Abstract: A magnetism detection device capable of improving the ability to detect magnetic features of coins and reducing a change in outputs due to a change in transport positions of coins, a coin recognition device, and a method for detecting magnetism using the magnetism detection device. The magnetism detection device includes a transport path on which a coin is to be transported, detection coils arranged on at least one side of a transport surface of the transport path and along a direction crossing a transport direction of the coin, and a controller configured to detect a magnetic feature of the coin based on an output signal from at least one but not all of the detection coils.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic detection device (100) having a simple configuration and being capable of stably detecting fine portions of a coin. The magnetic detection device (100) comprises an excitation coil (LX) that generates an alternating magnetic field in a transport path for transporting a coin in a first direction, and a plurality of detection coils (L1, L2) that are arranged at a predetermined pitch in a second direction and that output a detection signal based on an induction voltage caused by the alternating magnetic field. Each of the plurality of detection coils (L1, L2) outputs a detection signal on the basis of the induction voltage induced by the alternating magnetic field, which changes due to the coin being transported along the transportation path.

Abstract: A switching circuit and a method for providing a switch array having an on resistance is presented. The switch array has a plurality of switches, where each switch is arranged to be in different configuration states. The states include an enabled configuration and a disabled configuration. The switching states include an on state and an off state. Each switch is held in the off state when in the disabled configuration. Control circuitry sets the switches to either the enabled configuration or the disabled configuration, and a memory element coupled to the control circuitry and arranged to store configuration data for setting the configuration state of each of the switches. The control circuitry sets the configuration state of the switches based on a signal received from the memory element. The on resistance of the switch array depends on the switching state of the switches and their individual on resistances.

Abstract: The invention is a dispenser security system which has an ambient light sensor to detect tampering with a fuel dispenser. The ambient light sensor will be used to detect the delta change in light over time. If the delta change occur within a certain criteria then a thief is determined to be occurring and an alarm or warning is sent out. The ambient light sensor is located within a control box within the fuel dispenser unit.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes at least one and preferably a plurality of progressive awards which are each associated with a supplemental fund or pool. If the gaming system determines that the progressive award is not growing at a designated incremental rate (due to a lack of wagers placed on gaming devices associated with the progressive award), the gaming system utilizes part or all of the amount in the supplemental fund to make up for this lack of wager based growth. Such a configuration provides that even if players are not actively playing gaming devices associated with the progressive award, the progressive award will still increment at a designated rate to at least a desirable value.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a money item sensor comprising an electrical oscillator operable at a plurality of different oscillating frequencies to sense at least one property of money items. The oscillator is configured to trigger changes in the oscillating frequency synchronously with the beginning of a new frequency cycle of the oscillator.

Abstract: A coin-shaped detection object discriminating device may be used with a detection object in a coin shape, and the coin-shaped detection object discriminating device may include a passage through which the detection object is passed; a permanent magnet; and a magnetic sensor disposed opposite to the permanent magnet across the passage.

Abstract: A target detection system may include a power supply and an inductor capacitor (LC) tank circuit. The LC tank circuit may include a sensing coil, a first tank capacitor, and a second tank capacitor. Further, the LC tank circuit may alternate between the first tank capacitor and the second tank capacitor, and the power supply may power the LC tank circuit. The target detection system may further include measurement circuitry to measure a first decay characteristic of a first set of free oscillations from the first tank capacitor and a second decay characteristic of a second set of free oscillations from the second tank capacitor. Additionally, the target detection system may also include processing circuitry to compare the first decay characteristic to the second decay characteristic to determine a presence and a distance of a target.

Abstract: A paper sheet insertion apparatus (for example, depositing and dispensing unit 20) includes: an imaging unit (for example, camera 60) configured to take an image of a side edge portion, on a placement member 23a side, of paper sheets placed in a placement unit 22, or a side edge portion, on a side opposite to the placement member 23a side, of the paper sheets placed in the placement unit 22, to obtain image data; and a control unit (for example, depositing and dispensing unit control unit 72) configured to determine, based on the image data obtained by the imaging unit, whether or not a plurality of the paper sheets placed in the placement unit are bundled by a bundling member.

