Abstract: Indicator instruments (1) have a good readability of a measured value, so that a simple visual checking of the measured value by the user is possible. An electronic angle sensor (17), is integrated into an exiting indicator instruments (1) with a front side (2) viewed indicator (7). The electronic angle sensor (17) includes a sensor unit (39) for the contactless detection of an angular position of the indicator (7). This allows an integration of an existing indicator instrument (1) into a control or regulation circuit for reference to the measured variable and/or the reaching of a preset switching point (30) in the form of a data signal. Good readability of the indicator instrument (1) is not lost and the measuring system is not modified. The angle sensor (17) is mountable on the front side (2) and the sensor unit (39) uses the indicator (7) as a transducer (8).

Abstract: A coin sensor and method of identifying coins by size and also discriminating invalid coins includes a portion of a coin track (63) over which coins (14) pass in a single file, an illumination source (92) for illuminating at least portions of the coins (14) as the coins move along the coin track (63), an optical detector (95) spaced from the coin track (63) for detecting a size of at least a portion of each coin passing the coin sensor along the coin track, and a telecentric lens (94) positioned between the optical detector (95) and the coin track (63), such that the portion of each coin passing the optical detector (95) is seen to have an apparent size and configuration independent of a variation in distance of the coin from the telecentric lens (94) as each coin moves along the coin track (63). The optical sensor and detector (90) can be angled to assist in preventing stray light from the bottom of the coins from being transmitted to the detector (95).

Abstract: A coin sensor and method of identifying coins by size and also discriminating invalid coins includes a portion of a coin track (63) over which coins (14) pass in a single file, an illumination source (92) for illuminating at least portions of the coins (14) as the coins move along the coin track (63), an optical detector (95) spaced from the coin track (63) for detecting a size of at least a portion of each coin passing the coin sensor along the coin track, and a telecentric lens (94) positioned between the optical detector (95) and the coin track (63), such that the portion of each coin passing the optical detector (95) is seen to have an apparent size and configuration independent of a variation in distance of the coin from the telecentric lens (94) as each coin moves along the coin track (63). The optical sensor and detector (90) can be angled to assist in preventing stray light from the bottom of the coins from being transmitted to the detector (95).

Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus and method uses a light source (50) disposed on one side of the coin path (23); a coin moving member (21) of light transmissive material; a coin path insert (41) having at least a portion the is light transmissive; an optical detector (55) disposed on an opposite side of the coin path (23) from the light source (50) for detecting coin size as a coin (14) passes the coin path insert (41); a coin core alloy composition sensor (42); a coin surface alloy composition sensor (43); an edge sensor (46) disposed along a reference edge (45) along the coin path; and a plurality of processors (90, 94, 95, 107, 96) for receiving data developed from signals from the optical detector (55), the coin core alloy sensor (42), the coin surface (43) alloy detector, and the coin edge sensor (46), the data being for comparison with stored values for a plurality of denominations to determine the denomination of the coin (14).

Abstract: A known oscillator with a 2-terminal coil without a tapping has only a limited dynamic controllability and apart from this is unsuitable for implementation in CMOS technology. The oscillator, first of all is extended by a current mirror. By the addition of the current mirror Q3, Q4 and additional power supply sources, one achieves a greater dynamic controllability and the suitability for implementing it in CMOS technology. By means of the excitation of the oscillating circuit with switched current sources Io, one achieves the proportionality of the oscillation amplitude to Rp and Io. In practice more complicated structures are used for switches and current sources. With this, an additional controllability of the oscillation amplitude independent of the damping of the oscillating circuit is obtained. The method is-used for distance measurement. The additional control of the oscillation amplitude is utilized for the correction of the manufacturing tolerances and of the temperature-dependence.

Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus and method uses a light source (50) disposed on one side of the coin path (23); a coin moving member (21) of light transmissive material; a coin path insert (41) having at least a portion the is light transmissive; an optical detector (55) disposed on an opposite side of the coin path (23) from the light source (50) for detecting coin size as a coin (14) passes the coin path insert (41); a coin core alloy composition sensor (42); a coin surface alloy composition sensor (43); an edge sensor (46) disposed along a reference edge (45) along the coin path; and a plurality of processors (90, 94, 95, 107, 96) for receiving data developed from signals from the optical detector (55), the coin core alloy sensor (42), the coin surface (43) alloy detector, and the coin edge sensor (46), the data being for comparison with stored values for a plurality of denominations to determine the denomination of the coin (14).