Abstract: A method and apparatus including the steps of establishing a defining attributes of a respective coin based at least upon a predetermined ratio of weight per unit of volume or upon topological features of one or more predominant surfaces of the coin, measuring a first set of dimensional parameters that define a shape of the disk including one or more thickness and diameter measurements, measuring a second parameter including a weight of the disk, measuring a third set of parameters defining a set of topographical features of the disk, comparing the measured parameters within at least some of the plurality of files of the database; and classifying the disk as a specific type of coin by substantially matching at least some of the measured parameters of the disk with the attributes of at least one of the plurality of files.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a coin or other valuable object is authentic is presented. In one configuration a method for validating a valuable object includes attaching a validation device to the valuable object. The validation device is loaded with validation information associated with the valuable object. Later, when the when the object is to be sold or transferred to another person the validation device is wirelessly read to extract the validation information associated with the valuable object. This information used to verify if the valuable object is authentic or is not authentic, based, at least in part, the validation information associated with the valuable object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coin return process applicable in coin returns in which at least two types i of coins of different values coexist in a single storage area. The process has the steps of: obtaining a total value to be returned; assigning different initial weights Weighti0 to each of the at least two types of coin, i<=2; identifying the coin to be extracted or recovered by the return prior to its extraction or recovery; Weightsi? is equal to a pre-established value, in which case the coin is extracted. Then, modifying, after the identification of, Weighti? the coin to be extracted or recovered by the return, the weight assigned to the identified coin, where the Weighti? being the modified weight; and, checking if the modified weight, Weighti? is equal to a pre-established value, in which case the coin is extracted.

Abstract: Improved coin selector of the type being incorporated in any kind of machines operated by means of the insertion of coins to be validated, the selector (1) comprising an anti-thread safety mechanism constituted by a generally L-shaped lever (3) that is positioned in respect of the coin inlet opening (2), that is rotably mounted in respect of a shaft (4) by the end of one of its wings, while its other wing, in its resting position, crosses the coin passage channel (5) and interferes, by its free end, the beam of a pair of photodiodes (6), it being provided below the lever (3) with a feeler (7) of a general L-shape being rotable by its vertex, one of its wings (9) having a shape of a truncated cone that, in its resting position, crosses the coin passage channel (5).

Abstract: A coin validator which discriminates valuable coins includes a coin path along which the coins roll. A leaf spring is fixed at one end and has a spring member which projects into the coin path at the other end when the leaf spring is in a rest position. The leaf spring oscillates when the spring member is struck by a rolling coin. An evaluation circuit produces a timing signal as a function of the elapsed time between the striking of the spring member by the rolling coin and the time when the spring member first approaches the rest position after being struck. A memory stores reference values corresponding to valuable coins and a comparator compares the timing signal to the reference values for discriminating valuable coins.

Abstract: Coin discrimination apparatus includes a coin rundown path along which coins roll so as to impact a snubber provided with a piezo electric device. The coin impact produces an oscillatory voltage output from the device, which is sampled over a predetermined period for its peak maximum and minimum values. The values are combined in a predetermined relationship to produce a coin parameter signal indicative of coin mass and the material from which it is made. Coin acceptability is determined on the basis of the value of the coin parameter signal.

Abstract: "Device for the obtaining of mechanical characteristics of coins", composed of a beam (1) that is embedded by at least one of its ends (2) and a flexible elastic by its displacement of coins through the length of the same. This beam (1) consist of an elongated plain strip of natural steel, with a lateral widening (4) at one of its extreme portions, which is introduced in an adjusted manner into a cavity encasement (6) formed in the selector, with said widening (4) remaining exteriorly retained by an anvil (8) that is fixed to the selector and pressured on the strip (1) towards the encasement, descanting the same in projecting with a certain longitudinal and transversal inclination.

Abstract: Improvements in coin selectors to determine weight as an additional measurement to the alloy, diameter and cross section consisting of a mechanical device made up of two overlapped levers (2) and (3) the free end of lever (2) remaining under an orthogonal projection (6) of lever (3), lever (3) being in connection with a ferrite (7) in whose magnetic field it penetrates, upon the coin being located in area A of lever (2). It has an electronic device made up of an oscillator (8) of ferrite (7) with a rectifier (15) to determine the wave amplitude of the oscillator, as well as an analogic-digital converter (16) which transforms the analogic value provided by the rectifier into a number that the C.P.U. (17) processes. On the other hand, the Schmitt scale (18) transforms the sinewave into rectangular impulses, passing over a bridge (19), the C.P.U. determines the period and processes this information, obtaining the weight of the coin.

Abstract: An electronic device with no moving parts identifies and counts coins. The device may comprise a plurality of sensors and appropriate circuitry for interpreting the signals emitted by the sensors. In a preferred embodiment, a sensor to detect the presence of a ferrous object, a sensor to detect the presence of a solid object, and a sensor to measure the weight of a coin are each implemented in an inexpensive and reliable manner by use of electronic components. Sensed information is collected and processed by a programmable microprocessor.

Abstract: Coin validation apparatus having a coin chute including a hard striking surface upon which a coin entering the apparatus is directed. A microphone is positioned to detect acoustic vibrations of the coin after it strikes the striking surface. An output from the microphone is applied to a fast fourier transform device to produce a signal analysis of the coin vibration. A weighbridge measuring apparatus which is made up of a flexible strip of resilient material carried on a support at each end is provided. The coin rolls across the flexible strip to cause a temporary deflection of a center portion of the strip. A strain gauge located at the strip center to produce an electrical signal representative of the deflection. A classifier compares the signal analysis and the strain gauge signal with stored data representative of a set of standard coins, for classifying the coin as a particular coin value.

Abstract: A low power coin discriminator detects and identifies the denomination of a coin to activate a parking meter, telephone, or vending machine device. Initially the device is in a low power, dormant state. Insertion of a coin into the discrimator trips a switch which produces a wake-up pulse which turns on a microprocessor. The coin falls upon a piezoelectric element, a signal from which causes the microprocessor to activate a photoelectric sensor. The coin moves through the photoelectric sensor which determines the net cross-sectional area of the coin. The microprocessor samples the output of the photoelectric sensor to detect the minimum light incident upon the sensor at the point of maximum eclipse of the light beam. The microprocessor also samples the output of an integrator which integrates the output of the piezoelectric element to produce a numerical value proportional to the mass of the coin.

Abstract: A coin acceptor includes first and second members initially spaced apart from one another and frictionally carrying a third member having a coin selectively positioned thereon. Moving the first and second members toward one another causes relative displacement between the third member and the first and second members. The relative displacement is compared with a reference position.

Abstract: A coin acceptor includes first and second members initially spaced apart from one another and frictionally carrying a third member. Moving the first and second members toward one another displaces the third member a distance corresponding to the weight of the coin selectively positioned on the third member. The distance which the third member is displaced is compared with a reference position.

Abstract: A coin sorting device is designed to inhibit tampering with a coin operated machine by means of a wire, metal tape or the like, and to further prevent non-acceptable coins from being accepted by the coin-operated machine.