Abstract: A discriminator for coins and tokens monitors the extent to which an alternating electromagnetic field is coupled through a deposited coin and a reference coin, as the deposited coin passes along a feed path. A first electromagnetic field is incident on a reference coin along an axis normal to the reference coin and displaced from a midpoint of the reference coin. As the deposited coin moves through a second electromagnetic field traversing the feed path, the deposited coin passes two positions at which the second electromagnetic field is aligned to the deposited coin to a same degree as the first electromagnetic field is aligned to the reference coin. The electromagnetic fields preferably are provided by two series connected coils in a stack, and the fields passing through the coins are added at opposite polarity by a receiver coil placed between the series connected coils (and also between the sample coin and the deposited coin).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sales system for the sale and delivery of products. In connection therewith, a sample shop is located at a first location. A product distribution station is located at a second location, at a distance from the first location, and which is linked to the sample shop via a line for the purpose of data exchange. Single specimens of products are offered in the sample shop in the form of visual copies with information which can be queried. In the sample shop, each client receives a query device together with a data entry device. The client queries the information which corresponds to the visual copy by means of the query device and enters the number of items desired by him of the products which correspond to the visual copy using the data entry device.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a non-metallic body portion and equipped with an inductive charging coil for charging the vehicle's battery while the electric vehicle is moving includes a magnetic flux barrier attached to the non-metallic body portion and encompassing a passenger compartment of the electric vehicle for resisting penetration of magnetic flux into the passenger compartment. The inductive charging coil may be formed of wire wound around the body of the electric vehicle or, alternatively, may be formed of stripes etched on the body surface or of flexible adhesive conductors.

Abstract: A device for verifying the conformity of objects, in the nature of coins inserted as payment in a dispenser of products or services through an opening, and for directing the objects toward means for processing the same. The device is of the type comprising a positioning member with a receptacle adapted to receive the object, wherein the member is movable between a first position in which the receptacle communicates with the opening, access to the processing means then being blocked, and a second position in which the receptacle communicates with the processing means, the opening then being blocked.

Abstract: A coin queuing and sorting arrangement comprises a coin queuing device and a coin sorting device. The queuing device receives coins of the same or mixed denominations and delivers the coins to an outlet of the queuing device in single file, in a single layer, and with a radially inner edge of each coin positioned at a common reference location. The queuing device includes a rotatable disc having a resilient top surface, and a stationary queuing head having a lower surface positioned parallel to the top surface of the disc and spaced slightly therefrom. The lower surface of the queuing head forms a queuing region for aligning the radially outer edges of coins of all denominations at a common radius, and an exit channel for receiving the queued coins. The exit channel includes a radially inner wall spiralling outwardly relative to the center of rotation of the disc to engage the radially inner edges of the queued coins.

Abstract: Deposit locks for transport carts are in use in which the coupling member of one cart is lockable in the deposit lock of the next cart, and the deposit lock has a locking mechanism which upon insertion of a deposit token into the locking mechanism locks the token while releasing the cart and releases the token upon recoupling of the cart. To prevent misuse of these deposit locks, the deposit token is provided with an additional positioning member which forms an operative connection between the deposit token and the locking mechanism necessary for the functioning of the lock.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical power in response to deposited coins comprising a mounting post secured to the ground, an input head secured at the upper extent of the mounting post, the input head including a plurality of slots for the receipt of coins to be used for the electrical usage to be provided, a plurality of readouts on the input head, an output module located on the post beneath the input head, the output module including a pair of receptacles, the first electrical receptacle adapted for the receipt of a 110 volt plug with a grounding component and the second electrical receptacle adapted for the receipt of a 220 volt plug with a grounding component as well as horizontal and vertical legs and a microprocessor responsive to the inserted coins for illuminating the readouts for indicating information as a function of the coins deposited such as time, money and voltage as well as an output device for supplying voltage for the selected time and voltage.

Abstract: A bill processing unit in accordance with the present invention in which a drive section has a single motor, a driving force of the single motor causes a bill inserted through a bill insert slot to be transported within an interior of a body of the bill processing unit. The driving force of the single motor also causes a pushing device to be driven so that the transported bill is pushed down within a bill container to stack it in the bill container.

Abstract: A coin lock for carts in which the body of the lock is provided with two levers which turn upon introduction of a coin and displace lock plates which release a closure locking plate by which the lock is held to an adjacent element. The levers are held in a closure locking plate release position by means of bars which swing in a vertical plane around individual pins and then engage and hold the levers apart and hold the levers and the lock plates in their releasing positions. Upon its introduction the closure locking plate acts against the elastic action of individual springs and presses against and turns the bars downward. This releases the levers and turns them, under the elastic action of individual springs, into the releasing position. This in turn frees the coin for removal.

Abstract: A paper money processor using a single motor in which, when the motor is forwardly driven, a power transmission section transmits a rotational force of the motor only to a paper money transporter section to convey an inserted paper money into the interior of a processor body and when the motor is reversely driven, the power transmission section transmits the rotational force of the motor to both of the paper money transporter section and a pushing section to drive the both so as to return the paper money back to a paper money insert slot, and when a repayment demand occurs, a control section permits the reverse rotation of the motor only if the paper money is located at a returnable position.