Abstract: A device for identifying an object to identify may include a passage through which the object passes; an exciting coil and a detection coil; a core body around which the exciting coil and the detection coil are wound; and a control unit to which the detection coil is connected. The core body may include a first core and a second core. An analog coil output signal may be input into the control unit, a signal level of the coil output signal rising if the identification object passes through the passage path. The control unit may obtain a signal value of the coil output signal and identify the object.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. Disclosed methods for discriminating coins include recognizing strings of alphanumerical characters of the coin using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The methods can include recognizing colors and/or reflectivity of the coin using, for example, pixel thresholding algorithms. The methods can further include adding a line to an image of the coin, and measuring angles between the line and the edges on the coin. The methods can also include generating a rectangular image of the coin using, for example, a log-polar transform, generating a series of, for example, Fourier transforms from the rectangular image, and identifying spectral peak locations and intensities in the Fourier transform results.

Abstract: A coin validator apparatus includes an inclined coin chute interconnecting the coin outlet gate with a coin rejection outlet via a validation sensor module and a coin diverter mechanism, the coin chute defining a coin transport path and including a radially outer curved guide wall, such that in operation a coin exiting the coin outlet gate and traversing the coin transport path is subjected to a centripetal acceleration that constrains the coin to follow and abut the contour of the radially outer curved guide wall between the coin outlet gate and a coin diverter sensor disposed downstream in the coin transport path.

Abstract: Coin conveyor for coin processing machines, with a channel having: a first coin (16) reception segment (1), defined by a longitudinally movable wall (5) and by an opposite fixed wall (10), both converging towards each other towards the inside of said channel; a second coin transportation and alignment segment (2), defined by a longitudinally movable wall (5), by an opposite fixed wall (10) and by an also fixed bottom (12); a third coin separation segment (3), defined by the lateral surface of a freely rotating cylindrical roller (14), by a longitudinally movable wall (5), by an opposite fixed wall (10) supported on the lateral surface of said cylindrical roller along the length of an arch of approximately 90°, and by a fixed bottom (12); and a fourth coin delivery segment (4), defined by a longitudinally movable wall (5) and by an also fixed bottom (12). The longitudinally movable wall (5) of all segments is constituted by a single endless belt being mounted on pulleys (6-6?).

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining an electromagnetic sensor signal of a coin, generating a contour signal by digitizing the sensor signal, identifying an active interval in the contour signal by eliminating the segments of the contour signal which are close to zero, and detecting the coin approach, pivot and departure points (coin features) from the contour signal in the active interval. The coin features can be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coin.

Abstract: A coin validator apparatus includes an inclined coin chute interconnecting the coin outlet gate with a coin rejection outlet via a validation sensor module and a coin diverter mechanism, the coin chute defining a coin transport path and including a radially outer curved guide wall, such that in operation a coin exiting the coin outlet gate and traversing the coin transport path is subjected to a centripetal acceleration that constrains the coin to follow and abut the contour of the radially outer curved guide wall between the coin outlet gate and a coin diverter sensor disposed downstream in the coin transport path.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining an electromagnetic sensor signal of a coin, generating a contour signal by digitizing the sensor signal, identifying an active interval in the contour signal by eliminating the segments of the contour signal which are close to zero, and detecting the coin approach, pivot and departure points (coin features) from the contour signal in the active interval. The coin features can be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coin.

Abstract: A coin tester includes a coin sensor which outputs a measurement signal which is influenced by the presence of a coin. A memory device stores an impedence model of the coin sensor and the model representing an expected influence of a coin configuration model on the measurement signal. A processor computes and applies acceptance criteria to determine whether the coin falls within a predetermined coin configuration.

Abstract: A coin sensor performs time-domain eddy-current testing using an inductance in one arm of a Maxwell bridge which is driven by a bipolar square wave having randomly-selected intervals between transitions, the output of the bridge being sampled at a high frequency. A processor stores a model which receives the drive signal and adjusts coefficients of the model so that the output matches the sampled measurements. Acceptance criteria are applied to the adjusted coefficients for coin classification purposes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically positioning a coin sensor are disclosed herein. An auto-positioning coin sensor configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a coin sensor for determining a physical characteristic of an object and a moving device operably coupled to the coin sensor. The moving device can be configured to adjust the position of the coin sensor to determine the physical characteristic. Auto-positioning coin sensors in accordance with the present technology can include coin sensors that can be positioned based on a measurement of a dimension of an object.

