Check-actuated control mechanisms – Including means to test validity of check – By testing material composition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-10
2001-05-15
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 2167)
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Including means to test validity of check
By testing material composition
C194S334000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230870
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coin changer utilized in a vending machine which is capable of accepting and storing different coin denominations and in particular to a coin changer having a coin detection device for coin detection and discrimination.
Vending machines typically include coin changer devices for accepting coins of different denominations. These coin changer devices function to authenticate each of the coins inserted into the vending machine and to determine the denomination of each of the coins. Known coin detection devices utilize various coin detection techniques and methods which include optical size detection and metallic content or characteristic detection. Examples of two such coin detection devices are disclosed in U.S Pat. Nos. 4,625,852 and 4,646,904. In operation, a deposited coin is routed along a coin path to pass by either optical sensors or inductive sensors. The optical sensors typically include a phototransistor having a light emitting diode. As the coin rolls by the optical sensor the transmitted light produced by the light emitting diode is blocked from reaching the phototransistor by the coin and a signal representative of this event is sent to the coin changer device. This signal or the duration of this signal may be used to determine the size of the coin. The inductive sensors produce magnetic fields which interact with the coin. The characteristics of the magnetic fields are dependent upon the resistivity and permeability of the coin material as well as the coin size. The signal generated from the interaction of the coin with the magnetic field produced by the inductive sensor can be compared with predetermined unique characteristics for each coin type to be examined by the coin changer device. If the generated signal matches certain characteristics for a particular coin type, then the deposited coin is identified as being that particular coin type.
Although optical sensors and inductive sensors are useful in determining authenticity and denomination of a deposited coin, these sensors typically take up room in the coin changer device in which space is at a premium. Further, it is desirable to utilize small sensing units in vending applications for various reasons. Small sensing units are desirable for coin detection because these units may be positioned close to the coin path for greater magnetic coupling with the coin passing by the inductive sensors. Greater magnetic coupling results in higher magnitude signals being induced in the inductive sensors which results in more accurate coin type identification.
Accordingly, it is desirable and advantageous to provide a coin detection device having small sensing units which are employed to authenticate and accept coins of different denominations. Additionally, it would be advantageous to have a coin detection device which is more accurate in determining coin authenticity and denomination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The coin detection device of the present invention is capable of determining a size of a coin traveling along a coin track with the device comprising a first inductive sensor positioned along the coin track, a second inductive sensor positioned above the first inductive sensor, a processing circuit connected to the first and second inductive sensors, each of the sensors for providing an output signal to the processing circuit and the processing circuit determining the size of the coin based upon a ratio of the output signals.
In another form of the present invention, a coin detection device for detecting a characteristic of a coin comprises a processing circuit, a first inductive device connected to the processing circuit and the first inductive element for producing a magnetic field and for providing an output signal to the processing circuit indicative of the interaction of the field with the coin, a second inductive device connected to the processing circuit, the second inductive element for producing a magnetic field and for providing an output signal to the processing circuit indicative of the interaction of the field with the coin, the first and second inductive devices being in a vertical relationship to each other, and the processing circuit for determining whether the coin is acceptable based upon a comparison of the output signals.
Another form of the present invention is a metal detector which comprises a first circuit formed of an inductive element and a second circuit formed of an inductive element, the first and second circuits being connected to a processing circuit, the inductive elements being in a vertical relationship to each other, the first and second circuits each providing an output signal to the processing circuit, the output signals being produced by the presence of a metallic object and the processing circuit for detecting a characteristic of the metallic object based upon a ratio of the output signals.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coin detection device which is capable of detecting coins and other metallic objects.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a coin detection device which is of a compact design.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coin detection device which can be used to distinguish between a number of different denomination coins without the need for replicative circuitry.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin detection device which utilizes magnetic size detection to effectively distinguish between different coin types and coins of similar metallic content.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a coin detection device which is usable with other coin detection and validation devices.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin detection device for use in coin operated vending systems for distinguishing between acceptable coins and unacceptable coins deposited by customers.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a coin detection device for identifying undesired and counterfeit coins, tokens, slugs, and non-coin objects, and for also determining and aiding in the determination of denomination of acceptable coins.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive yet accurate coin detection device for sensing certain movements of objects such as coins and for distinguishing counterfeit objects or coins from genuine coins and for identifying the denominations of each acceptable coin.
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Leibu Mark H.
Levasseur Joseph L.
Coin Acceptors, Inc.
Haverstock, Garrett & Roberts LLP
Jaketic Bryan
Olszewski Robert P.
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