Abstract: A coin detection antenna includes a substrate and an air core coil in a track shape including a wiring pattern provided on the substrate, and a width of an air core of the air core coil in a short-side direction is equal to or less than twice a thickness of a smallest coin having a smallest thickness of coins to be detected.

Abstract: A coin sensor comprising a first inductive branch with a first inductor in series with a first resistor; a second inductive branch with a second inductor in series with a second resistor, wherein the first and second inductors are arranged facing each other on both sides of a passage channel of coins to be discriminated; at least one capacitive branch with a condenser and a resistor in series; an excitation circuit with a generator and at least one pair of switches, configured to alternately feed the first inductive branch and the second inductive branch with a pattern signal with spectral energy in two or more frequencies, such that the branch of the inductor excited at any given time is arranged in a bridge configuration with at least one capacitive branch; at least one differential amplifier configured to alternately measure the voltage between the exit nodes of the excited bridge.

Abstract: A coin processing device including: a material detection sensor including first and second coils facing each other with a coin passage interposed therebetween; an outer diameter detection sensor including ring-shaped third and fourth coils that surround the first and second coils, respectively; a first oscillation circuit connected to the material detection sensor that oscillates a first oscillation signal in an individual connection state and a series connected state and is connected to the material detection sensor and the outer diameter detection sensor; a second oscillation circuit connected to the outer diameter detection sensor that oscillates a second oscillation signal in the individual connection state; a switching unit that switches the individual connection state and the series connection state; a coin identification unit that detects an outer diameter of a coin using the second oscillation signal in the individual connection state or the first oscillation signal in the series connection state.

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: 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: 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: In a coin recognition apparatus, when an oscillator control unit applies a synthesized signal containing signals of a plurality of designated frequencies to an oscillator coil, an AD (Analog-to-Digital) converting unit converts an output signal from a receiving coil into a digital signal. A frequency expansion unit expands the digital signal on a frequency axis. A coin recognition unit recognizes a coin based on an amplitude of each signal of the designated frequency extracted from the expanded signal. Furthermore, if the coin recognition apparatus detects a coin center, which is a substantially central line on a surface of the coin, has reached a magnetic sensor based on the output signal from the receiving coil when a single frequency signal is applied to the oscillator coil, the synthesized signal is applied to the oscillator coil.

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 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 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 inspection method and device of inexpensive composition are provided, whereby the shape of the edge portions of a coin and the indentations patterns on the surface of a coin can be inspected with a high level of accuracy by means of a simple, single group of coils.

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: An 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 signatures points from the frequency profiles and compares the signature points with stored signatures for a multitude of coins and/or tokens.

Abstract: The coin identification device comprises a gravity fed chute structure having an opening for receiving a coin to be identified, walls to guide the coin as it moves through the chute and an opening for the coin to exit. A wake-up circuit with sensing coils mounted near the chute opening provides an output signal when the presence of a coin is detected. Two coin sensing circuits, each having an oscillator with a particular coil arrangement are used to sense the characteristics of the coin passing through them. The first coin sensing circuit includes a coil arrangement having a coil mounted on the chute with its axis in the direction of the coin path such that the coin will pass through it and forming part of a first oscillator to create lines of flux parallel to the coin path.

Abstract: A device and method are set forth for determining the authenticity of a coin or token which includes a housing defining a passageway to pass the coin to be tested. Coils are disposed about the housing to generate magnetic flux lines at the passageway. Detection circuits detect changes in amplitudes of the frequencies generating the flux and signals are created corresponding thereto. These signals are compared at a processor to stored data corresponding to amplitude changes for an authentic coin to determine if the coin is authentic.

Abstract: A public telephone that has the ability to return change to a user is described. A coin changer that is advantageously sized to fit within the space available in a public telephone built to BellCore standards advantageously replaces the coin collect/reject equipment located after a "coin-discrimination" portion of conventional coin mechanisms found in such telephones. Existing public telephones may be readily retrofitted with the present coin changer. A three-position "trigate" is advantageously used to direct a coin to a return chute, or to one of two mechanical coin sorters within the coin changer. In one embodiment, each sorter is operable to sort three different coin denominations. Escrow capacity is included to temporarily store sorted coins. The sorters/escrow are advantageously readily-removable so that a first sorter may be removed and another inserted to provide sorting and escrow for other coins from other coin sets, including those from other countries.