Abstract: A delivery system, which is capable of quickly and correctly delivering an item to a destination. In the delivery system of the present invention, a moving section is capable of holding an item to be delivered. A driving mechanism is capable of moving the moving section in a plane. A frame section encloses the plane in which the moving section is moved. A plurality of input sections are capable of independently inputting data, and are provided to the frame section. A control section is capable of controlling the driving mechanism on the basis of the data inputted by the input sections so as to move the moving section in the plane.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine includes a housing having a hinged cover which is releasably locked in a closed position. Coins are inserted in a slot formed in a front wall of the housing and move through a coin checking channel where they are checked by an electronic coin checker. If the correct amount has been deposited, a motor is switched on to move an arm which pushes out a newspaper on the top of a stack in the housing. When a detector senses that the newspaper has been delivered, the coins are deposited in a collection container. When automatic machine is to be restocked and the coins collected, a servicing person inserts a card with a data carrier into the housing and data is read from the card and stored by a computer and a memory. Data concerning the amount collected and the operation of the machine are subsequently transferred to the data carrier of the card and the cover is then unlocked so that the machine can be serviced.

Abstract: An inductive coin detector to recognize the presence of coins (2) in a coin channel (1) uses a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. The detector is equipped with a flat coil (3) located outside the coin channel (1). A high-frequency alternating magnetic field produced by the rail (3) penetrates the coin channel (1) at a right angle to the coin movement direction (13). The coil (3) consists at least of a flat helicoidal conductor arrangement and is part of the LC oscillator. The oscillator circuit, together with a measuring circuit, constitutes a detector circuit (4) for the recognition of a change in oscillator frequency caused by the presence of the coin (2). The coil (3) and the detector circuit (4) are located on a common support in immediate proximity of each other and can be enclosed in a flat housing. The coin detector can be connected by means of a three-strand line comprising a feeder (7) and a signalling line (9).

Abstract: Disclosed is a deicing device for deicing cables. The deicing device includes one pair of conductive wires connected to and helically wound along the cable. The conductive wires are connected at one end to a pulsing device which generates an electromagnetic pulse within the wires, and are connected together at the other end. Upon a passage of the electromagnetic pulse in the wires, a repulsive force is created between the wires, which shakes the wires and shatters the ice that may be attached to the cable.

Abstract: A vending machine for bottled water is provided, which consists of a base to sit upon a floor in a building, so as to support a bottle of water thereon. A coin operated dispensing module is mounted to the base, so that when a coin is inserted into the dispensing module a specific amount of water from the bottle can be deposited into a cup placed into the dispensing module.

Abstract: In a vending machine for which both money and a prepaid card can be used, a writing-instruction switch is provided for controlling of amount information into the card. When the writing-instruction switch has been actuated, the amount of inserted money and the credited value of the card are added up and the sum is written into the card for renewing its credited value. In this manner, it becomes possible to additionally renew the amount recorded in the prepaid card. Further, an amount selector may be provided for selecting an amount to be added to a prepaid card. On condition that money of an amount not smaller than the amount selected by the amount selector has been inserted, the selected amount and the recorded amount of the card are added up for renewing the recorded amount of the card. Thus, it becomes possible to write a desired amount into an already issued prepaid card.

Abstract: The consignment device comprises a box (1) with two slots (2, 3) capable of receiving corresponding keys. The box is shaped to receive a key fitted with a receiver for a consignment coin so that the insertion of a second key unlocks a first coin-bearing key locked into a first slot, leaving the second key locked into position in a second slot. This device comprises at least one key catch (14, 15) translatable substantially perpendicular to direction of insertion of the key (27a, 27b), and at least one elements (5, 11) for locking the catch (14, 15) translatable substantially parallel to the direction of insertion of the key (27a, 27b).

Abstract: An article control system has an article stand on which articles on which articles are placed. An article monitor apparatus monitors the entry and exit of articles to and from the article stand. The monitor apparatus includes a planar matrix sensor for detecting the article and a signal processing system for both driving the matrix sensor and detecting the articles placed on the matrix sensor. The matrix sensor is disposed on the upper surface of the article stand. The article stand preferably includes an article placing stand on which the articles are placed and an article confirmation stand on which articles taken from the article placing stand are temporarily placed for confirmation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a movable switch for a coin machine comprising an electrically driven actuator for moving the switch element between at least two positions, in which the coins are selectively guided into one of at least two channels, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric element deformable by a D.C. voltage which element is electrically connected to a D.C. source and is mechanically coupled to the switch element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing and counting coins is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus is battery powered and includes a magnet which moves between two positions upon a coin moving along a coin path. Movement of the magnet activates a reed switch that wakes up a microprocessor controlled circuit from a low power quiescent state. The circuit is then operable to count the coin and to then take appropriate action. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a second magnet located near the coin path and opposite a second reed switch. This magnet keeps the contacts of the reed switch closed until a ferromagnetic object passes therebetween and shunts the magnetic field away from the reed switch. A photointerrupter is used to detect U.S. coin currency and other non-ferromagnetic objects not detected via the second reed switch. Thus, the apparatus can distinguish ferromagnetic objects from U.S.