Check-actuated control mechanisms – Including means to test validity of check – By testing material composition
Patent
1994-03-28
1996-02-06
Bartuska, F. J.
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Including means to test validity of check
By testing material composition
G07D 508
Patent
active
054890152
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to coin discrimination apparatus which has particular but not exclusive application to a multi-coin validator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a conventional multi-coin validator, coins pass along a path past a number of spaced sensor coils which are each energised to produce an inductive coupling with the coin. The degree of interaction between the coin and the coil is a function of the relative size of the coin and coil, the material from which the coin is made and also its surface characteristics. Thus, by monitoring the change in impedance presented by each coil, as the coin passes it, data indicative of the coin under test can be provided. The data can be compared with information stored in a memory to determine coin denomination and authenticity.
The geometry of the coils in relation to the coin to be tested, strongly influences the degree of interaction between the coin and the coil. By selecting different coil geometries for the coil, different interactions and hence different characteristics of the coin can be tested.
For example, UK Patent No. 2 169 429 in the name of Coin Controls Limited discloses coin discrimination apparatus utilising three inductive sensor coils, two of which are disposed to one side of the coin path and are of different diameters, together with a third coil which is arranged to wrap around the path so that the coin under test passes axially through it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved way of achieving an inductive coupling with a coin under test.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided coin discrimination apparatus comprising: means for defining a path for coins under test, first and second inductor means for forming concurrent inductive couplings with a coin under test during its passage along the path, switching means for causing energisation of the inductor means to produce a sequence of coin tests wherein for each thereof a different resultant inductive coupling is formed between the inductor means and the coin depending upon the manner of energisation of the first and second inductor means, and sensor means for sensing said resultant inductive coupling for each of said tests in the sequence.
The inductor means conveniently comprise first and second coils disposed on opposite sides of the coin path. The switching means conveniently is configured to switch current in a bi-directional manner through each of the first and second coils individually. The sequence of tests performed on the coin under test may comprise feeding current through the first coil individually, feeding current through the second coil individually, feeding current in the same sense through both of said coils concurrently, and feeding current in opposite senses concurrently through said first and second coils respectively.
The sensing means may comprise means for sensing the amplitude and/or frequency developed across the or each said coil for each said test.
Conveniently, the coils are arranged in an oscillatory circuit driven by an ac oscillator in a phase locked loop which tends to maintain the frequency of the oscillator at the natural resonant frequency of the oscillatory circuit as the coin passes the coil. The sensor means may comprise means for sensing the peak amplitude deviation of the oscillatory signal during each said test.
The peak amplitude deviations may be compared in a microprocessor with preprogrammed values in order to determine coin authenticity and/or denomination.
An array of optical detecting means may be provided adjacent the coin path for detecting coin diameter and/or thickness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more fully understood an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of coin discrimination apparatus according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3 to 6 are schematic f
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Bartuska F. J.
Coin Controls Limited
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