Abstract: A coin identification apparatus includes a pair of series connected coils driven by an oscillator. Frequency and/or amplitude characteristics of the oscillator output generated by the passage of a distinct token between the pair of coils are compared with prestored characteristics of acceptable tokens. A processor, upon detecting a match between the detected and pre-stored frequency and amplitude characteristics, activates a motor to rotate a coin receptacle to a coin return position discharging the token to the user, simultaneously causes a door latch pin to separate from a door latch allowing opening of the door to permit access to the interior of the enclosure in which the coin identification apparatus is mounted and selects a new total vend value from memory associated with a detected token.

Abstract: A coin identification apparatus includes a pair of spaced series connected elongated, planar coils driven by an oscillator. Maximum frequency and amplitude values of the oscillator output generated by the passage of a coin between the pair of coils are compared with prestored frequency and amplitude values of acceptable coins. A processor, upon detecting a match between the detected and pre-stored frequency and amplitude values, activates a motor to rotate a coin receptacle to a position discharging coins into a storage receptacle and simultaneously causing a door latch pin to separate from a door latch allowing opening of the door to permit vending of an article from the enclosure in which the coin identification apparatus is mounted.

Abstract: A coin identification apparatus includes a pair of spaced series connected elongated, planar coils driven by an oscillator. Maximum frequency and amplitude values of the oscillator output generated by the passage of a coin between the pair of coils are compared with prestored frequency and amplitude values of acceptable coins. A processor, upon detecting a match between the detected and pre-stored frequency and amplitude values, activates a motor to rotate a coin receptacle to a position discharging coins into a storage receptacle and simultaneously causing a door latch pin to separate from a door latch allowing opening of the door to permit vending of an article from the enclosure in which the coin identification apparatus is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a broadcast network. The broadcast network comprises N transmit stations, with each transmit station being capable of transmitting a signal and N being an integer .gtoreq.1. There are also M receive stations, where M is an integer .gtoreq.2; I switching stages where I is an integer .gtoreq.0 and a broadcast hub. The broadcast hub and I switching stages are connected such that they are capable of linking the N transmit stations to the M receive stations so that any one of the N transmit stations can transmit a signal to L of the receive stations, where L is an integer and 2.ltoreq.L.ltoreq.M, but each receive stations can receive a signal from only one of the N transmit stations at any given time. The broadcast hub and switching stages link more than one of the N transmit stations to desired receive stations at any given time.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a conferencing network. The conferencing network is comprised of a ring array comprised of K conferencing modules, where K is greater than or equal to 3 and is an integer. The K conferencing modules are capable of being in desired states. The conferencing network also includes means for controlling the ring array such that the conferencing modules are placed in the desired states. Switching stages comprised of switches can also be implemented into the conferencing network.