a connecting conveying passage which connects a bill conveying passage in the upper unit with a bill conveying passage in the lower unit.

Abstract: A cash handling machine, such as a vending machine, has a housing, cash receiving means for receiving cash deposited by a machine user, and a cash store located in the housing and thus inaccessible to the user, and from which cash can be dispensed to the user. The machine is switchable in response to an operation external of the housing between a normal mode, in which a credit value is incremented in response to cash received by the receiving means, and a float mode in which cash received by the receiving means is directed to the cash store without giving credit. Therefore a “float” operation can be carried out without requiring the presence of an authorized serviceman.

Abstract: The modular validator includes a frame body which acts as an intermediary for releasably securing and releasably electrically connecting a series of modular components. In particular, a releasable power interface cooperates with the frame body and a releasable validating head. The frame body allows each of the components to be separately removable and also provides electrical connection between the validator and a host device.

Abstract: An anticounterfeit detector (ACD) apparatus and method scans an object to be printed and has a validation code or “ticket” added to the resulting video signal at a first location, e.g., a personal computer, only a selected image, e.g., currency or negotiable securities are not detected. Alternately, or in addition to, when the selected image is detected, the video signal is invalidated. A printer located at a second location separate from the first location prints only when the ticket is present or prints the invalidated video signal. The printer can be a stand alone one or part of some other machine. Further, the printer can be of any type, e.g. xerographic, ink jet, etc.

Abstract: An anticounterfeit detector (ACD) apparatus and method scans an object to be printed and has a validation code or “ticket” added to the resulting video signal at a first location, e.g., a personal computer, only a selected image, e.g., currency or negotiable securities are not detected. Alternately, or in addition to, when the selected image is detected, the video signal is invalidated. A printer located at a second location separate from the first location prints only when the ticket is present or prints the invalidated video signal. The printer can be a stand alone one or part of some other machine. Further, the printer can be of any type, e.g. xerographic, ink jet, etc.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing an improved electronic safe are described. In one aspect, an electronic safe is provided with enhanced security, increased functionality and ease of use. The electronic safe may accept both cash and non-cash deposits, identifying tags and envelopes or folders. A wireless tag may be used to identify the person making deposits. A plurality of electronic safes may be networked together in a wireless local area network. The wireless local area network of electronic safes may be wirelessly networked with an off site host system. In another aspect, an electronic safe is provided with a wireless communications link for communicating with a handheld terminal which may be used to update the electronic safe and initiate the generation of automatic reports. In another aspect, an electronic safe automatically generates reports detailing the operation of the safe. The electronic safe may predict the time when a cassette for storing deposits will be full.

Abstract: Especially designed as an opto-electronic sensor, as an addition to the classic electromechanical sensor available in games machine dispensers (2) awarding prizes in cash, consisting of a pair of bent plates (11) jointly fixed to the entrance door (6) of the machine door (7), specifically framing the slot (5) in the entrance door (6), for the transport of coins from the dispenser (2) to the applicable prize-collecting tray (6), so that the parallel branches of these plates (10-10′) support the photoemitter (15) and photoreceptor (16) respectively in this opto-electronic sensor, interconnected through orifices (17) in the plates themselves (10-10′) and in the orifices (18) that are operated at the front of the dispenser (2), framing the exit coin mouth (4), so that this luminous beam is interrupted during coin movement to apply the necessary detection and accounting.

Abstract: To provide a coin distributing device capable of increasing a degree of freedom for setting a commodity price because coins of five coin types can be automatically replenished to five coin tubes respectively. In order to attain this object, in the coin distributing device in which, of coins obtained by distributing by means of a distributing unit, specie coins are conducted to various coin tubes or a coin box passage while counterfeit coins are returned to a change outlet, the coin distributing device has five coin tubes so as to cope with five coin types, and each distributing unit is constructed so as to distribute coins to those five coin tubes for each coin type.

Abstract: A mechanical coin checker is proposed having a coin channel which has a running rail for the coin to run down, in or at which channel checking arrangements are provided to check the properties of the coins, having a coin acceptance shaft and a return shaft, disposed below the running rail, to return coins which are not accepted. The running rail has in the running direction of the coin a recess into which coins which are too thin slide and possibly fall into the return shaft. In front of the coin acceptance shaft is disposed a detent pawl, which is rotatably mounted at a flap forming a part of the coin channel. A detent wire, which is pivotable about a portion of its longitudinal axis, co-operates with its one end region with the detent pawl and is disposed with its other end region below the recess, in such a way that when a coin slips through the recess, the detent wire pivots and takes the detent pawl with it into the coin channel to engage at least one integrally formed arm.

Abstract: A coin discrimination method and device reliably acquires stable two-dimensional images of the surfaces of coins, and using the acquired two-dimensional images is able to perform discrimination, reliably and at high speed, between genuine and counterfeit coins, and between coin types. In a coin pathway configured so as to block interfering light, sensors are positioned at an image-capture position and at a position upstream from the image-capture position; an image sensor is caused to begin image capture simultaneously with the detection, by the sensor upstream of the image-capture position, of a coin, and illumination is emitted for a short time simultaneously with the detection, by the sensor at the image-capture position, of the coin, to acquire an image of the coin. Specific patterns are detected in a binary image obtained by converting the acquired image to binary level, and coin discrimination is performed based on the detected patterns.

Abstract: The bill counter has thickness detection units 31, 32, and 33 for detecting the thickness of a bill passing through a transport passage. The thickness detection units 31, 32, and 33 are separately placed on the transport passage Waveform outputs from the thickness detection units 31, 32, and 33, provided by detecting the thicknesses of predetermined parts of bill passing through the transport passage are compared with waveform data previously stored in a storage unit and the number of bills passing through the transport passage is determined.

