Abstract: Techniques for determining, by external means, the internal pressure of a pneumatic tire. From fundamental relationships, pressure in a tire can be measured as a function of the weight on the wheel divided by area of the tire on the ground. Area and weight sensors can be configured into a low profile package or mat. As a vehicle is driven across the mat, the sensors extract weight and area information from each tire. Then a computational device calculates the tire pressure in each of the four tires of the vehicle and presents this information to the driver visually or aurally. Operation of the device is transparent to the driver, requiring him or her only to drive over or stop on the designated area containing the sensors.

Abstract: A device for selectively reducing the intensity of light in the field of view of an eye or of an optical instrument is described. The device can reduce the light intensity emanating from multiple sources. In one embodiment, an eye gear has a frame, a power source, a light sensor, two light transmissive lenses having an array of shutter elements, user controls and processing circuitry. The user controls are utilized to set user constants to customize the apparatus, and may be used to select a mode of operation. During operation, the light sensor scans the field of view and produces light intensity signals. These light intensity signals are processed with the user constants and preset threshold values. If the light intensity signals exceed any of the threshold values, then one or more elements of the shutter matrices of each lens is darkened.

Abstract: A profile sensor apparatus and method for measuring the contours and/or the thickness of a document or other thin sheet material is disclosed. In one embodiment, a planar beam assembly has a roller wheel attached to a first end and a mounting brace attached to a second end. The planar beam assembly includes at least one strain sensor and a flexible substrate, wherein the substrate may be coated with a visco-elastic polymer layer for damping any resonant vibrations which may occur during operation. A hard reference surface is located opposite the roller wheel. A mechanical preload biases the roller wheel to contact the reference surface with a predetermined amount of force to ensure correct operation. As a document passes between the reference surface and roller wheel, the roller wheel is displaced which in turn causes the planar beam assembly to flex. As the planar beam assembly deforms the strain sensor generates electrical signals which are proportional to the profile and/or the thickness of the document.

Abstract: A device for selectively reducing the intensity of light in the field of view of an eye or of an optical instrument is described. The device can reduce the light intensity emanating from multiple sources. In one embodiment, an eye gear has a frame, a power source, a light sensor, two light transmissive lenses having an array of shutter elements, user controls and processing circuitry. The user controls are utilized to set user constants to customize the apparatus, and may be used to select a mode of operation. During operation, the light sensor scans the field of view and produces light intensity signals. These light intensity signals are processed with the user constants and preset threshold values. If the light intensity signals exceed any of the threshold values, then one or more elements of the shutter matrices of each lens is darkened.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting magnetic data on media is disclosed which utilizes an array or arrays of horizontal magnetoresistive sensors. The present invention detects the pitch or separation of magnetic transition data on the magnetic medium under test, and generates a signal that is independent of the velocity of the medium. In one embodiment, the magnetoresistive sensors employed in an array are spaced apart a distance which corresponds to the separation of magnetic transition data of interest, and the output of each sensor is connected to a voltage adder. The signal from the voltage adder is at a maximum when the separation of the magnetic transition data corresponds to the sensor separation. A comparator is connected to the output of the voltage adder, and compares the voltage adder output to a predetermined threshold voltage before indicating that a medium having a particular magnetic transition data pattern is detected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing vandalism and minimizing damage from liquids injected into apertures of a vending machine is described. An anti-salting module, having a housing with an integral tray for collecting liquids, is connected beneath a bill validator in a vending machine A rubber fillet is connected to the rear of the bill validator and directs injected fluids to the tray. A moisture sensor integral to the tray is connected to detection and control circuitry. When moisture is detected, the detection and control circuitry operates to interrupt power and control signals to the bill validator. Other external sensors, such as a second moisture sensor and a continuity sensor for monitoring the status of other vending machine components, may also be connected to the detection and control circuitry. After moisture has been detected, vending machine power and control signals can be restored only when moisture is no longer present, and a SET switch is depressed by service personnel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a money-operated, low-powered, vending and dispensing apparatus which is solely battery-powered and which can be utilized in the vending or dispensing of products or services. The present invention comprises at least one battery, a control system housed on a control board, money sensing and validating devices, circuitry to perform a battery power test and to indicate a low battery power condition, circuitry and devices to determine the acceptability of various types of money, or its equivalent, which could be accepted by the apparatus, and circuitry and devices to indicate such acceptability. The present invention further comprises a product delivery circuit and device, circuitry to indicate the activation, or lack thereof, of the product delivery device, and circuitry and a device to indicate when the apparatus is being serviced.

Abstract: An improved motor cntrol for banknote handling apparatus is described. An improved stacker pusher motor arrangement has a defined cycle of operation. The time it takes the stacker pusher motor to complete a predetermined portion of this cycle is measured. A braking time is computed from the measured time, and a braking control signal dependent thereon is applied to the stacker pusher motor to stop the stacker pusher motor at the appropriate position. An improved banknote transporting arrangement measures the time needed for a banknote to travel from a first point to a second point. A braking time is computed from the measured time and an appropriate braking control signal is applied to stop the banknote at the appropriate position.

Abstract: An improved currency validator having an electrical signal generating sensor for scanning an area of a bank note and generating a sequence of electrical signals in response to the currency identifying characteristics detected by the sensor in the area scanned is described. Circuitry is provided for measuring the intervals between the generated signals, classifying each of the measured intervals into one of a plurality of sets and determining the difference between the number of intervals in one of said sets and the number of intervals in another of said sets. By comparing the above difference with a constant, information concerning the validity or denomination of the bank note is obtained. Additional circuitry is described for normalizing measured intervals and set bounds to take into effect variations in the speed of transport of banknotes which are to be discriminated.

Abstract: A coin presence sensing apparatus comprises one or more ringing electronic oscillator circuits at least some of which include an inductor having a dumbbell shaped core adjacent a coin passageway. A pulse generating circuit is provided to selectively pulse each oscillator circuit. After the oscillator is pulsed, it begins to oscillate. Coin proximity during the time the oscillating circuit oscillates is determined by comparing the output of the oscillating circuit with the output of an oscillating circuit having a reference inductor isolated from coins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coin examination which subjects one side of a coin to a low frequency electromagnetic field from a transmitter inductor driven by an astable oscillator and frequency divider, receives a portion of the field on the other side of the coin with a receiving inductor, amplifies the output of the receiving inductor with a non-linear amplifier, and measures the phase shift between the signal driving the transmitter inductor and the amplifier output.

Abstract: An accountability system for a vending machine system having means for vending products and means for determining credit, the accountability system comprising a portable electronic data file module which is removable from the system, and means for collecting transaction data from the vending machine system and recording it in the portable electronic data file module. A module interlock and a power monitor are provided to ensure that accurate information is stored in the module.