Method and apparatus for coin or object sensing using adaptive operating point control
First Claim
1. A device for controlling a coin discriminator, the device comprising:
- a signal generator;
at least one processor coupled to receive and monitor coin signals generated by the signal generator, wherein the processor receives and monitors the coin signals at each of two or more frequencies, and wherein the coin signals include signals representing size and composition of a passing coin;
at least one amplifier coupled to the signal generator and the at least one processor, wherein the at least one amplifier automatically provides at least one control signal to control a quiescent voltage level of the signal generator to control amplitudes and frequencies of the coin signals received by the processor over at least one range of operating temperatures, and wherein the at least one control signal holds the two or more frequencies substantially constant; and
wherein the coin signature measurement signal is, or is constructed from, a variation of a control signal utilized to keep an oscillator frequency substantially invariable while the coin passes by.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coin sensor is provided including a method and apparatus for providing adaptive operating point (AOP) control. The AOP control is provided using circuits and associated methods and algorithms connected between measurement circuits of the coin sensor and the coin sensor oscillator. The AOP control automatically monitors and controls the quiescent voltage levels of four signals used by the coin sensor to discriminate coins. The four signals represent coin size and coin composition. In addition, the AOP control automatically performs calibration and adjustment functions both during manufacture of the coin sensor system and during its operational life. The automatic monitoring and control functions provided by the AOP control result in a significant increase in the dynamic range of the coin sensor response. This reduces the coin false-reject rate while improving the coin discrimination precision.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A device for controlling a coin discriminator, the device comprising:
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a signal generator; at least one processor coupled to receive and monitor coin signals generated by the signal generator, wherein the processor receives and monitors the coin signals at each of two or more frequencies, and wherein the coin signals include signals representing size and composition of a passing coin; at least one amplifier coupled to the signal generator and the at least one processor, wherein the at least one amplifier automatically provides at least one control signal to control a quiescent voltage level of the signal generator to control amplitudes and frequencies of the coin signals received by the processor over at least one range of operating temperatures, and wherein the at least one control signal holds the two or more frequencies substantially constant; and wherein the coin signature measurement signal is, or is constructed from, a variation of a control signal utilized to keep an oscillator frequency substantially invariable while the coin passes by. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for adjusting a coin discrimination system, comprising:
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receiving at least one coin signature measurement signal, wherein the coin signature measurement signal represents at least one physical characteristic of a coin; automatically adjusting a quiescent state of the at least one coin signature measurement signal, by adjusting an amplitude and a frequency of the measurement signal, to maintain at least one baseline value at a constant level over an operating temperature range; and wherein the coin signature measurement signal is, or is constructed from, a variation of a control signal utilized to keep an oscillator frequency substantially invariable while the coin passes by.
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Specification