Abstract: A coin identification apparatus includes a pair of series connected coils driven by an oscillator. Frequency and/or amplitude characteristics of the oscillator output generated by the passage of a distinct token between the pair of coils are compared with prestored characteristics of acceptable tokens. A processor, upon detecting a match between the detected and pre-stored frequency and amplitude characteristics, activates a motor to rotate a coin receptacle to a coin return position discharging the token to the user, simultaneously causes a door latch pin to separate from a door latch allowing opening of the door to permit access to the interior of the enclosure in which the coin identification apparatus is mounted and selects a new total vend value from memory associated with a detected token.

Abstract: A coin identification apparatus includes a pair of spaced series connected elongated, planar coils driven by an oscillator. Maximum frequency and amplitude values of the oscillator output generated by the passage of a coin between the pair of coils are compared with prestored frequency and amplitude values of acceptable coins. A processor, upon detecting a match between the detected and pre-stored frequency and amplitude values, activates a motor to rotate a coin receptacle to a position discharging coins into a storage receptacle and simultaneously causing a door latch pin to separate from a door latch allowing opening of the door to permit vending of an article from the enclosure in which the coin identification apparatus is mounted.

Abstract: A coin identification apparatus includes a pair of spaced series connected elongated, planar coils driven by an oscillator. Maximum frequency and amplitude values of the oscillator output generated by the passage of a coin between the pair of coils are compared with prestored frequency and amplitude values of acceptable coins. A processor, upon detecting a match between the detected and pre-stored frequency and amplitude values, activates a motor to rotate a coin receptacle to a position discharging coins into a storage receptacle and simultaneously causing a door latch pin to separate from a door latch allowing opening of the door to permit vending of an article from the enclosure in which the coin identification apparatus is mounted.

Abstract: A circuit for use in providing high voltage power to a neon bulb positioned on the vehicle utilizing the vehicle DC battery as the power source. The circuit includes an invertor, a transformer, and a rectifier. The invertor receives low voltage DC from the vehicle battery, converts the low voltage DC to a low voltage AC drive voltage, and delivers the AC drive voltage to the transformer primary for conversion to a high voltage AC at the transformer secondary. The rectifier receives the high voltage AC from the transformer secondary, converts the high voltage AC to high voltage DC, and delivers the high voltage DC to the neon bulb. Since the power delivered to the neon tube is DC there is less need to shield the tube with respect to electro magnetic emissions and parasitic losses in the wire runs between the battery and the neon tube are significantly reduced.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for controlling the operation of a workpiece inspection procedure using a battery operated probe to contact the workpiece and transmit information back to a controller in a machine tool system. In one embodiment, battery power is applied to the probe transmission circuitry in response to a flash of infrared radiation. In another embodiment, the probe is turned on by touching the probe against a reference surface. In both embodiments, a timer is provided to automatically disconnect the batteries after a predetermined time period. In such manner battery life is prolonged.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for controlling the operation of a workpiece inspection procedure using a battery operated probe to contact the workpiece and transmit information back to a controller in a machine tool system. In one embodiment, battery power is applied to the probe transmission circuitry in response to a flash of infrared radiation. In another embodiment, the probe is turned on by touching the probe against a reference surface. In both embodiments, a timer is provided to automatically disconnect the batteries after a predetermined time period. In such manner battery life is prolonged.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for controlling the operation of a workpiece inspection procedure using a battery operated probe to contact the workpiece and transmit information back to a controller in a machine tool system. In one embodiment, battery power is applied to the probe transmission circuitry in response to a flash of infrared radiation. In another embodiment, the probe is turned on by touching the probe against a reference surface. In both embodiments, a timer is provided to automatically disconnect the batteries after a predetermined time period. In such manner battery life is prolonged.

Abstract: Provision is made for identifying tools used in an automated machine tool system. A module or transponder is mounted to the tool and interrogated by a transceiver which, in the preferred embodiments, has read/write capabilities. The transponder uses energy from the transmitted signal to power itself and send information stored in its memory back to the transceiver. In one embodiment, electromagnetic energy is transmitted from the transceiver to the transponder while the transponder to transceiver communication link is provided by way of capacitive coupling.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of testing the operability of probes used in performing workpiece probing operations. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the probe has a first circuit for generating a first signal, the first signal inducing the probe to generate a second signal. A second circuit is provided for receiving the second signal. The second circuit is adapted to generate a third signal indicative of the operability of the probe when the second signal is received. In the preferred embodiment, an infrared signal is delivered by the apparatus to the probe causing the probe to emit an infrared signal. The infrared signal emitted by the probe is then used by the apparatus to generate an electrical signal indicative of the operability of the probe.