Abstract: A coin discrimination apparatus according to the present invention which discriminates a bimetallic coin having a ring part, and a core part provided on an inner side of the ring part and composed of a different material from that of the ring part, includes: a conveyor which conveys the bimetallic coin; a ring sensor which is arranged at a position where only the ring part of the bimetallic coin conveyed by the conveyor transits, and which detects magnetic properties; and a core sensor which is arranged at a position where the core part of the bimetallic coin conveyed by the conveyor transit, and which detects magnetic properties.

Abstract: A method to generate an optical signature of a coin is disclosed. A plurality of parameters are generated and recorded related to rotational positions around the circumference of a coin. The data from these parameters are combined to produce a searchable value.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing scattering signatures from a coin comprises a platform configured to hold the coin and an electromagnetic radiation source configured to produce a beam directed toward a portion of at least one surface of the coin. The electromagnetic radiation source is arranged to produce a far-field scattering signature upon interaction the at least one surface of the coin. A plurality of collection elements is configured to produce an electrical signal based upon collecting at least a portion of the far-field scattering signature.

Abstract: A method for testing coins which move along a runway, using a coil assembly which, on either side of the runway, has a transmission coil C, D adapted to be admitted by a transmission signal and a reception coil A, B on a common ferrite core wherein the reception coil smaller in diameter is closer to the runway than is the transmission coil and the diameter of the transmission coil is smaller than the diameter of the smallest coin to be assumed, and wherein the ferrite core has arranged thereon a secondary coil coupled to the transmission coil the signal of which is connected, as a negative-feedback signal, to the input of a differential amplifier in such a way that the signal of the transmission coil agrees with the transmitted signal provided to the other input of the differential amplifier.

Abstract: A coin identifying sensor and a coin identifying apparatus has coin detecting sections (25X and 25Z) that are formed by relatively disposing a group of coin identifying sensors (21A, 21B, 21C and 21D) with each group provided with three aligned and integrated coin sensors. Each, of the sensors has a core wound with a coil. The sensors are disposed in a coin path in a direction crossing a movement direction of a coin. The first and second coin detecting sections are sequentially disposed on a coin path (4) to determine whether a coin is real or not using detection data of diameter, material and thickness of the coin based upon detection outputs sequentially obtained from the coin detecting sections.

Abstract: A coin discrimination apparatus and method is provided. Coins, preferably after cleaning, e.g. using a trommel, are singulated by a coin pickup assembly configured to reduce jamming. A coin rail assists in providing separation between coins as they travel past a sensor. The sensor provides an oscillating electromagnetic field generated on a single sensing core. The oscillating electromagnetic field is composed of one or more frequency components. The electromagnetic field interacts with a coin, and these interactions are monitored and used to classify the coin according to its physical properties. All frequency components of the magnetic field are phase-locked to a common reference frequency. The phase relationships between the various frequencies are fixed, and the interaction of each frequency component with the coin can be accurately determined without the need for complicated electrical filters.

Abstract: A method for testing coins which move along a runway, using a coil assembly which, on either side of the runway, has a transmission coil C, D adapted to be admitted by a transmission signal and a reception coil A, B on a common ferrite core wherein the reception coil smaller in diameter is closer to the runway than is the transmission coil and the diameter of the transmission coil is smaller than the diameter of the smallest coin to be assumed, and wherein the ferrite core has arranged thereon a secondary coil coupled to the transmission coil the signal of which is connected, as a negative-feedback signal, to the input of a differential amplifier in such a way that the signal of the transmission coil agrees with the transmitted signal provided to the other input of the differential amplifier.

Abstract: A system for validating a coin has a passageway through which the coin passes, in use; an oscillator having a component positioned relative to the passageway for the frequency and amplitude of oscillation of the oscillator to be varied, in use, by passage of the coin along the passageway; a period (or frequency) determining unit for determining the period (or frequency) of an oscillating signal provided by the oscillator when influenced by the coin and for supplying a determined period (or frequency) value; an amplitude determining unit for determining the amplitude of the oscillating signal provided by the oscillator when influenced by the coin and for supplying a determined amplitude value; and an assessing unit for assessing if the determined period (or frequency) and amplitude values lie in a predetermined window of period (or frequency) and amplitude values.

