Abstract: An electronic coin analyzer having a low profile that is especially useful for applications previously limited to mechanical devices includes a test coin path aligned with a coin-receiving opening in a faceplate and a rejected coin path laterally offset from the test coin path and aligned with a coin reject slot in the faceplate. An opening is defined between the test coin path and the rejected coin path that is larger than an acceptable coin/token. A coin deflecting surface is selectively positioned in the test coin path at the opening by an electromagnetic actuator in order to laterally deflect coins rolling along the test coin path toward the rejected coin path. Coins not deflected continue rolling past the opening, as a result of inertia, to an accepted coin path. An electronic control is provided having a test coin sensor and a circuit which causes the actuator to withdraw the deflecting surface from the test coin path in response to an acceptable coin.

Abstract: A coin analyzer system includes a coin detecting sensor having a body defined by a magnetic core with spaced apart sides to define there-between an air gap that is large enough to position any size coin which may be deposited. A coil that is magnetically coupled to the core generates a uniform magnetic flux through the air gap from one side to the other so that the positioning of the coin in the air gap is not critical. A return path is provided in the core for returning the magnetic flux to the one side from the other side and thereby completing the magnetic circuit. The arms surrounding the coin sensing region define facing surfaces which converge outwardly from the bite portion in order to produce a uniform magnetic circuit reluctance for all portions of the facing surfaces. The core may be divided into two core portions separated by a secondary air gap in the return path with a pair of coils provided, one magnetically coupled with each of the core portions.

Abstract: A coin analyzer system includes a coin detecting sensor having a body defined by a magnetic core with spaced apart sides to define there-between an air gap that is large enough to position any size coin which may be deposited. A coil that is magnetically coupled to the core generates a uniform magnetic flux through the air gap from one side to the other so that the positioning of the coin in the air gap is not critical. A return path is provided in the core for returning the magnetic flux to the one side from the other side and thereby completing the magnetic circuit. The arms surrounding the coin sensing region define facing surfaces which converge outwardly from the bite portion in order to produce a uniform magnetic circuit reluctance for all portions of the facing surfaces. The core may be divided into two core portions separated by a secondary air gap in the return path with a pair of coils provided, one magnetically coupled with each of the core portions.

Abstract: An electronically controlled coin tester which generates an audio frequency response in a coin to be tested, then electronically analyzes the response to determine if it matches the characteristic response of an acceptable coin. The audio frequency response is generated by a striker which mechanically impacts the coin as it traverses the coin chute. The striker may be deflectable so that it is deflected from the path of coin travel after it performs its function. Gating is provided to enable the detector circuitry only in the presence of a coin, thereby reducing the susceptibility to tampering. Signal processing circuitry, which can store a plurality of responses relating to a plurality of acceptable coins, makes a comparison with a sampled characteristic to determine if the tested coin is acceptable or should be rejected.

Abstract: A coin analyzer system and apparatus that provides a detection circuit for comparing a tested coin with at least two different sample coins. Two different sample coins are located in a magnetic field, and the tested coins pass through another region of the magnetic field. In the event the tested coin does not match either sample coin, a rejecting gate forces the tested coin out of the coin chute in a laterally normal direction and into a rejected coin chute. In the event that the tested coin matches either sample coin, the rejecting gate is opened and the tested coin drops through a substantially vertical accepted coin chute. Credit is not extended the tested coin until the coin passes a confirmation sensor, and the determining circuit may be adjusted to vary the credit value extended to at least one of the sample coins. A lockout circuit rejects and prevents a subsequent coin from being analyzed during the time that the circuit is crediting a prior tested coin with multiple credits.

Abstract: A coin operated device and method of using such a device which requires a threshold number of coins to activate its operation. Once operation is stopped, however, there is provided a time window, during which the deposit of fewer than the threshold number of coins may restart the device.

Abstract: A coin analyzer system and apparatus that provides a detection circuit for comparing a tested coin with at least two different sample coins. Two different sample coins are located in a magnetic field, and the tested coins pass through another region of the magnetic field. In the event the tested coin does not match either sample coin, a rejecting gate forces the tested coin out of the coin chute in a laterally normal direction and into a rejected coin chute. In the event that the tested coin matches either sample coin, the rejecting gate is opened and the tested coin drops through a substantially vertical accepted coin chute. Credit is not extended the tested coin until the coin passes a confirmation sensor, and the determining circuit may be adjusted to vary the credit value extended to at least one of the sample coins. A lockout circuit rejects and prevents a subsequent coin from being analyzed during the time that the circuit is crediting a prior tested coin with multiple credits.

Abstract: An electronically controlled coin tester which positions a sample coin in a magnetic field then passes a test coin through a similar magnetic field to create a null in a detector coil sensing the fields. The output of a square wave oscillator is differentiated to generate a spiked signal for exciting the magnetic field. The presence of the test coin is detected by sensing the quality of the null and test coin is accepted in response to the duration of the null. Preferably, a capacitor is charged in the absence of the test coin and discharged in the presence of the test coin and the test coin is accepted in response to the amount of energy stored in the capacitor at the time the null is produced. In addition, a pendulum damper is provided for engaging the test coin prior to its entry into the magnetic field and variably retarding the test coin in response to the coin size.

Abstract: An electronically controlled coin tester which distinguishes between valid and invalid coins by subjecting both the token to be tested (test coin) and a fixed reference coin (sample coin) to similar magnetic fields and evaluating the quality of any null signals created by their combined output. A selectively shiftable coin holder is provided which serves to allow replacement of the sample coin as well as to provide a guiding ramp for the test coin which can be selectively set at various inclines dependant upon the size of the coins desired to be tested. The present device may optionally include a pendulum damper which will slow the movement of the test coin as its travels along the guiding ramp, and/or an antistringing device which prevents the removal of a coin from the coin box after acceptance.