Abstract: A coin-sensing system wherein at least two sensor coils are electrically connected in series and physically arranged so that a coin deposited into the apparatus may pass sequentially through each sensor coil and thereby change the impedance of the coil. A sensor oscillator circuit incorporates the sensor coils to output an oscillating sensor signal at a frequency dependent on the impedance of the sensor coils. Counters measure the frequency of the sensor signal to obtain a frequency signature for the deposited coin which can be compared with frequency signatures of valid coins. The oscillator circuit may produce a lower frequency oscillating sensor signal or a higher frequency oscillating sensor signal and electronic switches are included in the circuit for switching from one of the frequency levels to the other after the deposited coin encounters a first sensor coil and before the deposited coin encounters a second sensor coil.

Abstract: Coin detector may be manufactured in several steps. An integrated circuit board (ICB) having conductive material on its surface is covered with an etching mask where conductive elements are to be located. The unmasked portion of the ICB surface is etched off, and then the etching mask is removed. The ICB substrate is attached with a detector circuit located on an etched portion of the ICB surface. An oscillator circuit is connected to a conductive coil. If the coin detector uses a two-layer coil, the coils are connected by a through-going board. The structure is encased in a synthetic material.

Abstract: An electronic coin detector and method for sensing the presence of a valid coin and for providing an indication of the valid coin's type. A coin is guided into position between a first set of inductor coils. The coin is then guided through a channel surrounded by a second inductor coil. A first oscillating signal is then fed to the first set of inductor coils and a second higher frequency oscillating signal is fed to a second inductor coil. An altered signal is then provided in response to the effect of the coin passing through the inductor coils. After the coin has passed adjacent one of the inductor coils, the inductor coils are fed a calibration signal to produce a calibrated signal. This calibrated signal is then used to scale the altered signal.

Abstract: A system is used to validate bottle caps, or top crowns, having particular reflectivity characteristics in plastic covering their undersides and in an alloy from which they are made. This permits the top crowns belonging in a particular promotion to be different, in these respects, from the rest of the top crowns on the market. Validation is carried out with the assistance of an identifying mechanism having an optical sensor and an inductive sensor in front of which the top crowns move while being carried by a conveyor belt or band when inserted in the identifying mechanism. The optical sensor works together with a generator of light having a given wavelength that is reflected by the underside of the cap or top. Thereafter, the light reaches the optical sensor. Signals generated by the optical and inductive sensors, upon the passage of the top crown, are duly processed and compared with the preset valid values in a suitable program.

Abstract: In coin discrimination apparatus, a coin under test rolls past first and second inductive sensors (C1, C2) which produce first and second coin signals (x.sub.1, x.sub.2) in dependence upon the coin under test. The coin signals are compared with data defining first and second stored windows (W.sub.1, W.sub.2) to determine acceptability of the coin. In accordance with the invention the data for the first and second windows (W.sub.1, W.sub.2) are stored respectively for providing both a first and a second window width (W.sub.11, W.sub.12 ; W.sub.21, W.sub.

Abstract: In a metal body discriminating apparatus of a simple structure and a high detecting accuracy for discriminating a material, a shape, a size, or the like of a metal body by the magnetical principle, an oscillator which performs the oscillating operation by the resonant operation together with the coil wound like a ring is provided to thereby generate magnetic lines of force in the coil. Changes in frequency and amplitude of an oscillation signal in response to changes in impedance and inductance of the coil by the operation of the eddy current which is generated in the metal body by the magnetic lines of force by relatively moving the metal body into the hollow space of the coil are detected as feature parameters of the metal body. Two or more coils constructing a similar oscillator are arranged at regular intervals and a size of metal body is discriminated from each of the oscillation signals having a phase difference which are obtained when the metal body passes in the coils with a time deviation.

Abstract: An electronic coin detector and method for sensing the presence of a valid coin and for providing an indication of the valid coin's type. A coin is guided into position between a first set of inductor coils. The coin is then guided through a channel surrounded by a second inductor coil. A first oscillating signal is then fed to the first set of inductor coils and a second higher frequency oscillating signal is fed to a second inductor coil. An altered signal is then provided in response to the effect of the coin passing through the inductor coils. After the coin has passed adjacent one of the inductor coils, the inductor coils are fed a calibration signal to produce a calibrated signal. This calibrated signal is then used to scale the altered signal. The frequency and amplitude of the scaled altered signal for the first set of inductor coils and the second inductor coil are combined with prestored statistical variables corresponding to frequency and amplitude values of a sample of valid coins.