Abstract: A paper leaf detecting device includes a plurality of sensors positioned at an oblique angle relative to a transporting direction of leaves of paper, the plurality of sensors being arranged in a single row that extends in a direction orthogonal to the transporting direction of the leaves of paper. The paper leaf detecting device makes it possible to detect information on leaves of paper by using their transportation to scan the leaves of paper in a direction that is orthogonal to the transporting direction. An increase in size in the transporting direction of the leaves of paper is prevented.

Abstract: A coin conditioner is provided for cleaning or otherwise conditioning coins in a coin discriminator apparatus prior to transfer to a coin sensor. Coins enter through a feed tray and move down the length of a perforated tumbler, preferably without the use of gravity, such as under screw force, mechanical or centrifugal force. The spinning tumbler is preferably rotated about its longitudinal axis by a motor. In one embodiment, a blower or vacuum draws or moves air from one area to another, with the air preferably being filtered. As coins move through and down a tumbler, projections such as vanes, fins, ridges, dimples, spines or other raised features cause mechanical agitation and/or abrasion as coins are lifted and dropped while passing longitudinally through the tumbler. The coins are conditioned and non-coin matter is collected as it is separated and/or abraded from the coin surfaces.

Abstract: A foreign object detection apparatus has at least one pair of first and second members which are members configuring a space, in which bills to be processed are deposited, and disposed to face each other to push and sandwich the bills therebetween, the first member provided with antennas made of a copper foil and applied with a voltage from a voltage applying unit and the second member made of a conductive material and grounded to configure a virtual capacitor; a measuring unit which is disposed to measure a voltage generated according to electrostatic capacitance of the virtual capacitor; and a judging unit which judges the presence or not of a foreign object according to a difference between a prescribed reference signal and a changed output voltage from the measuring unit depending on a change in electrostatic capacitance of the virtual capacitor due to the foreign object included in the bills.

Abstract: A coin collecting machine and coin bin are disclosed. The coin bin includes a brake system that can be selectively applied by a detachable handle. A plurality of ports can be provided in the lid of the coin bin for distributing coins evenly through the bin, and the apertures can be selectively opened to receive coins and prevent access to the coins. The bin further includes a floor that includes sloped surfaces. The coin collecting machine includes a motorized funnel system for funneling coins to each of the ports in the bin for even distribution.

Abstract: A coin inspection method and apparatus capable of inspecting coins having different materials and surface patterns with high accuracy by a simple coil arrangement. An exciting coil is arranged in the vicinity of one side of a coin passage inclined at a predetermined angle so that two magnetic poles thereof face the coin passage. Two receiving coils having substantially identical characteristics are arranged in the vicinity of the same side of the coin passage so that the receiving coils are electromagnetically coupled with the exciting coil. The exciting coil is excited at a predetermined frequency and an oscillation voltage of the exciting coil is detected. Also, an influence of a reactive magnetic field produced by eddy current induced on a surface of the coin is detected by the receiving coil. Material of the coin can be determined based on the oscillation voltage level of the exciting coil.

Abstract: A method for measuring the diameter of coins in coin validators, comprising the steps below: The coins traverse an electromagnetic field which is formed such as to partially hide the field, at least also by their upper area. The field is generated between at least one transmitter coil and a receiver coil. The transmitter coil is periodically acted on by a short transmission pulse the duration of which is small as compared to the time of coin passage. The maximal attenuation values are determined for different times of the transmission pulse. The attenuation values measured are extrapolated into time 0. The measured value determined by extrapolation is compared to a predetermined acceptance band or a predetermined characteristic line for coin diameters for comparison to a stored setting.

Abstract: A coin selector assembly includes a coin passageway having at least a pair of thickness sensor unit operatively positioned along the coin passageway to provide respective measurements of the thickness of the coin. A comparing unit compares the respective thickness signals with corresponding stored standard values representative of a genuine coin to determine the authenticity of the coin. Additional sensor unit can be positioned along the coin passageway and excited with different frequencies. Thus, a material sensor unit and a diameter sensor unit or a pair of diameter sensor unit can also be utilized.

Abstract: A currency validator operates by comparing measured properties of inserted articles with acceptance criteria. A set of acceptance criteria can be either enabled or disabled automatically. Some sets of acceptance criteria can be considered after an acceptance/rejection decision, and if they are met they are automatically enabled during a subsequent validation operation.

