Coin detection means including a current ramp generator
First Claim
1. A coin detection means comprising a circuit means including a sensor coil means and a current ramp generator means connected to supply a current ramp to said sensor coil means for a limited duration of time, said sensor coil means having a field associated therewith, and detector means connected to said circuit means to monitor circuit performance characteristics thereof, such performance characteristics being affected by the presence of a coin within the field of said sensor coil means during the time that a current ramp is being supplied to said sensor coil means, said detector means responsive to changes in circuit performance characteristics when a coin is present within the field of said sensor coil means during the time that a current ramp is being supplied to said sensor coil means to produce output data, said output data produced being representative of the particular coin present within the field of said sensor coil means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coin detection system and method of operation thereof, comprising a sensing circuit portion including a sensor coil, which need be only a single sensor coil, positioned adjacent to the coin path and connected in circuit with a current ramp generator, preferably operable under control of a system control circuit portion, and a detector circuit portion connected to the sensing circuit portion to monitor and detect circuit performance characteristics and changes thereof that are effected by the presence of a coin within the field of the sensor coil at the time a current ramp is applied to the sensor coil by the ramp generator, from which circuit performance characteristics a coin characteristic value, preferably a time constant characteristic, representative of the particular coin present within the field of the sensor coil can be derived and thereafter utilized for coin detection, denomination discrimination, and coin sizing purposes.
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Citations
30 Claims
- 1. A coin detection means comprising a circuit means including a sensor coil means and a current ramp generator means connected to supply a current ramp to said sensor coil means for a limited duration of time, said sensor coil means having a field associated therewith, and detector means connected to said circuit means to monitor circuit performance characteristics thereof, such performance characteristics being affected by the presence of a coin within the field of said sensor coil means during the time that a current ramp is being supplied to said sensor coil means, said detector means responsive to changes in circuit performance characteristics when a coin is present within the field of said sensor coil means during the time that a current ramp is being supplied to said sensor coil means to produce output data, said output data produced being representative of the particular coin present within the field of said sensor coil means.
Specification