Abstract: There is provided a coin handling apparatus which can be employed in public telephones and other coin fed apparatus. In a preferred embodiment the coin handling apparatus comprises a pocketed disc (100) arranged, in use, to cooperate with an entry portal (506) for receiveing coins and an exit portal (507) for dispensing coins, and drive means arranged, in use, to cause rotation of the pocketed disc (100), said drive means comprising a driving gear (200) and a driven gear (120) wherein the pocketed disc (100) comprises said driven gear (120), and the driving gear (200) is arranged such that it rotates the disc (100) in predetermined increments and rotation of the pocketed disc (100) can be paused between each incremental rotation.

Abstract: An acceptor for money items such as coins or banknotes produces a money item parameter signal x1 as a function of a sensed characteristic of a money item. A store (12) provides data which defines a window corresponding to a normal acceptance range of values of the parameter signal for a money item of a particular denomination (NAW), the range including relatively high and low acceptance probability regions (RAW, USM) which correspond to a relatively high or low probability or an occurrence of a sensed money item of a particular denomination. The processor (11) determines when an occurrence of the parameter signal x1 falls within the low probability region (USM) and then for the next sensed money item compares the value of the parameter signal (x1) with window data corresponding to a restricted acceptance range (RAW) so as only to accept the second money item if the corresponding value of the parameter signal x1 falls within the restricted acceptance range.

Abstract: A sensor for a coin acceptor includes an inductor connected in a series resonant circuit. The sensor coils are arranged in a series resonant configuration with the resonant capacitance made up of two identical capacitors, one on either side of the sensor. The series resonant configuration reduces the effects on sensor readings of common mode noise on the coin acceptor power supply.

Abstract: A shoebox coin changer has a coin inlet (8) to receive coins a coin acceptor (3) to discriminate between coins from the inlet and a coin sorter (4) to sort coins from the coin acceptor according to denomination. A plurality of coin hoppers (5) receive coins of respective different denominations from the coin sorter, to be paid out selectively by devices (6). The coins are stacked with a random disposition within the hoppers.

Abstract: The coin validator is calibrated by inserting a calibration key different from coins to be validated in a static position in the validator such that eddy currents are induced in the key by operation of its sensor coils so as to produce a calibration value of signals form the sensor coils as a function of the individual characteristics of the validator. The calibrating value of the sensor signals may be compared with ensemble data concerning corresponding calibration values derived from an ensemble of coin validators of the same design.

Abstract: A shoebox coin changer has a coin inlet (8) to receive coins a coin acceptor (3) to discriminate between coins from the inlet and a coin sorter (4) to sort coins from the coin acceptor according to denomination. A plurality of coin hoppers (5) receive coins of respective different denominations from the coin sorter, to be paid out selectively by devices (6). The coins are stacked with a random disposition within the hoppers.

Abstract: Coin dispensing apparatus is provided including a reservoir for coins and a rotor located to receive coins from the reservoir, the rotor having a lower storage portion shaped to receive a stack of coins, and an upper feed portion shaped to receive coins from the reservoir and direct them to the lower storage portion. Because the rotor receives and feeds the coins, to provide a stack of coins within the lower storage portion, ready for dispensing, the associated reservoir can be of a size to receive any type of coin. If it is necessary to adapt the apparatus to accept a different type of coin, it is only necessary to replace the rotor.

Abstract: A coin dispensing mechanism including a rotatable plate, coin handling device being arranged on one side of the plate, and plate drive device being arranged on the other side of the plate, such that the plate provides a physical barrier separating the drive function from the coin handling function.

Abstract: Coin dispensing apparatus is provided comprising a bed (13), a coin holder (14) movable relative to the bed (13) and spaced from the bed by a gap, the coin holder having at least one coin reservoir (15) capable of holding a stack of at least two coins with the lowermost coin in contact with the bed, means (18) to eject the lowermost coin from the apparatus through the gap between the bed and the coin holder, and support means (21) to prevent or restrict tilting of the coin above the lowermost coin as the lowermost coin is ejected. The provision of a support means has the advantage that dispensing apparatus can be arranged such that the lowermost coin lies within the said gap to a much greater extent than with prior art devices. This provides greater control over the coin and therefore makes it less critical for the size of the gap to be very closely matched to the thickness of the coin to be handled.