Abstract: A coin detection apparatus is disclosed which is particularly suitable for low power applications. The coin detection apparatus utilizes a detector coil as part of a resonant circuit. The resonant circuit with no coin present in the detector coil has a damped impulse response. When a coin is present within the detector coil, the damping of the impulse response of the resonant circuit is increased. Periodic generation of an impulse input to the resonant circuit and measurement of the resulting impulse response enables the presence of a coin within the detector coil to be ascertained.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing coins is disclosed which is capable of distinguishing between valid and non-valid coins as well as between the different denominations of coins. The apparatus is useful for application in coin-operated parking meters as well as other coin-operated machines. The apparatus makes use of a twin-coil sensor which enables it to distinguish between small coins with high metal content and large coins with low metal content.

Abstract: In a metal body discriminating apparatus for discriminating the material, shape, size, or the like of a metal body, an oscillator performs a self-oscillating operation together with a coil wound like a ring provided to generate magnetic lines of force. Changes in frequency and amplitude of an oscillation signal in response to changes in impedance and inductance of the coil caused by an eddy current, which is generated in the metal body when the metal body moves through the coil, are detected as indicators of features of the metal body. Two or more of such coils may be arranged at regular intervals and the size of metal body will be discriminated based on signals having a phase difference which are obvious when the metal body passes sequentially through the coils.

Abstract: An electronic coin detector and method for sensing the presence of a valid coin and for providing an indication of the valid coin's type. A coin is guided into position between a first set of inductor coils. The coin is then guided through a channel surrounded by a second inductor coil. A first oscillating signal is then fed to the first set of inductor coils and a second higher frequency oscillating signal is fed to a second inductor coil. An altered signal is then provided in response to the effect of the coin passing through the inductor coils. After the coin has passed adjacent one of the inductor coils, the inductor coils are fed a calibration signal to produce a calibrated signal. This calibrated signal is then used to scale the altered signal. The frequency and amplitude of the scaled altered signal for the first set of inductor coils and the second inductor coil are combined with prestored statistical variables corresponding to frequency and amplitude values of a sample of valid coins.

Abstract: Coin discrimination apparatus comprises a path (1) for passage of coins under test; sensor coils (2, 3, 4) forming an inductive coupling with a coin under test during its passage along the path, each of the sensor coils being connected in a resonant circuit (10, 11, 12) which exhibits a resonant frequency that varies in dependence upon the inductive coupling between the coil and coin, control circuitry (14) which maintains the resonant circuit at the resonant frequency while a coin under test is inductively coupled to the coil, and amplitude responsive circuitry (MPU) responsive to the change in the amplitude of an oscillatory signal developed by the resonant circuit when the coin under test passes the sensor coil to discriminate between different coins, wherein the control circuitry includes a zero crossing detector (A1) responsive to the oscillatory signal crossing a zero threshold level for producing a rectangular waveform corresponding to the oscillatory signal, and drive circuitry (FF1, 2; OR1, 2) respon

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, method and apparatus for identifying winning and losing tokens used in a promotion which includes a machine in which one of such tokens is placed. An eddy current sensor in the machine determines the composition of the alloy of which the token is made and identifies it as a "winner" or a "loser." If the token is a winner, the machine may hold the token for manual release and verification. In one aspect of the invention, a coupon is or other object is dispensed when the token is a winner.

Abstract: A coin validator includes improved compensation circuitry for compensating for ambient conditions such as temperature or the presence of metallic objects, includes a path (1) for passage for coins under test, sensor coils (2, 3, 4) which form an inductive coupling with coins under test during their passage along the path, detectors (DM1, ADC) responsive to the impedance presented by the coil in the absence of a coin, for producing an ambient condition signal which is a function of an ambient condition such as temperature of the presence of metallic objects a controller (MPU 17) responsive to the inductive coupling between a coin travelling along the path past the coil, for providing signal which is a function of a characteristic of the coin, and a microprocessor (MPU) for modifying operation of the controller in dependence upon the ambient condition signal.

