Abstract: A dual planetary gear transmission having two planetary gear sets rotatably mounted on a common grounded axle wherein sun gears span both planetary gear sets providing a system for gear movement to be transferred between both gear sets whereby additional input allows modification to a differential relationship between the main transmission members. The disclosed transmission has many applications, including integration within a weight-generating device.

Abstract: This invention provides an enhanced bezel for use with a bill acceptor. The enhanced bezel includes a processor to monitor detailed information about the status of the bill acceptor, and other information related to its operation. The processor displays this information through multiple indicators on the enhanced bezel. The bezel is also configured to include an external communication portal/interface, such as an infrared data communications (“IrDA”) interface, to output information to an external personal digital assistant (“PDA”) or portable computer device. The external device may be capable of downloading data, and, if appropriate, it may reprogram the bill acceptor, calibrate sensors in the bill acceptor, and perform hardware tests, among other tasks. The bill validator's external communication portal/interface will communicate with the external device through a secure proprietary interface protocol.

Abstract: A dual planetary gear transmission according to the following characteristics is disclosed: 1) a first input and common output rotate in the same direction with the same speed as long as; 2) changing an input angle of the second input causes a differential angle between the first input and common output, said differential angle remaining constant until said second input returns to an original position or said input angle is changed; 3) the input angle may be added at any time independent of the first input's rotational speed; and 4) the first input has no effect on the differential angle caused by the second input angle. A mirrored version of the transmission includes two independent systems of two gear sets each. Based on the characteristics, the transmission allows the ratio of the input to output to be altered by changing the differential input. The transmission has many applications, including integration within a weight-generating device.