Abstract: A coin detector installed in the track of a coin acceptor at a back side of a face panel is constructed to include a frequency oscillation circuit, the oscillation circuit assembly being formed of two printed circuit boards symmetrically disposed at two sides of the track of the coin acceptor each printed circuit board having a spiral coil and adapted to measure the inductance value of the coin passing through, a frequency switching circuit for setting reference values, and a CPU adapted to compare the inductance value of the coin detected by the oscillation circuit assembly to reference values obtained from the frequency switching circuit so as to determine the authenticity and value of the coin detected.

Abstract: A coin detector installed in the track of a coin acceptor at a back side of a face panel is constructed to include a frequency oscillation circuit, the oscillation circuit assembly being formed of two printed circuit boards symmetrically disposed at two sides of the track of the coin acceptor each printed circuit board having a spiral coil and adapted to measure the inductance value of the coin passing through, a frequency switching circuit for setting reference values, and a CPU adapted to compare the inductance value of the coin detected by the oscillation circuit assembly to reference values obtained from the frequency switching circuit so as to determine the authenticity and value of the coin detected.

Abstract: A coin sensor utilizes time-multiplexing of LC oscillators having natural frequencies F1A, F1B, F2, and F3 to produce magnetic fields in three sets of windings. As a coin passes through the coin sensor, the LC oscillators are separately enabled in a sequence to produce a frequency profile for each set of windings. A first winding produces a frequency profile for the facial area of a coin, a second winding produces a frequency profile for a cross-sectional area of a the coin, and a third winding produces a frequency profile for further distinguishing the relative size of a coin. A microcontroller identifies signature points from the frequency profiles and compares the signature points with stored signatures for a multitude of coins and/or tokens.

Abstract: A coin discrimination method and device reliably acquires stable two-dimensional images of the surfaces of coins, and using the acquired two-dimensional images is able to perform discrimination, reliably and at high speed, between genuine and counterfeit coins, and between coin types. In a coin pathway configured so as to block interfering light, sensors are positioned at an image-capture position and at a position upstream from the image-capture position; an image sensor is caused to begin image capture simultaneously with the detection, by the sensor upstream of the image-capture position, of a coin, and illumination is emitted for a short time simultaneously with the detection, by the sensor at the image-capture position, of the coin, to acquire an image of the coin. Specific patterns are detected in a binary image obtained by converting the acquired image to binary level, and coin discrimination is performed based on the detected patterns.

Abstract: A coin sensor is provided for more accurately assessing the authenticity of a coin passing through a vertical channel where the channel is sized to accommodate different diameter coins. In the present invention, magnetic coils are deployed on the side of the channel to measure magnetic flux, which is converted to digital signals and compared to stored values to assess the diameter, thickness, and material of the coin. To reduce the tolerances associated with the varying path of the coin, the sensors have been provided with cores having generally straight and parallel upper and lower surfaces aligned perpendicular to the path of the coin to remove the variances in the overlapping coin area as the coin.

Abstract: A coin inspection method and apparatus capable of inspecting coins having different materials and surface patterns with high accuracy by a simple coil arrangement. An exciting coil is arranged in the vicinity of one side of a coin passage inclined at a predetermined angle so that two magnetic poles thereof face the coin passage. Two receiving coils having substantially identical characteristics are arranged in the vicinity of the same side of the coin passage so that the receiving coils are electromagnetically coupled with the exciting coil. The exciting coil is excited at a predetermined frequency and an oscillation voltage of the exciting coil is detected. Also, an influence of a reactive magnetic field produced by eddy current induced on a surface of the coin is detected by the receiving coil. Material of the coin can be determined based on the oscillation voltage level of the exciting coil.

Abstract: A sensor for a coin acceptor includes an inductor connected in a series resonant circuit. The sensor coils are arranged in a series resonant configuration with the resonant capacitance made up of two identical capacitors, one on either side of the sensor. The series resonant configuration reduces the effects on sensor readings of common mode noise on the coin acceptor power supply.

