Abstract: Counterfeit coin sensing apparatus including a transport system for continuously directing a plurality of successive coins along a feed path. A first coin sensor is disposed along the feed path for producing a denomination output signal corresponding to the diameter of each coin, and a second coin sensor is arranged along the path to produce a phase and amplitude displacement output signal corresponding to the metal content of the coin. The output signals from the two sensors are received by an acquisition system which converts the signals into corresponding standardized signals and then directs the standardized signals to an analysis system which compares the denomination and phase and amplitude displacement signals with stored signals representative of valid coins.

Abstract: A transverse load sensitive optical treadle switch. The switch includes a deformable longitudinal housing and a fiber optic assembly positioned within the housing. The fiber optic assembly includes an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the optical fiber being subject to bending upon application of a transverse load to said housing. Means for mounting the optical fiber in the housing so as to permit bending of the fiber in response to application of a transverse load to said housing are provided, the degree of bending being sufficient to cause a significant decrease in passage of light through said fiber when said fiber is bent. Means permitting introduction of light into said optical fiber at the first end of the optical fiber and means for permitting the exit of light from the second end are also provided.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle detection system within a toll collecting system has a scanning laser unit positioned on one side of a roadway, a vertical photoelectric detector on the opposite side of the roadway and a treadle extending across the roadway. The laser beam scans the height of the detector at regular intervals, and the detector produces a first signal indicative of a vertical dimension of an object (car or truck) intercepting the laser beam. The treadle detects each set of wheels and produces a second signal indicative of a horizontal length of the object. A control circuit uses the first and second signals to generate a count of the number of objects and to categorize each object as one of a plurality of known vehicles.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a coin provides first, second, and third digital signals respectively indicative of the coin's metallic content, diameter, and thickness. A microprocessor-based control circuit identifies the coin as being one of a number of known coins in response to the digital signals. If the coin does not match any of the known coins, it is identified as a false coin, for example, a slug or foreign money.

Abstract: A counterfeit coin detector circuit comprising an constant frequency and voltage maxima and minima square wave oscillator input to a tank circuit including an inductive probe and an adjustable capacitance. The tank circuit is driven at a fixed and stable frequency and has a variable peak to peak AC output voltage amplitude which is a function of the characteristics of the coin under test. The AC output of the tank circuit is converted to a DC voltage correlated to the peak to peak AC ouput from the tank circuit. A group of window detector circuits are employed to determine whether the DC voltage output falls within certain preset ranges corresponding to the presence of particular coins. The presence or absence of a window detect can be used to accept or reject the coin or to otherwise take appropriate action with respect to the coin under test.

Abstract: A treadle switch assembly is formed of elongated treadle switch members disposed parallel to one another in a pan or tray embedded or otherwise disposed on a roadway surface. These individual treadle switch members are held in place in dovetail fashion by elongated retaining bars which can be bolted in place and by cooperating undercut members formed or longitudinally affixed on the tray. Favorably, the treadle switch members are of trapezoidal cross section, and the retaining bars are of a complementary trapezoidal cross section. This arrangement facilitates removal of a single treadle switch member when the same becomes worn or defective, merely by removing a single one of the retaining bars, thereby obviating the need to replace the entire assembly.