Abstract: A control system for a brushless DC motor responsive to digital control signals is disclosed. The motor includes a multiphase wound stator and a permanent magnet rotor. The rotor is arranged so that each phase winding, when energized from a DC source, will drive the rotor through a predetermined angular position or step. A commutation signal generator responsive to the shaft position provides a commutation signal for each winding. A programmable control signal generator such as a computer or microprocessor produces individual digital control signals for each phase winding. The control signals and commutation signals associated with each winding are applied to an AND gate for that phase winding. Each gate controls a switch connected in series with the associated phase winding and the DC source so that each phase winding is energized only when the commutation signal and the control signal associated with that phase winding are present.

Abstract: Two reciprocating slides are biased toward payout positions and are adapted to discharge coins from separate storage tubes when the slides are moved to the payout positions. The slides normally are latched in home positions and are released in such a manner that either or both of the slides may move to the payout position during a payout cycle. As a result, a coin may be discharged from either one of the tubes or coins may be simultaneously discharged from both tubes during any given payout cycle.