Abstract: In a bill validator (1) which includes a bill inlet (3) through which a bill (2) is inserted, a transfer path (4) arranged behind the inlet and connected to the inlet, a transferring mechanism (11, 10) for transferring the bill in the transfer path, a validating unit (18-20) for validating the bill on a predetermined validating position of the transfer path, and an optical detecting section (5), the optical detecting section includes a light emitting portion (7) for emitting a light beam, a transmission light guide (8) having a light input portion (8a) supplied with the light beam from the light emitting portion and a light output portion (8b) for outputting the light beam inputted through the light input portion, and a light receiving portion (9) for receiving the light beam from the light output portion.

Abstract: A coin handling method and a device which can prevent functions from being degraded by adoption of an escrow mechanism in order to temporarily hold a plurality of inserted coins to provide convenience and to prevent counterfeit coins from being used and also to provide a normal operation even if any coins are temporarily held at the time when the power is turned on. The inserted coins are temporarily held in an escrow passage, the number of temporarily held coins can be determined arbitrarily, and the coins inserted not less than the determined number are returned by an operation of a authentic/counterfeit sorting lever in order to return the inserted coin. And, to collect coins, a return passage lever and a coin box passage lever are operated depending on the states of respective portions so to guide the coins temporarily held in the escrow passage to a coin tube, a return passage or a coin box passage.

Abstract: The magnetic powder for validity determining ink is composed of magnetic oxide powder having a Curie temperature between −50° C. and 150° C. and a mean powder particle diameter of 10 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack. The device includes an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated and a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after they have been evaluated. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path. The device further includes a discriminating unit that evaluates the bills. The discriminating unit comprises two detectors positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle. The detectors are disposed on opposite sides of the transport path so that they are disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the bills. The discriminating unit counts and determines the denomination of the bills. The evaluation device also includes means for flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit.

Abstract: A method and system to prevent auto theft from parking areas, such as airport parking lots, includes a ticket dispenser, at an entry gate, which issues a numbered ticket to each driver. The driver is advised to carry the ticket with him and not to leave it in the car. At the same time the ticket is issued, the a part of its license plate number, is automatically determined and entered into computer memory, in association with the ticket number. At the exit, the ticket is presented by the driver, read by a ticket reader, and its associated license plate data is retrieved from computer memory. Also at the exit, part of the license plate of the car is again automatically obtained and compared with the license plate data retrieved from the computer memory. In the event of a mismatch, a warning signal is generated.

Abstract: A coin transmission control mechanism for a pay phone, including a plurality of projecting rods and slots below the projecting rods, a control plate connected to the projecting rods and having an actuating strip extended out of the telephone body of the pay phone through a hole for guiding a coin during a call, a fixed element, a movable element positioned by a top spring on the fixed element and controlled by an induction coil, a return plate stopped at a sloping wall on the control plate, a control device having a stop bar disposed within the control plate to stop a coin from passing to the coin-box, the movable element being pulled downwards, when the induction coil is turned on, to move the stop bar away for letting a coin pass to the coin-box of the pay phone, the stop bar being forced back to its former position by the control plate through the return plate to stop a coin from passing to the coin-box.

Abstract: Systems and methods for illuminating an object surface with light at varying angles of incidence and for optically evaluating the object surface for features and defects, etc. are disclosed. In a specific implementation the systems and methods, the target object comprises a coin and the illumination and evaluation techniques are used to accurately objectively evaluate the numismatic quality of the coin and/or identify the coin. Central to the illumination and evaluation techniques is the ability to apply a uniform confined beam of light to the surface of the target object to be imaged. The confined angles of incidence of the beam of light includes a perpendicular component angle of incidence range and a parallel component angle of incidence range relative to the object surface. The component ranges are defined such a light beam illuminates the object surface from a well-defined direction.

Abstract: A device for electronically identifying coins, or the like, is described in which coins fed along a feed path are illuminated by light passed from a light source essentially perpendicularly to the feed path. A photosensitive sensor receives the light which passes the coin and converts it to an electric signal representative of the coin diameter. The device utilizes a column-like light source and a lens assembly intermediate the coin and the sensor whereby the size requirements of the sensor are reduced.

Abstract: A coin to be judged is passed near an oscillation coil excited by an exciting signal containing a plurality of harmonic components, that is nonsinusoidal alternating current, and the coin is sorted in accordance with a signal produced by a receiving coil electromagnetically coupled with the oscillation coil and containing at least two harmonic components. The signal induced in the receiving coil may be a composite signal of at least two harmonic components. This signal may consist of a first signal of a composite of at least two harmonic components and a second signal of a composite of at least two other harmonic components.

Abstract: A method and system for accurately and objectively evaluating the numismatic quality of a test coin and/or for fingerprinting the test coin for purposes of identification is disclosed. Central to both the grading and fingerprinting aspects of the invention is the exact, numerical evaluation of any detracting marks on each side of the coin. In particular, each detracting mark on the coin is identified, located and measured. An assigned quantity representative of the detracting significance of each mark is then calculated by adjusting the measured surface area of the mark by a factor representative of the relative grading importance of the area on the coin where the mark is located. The assigned quantities and corresponding mark location identifiers are stored as a unique test coin fingerprint. The grading aspect further requires that the assigned quantities for each side be separately summed and correlated into a grade via comparison with a preexisting database of values representative of numismatic grades.