Abstract: Automated gaging apparatus for use with a machine tool system is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is adapted for use with a touch probe and includes circuitry for frequency shift keying a subcarrier signal responsive to contact occurring between the touch probe and a workpiece. The subcarrier is used to switch a source of microwave radiation, such as a Gunn diode oscillator, on and off at the shifted frequency. The microwave signal is detected by a remote receiver, and the detected signal is coupled to the controller for the machine tool system for use in gaging the workpiece.

Abstract: Provision is made in a battery operated probe for detecting and wirelessly transmitting information to a remote receiver indicating that the battery power in the probe is low. In the preferred embodiment, both probe stylus position information and low battery information are transmitted by way of at least one infrared optical transmission device in the probe. A pair of phase locked loop circuits in the remote receiver are used to discriminate stylus position information from low battery condition information in the optical transmission.

Abstract: A touch probe construction that enables it to be used in place of tool holders used in existing turning centers to perform workpiece inspection operations without requiring modification of the machine. The probe housing is designed to generally correspond in shape to the tool holders and includes a self-contained battery power supply and transmission circuitry for radiating an infrared signal to a remote receiver head when the probe stylus contacts an object such as a workpiece surface. The probe circuitry is designed so that current drain on the battery is minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the position of a probe relative to a workpiece, for example probe contact with the workpiece, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transducer for converting probe contact to an electrical signal and a plurality of light emitting semiconductors for wirelessly transmitting an indication of the occurrence of the signal via infrared radiation. The apparatus is particularly suitable for operation with a mechanical switch type probe transducer. The apparatus is easily adapted to transmit the occurrence of probe contact by either amplitude modulation or frequency modulation of the emitted infrared radiation.

Abstract: Positional information about movable components in a machine system relative to the workpiece is wirelessly transmitted by infrared radiation to a remote receiver. The receiver is operative to convert the infrared signals into electrical signals for controlling operational cycles of the machine system.

Abstract: An optically coupled in-process gaging system is disclosed for use with numerically controlled machine tools wherein a battery-powered gage unit is enclosed in a housing adapted for retention in an automatic NC program controlled selection from the NC tool magazine. The gage unit can be placed in a machine tool device, such as a spindle, whose movement is directed by the NC program to place a gage transducer of the gage unit in contact with a workpiece to perform dimensional gaging. The gage unit converts an electrical transducer signal into an infra-red optical FM signal for wireless transmission to a receiver unit coupled to a microcomputer-based control unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the position of a probe relative to a workpiece, for example probe contact with the workpiece, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transducer for converting probe contact to an electrical signal and a plurality of light emitting semiconductors for wirelessly transmitting an indication of the occurrence of the signal via infrared radiation. The apparatus is capable of operation with either a mechanical switch type probe transducer or a current measuring transformer type probe transducer. The apparatus is easily adapted to transmit the occurrence of probe contact by either amplitude modulation or frequency modulation of the emitted infrared radiation.

Abstract: An optically coupled in-process gaging system is disclosed for use with numerically controlled machine tools wherein a battery-powered gage unit is enclosed in a housing adapted for retention in an automatic NC program controlled selection from the NC tool magazine. The gage unit can be placed in a machine tool device, such as a spindle, whose movement is directed by the NC program to place a gage transducer of the gage unit in contact with a workpiece to perform dimensional gaging. The gage unit converts an electrical transducer signal into an infra-red optical FM signal for wireless transmission to a receiver unit coupled to a microcomputer-based control unit.

Abstract: A caliper-type transducer for measuring a workpiece includes a pair of non-crossing pivot arms each having a contact end and a transducer end. The arms are interconnected for frictionless pivotal movement by a fixed pivot block and spring members which act to limit the displacement of the arms to complemental displacement in the plane of measurement. One arm carries two reactive elements mounted in spaced opposed relationship such that the transducer end of the other arm may be disposed therebetween to vary the reactances according to movement of the caliper ends which cause corresponding movement in their respective transducer ends. The change in reactances of the reactive elements are differentially sensed as the arms are displaced from an initial position when measuring the workpiece.

Abstract: A remote metering system for monitoring, collecting, analyzing, transmitting and displaying data generated by a plurality of metering devices. A controller, preferably a microprocessor, stores the continually up-dated data, analyzes it, and initiates transmission of the data to at least one remote data receiving device. The data transmission from the controller is in serial format and includes a plurality of different channels, with at least one channel corresponding to a combination of selected data associated with different metering devices. A scaling factor can be applied to particular metering data prior to transmission, for example, so as to provide cost analyses. The remote data receiving device includes the capability of receiving and displaying data corresponding to any of the output data transmission channels from the controller.

Abstract: Improved excitation circuitry for a variable reluctance transducer is disclosed which includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. Power circuitry coupled to the primary winding induces an AC excitation signal in the secondary winding which is coupled to the transducer. An error detection circuit compares a reference signal with the excitation signal and feeds back an error signal to the power circuitry to compensate for any differences therebetween. In such manner, a constant excitation signal is maintained for the transducer.