Abstract: Currency note and ticket processing apparatus, includes a housing, and a currency note validator for examining and validating or rejecting currency notes. A redeemable ticket reader is provided for reading redeemable tickets, while a printer is included to prepare new redeemable tickets for issuance for later redemption. Further provided is structure defining one or more pathways within the housing and an opening in an external wall of the housing communicable with the pathway(s) whereby the opening is a common opening at which currency notes or redeemable tickets are inserted into the housing and conveyed respectively to and beyond the currency note validator and the redeemable ticket reader, and at which new redeemable tickets prepared by the printer are issued from the housing. Means is provided for driving currency notes or redeemable tickets along the pathway(s) to or from the common opening.

Abstract: A coin validator includes a coin insertion opening (40), a coin return opening (45) and a structure defining a coin path (30) from the coin insertion opening to the coin return opening. The coin path includes a return region (59) that extends upstream from the coin return opening, and means (55) to detect and identify an object in a detection region (54) of the coin path. Gate means (56) in the coin path between the detection region and the return region is responsive to identification of the object to either divert the object from the coin path or constrain it to traverse the path to the coin return opening. In one aspect, part (10) of the structure is actuable to move so as to widen substantially the whole of the coin path including the return region, whereby to facilitate clearance of jams in the coin path.

Abstract: Coin validation can be advantageously improved by transforming measured data values associated with coin characteristics from a first geometric space to a second geometric space, in which the transformed values in the second geometric space are preferably better adapted for discrimination between different coin denominations than the corresponding values in the first geometric space. Preferably, principal component analysis is used to identify principal components that can be used as dimensions of the second geometric space, so that measured data values in the second geometric space are less correlated than in the first geometric space.

Abstract: A coin validator includes a coin insertion opening (40), a coin return opening (45) and a structure defining a coin path (30) from the coin insertion opening to the coin return opening. The coin path includes a return region (59) that extends upstream from the coin return opening, and means (55) to detect and identify an object in a detection region (54) of the coin path. Gate means (56) in the coin path between the detection region and the return region is responsive to identification of the object to either divert the object from the coin path or constrain it to traverse the path to the coin return opening. In one aspect, part (10) of the structure is actuable to move so as to widen substantially the whole of the coin path including the return region, whereby to facilitate clearance of jams in the coin path.

Abstract: A validator for coins including a coin entry (11) though which a coin (12) can pass to enter the validator, coin exit (4, 5) through which the coin can pass as it leaves the validator, and at least one coin rail (1) upon which the coin (12) rolls upon entry into the validator until just prior to exiting the validator, the coin (12) remaining in continuous contact (as defined herein) with the at least one coin rail (1) as it passes through the validator.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining certain characteristics of an article (60, 62), the apparatus including an electromagnet inductor (10, 30) with a first end (20, 54) and a second end (20, 54) with an air gap (24, 58) therebetween, there being at least one arm (12, 32, 34) joining the first end (20) and the second end (20) having electrical windings (14, 52) to generate a magnetic flux in the air gap (24, 58), the arm (12, 32, 34) being a fixed return path for the magnetic flux.

Abstract: A method of categorizing coins/tokens by energizing detect coils with a single pulse detecting the back EMF curve of the decaying pulse information, analyzing the unmodified back EMF curve to extract therefrom a number of variables and processing those variables to provide values proportional to the variables, and comparing the values of the coin/token to at least one of a number of reference values to determine into which of a number of predetermined categories the coin/token falls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sorting coins according to predetermined information and allowing the coins to pass to a required outlet in accordance with the predetermined information, including the steps of:(a) detecting the presence of a leading edge portion of a coin falling into a free fall reference path above the outlets; andeither(b) if the predetermined information indicates the coin-token is to be allowed to be accepted:(i) energising a solenoid to withdraw a separator from the reference path at a location above the outlets to allow the coin to free-fall towards and into the acceptance outlet;(ii) maintaining the solenoid energised, and thus the separator withdrawn from the reference path, for a predetermined period of time;(iii) resetting the predetermined time if the predetermined information indicates a following coin is also to be accepted; and(iv) de-energising the solenoid at the expiry of the predetermined period of time to allow the separator to move into the reference path;or(c) if th

Abstract: The invention relates to a coin/token separator comprising:(a) an inlet through which coins/tokens (C) pass;(b) at least two outlets (29, 30) to receive separated coin/tokens (C); and(c) a separator interposed between (a) and (b) including:(i) an arm (21) pivotable on a floating pivot (28) and movable between a first position in which the coin/token is directed towards one of the outlets (28) and a second position in which the coin/token (C) passes to another of the outlets (30), the arm (21) being normally biased into the first position; and(ii) a solenoid (18) actuated by a signal to move the arm (21) from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A coin validator (10) has a coin path (26) which passes between one set of detect coils (40, 42). The set of coils (40, 42) is connected in a detect circuit, and the coils (40, 42) are adapted to be energized with a single pulse. The decay curve (70) of the voltage in the coils (40, 42) is processed to produce a set of three numbers of clock counts defining each coin, which are stored in a microprocessor. Preprogramming of the validator (10) involves generating sets of numbers for representatives of a coin type to create three ranges of numbers, within which respective range a subsequent coin's set of numbers must fall in order for it to be defined as an example of the coin type. The coin path (26) is arranged at an angle to the vertical, and the base (32) is arranged at an angle to the horizontal such that the angle between one wall (36) and the base (32) is between 90.degree. and 180.degree.