Abstract: The front face (20) of a disc (21) has a plurality of coin capturing pegs (22) spaced apart around its periphery. When the disc is rotated in a hopper, the pegs (22) capture coins and raise them to a dispensing point. The disc (21) cooperates with a wiping arm (25) having a pair of protrusions (26 and 27) arranged to locate the grooves (23 and 24) to provide a barrier which prevents coins from getting between the disc (21) and the arm (25).

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying coins uses inductive coupling of the coin with a pair of inductors. The apparatus includes a path for coins to be tested, first and second inductors for forming concurrent inductive couplings with the coin being tested, switches for energizing the inductors in specific manners so that a sequence of coin tests results, and a sensor for sensing the resultant inductive coupling for each of the tests in the sequence.

Abstract: Coin discrimination apparatus includes a coin rundown path along which coins roll so as to impact a snubber provided with a piezo electric device. The coin impact produces an oscillatory voltage output from the device, which is sampled over a predetermined period for its peak maximum and minimum values. The values are combined in a predetermined relationship to produce a coin parameter signal indicative of coin mass and the material from which it is made. Coin acceptability is determined on the basis of the value of the coin parameter signal.

Abstract: In coin discrimination apparatus, a coin under test rolls past first and second inductive sensors (C1, C2) which produce first and second coin signals (x.sub.1, x.sub.2) in dependence upon the coin under test. The coin signals are compared with data defining first and second stored windows (W.sub.1, W.sub.2) to determine acceptability of the coin. In accordance with the invention the data for the first and second windows (W.sub.1, W.sub.2) are stored respectively for providing both a first and a second window width (W.sub.11, W.sub.12 ; W.sub.21, W.sub.

Abstract: A coin validator includes improved compensation circuitry for compensating for ambient conditions such as temperature or the presence of metallic objects, includes a path (1) for passage for coins under test, sensor coils (2, 3, 4) which form an inductive coupling with coins under test during their passage along the path, detectors (DM1, ADC) responsive to the impedance presented by the coil in the absence of a coin, for producing an ambient condition signal which is a function of an ambient condition such as temperature of the presence of metallic objects a controller (MPU 17) responsive to the inductive coupling between a coin travelling along the path past the coil, for providing signal which is a function of a characteristic of the coin, and a microprocessor (MPU) for modifying operation of the controller in dependence upon the ambient condition signal.

Abstract: Coin dispensing apparatus comprises a rotary disc 25 mounted on a baseplate 22 so as to rotate through coins in a hopper 1. Individual coins pass through holes 25 into coin receptacles between projections 8. The disc is rotated by a motor 4 through a reduction gear 6 and a drive gear 5. Coins 27, 28 in the receptacles are swept into engagement with a spring loaded finger 10 against the spring bias until they become aligned with an outlet 14. The spring bias then urges the coins outwardly through the outlet. The apparatus has particular application to amusement machines with payout.

Abstract: A multicoin tester has a coin inlet path 1 along which coins under test run edgewise past coils 2, 3 on opposite sides of the path, and through the windings of a coil 4. Electronic circuitry responsive to the inductive coupling of the coin with the coils operates a gate 5 to either reject the coin onto path 1b or to accept the coin into path 1a. As shown in FIG. 2 each of the coils 2, 3 and 4 is arranged in a parallel L-C resonant circuit 10, 11, 12 connected in the feedback path of an amplifier A1, the resonant circuit being energised sequentially by multiplexer M1. Each of the circuits 10, 11 and 12 has its own natural resonant frequency. The resonant circuits 10, 11, 12 are driven by a voltage controlled oscillator VCO. A phase locked loop including a phase comparator PS1 drives the oscillator VCO at a frequency corresponding to the natural resonant frequency of whichever of the circuits 10, 11 and 12 is connected thereto.