Abstract: Secure data transfer apparatus comprising a first device to be mounted in a housing in a predetermined normal configuration for normal operation wherein secure data transfer takes place between the first device and a second device in the housing, the first device including a detector configured to detect when the first device is placed in a predetermined initialization configuration different from the normal configuration and to enable an initialization data transfer between the devices for permitting normal operation to occur thereafter in said normal configuration.

Abstract: Secure data transfer apparatus comprising a first device to be mounted in a housing in a predetermined normal configuration for normal operation wherein secure data transfer takes place between the first device and a second device in the housing, the first device including a detector configured to detect when the first device is placed in a predetermined initialization configuration different from the normal configuration and to enable an initialization data transfer between the devices for permitting normal operation to occur thereafter in said normal configuration.

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.