Abstract: A coin discriminating apparatus includes a magnetic sensor for detecting magnetic properties of a coin being transported and producing magnetic data of the coin, an optical sensor for producing optical data of the coin, a reference optical data memory for storing reference optical data of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of coins of each denomination, a reference magnetic data memory for storing reference magnetic data of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of coins of each denomination to be discriminated, a first coin discriminator for comparing optical data of the coin produced by the optical sensor with reference optical data of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of coins of each denomination and determining whether or not the coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin, and a second coin discriminator for reading from the reference magnetic data memory magnetic reference data selected depending upon whether reference optical data of the obverse surface of a coin of a certain de

Abstract: A coin discrimination apparatus and method is provided in which an oscillating electromagnetic field is generated on a single sensing core. The oscillating electromagnetic field is composed on one or more frequency components. The electromagnetic field interacts with a coin, and these interactions are monitored and used to classify the coin according to its physical properties. All frequency components of the magnetic field are phaselocked to a common reference frequency. The phase relationships between the various frequencies are fixed, and the interaction of each frequency component with the coin can be accurately determined without the need for complicated electrical filters or special geometric shaping of the sensing core. In one embodiment, a sensor having a core, preferably ferrite, which is curved, such as in a U-shape or in the shape of a section of a torus, and defining a gap, is provided with a wire winding for excitation and/or detection.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining certain characteristics of an article (60, 62), the apparatus including an electromagnet inductor (10, 30) with a first end (20, 54) and a second end (20, 54) with an air gap (24, 58) therebetween, there being at least one arm (12, 32, 34) joining the first end (20) and the second end (20) having electrical windings (14, 52) to generate a magnetic flux in the air gap (24, 58), the arm (12, 32, 34) being a fixed return path for the magnetic flux.

Abstract: A coin sensor is provided for more accurately assessing the authenticity of a coin passing through a vertical channel where the channel is sized to accommodate different diameter coins. In the present invention, magnetic coils are deployed on the side of the channel to measure magnetic flux, which is converted to digital signals and compared to stored values to assess the diameter, thickness, and material of the coin. To reduce the tolerances associated with the varying path of the coin, the sensors have been provided with cores having generally straight and parallel upper and lower surfaces aligned perpendicular to the path of the coin to remove the variances in the overlapping coin area as the coin.

Abstract: An improved eddy-current sensor for a coin validator uses a thin ferrite plate having a suitable aspect ratio for two coils. One of them serves to generate magnetic field and the other serves to produce a voltage if there is a coin with eddy-currents in it. The first coil is short cylindrical one and is placed in the middle of the biggest surface of the plate. Its axis is perpendicular to the plate surface. The second coil is wound around the plate with a half coil at one end of the plate and an opposite half coil at the opposite end of the plate, plate symmetrical about center of the plate. The sensor is positioned in the pathway of the coin validator such that the moving direction of movement of the coin is along the pathway perpendicular to the axis of the first coil and makes with the largest axis of the plate an angle about 45 degrees.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for determining authenticity of coins based on difference in surface irregularity pattern of coins. A coin passage is inclined at a predetermined angle, and an exciting coil is arranged near one side wall of the coin passage such that the two magnetic poles of the exciting coil face the coin passage. Two receiving coils having substantially identical characteristics are arranged near the same passage wall such that they are electromagnetically coupled with te exciting coil. The exciting coil is excited at a predetermined frequency, and an influence of a demagnetizing or reactive magnetic field caused by eddy current induced on the surface of a coin is detected by the receiving coils. The level of the demagnet or reactive magnetic field varies depending on difference in surface irregularity pattern of coins, and thus authenticity of coins can be determined based on the difference in surface irregularity pattern. This can be attained with a simple, inexpensive arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating among a plurality of coin denominations includes sensing the characteristics of a test coin with a test coin sensor and comparing the characteristics of the test coin with characteristics of a plurality of coin denominations thereby producing comparison signals. If the comparing results in a match between the characteristics of the test coin and characteristics of one of the coin denominations, then the test coin is declared to be the matched coin denomination. If the comparing results in matches between the characteristics of the test coin and characteristics of more than one of the coin denominations, then the matches are compared to each other to determine which of the matches represents a valid match. The test coin is declared to be the coin denomination which corresponds to the valid match.

Abstract: A coin discriminating apparatus includes a magnetic sensor for detecting magnetic properties of a coin being transported and producing magnetic data of the coin, an optical sensor for producing optical data of the coin, a reference optical data memory for storing reference optical data of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of coins of each denomination, a reference magnetic data memory for storing reference magnetic data of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of coins of each denomination to be discriminated, a first coin discriminator for comparing optical data of the coin produced by the optical sensor with reference optical data of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of coins of each denomination and determining whether or not the coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin, and a second coin discriminator for reading from the reference magnetic data memory magnetic reference data selected depending upon whether reference optical data of the obverse surface of a coin of a certain de