Abstract: A device for discriminating metal in an object is provided including a sense coil and related circuitry, with variations in the self inductance of the sense coil being measured as the object is passed substantially through the center of the coil.

Abstract: A coin discriminator system for use in an electronic parking meter. A deposited coin is inserted in the electronic parking meter and a chute guides the deposited coin past an inductor. The deposited coin causes a momentary change in the value of inductance of the inductor. A phase lock loop electronic circuit has an input connected to the inductor and the phase lock loop electronic circuit. The correction signal compensates for the change in the value of inductance of the inductor and has a wave shape unique to the deposited coin. A microprocessor receives the correction signal waveform for comparison to a plurality of predetermined wave shapes of a plurality of known coins to thereby identify the deposited coin. The plurality of predetermined wave shapes are stored in a memory connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A multicoin tester has a coin inlet path 1 along which coins under test run edgewise past coils 2, 3 on opposite sides of the path, and through the windings of a coil 4. Electronic circuitry responsive to the inductive coupling of the coin with the coils operates a gate 5 to either reject the coin onto path 1b or to accept the coin into path 1a. As shown in FIG. 2 each of the coils 2, 3 and 4 is arranged in a parallel L-C resonant circuit 10, 11, 12 connected in the feedback path of an amplifier A1, the resonant circuit being energised sequentially by multiplexer M1. Each of the circuits 10, 11 and 12 has its own natural resonant frequency. The resonant circuits 10, 11, 12 are driven by a voltage controlled oscillator VCO. A phase locked loop including a phase comparator PS1 drives the oscillator VCO at a frequency corresponding to the natural resonant frequency of whichever of the circuits 10, 11 and 12 is connected thereto.

Abstract: A coin selection apparatus comprises a plurality of detection coils and an oscillation circuit which detects changes of impedances of the detection coils caused when a coin pass through the detection coils, as a change of a voltage output. The plurality of detection coils include at least two sets of detection coils each including two detection coils opposingly arranged to the coin path. One set of detection coils has its two coils connected in series and in phase and the other set of detection coil has its two coils connected in series and in phase opposition. The two sets of coils are arranged at a spacing along the coin path smaller than a minimum diameter of a coin to be selected and all of the coils are connected in series and connected as a resonance element of the oscillation circuit. Thus, material, thickness and diameter and other appearance characteristic of the coin are detected based on the voltage output of the oscillation circuit.

Abstract: Electronic coin or token detector apparatus is provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention wherein a predetermined parameter of a coin under test is measured to determine genuineness and surface reflectivity is tested to insure a selected threshold level is present. The coin under test is treated as authentic only if both conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: An improved coin chute assembly wherein the housing contains a coin receiving opening, a first coin exit opening, a second coin exit opening, and a coin passageway disposed therein and interconnecting the coin receiving opening with the first and second coin exit openings. The coin passageway is characterized as having an upper coin path, a coin receiving section and a coin reject section, the upper coin path being oriented to permit a coin to fall in a substantially downward direction through the chute assembly and thus through the coin receiving section towards the first coin exit opening or through the coin reject section towards the second coin exit opening. A coil having a coin slot formed therethrough is positioned around the upper coin path such that an object traveling through the upper coin path passes through the coin slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coin acceptor mechanism in which a coil (101) is wound on a former (102) having a central opening (104) of a shape corresponding to the outline of a coin (103) to be checked and mounted with the plane of the opening at an angle to the horizontal. The opening (104) has, towards its lower side, a cross member (106) located below the transverse center line of the coil (101) so that a coin (103b) can momentarily rest on the cross member with its plane in the plane of the coil and can then turn about the cross member under its own weight and pass edge-wise through the opening in the former.

Abstract: A coin 12 to be checked is passed through a test coil 1 connected in parallel with a capacitor 2. A comparison coil 3 having an adjustable core 5 is also connected in parallel with a capacitor 4 and a direct current is passed through both coils in parallel from a rail 13 to an interrupter 14. The simultaneous interruption of the current through both coils produces between each coil and its capacitor a respective oscillatory discharge in the form of a decaying wave train and the characteristics and dimensions of the two coils and their capacitors are such that when a coin of the selected denomination passes through the test coil, the two wave trains are substantially identical. The two wave trains are compared by a comparator device 6 and a voltage comparator 7 generates a signal when the result of the comparison is below a predetermined datum, thus indicating that the coin is a genuine one.